It’s not often Swifties and sports fans unite. The one thing the two passionate bases appear to agree on is that changes are needed when it comes to buying tickets online.
The online ticket purchasing platform Ticketmaster merged with Live Nation Entertainment. The company currently holds a near monopoly on purchasing tickets for live events, which has led to a class-action lawsuit by fans of Taylor Swift alleging antitrust violations.
State Sen. Scott Wilk has introduced new legislation in order to create more parity when it comes to purchasing tickets in California. He sat down with “Inside the Issues” host Alex Cohen to discuss his legislation, Senate Bill 829.
The bill would prohibit entertainment venues from entering into exclusivity contracts with ticket sellers, to prevent exclusive access to concerts, live performances and sporting events.
“I’m somebody who’s, personally, pro-business, but I’m not pro-monopoly,” Wilk said.
Wilk says the exclusive ticket agreement has allowed Ticketmaster to increase service fees, which ultimately affects consumers and hurts performers.
“[Artists] are not even allowed to set the price. They are completely beholden to Live Nation and Ticketmaster,” Wilk said. “One of the things you have when you’re an artist is you have agency and they’re completely robbed of that.”
Opposition to this bill has come from venues who argue their relationship with Ticketmaster has been beneficial as a willing partner in an exclusive contract. The partnership helps guarantee the tickets sold are legitimate for consumers.
“If they want to continue working with Ticketmaster, they can continue working with Ticketmaster. We just think the venues should have options,” Wilk said.
SB 829 has received bipartisan support in the legislature. Wilk says unlike national politics in California, it’s easier to find common ground and partner with his colleagues.
“For me, I think half a loaf is better than no loaf, and I don’t think this should be a zero-sum game,” Wilk said.
Wilk is a member of the CaliforniaProblem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan coalition that allows Democrats and Republicans to meet to fully dive into policy discussions and work on finding solutions that appease both sides.
“[We are] having open and frank discussions where everybody feels safe, so you really can sort these things out,” Wilk said.
SB 829 passed the Senate Appropriations Committee and will now be heard on a Senate floor vote to be sent to the Assembly.
Let Inside the Issues know your thoughts and watch Monday through Friday at 8 and 11 p.m. on Spectrum News 1.