Suit filed in Dallas over Super Bowl seat problems

[Dback Jon]

Football fans have filed a lawsuit accusing the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys and team owner Jerry Jones of deceiving hundreds of people who bought Super Bowl tickets and had no seats, or got seats they felt were inadequate.


The federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in Dallas alleges breach of contract, fraud and deceptive sales practices.

It was filed two days after fans were prevented from having seats at Sunday’s game between the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cowboys Stadium because of a problem with temporary seats.

One of the plaintiffs is a Cowboys season ticket-holder who said some of Jones’ biggest-spending fans were promised access to Super Bowl tickets and ended up with obstructed views on metal folding chairs.


http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Amm0vPdYBTN_WzKuTHJbQPQ5nYcB?slug=ap-superbowl-seatproblems

 

[Longcolts]

That was inevitable.

 

[PDXChris]

Intent is a big part of these kind of lawsuits. Can they prove they intended to screw them over? It will get settled prior to anything going to court.

 

[Russ Smith]

The interesting thing is while many of them missed the game which really sucks from what I've read they all got $2400, they got a variety of other "we're sorry" gifts, and they all got tickets to next years Superbowl.

So while it's amazingly bad that it happened, the NFL is at least trying to make it a bit less of an issue.

I'm not surprised at all about the lawsuit though it had to be clear days before the game that this was going to happen.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Intent is a big part of these kind of lawsuits. Can they prove they intended to screw them over? It will get settled prior to anything going to court.

Well, reports stated that they knew of the issue with the seats earlier in the week at least.......

 

[Hypothesis]

The interesting thing is while many of them missed the game which really sucks from what I've read they all got $2400, they got a variety of other "we're sorry" gifts, and they all got tickets to next years Superbowl.

So while it's amazingly bad that it happened, the NFL is at least trying to make it a bit less of an issue.

I'm not surprised at all about the lawsuit though it had to be clear days before the game that this was going to happen.

That's true, but unless the Packers and Steelers make it to next years SB, it may not mean as much. Most of these people were Pack or Steeler fans that took time off work, incurred expenses for childcare or other considerations etc. I see the NFL's attempt to rectify things, but is it enough?

 

[Shane]

Intent is a big part of these kind of lawsuits. Can they prove they intended to screw them over? It will get settled prior to anything going to court.

I think you can prove intent if they intentionally sold you a seat with an obstructed view and didnt warn you in advance. Should be really easy actually.

 

[joeshmo]

That's true, but unless the Packers and Steelers make it to next years SB, it may not mean as much. Most of these people were Pack or Steeler fans that took time off work, incurred expenses for childcare or other considerations etc. I see the NFL's attempt to rectify things, but is it enough?

Especially when you consider that these people probably spent more then triple face value, which is what the NFL is paying back. Average ticket prices were going for well over $3,000. Plus the price of plane ticket, hotel, meals, and other expenses they normally would not have spent other wise and the NFL's offer is a slap in the face IMO.

Plus it looks like the NFL put a spin on things on how the people not given seats were treated. One was on Dan Patrick and said they did not get free food or drinks, they got a cheap hat and t-shirt, they did not get to even see the first half becuase they were moved around like cattle into some basement area until they knew what to do with them, and they were only allowed on the field after the game once it was already emptied out of all players.

 

[DemsMyBoys]

The interesting thing is while many of them missed the game which really sucks from what I've read they all got $2400, they got a variety of other "we're sorry" gifts, and they all got tickets to next years Superbowl.

So while it's amazingly bad that it happened, the NFL is at least trying to make it a bit less of an issue.

I wouldn't be a bit surprised to learn that they were given a release to sign before they got the "we're sorry" gifts which said, in small print at the bottom, "I give up my rights to sue".

 

[Mulli]

1) isn't next years Super Bowl in Indy? Miserable.

2). Should I care more about this? I really don't care much at all...

 

[Russ Smith]

That's true, but unless the Packers and Steelers make it to next years SB, it may not mean as much. Most of these people were Pack or Steeler fans that took time off work, incurred expenses for childcare or other considerations etc. I see the NFL's attempt to rectify things, but is it enough?

Oh they can't fix it I'm just saying the NFL is at least making an effort.

 

[Cards Czar]

Texas Consumer Law could factor in.


http://www.theredzone.org/BlogDescr...art-of-Super-Bowl-ticket-dispute/Default.aspx

 

[Southpaw]

That's true, but unless the Packers and Steelers make it to next years SB, it may not mean as much. Most of these people were Pack or Steeler fans that took time off work, incurred expenses for childcare or other considerations etc. I see the NFL's attempt to rectify things, but is it enough?

One of the alternative options is tickets for "future" Super Bowl of choice.

 

[PDXChris]

Well, reports stated that they knew of the issue with the seats earlier in the week at least.......

Then it should get done quickly. It they have proof of intent, then old Jerry is not going to let it go to court.

 

[joeshmo]

One of the alternative options is tickets for "future" Super Bowl of choice.

I think they will also provide plane and hotel. But....

So you have to wait and hope that your team goes back to the Super in the near future, and pay for even more out of pocket expenses and usage of vacation time.

 

[earthsci]

Intent is a big part of these kind of lawsuits. Can they prove they intended to screw them over? It will get settled prior to anything going to court.

I would think that negligence would be grounds. It isn't like doctors, contractors, etc. have intent to screw over people but they get successfully sued all of the time.

 

[jmt]

This is America - sue for anyeverything. Five million dollas - what a joke! No tears for the NFL though, they made a crappy offer at restitution and the fans deserve better. I only wish Jerry Jones had to pay to settle.

 

[splitsecond]

For the legal questions floating around, there are a few different theories they can be filed under:

Negligence
Breach of Contract
Fraud
Consumer Protection Laws


If you can prove fraud (where you need intent, or in some cases reckless disregard) thats where you get the most money because punitive damages are available. Second most money is usually under consumer protection laws because in almost every state allow treble damages usually up to 3x the amount of actual damages. Negligence and breach of contract have the smallest payout, usually actual damages plus attorneys fees if applicable.


/lawyer post

 

[Jersey Girl]

I think you can prove intent if they intentionally sold you a seat with an obstructed view and didnt warn you in advance. Should be really easy actually.

Then I should have sued the Red Sox when they sold me my seat that was directly behind a beam supporting the stadium ... all without telling me, of course. (That was an awesome baseball game to watch ... not.)

But, that's OT. I'm kinda with Mulli on this. How much do I really need to care? Things got screwed up and the NFL is trying to make amends. Yeah, it totally sucks, and, as a football fan, I totally understand. But things suck every freaking day. Enough suing already.

 

[Dback Jon]

Then I should have sued the Red Sox when they sold me my seat that was directly behind a beam supporting the stadium ... all without telling me, of course. (That was an awesome baseball game to watch ... not.)

But, that's OT. I'm kinda with Mulli on this. How much do I really need to care? Things got screwed up and the NFL is trying to make amends. Yeah, it totally sucks, and, as a football fan, I totally understand. But things suck every freaking day. Enough suing already.

Just think if it had been you, and the Cards in the Super Bowl...

 

[Mulli]

Just think if it had been you, and the Cards in the Super Bowl...

If it was me, it would be between the NFL and me. It isn't me.

Blah.

 

[sportznutt]

I'd prefer triple my money back and tickets to ANY Super Bowl, just like they got.

 

[Buckybird]

I'd prefer triple my money back and tickets to ANY Super Bowl, just like they got.

No, if you pic Tix to any Super Bowl, the cash is gone...right now. It's gonna get ugly 4 sure.

 

[Stout]

I'd prefer triple my money back and tickets to ANY Super Bowl, just like they got.

Okay, let's take a look at that. You probably paid AT LEAST 2-grand for that ticket. Plus the airlines jacked up ticket prices right after the championship games, so getting into town was about 1,200. Hotel for 3 days? Probably around 1,000 MINIMUM, as they also jacked their prices up for the SB. Throw in 500 in expenses while you're in town, plus about 1, 000 in parking. That's a grand total of about 5, 700 bucks. I got these numbers from a Steelers fan that was going to the game, btw.

Face value of the tickets is about 800 bucks. They paid triple that, so that's 2,400. Now, do you like that combination, figuring you would have just missed your own team in the SB? I wouldn't.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

I had an in on tickets. They could have just went to this guy .

http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2011/02/06/art-schlichter-involved-in-super-bowl-ticket-scam/

Funny thing is my wife's best friend used to date him right after high school.