Overview

• Michael Rapino argued at a CNBC/Boardroom conference that concerts are underpriced, citing a $72 average ticket, comparisons to NBA prices, and rising production costs such as Beyoncé’s tour using 62 trucks per show.
• Fans and artists condemned the remarks, with Jack Antonoff calling the view "a sick way of looking at it" and urging that resale above face value be made illegal.
• The FTC filed a lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster alleging hidden fees, brokers exceeding purchase limits, and scalpers reselling millions of tickets on Ticketmaster’s platform at steep markups.
• Live Nation also faces an ongoing DOJ antitrust case accusing the company of monopolistic conduct in live events, which the company has denied.
• Industry data cited by outlets show average prices well above $72, with major-tour averages exceeding $120 and top tours costing far more, underscoring a notable gap with Rapino’s claim.