MANILA, Philippines - Tickets to the LeBron James Show, which were given away by Nike for free, are now being sold online for as much as P5,000 each.
Some of these precious tickets are now in the hands of scalpers or to put it nicely, enterprising individuals.
At www.sulit.com.ph, the country’s number one buy-and-sell website, tickets to LeBron’s public appearance at the Mall of Asia Arena are aplenty.
They are being sold for as low as P500 each for general admission tickets to as much as P5,000 for upperbox tickets.
A certain seller is offering four general admission tickets for P2,300 each with a contact number posted.
There’s no law that prohibits these people from selling these tickets which they acquired for free last Wednesday at the Nike Park at Bonifacio High Street.
Nike, which is sponsoring LeBron’s first visit to the country, gave away a total of 4,000 tickets to the public, most of them lining up 48 hours before the first tickets were handed out.
“I lined up for these tickets for 48 hours,†said one of the seller, who’s offering two upper box tickets for P10,000.
News about the tickets being sold for such amount spread like wildfire, and people have reacted strongly against the enterprising individuals.
“So... Some people who lined up for free LeBron James tickets at Nike Park BGC are selling them. That’s low,†said one on Twitter.
“A lot of scalpers already selling tix (tickets) on the LeBron James event! I knew it! Half of those who (lined up) were scalpers! Smh!!†said another.
LeBron, of the newly crowned NBA champions Miami Heat, is arriving in the country on Monday. He will grace a press conference at the Makati Shangri-La on Tuesday noon and after a quick visit to the Nike Park at Bonifacio High Street he proceeds to the Mall of Asia Arena to meet the fans. He flies out the following day.
He will draw the fans.
While there are those who are selling their tickets, there are those wanting to buy.
“I’m looking for a LeBron James Ticket lower box or patron,†said one post at www.sulit.com.ph.
“My budget is P7,000 and above for lower box. (Or your best offer). I need 3 tickets (P7,000 x 3). Or name your price! Sure buyer!!!†it added.
Yes, there are takers.