Hockey lover wins a Luxury Vacation. Atlanta pro team backs out of deal.

ATLANTA, Ga. (CBS46) – On February 1, 2020, Gas South Arena in Gwinnett County was packed with countless numbers of Atlanta Gladiator hockey supporters. A thirty day period and a half right before the pandemic canceled the remainder of the time.

A terrific night for the Gladiators beating the Norfolk Admirals 7-. Following the very first aim, admirers hurled hundreds of stuffed teddy bears onto the ice for the groups once-a-year Teddy Bear Toss for charity.

Later in the sport, the Gladiators held a drawing for a 6-day, 5-night all-expenditure paid out getaway to Costa Rica. They promoted the trip on social media to lure more followers to the sport. The moment followers paid out for a ticket, they were suitable to enter the drawing at a enthusiast booth established up inside of. The prize provided very first course tickets on Delta Airways, in addition limousine transportation to a luxurious holiday vacation residence.

Blaine Byers, a extensive time Gladiators admirer states he’s never ever gained a contest right before. He was shocked when the announcer drew his identify out of a hat.

“It was a single of the coolest nights of my existence for absolutely sure,” Byers instructed CBS46′s shopper investigator Far better Connect with Harry, “I sort of looked at my wife and reported, oh my gosh, they just said my title!” Byer’s spouse posted it on social media, “Sounds like a gain earn for me!”

The exhilaration didn’t past.

“Monday rolls all around and nobody phone calls, so I called them on Tuesday, and they act like they really do not know who I was or what was going on,” Byers mentioned.

Observe: Total Interview WITH ATLANTA Legal professional AT Bottom OF Site

Times turned into weeks. Toward the end of February, a Gladiators representative emailed Byers and stated he was waiting around on 1 of the team’s companions to offer added information. Then, on March 12, 2020, the East Coastline Hockey League canceled the remainder of the season.

Byers never ever bought his prize. He states the Gladiator’s Staff president Jerry James promised to do the job anything out, but ultimately stopped responding.

“I wouldn’t consider that you could market online and on Fb this large giveaway on the busiest evening of the season without having actually obtaining the trip to give absent,” Byers said.

James spoke with CBS46′s Improved Contact Harry in March and yet again final 7 days. He blamed the pandemic but did present two first course vouchers on Delta Airways.

Byers suggests the vouchers are only excellent right until the finish of this yr and that the expenditures for lodging and transportation are now his obligation.

CBS46 spoke to a number of lawyers who all say dependent on Ga regulation, the winner could sue for breach of deal and need to be provided a hard cash equivalent or a little something of equivalent price to what he was promised.

“There’s not a whole lot of wiggle place in this article and it’s just heading to arrive down to no matter if the individual that gained the sweepstakes is going to allow the Gladiators off the hook or not,” Legal professional Matt Wetherington explained.

See the total interview with Attorney Wetherington below.

The ongoing dispute in excess of the prize may well have soured most lovers, but with the Gladiators back on the ice, Byers and his relatives are back in the stands. He says he will keep on to help the group, but at the similar time he will not give up on the holiday he gained much more than two yrs in the past.

“I’m heading to preserve heading right until this is fixed,” Byers stated.

CBS46 gave President James many opportunities to talk on digicam or deliver a statement. He hasn’t responded.

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