The Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx are facing a class action lawsuit from season ticket holders who claim they’re losing out because of their new ticket sales provider.
The Pioneer Press reports a suit filed with Hennepin County District Court representing “thousands” of people argues the franchise’s use of digital ticket sales marketplace Flash Seats “violates contracts, state trade acts and antitrust laws.”
In a statement Thursday afternoon, the Timberwolves and Lynx said Flash Seats “supplies the best possible experience for fans” and wouldn’t be commenting on the ongoing litigation.
Statement from Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx: pic.twitter.com/nqXWaOxTMK
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) March 3, 2016
The Pioneer Press notes the Lynx and Timberwolves became the first two pro teams to go 100 percent digital with ticket sales, with fans using Flash Seats to buy, exchange or resell tickets, before showing a credit card, ID or app linked to their account to enter Target Center.
But the all-digital system makes it difficult for season ticket fans to give away or sell their seats – with anyone buying the tickets needing to have a Flash Seats account themselves, as the Star Tribune reported in December.
According to the Business Journal, this means season ticket holders have been unable to sell seats to street brokers or through secondary ticketing websites like StubHub, and are charged a fee to transfer tickets to family members or friends.
They can re-sell via Flash Seats, but the Wolves only allow seats to be re-sold at a minimum of 75 percent face value, with James Mattson saying he wanted to sell his seat to a Feb. 22 game for $100, but had to charge a minimum of $180, which he contends is too expensive for fans of a team currently with a 19-42 record.
Mattson is named on the lawsuit along with GLS Cos. of Brooklyn Park, who paid $21,000 and $32,000 respectively for their season tickets.
