Today, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed the Mass Leads Act, which includes a provision that will harm the ticket resale market, drive up prices for fans, and undercut market competition. As written, the provision enables primary ticket sellers to effectively block consumers from being able to transfer or resell tickets that they have purchased. This would further entrench the monopoly position of Live Nation Entertainment and its subsidiary, Ticketmaster.

Live Nation controls roughly 80 percent of major concert venues’ primary ticketing for concerts and a growing share of ticket resales in the secondary market. In May, Massachusetts joined the Department of Justice’s antitrust complaint against Live Nation. The anti-resale language in the Mass Leads Act conflicts with the Commonwealth’s legal argumentation in that case.

“Massachusetts joined the federal antitrust suit against Live Nation – but now it’s opening the door for Live Nation to strengthen its monopoly by cutting off the transfer of tickets,” said Chamber of Progress Senior Director of Technology Policy Todd O’Boyle. “Bay Staters are some of the most dedicated sports fans, but this will make it harder for families to support the Red Sox at Fenway. When the General Court reconvenes in 2025, they should fix this anti-fan mistake.”

Last week, Chamber of Progress sent a letter urging Governor Healy to amend the ticketing provision in the Mass Leads Act.

###

Chamber of Progress (progresschamber.org) is a center-left tech industry policy coalition promoting technology’s progressive future.  We work to ensure that all Americans benefit from technological leaps, and that the tech industry operates responsibly and fairly.  

Our corporate partners do not have a vote on or veto over our positions. We do not speak for individual partner companies and remain true to our stated principles even when our partners disagree.