LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Repealing Michigan’s rarely enforced
ban against scalping tickets is, on its face, an effort to help out the
average customer looking to sell a few unused tickets to a game or
concert.
But it’s also a high-stakes financial tussle — one
between venue owners like pro sports teams and brokers who resell their
tickets on the Internet. So far, the brokers are winning in Lansing.
The
Republican-led House voted this week to legalize ticket scalping.
Entertainment venues are hoping to block the bill in the GOP-controlled
Senate.
Selling a ticket above face value is a misdemeanor that can lead to jail time and a fine.
Supporters
say letting people buy and resell tickets freely would help consumers.
Opponents say the legislation would lead to higher prices in the resale
market.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights
reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Repealing Michigan’s rarely enforced
ban against scalping tickets is, on its face, an effort to help out the
average customer looking to sell a few unused tickets to a game or
concert.
But it’s also a high-stakes financial tussle — one
between venue owners like pro sports teams and brokers who resell their
tickets on the Internet. So far, the brokers are winning in Lansing.
The
Republican-led House voted this week to legalize ticket scalping.
Entertainment venues are hoping to block the bill in the GOP-controlled
Senate.
Selling a ticket above face value is a misdemeanor that can lead to jail time and a fine.
Supporters
say letting people buy and resell tickets freely would help consumers.
Opponents say the legislation would lead to higher prices in the resale
market.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights
reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.