A deal to acquire concert tracker Pollstar is raising eyebrows

Music moguls Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff are acquiring concert data company Pollstar in a deal that is attracting scrutiny fཧrom industry insiders.

The news was immediately met with raise𝕴d eyebrows given that thꦓe new owners are executives so tightly connected with the concert business, not only managing acts and promoting shows, but also building and servicing arenas and clubs.

Leiweke is a former chief of tour promoter AEG while Azoff is a former executive chairman𒈔 o🗹f rival promoter Live Nation who currently manages The Eagles.

Th🌸e two executives also own the trade magazine covering the venue business, Venues Today.

Leiweke and Azoff are co-owners of Oak View Group which develops ꦚand invests in sports and live entertain𝐆ment businesses and also offers services such as security for concert venues.

Pollstar, meanwhile, produces charts of the best-selling concerts in the US and overseas. The company also owns a print publication and a web destination and a data business, called💯 Pollstar Pro.

While no one is suggesting that Pollstar is fudging its well-respected charts on tour tick🐟et sales, there are clearly concerns about whether Pollstar could be inf﷽luenced.

“There will always be doubt,” said one per🗹son familiar with🔯 the situation.

One music touring🍌 executive called the deal “astounding,” raising concerns that Pollstar’s new owners could press the publication into one-sided coverage that promotes their business interests.

“How can anybody think there is credibility from this publication?” the ex🧔ec said.

Pollstar’s long serving editor in ch🌞ief Gary Bongiovanni ඣand CEO Gary Smith are remaining with the company.

“Pollstar has served our industry as a trusted and invaluable resource during an era where music and ticketing have evolved dramatically,” Azoff🙈 said in a statement. “Their insights and analysis are fundamental to the success of our business and we’re looking forward to growing the brand’s influence and impact for years to come.”