Fans unable to go to road games? (1 Viewer)

[My_Favorite_Team_is]

Is this legal?? Is this right??

From the Boston Globe

Chargers shut out Pats fans

Only Southern Calif. residents to get seats

By Bruce Mohl, Globe Staff | January 10, 2007

The San Diego Chargers are trying to solidify their home-field advantage against the New England Patriots Sunday by restricting the sale of tickets to Southern California residents only.

Several Patriots fans who went looking for game tickets on Ticketmaster were stunned to learn that their money was no good.

"The San Diego Chargers have restricted sales to the Divisional Playoff game to residents of Southern California and the surrounding area only," Ticketmaster warned. "Residency will be based on your credit card billing address. Orders by residents outside of southern California will be canceled without notice."

Lynda Frank , a Patriots fan from Tewksbury, thought the sales restriction is unfair, if not outright illegal.

"Who do they think they are?" she asked. "Our reputation must have somehow preceded us and made us part of the fear factor associated with our team at playoff time."

Bill Johnston , a Chargers spokesman, said about 1,000 tickets went on sale Monday and sold within minutes.

"Our goal has always been to fill our stadium with Charger fans and supporters of the team. This also helps give our team the best home-field advantage possible," he said.

Johnston said the same ticket policy will be employed if the Chargers defeat the Patriots and advance to the American Football Conference title game. The hometown-fan-only restriction was not in place for regular season games of the Chargers.

The Chicago Bears also restricted sales to the team's game this Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks to fans from Illinois and northwest Indiana.

Greg Aiello , a National Football League spokesman, said he is not aware of how many teams restrict ticket sales to local fans. "There is no league policy that would prohibit it," he said.

Ticket industry officials said tickets are revocable licenses issued at the discretion of a team or venue.

Lawyers consulted by the Globe said such sales would be legal unless specifically prohibited . Excluding minorities or women from ticket purchases, for example, would raise legal problems because there are laws against discrimination of such groups.

Officials with the Patriots said they received a handful of complaints from fans about the Chargers' ticket restriction. Stacey James , the team spokesman, said the Patriots have never restricted ticket sales to their games.

"There's certainly logic to it," he said. "No team wants to fill their stadium with fans from the other team."

The only other option for Patriots fans wanting to see the game in San Diego is to buy tickets from a ticket reseller, but the prices are steep. Ace Ticket of Boston yesterday was selling $95 upper-level seats for $285. StubHub Inc. of San Francisco yesterday listed $95 end-zone upper-level seats for prices ranging from $214 to $295.

"Tickets are available. We have been getting lots of calls, and it seems to be a fair amount of Patriots fans are going to the game," said Jim Holzman , president of Ace.

Frank, the Patriots fan, said she doesn't think the hometown ticket restriction will do the Chargers any good because the Patriots play so well on the road. The team this season is 7-1 away from home.

Frank's prediction for Sunday? Patriots 35, Chargers 21.

Although it does not effect me, this is bogus.

 

[diesel7982]

Its legal for the moment, but might draw Congress' attention.

PFT reported on this last night and discussed the legality of it, for anyone curious. www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill

 

[PatsWillWin]

Yeah I heard this on the way in. Total BS.

Ticketmaster put up a note saying that if the billing address of your credit card is outside the approved areas, your sale will be cancelled.

You stay classy San Diego.

 

[cstu]

Ticketmaster does this all the time when venues don't want scalpers buying up all the tickets. Anyway, it's as easy as calling your credit card company and temporarily changing your address.

 

[My_Favorite_Team_is]

Yeah I heard this on the way in. Total BS.Ticketmaster put up a note saying that if the billing address of your credit card is outside the approved areas, your sale will be cancelled.You stay classy San Diego.

In German, San Diego means Whales V

 

[dotman]

Lynda Frank , a Patriots fan from Tewksbury, thought the sales restriction is unfair, if not outright illegal."Who do they think they are?" she asked. "Our reputation must have somehow preceded us and made us part of the fear factor associated with our team at playoff time."

Whiny tools...I don't think this is that big of a deal. They will still be able to get tickets from places like stubhub, and I wonder how much a fuss they would make if this were a home playoff game and the Patriots were doing the same thing. As an Eagles fan, I would be happy if they did this so I won't complain about another team doing it.

 

[PatsWillWin]

Lynda Frank , a Patriots fan from Tewksbury, thought the sales restriction is unfair, if not outright illegal.

"Who do they think they are?" she asked. "Our reputation must have somehow preceded us and made us part of the fear factor associated with our team at playoff time."

Whiny tools...

 

[kevinray]

Boo hoo, This happens to Steeler fans for every game. If it’s not a block on sales to the 412 area code it’s forcing you to buy tickets to multiple games in order to buy tickets to an away Steeler game. They've always gotten around it, I'm sure a lot of Pats fans will too. These methods are ineffective.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Boo hoo, This happens to Steeler fans for every game. If it’s not a block on sales to the 412 area code it’s forcing you to buy tickets to multiple games in order to buy tickets to an away Steeler game. They've always gotten around it, I'm sure a lot of Pats fans will too. These methods are ineffective.

This has been happening to Steeler fans for a while.

 

[Workhorse]

I have no problem with this.

The Chargers can sell tickets to whomever they want to.

 

[Big Score]

Lawyers consulted by the Globe said such sales would be legal unless specifically prohibited . Excluding minorities or women from ticket purchases, for example, would raise legal problems because there are laws against discrimination of such groups.

Just get the wives or girlfriends to buy them if you're Caucasian & if you're not Caucasian, you're good to go.Let them try & refuse to sell the ticket, then politely explain that you'll soon be owning a piece of the Chargers or Ticket Master because of discrimination laws.

I'm sure you'll either be getting the tickets, or a nice chunk of change.

Win win situation

 

[Godsbrother]

I know a few teams have special policies when it involves tickets for Steelers games. For instance in San Diego tickets for the game against the Steelers wer only available as part of a mini-season package that included BOTH preseason games, and the Titans game.

I am pretty sure that Cincinnati and Baltimore have similar policies regarding Steelers games.

 

[JAA]

:( ? I call on the Pats fans. Turn this around and ya'lld be applauding KRaft and Krew.

 

[kevinray]

This is completely legal. Think of it this way. If you tried to get in to a black tie event with jeans and a tee shirt you'd be stopped at the door. It’s the same thing except they aren't saying you can't wear Patriot’s gear. Team preference and area code do not constitute discrimination. Business owners are allowed to refuse services.

 

[DanFouts]

Believe it or not, this cuts both ways. I'm a Charger fan in DC, banned from buying cause of the wrong code too. Flying out to the game. Stubhub baby.....

 

[My_Favorite_Team_is]

Lynda Frank , a Patriots fan from Tewksbury, thought the sales restriction is unfair, if not outright illegal.

"Who do they think they are?" she asked. "Our reputation must have somehow preceded us and made us part of the fear factor associated with our team at playoff time."

Whiny tools...I don't think this is that big of a deal. They will still be able to get tickets from places like stubhub, and I wonder how much a fuss they would make if this were a home playoff game and the Patriots were doing the same thing. As an Eagles fan, I would be happy if they did this so I won't complain about another team doing it.

NONE

Stacey James , the team spokesman, said the Patriots have never restricted ticket sales to their games.

And I wasn't singling out the Patriots, sure it comes from the Globe, but my highlighted piece also calls out da'Bears. NOBODY should be shut out from a game, if I were a translocated Chargers fan in Boston and wanted to go to the game this would certainly peve me off. As to all of the steeler fans getting shut out: Steeler fans are people too!

 

[CrossEyed]

As to all of the steeler fans getting shut out: Steeler fans are people too!

Well, most of us are.

 

[Gold Plated Nails]

They only had less then 1000 tickets to sell, most of them are single seats and obstructed views. These arent seats I can imagine a single Pat fan from Boston would have wanted anyway.

(the rest were not available to the public - season ticket holders only)

 

[pats3in4]

Short version: "Only southern California scalpers need apply"

 

[Pygmy Marmoset]

Sooo.... anyone else think this could be considered restriction of interstate trade?

 

[culdeus]

Sooo.... anyone else think this could be considered restriction of interstate trade?

Considering the transaction and the service take place in the same state I doubt it.

 

[Bevo]

Lawyers consulted by the Globe said such sales would be legal unless specifically prohibited . Excluding minorities or women from ticket purchases, for example, would raise legal problems because there are laws against discrimination of such groups.

Just get the wives or girlfriends to buy them if you're Caucasian & if you're not Caucasian, you're good to go.Let them try & refuse to sell the ticket, then politely explain that you'll soon be owning a piece of the Chargers or Ticket Master because of discrimination laws.

I'm sure you'll either be getting the tickets, or a nice chunk of change.

Win win situation

I doubt that this ploy would work. If they were denying them the ability to purchase tickets based on ethnicity, religion, sex, etc. there might be a case to be made. But that is not the case here.

 

[Big Score]

Lawyers consulted by the Globe said such sales would be legal unless specifically prohibited . Excluding minorities or women from ticket purchases, for example, would raise legal problems because there are laws against discrimination of such groups.

Just get the wives or girlfriends to buy them if you're Caucasian & if you're not Caucasian, you're good to go.Let them try & refuse to sell the ticket, then politely explain that you'll soon be owning a piece of the Chargers or Ticket Master because of discrimination laws.

I'm sure you'll either be getting the tickets, or a nice chunk of change.

Win win situation

I doubt that this ploy would work. If they were denying them the ability to purchase tickets based on ethnicity, religion, sex, etc. there might be a case to be made. But that is not the case here.

Just going by what the lawyers consulted by the Globe said. Figured if anyone knows the law, it's those slimballs. EDIT: No offense to any attorneys here at FBG. No doubt you guys are the cool ones!

 

[Dreamer]

They only had less then 1000 tickets to sell, most of them are single seats and obstructed views. These arent seats I can imagine a single Pat fan from Boston would have wanted anyway.

You've never been to Fenway or the Boston Garden.

 

[cws3030]

Don't kill the Chargers it looks like the Bears are doing the same thing.

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=2764

December 14, 2006

Bears playoff tickets to go on sale

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - A limited number of Bears playoff tickets will go on sale today at 10 a.m. (CT) through Ticketmaster.

The Bears will host a NFC divisional playoff game on Saturday, January 13, or Sunday, January 14. The exact game date, kickoff time and opponent have not been determined. Tickets are only on sale for the first home playoff game. A second sale date will be announced if Chicago hosts the NFC Championship game.

All playoff game ticket sales through Ticketmaster are via phone and Internet only. Fans may charge by phone at (312) 559-1212, or on-line at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are priced at $95.00 to $375.00. There is a limit of four (4) tickets per customer or billing address. Tickets purchased through Ticketmaster are subject to a per ticket customer convenience charge. Ticketmaster accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express and Diners Club cards. Only credit cards which have an Illinois or northwest Indiana billing address will be accepted. Any orders from outside of this area will be cancelled without notice. All orders are subject to priority shipping fees.

Wheelchair seating is available for the playoffs through Ticketmaster. Should the wheelchair seating allocation through Ticketmaster become exhausted, fans with disabilities are encouraged to proceed with the purchase of conventional seating - if available - then call the Bears ticket office to arrange an exchange. For further information, please call the Chicago Bears ticket office at (847) 615-BEAR (2327) or log on to www.chicagobears.com

 

[Slum Lord]

I have no problem with this.The Chargers can sell tickets to whomever they want to.

 

[Gold Plated Nails]

They only had less then 1000 tickets to sell, most of them are single seats and obstructed views. These arent seats I can imagine a single Pat fan from Boston would have wanted anyway.

You've never been to Fenway or the Boston Garden.

So you'd be willing to buy a ticket to fly alone to San Diego and watch a game in the middle of the row in the upper view surrounded by drunk charger fans by yourself? Sounds like fun times.

 

[BroadwayG]

I think Tampa does this for it's regular season games.

 

[My_Favorite_Team_is]

They only had less then 1000 tickets to sell, most of them are single seats and obstructed views. These arent seats I can imagine a single Pat fan from Boston would have wanted anyway.

You've never been to Fenway or the Boston Garden.

So you'd be willing to buy a ticket to fly alone to San Diego and watch a game in the middle of the row in the upper view surrounded by drunk charger fans by yourself? Sounds like fun times.

who says I'd be sitting in my seat

 

[brednbuddah]

if you really wanted to be at the game, nothing would stop you.

 

[Dreamer]

They only had less then 1000 tickets to sell, most of them are single seats and obstructed views. These arent seats I can imagine a single Pat fan from Boston would have wanted anyway.

You've never been to Fenway or the Boston Garden.

So you'd be willing to buy a ticket to fly alone to San Diego and watch a game in the middle of the row in the upper view surrounded by drunk charger fans by yourself? Sounds like fun times.

No. I'm from NY, and I only sit in club seats. But if people from Boston regularly pay top dollar for SRO & worse @ Fenway and were willing to sit behind a pole at the Garden, they'll take whatever they can get, IMO.

 

[mad sweeney]

The Chargers have been doing this kind of stuff for years. Nothing wrong with making sure the home crowd is a home crowd. In order to buy tix to the annual Oakland game there you have to buy tix for 2 other games (maybe 1 other). It's their team, their stadium. Besides if Pats fans don't like it they should've gotten home field!

 

[Raptors]

What's ironic is that the Pats have been doing this for a few years now (restricting sales to the NE area) despite what the report says. I know this because I had to use a friend's billing address to see the Colts play there a couple of years ago. But then their fans cry foul when another team decides to do it and the Pats' fans can't get tickets as easily? And remember that the Pats also have a lawsuit filed against Stubhub and are the only NFL team to have done that.

The part that sucks about restricting sales to a geographical area is when a season ticket holder who happens to live outside that magic zone can no longer obtain extra tickets for the team they have supported all along.

 

[pizzatyme]

I wish the Colts would take it a step further! I wish they would set a policy of not allowing someone with another team's gear on into the dome. Even if it meant all the visiting fans would have to buy Colts gear to cover their jerseys until they got in.

Atleast it would discourage some from coming to the game.

Colts fans are weak! There were over 7000 Chiefs fans in the dome. Last year, over 5000 Steelers fans. It is a disgrace!

 

[bez18]

Nobody mentioned the one thing I can think of that would get me angry.... what if you are legitimately a Chargers or Bears fan and do not live in Cali???

For example, I'm a native of NYC, born and bread.. yet I live and die for the Redskins (mostly die lately)... I head down to DC at least 2X per season and if they were to do this for a playoff game, I would be screwed out of getting a chance to get tix!

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Meanwhile Arizona continues to market ticket availability in Green bay, Chicago, Minnesota, Pittsburgh and other cold weather cities when those teams are playing the Cardinals. Absent Snowbirds gobbling up their tickets I don't think they would seat more than a few thousand fans per game. I've seen Cardinal games on the tube where the opposing team's colors predominate in the stands.