Congress Targets Hidden Ticket Fees at Sporting Events as Fans Face Soaring Prices

A growing backlash against soaring ticket prices for sporting events and concerts has reached Capitol Hill, where Senator Eric Schmitt is pushing legislation aimed at eliminating hidden fees and increasing transparency in the ticket marketplace.The Republican from Missouri is a co-sponsor of the so-called TICKET Act. The measure would require ticket sellers to provide an itemized breakdown of all fees attached to the purchase of a ticket, including the base price and an explanation for every additional fee.Supporters say the legislation is designed to address widespread consumer frustration with the often-confusing cost structure of ticket sales, particularly on the secondary market where fees can dramatically inflate the final price.A member of the Senate Commerce Committee, Mr. Schmitt said consumers deserve to know exactly what they are paying for when they purchase tickets to their favorite sporting events or concerts.“The Senate Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over amateur professional sports and these kinds of transactions you’re talking about with Ticketmaster and the like,” Mr. Schmitt said during a recent appearance on OutKick’s “Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich”.“I’ve got legislation,” he said. “We’ve got to get rid of these (fees). People don’t really know where all the fees are coming (from) and having greater transparency.” Mr. Schmitt said the legislation would put an end to hidden fees and misleading resale practices by requiring sellers to display the total cost upfront. The Federal Trade Commission would be responsible for enforcing the proposed requirements.Mr. Schmitt said the goal is not to interfere with the free market, but to ensure cost awareness. “You want a marketplace where people can have access to tickets,” he said. “But a lot of actors are sort of taking advantage of people who want to see their team and a bunch of hidden fees in the secondary market are being added in and people don’t know what they are.”The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported data collected from the Consumer Price Index showing that admission prices for sporting events have increased 123% since 2000.In addition to rising admission costs over the last 25 years, fans will pay for concessions and transportation and, while not a necessity, merchandise. Ticket prices on the secondary market have also contributed to the rising costs.The issue drew national attention earlier this year during a hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee. Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie, told the hearing that ticket price gouging forces fans into expensive resale markets and that legislation falls short.“You just ask anybody these days about buying a ticket to a popular sporting event or concert, and they’ll tell you that it’s a complete fiasco,” he said during an appearance on “America Reports”.The Ticket Act has gained bipartisan support in the House and is awaiting approval in the Senate.Meanwhile, soaring prices on the secondary market prompted the Savannah Bananas to implement a new verified secondary marketplace to allow fans to resell tickets at face value only.Banana Ball games regularly sell out and unauthorized resellers have flooded secondary sites, sometimes with fake tickets. According to owner Jesse Cole, primary tickets sold exclusively through a lottery on the company’s website, must be resold at face value — between $35 and $60 — with no markups, and only verified fans who purchased the tickets can list them. Fans can list or buy up to five tickets per game, and every ticket sold is guaranteed authentic.

Congress Targets Hidden Ticket Fees at Sporting Events as Fans Face Soaring Prices

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