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T'Wolves Near Settlement In Flash Seats Ticketing System Class-Action Lawsuit

A class-action lawsuit filed against the T'Wolves last year over their "implementation of their Flash Seats paperless ticketing system is nearing a settlement," according to Michael Rand of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. The suit said the implementation of Flash Seats “fundamentally, and unlawfully, alters the way Timberwolves ticket holders may use and transfer tickets.” It also claims the policy was put in place to “control the use, resale, and transfer of tickets by season-ticket holders -- and to employ minimum resale prices, added fees, and other draconian restrictions on subsequent transfers of the tickets.” The original plaintiffs "argued that the organization implemented the Flash Seats system after season-ticket holders had already purchased" their '15-16 tickets and that had the plaintiffs "known about the change it would have influenced their decisions." The team in a statement said it "denied any wrongdoing or liability." Among the elements of the settlement include: 

  • Every member of the lawsuit will be "eligible to receive six upper level tickets" from among 10 games chosen by the T'Wolves this season.
  • Lawsuit members will get a "free tour of the new Target Center." 
  • The team will "disclose explicitly and for the first time" the 75% resale minimums right. 
  • The team will "handle and pay for all notice and administration of the settlement."
  • The team will "pay $265,000 for attorneys' fees and expenses, and class representative service awards."

Plaintiff Chris Hennen said that he "joined the lawsuit after being unable to sell several games of his season-ticket package" in '15-16, the year Flash Seats was implemented, "saying the minimum resale price was a factor." Hennen added that he "liked the part of the settlement" in which the team will "have to disclose" the 75% minimum resale price (STARTRIBUNE.com, 7/24). In St. Paul, Jace Frederick notes the lead plaintiffs, season-ticket holders GLS Companies of Brooklyn Park and James Mattson, "contended they were not adequately notified about changes in ticketing policy until after they agreed to spend $32,000 and $21,000, respectively, on season tickets" in '15-16. Law firm Zimmerman Reed partner Brian Gudmundson said the team exposing the 75% minimum "is a big deal, because it sort of is the heart of the matter" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 7/25).

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