Fri Nov 22 16:40:00 UTC 2024: ## Massachusetts Law Restricts Ticket Resale, Sparking Consumer Backlash

**Boston, MA –** A new Massachusetts law embedded within a recent economic development bill is limiting consumers’ ability to resell tickets to concerts and sporting events, drawing criticism from consumer advocates and ticket resale platforms. The law, which gives companies like Ticketmaster greater control over ticket transfers, mandates that tickets purchased on platforms like Ticketmaster or SeatGeek must be resold through the original platform, if the option is offered.

Supporters of the law, including Live Nation (Ticketmaster’s parent company), argue it aims to curb ticket scalping by preventing bots and professional brokers from acquiring large quantities of tickets to resell at inflated prices. Dan Wall, Live Nation’s vice president of corporate and regulatory affairs, stated the law protects artists, teams, and genuine fans.

However, consumer groups like MASSPIRG strongly oppose the legislation. Deirdre Cummings of MASSPIRG argues the law harms fans by restricting their ability to resell or transfer tickets to friends and family if they can no longer attend an event. She claims Ticketmaster will buy back tickets at a reduced face value and resell them at a higher price, contributing to inflated ticket costs.

Consumers also expressed frustration. One ticket holder, Shawn Eagle, stated that if someone else is willing to pay the market price for a ticket, the original purchaser should have the freedom to sell it without Ticketmaster’s involvement.

Ticket reseller StubHub has issued a statement denouncing the law as anti-competitive and is urging lawmakers to reconsider the legislation. The new restrictions are already causing significant consumer discontent in Massachusetts.

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