Image Source: NPR
Ticketmaster is at the center of a growing controversy over the Kennedy Center’s planned change in ticketing platforms. The Washington, D.C., arts institution intends to move away from Tessitura, a nonprofit system widely used by cultural organizations, and partner with Ticketmaster instead.
The decision has drawn scrutiny because Richard Grenell, the Kennedy Center’s former president, was serving on the board of Ticketmaster’s parent company, Live Nation, while the deal was being negotiated. Ethics experts and current and former Kennedy Center employees have raised questions about whether Grenell’s overlapping responsibilities created a conflict of interest.
Ticketmaster Deal Raises Critical Conflict Questions
Grenell became Kennedy Center president after President Donald Trump took over as the institution’s chairman in February 2025. In May of that year, Grenell joined Live Nation’s board of directors. According to company filings, he received $260,205 for his board service in 2025, along with 102 shares of Live Nation stock that were worth approximately $14,200 when granted.
By contrast, the Kennedy Center’s latest tax filings reported that Grenell received no salary as its president. He left the role in March 2026.
Richard Briffault, a Columbia Law School professor who specializes in government ethics, told NPR that the arrangement would typically raise serious concerns. He said a person with fiduciary duties to Live Nation could face a divided loyalty when the company’s ticketing arm is negotiating business with the Kennedy Center.
“This is literally conflict of interest,” Briffault said, describing the financial and institutional relationship as a potential problem.
The Kennedy Center declined to comment on Grenell’s concurrent positions or his financial interests in Live Nation and Ticketmaster. NPR also reported that multiple attempts to reach Grenell were unsuccessful.
Why the Kennedy Center Is Changing Its Ticketing System
The Kennedy Center has used Tessitura for decades. The nonprofit platform was developed by the Metropolitan Opera and has become a key tool for arts organizations managing ticket sales, fundraising, memberships, education programs and patron information.
Steve Jacobson, founder of consulting firm JCA, said Ticketmaster can be effective for high-volume venues and commercial events, but Tessitura is designed to serve the broader needs of nonprofit arts institutions.
“It’s a unified product that has not just ticket sales in it, but also helps nonprofit arts organizations manage their fundraising, membership, customer service, education,” Jacobson said.
The Kennedy Center says it began evaluating Ticketmaster in spring 2024 and determined that it had outgrown its previous system. Spokesperson PJ Elliott said the agreement followed a standard procurement review and that discussions began before Grenell became president.
However, a current employee and a former senior executive told NPR that Ticketmaster was not seriously considered by Kennedy Center leadership in 2024. The former executive said the existing system provided strong control over customer data and ticketing operations.
Ticketmaster rejected the suggestion that anyone pressured the Kennedy Center. The company said the center’s ticketing staff approached its team in February 2024 and quickly indicated that they wanted to switch because of limitations with the existing platform.
Leadership Changes and Delayed Kennedy Center Tickets
The platform change has coincided with major leadership upheaval at the Kennedy Center. Matt Floca replaced Grenell as president in March 2026. The center later named Rick Canny, a longtime talent agent, as its artistic director.
Canny had worked as a Kennedy Center consultant since April 2025 and helped oversee major events, including the Kennedy Center Honors and the Mark Twain Prize. In an email obtained by NPR, he said he had been advising on the Ticketmaster agreement for nearly a year and had shaped many of its terms.
Employees who spoke with NPR said the ticketing decision would normally fall under the president’s responsibilities, rather than those of an artistic director. Canny also criticized union involvement in the process, saying negotiations with Ticketmaster were affected by labor concerns.
The Kennedy Center’s box office workers, represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, were laid off after the center’s main building closed this fall for a planned two-year renovation.
The ticketing transition has also contributed to delays surrounding the annual Kennedy Center Honors. The ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 7 at Washington’s Capital One Arena and will recognize Paul Anka, David Foster, Andy Garcia, David Mamet and Barbara Mandrell. As of Nov. 11, the center had not announced when or how tickets would be sold.
What the Ticketmaster Switch Could Mean for Patrons
The controversy comes as Ticketmaster faces continued criticism over service fees, resale practices and its influence over live entertainment. Live Nation controls a large share of primary concert ticket sales in the United States, according to industry and government findings.
The company reached a $280 million settlement with the Justice Department in March, while a separate case brought by several states resulted in a jury finding that Live Nation and Ticketmaster operated as a monopoly. Live Nation has denied that it unfairly dominates the market.
For Kennedy Center patrons, the change could affect ticket fees, customer accounts, data management and access to performances. For the institution, the decision could reshape how ticketing connects with donations, memberships and fundraising.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Kennedy Center switching to Ticketmaster?
The Kennedy Center says it outgrew its previous Tessitura system and selected Ticketmaster after a procurement review. Current and former employees dispute how seriously the platform was evaluated.
Why is Richard Grenell’s role raising concerns?
Grenell served as Kennedy Center president while also sitting on the board of Live Nation, Ticketmaster’s parent company. He received compensation and stock from Live Nation during that period.
When will the Ticketmaster transition happen?
The Kennedy Center has not publicly announced a final implementation date. Ticket sales for the 2026 Kennedy Center Honors have also been delayed.
What is Tessitura?
Tessitura is a nonprofit ticketing and customer-management platform used by many arts and cultural institutions for ticket sales, memberships, fundraising and patron services.
