Browns granted 48-hour extension by NFL to avert TV blackout for Sunday’s game against Oakland

NFL gives Browns more time to avoid TV blackout

CLEVELAND — The Browns have been granted a 48-hour extension by the NFL to avoid their first TV blackout since their expansion return.

A Browns spokesman says the league has given the club until Saturday at 1 p.m. to sell the remaining tickets for Sunday’s game against Oakland or the game will not be shown within a 75-mile radius. The league typically gives teams an extra 24 hours but extended for the Browns because of the Christmas holiday.

The team would not say how many tickets needed to be sold.

To this point, the Browns (3-11) have been able to avert their first blackout since the final game of 1995, Cleveland’s last before former owner Art Modell moved his franchise to Baltimore.

Previously, the club combined with local stations to buy up remaining tickets and distributed them to charities and area businesses. After facing the Raiders, the Browns will conclude their season at home against Jacksonville.