Richard Grenell, who has served in a number of roles in each Trump administrations, has been added to world leisure juggernaut Reside Nation’s board of administrators as the corporate faces an antitrust battle with the Division of Justice (DOJ) over its affect on the live performance ticketing trade.
“We are pleased to welcome Ric to our Board,” Reside Nation board chair Randall Mays mentioned in a information launch saying Grenell’s appointment. “His background will bring a valuable perspective as Live Nation continues to contribute to a growing live music industry around the globe.”
The DOJ and 30 state attorneys normal sued Reside Nation, the dad or mum firm of Ticketmaster, final 12 months over its alleged “monopolistic control” of reside occasions throughout the nation. The DOJ, beneath then-Legal professional Normal Merrick Garland, accused Reside Nation of “unlawful, anticompetitive conduct” that has pressured followers within the U.S. to pay greater than these in different nations and stifled artist innovation.
Supporters of the federal government’s case in opposition to Reside Nation accused the corporate of appointing Grenell to attempt to pull affect with President Trump and his White Home amid the battle.
“Ticketmaster just put Trump advisor Richard Grenell on its board of directors to get out from under the Antitrust Division’s lawsuit against the company,” American Financial Liberties Venture (AELP) analysis director Matt Stoller wrote on the social platform X, linking to the information.
AELP has advocated for the federal government to dismantle the ticketing powerhouse created by means of the 2010 merger of Reside Nation and Ticketmaster.
Grenell, who at present holds a “special envoy of special missions” title, additionally turned president of the Kennedy Middle for the Performing Arts earlier this 12 months amid Trump’s takeover of the Washington cultural middle.
“The power of live performances to bring people together while boosting local economies is transformative,” Grenell mentioned in a press release on his appointment to the Reside Nation board Wednesday. “I’m proud to join the board and support Live Nation’s efforts to grow this positive impact of concerts around the world.”
Grenell additionally wore a number of hats throughout Trump’s earlier administration, serving as performing Director of Nationwide Intelligence in 2020, ambassador to Germany from 2018-20 and particular envoy in peace negotiations for Serbia and Kosovo peace negotiations from 2019-21.
