The View from Here: Where greed and stupidity meet

The View from Here: Where greed and stupidity meet

What a weekend in sports.

Between the NBA playoffs, NHL playoffs, and baseball season in full swing, it has been hard to keep up with everything. There was even an NBA owner doing his best impersonation of Leonardo Dicaprio’s character from the film “Django Unchained.” But off all these stories, one flew under the radar that has me scratching my head and asking “Why?”.

John E. Williams of Las Vegas is suing the National Football League for $50 million for what he describes as “economic discrimination.” You may be asking why this man is suing a major name in sports for that ridiculous amount, but wait, there’s more. Williams, a San Francisco 49ers fan, feels the NFL is guilty of “economic discrimination” after he was unable to purchase tickets for the NFC Championship game in Seattle, WA. For those who aren’t aware, the Seattle Seahawks limited ticket sales to certain markets that were known to support the team.

While I get the concept that it is unfair to only sell tickets to certain markets, two things stuck out in my head as I read this story.

1) The game was four months ago. Why are you jumping into this ridiculous legal battle now? The timing is terrible and makes no sense. Had Williams filed this lawsuit even a month after the game, it would make a little more sense because it was still fresh on people’s minds. But four months later makes me question if he is really going to go through with this or is just reaching for a headline.

2) $50 million. Really?. That’s the number you sat down and came up with to make up for not going to a football game? The cost of flight, hotel, food, and tickets would add up to maybe $1,000. And that’s a huge maybe. I am not sure if Williams’ math skills are up to par but that amount makes it feel like he’s just reaching for a large settlement, which makes this whole story an even bigger joke.

I agree that what the Seahawks organization did was unfair to all football fans and there is no denying that. But to take legal action against a multibillion dollar corporation for the sake of team loyalty is a huge waste of time. I wouldn’t be surprised if this story is merely swept under the rug in a matter of no time.