San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer hasn’t made a comment to the news media yet about the lawsuit against the Giants regarding junk fees by plaintiff Juan Flores. The Giants are one of three teams being sued regarding junk fees on inflated ticket prices. (San Francisco Chronicle file photo)

Giants and two other Teams sued for Junk Fees on tickets

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

With Spring Training ’26 around the corner, Major League Baseball made news in the litigation side of things when the San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, and Washington Nationals all faced class-action lawsuits. Allegedly, these teams used hidden “junk fees” to inflate ticket prices.

These three teams are accused of misleading advertising tickets at lower prices when they are only for mandatory fees, such as processing and “facility fees”. It is called “drip pricing,” which, at checkout, often doubles the cost the fan/buyer was originally told it would be. Giants: A class action lawsuit (Flores v. San Francisco Baseball Associations LLC) was filed in Federal Court in San Francisco on January 26, 2026, by plaintiff Juan Flores, represented by Almeida Law Group LLC and Tycko & Zavareel LLP.

Alleges the Giants added mandatory “Service”, “Convenience”, and “Order Processing” fees at the last second, increasing the cost of the ticket by 45%. Cinics will say, “Hey It is San Francisco, one of the most expensive cities in the world”. That is true.

San Francisco is considered among the top five cities in the world with the highest cost of living. The San Francisco Giants have experienced a notable decline in attendance. From their winning/peak seasons, with average attendance falling from 3 million in 2016, when they had their best start in MLB through mid-season, they collapsed in the second half and made the postseason as a Wild Card, beating the Mets, but lost the NLDS to the Chicago Cubs.

Boston Red Sox: The plaintiff’s suit alleges the team used “bait-and-switch” tactics to add “junk fees” that ultimately increase ticket prices by as much as 150%. Washington Nationals: Their proposed class-action lawsuit is different from the Giants’ and Red Sox’s in scope, but also about tickets.

The Nationals are fighting a proposed class action lawsuit filed in September 2025 in a Washington, D.C., federal court by a consumer alleging the team charged similar hidden fees for years. Teams increase their ticket prices, for many reasons like high demand, rising players’ salaries, and special premium seating experiences .

The San Francisco Giants have experienced a notable decline in attendance from their peak seasons, with average attendance falling from over 3 million in 2016 to around 30,000–33,000 per game in recent years. Contributing factors include an “unexciting” on-field product, a lack of major, long-term player signings, high ticket/parking prices, and a significantly eroded season-ticket base, which dropped from nearly 30,000 in 2017 to roughly half that in 2022.

The fans want to be repaid for the extra fees that were not included in the initially advertised prices. The suit, filed in federal court in San Francisco, seeks to have the Giants repay fans who were charged extra fees not included in the initially advertised price, according to local reports.

Looks like a touch of greed from some owners who want a leg up before they lock out the players by December 2026, in what is expected to be a very tough situation for Major League Baseball. A “Battle Royale” when owners will demand a hard salary cap, and the players’ union will continue to oppose it. This could result in something “very malo para el baseball.”

Quote: On Economic Realities: “People don’t want to go to the stadium, pay a high ticket price, then get cleaned out when they go to the ballpark… Until you have more disposable income, pricing is going to be a problem.” — Michael Cramer, former president of the Texas Rangers.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.