LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Scores of Kobe Bryant fans received the same email Tuesday night – they had been put on a waitlist to purchase a ticket to the NBA icon’s memorial at Staples Center.
Ticketmaster notified thousands of fans, “You’re on the Waitlist,” for Kobe and Gianna Bryant’s “A Celebration of Life” public memorial service. The event takes place 10 a.m. Monday at Staples Center.
Did anyone get an access code to purchase Kobe memorial tickets ? Seems like everyone got waitlisted 😭
— daisy llamas. (@daisyduzit) February 19, 2020
“There has been an outpouring of love and support for A Celebration of Life for Kobe and Gianna Bryant, and the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation wishes that everyone could attend the event,” the email said.
I'm on the wait list… Feels like Willy Wonka and trying to find a golden ticket. This would be the ultimate golden ticket! #LakerNation #Kobe #Gigi ❤️ pic.twitter.com/IuJ0ypckhk
— JohnnyBlaze562🇲🇽 (@JuanPer06649435) February 19, 2020
Thousands of people from Los Angeles and around the world signed for a chance to buy a ticket, exceeding the availability for the ticket release, Ticketmaster said. One report had the number of people who registered for tickets at more than 90,000. Many fans on social media seemed resigned to the notion that being waitlisted meant they would not be getting a ticket.
Welp I’m on the wait list for Kobe’s memorial so I guess that means I’ll be watching it at work
— Inglish . (@mikeinglish) February 19, 2020
“To ensure the best experience, we are only able to invite a small number of fans to participate in tomorrow’s ticket release,” the email continued. “Should additional tickets become available, registrants will be randomly selected to move off the Waitlist and will be notified by text message with information on how to search for tickets.”
The elaborate sign up and waitlist process appeared to be an effort to crack down on memorial tickets being resold online.
kobe bryant memorial
codes are sometimes attached to the account they sent to only they can buy no transfer. be aware buy codes at you own risk
if on wait list still a possibility to get code you will get a text if youre lucky be on the lookout when tix on sale
— D (@das_187) February 19, 2020
Ticket prices range from $24.02 to $224, and proceeds will be donated to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation. They will be put up for sale at 10 a.m. and are non-transferable.
Staples Center officials say fans without a ticket to the memorial should stay home as it will not be broadcast on the outdoor screens.
Pretty sure only the Hollywood Elite were the only ones that got invited. Oh well.
Amen👍! …doesn’t seem right.
I’m really tired of all this Kobe Bryant stuff. Time to quit this barrage of old news! Give it a rest media! Enough is enough.
BTW: This hero worship stuff is phony because Mr. Bryant was NO saint and was a cheater in his marriage!
Really Ron. You had to go there? If you don’t like reading don’t, but for thousands of people, including me, I love seeing how many people admired him as I did. No one ever said he was a saint but you need to really research before judging him. Aiden Harris, I don’t think it would be only the Hollywood elite. They said it would be his family and friends first (as well it should be) after that it would be by lottery. They can only seat 20,000 people. I will be watching at home and for me that is good enough. She (Vanessa, could have banned the media and refused to have it live on TV) RIP to all the people on that helicopter that fateful day. God Bless to all the families and friends.
I was one of the Kobe haters for a long time – but I have done my homework. He committed himself to leaving a legacy that most can only dream of. A stand up guy – great husband, great father, great mentor. I am humbled by my own ignorance that I judged a person based upon his flaws and failed to look at my own. Ron Wilson, I believe it is said, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”. Maybe you never strayed in your marriage but you can be damn sure you are not a perfect person. There was only one that was.
RIP Kobe and Gianna… and the rest of those that were on that ill-fated flight.
i was on the wait list as well why did the big timers get tickets WE ARE THE FANS ,they have access ALL the time now we are out of a ticket
WHY wasn’t this a free event for the city?? many wish to pay respects to the Man who gave us much Joy & Pride (my 12 year old nice niece amoung them!) but “$224 a tix for charity”?? I simply can’t afford ALL of which couldn’t be goin to “good cause” + right now the “Greater Cause ” shouldn’t be disrespecting Kobe’s loyal fans who are mourning TOO by “locking them out” without so much as a VIDEO screen from which to observe the proceedings!…poorly planned event.