What is Mellon Arena trying to prove? Your thoughts?

Question

Ticketmaster's disclaimer for Penguin's home tickets:

"Mellon Arena is located in Pittsburgh, PA. Sales to this event will be restricted to residents of PA, OH, WV, MD, NY, NJ, DE, VA and the District of Columbia. Residency will be based on credit card billing address. Orders by residents outside of PA, OH, WV, MD, NY, NJ, DE, VA and the District of Columbia will be canceled without notice and refunds given."

So, any Wings fan living outside those states (and without friends/family in the specific states to buy for them), are locked out.

To me, it shows a lack of class and is an example of horrible sportsmanship. Don't we teach our kids that they should at least be respectful to their opponents, and play their best?

It was insane only seeing a handful of red last night. Is there any way to stop this childishness? What are they so afraid of?

(Yes, Mellon Arena is privately owned; they're also not doing anything illegal, as far as I know. And the lockout isn't a new concept.)

Answer 1

Hey Spaz I'm sure that ban had a few people miss out on the game but not everyone is up for that 5hour drive. Plus keep in mind most of those tix have been sold for a long long time.

Answer 2

If they don't want your money during the playoffs remember this when the playoffs are over and they are screaming for fans next year.

It is bad practise in the entertainment industry to turn customers away for this type of reason. This is a team that was crying poor three years ago.

Answer 3

I remember that practice being common when I was there. My first thought is that what if you are using one of those prepaid credit cards you buy at the store and there is no address attached to them.  Personally it seems pretty classless to me, but what ever in the end they lose.

Answer 4

Sucks to be you

Answer 5

LOL what is childish is your reaction. All teams do this not just the Pens. Grow up - the games are sold out anyway there is no possible way your getting a ticket anyway.

Answer 6

Not at all uncommon.

Teams want a true home ice advantage.  They had it and it helped.  If Detroit is smart, they'll do the same thing, except I'd chop parts of Ohio off their "zone".  It's not bad sportsmanship, it's called home ice advantage.

Given geography, the NW tip of Ohio isn't that far...get creative if you're that desperate.

Answer 7

A lot of teams try and do this not just the Pens. If the Red Wing fans want tickets bad enough they can buy them at any # of online ticket sites like razor gator or stub hub.

What do you care? Get off of the bandwagon and go to the mall

Answer 8

Scalpers and secondary on-line ticket vendors are a source to get tickets no matter what Geographic location you call home.

Answer 9

i understand where you're coming from, but it's their choice... I don't think it's unsportsmanlike. go find a guy standing on a corner screaming "tickets, tickets!" and buy from him if you're so upset... i'm sure he won't deny you if you're from out of state.

Answer 10

Do you have any idea how tough it is to get a seat for any Pen's game, let alone the SC Finals ? They've been sold out for two years now & of course they're gonna favor local fans. I guess when you can't sell out your own arena (Detroit) during the season & some of the play-offs, you might be a bit jealous to see a team that can & does sell out all it's games routinely.

Answer 11

It isn't the Arena, it is the TEAM. The team doesn't own the Arena either,. so they are following the team's directive. This is actually common in the NFL in the playoffs, and what if we found the Red Wings were doing it. Would  you talk about a lack of class and all that? Considering that they sold out every other game this season they probably knew they would get the tickets sold so just wanted to make sure they were sold without the opponent's fans getting too many. I personally don't care, and I wouldn't care if the Red Wings were doing it either.

Answer 12

A lot of it has to do with the fact that people outside of those states buy a large qty of tickets just so they can sell them on-line at an increased rate....it has nothing to do with them shutting out people that aren't in their region and everything to do with them protecting the people that actually want to attend the games from ridiculous prices from scalpers.