Gizmo 21 Report post Posted April 29, 2014 Remember when the Pens refused to sell tickets to anyone with a Michigan ZIP code for the Finals in an effort to keep their "red" from ruining their "white out" home games? Well, hopefully this will put an end to the practice: Can Sports Teams Keep Rival Fans Away? When Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman crushed the Super Bowl dreams of 49ers fan John E. Williams III, Williams wasn't there to see it in person. For that, he wants $50 million. Williams filed suit this month against the Seattle Seahawks, the NFL, and Ticketmaster; he's alleging the practice of restricting ticket sales to residents of certain states is a violation of federal law. For January's NFC Championship game in Seattle, the Seahawks limited online ticket sales to credit card holders who lived in Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Alaska, Hawaii, and some parts of Canada. Williams, a diehard 49ers fan and Las Vegas resident, couldn't buy himself a ticket—exactly what the Seahawks intended. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frankgrimes 1,836 Report post Posted April 29, 2014 (edited) Remember when the Pens refused to sell tickets to anyone with a Michigan ZIP code for the Finals in an effort to keep their "red" from ruining their "white out" home games? Well, hopefully this will put an end to the practice: Can Sports Teams Keep Rival Fans Away? And people think this guy is going to win such a lawsuit ? It's not a violation it's called making use of your "my home - YOU out" right. The NFL and other lawyers will just bring up the analogies to neighbour rights, properties and other stuff. Every owner has the right to decline others the usage of his property, if you don't want to sell to people from a certain ZIP code, location whatever nobody can force you to do so. None the less will be an interesting precedent for sure. I mean aren't the Predators doing something similar against the Blackhawks ? Edited April 29, 2014 by frankgrimes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike J. 132 Report post Posted April 29, 2014 Denver did a similar thing for the AFC championship game as well, they blocked out as many New England fans from buying tickets as they could Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest DeGraa55 Report post Posted April 29, 2014 I don't see anything wrong with it. A business owner doesn't want to sell tickets to a certain group of people. It's fine by me. 1 frankgrimes reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rrasco 1,312 Report post Posted April 30, 2014 None the less will be an interesting precedent for sure. I mean aren't the Predators doing something similar against the Blackhawks ? To the Wings too. It was called "Keep the red out". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Euro_Twins 4,476 Report post Posted April 30, 2014 I agree to an extent that they shouldn't be allowed to discriminate. But at the end of the day it is the owners discretion who he can and cannot sell tickets to. No chance of winning that lawsuit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmyemeryhunter 2,747 Report post Posted April 30, 2014 I think this will win in court, or at least get settled. Its kind of logical. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown0001 7,652 Report post Posted April 30, 2014 At least the Penguins stopped doing their idiotic white outs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frankgrimes 1,836 Report post Posted April 30, 2014 I don't see anything wrong with it. A business owner doesn't want to sell tickets to a certain group of people. It's fine by me. Same here a business owner doesn't have to sell to everybody he has the right to choose his customers. Maybe not the smartest business decision by teams like Nashville but I understand their reasoning behind it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hillbillywingsfan 792 Report post Posted April 30, 2014 (edited) Anyways I think its s***ty not to sell tickets to all fans but I understand the Business side of it totally. And from what I read about some of these is you can always get tickets through other means so it's not like this dude couldn't of gotten tickets. Edited April 30, 2014 by haroldsnepsts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted April 30, 2014 I realize it's a grey area but let's keep the discussion about this lawsuit and its relevance to hockey, and away from the political realm. Let's also keep it away from anything related to that boring sport where really tall guys try and get a ball through a circle when they're not taking 500 timeouts. 1 13dangledangle reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
13dangledangle 965 Report post Posted April 30, 2014 It seems the only way to get things done or noticed at the very least is to slap a lawsuit on it. Regardless I feel tickets are for sale for EVERYONE...The team you follow plays the biggest event that you may never see them in again and you even have the dollars to make it happen, BUT because of your address you miss the sporting event of your lifetime? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cnot19 191 Report post Posted April 30, 2014 I really like the concept of making enemy fans jump through hoops to get tickets. The damages listed are ridiculous btw Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BottleOfSmoke 5,965 Report post Posted May 1, 2014 That's why everyone needs a contact in each state. For emergencies. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites