The PSL holder Scott Fowler wrote about in the Observer Friday morning undoubtedly will be criticized. The man goes so far as to sell his tickets to fans of the team the Panthers play.
It's so simple. Fans aren't required to take a loyality oath before they buy their tickets, so they shouldn't be required to take one before they sell them.
The tickets belong to the fan. If he can get a better deal selling them to, say, Denver fans than to Carolina fans, that's his right.
I suspect most of the criticism comes from fans who watch games on TV, not that there's anything wrong with that.
I saw Panther jerseys at FedExField in Maryland last week.
The game went on as scheduled.
Tom,
I have no issue with fans selling their tickets to whomever they wish. However, I am alarmed at the degree to which large blocks (i.e., entire rows) remain empty in many games. This is of a significance that can't be explained as people with tickets just not showing up.
I have written the Panthers ticket office about this and have not received a response. There are only a couple of explanations. Either the games really aren't sellouts or ticket brokers have found a way to systematically secure/control large blocks of tickets.
If the fan experience is to be optimized, this problem needs to be recognized and solved. Yet, I believe Jerry Richardson is only concerned that every ticket is sold, regardless of who its sold to. This is not a matter of tickets being sold to opposing fans. It's a matter of tickets being controlled by companies who have no motivation (other than their profits) to ensure butts are in seats.
I would like someone who has access to the Panthers on a regular basis to hold them accountable for answering these questions.
Posted by: William Sigmon | November 09, 2012 at 01:40 PM
Corporate seats.
Posted by: FishinFool | November 09, 2012 at 02:47 PM
I'll post here some of what I did on Scott's blog. I'd like to see the Panther's change their PSL tickets to badges like the Masters. Then you won't have anyone selling their badges off, unless it's for the season. I think it would make PSL owners feel more exclusive. I think it deters from selling to 1 off games. Probably a cheaper option for Richardson over the year and you could easily have preferential lines for PSL badge holders. Then the Todd Pederson's of the world probably sell their PSls; to which I say, good riddance.
Posted by: D-Wil | November 09, 2012 at 04:06 PM
fak those fickle fans, i hate them..i hope this franchise move to la..
Posted by: pantherworld | November 09, 2012 at 06:04 PM
Well said Tom. I agree that most of the people complaining don't even go to the games, but have no problem expecting others to shell out over $100 per ticket to see an inferior product. If Richardson charged ticket prices equal to the product they put on the field, I am sure more fans would show up. That would make ticket prices this year about $5 a seat. After every game the "real fan" nonsense comes up. I guess to be a real fan you have to check your common sense at the door. And just for full disclosure I have attended at least 135 Panther games.
Posted by: PSL Holder | November 09, 2012 at 06:55 PM
D-Wil, your plan is the perfect recipe for bankruptcy.
What your harkening to is The Masters, right? Think about The Masters...pristine conditions, ALL the best players in the world, VERY INEXPENSIVE CONCESSION PRICES.
What do the Panthers deliver? Absurdly long waits just to get into the stadium, SKY HIGH CONCESSION PRICES, a team of players that PERENNIALLY LOSE.
With that kind of product your plan will not work. And FYI, lots and lots of Masters badge holders routinely sell said badges.
Posted by: George Hanson | November 09, 2012 at 10:48 PM
The only way you enjoy the sweet victory, is if you have suffered the crushing loss. This is how loyalty is established. Loyalty is about being there when nobody else has your back. The dream in the middle of a 2 and 6 season that you may be able to finish out with a rally and make the playoffs is always there. Boast to all those friends who laugh at you for being a fan. This is what builds loyalty. As for me and my house we are fans. We watch every game. We scream at the TV. We cheer at the TV. We have our own custom Jerseys. We have our Sam Mills jerseys. We love the Panthers, We are mad at the Panthers. We DARE anyone to talk smack about them in earshot. We wish we had PSLs, We wish we had tickets. We would attend every game. We watch on TV in our home and drive to the nearest establishment that has them on the TV, when they are not playing on the TV in our home. We are FANS. A fan is loyal. He/she loves his/her team like family. There may be times when you don't like them, but you ALWAYS LOVE them!
Posted by: James Bowlin | November 10, 2012 at 07:08 PM
I agree with james, we are a family. This is OUR TEAM, look back when the Saints were called the Aint's. The fans stuck by them. If we as fans don't stand behind OUR TEAM, what do you expect others to say about us. I am a Big Fan of the Panthers even though I live in Atlanta but Carolina grown, will always be a Tar Hill. I don't care who we play I will alys go with the Pantheers, we, to me will always be as good as the next team, GO PANTHERS
Posted by: Brenda Leigh | November 10, 2012 at 07:45 PM
The only way you enjoy the sweet victory, is if you have suffered the crushing loss. This is how loyalty is established. Loyalty is about being there when nobody else has your back. The dream in the middle of a 2 and 6 season that you may be able to finish out with a rally and make the playoffs is always there. Boast to all those friends who laugh at you for being a fan. This is what builds loyalty. As for me and my house we are fans. We watch every game. We scream at the TV. We cheer at the TV. We have our own custom Jerseys. We have our Sam Mills jerseys. We love the Panthers, We are mad at the Panthers. We DARE anyone to talk smack about them in earshot. We wish we had PSLs, We wish we had tickets. We would attend every game. We watch on TV in our home and drive to the nearest establishment that has them on the TV, when they are not playing on the TV in our home. We are FANS. A fan is loyal. He/she loves his/her team like family. There may be times when you don't like them, but you ALWAYS LOVE them!
I don't believe I could of stated that any better James, AWESOME post. I recently just moved up to Boston...and ugh, its Patriot's city. And I am a die hard fan when it comes to disliking the Patriots. I don't know, perhaps it had something to do with loosing the Super Bowl. At anyrate, the ironic part is my gf is a Pat's fan, so ya we have a fun time w/things at times. But back to my point.
I've been a fan of the Panther's from day one when Collins was at the helm of QB, when Winke was in and we had the memorable if not record breaking season of 2-14. I've never once gotten off the wagon. And I don't plan to anytime soon.
Posted by: Ahinjel | November 10, 2012 at 08:10 PM
Due to being stationed in Okinawa, Japan I sell my tickets simply because I can't be there, in the past (2005 &2007) I could sell them to Panther Fans and yes I made a profit. The past few years however I've taken a considerable loss and sell to whom ever will give me anything for them. That does not make me a bad fan, when I was Home (Havelock, NC) I would drive more than four hours each way to games. Since being stationed in Okinawa I bought the NFL International Package and get up at 2 & 3am on Monday mornings to watch the Panthers then go to work at 6:30am. When the Panthers lose it hurts BAD, but when they win the work week seems much more bearable. Lastly to all Marines Happy 237th Birthday
Posted by: GyHighway | November 10, 2012 at 08:57 PM
@GyHighway, I hardly feel that you are in the same class as the guy that is selling just because he isn't happy with the season record. Stay safe and enjoy Oki. Happy Birthday Devil Dog!
Posted by: James Bowlin | November 11, 2012 at 09:56 AM
I have what I believe to be a fabulous conspiracy theory on the opposing teams' weekly fan invasion. First, I wish to say to Tom and other commenters that you need not be so condesending about fans who watch the game on TV and complain about who is at the game. There are plenty of people here who are die-hard fans that simply cannot afford to attend even one game. If you find that hard to believe, please review the current Charlotte unemployment rate.
Now on to my conspiracy theory: William Sigmon said, "Either the games really aren't sellouts or ticket brokers have found a way to systematically secure/control large blocks of tickets." I think it's the latter - and I think this group of ticket brokers are a collection of Charlotte residents who hate living here with a passion, but can't leave (due to job, family resistence, etc). Each week, they comb the countryside for fans of this week's Panthers opponent to sell their tickets to. Some of the brokers will attend the game as well, wearing the opponent's jersey. It's a badge of honor for them. "LOOK AT ME!!!!!!!!!!!! I HATE THE HOME TEAM! LOOK AT ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Posted by: J | November 12, 2012 at 02:18 PM