Live Nation antitrust discussion
Podcast hosts discussed a federal jury finding Live Nation/Ticketmaster guilty of monopoly violations and cited claims Ticketmaster overcharged consumers by $1.72 per ticket, with remedies to be decided by a judge. (x.com)
A federal jury in Manhattan found on April 15 that Live Nation and Ticketmaster illegally maintained monopoly power in concert ticketing and major venues. The judge, not the jury, will decide the remedy in a later phase. (apnews.com) (attorneygeneral.gov) Jurors also found Ticketmaster overcharged consumers by an average of $1.72 per ticket in the plaintiff states at major concert venues. NBC News reported the trial lasted about five weeks, and the jury deliberated for four days before returning its verdict. (nbcnews.com) (attorneygeneral.gov) The case was originally brought in 2024 by the U.S. Department of Justice and dozens of state attorneys general. During the trial, the Justice Department settled its own claims on March 9, 2026, but a coalition of more than 30 states rejected that deal and kept going. (nbcnews.com) (ag.ny.gov) That split is why this verdict matters beyond one damages number. The states now have a jury finding on liability that could give the judge room to consider stronger fixes than the federal settlement offered. (cbsnews.com) (attorneygeneral.gov) The March settlement called for Ticketmaster to divest at least 13 amphitheaters, open more ticket inventory to outside sellers, and cap some service fees at 15%. It did not require Live Nation and Ticketmaster to separate. (cbsnews.com) (pbs.org) State lawyers argued Live Nation used exclusive ticketing contracts and control of amphitheaters, tours, and promotions to squeeze rivals and lock venues into Ticketmaster. CNBC reported plaintiffs said the company controls 86% of the concert market and 73% of the broader live-events market including sports, figures Live Nation disputed in court. (cnbc.com) (attorneygeneral.gov) Live Nation said the verdict is not final and said it will challenge the outcome through post-trial motions and appeals. The company has argued that artists, teams, and venues set prices and ticketing terms, and that antitrust law does not punish a company simply for being large. (nbcnews.com) (cnbc.com) Ticketmaster has faced monopoly complaints for decades, including Pearl Jam’s fight in the 1990s and the backlash over Taylor Swift’s 2022 Eras Tour onsale. This verdict does not automatically send refunds to fans, but it moves the case into the phase where a judge can decide money damages and structural changes. (cbsnews.com) (apnews.com)
