The StubHub Saga: Why California’s Failed Ticket Resale Bill Reveals a Much Bigger Problem
Let’s get one thing straight: the death of California’s AB 1720 isn’t just about concert tickets. It’s about who controls access to culture, who profits from scarcity, and why everyday people keep losing these battles. When a bill dies in a committee after facing a $3.4 million lobbying onslaught from a company like StubHub, it’s not just politics as usual—it’s a symptom of a broken system that prioritizes corporate wallets over public interest.
The Illusion of “Choice” in the Secondary Ticket Market
StubHub’s defense of the status quo hinges on a familiar trope: “More choice and flexibility put fans first.” But let’s dissect this claim. When scalpers can mark up tickets by 500% or more, what exactly are fans choosing? The reality is a rigged market where genuine fans are priced out, while platforms profit from artificial scarcity. I’ve always found it ironic that companies like StubHub frame exploitation as empowerment. It’s the same logic used by Big Tech to justify data harvesting: “We’re just giving users options.” Except in this case, the “option” is paying absurd premiums or missing out on cultural moments everyone’s talking about.
When Artists and Scalpers Collide—And Why It’s a Contradiction
The coalition supporting AB 1720 included artists like Kid Rock and Noah Kahan, who’ve publicly railed against scalping. But here’s the rub: many of these same artists still partner with platforms like StubHub or Ticketmaster, which operate under the same exploitative models they claim to oppose. What many people don’t realize is that this contradiction isn’t hypocrisy—it’s survival. In an industry where touring is the primary income source, artists face immense pressure to accept the devil they know. From my perspective, this highlights a deeper issue: systemic change can’t rely on individual virtue when the entire ecosystem is broken.
The Lobbying Machine vs. Grassroots Anger: A David and Goliath Myth
State Assembly Member Matt Haney framed this as a “nonpartisan” issue, citing support from fans, venues, and artists. But in modern politics, grassroots anger rarely outweighs corporate checkbooks. StubHub’s $3.4 million lobbying blitz wasn’t just about protecting profits—it was about setting a precedent. If California had caved, it would’ve opened the floodgates for similar reforms nationwide. This raises a darker question: Are lawmakers even capable of regulating industries when those industries can outspend them 100:1? My take? We’re witnessing a form of legalized bribery, where the rules are written by those who can afford to rent politicians.
Why This Battle Matters Beyond Concerts: The Canary in the Capitalist Coal Mine
The failure of AB 1720 isn’t isolated. It mirrors broader struggles against Big Pharma price gouging, housing market speculation, and social media monopolies. In each case, intermediaries insert themselves between people and essential goods/services, extracting value while blaming “market forces.” What’s fascinating is how ticket scalping—a niche issue—has become a proxy war for these larger fights. If we can’t cap resale prices for concerts, how can we hope to regulate AI monopolies or private equity’s grip on housing? This isn’t just about fairness; it’s about whether democracy can function when wealth concentrates in fewer hands.
The Road Ahead: Lessons From States That Defied Scalpers
While California stumbled, states like Vermont and Maine have enacted price caps. This patchwork of regulations reveals both hope and chaos. On one hand, it proves reform is possible. On the other, it creates a fractured landscape where scalpers simply shift operations. Personally, I think the solution lies in federal action—but that’s a moonshot given current lobbying realities. A more immediate fix? Require transparent fee disclosures on resale platforms. Force StubHub to show buyers the original ticket price alongside markups. Sunlight might be the best disinfectant here.
Final Thoughts: The Scalping Fight Isn’t About Tickets—It’s About Power
Let’s zoom out. The AB 1720 saga wasn’t really about a 10% price cap. It was about who gets to decide the rules of engagement in a $10 billion industry. Until artists, fans, and venues build a lobbying machine as ruthless as StubHub’s, these battles will keep ending the same way. And maybe that’s the real scandal: we’ve normalized the idea that cultural access should be auctioned to the highest bidder. But hey, at least Taylor Swift tickets are a ‘choice,’ right?
