Senator John Cornyn is proposing legislative reforms aimed at targeting predatory ticketing practices.
The move comes months after the Ticketmaster system crashed while thousands tried to buy tickets to the Taylor Swift concert. Many fans ended up with resale or fraudulent tickets.
The goal is to fix the current ticketing system for live performances and events. It targets bots, professional scalpers and predatory sellers on the secondary market overinflate ticket prices and fracture relationships between artists and sports teams and their fans.
American Airlines Center is a top destination for big-name performers, but not typically under the circumstances we saw Thursday.
“Not only have I lost a fan down the road. They also say, ‘I’m not buying your stupid t-shirts,’” said Texas country singer Max Stalling.
Featured article
Musicians, venue owners, sports team execs and fans vented to Cornyn about predatory ticketing practices.
Dave Brown is the general manager of the AAC. He says the venue hosts approximately 70 major entertainment events a year.
He told Cornyn bots are a big problem: computer systems buying up huge chunks of tickets and reselling them for double and even triple over face value.
Kate Testone tried to buy tickets to the Taylor Swift concert in Arlington. She waited in the queue for seven hours and got nothing.
“I wasn’t able to get anything except resale tickets, and you’re looking at $450 for an obstructed view,” she said.
It’s a problem Sen. Cornyn says he’s working to address with bipartisan support in Congress.
FILE – A Ticketmaster website is shown on a computer screen. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
“Obviously, we’re here because of concern from fans being punished literally by predatory secondary market ticket scalpers,” he said.
The so-called Fans First Act would increase transparency, requiring ticket vendors and resellers to disclose taxes, fees and refund policies to consumers.
“All of this of course causes harm not only to the fans by the people trying to make the fan experience optimal,” Cornyn said.
The act would also prohibit the use of bots to purchase tickets and strengthen artist and venue rights. It also prohibits sites from tricking consumers into believing they are buying directly from the artist or venue.
Though it is not clear how this process would stop mass computerized purchases, part of the enforcement will fall to the FTC and state attorney generals to impose civil penalties to bad actors, something venue operators say is much needed.
Cornyn says the next step is to sit down with Sen. Klobachur, a Democrat, and work out the bill’s remaining differences. Once that’s done, the senators will seek other bipartisan co-sponsors and then move this through Senate judiciary committee and ultimately across the floor in Senate.
Sen. John Cornyn pushes for legislative reforms targeting predatory ticketing practices
- Advertisment - 
Recent Comments
on Iowa State starting RB Jirehl Brock among latest college football players charged in gambling probe
on The Rev. Al Sharpton to lead protest after Florida governor’s ban of African American studies course
on Sports World Hails ‘Superwoman’ Lindsey Vonn for Her Grand Comeback Despite Career-Changing Injury
on San Mateo County Community College District sues five companies over role in ‘pay to play’ scandal
on Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed – and bemused by the fuss
on ‘Pokémon Scarlet’ and ‘Violet’ Fan Theories Suggest Legendary Time Travel, Alternate Dimension Plot
on Joe Manchin and Tommy Tuberville introduce bill on name, image and likeness rules for college sports
on Inside the Michael Jordan ‘Air’ movie, plus why NFL, others are buying into the sports film industry
on If you’re a frequent traveler, these wrap tops from Aday will revolutionize your on-the-go wardrobe
on How Does Jack Nicklaus Travel? Exploring the Private Jets Owned by the ‘Golden Bear’ Over the Years
on Hollywood Reporter: Tom Cruise negotiated with movie studios over AI before the actors strike began
on Ford Blue Cruise: US regulators investigate fatal crashes involving hands-free driving technology
on Dozens of boats cruise the Seine in a rehearsal for the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on David and Victoria Beckham so ‘Charmed’ by Tom Cruise They Have His Photos on Display at Their Home
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Boise State vs. Air Force live stream, odds, channel, prediction, how to watch on CBS Sports Network
on Biden to tout bill’s prescription drug prices, energy provisions in pitch to Americans, aide says
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Carlos Sainz’s Soccer Fanboy Emerges as Spaniard Shares Defining Moment With This Real Madrid Legend
on Biden: ‘At this point I’m not’ planning to visit East Palestine, Ohio, after toxic train derailment
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on Ahead of big sports weekend, dispute with Disney leaves millions of cable subscribers in the dark
on A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on Army vs. Coastal Carolina live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez Spreads Joy and Sportsmanship to the Youth of Loma de Cabrera
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on Dubai International Airport sees 41.6 million passengers in first half of year, more than in 2019
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on Cam Newton’s Violent Public Incident Draws Hilarious Reaction From 3x All-Star: “Where Do I Sign Up
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Angel Reese Launches Foundation Dedicated To Empowering Women Through Sports & Financial Literacy
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer