News

Red Sox take ticketing plan to customers with kiosks

January 29, 2003

BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox will use a new system called SmartFan, which will allow single-game ticket buyers to purchase tickets online from season ticket-holders at face value.

According to a report in the Boston Globe, the system gives season ticket-holders the option of buying seats in paper form or getting tickets electronically. If they choose the latter, they will be entered into an online account in which, for a nominal fee, they will be allowed to resell their seats.

Buyers would enter a credit card number and pick up the tickets at one of 20 self-service kiosks outside Fenway Park.

"This is a very controversial thing in baseball," said Mike Dee, the team's executive vice president of business affairs. "Some people see this as creating a competitive situation against themselves. They say if people can go on-line to buy a good ticket, why should they come to the ticket window and buy a ticket that won't be as good? But I think those are the same people who once said don't put baseball on television, because nobody will come.

"You can't fight technology, and we want to offer the best to our fans."