Ticketmaster contract outline approved

YOUNGSTOWN — Ticketmaster will start handling the ticketing for events at the Chevrolet Centre May 1.

The city’s board of control approved an outline of a contract today with the nation’s largest event ticketing agency.

The board is expected to sign a final five-year contract Thursday.

Ticketmaster will guarantee $125,000 in revenue to the city under the contract.

The West Hollywood, Calif.-based company expects to generate $942,000 in additional money over the five years to the city in ticket sales royalties.

The company will give the city between 25 percent and 40 percent of its surcharges with the higher percentage for more expensive tickets.

Ticketmaster estimates it will sell about 80,000 tickets for center events in its first year with annual increases of 3 percent in sales.

The company will also spend $106,700 over the life of the contract for equipment and computer software as well as maintenance costs.

Ticketmaster was among nine companies to submit proposals to handle ticketing at the city-owned facility.

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