Takin' a T/O With BT: Max Deale—Fan, Author, and Sports Strategist

I also know that my tricks aren't the only ones out there. At the end of my book, I tell the readers that for the follow up book (or 'sequel' if you like), I'll be publishing "tales from the battlefield" from other fans: Their own sweet victories and agonizing defeats.

You can go on my website (www.soldoutsowhat.net) an see the tab for "Call for Entries". That is where I'm collecting stories. I already got a fantastic letter from David S. in Boston who shared his strategies on how he got front row center for the Rolling Stones "Bigger Bang World Tour" for face value (expensive at $450, but below the $12,000 asking price from various brokers).

One of the great things that came out of telling people about my book is I learned that I am just one member of a whole society of "event commandos" out there, and one thing about us is that we all love to tell our stories. I felt that a book dedicated to us sharing our trials and tribulations would be a perfect follow-up to Sold Out...SO WHAT?!

BT: You say that you're not only a big sporst fan, but a music fan as well. So the readers can get to know you a little, what's your most memorable sporting event, and your most memorable concert attended, and which is your preference: Sports or Music?

MD: Oh man, I've been to so many great sporting events over the years. I'll keep it current by going with the most recent game.

I got two tickets to game one of the NBA Western Conference championships between the Lakers and the Spurs for face value ($80 in the 300 level—$150 through brokers). On the day of the game, I used a play called 'Seasons Greetings' (on page 64 in the book) to land us six rows behind the Spurs bench. We got to enjoy the entire first half of the game from seats going for $1350 each on broker sites before having to move back to our regular seats in the second half—it was amazing!

My most recent/memorable concert attended would be the Dark Side of the Moon concert at the Hollywood bowl. Tickets were going for $125 from afar, and $500 for up front. I was able to pick up a pair of tickets behind the sound board using a play called 'Out of the Box' for $46 a piece. I'm big on Classic Rock, so to see an original member of one of the greatest rock bands of all time do their definitive album live for $46....well let's just say that I won't forget it any time soon.

That being said, I can't really say I prefer one to the other—I love both for different reasons—it's like asking a parent which child they would choose to keep. But I guess if I have to go with one, I'd take a big-time sporting even over a concert. As a kid I played sports non-stop and it was definitely my first love. The thrill of competition coupled with the anticipation of the unknown outcome and the chills I get when it comes down to the wire is one of the greatest feelings anyone can experience.

BT: Staying with the theme, are concert tickets harder to acquire than sports tickets?

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