Almost two years since the antitrust lawsuit was first filed, a jury has found that Live Nation and Ticketmaster operated as an illegal monopoly in the US.
Initially filed in May 2024, the lawsuit claimed that companies had held a monopoly on live events in the US, with criticism tracing back to the 2009 merger between Live Nation and Ticketmaster, following which they became Live Nation Entertainment.
The lawsuit centred around allegations that Live Nation Entertainment had engaged in “anticompetitive conduct,” ultimately resulting in higher fees for fans, while artists and venues were allegedly forced to use Ticketmaster when it came to selling tickets.
At the time, then-US Attorney General Merrick Garland said it was time to “restore competition and innovation” within the American entertainment industry, adding that the American people are “ready” for the dissolution of Live Nation and Ticketmaster.
Now, a jury this week found that the company indeed held an illegal monopoly over the US events industry.
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In a statement, Omeed A. Assefi, the Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, said the finding was a “fantastic outcome for the American people.”
“DOJ and some states settled their case and got instant relief,” Assefi added. “The remaining states received a liability finding and will now move on to the next phase of a remedies trial. Everyone but Live Nation wins with this scenario.”
Live Nation Entertainment had previously denied allegations of operating as a monopoly, instead claiming they had “fiercely” competed with their rivals in the events industry.
"The jury’s verdict is not the last word on this matter,” the company said in their own statement following the finding. “Pending motions will determine whether the liability and damages rulings stand."
Currently, it remains to be seen what penalties will be ordered by Judge Arun Subramanian, though Live Nation Entertainment are expected to appeal the decision.
While the initial complaint called for a break-up for Live Nation and Ticketmaster, the ABC reports that the companies could be on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars (to cover the $US1.72 per ticket that the jury found Ticketmaster overcharged consumers by in 22 US states), and the potential divestment of their entities, including venues owned by the company.
The Department Of Justice did not see the case through to the end, having settled with Live Nation Entertainment last month.
As the BBC notes, a group of Democratic senators penned a letter criticising the Department Of Justice’s settlement, claiming it “fails to restore competition and protect fans, artists, and independent venues.”
"There is credible evidence that Ticketmaster controls more than 70% of all major concert venues with exclusive ticketing contracts, and Live Nation controls 80% of the major concert amphitheatres market," the letter said in part.
