The Summit/Compaq Center would then sell tickets that weren't "standing room" but rather a "license" to sit in any open seat that you could find. Funny how when I try to do this and hold an actual seat ticket, they want to throw me out.
They've seen how the airlines overbook and want even more revenue. Rather than determine what is necessary to meet operating expenses or raising ticket price to offset the demand, they'd rather grab every dollar from every source.
The Astros used to sell "standing room" tickets and even did this with their All-Star game.