Ticketmaster, which has exclusive control over an "estimated
two-thirds of the major stadiums, arenas, and amphitheaters in
urban centers -- and provides tickets for more than 50 major
professional sports teams," is profiled in the current BUSINESS
WEEK. The federal government, state law enforcers, and private
litigants are all "questioning the legality of Ticketmaster's
dominance in the ticketing industry." Ticketmaster CEO Fredric
Rosen has "locked up the choicest promoters and sites," and made
many of the deals by "visiting cash squeezed arena owners and
offering them money ... as a guarantee against their share of
future service fees." In turn, Ticketmaster's "aggressive climb
has enabled it to call most of the shots in its market," which
has led to high ticket surcharges. But the legal challenges may
be "taking [their] toll," as Ticketmaster lost the "coveted
contract" to sell tickets to the '96 Olympic Games to Protix.
But Ticketmaster is looking ahead to new ventures, including a
shopping channel to sell merchandise, and by going online to sell
their services. Rosen is also looking to reduce the companies
"dependence on ticket sales" which make up 95% of revenue,
especially as competitors move into the ticketing industry
(Himelstein & Grover, BUSINESS WEEK, 6/26 issue). Rosen is also
featured in the L.A. TIMES. Within weeks, Ticketmaster will be
on the World Wide Web, and is looking at using its phone system
to sell airline tickets (Helm & Phillips, L.A. TIMES, 6/19).
