Update - U.S. Lawsuit Filed Over Tokyo Olympics Tickets

(ATR) A lawsuit is filed against CoSport, the official ticket agent in the U.S. for Olympic tickets. The suit, which seeks class-action status, was filed following notice that CoSport would only refund 75 percent of the monies paid for tickets to the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

Those tickets, purchased by about 60,000 customers in the U.S. are worthless now that Tokyo Olympics organizers have decreed no overseas spectators will be allowed to attend the Games as a precaution against coronavirus.

The lawsuit was filed by Texas resident Suzanne Caruso who says she purchased more than $16,000 worth of Tokyo tickets and accommodations. The lawsuit says complete refunds are required under the terms of sale.

"In other words, despite their contractual, legal and ethical right to a full refund, plaintiff and other customers were forced to either forego making any request for a refund or be forced to allow CoSport to retain 25% of their money due," says the court filing according to publication Law 360.

"This is contrary to the customers' rights under the CoSport Terms and Conditions."

CoSport executive Alan Dizdarevic tells Around the Rings the company is trying to do its best for customers amid difficult circumstances.

"We understand the disappointment of our customers due to TOCOG’s and the Japanese Government’s decision to ban overseas spectators, but the legal action in New Jersey is without merit. CoSport is following the process determined by TOCOG and the Terms and Conditions agreed to by the customers at the time of purchase. Beyond that, CoSport is trying to go above and beyond its obligations to assist and satisfy our customers," says Dizdarevic.

The lawsuit alleges that CoSport "changed its tune" after first indicating that it would work to secure refunds for tickets based on the terms and conditions of purchase, now offering partial refunds.

"Essentially, CoSport seeks to retain its profit from selling worthless tickets and accommodations in direct contradiction to its own contractual obligations," the suit says.

The lawsuit says ticket buyers are being subjected "to choose between obtaining a partial refund or no refund at all through this unfair and deceptive practice when they are clearly due to receive a full refund under the Terms and Conditions."

Dizdarevic says CoSport expects no profit from the ticketing fiasco.

"CoSport will suffer a loss on its Tokyo 2020 business but it remains committed to working on behalf of its customers to minimize the impact of these difficult circumstance," he says.

The lawsuit was filed last week in a federal court in New Jersey, where the company is headquartered.

The style of the filing is Suzanne Caruso v. Jet Set Sports LLC, d/b/a CoSport. The case number is 3:21-cv-09665 in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.

The filing is the first step in the process of class action. Hearings will be needed for the court to make a judgment on whether the filing meets legal standards to proceed.

CoSport has operated for decades now as the authorized ticket reseller designated by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Another division of the company, Jet Set Sports, specializes in handling corporate hospitality and ticketing for the Olympics.

Reported by Ed Hula.