The National Football League (NFL) and numerous industry groups are appealing to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to provide consistency with its proposed rule concerning so-called “junk fees.” These organisations are advocating for equal application of the rule, arguing that ticket sellers displaying the full price would face a competitive disadvantage compared to those not subject to the rule. Details were reported by The National Law Journal.
This appeal stems from recent regulatory changes aiming to protect consumers from unanticipated service charges, commonly referred to as “junk fees”. If implemented, ticket sellers would be required to present the total price to buyers, thereby banning the addition of unseen charges only revealed during checkout.
However, the NFL and accompanying industry groups contend that the proposed rule needs to be consistently applied to all ticket sellers for a fair competitive landscape. They posit that ticket sellers who present the total price upfront would be at a competitive disadvantage if other sellers are not bound by the same rule.
The FTC’s response and subsequent decisions related to this appeal are yet to be seen. For the NFL and other industry groups, the goal is clear — they seek clarity and uniformity in the proposed regulation, seeking to ensure fair competition while considering the interests and protection of consumers.