**NFL Fines Players and Employees for Super Bowl Ticket Scalping**
The NFL’s secondary ticket market is a lucrative industry, but the league takes a strong stance against ticket scalping, especially when it involves players and team staff during major events like the Super Bowl. This issue came to light following Super Bowl LIX, held on February 9 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
In a recent development, the NFL has identified approximately 100 players and two dozen club employees who violated league policies by selling Super Bowl LIX tickets above their face value. The league has the capability to track ticket sales and confirm whether the tickets were actually used by the purchasers, leading to these fines.
The penalties for those involved in scalping will vary. Players who resold their tickets will face fines amounting to 150% of the original ticket price and will lose their ability to purchase tickets for future Super Bowls unless they are participating in the game. Club employees caught in the scalping scheme will incur even steeper fines, totaling 200% of the ticket’s face value.
While the identities of the players and employees involved have not been disclosed, it has been confirmed that both coaches and players participated in the ticket resale. Reports indicate that these individuals sold their tickets to “bundlers,” who then resold them at inflated prices.
This incident is not unprecedented; in 2005, former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Tice faced a $100,000 fine for scalping his Super Bowl ticket allotment. The secondary market for Super Bowl LIX tickets was notably high, with average prices around $4,708. The cheapest tickets were listed at approximately $2,668, while premium seats exceeded $10,000, with some reaching as high as $50,000.
As the NFL continues its investigation into this matter, it underscores the league’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of ticket sales and ensuring that fans have fair access to tickets for major events.
**FAQ**
**Q: What are the consequences for NFL players and employees caught scalping Super Bowl tickets?**
A: Players will be fined 150% of the ticket’s face value and lose future ticket purchasing privileges, while club employees will face fines of 200% of the ticket price.