Selling Playoff Tickets--A Proposal (1 Viewer)

[RJ in Lafayette]

On the thread currently running about the number of playoff tickets available for sale in the secondary ticket market, I offered a proposal that is likely to generate opposition but that deserves its own thread.

There are many tickets available for sale on the secondary-ticket-market websites. The prices for a good percentage are extremely high and may never be sold. But were Dallas the opponent this week, we might have seen as many as 12-15,000 Cowboy fans at this Sunday's game, which will be only the second time in the 50 year-plus history of the franchise that the Saints are hosting a NFC championship game.

No season-ticket holder loses his right to buy season tickets in the future if he does not buy playoff tickets. And it is clear that a certain percentage of season-ticket holders see playoff tickets as a chance to play ticket broker and make an exorbitant profit. Hence, my proposal (and a tertiary one that will follow): At the time a season-ticket holder states that he wants playoff tickets, he electronically executes a statementthat his intention at that time is that he, family members, or friends will use the playoff tickets, and that he will not resell the ticket on the secondary-ticket market websites; and that in the event the statement is false, a possible consequence is the right to buy season tickets in the future.

Note that the statement goes to the intent at time of purchase. Unexpected events happen. If someone intends to use the tickets and, because of circumstances, has to sell them, no problem.

Note that the likelihood of enforcement is remote. But the existence of the statement might produce the desired chilling effect.

I will also add that I do not know whether secondary-ticket market websites would consider legal action.

And the tertiary proposal: Season-ticket holders who sell their tickets may lose the right to renew their tickets if those buying their tickets blatantly breach fan-conduct standards.

 

[whodatlady]

So if this were the case for every NFL team, then I most likely wouldn’t have been able to buy endzone front row seats last season in Minnesota to see my team at an away playoff game. This rule would be a double edged sword. No thanks.

 

[Clintonrebel]

So carry that out to the next step....the season ticket holder passes on buying playoff tickets and they go on sale to the general public....you don’t think scalpers and Cowboys fans will be buying those?

 

[0rion]

I don't get the obsession with what others do with their tickets?

 

[RJ in Lafayette]

Denver and Seattle have aggressively targeted those who repeatedly sell season tickets.

 

[Grant Backer Two]

I had a blown head gasket last week, HOWEVER, I did sell my tickets to a SAINTS FAN!! "Stuff" happens!! You have NO IDEA how much it killed me to be in Little Rock last weekend, when I should have been in NOLA!!! In MY SEATS, that I have had since 2004. You KNOW, BEFORE we were good!!!
I have a wealthy friend who is driving me to the game and back. Nice feller is even paying for my ticket and the gasoline to get to the MS coast and then to NOLA for the game!! He USED to be an Eagles fan, BUT when I took him to his first game 5-6 years ago, he like MANY became HOOKED on the Who Dats!! He even calls me Who Dat! Which is way cool with me.. He bought a #28 Ingram rookie which is cool, because it's MI @@'s FIRST jersey. See ya'll Sunday in 646 8 rows down from the Wall bangers!!

 

[whodatlady]

Denver and Seattle have aggressively targeted those who repeatedly sell season tickets.

where do you get this info?

 

[whodatlady]

Also I have season tickets that I like but my son who is stationed at Bragg is coming in for the game with me. I want to make the NFC Championship game really special for him so I went to Ticketmaster right after Sunday game and bought seats closer to the field. I then sold mine to some friends but the point is that it is great to have that option to buy others if I want.

Why does everyone want to be a ticket Nazi? Every year I go to away games when I can. If fans didn’t resell their tickets I might not have that opportunity. It’s football. There are two teams playing. Fans from both sides want to go and support their team. I don’t want to see it any other way.

 

[RJ in Lafayette]

Why?

First, the home-field advantage is real. A high number of visiting-team fans can reduce, even if only by a tad, the chances of the home team winning. It is the reason that Denver and Seattle have made efforts to restrict the sale of tickets to those living in only certain states.

Second, sitting in a section that has a high number of numerous fans of the visiting team can detract from the game-day experience of a Saints fan. I would not want to sit in certain plaza sections behind the visiting team's bench.

Third, a business controls the four tickets to my right. I have offered money to buy two of the four tickets. Often the tickets are available on the secondary-ticket market websites for a large profit--and they are for sale at three times face value now. I understand that at times tickets will be sold. But there is a line that, if crossed, turns the season-ticket holder into a ticket broker.

Incidentally, in addition to Denver and Seattle restricting the sale of playoff tickets to those living in certain states, Denver and Miami have denied the right to buy season tickets to those who have sold an inordinate number of tickets in the secondary-ticket market. Google it.

 

[CountWhoDat]

So if this were the case for every NFL team, then I most likely wouldn’t have been able to buy endzone front row seats last season in Minnesota to see my team at an away playoff game. This rule would be a double edged sword. No thanks.

Fair point. I would think the NFL isn't too keen on the idea for that reason, but I'm not sure how much control they exercise over each franchise's ticketing practices.

I agree that its a tough but understandable step if ownership/management actually believes that the noise/atmosphere in the Dome is something that can change the outcome of a game of this magnitude. I don't know how far our current advantage could be ratcheted up by restricting secondary market availability, but its not unreasonable to believe it could make a difference, right? We're not talking about a best of 5/best of 7 series as in other sports: the one-and-done nature of the NFL playoffs makes the stakes of having a legitimate homefield advantage even higher.

 

[SweetT]

Slightly off topic but kinda the same. Does season ticket holders get Super Bowl tickets if their team makes it to the big dance?

 

[Porkchop]

That has as much chance of happening as $10.00 face value preseason tickets...

 

[Krodwhodat]

where do you get this info?

https://herosports.com/nfl/denver-broncos-season-tickets-fans-secondary-market-ahah

 

[whodatlady]

Slightly off topic but kinda the same. Does season ticket holders get Super Bowl tickets if their team makes it to the big dance?

I believe we are all entered into a raffle.

 

[dd]

Where were all the “die-hard” fans in 2005/2006 when they could have purchased a season ticket for as little as $125? You weren’t griping about ticket prices in 2014, 2015, and 2016 and you won’t be griping about the price of preseason tickets next year, because only the season ticket suckers will pay face value for them.