Jay-z’s Rant Prompts Ticket Reseller To Donate Concert Profits

JAY-Z’s public condemnation of unscrupulous scalpers re-selling tickets for his upcoming 9/11 benefit concert in New York has prompted one online agency to donate all of its profits to charity.

The rap superstar will take the stage at Madison Square Garden on Friday (11Sep09), the eighth anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the Big Apple, to celebrate the release of his new album The Blueprint 3.

All proceeds from the show were expected go to the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund, a charity created to support the families of police officers and firefighters who have died in the line of duty.

But Jay-Z was left “disheartened” to learn that a large number of seats for the concert had been snapped up by ticket touts, who were relisting their purchases on resale websites like Ticketmaster’s TicketsNow.com and StubHub.com.

Some tickets for the gig, dubbed Answer The Call, were even being touted for as much as $3,332 (£2,221) on StubStack.com - more than 61 times their $54.50 (£36.30) face value.

However, it seems the public backlash against the ticket resellers has forced one internet retailer to do the right thing.

In a statement from StubHub.com, the firm’s president Chris Tsakalakis says, “We strive to provide a first-in-class experience for our fans and have chosen to partner with the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund for this event, rather than removing ticket listings and turning fans away.

“In keeping with the original intent of the concert, we want to be sure that any StubHub profits from Jay-Z`s show go directly to these families.”

The move has been warmly welcomed by the charity.

Linda Giammona, the director of development for the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund, says, “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to StubHub for the organisation’s generous pledge to our charity. We are thrilled the company has taken the initiative to increase donations for our cause; the contributions will provide additional support to the many families still in need.”