National Football League

ESPN, sponsors help Chargers lift blackout

Published Oct. 12, 2013 11:17 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

The San Diego Chargers have been spared the embarrassment of a local TV blackout of Monday night's game against the Indianapolis Colts after ESPN and some local sponsors guaranteed the purchase of approximately 8,500 tickets.

ESPN says it will give a portion of the tickets to military and charitable organizations.

The Chargers had received a 24-hour extension from the NFL before announcing Saturday that a sellout was guaranteed.

Among the companies helping buy tickets were two restaurants in which Chargers President Dean Spanos owns stock.

A similar arrangement was necessary last year to avoid a blackout of a game against Kansas City shown on the NFL Network.

The Chargers had four blackouts last year, when they finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs for the third straight season.

share

Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Football League