Arizona teams offering politicians free tickets
Jun 27, 2011, 3:16 PM | Updated: 4:22 pm
Getting free tickets to a sporting event is always a nice thing. A lot of times someone will give you a few complimentary seats they can’t use in hopes that you’ll return the favor in the future. This quid pro quo relationship is usually beneficial to all parties involved.
The Arizona Cardinals have apparently partaken in a similar method, but instead of giving tickets to their friends, they gave them to politicians in hopes they’d help them out down the road (and we thought the Cards didn’t like anything about the Fiesta Bowl).
According to the Arizona Republic the Cardinals partook in the practice from 2006-2009.
Between 2006 and 2009, the football team said it gave dozens of state lawmakers free tickets – including premium seats in the owner’s loft – to NFL games. The goal, according to the organization: to improve its standing at the Arizona Legislature after losing battles to the Fiesta Bowl over stadium-sharing issues.
The Cardinals weren’t alone though, apparently the Arizona State Sun Devils, Arizona Wildcats and Arizona Diamondbacks have all followed suit giving tickets away to lawmakers for years.
While your friend may just expect you to hook them up with tickets or help them move eventually, there are much higher stakes in what the teams are doing.
Political favor can go a long way for a sports team. The question is what’s the appropriate way to earn it?
