Sports

Businessman Who Staved Off Blackouts Applauds NFL's Decision

/ CBS Detroit

LANCASTER, N.Y. (AP) — The NFL's decision to suspend its television blackout rule for the 2015 season is making one Buffalo-area businessman happy.

Hotel and restaurant owner Russell Salvatore has spent tens of thousands of dollars in recent years to buy unsold Buffalo Bills tickets so the team's home games wouldn't be blacked out in the western New York TV market.

On Monday, the NFL announced that no games will be blocked from local television during the upcoming season.

Salvatore has bought thousands of unsold tickets over the years to avoid local blackouts, including the 2010 and 2012 seasons. Some he gave away to customers, but the majority were donated to local charities and organizations.

Salvatore applauds the NFL's move, but says the Bills are likely to sell out every game this year anyway.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

First published on March 24, 2015 / 8:00 AM EDT

© 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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