DC’s MCI Center will host some of this year’s Sweet 16 NCAA men’s basketball tournament in a few weeks, and tickets have already sold out. One lawmaker is fortunate enough to have acquired a few tickets, however, and he’s willing to sell them — at the right price.
[Rep. Thomas Reynolds of New York, a key member of the House Republican leadership] is soliciting $2,000 a person to provide tickets for the March 24 tournament session that are sold by the NCAA for $65 apiece. “Tickets are very limited,” says the letter of invitation, “so please RSVP as soon as possible.”
Although Reynolds is chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, the basketball money will fund TOMPAC, Reynolds’ leadership political action committee that he uses to make contributions to selected candidates.
Now, I’ve been to a few sporting events and concerts, and I’ve seen lots of people selling tickets outside an arena for more than the stated ticket price. In fact, I think there’s a name for it: “scalping.” The last time I checked, it’s illegal.
In this case, the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee is selling college basketball tickets for more than 30 times face value. What’s more, he’s putting this offer in writing, and sending it around to contributors. Isn’t this the kind of thing the DC police department frowns upon?
Of course, when it comes to congressional Republicans, the nation would be lucky if scalping were their most serious legal transgression.