SFC Endorses two Immediate Ticket Delivery Bills
“When fans purchase a ticket they expect that ticket to be emailed or added into the app almost immediately. Technologically, there is nothing stopping this from happening. It is a choice by teams that only serves to confuse fans and make it that much harder for fans to transfer tickets to friends or family.”
Today, Sports Fans Coalition testified in Arizona and Washington State (virtual) on two different immediate ticket delivery bills, AZ HB 2748 and WA SB 5676. Director of Public Policy Brian Young flew to Phoenix and represented the fans in support of the Fair Ticketing Act, while Executive Director Brian Hess remained in DC but testified virtually in Olympia.
Why is this important?
Let’s say a month ago you bought a ticket to a Kraken game, and it was not expected to be delivered until 24 hours before puck drop, which is a common window. You’re about to head into the stadium and try to download your ticket. However, because of the crowd, the network is jammed and you’re unable to refresh the app. Now, you’re stuck outside, missing the game, all because you didn’t get your ticket when you paid for it.
Or, even worse, imagine a family emergency has come up and you can no longer attend the game so you decide to resell the ticket to a friend. Now, 24 hours before tip off you’re dealing with your family emergency and you miss the notification that your ticket arrives and you never send the ticket to your friend. You are out the money for the ticket, and your friend has missed out on the experience. Delaying delivery of tickets doesn’t serve the fan, it only serves the large corporate interests who seek to control the ticket rather than give the fans control of the product they purchased. These experiences are not exclusive to sports tickets but effect fans of all live events.
While these bills would be a first of its kind, this is not a radical proposal. It’s common sense. Fans shouldn’t have to cross their fingers, refresh their email, and pray that their tickets actually arrive. When you buy a ticket, you should get your ticket as soon as the ticketing company takes your money. The Arizona bill passed the committee 7-2 and the Washington bill has not yet received a vote. We urge the Arizona and Washington legislatures to pass AZ HB 2748 and WA SB 5676.