The obnoxious visiting fans conundrum

[resdubwhite]

Annoying. The old fashioned "prison justice" of Foxboro Stadium used to resolve that kind of thing.

like the drop your soap in the shower prison justice?

 

[Tunescribe]

I appreciate how you feel and would no doubt feel the same way were I in your shoes. But you're not going to win that argument. I haven't held a Pats ticket in my hands in too long, but I recall that there is something written on the back about orderly behavior. Unfortunately, there's nothing about cheering allegiance.

I do understand this, and I do understand that my ultimate solution likely is to request a seat relocation. It's just a weird position to be placed in that has affected my game day experience.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I do understand this, and I do understand that my ultimate solution likely is to request a seat relocation. It's just a weird position to be placed in that has affected my game day experience.

Yeah, that sucks. As I said, I'd feel the same way if I had invested in seats for so long. I was just trying to suggest a way through the situation.

I hope it turns out OK for you.

 

[PatsDeb]

I'm in 227 and like my seats a lot, aside from the "problem neighbors." The Dolphin fan sitting next to me Sunday (courtesy of the investment firm) kept jumping up, waving his arms and screaming every time Miami scored or Brady was sacked, etc. I can deal with that on a limited basis, but not EVERY FREAKING GAME in my home stadium. I personally make a point of being respectfully quiet whenever I travel to see the Pats at away games.

Yeah, that would definitely affect my enjoyment of the game too. I try to be quiet when I get to an away game (not always successful, though, although I would never taunt opposing fans in their own stadium).

 

[patfanken]

Tune I have 2 suggestions for you that could solve your problems.

1. IF these fans are drunk and inappropriate, you will have a much better chance of getting rid of them by complaining to the Pats, rather than the company itself. The Pats have taken away season ticket privileges from hundreds of season ticket holders because they either acted in an inappropriate manner or gave their tickets to someone who acted in an inappropriate manner.

2. If allll these fans of other teams are only guilty of rooting for the team of their choice , DEAL WITH IT. Most of the Pats ames that I have gone to live have been to away games. And believe me, when the Pats do something well inn these games I stand up and cheer. Why? Because I'm a fan. While I never get in anyone's face or rub it in when the Pats are doing well' I don't sit on my hands and hide my allegence (btw I'm 6-O in away games I've attended)

I would think thtat given the Pats home record, you have had the upper hand in a great majority of these games. Personally I would think that "having the last word" almost ALL the time would be considered a plus, not a minus

However if they are truly spoiling your game experience with drunken behavior, then tell Bob Kaft. He has no problem yanking season tickets of drunken patrons.

 

[Gumby]

there is what, 15,000 on the season ticket wait list?

Bob K wouldnt have any fears about reselling the tix if he yanked them. But that said, as others thought - he won't yank them just for the fact that they use them on clients who are fans of other teams.

the consistent documented complaints of poor behavior by that corporation's clients is about your only hope. But you sure better enlist other nearby, unrelated to you fans to complain as well.

for a playoff solution; about your only hope is as you suggested to see if they have an alternate location. Who knows - I thought somebody here a couple of years ago ended up on the sidelines for a game after being recognized / doing something for the team.

 

[RayClay]

Here's an odd issue I have been dealing with: I've been a season ticket holder for 18 years including every season at Gillette since it opened. During that time I've had one seat upgrade which, lo and behold, placed me amidst seats held by a Boston investment firm run by Ivy League grads and assorted corporate stuffed shirts. That includes about eight seats to my immediate left and another four or so in front of me.

My problem is that this company (which for now will go unnamed) routinely distributes its tix as a perk to clients/employees including (1.) fans of visiting teams and (2.) clueless dweebs who likely believe a football is stuffed with duck feathers. What I'm getting sick of is the revolving door of visiting fans sitting next to me who get likkered up and raise hell whenever Brady gets sacked, their team scores, etc.

So, I finally wrote the company a letter that includes the following:

"Because these tickets are distributed by [said company] as a company perk, their users are not personally invested in respectable behavior as normally would be assumed of private season ticket holders. Particularly egregious is the comportment of fans of visiting teams who often occupy your seats. Alcohol consumption compounds this problem. If you could at least limit your ticket distribution to Patriots fans, it would go a long way toward alleviating this difficulty. I have chosen to write you directly as a courtesy short of involving the Patriots ticket office. If things don’t change, I will extend this complaint to the team."

To which I received a reply today from the firm's chief administrative officer, including:

"Regarding your specific request to limit ticket distribution only to Patriot fans, we cannot agree to do so. Our staff and visitors come from all over the country and often select the games they attend based on the opponent because it’s their one chance so see their favorite team. As a fan I’m sure you can appreciate the desire to stay connected to your home team. Besides, I believe the Patriots, the NFL, and laws protecting free speech and non-discrimination would not want or allow us to take such a position."

Emphasis on the last sentence is mine; an outrageous claim to which I couldn't help but respond to:

"I am confident that 'the Patriots, the NFL and laws protecting free speech and discrimination' have absolutely no bearing on who your company decides to give them to as they're your property. To suggest as much is ludicrous. You can give them to whoever you wish and it certainly is within your rights to limit them to Patriots fans.

Enduring drunken display behavior by fans of visiting teams via [the company] is not my idea of how to enjoy the NFL experience. It also casts your company in a very poor light -- a consideration you might wish to weigh accordingly. I will pursue this matter with the Patriots if things do not improve, as noted in my initial letter. I ask you once again to please give Patriots fans primary consideration in distributing your tickets, ESPECIALLY with the playoffs coming up."

It appears the company doesn't plan to change its way of doing things. Though I haven't contacted the Patriots yet, I also doubt they'd intercede on my behalf, but another seat location change might be a solution. I just thought I'd share this with the board and would like to hear from others having similar experiences at Gillette.

It's high time for a huge tax reform anyway. Start the ball rolling to eliminate tax deductions for sports, meals, adult escorts and other entertainment companies can pay 100% for themselves, if they deem it business worthy.

Then people can walk up to the box office and bring their families to a game again without getting a second mortgage.

 

[RayClay]

No, its not just the drunken rudeness. The problem, as I stated originally, is overzealous behavior by fans of visiting teams who have no investment in being respectful to the home fans. The company needs to understand what it's subjecting surrounding ticket holders to by accommodating rival fans on a regular basis. The "loyalty test" you refer to is handled simply enough by giving the tickets to local clients/employees and ensuring that they're not re-sold.

Is it a legitimate business expense if they just give them to someone?

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Is it a legitimate business expense if they just give them to someone?

Depends on the business a company is in. Usually they would have to be given to someone who was an actual or potential customer/client. Pharma companies are always giving tickets away to doctors, for example. But, the rationale of "brand enhancement" or "community good will" is so broad as to include just about anyone. So, the answer to your question is, "In general, yes, but companies usually want the gift to have some direct or future benefit."

They could also give them to employees.

 

[Joker]

Tunes...easy solution...just bring ME, Joe "Leather Lungs" Kerr, to the next game....I'll bellow "PATRIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" like a Nantucket fog horn, right over any pack of nannering ninnies with the temerity to flap their enemy gums in OUR venue.

 

[DarrylS]

My friend's STs section 110 share the front row right behind the Pats D with corporate pukes. Every game it's a new group. For the most part they seem to be Patriots fans, but is difficult to tell because they arrive late as the 1st QTR wanes and spend the entire game going back and forth for food. I sit at the end of the row and they're in constant motion back and forth. The love to waddle their fat asses in front of me during a key play. No problem with noise though, as not one of the many varied corporate brown noses has ever been known to cheer or make a sound other than chatting amongst themselves.

Die Yuppie Scum!!!

Stopped going, for a lot of reasons cost and a similar situation.

Last time we went had tix in a 200 family section, where I sat amongst bored corporate types with their equally bored wives and children. It was not a very good fan experience, and diluted the overall quality of the crowd factor in the game.

My fanaticism was impeding their boredom experience...

Now choose to stay home and watch it on the big screen.. nicer bathrooms and much warmer.

 

[RayClay]

Depends on the business a company is in. Usually they would have to be given to someone who was an actual or potential customer/client. Pharma companies are always giving tickets away to doctors, for example. But, the rationale of "brand enhancement" or "community good will" is so broad as to include just about anyone. So, the answer to your question is, "In general, yes, but companies usually want the gift to have some direct or future benefit."

They could also give them to employees.

I appreciate what you're saying, but i mean give them and deduct an entertainment expense (or any deduction) from their taxes

If they just want to buy a bunch of tickets, more power to them.

 

[IllegalContact]

this problem is the one reason that I would not mind the pats hitting the crapper for a couple of years......all these yahoos would be gone in no time.

I'm not sure if it is possible, but I would refer the issue to the pats organization to see if they won't move your seats to a location where you can be surrounded by more peers. I think a letter looking for a better peer-based environment that makes attending the game so joyful would be worth a shot

I had my own season tickets until 1996 and this was NEVER an issue. I use my buddies tickets once a year, and I see the same guys/gals there every time I go (several of them show the typical wear and tear and scarring of a lifelong pats fan).

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

Lastly, based on the response you received it does not appear that this investment firm is the least bit concerned about public relations. Since that is the case I see no reason for you to protect them and hide their identity.

I say let's let this company find out about freedom of speech firsthand!

Tune. I'll start with this and take it one step further.

I think you can take a few games to catch some of their behavior on video and if it's as bad as you think (and I'm sure you can egg the people on too make them a bit more obnoxious) and then record their behavior.

Finally, you can post this as examples of said corporation or be nice and let them know you are going to express your freedom of speech right on youtube and start distributing links

 

[BTTA]

I'd suggest that there be a fan-enforced set of rules for businesses that give away tickets. If the people in those seats don't act respectfully, then let's use the power of the internet to call them out on it. This is the free marketplace in action...you act in a certain way, you bear the consequences.

But first, the NAME of the business needs to be made available to the rest of the fan base. And then the video referenced above needs to be made. After three or four companies are called out on YouTube for not holding their ticket recipients accountable, they will get it right pretty quickly.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

But first, the NAME of the business needs to be made available to the rest of the fan base. And then the video referenced above needs to be made. After three or four companies are called out on YouTube for not holding their ticket recipients accountable, they will get it right pretty quickly.

Though, I would maybe ammend my original thought. Ask the Patriots ticket office if it would be ok to distribute. You may not want to offend the Pats organization and if they don't want it leaked, then maybe they would do something about it in private. no need to cause embarassment to the org without giving them a fair shake.

 

[Rusty Coupe]

Tune. I'll start with this and take it one step further.

I think you can take a few games to catch some of their behavior on video and if it's as bad as you think (and I'm sure you can egg the people on too make them a bit more obnoxious) and then record their behavior.

Finally, you can post this as examples of said corporation or be nice and let them know you are going to express your freedom of speech right on youtube and start distributing links

Note view count!
United Breaks Guitars - YouTube

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Stopped going, for a lot of reasons cost and a similar situation.

Last time we went had tix in a 200 family section, where I sat amongst bored corporate types with their equally bored wives and children. It was not a very good fan experience, and diluted the overall quality of the crowd factor in the game.

My fanaticism was impeding their boredom experience...

Now choose to stay home and watch it on the big screen.. nicer bathrooms and much warmer.

I really don't understand what they're doing at the game. Aside from devouring crappy stadium food as if it were a gourmet feast, the visitors in our section sit there seemingly oblivious to the game. Then again, these corporate suck-ups of the week aren't paying the $180 for each seat so it's a chance to socialize with their vapid associates, note the 1st syllable.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I appreciate what you're saying, but i mean give them and deduct an entertainment expense (or any deduction) from their taxes

If they just want to buy a bunch of tickets, more power to them.

Yes. That's exactly what I meant. The situations I described would be deductible.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I'd suggest that there be a fan-enforced set of rules for businesses that give away tickets. If the people in those seats don't act respectfully, then let's use the power of the internet to call them out on it. This is the free marketplace in action...you act in a certain way, you bear the consequences.

But first, the NAME of the business needs to be made available to the rest of the fan base. And then the video referenced above needs to be made. After three or four companies are called out on YouTube for not holding their ticket recipients accountable, they will get it right pretty quickly.

Yes. That was my point as well. While I empathize with him, Tune's going nowhere with the fan allegiance argument for a lot of reasons. But, these companies would be very sensitive to having their image besmirched, especially by a viral internet video. The very fact that they answered his first letter suggests that they are sensitive about this.