{{Short description|Canadian-American business executive}} {{Infobox person | name = Michael Rapino | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1967|05|01|mf=yes}} | birth_place = Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada | occupation = CEO of Live Nation Entertainment | spouse = {{marriage|Jolene Blalock|2003}} | children = 3 }}
'''Michael Rapino''' is a Canadian-American businessman and the CEO and president of Live Nation Entertainment, Inc, parent company of events/concert promoter Live Nation and ticket sales operation Ticketmaster.
In the late 1990s, Rapino co-founded Core Audience Entertainment, a concert promoting company, and later held several roles at Clear Channel Entertainment. In 2005 he spun out the concert company from Clear Channel and created Live Nation that listed as a public company in Dec 2005.
By 2026, his management of Live Nation Entertainment was found too controversial due to monopolies over live event ticket sales, threats to some arena management and overcharge of ticket prices, with Rapino confirmed to have personally threatened at least one arena head over the use of Ticketmaster.<ref name=rapino'scompanytrial /><ref name=personalbarclaysthreat />
== Early life and education == Michael Rapino was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario,<ref name="billboard">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8095965/power-100-michael-rapino-no-1-live-nation|title=Billboard Power 100's New No. 1: Live Nation Entertainment's Michael Rapino|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-05-28}}</ref> to a Catholic-Italian family<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.samaritanmag.com/spotlights/ceo-michael-rapino-ive-got-charity-its-called-live-nation|title=CEO Michael Rapino: I've Got a Charity; It's Called Live Nation|magazine=Samaritan|access-date=2023-09-10}}</ref> and earned a bachelor of business administration degree from Lakehead University in 1989.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/live-nation-ceo-among-former-lu-graduates-awarded-honourary-doctorates-401445|title=Live Nation CEO among former LU graduates awarded {{as written|hono|urary [sic]|expecting=honorary}} doctorates |website=TBNewsWatch.com|date=30 May 2015 |language=en|access-date=2019-05-28}}</ref> While attending Lakehead, Rapino promoted bands at local bars and signed his first artist, Jeff Healey.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6874744/no-2-michael-rapino-power-100|title=No. 2: Michael Rapino {{!}} Power 100|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-05-28}}</ref>
== Career == While at Lakehead, Rapino landed a job as a beer rep for Labatt Breweries and started promoting bands at local bars,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-live-nation-ticketmaster-swift-rapino-antitrust/|title=How a kid from Thunder Bay became Live Nation's czar of concert tickets - and pop music's public enemy No.1|date=2022-12-08|website=Globe and Mail|language=en|access-date=2023-01-24}}</ref> arranging a weekly ad in ''The Argus'' called "The Blue Zone" that featured live music events happening in Thunder Bay that upcoming weekend. After graduation, he moved to Toronto and continued his career as a sales representative for Labatt.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fyimusicnews.ca/articles/2017/04/23/michael-rapino|title=Michael Rapino|date=2017-04-23|website=FYIMusicNews|language=en|access-date=2019-06-19}}</ref> He remained at the company for ten years in different marketing and entertainment roles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.samaritanmag.com/spotlights/ceo-michael-rapino-i%E2%80%99ve-got-charity-its-called-live-nation|title=CEO Michael Rapino: I've Got a Charity; It's Called Live Nation|last=Bliss|first=Karen|website=www.samaritanmag.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-19}}</ref> In the late 1990s Rapino founded Core Audience Entertainment, a concert promotion company that operated in Canada.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-live-nation-ticketmaster-glance-021009-2009feb10-story.html|title=Live Nation, Ticketmaster at a glance|date=2009-02-10|website=San Diego Union-Tribune|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-19}}</ref> Core Audience Entertainment was acquired by SFX Entertainment in 1999, which was in turn acquired by Clear Channel Communications in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2000/02/29/bizbuzz/sfx/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020203133501/http://money.cnn.com/2000/02/29/bizbuzz/sfx/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 3, 2002|title=Clear Channel buying SFX in $4.4B deal - Feb. 29, 2000|website=money.cnn.com|access-date=2019-06-19}}</ref> Rapino held several roles at Clear Channel Entertainment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB113460359053522836|title=Clear Channel Gives Details on Spinoff Of Live Nation Unit|website=WSJ|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-28}}</ref> He was later named CEO of Live Nation when it was spun off from Clear Channel in 2005.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-aug-19-fi-rup19.5-story.html|title=Clear Channel Names Rapino CEO of Spinoff|date=2005-08-19|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2019-05-28|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref>
=== Live Nation === As the CEO of Live Nation, Rapino initially focused on expanding the business outside of tour management, including artists' recording and marketing.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2007/11/30/news/companies/live_nation.fortune/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201114114/http://money.cnn.com/2007/11/30/news/companies/live_nation.fortune/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 1, 2007|title=Freed from Clear Channel, Live Nation masters the Internet - Nov. 30, 2007|website=archive.fortune.com|access-date=2019-05-28}}</ref> Between 2007 and 2010, Rapino announced deals with artists such as Madonna, U2, and Jay-Z.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/shakira-leaves-epic-signs-massive-live-nation-deal-249220/|title=Shakira Leaves Epic, Signs Massive Live Nation Deal|date=2008-07-03|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/u2-signs-deal-with-livenation-78441/|title=U2 Signs Deal With LiveNation|date=2008-03-31|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-28}}</ref> In 2016, Rapino announced a deal between Lady Gaga and Live Nation's management division.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/12/business/media/lady-gaga-becomes-a-live-nation-client.html|title=Lady Gaga Becomes a Live Nation Client|last=Sisario|first=Ben|date=2014-06-11|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-05-28|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
In 2010, Live Nation merged with Ticketmaster, a live entertainment ticket seller.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/26/business/26ticket.html|title=Justice Dept. Clears Ticketmaster-Live Nation Merger|last=Sisario|first=Ben|date=2010-01-25|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-05-28|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Rapino was named CEO of the new parent company, Live Nation Entertainment.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-jan-26-la-fi-ct-ticketmaster26-2010jan26-story.html|title=Ticketmaster-Live Nation merger gets Justice Department's approval|date=2010-01-26|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2019-05-28|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> Prior to the merger's approval by the U.S. Justice Department, Rapino and then-Ticketmaster CEO Irving Azoff testified in front of a Senate antitrust panel. They argued that the merger was necessary to reduce inefficiencies and help the music industry, which was struggling financially at the time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2009/02/24/news/companies/tickemaster_livenation/index.htm?iid=EL|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827225956/https://money.cnn.com/2009/02/24/news/companies/tickemaster_livenation/index.htm?iid=EL|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 27, 2021|title=CEOs testify about antitrust of Ticketmaster/Live Nation - Feb. 24, 2009|website=money.cnn.com|access-date=2019-06-19}}</ref>
Rapino has led the company in acquiring several festivals and companies, including House of Blues Entertainment in 2006,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/06/business/media/06music.html|title=Big Promoter of Concerts to Acquire House of Blues|last=Leeds|first=Jeff|date=2006-07-06|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-06-19|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Bonnaroo Festival in 2015,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/29/business/media/live-nation-takes-control-of-bonnaroo-festival.html|title=Live Nation Takes Control of Bonnaroo Festival|last=Sisario|first=Ben|date=2015-04-28|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-06-19|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and Blue Note Entertainment in 2017.<ref name="billboard2">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8070883/michael-rapino-live-nation-contract-renewal-details|title=Michael Rapino Signs 5-Year Renewal With Live Nation|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-06-19}}</ref> Rapino earned $70.6 million in 2017 and was reported to have one of the highest discrepancies in salary between CEO and his employees who earned an average of $24,000.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/148419/ticket-monopoly-worse-ever-thanks-obama|title=The Ticket Monopoly Is Worse Than Ever (Thanks, Obama)|last=Dayen|first=David|authorlink=David Dayen|date=2018-05-15|magazine=The New Republic|access-date=2019-06-13|issn=0028-6583}}</ref> Also in 2017, he extended his contract with Live Nation through 2022.<ref name="billboard2" /> Rapino was appointed to the SiriusXM Radio board of directors in January 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.insideradio.com/free/live-nation-chief-michael-rapino-joins-siriusxm-board/article_f24dc0b2-012f-11e8-ac80-536e617653e6.html|title=Live Nation Chief Michael Rapino Joins SiriusXM Board.|website=Insideradio.com|date=24 January 2018 |language=en|access-date=2019-06-19}}</ref> Also in 2018, he was listed as #1 on the ''Billboard'' Power 100 list of influential people in the music industry.<ref name="billboard" />
Rapino, in response to complaints about ticket prices, and a call for greater regulation and control and ticket prices from the Cure frontman Robert Smith, Rapino argued that ticket prices should be like "as they're buying a Gucci bag" stating that the average consumer could afford to buy such a luxury: "'This is a business where we can charge a bit more,' Rapino continued. 'I'm not saying excessively, but it's a great two-hour performance of a lifetime, that happens once every three, four years in that market. You don't have to underprice yourself—low to middle income [people] will make their way to that arena for that special night.'"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://consequence.net/2023/05/the-cure-live-nation-michael-rapino/ |title=Live Nation CEO discusses the Cure and rising cost of tickets |date=May 2023}}</ref>
In 2022, Rapino's total compensation from Live Nation was $139 million, making him the fifth highest paid CEO in the US that year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Morgan |date=2023-07-05 |title=These are the 10 highest-paid CEOs in the U.S.—some pull in over $200 million a year |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/05/heres-how-much-the-10-highest-paid-us-ceos-earn.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404042611/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/05/heres-how-much-the-10-highest-paid-us-ceos-earn.html |archive-date=2024-04-04 |access-date=2024-08-31 |publisher=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> In 2023, Rapino's total compensation was $23.4 million, or 831 times the median employee pay at Live Nation for that year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Sarah |date=2024-08-29 |title=Executive Excess 2024: The "Low Wage 100" corporations are enriching CEOs at the expense of workers and long-term investment |url=https://ips-dc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/executive_excess_2024_ips_report.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829154904/https://ips-dc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/executive_excess_2024_ips_report.pdf |archive-date=2024-08-29 |access-date=2024-08-31 |publisher=Institute for Policy Studies}}</ref>
====Live event monopoly and overcharge controversy==== On April 15, 2026, a New York-based federal jury found that Live Nation Entertainment under Rapino's leadership held, in violation of both federal and numerous state anti-trust laws, an illegal monopoly over live events which enabled the company and its subsidiaries, including Ticketmaster, to overcharge consumer ticket prices.<ref name=rapino'scompanytrial>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/15/arts/music/live-nation-antitrust-trial-verdict-monopoly.html|title=Jury Finds Live Nation Acts as a Monopoly in a Victory for States|first=Ben|last=Sisario|publisher=New York Times|date=April 15, 2026|accessdate=April 16, 2026}}</ref> The verdict was made through a lawsuit which had been filed by the U.S. Department of Justice and numerous states in May 2024.<ref>{{cite news |title=Live Nation Illegally Monopolized Ticketing Market, Jury Says |work=Bloomberg News |date=April 15, 2026 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-15/live-nation-illegally-monopolized-ticketing-market-jury-finds}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Live Nation illegally monopolized ticketing market, jury in antitrust trial finds |work=NBC News |date=April 15, 2026 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/livenation-illegally-monopolized-ticketing-market-jury-antitrust-trial-rcna273714}}</ref> Rapino had personally testified during the ''United States v. Live Nation Entertainment'', where he denied that Live Nation Entertainment had issued threats, but was instead competing aggressively.<ref name=rapino'scompanytrial /> Despite this claim, at least one recorded phone conversation which was revealed during the trial confirmed that Rapino had personally threatened at least one arena head, in this case the former of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, not to drop Ticketmaster when the arena was considered severing ties to Ticketmaster in favor of rival company SeatGeek, with Rapino stating in the conversation that the Barclays Arena would be risk having tours at the arena cancelled if Ticketmaster was dropped.<ref name=rapino'scompanytrial /><ref name=personalbarclaysthreat>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/04/arts/music/live-nation-trial-barclays-center.html|title=Former Barclays Center Executive Says Live Nation Threatened to Pull Tours|publisher=New York Times|date=March 4, 2026|accessdate=April 16, 2026}}</ref>
=== Film producer === Rapino began producing films in 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/with-a-star-is-born-live-nation-gains-hollywood-clout-1540904400|title=With 'A Star Is Born,' Live Nation Gains Hollywood Clout|last=Steele|first=Anne|date=2018-10-30|work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=2019-05-28|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660}}</ref> In 2018, he was an executive producer on the HBO documentary ''Believer''<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8095198/imagine-dragons-dan-reynolds-believer-hbo-documentary-exclusive-clip|title=Watch Imagine Dragons' Dan Reynolds Wrestle With Faith in 'Believer' HBO Doc: Exclusive Clip|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-05-28}}</ref> and ''A Star is Born''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/a-star-is-born-trailer-lady-gaga-bradley-cooper-1202834045/|title=Bradley Cooper Sings With Lady Gaga in 'A Star Is Born' Trailer|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=2018-06-06|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=2019-05-28}}</ref>
== Personal life == Rapino met his wife, American model and actress Jolene Blalock, when he cast her in a commercial he was shooting.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/the-ticketmaster-23000-events-60-million-attendees-65-billion-sales-meet-michael-rapino-the-man-9181317.html|title=The ticketmaster: 23,000 events, 60 million attendees, $6.5 billion|date=2014-03-10|website=Evening Standard|language=en|access-date=2019-05-28}}</ref> Rapino and Blalock married in Negril, Jamaica, on April 22, 2003, and have three sons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theintelligencer.com/news/article/Actress-Blalock-Sets-Up-Surprise-Wedding-10524772.php|title=Actress Blalock Sets Up Surprise Wedding|agency=AP|date=2003-05-10|website=The Edwardsville Intelligencer|access-date=2019-05-28}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Rapino and Blalock founded the Rapino Foundation, an organization that assists populations in the developing world.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/article/2015/11/09/rihanna-diamond-ball-lionel-richie-kevin-hart/|title=Rihanna's Diamond Ball will feature Lionel Richie, Kevin Hart|website=EW.com|language=en|access-date=2019-06-19}}</ref>
==Honours== In 2015, Rapino was given an honorary doctorate of commerce from Lakehead University.<ref name=":1" /> He also received the Clara Lionel Foundation Diamond Honors Award for his commitment to philanthropy.<ref name=":2" />
== References == <references />
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rapino, Michael}} Category:1965 births Category:Living people Category:American business executives Category:Canadian business executives Category:Lakehead University alumni Category:Live Nation Entertainment Category:Canadian people of Italian descent