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StubHub files suit against WarriorsUpdated: March 30, 2015, 12:37 AM ETBy Darren Rovell | ESPN.com

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In what could prove to be a landmark case in the sports ticket marketplace, StubHub filed a lawsuit against the Golden State Warriors and Ticketmaster in the northern district of California on Sunday, accusing the two of conspiring to create an illegal resale market by telling season-ticket holders to only resell through their platform.

The suit alleges that the team has informed season-ticket holders should they resell their tickets through anything other than Ticketmaster's exchange, NBATickets.com, they will have their ticket privileges revoked.

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Page 1 of 12StubHub sues Golden State Warriors, alleging monopoly - ESPN

3/30/2015http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/12584885/stubhub-sues-golden-state-warriors-alleging-...

This included not being offered playoff tickets to the season in which they had already purchased season tickets or not being invited to purchase season tickets for next season.

[+] Enlarge

Sam Forencich/NBAE/Getty ImagesWith the favorite for MVP, Stephen Curry, the Warriors have maxed out their season ticket base at 14,500 seats. The team, which has sold out 118 straight home games, has more than 10,000 people on their season-ticket waiting list.

The threat has apparently worked. StubHub claims that listings for Warriors tickets, which is currently the hottest ticket in the NBA, are down 80 percent in the past year.

"If the anti-competitive actions complained herein are not stopped, Ticketmaster is likely to seek to replicate them with other teams," the suit said. "As a result, millions of Americans will be held captive to a monopoly secondary ticketing exchange."

The Warriors and Ticketmaster have had a relationship since 2012 whereby they share fees from the team's resale market. But sources told ESPN.com that the team got more restrictive and adamant about selling outside of their platform this season, as the Warriors have been one of the best teams in the NBA.

"We're not trying to be the industry pariah, but when actions like these are associated with the business impact that we've seen, and the outcry comes from fans who are saying 'our hands are tied,' we are left with no choice," said StubHub's general counsel, Michelle Fang.

At the heart of the antitrust case, StubHub's legal representatives write, is the fact that the Warriors and Ticketmaster are in control of both the primary and secondary markets.

Besides taking part in what StubHub claims is an illegal restraint of trade at the federal level, the eBay-owned reseller also claims that the setup violates unfair business practices in the state of California, where StubHub, Ticketmaster and the Warriors are all based.

Warriors spokesperson Lisa Goodwin said late Sunday night that it was team policy not to comment on legal matters. A representative for Ticketmaster also said the company would have no comment at this time.

Earlier this month, the Warriors clinched a playoff spot for the third consecutive season, the first time they've accomplished that feat since 1975-77. On Saturday, the team clinched the top spot in the West.




With the favorite for MVP, Stephen Curry, the Warriors have maxed out their season ticket base at 14,500 seats. The team, which has sold out 118 straight home games, currently has more than 10,000 people on their season-ticket waiting list who have paid $100 nonrefundable deposits to be on the list.

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Darren Rovell | email

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• ESPN.com's sports business reporter since 2012; previously at ESPN from 2000-06 • Appears on SportsCenter, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com and with ABC News • Formerly worked as analyst at CNBC

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Matt Abbott · Top Commenter · San Francisco, California

Ticketmaster will charge you a $5 fee on your next purchase for reading this story.

Reply · Like · · Follow Post · 10 hours ago

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282

Stephen Tantzer · Top Commenter · Cal Poly Pomona

Golden State has a monopoly on the 2 best shooters in the league as well.

Reply · Like · · 10 hours ago148

Colbie Oster · · Top Commenter · Castle Rock, Washington

Stephen Tantzer Kyle Korver bro.

Reply · Like · · 10 hours ago

Follow

55

Chris Gibson · Top Commenter · San Jose, California

Colbie Oster - korver? Lol whatever dude! He's legit, but not on the splash bro's level


Bob Gottlieb · Top Commenter · Works at Intel

Ticketmaster is the worst. The "convenience" fees are worse than pay day loan usury. Would love to see this go to court.

Reply · Like · · Follow Post · 10 hours ago

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145

Daswell Davis

They filed a laws...never mind....

Reply · Like · · Edited · 10 hours ago53

Sam Umlas · Top Commenter · Brooklyn, New York

Stubhub's existence of competition, like them or not, is the reason TM fees aren't more insane than they already are. Competition needs to stay in order to keep prices somewhat reasonable. Competition is good whether or not you're a buyer or seller.

In fact, I hope MANY more companies try to compete with ticketmaster. That will force TM to lower their ridiculous service fee even more!

Reply · Like · · Edited · 10 hours ago71

Chezzy Vogel · West Hills, California

Brandon, $99 x 4 = $396 that means it was really SIXTY NINE DOLLARS


Scott Mehl · Top Commenter · Tucson, Arizona

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

Reply · Like · · Follow Post · 10 hours ago59

Gabriel Mihdawi · Top Commenter

In a world with HD TV, hundreds of sports channels, DVR, and home entertainment systems, it baffles me how much people are willing to pay for sports tickets



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StubHub files suit against Warriors - Michigan State …conlinmi/teaching/EC460/stubhubgolden...• CHICAGO • DALLAS • LOS ANGELES • NEW YORK ESPNNBA Submit Query Shop StubHub