The Tennessee Titans are proud owners of a 16-year sellout streak that has maintained even throughout several straight years of recent disappointment. But it turns out that streak might not be an accurate reflection of interest.
An investigative report from NewsChannel 5 in Nashville reveals that the Titans managed to keep the sellout streak going through an arrangement its executives made with a ticket dealer in Boca Raton, Florida.
The team essentially turned the scalper into the top ticket source for Titans games. In exchange, the Titans used the scalper to gain better control over market prices, preventing low demand from sparking a plummet in secondary market sales prices.
According to the news report, the deal was approved by multiple team executives, none of whom are currently with the team. The executives had hoped that, by working with one scalper and making him the strongest presence in the market, other scalpers would be pushed out, and the value of Titans football tickets would increase.
In exchange for reducing the other competition, the team's main scalper, Cole Rubin, would buy all unsold tickets for Titans home games. He could then use those tickets as inventory, selling them at a premium and turning a huge profit.
In some respects, this relationship is not scandalous or even unheard of. Rubin is a very successful scalper who has working relationships with 22 different NFL teams, according to NewsChannel 5, and teams regularly work with secondary sellers for a variety of purposes.
This might be the first case, though, of using those arrangements to ensure sellouts and generate kickbacks in sales revenue. The report also found that some tickets designated as military donations were given to Rubin to sell, instead of to military personnel.
The Titans have come out pleading their innocence on all counts, and said the military tickets issue is merely an error of attribution.
"The fact that some tickets were falsely designated as military comps on an internal report during a past season can never diminish the esteem in which we hold our servicemen and women, the high regard in which we hold their duty and sacrifice, and the fact that we will continue to provide our military with complimentary tickets throughout each future Titan season," said the team in a statement.
The Titans say they have also hired outside investigators to learn more about the matter, and to audit their ticket sales.
10 Best NFL Stadiums
The Flashiest: AT&T Stadium
Known not-so-affectionately as "Jerry World," after polarizing owner, Jerry Jones, it can hold more than 100,000 fans, easily the largest NFL venue. You're heard about the retractable roof, not to mention the HD Jumbotron that stretches from one 20-yard line to the other. It boasts field-level luxury boxes, pillar-less construction for unobstructed sightlines and off-field attractions like a Cowboys Hall of Fame. (Players are bigger and faster ... but at what cost? Follow the Evolution of the Football Player.)
The Top for Tech: Levi's Stadium
San Francisco's Levi's Stadium, the NFL's newest, is the most technologically advanced. (You wouldn't expect any different from a stadium in Silicon Valley.) Boasting Wi-Fi many times faster than its nearest competitor, not to mention stadium apps to order food and beverages from your seat, the "Field of Jeans" is easily the best venue to keep tabs on your fantasy team. The oversized inner bowl and relatively small upper decks mean there are few bad seats. (Mimic Kaepernick's speed and prowess.)
The Coziest Confines: Ford Field
Nestled in the heart of D-Town near casinos, restaurants and Comerica Park, the 2002-built brick-and-glass beauty is a fantastic place to spend a late fall afternoon. Vendors reflect the city's Greek and Polish roots with delicious gyro and sausage offerings. Plush lounges serve local craft beers and some of the most-inviting take-a-break-from-the-game environments you'll find. Whether the on-field product is good, you'll still have a blast. (Find inspiration with 20 Best Nuggets of Wisdom from NFL Coaches.)
The Best View: Sports Authority Field
The air is thin and the beer is cheap in Denver. With Peyton Manning slinging the pigskin, there aren't many more entertaining NFL teams to watch live. But during commercial breaks, your eyes will drift away from the field and toward the nearby Rocky Mountains, rising in the distance. The stadium's undulating upper deck mimics the up-and-down grandeur of the mountains. It's a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable experience. (If you want to bulk up fast, get Men’s Health Big Muscle Training Manual.)
The Ideal Amenities: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
A lot of fans might be surprised to find "The Oil Drum" on this list -- but only those who have never visited. From cushioned, wide seats to the bright window wall looking out onto downtown, this is a fun, comfortable place. Vendors are numerous, smartly located and friendly. Architecture makes every seat a good one. Aesthetics incorporate local history and culture, so you feel like you're actually in a place -- not just some sponsorship-soaked cement dungeon. ("Super nerdy" interview: Andrew Luck.)
The Loudest: CenturyLink Field
There's no harder place in the NFL for visiting teams to win than "The Clink" -- the split-ceilinged, loud-as-a-rocket-blast home of defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. But CenturyLink Field offers visitors a lot more than noise; its beautiful downtown location, towering canyon-like design, and exposure to that famous Pacific Northwest weather make this stadium unlike any other in the country. (Learn 5 Secrets from an NFL Trainer you can apply to your own body-sculpting efforts.)
The Tastiest Tailgate: Arrowhead Stadium
Say the words "Kansas City," and a lot of guys will feel a few taste buds pop at the thought of the area's famous barbecue. The parking lot eats outside of Arrowhead Stadium do nothing to diminish the town's rep. Couple the first-class ribs with one of the most passionate (and friendly!) fan bases in the country, and any football aficionado will find an inviting atmosphere at the home of the Chiefs. MAJOR bonus points: Arrowhead is one of the last pro stadiums that isn't saddled with a corporate moniker.
The Overlooked Gem: Heinz Field
From its lovely downtown perch near the banks of the Ohio River, Pittsburgh's Heinz Field is everything an NFL stadium should be but often isn't -- a fun, inviting representation of its city and fans. It's hard to name specifics when you're trying to define a place's "feel" and atmosphere. But attend a Steelers game and you'll get it. The fans tend to be natives, and they obviously love their team and their city. You'll want to be a local by the time you leave.
The Oldest: Soldier Field
Built in 1924 and beautifully renovated in 2003, Soldier Field in Chicago is easily the oldest NFL venue. Rich with history and situated between the skyscraper-dominated downtown and dark waters of Lake Michigan, the field where the "Monsters of the Midway" once won four titles in 7 years is still one of the most intimidating and hallowed arenas in all of pro football. One visit may turn you into a Bears fan for life.
The Most Legendary: Lambeau Field
There is no more-sacred playing field in football than Lambeau -- a.k.a., the "Frozen Tundra" -- where coach Vince Lombardi once stalked the sidelines. Tucked in a quiet neighborhood of tiny Green Bay, the 1950s-era stadium is a throwback to your father and grandfather's NFL. In a league increasingly dominated by highway-wrapped urban domes, it's a wholly unique experience. You may also be surprised that it's one of the largest and loudest. Lambeau should be a bucket-list destination.
