
The Season Ticket price freeze and decision to move the renewal date back 18 days provide real, measurable benefits to supporters. These benefits have been achieved through constructive dialogue between THST and THFC and we look forward to continuing discussion in this vein as tough decisions are faced in future.
STUBHUB CONTRACT RENEWAL
THST has consistently stated its objections to the partnership with StubHub since it took over the running of the official THFC resale platform in the summer of 2013. Through persistent campaigning, we secured key changes to the original deal last summer, most notably an end to ‘flipping’ (further resale of match tickets) on the site and the capping of prices at £200, where no cap previously existed. We've also participated in national lobbying initiatives that have resulted in significant new consumer protection measures being put into place around the secondary ticketing market.
We now understand that StubHub has offered THFC a significant sum to continue the deal. This is obviously not news we wanted to hear, but we were faced with a situation in which a deal was either going to be imposed, or one where we could secure as much real benefit for fans as possible. We believe maintaining outright opposition when we could achieve tangible benefits for fans would have been irresponsible. It is also our understanding that the new deal will expire in the summer of 2017, ahead of a move away from White Hart Lane for a potential ground share season.
The new deal retains the ban on flipping, reduces the price cap further to £150, limits marketing and removes all in-stadium LED advertising. StubHub has also committed to support a Tottenham Hotspur Foundation project as part of the new agreement.
We believe we have substantially minimised the chances for fans to be exploited, and we have helped secure a significant income stream for a very good cause.
It is still our firm belief football fans should only sell tickets to each other at face value, a practice which would eliminate any exploitative behaviour completely.
THST Board
24 March 2015