The New Orleans VooDoo’s critical home game vs. the Colorado Crush on Sunday will be shown to 83 percent of the nation on NBC, the Arena Football League announced. Sunday’s contest will have playoff implications for both teams, as the VooDoo (8-5) are now tied with Tampa Bay for third place in the Southern Division, while Colorado (also 8-5) is tied for first in the Central Division.

“We are excited to have this very important game broadcast to more than 80 percent of the United States – what a great way to showcase our team, our building, our city and our state than through free network television time,” said VooDoo Owner Tom Benson. “Just as with the Saints during the NFL season, the national exposure that accompanies having major sports franchises in town provides premium national advertising time on major networks at no cost to the city, state and region.”

Compounding Benson’s statement is the fact that New Orleans traditionally does very well in terms of football television ratings – both in the AFL and the NFL. New Orleans is the No. 1 rated AFL market for local ratings this season and historically ranks amongst the very best in the NFL as well. In addition, approximately 1.4 million households watched the last “nationally televised” VooDoo game, a 61-47 win over Philadelphia on Feb. 20. The last Saints game nationally televised (Oct. 17, 2004) was watched by 7.6 million homes.