Shame on the Redskins’ Ticket Office
Some decisions make business sense. Some behaviors are Godly, some are moral, some are ethical, and some are legal. In the entertainment industry, and rest assured – the Redskins are an entertainment entity – you’re sometimes fortunate if actions meet the standard of legal. When there’s a ton of money at stake, humans often become a law unto themselves. They apply their own standards of Godly, moral, ethical, and even legal. Sometimes, the only standard that matters is ‘Does it make good business sense?’
The Washington Redskins’ ticket office apparently realizes it can have its cake and eat it too. That is to say, the Redskins can brag about the huge waiting list for season tickets while selling thousands of general admission tickets to ticket brokers. The Redskins can also tell existing season ticket holders like myself they will be moved toward the 50 yard line while selling choice general admission seats to brokers. Who sits in the seats people on the waiting list would love to have? Often, fans from other teams. Who sits in the seats near the 50-yard line? Fans from other teams. Remember, we’re talking general admission tickets here, not club or executive level.
Effectively, the season ticket waiting list has become a marketing tool and revenue generator more than it is a future opportunity for hometown fans. Those on the list are likely to be told they can have tickets now if they’ll purchase club seats. Brokers are reportedly told they’ll be able to buy general admission seats if they also buy club seats. And, some of the broker contracts will reportedly never expire. In other words, this is just the way it is.
The Washington Post blew the lid off this situation this week. Kudos to the Post. The Redskins responded by saying some rogue employees sold tickets to brokers and were disciplined. The unfortunate truth is, while some employees may have been disciplined for some sales, the Washington Redskins sell general admission tickets to brokers by the thousands. Meanwhile, loyal Redskins’ fans who wait for their chance to purchase general admission tickets can’t get them. Those of us who have waited to be moved toward the 50-yard line still wait while we’re told year after year “There’s a note on your account to move you toward the middle.” Big deal!
I’ve defended Dan Snyder in this blog space. I wrote about various behaviors which are evidently in the past, due largely to the influence of Joe Gibbs. I don’t know how Mr. Snyder applies his personal ethics and morality when determining what makes business sense. For a man who claims to be a lifelong Redskins’ fan and was supposedly on the waiting list himself, he shows very little regard for the history of the team’s relationship with its fans and the fans’ loyalty, in particular. Do other teams sell general admission tickets to brokers? Who cares? Will Snyder’s organization continue to do so? You bet ya. Contracts were signed, after all.
Why oh why did the Redskins ever decide to use the general admission seats as bait for selling club seats? Why did they decide those on the waiting list were essentially good for PR but not good enough for business? Why did they value brokers and club seat revenue more than loyal Redskins’ fans? I’ll say it – GREED.
Mr. Snyder, you make me sick.
What I would like to know…
1) If you sell on Stubhub, you can set your own price. Are the Redskins selling through Stubhub and other brokers at higher than published ticket prices?
September 4th, 2009 at 1:35 am2) Do the Redskins conspire with Stubhub and other brokers to fix ticket prices? Theoretically, the Skins can make more on the secondary market by selling (scalping) their own tickets on the secondary market than selling to season ticket holders. Don’t forget, the owner sets its own prices on Stubhub.
3) What’s the difference between a cash kickback from a broker or an agreement to pay thousands disguised as Club level seats? Heck, the broker is just going to resell the Club Level seats and convert the tix to cash anyways. Its just laundered money thats all…
Its unethical treatment of his fan base. He should lose his fans.
check out the coverage from here
http://www.csnwashington.com/pages/multimedia_videos
September 9th, 2009 at 1:12 am