New Jersey congressman Bill Pascrell has asked Live Nation Entertainment to explain what he has described as the company’s “exorbitant” prices for musician Bruce Springsteen’s 2023 tour.
In a letter to LNE president and CEO Michael Rapino, Pascrell, a prominent Democratic Representative, also called on the promoter to explain the “frustratingly opaque process” that leads to its ticket pricing.
Pascrell, who was a critic of the original merger between Live Nation and Ticketmaster, called on the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department to break up the company earlier this year.
“I write on behalf of my constituents and fans across the country that are excited for Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band’s 2023 tour,” Pascrell stated in his letter. “Hard-working Americans who are fans of Bruce and other popular entertainers should have the ability to enjoy live entertainment without ticket-sales practices that rip off consumers.”
Pascrell alleged that prices for tickets – reportedly as high as $5,000 – are due to LNE’s “market-based pricing”, which he believes has resulted in inflated prices.
Pascrell urged LNE “to help fans better understand the frustratingly opaque process that leads to such high prices.”
Last month, Springsteen’s manager Jon Landau told The New York Times that ticket prices for the tour were averaging in the mid-$200 range.
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