COLUMBUS, Ohio — State Reps. Jay Edwards, R-Nelsonville, and Justin Pizzulli, R-Scioto County, today introduced legislation that will ensure students are not priced out of watching their high schools participate in playoff games.
The proposed legislation will ensure that student tickets to athletic playoff games are priced lower than those of adults and will be the same whether they are purchased online or with cash. The legislation also guarantees that if an event does not accept cash as a form of payment, and the game is not sold out, the students shall be admitted free of charge.
This legislation is the result of recent ticket price increases for students and all spectators, combined with an increase in playoff games, while making it more difficult for students to purchase tickets at games using cash.
“The OHSAA should be ashamed of themselves for charging $15 for a ticket to get into a high school playoff game,” Edwards said. “These games are supposed to be about the school, community, team, band, cheerleaders, and families, but for the OHSAA it is only about the money. There will be many family members missing games because of these outrageous costs.”
“High school football is Americana at its best and is an experience that should be able to be enjoyed by all,” Pizzulli said. “The cost of a game ticket shouldn’t be an obstacle. The OHSAA’s already bloated budget shouldn’t be built on the backs of the student they are supposed to serve.”
House Bill 311 currently awaits a committee assignment.
