More than 100 NFL players from approximately 16 teams face fines and possible suspensions for selling Super Bowl LIX tickets above face value in violation of league policies. Multiple sources confirmed the widespread ticket resale investigation to ESPN.
Players who violated the rule will be fined 1½ times the face ticket value and lose their allotted tickets to the next two Super Bowls. Those who decline the punishment could face suspension by commissioner Roger Goodell, according to league and union sources.
The investigation revealed that team employees and players sold tickets to bundlers working with ticket resellers. Some players have already accepted fines to avoid missing games, sources said.
Super Bowl LIX tickets on secondary sites ranged from $2,588 to nearly $3,500 for the cheapest seats before February\'s game in New Orleans. Some premium tickets fetched over $10,000 between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
Players and employees who worked directly with bundlers face increased penalties beyond standard fines. The league discovered the violations through its compliance investigation into ticket resale practices.
\"Our initial investigation has determined that a number of NFL players and coaches, employed by several NFL Clubs, sold Super Bowl tickets for more than the ticket\'s face value in violation of the policy,\" NFL chief compliance officer Sabrina Perel wrote in a memo to teams.
The long-standing policy prohibits league employees from selling NFL game tickets for more than face value. The rule is incorporated into the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NFL and Players Association.
Perel announced enhanced mandatory training before Super Bowl LX to emphasize ticket policies and prevent future violations.
