Behind the Curtain: Secret Ticketmaster Payments to OVG Spark Legal Fallout

A new chapter has unfolded in the long-running controversy surrounding Ticketmaster and its influence over the live events industry.

This time, the spotlight is on Oak View Group (OVG), one of the most prominent venue developers and consultants in the U.S., and its CEO, Tim Leiweke.

Recently unsealed documents from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) reveal that Ticketmaster made millions in undisclosed payments to OVG as part of a behind-the-scenes deal to secure exclusive ticketing rights for major venues.

The payments were part of a broader strategy by Ticketmaster to maintain its dominance in the live events market, raising serious concerns about transparency, fair competition, and ethical business conduct.

The Deal

According to the DOJ’s investigation, Ticketmaster paid OVG:

• A $20 million upfront payment in November 2022

• Ongoing annual payments of $7 million

In return, OVG allegedly encouraged venue owners to select Ticketmaster as their exclusive ticketing provider. These recommendations, however, came without disclosing the financial relationship between the two companies—a fact that casts doubt on whether the venues were truly making independent, best-interest decisions.

This arrangement was not made public until the DOJ uncovered it while investigating an entirely separate bid-rigging case involving Legends Hospitality and ASM Global.

Legal Consequences

While OVG has avoided prosecution by cooperating with the investigation and agreeing to pay a $15 million fine, its CEO, Tim Leiweke, has not been so fortunate.

He has been indicted for his alleged role in a bid-rigging scheme related to venue contracts in Texas.

The DOJ continues investigating whether other venues were steered toward Ticketmaster under similar circumstances.

The DOJ described OVG as a “pimp, hammer, and protector” for Ticketmaster.

This striking characterization suggests OVG wasn’t just recommending Ticketmaster but was actively enforcing and expanding its influence in the live events sector.

Why This Matters

This story goes beyond one CEO or one company.

It speaks to a much larger issue: the power Ticketmaster holds over ticketing and venue access in the U.S. and abroad.

With its parent company, Live Nation, Ticketmaster has long been accused of monopolistic behavior—controlling ticket sales, promoting artists, and now, potentially using undisclosed kickbacks to maintain exclusive deals.

For venue owners, artists, and fans, the implications are clear.

These kinds of closed-door financial arrangements reduce transparency, stifle competition, and ultimately lead to higher fees and fewer choices for consumers.

What’s Next

The indictment of Tim Leiweke marks a significant escalation in the DOJ’s broader investigation into anti-competitive practices in live events.

As more documents come to light, there may be further legal consequences not only for OVG and Ticketmaster but also for others involved in securing or benefiting from exclusive venue deals.

For now, this case reinforces what many in the industry have long suspected: behind the glamour of live concerts and arena shows lies a complicated web of deals, dominance, and control—and that web may finally be unraveling.