Based on a number of reviews, the Justice Division is making ready to file a federal antitrust lawsuit in opposition to Stay Nation, Ticketmaster’s guardian firm.
The Wall Avenue Journal first reported Monday that the Justice Division will file an antitrust lawsuit in opposition to Stay Nation within the coming weeks, citing individuals conversant in the matter. Stay Nation and Ticketmaster have confronted widespread public criticism for his or her dominance of the ticketing trade, which critics say has allowed them to lift costs for dwell leisure.
Ticketmaster has additionally gained nationwide consideration after the collapse throughout singer Taylor Swift’s on-line pre-sale, which left hundreds of her followers unable to buy tickets for her 2022 “Eras Tour.” Lawmakers have since raised questions on Ticketmaster’s guardian firm, Stay Nation, and whether or not it has engaged in anti-competitive practices.
The merger between live performance promoter Stay Nation and Ticketmaster was authorised by the Justice Division in 2010 after an antitrust investigation. Stay Nation has maintained that there’s loads of competitors within the ticketing trade, regardless of considerations from lawmakers.
Stay Nation declined to touch upon the Wall Avenue Journal story when reached by The Hill.
Dan Wall, Stay Nation’s head of company affairs, has pushed again on allegations that Ticketmaster and Stay Nation are answerable for excessive ticket costs. He wrote in a weblog publish earlier this 12 months that ticket costs are decided by artists and their groups and that extra service charges are decided by the venues.
“Followers are additionally being instructed that service charges are how Ticketmaster will increase ticket costs. In truth, Ticketmaster doesn’t impose service charges, the venues do, and many of the cash goes to the venues,” Wall wrote.
He famous that top ticket costs will also be attributed to the availability and demand of dwell leisure.
Bloomberg additionally reported Monday that the Justice Division was making ready to file an antitrust case in opposition to Stay Nation, citing three individuals conversant in the matter.
The Hill has contacted the Justice Division for remark.
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