R359-1-504. Complimentary Tickets

(1) Limitation on issuance, calculation of price, and service charge for payment to contestant working on percentage basis.

(a) A promoter may not issue complimentary tickets for more than 4 percent of the seats in the house without the Commission's written authorization. The Commission shall not consider complimentary tickets which it authorizes under this Section to constitute part of the total gross receipts from admission fees for the purposes of calculating the license fee prescribed in Subsection 63C-11-311(1).

(b) If complimentary tickets are issued for more than 4 percent of the seats in the house, each contestant who is working on a percentage basis shall be paid a percentage of the normal price of all complimentary tickets in excess of 4 percent of the seats in the house, unless the contract between the contestant and the promoter provides otherwise and stipulates the number of complimentary tickets which will be issued. In addition, if a service fee is charged for complimentary tickets, the contestant is entitled to be paid a percentage of that service fee, less any deduction for federal taxes and fees.

(c) Pursuant to Subsection 63C-11-311(3)(a) a promoter shall file, within 10 days after the contest, a report indicating how many complimentary tickets the promoter issued and the value of those tickets.

(2) Complimentary ticket and tickets at reduced rate, persons entitled or allowed to receive such tickets, duties of promoter, disciplinary action, fees and taxes.

(a) Each promoter shall provide tickets without charge to the following persons who shall not be liable for the payment of any fees for those tickets:

(i) the Commission members, Director and representatives;

(ii) principals and seconds who are engaged in a contest or exhibition which is part of the program of unarmed combat; and

(iii) holders of lifetime passes issued by the Commission.

(b) Each promoter may provide tickets without charge or at a reduced rate to the following persons who shall be liable for payment of applicable fees on the reduced amount paid, unless the person is a journalist, police officer or fireman as provided in this Subsection:

(i) Any of the promoter's employees, and if the promoter is a corporation, to a director or officer who is regularly employed or engaged in promoting programs of unarmed combat, regardless of whether the director or officer's duties require admission to the particular program and regardless of whether the director or officer is on duty at the time of that program;

(ii) Employees of the Commission;

(iii) A journalist who is performing a journalist's duties; and

(iv) A fireman or police officer that is performing the duties of a fireman or police officer.

(c) Each promoter shall perform the following duties in relation to the issuance of complimentary tickets or those issued at a reduced price:

(i) Each ticket issued to a journalist shall be clearly marked "PRESS." No more tickets may be issued to journalists than will permit comfortable seating in the press area;

(ii) Seating at the press tables or in the press area must be limited to journalists who are actually covering the contest or exhibition and to other persons designated by the Commission;

(iii) A list of passes issued to journalists shall be submitted to the Commission prior to the contest or exhibition;

(iv) Only one ticket may be sold at a reduced price to any manager, second, contestant or other person licensed by the Commission;

(v) Any credential issued by the promoter which allows an admission to the program without a ticket, shall be approved in advance by a member of the Commission or the Director. Request for the issuance of such credentials shall be made at least 5 hours before the first contest or exhibition of the program.

(d) Admission of any person who does not hold a ticket or who is not specifically exempted pursuant to this Section is grounds for suspension or revocation of the promoter's license or for the assessment of a penalty.

(e) The Commission shall collect all fees and taxes due on any ticket that is not specifically exempt pursuant to this Section, and for any person who is admitted without a ticket in violation of this Section.

(3) Reservation of area for use by Commission. For every program of unarmed combat, the promoter of the program shall reserve seats at ringside for use by the designated Commission member and Commission representatives.