Today I want to look back at a previous entry that I wrote about Ticket Scalping during the past Beijing Olympic Games. This was the entry where I questioned
just how sophisticated the Chinese scalpers would be during the Summer Olympics. The answer: some scalpers went to great lengths to attempt to make an illegal profit during this year’s games.
Earlier this week a Chinese man was found guilty for illegally scalping tickets to the games. At least 500 tickets were sold by the man at as much as 50 to 60 percent high than face value. The charge for the crime was 3+ years in prison and a $65,000 fine.
The man found guilty, used fake ID’s made from stolen identity information. The illegally obtained information was given to the man by a friend’s air conditioning company to purchase the tickets through China’s ticket outlets.
The Indianapolis Colts play the Green Bay Packers up at the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field about once every 8-10 years. The moment I found out that the Colts would be playing in Green Bay this year I told myself that I would make the trip. So, I did and I was not disappointed by my decision to make the 7 hour trip north.
Before the game we were lucky enough to meet up with my friend’s co-worker who had rented an RV for the trip. Surrounded by Packers fans I thought we wouldn’t last very long and if you thought that they only made cheese heads than you would be wrong. There were actually women that wore cheese bras, but that’s another story. As we began to get comfortable at our tail-gate we were soon called upon by Packer fans across the way. We hadn’t been tail-gating very long so we didn’t know what to expect. Once at the adjacent lot we were greeted by a local bar owner and his lovely waitress’ “Welcome to Lambeau!” they all shouted. Then they tossed us ice cold PBR’s and offered shrimp&stake kabobs. From that moment on I realized why just a week prior that Lambeau Field was ranked #1 on SI’s top NFL stadiums.
Big up’s to the Packer fans. The people of Green Bay know how to do things right. Funny thing about it is - they even seemed to get nicer as the game went on. Maybe it had to do with the outcome of the game, who knows? But, I believe that the Packer fans would have been just as friendly no matter what team won that day.
Indianapolis Tennis Championships Presented by Lilly winner Gilles Simon continues to fight through the season with another hard fought win over Igor Andreev 4-6, 6-1, 7-6, (9-7) in the ATP Masters Series Madrid. At 24 years old Simon is taking the tour on by surprise with 3 tournament wins under his belt already this season. The 5-11, 143 lbs. Frenchman also defeated another familiar face to the Indianapolis Tennis Championships Presented by Lilly 2006 Champion, James Blake in the second round at Madrid. Simon is currently ranked 12th on the ATP tour and is marching up the ladder at full speed. Best of luck in round 3, Gilles! Check below for some outstanding play by Simon while playing in Indy.
Andy Roddick was victorious over the weekend in Beijing at the 2008 China Open beating Dudi Sela 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-3. Not only was this a great win for Roddick it was a true showing of the American tennis stars character.
After the contest Roddick announced that he will be donating $25,000 of his winnings to the China Tennis Association. The donated money will be used towards helping those still in need after the devastating earthquake that happened in Sichuan Province, China.
Congratulations Andy on a spectacular week of tennis and good luck throughout the rest of the year.
As the summer tennis leagues come to an end and the fall leagues get started. Check out these tennis tips to improve your game. I welcome anyone to provide there own tips as we all could use some every now and then. Best of luck!
Hats off to all the athletes who competed in this year’s US Open Series and I look forward to catching you at the 2009 Indianapolis Tennis Championships Presented by Lilly which will take place July 18 – 26.
September 4th is George Foreman Day at the U.S Open
The US Open and George Foreman team up during the second week of the championship tournament to promote healthy food choices. You can check out Foreman's monthly Web show (www.KnockOuttheFat.com) to learn about how to live healthy.
Jeremy Piven of HBO Series Entourage hangs out at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday Evening and interacts with fans.
Ticket scalpers must really be getting sophisticated in the 21st Century as scalpers storm the streets of Beijing. While managing the box office for a Men’s Professional Tennis tournament I have come across numerous ticket scalpers. None of which that I've run into (thrown off our site) have ever struck me as being very bright. Ticket Scalpers normally remind me of a bum begging for their last meal. In order to be a scalper in Beijing would you have to deal with the following: how do these scalpers communicate with the fans from various countries...? Are there translators for scalpers? Do the Scalpers except traveling checks or Yen only? How about Visa, it is the only card excepted at the Olympics? Please let me know your thoughts on ticket scalping at the Olympics and which event you would pay the most to watch?
A side note: James Blake a quarter-finalist at Indy and Gilles Simon the 2008 Indianapolis Tennis championships Presented by Lilly Champion have both made it to the 3rd Round at the Beijing Olympics. The two will be competing against each other for a shot at a gold medal. Good luck Guys!
T.G.I.F. It's time to get ready to leave the office after another productive work week here at the Indianapolis Tennis Championships Presented by Lilly. I think that I will change things up tonight and instead of going to my favorite watering hole, I am going to stay at home and watch the Opening Ceremonies from Beijing. I am very eager to watch tonight as the Young Americans (Sam Querrey, James Blake, Robbie Ginepri and of course the Brian Brothers) walk into Olympic Stadium sporting Red, White, and Blue. Good luck to all the Athletes participating in this year’s Olympic Games.
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