Blunt backs ticket scalping. His brother appreciates it.

by Virginia Young

JEFFERSON CITY — In a special session devoted to economic development, Gov. Matt Blunt has called on the Legislature to repeal the state’s ticket scalping law.

What does ticket scalping have to do with economic development?

Jessica Robinson, the governor’s spokeswoman, said the provision "will be good for tourism and economic development. It will make it easier for fans to gain access to tickets in a legal and convenient secondary market."

Labeling the issue urgent had nothing to do with the fact that the governor’s brother, Andy Blunt, lobbies for Ticketmaster, Robinson said. Andy Blunt "did not have a role in the decision." Robinson said.Advertisement

Current state law prohibits individual ticket holders, as well as teams, from reselling their tickets at more than the face value.

California-based Ticketmaster has been pushing for the repeal of ticket scalping laws nationwide so that unused tickets can be sold over the Internet.

A call to Andy Blunt was returned Friday by Joe Freeman, vice president and assistant general counsel for Ticketmaster.

"The notion that this is some conspiratorial back-room maneuvering between the governor and his brother is absolutely ludicrous," Freeman said.

Missouri is one of the last states to have price caps on the resale of tickets, he said. Freeman said New York, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Connecticut repealed their scalping laws this year.

In Missouri, "our clients want to provide their patrons — Rams and Chiefs season ticket holders, for example — the ability to resell their tickets in a secure and, above-all, legal manner," Freeman said.

The St. Louis Rams pressed for the matter to be included in the special session.

"We would like to be able to take advantage of it for the current season," said Michael Naughton, vice president for finance and ticketing for the Rams.

He said letting fans resell their unused tickets on the team’s website would provide "a secure and legitimate" way to handle the sales. As it is now, "we have to deal with the counterfeit tickets, the stolen tickets that do show up on game day."

Not everyone is convinced. Rep. Trent Skaggs, D-North Kansas City, doubts consumers will benefit from ticket scalping.

"Ticketmaster will be able to up the price for sporting events and concerts and drive the cost of those tickets through the roof," Skaggs said.

Source: St. Louis Post Dispatch