Sold-out seats going for cool million

Still looking for tickets for the NCAA subregional in Spokane?

Well, you can still get them. For a price – a hefty one for some.

But a million dollars? That seems steep for even the most enthusiastic Texas-alum oil tycoon or USC-grad movie mogul.

It’s not a misprint. One seller is asking that price on eBay for a set of four upper-level tickets to Friday’s and Sunday’s sessions. And it’s a legitimate offer.

“You never know,” said the seller, Scott Schade. “I’m in Seattle and people spend $50 million on their houses here, so an NCAA ticket? What’s a million bucks for some tickets to the first round to see some great teams: Notre Dame, Texas, USC, Oregon, Winthrop …?”

Enough, already. Stop selling it.

After all, we’re talking about section 222 (at one end of the court), row K. Who, in their right mind, would take him up on his offer?

“Hey, if I’m Bill Gates, I’d buy five or six sets at that price,” said Schade, tongue in cheek.

Schade, a 46-year-old self-employed software developer, doesn’t expect anyone to step up at that price. He’s planning on the tickets going unsold and being in the Arena when the first game tips off on Friday.

Of course, there’s a story behind his listing.

Schade and three friends have purchased tickets the past six years to whatever subregional has been scheduled in the Northwest.

For Spokane, three members of the group submitted deposits for the ticket lottery and two won. So, they had an extra set of tickets to sell.

Schade started an online auction for one set, then noticed it was set to end at midday Friday (too late). He wasn’t allowed to stop the sale under the site’s rules, but had a solution.

“It turns out there’s only one item you can change after an auction starts – the price,” said Schade.

So, he and his buddies sold one set and decided they would be willing to forego their annual NCAA pilgrimage if they got a ridiculous price for the other set.

“If someone does step up and buy them, we wouldn’t go and would split it three ways,” said Schade. “Otherwise, screw it. We’ll be there.”

Wait a minute, why split it only three ways?

“One guy was too much of a cheapskate to put down a deposit, so he could be losing $250,000,” said Schade.

Yeah, and Niagra (the 64th seed) could knock off Kansas (the No. 1 seed).

Possible, but not likely.

One last chance

There may be a final opportunity to purchase face-value tickets.

The eight schools playing in Spokane are supposed to turn in any remaining allotted tickets at noon today to the NCAA. Then, at 5 p.m., those tickets would go on sale.

Any available tickets would be available from 5-6 p.m. at the Arena box office, by phone at (800) 325-SEAT, or at www.ticketswest.com.

A buyer’s market

While sellers’ offers are dominating the Internet ticket sites and newspaper classified listings, one buyer is taking a more proactive approach.

Dave Donaworth, 44, a landscaper from Springfield, Ore., placed an ad in The Spokesman-Review reading: “Wanted: NCAA Tickets.”

He’s had lots of offers so far, but none he wants to accept.

“There are plenty of tickets, they’re just asking too much,” said Donaworth, an Oregon Ducks fan.

He’s confident the current average asking price of $350 (and up) per ticket for both sessions is too much. So, he and a friend have already made the six-hour trip to Spokane.

“I’m sure the prices will come down,” he said. “We’re just going to hang out by the Arena on Friday and buy some. I hear it’s legal.”

There is no city law that prohibits the resale of tickets above face value.

Everything’s Ducky

On the other hand, dedicated University of Oregon students got their tickets – and their transportation expenses to Spokane – paid for by incoming athletics director Pat Kilkenny.

Oregon allotted 55 tickets for sale to students and 57 camped overnight in Eugene to buy them. They were sold in 30 minutes and Kilkenny offered to find tickets for the two students who missed out.

Kilkenny, a prominent Oregon booster, also said he’d pick up the tab for all the students’ second-round tickets if Oregon eliminates Miami of Ohio on Friday.

Kilkenny’s bill will be at least $6,000, but could rise to $9,000 if the Ducks advance.