Not Long To Sweat Over Wembley

AEG doesn’t have long to sweat over whether anyone will challenge its takeover of the running of Wembley Arena, as interested parties have only a couple of weeks to object.

The UK’s Competition Commission “provisionally” approved the deal a week ago and is promising a final ruling by Sept. 5.

“We have focused our analysis on how the merger between AEG and Wembley will affect the ability of their competitors and potential competitors to compete as live venue operators in the UK,” CC deputy chairman Martin Cave told BBC News.

“We found that while a promoter may have some influence over venue decision, the final choice of venue usually lies with the act and their agent.

“So AEG’s opportunity to increase venue prices would be limited given that other factors are more important and that any negotiation on price takes place after the venue has been confirmed.”