U.S. Senate Subpoenas Live Nation After Failing to Provide Documents in Consumer Practices Investigation

U.S. Senate Subpoenas Live Nation After Failing to Provide Documents in Consumer Practices Investigation

By Alexander Mitchell

December 14, 2024 at 10:46 PM

The U.S. Senate has issued a subpoena against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, following allegations of non-compliance with document requests dating back to March 2024. The action comes shortly after the company reported its "biggest quarter ever."

US Capitol at night

US Capitol at night

Senator Richard Blumenthal, chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, states that Live Nation has "egregiously stonewalled" the inquiry into its consumer practices. The subpoena demands documents related to ticket pricing, fees, and resale specifics.

Live Nation EVP Dan Wall contests these claims, stating the company has provided nearly 10,000 pages of documents, including:

  • Over 2,000 emails
  • Dozens of commercial agreements
  • Various other materials

The primary point of contention involves highly sensitive client information, particularly artist earnings from tours. Wall explains that Live Nation offered to produce this information with standard confidentiality protections, which the Subcommittee allegedly refused to provide.

This development coincides with an ongoing Justice Department antitrust investigation into the Live Nation-Ticketmaster merger. During the company's recent record Q3 earnings announcement, CFO Joe Berchtold dismissed concerns about the DOJ probe, stating there was "no real news" regarding the investigation.

The subpoena follows January's congressional hearing where Berchtold faced bipartisan questioning, particularly regarding the controversial Taylor Swift Eras Tour pre-sale issues.

US Department of Justice building exterior

US Department of Justice building exterior

Michael Rapino in black shirt

Michael Rapino in black shirt

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