More than 750,000 Michael Jackson fans can get full refunds for the pop star's canceled 50-night This is It concert extravaganza - or opt to receive souvenir tickets instead, the promoters announced on Monday.
Jackson's fans from around the world had rushed to snap up tickets for the performances, which were due to start on July 13. British media reports said about $83 million had been spent on 750,000 tickets
In a move that could help recoup some of its losses from the ill-fated tour, Los Angeles-based AEG Live said fans could choose to receive the actual tickets, which it said feature graphics "inspired and designed" by Jackson himself.
Images of the tickets, complete with a 3-D effect, can be viewed on the website www.MichaelJacksonLive.com beginning today, AEG said in a statement. Fans have until Aug 14 to take the ticket offer.
Much of the company's ability to weather the financial storm caused by Jackson's demise may depend on how much of its losses are covered by insurance.
And that will be determined in part by what the Los Angeles County coroner's office finally determines as the cause of the mega-star's death. Officials have warned it will be up to six weeks before a cause of death can be pinpointed because complicated toxicology tests are needed.
While these issues are being worked out, eBay executives extended a buyer protection program to cover anyone who bought a ticket through the company's website.