A San Francisco 49ers fan is suing the NFL for what he calls "economic discrimination" after his hopes of scoring tickets to watch his beloved team play rival Seattle Seahawks were dashed.

John E. Williams III of Las Vegas, who works as a promoter in the entertainment industry, is seeking $50 million in damages, claiming the league and others were guilty of an illegal ticket policy limiting credit card sales to selected pro-Seattle markets in an effort to keep 49ers fans away. According to the lawsuit, the Seahawks limited ticket sales only to credit cards with addressees in the states of Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Alaska and Hawaii, as well as the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. Williams is seeking $10 million in punitive damages on top of $40 million in real damages. 

"The practice of withholding the sale of tickets from the public at large and allowing only credit card holders limited to certain areas is a violation of the Federal Consumer Fraud Act and/or common law," according to the lawsuit filed April 15.

As a result, Williams said, he suffered "economic discrimination and violation of public accommodation solely" because his credit card was not issued in the restrictive states or Canada -- "which is not even part of the United States."

Brian McCarthy, the NFL's vice president of communications, said the league has no comment on the lawsuit.

"I live in Las Vegas, but I'm originally from San Francisco. I've seen John Brodie back in the day, and Joe Montana. I really wanted to go up there to see the Niners," Williams said. "I think the tickets should be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, not based on who they want in the crowd."

—Source: espn.com