Attorney: At least 20 fans plan to sue 'cheap' NFL over Hall of Fame Game
Fans who attempted to attend the Hall of Fame Game want more than just a ticket refund
Fans who attempted to attend the Hall of Fame Game this past weekend aren't willing to simply accept the NFL's ticket refund. They're planning on coming for more money.
As The Associated Press reported Tuesday, at least 20 individuals are planning -- or at least speaking to an attorney about -- a class-action lawsuit against the NFL and the Hall of Fame for Sunday's debacle. Many fans traveled to Canton, Ohio, to watch the Packers and Colts kick off the preseason, but that game never took place due to unsafe field conditions.
Crazy. Hall of Fame Game could be cancelled because paint created "tar-like" footing in center of field.#NFL pic.twitter.com/KrHPEz3LMf
-- MikeDubberlyGDA (@MikeDubberlyGDA) August 7, 2016
The NFL canceled the game and refunded fans for the tickets. But, as attorney Michael Avenatti told the AP, that's not enough.
"We have been approached by no fewer than 20 individuals who traveled to the game to participate and be ready to enjoy the game," he said. "And unfortunately they did not have the opportunity to enjoy the game, and as a result lost a significant amount of money."
So, to be clear, Brett Favre appears to be the only one who found enjoyment in the matter.
Brett Favre smiling and pointing at the field paint that caused the Pro Football Hall of Fame game to be canceled. Classic.
-- Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) August 8, 2016
Avenatti added that his firm spoke to 10 more fans who want to be reimbursed for more than just the ticket, like the cost of their travels, saying the NFL "has a history of being cheap with its fans." He also took his fight to Twitter, which Pro Football Talk verified.
@ProFootballTalk @PFT_MikeFlorio #HOFGame = Super Bowl 45 2.0. We plan on filing a class case within days. $0 for fan expenses is a disgrace
-- Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) August 9, 2016
Neither the NFL nor the Hall of Fame provided a comment for the AP.
It's worth noting that Avenatti represented those who sued the NFL in 2011 after their seats at the Super Bowl ended up being nonexistent. It's also worth noting that the NFL accepted the blame for the cancellation of the Hall of Fame game, which NFL.com reported:
Troy Vincent, NFL executive vice president of football operations, acknowledged in a memo sent to all 32 NFL teams that he and NFL operations are accountable for field conditions at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium that led to cancellation of Sunday's preseason game between the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts.
In the memo, which was obtained by NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, Vincent wrote "ultimately I am accountable for ensuring the field is of the highest standard." Vincent added that NFL operations "must demand and expect an extra level of detail in adhering to NFL standards ... for non-club fields."
Avenatti told the AP that the lawsuit should be filed by Monday.
















