WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA)--The Washington Redskins have a public relations nightmare on their hands.
The team was in Jacksonville, Florida on Wednesday preparing for their final pre-season game; but team representatives were telephoning reporters back in Washington about a newspaper story that says the team was selling season tickets to brokers who were then re-selling them--often at inflated prices--on the secondary market.
The Washington Post reports that while this was going on, Redskins management was claiming season seats to home games were scarce. Thus, 160-thousand people were placed on a waiting list for seats.
Callers to Radio Sports Talk 106.7 were angry and hurt. Most of their criticism was aimed at team owner Dan Snyder.
Lavar Arrington, former all pro linebacker for the Skins, said on the "Lavar Arrington Show" that team owner Dan Snyder is a "tyrant" and had to know about the ticket sales to brokers.
Redskins general counsel, David Donovan, said Snyder did not know and was furious when it was brought to his attention.
Donovan issued the following statement, "The bottom line is, tickets got into the hands of brokers in violation of our longstanding policy to make tickets directly available only to our fans. When the Redskins discovered the abuse, broker contracts were terminated. Employees in the ticket office were disciplined and some were fired. We've taken steps to make sure this doesn't happen again."
The ticket brokers refused to talk with 9NEWS NOW for the record.
Written by Bruce Johnson
9NEWS NOW & WUSA9.COM