Ticketmaster / Live Nation merger: Congressman Pascrell to hold press conference December 16

PRESS RELEASE: “CONGRESSMAN PASCRELL LEADS COALITION OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, CONSUMER GROUPS, AND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES TO OPPOSE TICKETMASTER-LIVE NATION MERGER”

WASHINGTON, DC (U.S. House of Representatives) December 15, 2009 – As the U.S. Department of Justice reaches a critical point in its review of the pending merger of Ticketmaster and Live Nation, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-8), consumer groups and leaders in the live entertainment industry will hold a news conference tomorrow, December 16, to stand against the further consolidation of the live entertainment business.

Today, Rep. Joseph Courtney, (D-CT), Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) committed to standing with Congressman Pascrell, consumers and concert industry leaders at tomorrow’s event.

“We will not relent in our commitment to protecting consumers and the American free market,” said Pascrell, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee who led 50 Congress members to oppose the pending merger in July with a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice. “The combination of the top-two highest-ranked ticket-selling companies in the market would significantly quell opportunities for competition and lead to higher ticket prices and fees for concert goers.”

WHEN: Wednesday, December 16, 9:30 a.m.

WHERE: Capitol Hill, Cannon House Office Building, Room 122

WHO: U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr., (D-NJ-8)

Representatives from the concert-live entertainment industry, the National Association of Ticket Brokers, the National Consumers League, and the American Antitrust Institute.

Additional Press Contacts:

Shannon Flaherty
National Association of Ticket Brokers
(202) 347-6762

Carol McKay
National Consumers League
(724) 799-5392

John Breyault
National Consumers League
(202) 207-2819

Media Contact:

Paul Brubaker
Communications Director
Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr., NJ-8
Robert A Roe. Federal Building
200 Federal Plaza, Suite 500
Paterson, N.J. 07505
ph. 973-523-5152