CBE Classic Issues

I was somewhat taken aback this morning when I heard the Sprint Center was offering 2 for 1 tickets to the CBE Classic. I'm not only a loyal fan of the CBE Classic and College Basketball but a Kansas season ticket holder. When I heard that KU would be playing at the Sprint Center I bought my tickets the second they went on sale. I thought they were a little over priced compared to last year (which I also attended) but still wanted to go support my team. Now I find out that they are selling the tickets as a buy one get one free promotion.

I have been to two basketball games at the University of Kansas in the past two weeks. At these games it was advertised that tickets were still available for the tournament and that we should "Buy our tickets today!" Nothing was mentioned about a pending 2 for 1 deal. I imagine that the people who purchased their tickets a day before the unadvertised "sale" feel even more taken advantage of than I.

I understand you want a full house, but what kind of message does this send your dedicated fans who purchased tickets they second they became available? If you were to do this for the cheap tickets in the upper deck I probably wouldn't have a problem with it, but to do it for even the lower level tickets? I feel like my loyalty to the University and the city has compromised. I am an avid College Basketball in Kansas City fan and buy tickets to the CBE every year, the Big 12 Tournament (when it is in town), and the NCAA Tournament (again, when it is in town). I will go to these events even if my team isn't playing because I love everything about College Basketball.

It will be difficult for me to purchase tickets to an event like this in the future. Yes, the Big 12 Tournament and NCAA will sell out just like they do everytime they are in Kansas City, but the CBE is where you see the real die hard fans. You typically don't see tickets "go on sale" like this, you usually expect to pay MORE than face value as the event gets closer. I do see it happen occasionally but, like I said before, it is usually the cheap seats, not the premium tickets. So even if this were to occur why are the current ticket holders not rewarded in some fashion? If you are practically GIVING tickets away now why not give them to the people that already have some as you know those people and their friends/family will actually show up to the game?

I have lived at my current residence, which is two blocks from the Sprint Center, even before the arena was built. There was no one more excited than me that College Basketball would be just a heartbeat away from my door step. Now, as a Kansas City, MO tax payer and an avid College Basketball fan I feel taken advantage of. Does anyone feel guilty for this? AEG, Sprint Center, Ticketmaster, Universities participating in the event? Why are the people in this town with the unbridled enthusiasim that makes Kansas City the best College Baketball city in America being punished in this economy for their loyalty?