OK, we've looked at some great sports-related technologies. Now we'll examine a few that change the fan experience for the worse.
Online Ticketing Systems
Yes, it's nice that the Internet lets sports fans buy tickets from the convenience of their living rooms, and without having to deal with annoying telephone systems. But too often, fans end up getting shut out or feeling ripped off.
If you're lucky enough to buy tickets, Ticketmaster rewards you with the privilege of paying "convenience fees" and building charges that can make a $30 ticket cost $40 to $45. And if the event sold out on Ticketmaster, your next option is going to a ticket broker that can sell tickets for more than face value.
It's no surprise that fans are suspicious of Ticketmaster's relationship with ticket resale sites – since Ticketmaster happens to own one of the most prominent, that being TicketsNow. Numerous lawsuits have been filed against the companies and a recent settlement forced them to "curb deceptive tactics and pay $50,000 for consumer fraud enforcement and education," according to the Wall Street Journal.
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