The Golden State Warriors issued a fraud alert Monday regarding the possible dangers of purchasing tickets for the NBA Finals from a non-verified third party.
The alert ties into the team’s legal battle with StubHub, which brought a lawsuit against the Warriors and Ticketmaster, accusing them of rigging the resale market.
The team responded to the lawsuit Friday by filing a motion to dismiss.
In the team’s fraud alert announcement Monday, it said tickets for all home playoff games “are available through the Warriors official resale marketplace where season ticket holders and other fans resell tickets that are guaranteed by the Warriors organization. Fans interested in securing playoff resale tickets should do so by visiting warriors.com, which offers a safe and convenient way for fans to access all levels of tickets throughout the regular season and playoffs.”
This is part of a bigger issue associated with the lawsuit. If the case goes to trial, it could establish a precedent as to whether sports fans lease the right to a ticket or own it. It also may determine whether teams have the right to tell fans where they can sell the tickets they buy.
StubHub’s claim is that through its deal with Ticketmaster, the Warriors have told fans that if they don’t use Ticketmaster to resell their tickets, their ticket-buying privileges could be revoked.
StubHub further claims that is illegal according to federal and California law.
The Warriors claim they have the right to tell fans how they can sell their tickets based on the fact that a ticket is a revocable license on which restrictions can legally be placed.
The Warriors say their deal to restrict resale of tickets to Ticketmaster enables them to better serve the fan and more easily eliminate fraud. The team also alleges it is not unfairly controlling the market because it is competing against all local entertainment options.
Warriors lawyers say StubHub had an opportunity to obtain the team’s resale business but lost out as part of bidding process two years ago.
The NBA Finals start in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday with the Warriors facing the Cleveland Cavaliers. Golden State is in the Finals for the first time in 40 years.