Leadership / 11.27.19

Congress to Probe 'Potentially Unfair and Deceptive Practices' in Ticket Industry

Access Staff

Los Angeles Times (11/21/19) Shaikin, Bill

The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee has launched a probe into "potentially unfair and deceptive practices in the live event ticketing industry." The panel has asked a half-dozen leading ticket and event businesses to provide documents detailing ticket allocation, fee determination and disclosure, whether tickets might be placed exclusively on the secondary market, and how customers can fairly purchase tickets at face value. The committee sent each company a letter, stating its concern "about potentially unfair and deceptive practices occurring in the primary and secondary ticket marketplace, many of which have been documented in consumer complaints, press stories, and government reports." With ticket prices on the secondary market increasing for popular events, teams and event promoters have attempted to obtain as much of the resale value as possible. StubHub's Laura Dooley claimed her company welcomes the investigation. "We share the Committee's interest in addressing anti-competitive practices," she said. "We believe that a fair and competitive ticketing industry unequivocally supports the interests of fans. We look forward to being a partner in this process."

Read the full story from the Los Angeles Times. 

Tags: Regulations , News