Longtime Season Ticket Holder Doesn't Think Super Bowl Ticket Lottery System Is Working
By Tom Mustin
DENVER (CBS4) - Some longtime Broncos fans are not happy after being shut out in the Broncos Super Bowl ticket lottery.
Broncos season tickets have been in Adam Smith's family since 1963. His Douglas County home is a shrine to his favorite team. He won't be attending the Super Bowl after being shut out again by the Broncos ticket lottery.
"An enormous disappointment." he told CBS4's Tom Mustin.
Two years ago CBS4 talked to Smith after he had been denied lottery tickets for the Broncos-Seahawks Super Bowl. He's not happy after being bypassed again.
"I was certain we would get tickets two years ago and didn't. To relive that 24 months later has been tough."
The Broncos say they have 23,000 season ticket accounts. They've been allotted roughly 12,000 tickets for this year's Super Bowl in Santa Clara. They couldn't tell CBS4 how many of those tickets went to season ticket holders, but they do say their computer lottery is weighted heavily to reward longtime fans like Smith -- a fact that for Smith is small consolation.
"I'm sure they're doing the best they can to make it work for everyone," he said. "But it certainly doesn't seem like it's working."
Lottery winners will still pay a hefty amount for tickets.
"Face value you're looking at $850-plus per ticket with some service fees," said ticket seller Candy Lewis with A Lewis Tickets.
The Broncos have partnered with PrimeSport to offer fans ticket packages. CBS4 found tickets from $3,900 to nearly $10,000.
"Is that pricing you out of the market?" Mustin asked Smith.
"Way out of the market," he replied.
Now, despite five decades of loyalty, Smith will be watching his beloved Broncos from the comforts of home.
"I will be watching it in Denver."
Tom Mustin is CBS4's Weekend Anchor. He has been with CBS4 since 2002, and is always looking for great story ideas. Connect with Tom on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @TomCBS4.
