Tennessee Considering Ticket Bill

Lawmakers in the state have been considering a bill that would limit bulk ticket sales and penalize those who resell tickets at marked-up prices.

Specifically, the “Fairness in Ticketing Act,” authored by Rep. Ryan Haynes and Sen. Mike Faulk, would limit bulk sales to 25 tickets per event. The measure would also force resellers to offer tickets at the “same price shown at the box office or the office of original distribution, unless the sale is conducted under the supervision of the place of public entertainment or amusement.”

Ticketmaster, Bridgestone Arena, Ryman Auditorium, the Nashville Predators, Kenny Chesney and Garth Brooks have all come out in support of the legislation, according to the Tennessean.

“This legislation takes aim at scalpers and seeks to improve the live entertainment experience for fans,” TM said in a statement. “Those that oppose this bill want to make this about Ticketmaster rather than the issues because they are responsible for the very practices that the bill seeks to fix.”

But critics argue the bill would give Ticketmaster a stranglehold over ticket distribution in the state.

“We agree with the bill sponsors that consumers deserve protection from deceptive ticket practices,” Fan Freedom Project President Jon Potter said. “But this bill is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and is a blatant attempt by Ticketmaster, concert producers and teams to monopolize the ticket resale market.”

The Fan Freedom Project is backed by StubHub and the National Consumers League.

Haynes told the Tennessean the measure is not meant to block consumers from reselling personal tickets to events, and would only apply to those in the resale business who sell more than 60 tickets per year.

A Senate committee is currently examining the bill, which could possibly be delayed until the next legislative session, the paper said.