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Surly bunch Rowdy crowd prompts Lakers to postpone ticket sales
Posted: Sunday April 09, 2000 01:23 AM
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The line for Lakers playoff tickets grew so crowded and rowdy outside Staples Center on Saturday that arena officials postponed the sale for a week at the request of the Police Department. "Staples Center representatives regret any inconvenience that this postponement has caused. However, it was deemed necessary due to the high demand for Lakers playoff tickets and for the safety of the fans," the center said in a statement issued Saturday afternoon. The problem began Saturday morning when about 1,500 people were gathered outside the arena box office to pick up random numbers that would give them a chance at tickets. Some had been waiting since Friday night. "Some of the fans were getting out of line to try to get priority numbers," said arena spokesman Michael Roth. One person was arrested for investigation of battery against a police officer, said Officer Don Cox, an LAPD spokesman. People who want to buy tickets at the box office will now have to arrive at a location still to be disclosed no earlier than 6 a.m. next Saturday. There, 500 wristbands will be handed out. Those with wristbands can take them to Staples Center at 9 a.m. the next day to try to purchase tickets, although they won't be guaranteed seats. Playoff tickets also can be purchased through Ticketmaster outlets and by phone beginning at 10 a.m. April 16. Roth said the elaborate process was developed in an effort to keep tickets out of the hands of scalpers.
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