ESPN NFL

NEW YORK -- For the fourth consecutive year, the NFL set a regular-season attendance record in 2006, averaging more than 67,000 fans per game.

Total paid attendance for games averaged 67,738, and increased to a season total of 17,340,879, the league announced Thursday.

It was the third straight year the league sold more than 17 million tickets.

"We once again thank the most passionate fans in sports for their tremendous support this year and every year," said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. "Our clubs and players are very appreciative of the large and enthusiastic crowds that make NFL games so special."

The number of tickets sold represents paid attendance at more than 90 percent of stadium capacity, and local TV blackouts were lifted due to sold-out games in a record 97.3 percent of games this season. Out of 256 games, there were seven local blackouts on the season.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press