NEW YORK -

If automakers want to make a big advertising splash for their franchised dealers during the Super Bowl, they better have their spot reserved or they might be just watching like millions of others.

The broadcaster of this year’s game, NBC Sports, said on Tuesday it has sold out its 30-second advertising spots for this year’s Super Bowl. The only way an OEM now can get a position is if another buyer sells it.

While NBC has sold all of its inventory, NBC Sports spokesman Chris McCloskey told Bloomberg certain ad buyers have expressed willingness to sell their slots if another company offers to pay for time.

McCloskey indicated in this report there are “a few” of these opportunities available.

The network also revealed to Bloomberg it is receiving as much as $4 million per ad slot, a record for NBC.

McCloskey noted the average ad for the Feb. 5 game in Indianapolis sold for $3.5 million.

Furthermore, the network spokesman highlighted NBC also sold out its digital advertising.

As dealers and OEMs might remember, Chrysler wowed the industry during last year’s Super Bowl with the ad, “Born of Fire,” a spot that generated lots of brand buzz and several advertising awards.

The automaker stressed “Born of Fire” was designed to generate a conversation about the Chrysler brand and the 2011 Chrysler 200.

“The two-minute commercial, which was also a Super Bowl first, ignited a spark throughout the United States, as many felt a connection to the attitude and work ethic portrayed in the scenes and narration,” Chrysler officials recalled.

“The spot reflected where the brand is headed and paid tribute to its industrial roots. While the commercial focused on Detroit, in many ways, it encapsulated the spirit of the country and the comeback of the Chrysler brand and Chrysler Group,” they added.

Recently, Volkswagen shared its plans to advertise during the Super Bowl. Auto Remarketing reported the German OEM’s strategy here.

Bloomberg analysis revealed this year’s average ad price is up 17 percent from last year when Fox commanded about $3 million per ad.

Analysts noted NBC last broadcast the Super Bowl in 2009 and will be airing its 17th National Football League finale, tying CBS for No. 1 among the networks.

Bloomberg recapped the 2011 Super Bowl between the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers was the highest-rated single telecast of the year with 111 million viewers, the biggest audience in U.S. television history.