Buccaneers Offering Free Tickets To Improve Attendance, Fans Mock Initiative

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ended their four-game losing streak with a comfortable 27-9 win over the San Francisco 49ers, but it was done in front of the smallest crowd at their home Raymond James Stadium in eight years.

The Cincinnati Bengals with 52,844 and the Los Angeles Chargers with 35,202 are the only teams to have a lower average attendance compared to the Bucs this season, who have averaged around 55,181.

The Tampa Bay franchise are keen to increase attendance and have decided to offer two complimentary tickets each to their season ticket holders for their next home game against the Carolina Panthers.

According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, the limited number of tickets are available on a first-come-first-serve basis as per the letter sent to the season ticket holders on Wednesday. All interested in availing the tickets will have to reserve theirs by Thursday.

"Arrive early to get the party started and let's make sure the Panthers know this is OUR house'' was what was said to the Bucs’ season ticket holders in the email that was sent Wednesday.

The report claims the actual attendance recorded by the Tampa Sports Authority was 40,682 for the Buccaneers’ game against the 49ers on Sunday. It was the lowest for any home game since November 2010.

The Bucs’ chief operating officer Brian Ford played down the fact that they were trying to improve attendance by suggesting it was being done to improve fan experience and thank the season ticket holders.

"We have always looked for ways to add to the fan experience, and this offer is just another example of our desire to bring added value to our season pass members," Ford said.

"We have made similar offers over the years and the holiday seemed like a great opportunity to thank our loyal season pass members with a special opportunity like this,” he added.

The fans reacted to the offer by suggesting they rather watch the matches at home owing to their poor record this season. The Bucs are 4-7 and are unlikely to make the post-season yet again – something they have not achieved for over a decade.

Buccaneers defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul revealed his disappointment at having to play in front of such a small crowd on Sunday, but admitted if looked at from a fan’s point of view it was understandable. However, Pierre-Paul is hoping more people turn up for their game against the Panthers this Sunday and guaranteed that the team and he will play better if a bigger crowd is behind them.

"Definitely, small crowd last week," Pierre-Paul said. "We played our hearts out last week but it's our home field so we should have a home advantage. I'm pretty sure we will. If not, we'll make it,” he said. "It's not frustrating because you've got to understand the fans, too. They're tired of losing. If I look at it from a fan's point of view, too, I'd be (hacked) off, too if I think I can contribute to the game better than the players. But I'd be (hacked off), too. But at the end of the day, we still you all to come out. The more fans there, the better we play. The better I play.”