TV Blackout Is Lifted

Nike, with an assist from Bo Jackson, played a major role Friday in lifting the television blackout of Sunday’s AFC playoff game between the Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals.

The shoe and athletic apparel company bought 6,000 tickets, and KNBC and the NBC network bought another 3,000 that will be donated to youth groups.

That sale, coupled with a big public sale, left a limited number of $25 tickets unsold by Friday’s extended 6 p.m. deadline for lifting the blackout, according to Raider executive assistant Al LoCasale.

NBC agreed to purchase any remaining tickets, ensuring that the game will be televised in Los Angeles. Reportedly, there were only about 200 tickets available at the Raiders’ El Segundo facility at 6 p.m. Friday.

As for Nike’s role, it not only gets the public-relations benefits but also the Los Angeles audience for its commercials, which feature Jackson.

In a statement from the NFL, Jackson was given credit for agreeing to purchase tickets. But it was not disclosed whether Jackson actually paid for any tickets.

The original blackout deadline of 1 p.m. Thursday was extended to 6 p.m. Friday by the NFL because, the league said, the date and time of the game were not known until the final weekend of the season.

LoCasale said that the Raiders had wanted the game to be televised locally all along. “The league is who decides blackout policies,” he said. “We’re thrilled the blackout has been lifted.”