Senators Introduce “Fans First Act” to Reform Ticketing Systems
A bipartisan group of senators has introduced a bill to reform the event ticketing systems that have given sports and music fans a headache over the last year. The “Fans First Act” aims to add more transparency, promote consumer protection, and address “bad actors” such as resellers who engage in “illegal ticket sale practices.”
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), the main sponsor of the legislation, stated, “The current ticketing system is riddled with problems and doesn’t serve the needs of fans, teams, artists, or venues. This legislation would rebuild trust in the ticketing system by cracking down on bots and others who take advantage of consumers through price gouging and other predatory practices and increase price transparency for ticket purchasers.”
The legislation also features sponsors like Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.).
The “Fans First Act” comes in the wake of controversy surrounding LiveNation’s Ticketmaster, notably in the sale of pop star Taylor Swift’s tickets to her “The Eras Tour” last year. Verified users who tried to buy tickets to the tour in a presale event reported a wide breadth of problems.
If passed, the new legislation would require all ticket sellers and resellers to disclose the total cost, including fees and a breakdown of the price. In addition, they would be required to show proof of purchase within 24 hours and refund buyers if an event is canceled or postponed.
LiveNation came out in support of the bill in a statement to NBC News, stating, “We believe it’s critical Congress acts to protect fans and artists from predatory resale practices, and have long supported a federal all-in pricing mandate, banning speculative ticketing and deceptive websites, as well as other measures.”
The bipartisan support and backing from major players in the ticketing industry indicate a strong momentum behind this legislation. If passed, it could bring much-needed relief to fans and artists alike.