NJ Speaker takes on Springsteen over ticket prices

Fans weren’t the only ones surprised by ticket prices for Bruce Springsteen’s 2023 tour.

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin promises to hold a legislative hearing into the ticket pricing practices of Ticketmaster and other providers.

Due to what Ticketmaster calls “dynamic pricing,” the cost of a single seat to see Springsteen quickly soared to over $5,000 when tickets went on sale.

“I am extremely disturbed by the actions of Ticketmaster and other suppliers, whose policies have left so many unsuspecting fans with outrageous ticket prices and fees, making attendance at some Jersey gigs unaffordable for working people,” Coughlin said in a statement. unfair that only the wealthiest can afford access to a quality show, in these circumstances.”

Coughlin said the hearing will determine whether any of New Jersey’s existing consumer protection and price gouging laws have been violated, and said, “If we need to update the laws regarding tickets and scalping , so let’s do it.”

Obscene ticket pricing and scalping are unfortunately real problems. Working to make our state more affordable for all residents, especially as inflation has left people struggling, it is our responsibility to investigate current pricing practices and the Assembly will hold a hearing to ensure the fairness and affordability of the process – New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin

Springsteen manager Jon Landau defended the ticket prices to The New York Times and claimed that “the true average ticket price was around $200”.

Landau said he thought it was “a fair price to see someone universally regarded as one of the greatest artists of his generation.”

Ticketmaster has long been criticized for the way it provides access to purchase tickets and for the exorbitant prices often charged even for mediocre seats.

The provider has also been tight-lipped about its behind-the-scenes operations.

Coughlin did not say when his hearing would be scheduled or what authority the hearing panel would have.

The New Jersey Globe pointed out that the president could grant the committee the power to subpoena. This would give the committee the ability to compel Ticketmaster to provide records of transactions and operating policies currently hidden from the public, as well as compel the testimony of witnesses.

Springsteen’s first concert in New Jersey is scheduled for the Prudential Center in Newark on April 14, 2023. Presumably, Coughlin would schedule the hearing before then.

Eric Scott is the senior policy director and anchor of New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at [email protected]

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