A Michigan football fan says he paid approximately $3,200 for four Morgan Wallen tickets, a meet-and-greet, a signed guitar and tailgate wristbands. Days before the concerts, he had received nothing.
Mathias Conant was among dozens of people who contacted Local 4 Investigators with complaints involving John Klein, the founder of the Michigan Wolverines tailgate community HailGate.
Klein denied wrongdoing and said affected customers would receive refunds. No new criminal charge had been announced when the reports were published.
One Family’s Morgan Wallen Package Cost About $3,200
Conant planned to attend Wallen’s Michigan Stadium concerts with his daughter and granddaughter, according to Local 4 Investigators. He said he purchased two tickets through Klein in fall 2025 and later added two more.
Klein allegedly contacted him with additional offers involving a Wallen meet-and-greet, a signed guitar and access to a HailGate tailgate. Conant said the complete package cost approximately $3,200.
After weeks of being told the tickets and other items would arrive later, he still had nothing shortly before the shows. He said the HailGate connection made the transaction seem credible because he had previously attended the group’s events surrounding Michigan football games.
His Refund Still Showed as Pending
Less than an hour after Local 4 interviewed Conant, Klein reportedly initiated a refund. When the station checked the following day, the payment still appeared as pending.
Other customers described different outcomes. Some said they received tickets that appeared valid, while others disputed their payments through financial institutions or eventually received refunds.
Chelsea Anderson said she bought what she believed was a legitimate Wallen meet-and-greet package. When she later raised concerns inside the HailGate Facebook group, she said her comments were removed and she was expelled from the group. Anderson received a refund after Local 4 contacted Klein.
The Meet-and-Greet Offers Conflicted With Official VIP Terms
HailGate posts reviewed by Local 4 allegedly promoted several experiences connected to Wallen. One offer advertised a package for $125 per person. Another promoted a one-hour meet-and-greet for two people, including merchandise, drinks and photographs, for $1,500.
Ticketmaster’s official VIP information says Wallen does not participate in VIP activities and that its packages do not include a meet-and-greet or an individual photograph with him. Klein disputed that restriction when questioned by the station.
He maintained that Wallen participated in private meetings and said customers would receive the tickets, photographs, guitars and other items they purchased. Local 4 reported that Klein did not answer a subsequent call from the station.
Wallen’s Attorneys Demanded That the Offers Stop
Attorneys representing Wallen sent Klein and HailGate a cease-and-desist letter on July 17, 2026. The letter demanded that Klein stop advertising and selling Wallen-related tickets, meet-and-greets and merchandise. It also called for full refunds to affected customers and written documentation showing that corrective action had been taken.
Klein responded publicly that he did not admit liability, wrongdoing or a legal violation. He said the disputed listing had been voluntarily removed while the matter was reviewed and that refunds were being offered to affected customers.
Michigan Athletics spokesperson David Ablauf separately told Local 4 that the university had never had a business relationship with Klein. Ablauf said the university’s licensing agency had previously sent Klein cease-and-desist letters concerning allegedly unlicensed merchandise.
Consumer Officials and Police Received Complaints
The Michigan Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team confirmed on July 23 that it had received three complaints concerning Klein. All three complainants told the state that they had paid for sports memorabilia that was never provided.
Plymouth Township police also told Local 4 that the department had received multiple reports. Because HailGate is registered in the township, police directed other potential complainants to contact the department.
Official VIP Terms Can Be Checked Before Payment
A ticket package labeled “VIP” does not necessarily include contact with the performer. The written package details should specifically identify any artist participation, photograph, autograph or meet-and-greet before the buyer pays for it.
The Michigan Attorney General’s Office recommends purchasing through an official venue, team, theater or established ticket outlet. Buyers using an unfamiliar seller can call the Consumer Protection Team at 877-765-8388 to ask whether complaints have been filed.
The office also recommends paying by credit card rather than cash, check, Venmo or Cash App. Credit-card users may have options to dispute a transaction when promised tickets never arrive or are rejected by the venue.