Raptors fan is pissed

A disgruntled Toronto Raptors fan who last year paid $120,000 for front-row seats "right next to the coach" has filed a million-dollar lawsuit against the basketball team's parent company after it said it would add a new row of courtside seats in front of his. Mark Michalkoff, president of the Toronto logistics company DLF Solutions Inc., paid a one time fee of $30,000 for a personal-seat license for two "unobstructed VIP seats" to Raptors games. His season tickets, which are sandwiched between the press row and the Raptors' team bench, cost another $90,000. According to the statement of claim, if DLF wanted similar unobstructed seats this year, it would now have to pay $1,650 per seat per game, compared with $915 last year, an 80 per cent increase.

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. recently informed Michalkoff that the company is adding six "team seats" in front of his front-row VIP seats. DLF, which sells and manages company gift card and other incentive programs, has asked for damages of $1.6 million, and a further $20,000 for every Raptors game the company's executives miss beginning with the 2007-08 season.

What a great way to treat fans willing to shell out 6 figures for tickets each year. But if Michalkoff wanted an unobstructed view, I am sure the Raptors will oblige with new seats. And by new seats, I mean they will have him lie down in the key for Bosh to land on his groin after each tomahawk slam.