Lions facing possible 8th TV blackout in 11 games

WKAR Public Media

Published November 19, 2009 at 5:55 AM EST

By AP

ALLEN PARK, MI – Detroit fans may be denied yet another chance to watch the Lions on television.

Team spokesman Bill Keenist says that as of Wednesday afternoon, more than 7,000 tickets remained available for Sunday's game against Cleveland at Ford Field.

If the game isn't sold out by 1 p.m. Thursday - or 1 p.m. Friday, if the NFL grants an extension - the matchup of 1-8 teams will be blacked out in the Detroit, Lansing, Saginaw-Flint and Toledo, Ohio, TV markets.

Seven of Detroit's past 10 home games have been blacked out. A deadline extension allowed the Lions to sell out the Sept. 20 home opener against Minnesota. The Oct. 11 game against Pittsburgh also sold out, aided by visiting fans who made it look and sound as though the Steelers were at home.

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