Buccaneers Get the Message From Fans, Lower Ticket Prices for 2011

The once-dreadful Tampa Bay Buccaneers kept winning and their young stars became more visible: quarterback Josh Freeman, wide receiver Mike Williams, cornerback Aqib Talib. It looked like a team that might start to draw fans again.

The spigot never opened. The Bucs played to modest crowds and their games were blacked out locally. There was even the threat that if Tampa Bay (10-6) made the playoffs, the postseason game might be blacked out without a sellout.

The Bucs and the Chargers cut ticket prices this month for a 2011 season that might, nor might not, kick off on time next September. There is labor strife, which could result in a lockout. There are 16 teams, according to USA TODAY, that chose not to raise ticket prices for 2011.

This is an aggressive and overdue move. I have always had the impression from the NFL folks that if you showed up with $50 at a game they were going to try and get $51 out of you. The economy battered this team -- along with a 3-13 season in 2009 -- and the organization is making a wise move.

The Bucs announced that season ticket prices on thousands of season tickets have been reduced by up to 31%, with adult tickets starting at $35 per game.

Youth tickets (16 and under) are now available for purchase in any upper level section at 50 percent off adult prices, starting as low as $17.50.

Selected season parking that has been discounted by up to 40 percent with the cost at $13.50 per game.

One thing Bucs' officials better not kid themselves on with regard to children at games is the atmosphere. It is not conducive to children.

The free flowing alcohol contributes to a general unruliness among some fans. I have had fans at Atlanta Falcons games tell me of drunk, rowdy fans just cursing at the top of their lungs just because they could.

There is a surliness to fans and we'll see if all the texting to security people to report offenders is going to stop the impact of the liquor.

The one thing the Bucs and other NFL teams cannot control is the sale of big screen TVs and high definition. You can watch the game just a few steps from the bathroom and refrigerator. There is no screaming 25-year old sitting next to you (if there is he or she is on your home payroll and you can tell them to sit down and shut up).

The next thing that might happen to the fan is the NFL takes away free, over the air TV and puts it all on cable. The advertisers are preventing that from happening right now, but when enough people get cable, look out.