Tice Gets Scalped

Mike Tice admitted last week to scalping his Super Bowl tickets this year, selling the $500 tickets for $1900. He has certainly violated the NFL rule against scalping and may face a hefty punishment, including suspension or a fine. He could also be fired by the Vikings. In addition, Tice may have violated Minnesota Statute s609.805, which makes it a misdemeanor to "Sell[] or offer[] to sell a ticket to an event at a price greater than that charged at the place of admission or printed on the ticket."

My question: Why? Tice made $750,000 last year. Did he really need the extra thousands he made from this sale? One response to this: everyone does it. The NFL distributes Super Bowl tickets to every player and coach in the league. Of course, most of them do not go, and so they decide to make a profit on the sale.

I, too, wonder why the NFL is deciding to crack down on this practice now, but I don't care. After all, why aren't these million-dollar players and coaches giving away their Super Bowl tickets rather than greedily selling them for a profit? If they are looking for sympathy, I doubt many will be eager to give it.

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