NCL statement on DOJ suit against Live Nation Entertainment

May 23, 2024

Media contact: National Consumers League – Melody Merin, melodym@nclnet.org, 202-207-2831

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) today hailed the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) reported decision to file an antitrust suit against Live Nation Entertainment, the parent company of Ticketmaster.  

The following statement is attributable to John Breyault, National Consumers League Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications & Fraud: 

“In 2010, the Department of Justice decided that allowing Ticketmaster to swallow up its largest competitor could be a net positive for live event fans. The last fourteen years have proven beyond any reasonable doubt that the DOJ’s bet was dead wrong. Today’s action begins the long-overdue process of correcting that error and upholding the law. We will be closely monitoring this case to ensure that the result this time is a fairer and more competitive industry for fans and all the stakeholders in the success of live events.” 

Since 2010, NCL has pursued policies that promote stronger consumer protection policies that benefit live event fans at the local, state, and federal levels. In 2016, NCL was one of the leading advocates for the BOTS Act, federal legislation that outlawed the use of ticket buying “bot” software. Since 2019, the average cost of a concert ticket to the top tours in North America increased from $87 to $104, due in large part to added fees, dynamic pricing, and other factors. NCL’s advocacy has contributed to landmark fan protection legislation in eight states. We continue to speak out in support of pro-consumer ticketing bills like the federal TICKET Act (H.R. 3950), which recently cleared the U.S. House of Representatives on a bipartisan 388-24 vote. 

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization.  Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad.  For more information, visit nclnet.org.