Timberwolves season-ticket holders sue team over ticket policy
Two Minnesota Timberwolves season-ticket holders are suing the team over its paperless ticket policy, according to multiplereports.
Minnesota resident James Mattson and marketing firm GLS Cos., who both own season tickets, are accusing the team of violating state law and costing fans money with its paperless ticket policy. The two parties want the lawsuit to be heard by a jury as a class-action lawsuit.
The Wolves are one of a handful of NBA teams using the Flash Seats ticket platform. Flash Seats requires fans to use their smart phones or scan a credit card or driver’s license at the gate of the arena to enter. Without physical tickets, season-ticket holders cannot sell their seats to street brokers or on other secondary ticket marketplaces. Ticket holders must also pay a fee in order to transfer tickets to family or friends.
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Flash Seats allows season-ticket holders to sell their tickets on the platform, but the lawsuit says the team instituted a 75% price floor on tickets mid-season. For example, a $100 face-value ticket could sell for no less than $75, which could potentially be higher than anyone is willing to pay. The lawsuit also alleges Flash Seats charges fees to both the buyer and seller of a ticket, a percentage of which goes back to the Timberwolves.
Minnesota entered Friday 19–42 and in third-to-last place in the Western Conference.
