Current:Home > Back30 years of clashes between Ticketmaster, artists and fans-InfoLens
30 years of clashes between Ticketmaster, artists and fans
View Date:2024-12-23 10:57:53
The Justice Department filed a sweeping antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster and parent company Live Nation Entertainment on Thursday, accusing them of running an illegal monopoly over live events in America — squelching competition and driving up prices for fans.
Here’s a timeline of some of the dustups between artists, fans, and Ticketmaster over the years.
Pearl Jam vs. Ticketmaster — 1994
Pearl Jam filed a complaint against Ticketmaster with the Justice Department, claiming that the company used its position in the industry to stop promoters from booking the band because they railed against Ticketmaster’s pricing. Pearl Jam also alleged the company had a monopoly over ticket distribution because of its relationship with various venues.
Stubhub vs Ticketmaster and the Golden State Warriors — 2015
StubHub sued Ticketmaster and the Golden State Warriors, alleging it unfairly required fans looking to resell tickets to use Ticketmaster’s resale exchange.
The online ticket marketplace and division of San Jose, California-based eBay Inc. alleged in the lawsuit that the organizations prevent fans from deciding how they wanted to resell tickets and artificially drove up ticket prices.
Swifties vs Ticketmaster — 2022
Taylor Swift posted a story on Instagram in November expressing her anger and frustration over the hours spent by fans trying to buy tickets for her tour.
Fans trying to scoop up tickets in a pre-sale for Swift’s The Eras tour were met by massive delays and error messages that Ticketmaster blamed on bots and historically unprecedented demand.
The Boss vs Ticketmaster — 2022
Fans of Bruce Springsteen were also in an uproar when tickets first went on sale for his tour, particularly over Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing model, which sent tickets soaring to $5,000 or more when there was high demand.
Ticketmaster said at the time that the vast majority of Springsteen’s fans were able to buy tickets at face value, which averaged $202.
US Senate vs Ticketmaster — 2023
The issue of Ticketmaster’s dominance in the entertainment industry comes before the U.S. Senate and lawmakers want to know whether a lack of competition contributed to its spectacular breakdown during a sale of Taylor Swift concert tickets.
Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee also debated possible action, including making tickets non-transferable to cut down on scalping and requiring more transparency in ticket fees. Some lawmakers suggest it may be time to split Ticketmaster and concert promoter Live Nation. The Department of Justice approved the merger in 2010.
Minnesota vs. Ticketmaster — 2024
A so-called Taylor Swift bill is signed into law in May in Minnesota. The bill aims to guarantee more transparency and protection to people buying tickets online for concerts, sporting events and other live events in the state.
The law, prompted by the frustration a legislator felt at not being able to buy tickets to Swift’s 2023 concert in Minneapolis, will require ticket sellers to disclose all fees up front and prohibit resellers from selling more than one copy of a ticket, among other measures. The law will apply to tickets purchased in Minnesota or other states for concerts or other live events held in Minnesota.
The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2025, and applies to tickets sold on or after that date.
veryGood! (934)
Related
- Digital Finance Research Institute Introduce
- The Latest: The real test for Harris’ campaign begins in the presidential race against Trump
- What to know about Labor Day and its history
- Who's performed at the DNC? Lil Jon, Patti LaBelle, Stevie Wonder, more hit the stage
- San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had mild stroke this month, team says
- Fantasy football 2024: What are the top D/STs to draft this year?
- Billions of crabs suddenly vanished, likely due to climate change, study says
- Jolly Rancher flavored popsicles recalled over concerns of milk contamination
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, 4G
- A Japanese woman who loves bananas is now the world’s oldest person
Ranking
- Tech consultant testifies that ‘bad joke’ led to deadly clash with Cash App founder Bob Lee
- Halle Berry says Pierce Brosnan restored her 'faith in men' on Bond film 'Die Another Day'
- 4 bodies found inside the Bayesian, Mike Lynch family yacht, amid search
- Which Love Is Blind UK Couples Got Married and Which Ones Split?
- Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas says he was detained in airport over being ‘disoriented’
- What polling shows about Americans’ views of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- Bears’ Douglas Coleman III immobilized, taken from field on stretcher after tackle against Chiefs
- See George Clooney’s memorable moments at Venice Film Festival as actor prepares to return
Recommendation
-
Princess Kate to host annual Christmas carol service following cancer treatment
-
RHOC Trailer: Shannon Beador Loses Her S--t After Ex John Janssen Crashes a Party
-
What to know about Labor Day and its history
-
Sicily Yacht Tragedy: All 6 Missing Passengers Confirmed Dead as Last Body Is Recovered
-
'Unfortunate error': 'Wicked' dolls with porn site on packaging pulled from Target, Amazon
-
Travel TV Star Rick Steves Shares Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
-
Your college student may be paying thousands in fees for a service they don't need
-
Shawn Johnson Reveals 4-Year-Old Daughter Drew's Super Sweet Nickname for Simone Biles