Wilpons Ticket Refund Policy Somewhat Troubling

Due to Major League Baseball’s dictate, teams had to classify games as postponed until a policy could be made on how to handle refunds for games which have not and will not be played. Only recently has teams been permitted to set their own policies.

The first to release policies were the White Sox and Cubs. Their policies were identical in that individual game tickets from Opening Day until May 31 will be refunded. For season ticket plan holders, they have the choice of a refund for the unused games, or in the alternative, they can utilize their money as a credit for a number of things including a 2021 season ticket plan.

For those opting the credit option, they will be receiving 5% in interest on their money.

By coming out and doing this first, not only did the Chicago teams set the standard, they showed how to do right by their fanbases. When you break it all down, this was really the only right option.

Then, there are the Wilpons. The same people who nearly lost everything to a Ponzi Scheme, are continually at MLB’s debt limits, couldn’t raise their share of the funding for the Islanders Belmont arena, and blew a $2.1 billion deal because Jeff Wilpon wanted to play GM with Steve Cohen’s money, did something far different.

First and foremost, their plan did not address tickets through May 31. No, even with MLB discussing not returning to play until June at the absolute earliest (with that also being a bit of a pipe dream), the Mets plan only addresses tickets through April 30.

Next, as noted by Tim Healey of Newsday, “Refund” doesn’t appear until 1,175th word of Mets’ 1,284-word policy.”

It should be noted there does not appear to be a refund guarantee. While the refund language is buried DEEP in the policy, the language is also muddled. Specifically, it says “submit an online request via their My Mets Tickets account beginning on Thursday, May 7 at 10 a.m.”

While this can be reasonably interpreted to mean refunds will be given to those who request it, this policy does come far short from guaranteeing it.

Reading the policy in depth, the Mets really don’t want to refund the money. They’re offering a 20% credit to season ticket holders and a 10% credit to all other ticket holders if they do not request a refund. It should be noted that’s just for games through April. A new policy can still be implemented for May and beyond.

On the one hand, this credit does surpass what other teams are offering. On the other, it does give rise to questions about the Wilpons financial ability to operate the team when they’re offering credits surpassing other teams, and they’re only addressing tickets through April.

No, the Mets aren’t the only team who hasn’t set forth a May policy. The Yankees also failed to address May. However, no one is questioning the Steinbrenners ability to financially operate their team.

No, that is something we worry about with the Wilpons. Between this, the push to cut player salaries, laying off of ballpark employees, and other issues which have and will arise, you just wonder what is going to happen to them and the Mets.