Kelda Roys' Ticket Resale Bill is a Bad Idea

Author

Rolf Lindgren
October 13, 2025

Democratic Governor candidate and Wisconsin State Senator Kelda Roys is floating a ticket resale bill that bans resale more than 10% above the face value of the ticket.

Although Kelda is a very intelligent, well-intentioned person, this bill is a bad idea.

Since most tickets aren't worth much above their face value, this proposed bill would mostly only affect high-value tickets like Packer games, Brewers playoff games, Bucks playoff games, and some Badger football or basketball games. And maybe a few rock concerts. So how would the bill proposal affect these events?

These high demand tickets are worth double or triple the face value, or more. So the bill would rob value from the owners of these tickets and violates the principle of the free market. It would put honest ticket brokers out of business. It would create a black market for those who shirk the new law. And it would create a brand new government "ticket police" to stop the outlaw ticket buyers and sellers.

It would impact tourism because these valuable tickets would be hard to obtain for wealthier visitors to Wisconsin who want to see these events.

It's not clear from the proposal who the criminal is in this new bill: the seller, the buyer, or both? If the seller, that might just be a middle class season ticket holder who doesn't go to all the games, and wants to recoup costs. If both, then it's basically a new conspiracy law.

I understand this bill might be good politics for a democrat candidate running to win the primary. It might be part of some national initiative by a liberal group. But it would be irresponsible legislation that most of us don't want or need. Repealing the law of supply and demand is easier said than done.

As of this writing, the bill proposal has not been formally introduced.

Rolf Lindgren is a Republican events organizer who is well-connected among the conservative minority in Madison.