UF has spoken against a bill that would end restrictions on ticket resales in Florida. The bill is aimed at paperless tickets, which require an identification or credit card to collect and are common at major sporting events.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jimmie Smith and supported by Fan Freedom, recently passed 7-6 in the House of Representative’s Business & Professional Regulation Subcommittee. From here, the bill could become law if the rest of the Florida House, the Florida Senate and Gov. Rick Scott decide to pass it.
Mark Gajda, athletic association director for the University Athletics Association, was unable to comment on the bill because not all legislation that would affect ticket resale had passed, saying that “any comments prior to finalization of these bills could be speculation.”
The only illegal aspect of ticket resale at UF is scalping tickets on site, said University Police spokesman Maj. Brad Barber.
“At present, you cannot resell a ticket at any price on the property where the venue is taking place without the prior consent of the owner of the property, which is the University of Florida,” Barber said.
He added that UPD enforces the rule. If UPD spots potential offenders, they first receive a warning, Barber said.
“If they’re encountered again, then they do face potential arrest,” he said.
Gajda said that students caught scalping tickets won’t get arrested but instead sent before Student Judicial Affairs to receive punishment.
UF students like Shivangi Patel said ticket resale is a convenient way to get rid of an otherwise unused ticket.
The 19-year-old UF accounting sophomore said she uses Facebook to sell tickets when she can’t make an event.
“If you win the lottery and pay the $110, then you’re buying the tickets,” Patel said. “They’re yours. You should be able to do what you want with them.”
