Saints fans sues over protests
 

A Saints fan is suing the team for the cost of his season tickets, because he said he was upset by player protests during the national anthem.

But those protests may not have actually started at the time which he became so offended he decided to stop going to games.

According to Chad Calder of the New Orleans Advocate, Lee Dragna of Morgan City, La. is suing the Saints for a refund of his season tickets, claiming the protests prevented him and his family from enjoying a game.

One potential problem: The Saints may not have made any political statements at the game he attended, the home opener on Sept. 17 against the Patriots.

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

the nfl is responsible for the action of visiting teams in the super dome. the saints are a franchise of the NFL thus can not avoid the responsibility.

Nice try Mark but it does not hold water

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

He will lose. He should lose.

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

I know it sucks to be out some money, but tearing up the tickets and walking away would seem a lot less painful.

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

I would agree with this guy. He purchased the tickets to have his family entertained my given someone else's political views. There is a time and place for everything.

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

If we doesn't want them ill gladly take them. I've been on that waiting list for seven years now

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

They should give him his money back and tell him and his family that he is banned from all future Saints game.

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

I agree, they should give his money back and give the tickets to the next in line. The cost of those tickets to the organization is nothing. Personally, all these people who burned their tickets must live in another tax bracket than me. I don't agree with the protests, but I don't agree with burning several thousand dollars in my own protest either.

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

Nope, that's not how the NFL or the Saints do business; they've already moved far beyond ever caring about their customer. They've already said a few things that indicate they are going to dig in their heels and make an example of this puny little season ticket holder.

This dude isn't going to get anywhere with his suit; he should've just sold his tickets on craigslist and got what he could and walked away.

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

I had a friend of mine tell me he got invited to a game with someone in a suite. He said the suite owner asked them if they would join them if they walked out if the players protested. According to my friend all the box owners threatened to walk out if they did protest. Not sure how true that is, but I found it interesting. That would certainly catch someone’s attention


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Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

You're right, they SHOULD do that. Then maybe it will anger more fans and let this organization get an early taste of what the future will be like for them, with no fan support.

You can dislike people like this guy, or me, all you want for our stance on the protests, but just know that your opinion is not any more valid than anyone else's. And when the majority speaks, their voices will be heard, and their affects will be felt. If the Saints and the rest of the NFL are too bull headed to see that, and make things right, instead of acting like school ground bullies with their fans, then they will get precisely what they deserve.

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

Sell the tickets and donate to wounded warriors? Patriot or hack?

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

I kind of agree with Mark Ingram in that the Saints protested at an away game and then they adopter the Gerry Jones approach of kneeling in protest before, then standing for the National Anthem. This brought balance to the force.

Dis' coullion need to stop getting drunk the night before the game watchin' dat LSU on da teebee, den gettin' up too late in the mornin' to bring his wife and family to da Superdome for kickoff, and then blame it on da protests, cher!

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

I think the Jerry Jones approach that the Saints took only means something if you are only bothered by protesting during the Anthem. My personal stance has always been that I don't appreciate ANY kind of protesting at ANY point during a sporting event, or any other form of entertainment. Doing it during the Anthem is just that much worse.

So the idea that this guy is wrong because the Saints protested before the Anthem is inaccurate, in my opinion. Did this fan say anything specifically about the team protesting during the Anthem ONLY, or just protesting in general? From what I see, he is not happy about the protesting, period, and I agree with him.

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

Give him back his money and let someone else purchase the tickets from here on out. Anything more than that would be the same as McDonald's having to pay millions of dollars to that woman because their coffee was too hot.

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Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

That's all he's asking for. He's not asking for extra money for punitive damages, or claiming that he was harassed or traumatized. I don't think it's too much to ask of the Saints, and yet they are acting like he wants 10 billion dollars.

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

The Saints (backed and most likely prompted by the NFL) are fighting it for purposes of precedence. Letting fans demand money back and suing for it would be opening a can of worms. Now, if the guy had quietly gone to the Saints and asked for a refund they could have complied, but when the guy decided to make it high profile via lawsuit it entered a different realm. He clearly wanted to make a point and not just get his money back. The NFL has no choice but to answer the suit in court and they will most likely win with the guy not only being out the cost of his tickets, but also all court costs, which could easily dwarf the ticket costs.

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

He DID quietly go to them and ask for a refund, and they did not comply. So now he's suing them. The reason it's public knowledge is because reporters are always looking for something to talk about. How is that the problem of this fan?

If everyone were as passive about ever doing or saying anything negative towards their team as you are, fans everywhere would be completely screwed. Fans have to demand respect from the people who are charging them insane amounts of money to sit and watch a game... A GAME. Not a political rally.

Fans don't have official representation, and yet they are the driving force that keeps the league alive. So fans have to represent themselves and make demands. Will he win? Probably not. Will there be fallout as more and more stories like these come out? You better believe it. The NFL believes it has all the power because it has the money. They do have the money... For now. They are biting the hands that feed them.

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

I personally know the guy and he bleeds the red,white,and blue for sure.
He's a big business owner from around my territory and has plenty of cash flow to make it interesting to say the least lol

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

Since you know the guy personally, is he simply only wanting to get his season ticket money back or does he want to make a statement as I suggest?

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

How do you know that he quietly went to them and asked for a refund? I didn't see that anywhere.

Besides, if all he wanted was his money back he could have easily sold his tickets and season ticket rights for profit. They are highly desired.

In addition, the teams are not charging insane amounts of money to sit and watch a game. It is the fans themselves that are creating the insane numbers. The number of tickets available directly to the general public is a tiny percentage of actual seats in the venue. That vast majority is held by season ticket holders. A good percentage of those ticket holders sell their tickets at several times their original face value. That is what makes it insane. The season ticket holders are picking a few games to attend and getting every penny of their original investment back and most likely enough to easily cover any associated costs while at the game.

Edit: Okay, I finally found a story that said he said he asked the Saints to refund him $8000 to cover the cost of the tickets and costs associated with their purchase. That does not change the fact that it sets a bad precedent that could be used by any fan wanting out of their ticket purchase by claiming that something was offensive to them. I'm offended by visiting fans. Is that a basis for getting a refund?

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

Fans don't get to pick and choose what aspects of a team they approve of. If you don't like Kamara's hair, or Brees' chants, or Ingram's dancing, it is your right to stay home. Can we sue over performance as well? how about injuries?

and, the majority is speaking: the stands are full. There are a couple hundred tickets available for Sunday, all at of above face value.
Like many have said, sell the tickets or donate them to NOLA Boys & Girls Club.

This isn't about my opinion or anyone else's on the protests; it's about one fan seeking attention for his cause.

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

All you had to do was read the very article in the original post of this thread to see where it says he asked them for a refund. You didn't have to hunt it down.

And yes, the prices ARE insane. Sure, season ticket holders might drive it up, but most people can't afford season tickets. I wonder why that is? Could it be, just maybe, that the NFL is gauging it's fans? Say it ain't so... I'm afraid so.

And why should he have sold them instead of asking for his money back? I think he absolutely wanted to make sure the team paid the price, in the process. Similar to how most people send things they don't like right back where they bought it from, instead of trying to sell it. You want that company to understand your dissatisfaction. That isn't some evil ploy for attention. It's common practice.

And no, it does not set a bad precedent for them to give a refund. The NFL has ALREADY set a bad precedent by allowing it's players to make a mockery of the sport, wagging their fingers and telling the owners what THEY can and cannot do or say. Fans are angry, and it's the NFL's responsibility to fix the problem. But they are too afraid to stand up to the players, which is extremely pathetic.

You're analogy is apples to oranges. Saying "I don't like the visiting fans" and "I don't like my team disrespecting my country, and protesting matters with no facts behind them, when I came to be entertained" are two very different things.

Annoying visiting fans are part of the game. They pay for their seats just like everyone else. Don't tell me you can't differentiate one fan complaint from another.

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

Fans absolutely get to choose what they approve of. Similar to how fans would react if the P.A. announcer got on the mic and started insulting fans, people have a right to make complaints about things that are particularly offensive to them. Fans pay the money, not the players. The players get paid because of the fans. Business 101: The customer is always right.

Does that mean that every grievance is legitimate? No. But this man is not in the minority.

And you are wrong about the majority. The negative feedback from the protests have far outweighed the positive. Not everyone has chosen to boycott, and of course that was to be expected. The more the NFL defies the wishes of it's audience, however, that will change quickly. Apparently you haven't noticed that in many places the attendance is down, and the TV ratings have been way down, all year. That is no coincidence for a league you believe is untouchable.

Lastly, he is not seeking attention. He has been GIVEN attention because of the Saints reaction and the media spreading the story.

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

Maybe he didn't sell them on ebay because he wants to make a statement that he doesn't pay all that money to watch "the product" show their disapproval about their personal issues when they are their to perform not make political comments.

I respect that he is bringing awareness to his sense of justice.......

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

I know some folks with season tix to the Texans games who were so offended they stopped going. They sold the tix for profit and now they're out, having sworn off the NFL forever.

Sell them and get on with your life man. Jeesh. Why is everyone so litigious these days?

Never mind...I know why, but that's a conversation for a different forum.

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

I reread the article linked to in the original post and it does not mention anything about his going to the Saints and asking for a refund which they refused. You go back and read it word for word. So, yes, I did have to search for it. At least I took the time to do just that.

Saints season ticket prices range from a high of $3080 ($308 per game) down to $390 ($39 per game). Given every Saints game has sold out for over the last decade they are clearly not priced too high. It is what the market bears. That is simple economics.

That falls in line with my suggestion he is trying to make a point instead of simply getting his money back.

A small percentage of fans are angry. Personally, I think the whole thing is trivial, and like the vast majority of fans, I don't let it get in the way of being entertained.

No it isn't. It is perception. Regardless of how you see the act not everyone sees it as disrespecting their country or protesting without facts. That is your opinion. My sample opinion is just as valid.

I gave a sample that someone MAY use. It is no more valid a reason for a refund that what is being requested by this guy. I love the visiting fans myself. I usually make sure I interact and have on occasions led them to a favorite spot following the game.

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

Exactly. All I was saying is the guy doesn't just want his money back. He's trying to make a point.

By the way, they just talked about this subject on ESPN talk radio and slammed the guy for suing over this.

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

As an accounting major I took all of those business courses, as well as economics, statistics and business law. In none of those courses is it taught that the customer is always right. To the contrary, the customer is in the wrong a great percentage of the time when complaints are levied. Legally the business isn't always required to give in. Economically, however, is the reason why some customers get their way even when they have not been wronged. If the cost associated to fight the claim outweighs the cost of giving in then "the customer is deemed being right" economically.

And you are wrong about the majority. The seats are being filled because the majority do not feel the protests are disturbing them enough to keep their butts out of the seats. THAT is a fact.

And, yes, he IS seeking attention. You are naive if you think he didn't know that filling that suit was going to hit the media in a huge manner. As a businessman he knew exactly what he was doing.

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

Knowing Lee,It's the latter Guido.
He's not hurting for that amount of "pocket change"

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

If he's actually involving lawyers over something that is ultimately this silly then he's either a fool or he's got money to burn.

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

He's got the dinero to be heard;)

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

I'm sure he could easily sell the tickets to a real Who Dat.
Take the money and go buy Dirty Birds tickets it's not that far.
Arthur would love to have you on board.
Flight Time 1 hour, 1 minute
Driving Time 6 hours, 35 minutes

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

Lots of people do, but often times what they're trying to get us to listen to is poo on a stick. Frankly I think this qualifies.

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

He's entitled reguardless man..
Doesn't affect me in any way really.
Better his pocket than my little wallet lol
And yes,he may be a fool but at least he'll stand his ground being a heard one:bng:

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

Thanks, Pete. That's what I thought and was trying to point out to burningmetal.

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

But. What. If. He. Wins. ???

LOL

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

Ok. I can see that argument. Did this fan also get upset about the religion that has been inserted in the game?

If not, why?

How is it different? You don't agree with one because you believe it is offensive. It takes away from the entertainment value.

But, praying, praising God, whatever, that's OK because you don't find that offensive?

How are the two different?

I don't watch football for politics BUT I also don't watch to be preached at.

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

'Guido, you clearly have no clue what is going on, and that's fine if ignorance is bliss to you. I have followed the ratings and seen the massive amount of negative attention the NFL has gotten from this whole thing. Stands around the league have been emptying, while you have been sitting in your chair pretending everything is great and making football your "god". You have demonstrated time and again just how naive YOU are. You cannot stand for anyone to say anything negative about your all important football team. You know why the people who still go to games are going? Because they are addicted to their team. I get it... I understand those people, but for you to suggest that they are all going because they don't care about the protests, is pure ignorance.

And as for this guy "making a point", as I said, whenever a customer is dissatisfied with a product, they tend to want to make it known. That does NOT suggest that he is doing this for the sole purpose of making a point. The guy isn't happy about what is going on, and he wants a refund. Should a point be made to the Saints and the NFL? Absolutely. It's become a political cesspool, and this is precisely why people like me are boycotting.

You clearly did not read the article word for word. It clearly says he went to the team and asked for a refund, but was turned down. You either aren't paying close enough attention, or you are lying to me. So don't pull that on me.

As for the season ticket prices, you seem to be missing a major point: While the lowest priced tickets might not be astronomical, you have to buy the entire package, as opposed to just a one time deal, and that gets expensive. But those "cheap" seats sell out quickly, and you are left with tickets that only wealthy people can afford.

As for your opinion being valid, I didn't suggest it wasn't, though I obviously disagree with you. But opinions, however valid or not, only make a difference when thy are shared with a majority. And so while you might choose to live in a bubble where nothing else matters as long as you are entertained, the fact is that you are not in the majority. I personally know people who are not boycotting, but hate what the NFL is doing. I can't make them boycott, and I won't attempt to. People will do what needs to be done when the time is right. Rome didn't fall over night, but when it did fall, it fell hard. Such will be the case for the NFL.

Lastly, this fan has a far greater reason to ask for a refund than the example you gave. Your example is something that is small and part of the game. This protesting is not only disrespectful, but it's a lie. They are pushing for justice where it isn't needed. They, along with the media, have brought negative attention to cops, which has helped to incite violence against police, and lead to murders of police. The NFL would not allow those officers to be honored when the Cowboys actually wanted to do something good to remember them. But they allow the protests with no consequences? Do you see my problem here, 'Guido?

There are a lot of things that you have not paid attention to, and you have just assumed that it's all a bunch of nothing. Pop that bubble, pal, and take a look at what's happening and ask yourself what exactly these players are doing. It is far from a trivial matter.

Re: Saints fans sues over protests
 

Who is preaching to you? You want to know what the differences between the two things you mentioned are? One is a private matter that isn't stated in protest, and the other is something that entire teams are doing, and it has often been done in the middle of our National Anthem. You use the word religion, but there are a lot of different beliefs. As a Christian myself, I have a lot of problems with "religions" that pop up around the world. But if I see someone praying during a game, and I know he isn't a Christian, I am not offended. I would wish that the person were not praying to some pagan "god", or whatever else, but I believe in his right to have his religious freedom. It isn't something that is in your face, and making a political statement.

Major difference.