Savannah Bananas Launch Verified Secondary Market to Block Ticket Scalping and Fraud

Jesse Cole, owner of the Savannah Bananas, continues to prove he is one of the most innovative figures in sports business. Driven by a relentless "fans first" commitment, the wildly popular team is introducing a new verified secondary marketplace — Fans First Ticket Marketplace — specifically designed to combat ticket scalping and widespread fraud.

This creates a controlled ecosystem where tickets can be resold strictly at face value—a measure specifically designed to block the astronomical markups seen on major third-party sites like StubHub and SeatGeek.

Cole announced the "fan-first" initiative on Monday, calling it a necessary response to a growing problem. With the team's unique "Banana Ball" games consistently selling out and boasting a reported waiting list of 4 million people, unauthorized resellers have not only driven up prices but, in too many cases, sold fraudulent tickets.

"It kills me every single time," Cole said of seeing legitimate fans turned away at the gate with fake tickets purchased from unofficial platforms. He warned that tickets bought through social media or other resale sites are "extremely risky" and cannot be guaranteed.

Eliminating Fees and Markups

The Bananas currently manage primary ticket sales through a competitive lottery system on their website, limiting purchases to five tickets per fan. The new secondary market extends this control by connecting fans who can no longer attend a game with buyers who missed the lottery.

The verified platform will operate with strict rules, according to Cole:

Face Value Only: All tickets must be sold at their original price—between $35 and $60—with zero markups permitted.
Verification Required: Only fans who purchased tickets directly from the team's official channels will be able to list them for resale.
No Hidden Costs: The team will cover all associated fees and taxes, ensuring the price seen is the price paid for both the buyer and the seller, unlike typical resale sites.
Guaranteed Authentication: Every ticket sold through the platform will be guaranteed authentic, addressing the rising problem of fraud.

Protecting Banana Ball Nation

By creating their own platform, the Bananas are attempting to solve one of the most persistent issues in live sports: tickets falling into the hands of professional resellers who prioritize profit over fan experience. This won't completely solve the issue but it will certainly help.

The verified resale system is anticipated to launch in February before the 2026 season begins. Until then, Cole urges fans to use only the club's official channels to ensure legitimate access.

"Let’s all be Fans First and let’s win this together."