PHOENIX -- Season ticket sales are lagging behind the pace of the Arizona Cardinals' first two years at University of Phoenix Stadium, but club officials don't expect a streak of 20 straight sellouts to end in 2008.

Sales aren't that far behind 2006 and 2007, when the team sold its allotment of season tickets before summer started.

This year, the club has sold more than 55,000 season tickets.

That's 2,000 to 3,000 short of the previous two years.

The waiting list has decreased from about 7,500 to 2,000, but that downturn isn't unusual.

Some people have remained on the waiting list, which requires a non-refundable deposit, because they either can't afford seats this year or are waiting for better locations to open.

The Cardinals plan to increase their advertising efforts throughout July and continues to work with current ticket holders who may be tightening their entertainment budget.

The Cardinals have sold out every game at University of Phoenix Stadium since it opened in 2006.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)