--- [ LOS ANGELES ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=312) # Is A Lack of Sponsors Raising LA28 Ticket Pricing, or are the Games Becoming an Elitist Event? Written by NICK PATSAOURAS. ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Apr-2026/030h.jpg) April 16 2026 [](https://www.addtoany.com/share) [Comments](#disqus_thread) MY PERSPECTIVE - Has the Los Angeles Olympics leadership scandal decreased sponsor backing, making ticket sales the only reliable revenue source for LA28? Or have the Games been turned into entertainment for the elite, by an elite board? During the last few days people seeking Olympic tickets were price shocked. And the whiplash was of Olympian magnitude. A number of council members claimed, "they have been misled on ticketing". LA28 promoted $28 tickets for everyone, but these seats were limited to a ‘locals-only-presale’ and sold out quickly. When global sales started, most buyers saw only expensive seats priced at $300–$700. For high-demand events (gymnastics, swimming, track finals, ceremonies), the only seats left were $1,000–$5,000+ premium rows. On top of that was a 24% service fee. One thing is certain, the availability of affordable seats for the events people most want to attend is extremely limited. High‑profile sports are pushed into the $300–$700 range, even for qualifiers, all adorned with an extra 24 percent service fee. Frankly, this service fee is like a shadow tax on participation, and it affects those with less disposable income. The perception that the Games are structurally exclusive is reinforced. It is not presented as a tax, but as a service fee. It is not debated or voted on in public but is a mandatory fee that cannot be avoided if you want tickets. Rightfully, it is seen as a ‘stealth surcharge’ which pushes borderline affordable tickets out of reach since they become meaningfully more expensive. The handling of a $5,000 ticket should be the same as a $28 ticket, and therefore, if gouging is not involved, the service charge should be commensurate to the price of the ticket. Unfortunately, LA city leaders have abdicated their fiduciary responsibilities for a long time and have allowed the LA28 committee to run amok. The cracks in the Olympics glass are getting bigger each day; Fear of Olympics deficits, specter of traffic Armageddon, ticket gouging, lack of accountability and transparency on the part of the LA28, the Wasserman scandal, Mayor Bass` unrealistic pronouncements "car free" and "Games for all", while the taxpayers are responsible for any possible deficits that may lead LA to bankruptcy. A backlash intensified following LA28's launch of global ticket sales for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games. This occurred after a prior presale, limited to residents of Greater Los Angeles and Oklahoma, generated criticism regarding pricing, associated fees, and the availability of tickets. A Culver City resident, Liz Kinnon, posted a letter in the Los Angeles Times explaining why she is no longer interested in buying tickets. “I registered early for presale tickets. I was notified I had a time slot. After many attempts to log in promptly (on my very dependable laptop) at my allotted time. I continued to get error messages. Between this, the lack of ticket availability, the prices (!), and the exorbitant service fee, I am out. Nope.” LA28 committed to offering $28 tickets to uphold its public promise of “low-cost access,” yet this initiative was not implemented on a large scale. For the organizing committee, the $28 tickets served as an important symbol of affordability for political purposes, but it knew the economic impact was minimal. With these tickets vanishing quickly, the next thing people saw were tickets for preliminary events at $200-$400, mid-tier seats at $300-$700, and premium seats at $1,000-$5,000 plus. And, of course, the added outrageous service fee. It was a brutal awakening. In a single click people went from $28 Olympics to $700 Olympics. For Los Angeles, a city already struggling with affordability, homelessness, inequality, and public trust, this is another hard hit. Reflecting on the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, I recall that making tickets affordable was seen as an important community value—going hand in hand with service, responsibility, respect, and entrepreneurship. In contrast, LA28 now presents ticket affordability primarily as a marketing point. In 1984 tickets started at $3 ($9 in today’s dollars), and good seats for many major events were under $20. It was the objective of the organizing committee to keep prices low, fill venues, and build civic enthusiasm and pride. The 1984 Olympics promoted community inclusion with affordable tickets, making the event accessible to many residents. In contrast, the 2028 Games feature expensive tickets and high fees, raising concerns that exclusivity and commercial interests are eclipsing the original spirit and limiting access for many in Los Angeles. Residents near venues feel excluded despite bearing the burdens. For example, Memorial Coliseum residents will face traffic, noise, and disruption, but may not afford events happening in their own neighborhood. We should also take into consideration that the facilities and infrastructure were built and are maintained with taxpayers` money. Those near SoFi, UCLA, USC, Long Beach, and the Coliseum will face road closures, traffic, parking limits, noise, and security barriers. These impacts are mandatory. The pricing model leads to local disruption but favors elite access. The LA28 board mainly consists of wealthy and high-status individuals, making an elite Games seem likely. Its makeup is not a cross‑section of Los Angeles, but a cross‑section of elite Los Angeles. They include: Wasserman, entertainment executive, sports owner, and investor with multiple outlets reporting his net worth in the billion‑dollar range, who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth; Ken Moelis, founder of Moelis & Company, a global investment bank, consistently listed by Forbes as a billionaire; José E. Feliciano, co‑founder of Clearlake Capital; Jeffrey Katzenberg, co‑founder of DreamWorks, former Disney studio head; Marc Stern, longtime investor and vice‑chair of The TCW Group; Mark Attanasio, founder of Crescent Capital and owner of the Milwaukee Brewers; along with high‑net‑worth members Mellody Hobson, president of Ariel Investments; Jessica Alba, founder of The Honest Company; Jeanie Buss, former controlling owner of the Lakers; Elaine Chao, former Cabinet secretary with deep corporate ties; Maria Hummer‑Tuttle, philanthropist with major assets; and Patrick Dumont, president of Las Vegas Sands (with family wealth in the billions). Finally, the question of why LA28`s budget is $7.145 billion,vs $5.2 billion for Paris must be answered. The only way for LA28 to answer the question is to open its books to the public. Elite governance and lack of understanding of the Olympics spirit continue while locals bear the burdens. Unfortunately, the LA28 Committee did not heed Mayor Karen Bass 'pronouncement of "Games for all". And the burdens get heavier with Wasserman, the chairman, remaining a source of controversy over his Epstein-related association. *(**Nick Patsaouras** is an electrical engineer, civic leader, and a longtime public advocate. He ran for Mayor in 1993 with a focus on rebuilding L.A. through transportation after the 1992 civil unrest. He has served on major public boards, including the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Metro, and the Board of Zoning Appeals, helping guide infrastructure and planning policy in Los Angeles. He is the author of the book "The Making of Modern Los Angeles.")* [![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/ME%20DENTAL%20SPA/me%20dental%202026%20final.jpg)](http://medentalspa.com/) ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png) ## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays & Thursdays Phone [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)") [ ![Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/HHR/AHF-rent-too-high.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/104 "Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2") --- ## Featured CityWatch Stories [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/fd/064h-fdb0b507.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29355:remembering-ken-draper-citywatch-and-transparency-are-his-legacy&catid=12) ### [Remembering Ken Draper: CityWatch and Transparency Are his Legacy](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29355:remembering-ken-draper-citywatch-and-transparency-are-his-legacy&catid=12) LA WATCHDOG - Ken Draper, the editor and publisher of CityWatch for more than 20 years, passed away on August 8, 2022… [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/0f/061a-0f1ada2f.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33148:brace-yourself-for-a-worse-housing-crisis&catid=398) ### [Brace Yourself For A Worse Housing Crisis](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33148:brace-yourself-for-a-worse-housing-crisis&catid=398) PLANNING WATCH - The California State Legislature will soon vote on the following draft legislation. Please carefully… [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/54/064j-54f0ecbd.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33204:be-prepared-to-protect-our-democracy-in-november-from-a-trumpian-plot&catid=9) ### [Be Prepared to Protect Our Democracy in November From a Trumpian Plot](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33204:be-prepared-to-protect-our-democracy-in-november-from-a-trumpian-plot&catid=9) BE AWARE - Back in the days when conservatives were so hungry for media platforms that they’d come on progressive shows… [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/ab/063e-ab3b1ba1.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33174:nithya-raman-loses-the-homelessness-gavel-her-record-explains-why&catid=396) ### [Nithya Raman Loses the Homelessness Gavel — Her Record Explains Why](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33174:nithya-raman-loses-the-homelessness-gavel-her-record-explains-why&catid=396) THE BOTTOM LINE - Raman wants Los Angeles voters to promote her to mayor. Before handing her the keys to City Hall, v… [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/75/064a-75d5dbb3.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33199:your-boss-owns-your-workday-not-your-brain&catid=425) ### [Your Boss Owns Your Workday—Not Your Brain](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33199:your-boss-owns-your-workday-not-your-brain&catid=425) THE NEURAL WORKPLACE - California must protect workers before workplace surveillance crosses the final frontier: the hu… --- ## [ LOS ANGELES ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=312) [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/064n.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33207:how-los-angeles-homeowners-can-use-home-equity-to-finance-major-home-improvements&catid=312)### [How Los Angeles Homeowners Can Use Home Equity to Finance Major Home Improvements](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33207:how-los-angeles-homeowners-can-use-home-equity-to-finance-major-home-improvements&catid=312) [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/063j.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33170:will-the-mayor-city-council-and-school-board-find-boldness-to-convert-empty-schools&catid=312)### [Will the Mayor, City Council and School Board Find Boldness to Convert Empty Schools?](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33170:will-the-mayor-city-council-and-school-board-find-boldness-to-convert-empty-schools&catid=312) [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/062g.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33166:la-county-executive-job-candidates-new-and-old-sincere-and-opportunistic-are-lining-up&catid=312)### [LA County Executive Job: Candidates New and Old, Sincere and Opportunistic, are Lining Up](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33166:la-county-executive-job-candidates-new-and-old-sincere-and-opportunistic-are-lining-up&catid=312) [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/062n.png) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33169:shame-on-da-nathan-hochman-the-prosecution-of-lapd-officer-daniel-flores&catid=312)### [Shame on DA Nathan Hochman: The Prosecution of LAPD Officer Daniel Flores](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33169:shame-on-da-nathan-hochman-the-prosecution-of-lapd-officer-daniel-flores&catid=312) [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/061k.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33147:boyle-heights-warehouse-fire-lessons-learned&catid=312)### [Boyle Heights Warehouse Fire: Lessons Learned](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33147:boyle-heights-warehouse-fire-lessons-learned&catid=312)