| Ticketmaster sues eBay over ticket auctions
LOS ANGELES - Ticketmaster is suing eBay Inc. in Los Angeles, accusing the Internet auction company's subsidiary StubHub of fraudulently obtaining premium tickets to sell online. The lawsuit, filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday, said StubHub induced artists' representatives or promoters to demand tickets from Ticketmaster's venue clients as part of a deal to bring an act or sports team to a location. In some cases, representatives for the acts had the tickets held back for “fan clubs" but intended to sell them via StubHub, according to documents filed with the lawsuit. A StubHub spokesman said the company believes “the lawsuit filed by Ticketmaster is without merit and we intend to vigorously defend ourselves against these unsubstantiated claims." Representatives for eBay could not be reached for comment.
Prince Charles: Troubled landmark up for bids
The oft-troubled Prince Charles Hotel in downtown Fayetteville is scheduled for auction this morning. Again. For the second time since 1991, the Prince Charles is in foreclosure. This is the third auction since then for the sale of the building. And once again, the bank holding the note may end up buying the hotel. Whoever takes over faces a pile of neglect and ill will. I have found the worst hotel in the country. ... Filthy rooms, rude staff, no AC, dishonest staff. I would rather stay at a soup kitchen. — December 2006 customer review of the Prince Charles on Yahoo Travel. The current owner, R.K. Properties of Rockville, Md., put off critical maintenance and scrimped on staff and service, according to court records, customer reviews and other sources.
Ronaldo bids to dethrone Gerrard
Manchester United trio Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes are in the running for the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year award. Last year's winner Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas complete the six-strong line-up which does not feature England captain John Terry. PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor can see why Ronaldo is being viewed as favourite to socop the prestigious award after putting the Red Devils on course to repeat their Premiership, Champions League and FA Cup Treble of 1999. The players' union boss said of the 21-goal Portuguese winger: "Cristiano is the most exciting player in the country at the moment - the quickness of his feet and the skills he possesses make you think, at times, that he is from another planet.
Joburg art auction nets R36m
An auction of decorative and fine arts raised a record-breaking R36-million in Johannesburg this week, the auctioneers said on Thursday. Stephan Weltz & Co's two-day sale of decorative and fine arts totalled R36343458 a record total for a sale held in Johannesburg," the company said in a statement. Seven paintings sold for more than R1-million each, including four works by Pierneef. Pierneef's Landscape with Thorn Tree sold for R2.86-million; Wild Pear for R1.76-million; Landscape with Trees and Clouds for R1.1-million and Forest Landscape for R1.045-million. Other artists whose work recorded high prices were Irma Stern and Maggie Laubser. "It is encouraging to note that the Stern market is still holding strong," the statement read.
Retiring superintendent auctions ties
Mickey Mouse, The Beatles, Tabasco bottles, Santa Claus, Toto from the Wizard of Oz and King Kong don't have much in common. Except they are all characters on one of Winton Elementary School District Superintendent Mike Crass' close to 70 ties. "When you are in education, you get a lot of ties as gifts," said Crass, who will retire at the end of the school year. "I just kept getting more." Crass is auctioning off his ties to raise money for library books at the district's newest school -- Winfield Elementary -- which will open in the fall. He calls the event S.T.A.C. -- superintendent's ties auctioned for cash. "This is your opportunity to own one of those special ties that you smiled at, moaned at, laughed at or booed," reads the S.T.A.C. flier posted in the Winton district office.
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