Gator Aid: UF Allocates $511,855 To Fund Ticketmaster Partnership

The Univ. of Florida (UF) athletic department Thursday allocated $511,855 to "fund start-up and first-year operational fees for a partnership with Ticketmaster," according to Dave Curtis of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. The move still needs final approval of the department's BOD at its June meeting. The new system will bring UF's ticket operation "into line with its peer schools" and "should make the sale and distribution of tickets much more efficient, especially for bowl games." UF Associate AD Mike Hill said that fans can "expect to start using Ticketmaster for basketball and gymnastics starting this winter." The system "should be ready for all ticketed sports except football by 2009." Curtis notes fans who "purchase home game tickets on-line will be assessed" a $1.50 convenience fee per seat (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 5/9).