Assembly Bill 2808: California lawmaker Buffy Wicks takes on Ticketmaster; hopes to lower concerts, sporting events ticket prices [Video]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KGO) — East Bay Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks introduced Monday AB 2808, a bill that would no longer allow just one ticket company to be the first to sell tickets to a sporting event or concert. She claims prices for these events skyrocketed after the merger of Ticketmaster and Live Nation in 2010.

“Since Ticketmaster and Live Nation were allowed to merge, ticket prices have gone up an astronomical 140%” she said.

This bill is directly aimed at Ticketmaster.

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Assemblywoman Wicks says they control a massive majority of ticket sales in the U.S. This bill would allow other companies to also offer new tickets for a concert or sporting event. She says it would allow more competition among ticket companies and bring prices down.

“Ticketmaster controls 80% of primary ticket sales in the united states,” Wicks said. “This lack of competition, otherwise known as a monopoly, hurts consumers.”

Some …