Playoffs 2000:Blazers seek to 'protect the home gate'

Blazers seek to 'protect the home gate'
Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Portland Trail Blazers are the only team left in the playoffs putting games on pay-per-view television, and Game 2 against Utah on Tuesday night cost $24.95.

The game, hosted by the Blazers and broadcast nationally by the TNT cable channel, was to be blacked out within a 35-mile radius of downtown Portland.

"People get the idea there's an obligation on the part of the team to televise a game, but there isn't," said Harry Hutt, the Blazers' senior vice president for marketing.

Hutt said the team wants "to protect the home gate ... to provide a sold-out crowd atmosphere" at the Rose Garden.

The Blazers have sold out 53 consecutive home games, including some aired on national and local TV.

Sunday's Game 1 of the series against the Jazz, shown on NBC, attracted a capacity crowd of 20,351.

Hundreds of fans called to complain last year when Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals, also against the Jazz, was available on pay-per-view for $15.95. The Blazers allowed Game 6 of that series to be aired on free TV.

The NBA has contracts with NBC and Turner Sports. If NBC does not to televise a game, TBS or TNT can, but the home team has the option of broadcasting games over local TV, pay-per-view cable or a regional sports network.