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When I got home last night from “MMA 101″ class at Spartan Fitness, my wife told me I had something on my eyebrow. Turns out, it was a piece of leather from my training partner’s glove, left there when he landed a stiff jab during the “live sparring” we do at the end of class. As we prepare to launch BattlePass.com, the first and only ticketing system built for combat sports, my MMA training is much more than just a tough workout:
1. It gives me intimate knowledge of – and respect for – the country’s fastest growing sport, something that will prove invaluable as we approach the many promoters who regularly sell out MMA, Boxing, Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai fights in town halls and community centers across the country. I expect this knowledge will come in very handy as we fight for the belt of “fastest growing ticketing company in the country”.
2. It strengthens my resolve and competitiveness in the business world. There’s nothing like learning to weather punches to the face, knees to the ribcage, neck cranks, and arm bars to put things in perspective when you’re trying to convince a prospective client of the value of your software.
3. It reminds me that size doesn’t matter – at least not in fighting or business. In the early days of modern civilization, David brought down Goliath; in the early days of the UFC, Royce Gracie brought down countless bigger fighters who, on paper, should have crushed him; and call it post-fight euphoria if you want, but I have a feeling that ticket buyers and sellers alike will one day tell stories of how “scrappy little TicketBiscuit” took down the ticketing behemoths of their day by out-thinking, out-maneuvering, and out-executing them.
More on the Music Liberation Fund – from TicketBiscuit’s CEO
February 10, 2009 in Commentary, Company News | Tags: concerts, live events, live nation, merger, monopoly, sports, theatre, ticketing, ticketmaster | by jgale | 3 comments
What does “independent” mean? Basically, not involved contractually with Ticketmaster and/or Live Nation. In my opinion, Ticketmaster has done more harm than good in the live music space as of late. The most recent troubling revelation was that Ticketmaster allegedly used its secondary ticketing subsidiary, TicketsNow, to inflate ticket prices for high demand concerts. Ticketmaster has denied any wrongdoing and an investigation is pending. But the whole thing just looks bad.
And now the impending merger with Live Nation. Live Nation enjoyed relatively favorable customer relations until earlier this year. Many folks (including us) were rooting for Live Nation’s new ticketing platform at launch. We know that they’re competitors. But competition is good in this market. It keeps talent accessible and fees low. But our cheering, like that of many, turned to jeering upon first learning that Live Nation’s fees were as high – if not higher – than those of Ticketmaster. And based on the experience of many a Phish fan, the Live Nation ticketing systems were seemingly insufficient for a massive onsale event.
From a business standpoint, the merger makes great sense. It makes sense because TM’s and LN’s previous competitive stance toward each other would have ultimately ended in mutual destruction. It makes sense because they have complementary strengths. It makes sense because Wall Street loves it; the stock price of both companies jumped at the mere rumor of the merger.
I will also acknowledge that this deal will be good for some. Major headlining acts will benefit. Management companies could benefit. Advertisers could benefit. But make no mistake about it: in this relentless focus on financial benefit and the money to be made, music fans, independent musicians, independent venues, and independent promoters, in my opinion, will lose out. In short, this deal will represent the largest consolidation in the history of the live music industry.
Consolidation means fewer choices and higher prices for fans. And that’s what the Music Liberation Fund is meant to fight against.
Is there something in it for us? Yes. Are there strings attached? Sure. But we’ll make all of that perfectly transparent to those who qualify for fund proceeds. The bottom line is that artists, fans, venues, and promoters need a choice. And with any luck, the MLF will help ensure that they always have one.