I usually write about deep topics, but today I am writing about deep pockets instead.
I love sports and music. As a fan, I thoroughly enjoy attending live events. Of course, money is required to attend games and concerts and I certainly don't mind spending my share of it. But I am completely opposed to how ticket sales for both are handled in this day and age.
When I was young it seemed much easier, or at least more equitable, and certainly less expensive, to attend live events. Of course there was no internet so if you wanted to get tickets you either had to call or stand in line (both of which I did many times). There were no ticket brokers or people buying an ungodly amount of tickets only to resell them. If you bought a ticket, you were paying face value and you were going to the event.
The process is completely different today. A time is announced when tickets will be sold. By this time, thousands of tickets are already being sold on ticket broker sites. If you are able to try to buy them, provided you don't have an employer that minds you spending an hour online, websites tend to jam up with thousands of other would-be buyers. Sometimes they crash, sometimes by the time it's your turn only $500 tickets are still available. It is just not fair. At least not to the every day common person who is not making six figures!
If every person online were trying to buy a ticket or two for their own use, it would be a bit better. But a lot of buyers are buying the maximum amount of tickets permitted, then selling them for ungodly amounts of money. So, needless to say, the only people who get to attend live events are the super-rich, the super-stupid or corporate America.
Not only does this stink for people like me, but it is changing the climate of sporting events especially. The average NFL fan ten years ago looks a lot different from those of today. While play-off games are still somewhat available, the Super Bowl has become a game for the rich or for those who have Corporate ties or sponsor-ships.
Where is the outcry on this topic? I know I can't be the only one upset about it, but maybe others are simply too busy living paycheck to paycheck to worry about such a trivial topic. I understand that, but when this type of thing happens in one or two areas, it can certainly happen in others.
I really wanted an AFC Championship ticket today, not for myself, but to give to my boyfriend as a gift. He has never to been to a championship and it would have been fantastic to send him. I was ready credit card in hand, at the exact time tickets when on sale, but I had no chance. I only wanted one measly ticket and could only spend a little over $100 for it. How naive I have become to think I stood a shot.
I could have sworn that NFL football games were played by the common man for the common man. I guess those days are long gone.
Silly me.
Scalpers and the Rich Need Only Apply
