Contractor Charged for Stealing Villanova Basketball Tickets and Reselling Them

A contractor working with Villanova University is facing felony charges after allegedly diverting and reselling thousands of dollars’ worth of basketball tickets intended for sponsors and internal use, according to law enforcement.

Authorities say Vanni Francesco Vanin, 48, of Worcester Township, Pennsylvania, is accused of stealing and reselling more than $21,000 in tickets tied to Villanova men’s basketball games. The tickets were reportedly distributed through Playfly Sports, a third-party partner that manages certain sponsorship and promotional ticket allocations for the university.

The investigation began in January 2026 following an internal audit that flagged irregularities in ticket distribution. Officials discovered that tickets assigned to Playfly accounts were being listed and sold on SeatGeek, prompting further review.

SeatGeek is the official resale partner of Villanova men’s basketball, through a deal with the Wildcats’ primary ticketing vendor Paciolan. This means that data for tickets resold through the platform were likely shared with the school, allowing for the diversion to be noticed.

According to an affidavit filed by Villanova University Police, investigators identified at least 117 transfers of tickets and parking passes between November 2025 and January 2026. Many of those transactions were allegedly connected to accounts associated with Vanin and members of his family.

Financial records cited by authorities indicate that approximately $21,375 in proceeds from ticket sales were deposited into a joint account at Bank of America tied to Vanin. In total, investigators say roughly 239 tickets were sold across Villanova home games during the period in question.

The tickets were originally designated for corporate sponsors and promotional purposes. Under university policy, unused tickets were required to be returned for redistribution through official channels. Instead, police allege they were transferred and sold independently for personal profit.

The alleged activity involved games held at both the Finneran Pavilion and the Wells Fargo Center, where Villanova hosts select high-demand matchups.

During an interview with investigators, Vanin reportedly admitted to selling the tickets and depositing the proceeds into a shared account with his wife.

He has been charged with felony counts of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. Court records show Vanin has been released on $50,000 unsecured bail, with a preliminary hearing not yet scheduled.