What You Need to Know About Transferring Your Season Tickets
In many parts of the United States, football is more than a sport - it is a way of life and a
passion that we often share across generations.
While a fan might pass down their love for an NFL or college football team to family, passing
down season tickets to them is another matter. Each team has a different policy about
transferring season tickets, and teams may restrict transfers during the ticket holder's lifetime
and after.
Season Tickets Are a Contract
Football has been America's favorite sport since the 1970s.1 For season ticket holders, the
athleticism and elements of entertainment are part of the fun. However, they must also heed the
fine print.
Legally speaking, a season ticket is a contract between the team and the ticket holder. Even
though a fan pays for a season ticket, it is considered the team's property. As a result, the team
can generally put whatever terms and conditions it wants on the contract, including a ticket
transfer policy. When a fan purchases a season ticket, they agree to comply with this policy and
the other stated terms and conditions.
What constitutes a season ticket "transfer" might be different than what you assume. A
physical ticket is not transferred. Rather, the name of the official ticket holder changes
on the ticket holder account.
Like other contracts, a season ticket holder agreement can run to several pages and contain
dense legalese. Consider the Season Ticket Member Agreement Terms and Conditions from
the Buffalo Bills. Section 10 deals with Transfer Requests and states:
A "Transfer" is defined as change of ownership on an account when the name of
the Official Season Ticket Member of Record is changing from one name to
another . . . . All Transfer requests are subject to review by the Bills and the Bills
reserve the right to approve or deny any such request in its sole discretion.
Transfer requests may be received from February 15 to March 31.2
Navigating these agreements, while daunting, is necessary if the fan wants to transfer their
season tickets properly during their life or at their death.
Season Ticket Transfer Policy Varies Widely by Team
Team policies about ticket holder transfer rights are as varied as team colors. Some have open
transfer policies; others are more restrictive. Many teams restrict transfers to a single individual
or certain family members, such as a surviving spouse.
A team may also have a specific policy regarding season ticket transfers upon the death
of the ticket holder. Not all teams publicly announce their policy, if they have one at all.
The only way to learn about it may be to contact the ticket office.
Here are a few more examples of what NFL teams allow fans to do (and prohibit them from
doing) with their season tickets:
- The New England Patriots have a policy regarding the transfer process when a season
ticket member dies that says, "Family members of the Season Ticket Member of record can
submit a request to transfer the account into someone else's name, and the Patriots will
review the request."3
- The Denver Broncos' policy is that only the personal representative or executor of a
deceased season ticket holder may sign the transfer form on behalf of the ticket holder.4
Further, the Broncos limit transfers to spouses, children, siblings, and parents.5
- The Green Bay Packers permit transfers to qualifying heirs upon the death of a season
ticket holder using the Packers-approved transfer form and the ticket holder's will.6 Green
Bay allows only one individual to own season tickets, so if the deceased leaves their season
ticket to more than one child - and the children cannot agree on the new owner - the ticket
reverts to the team.
There is also a wide range of season ticket transfer policies in college football.
- The Oregon State Beavers' policy is that the season ticket holder on record can transfer "the
opportunity to order season tickets" to a spouse, domestic partner, or child.7 However,
tickets cannot be transferred to a trust.8
- Alabama season ticket transfers are permitted only in the case of the death of a season
ticket holder, and seats can be transferred only to the deceased's surviving spouse.9
Alabama requires a copy of the deceased's death certificate and a seat transfer agreement
signed by the surviving spouse.10
- The Michigan Wolverines allow nonstudent season tickets to be transferred to a recipient
who is 18 years or older during the ticket holder's lifetime, subject to a transfer fee based on
seat location.11
Plan Ahead to Transfer Your Season Ticket
Including season tickets in an estate plan can be a way to intertwine your personal legacy with a
team's legacy. To avoid a botched handoff, huddle up with your attorney before the snap and go
over the x's and o's so you can take proactive steps now, such as contacting the team and
completing a ticket transfer form that can be stored with your other estate planning documents.
MEREDITH | PC
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Flower Mound Texas 75028
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This newsletter is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be construed as written advice about a Federal tax matter. Readers should consult with their own professional Counselors to evaluate or pursue tax, accounting, financial, or legal planning strategies.
You have received this newsletter because I believe you will find its content valuable. Please feel free to Contact Me if you have any questions about this or any matters relating to estate planning.
