Live Nation and Ticketmaster operated as Monopoly – that’s the verdict of the new jury ruling

A federal jury in Manhattan Thursday, April 15, found Live Nation Entertainment and its subsidiary Ticketmaster responsible for functioning as a monopoly, as per theprp. Due to antitrust concerns, the U.S. Department of Justice first launched an inquiry into the corporations several years ago. In 2024, the agency filed an antitrust case. According to the lawsuit, Live Nation and Ticketmaster were involved in a “illegal monopoly” in the live entertainment sector. The business was charged with misusing exclusivity agreements to intimidate venues who opted to collaborate with other promotion firms and lock out competing promoters. Additionally, the corporation was accused of forcing venues to use Ticketmaster exclusively.

The aforementioned corporations and the U.S. Department of Justice reached a settlement regarding the accusations in March of last year. at addition to being required to give up their exclusive booking agreements at 13 of their venues, Live Nation and Ticketmaster were scheduled to pay up to $280 million in damages from that settlement. Additionally, they have to enable certain venues to use ticketing services outside of the Live Nation/Ticketmaster ecosystem and cap service fees at 15%. Early on in the antitrust inquiry, Kid Rock, a rapper and country music artist and close friend of U.S. President Donald J. Trump, provided advice. In the course of the lawsuit, he also became a prominent character by providing testimony.

I don’t understand why they would negotiate a settlement. Why not just let it see its course? Let’s see what 12 people decide. – Kid Rock

Rock would eventually collaborate with Ticketmaster once more for his 2026 touring plans, despite his vehement criticism of Live Nation and Ticketmaster during the hearings. Following the settlement, the U.S. Department of Justice withdrew from the lawsuit in March. Approximately thirty additional states, including New York, California, and others, then pursued the civil case, which resulted in today’s decision. As those talks are still ongoing, it’s unclear how this shocking decision would affect the businesses. Attorney General Rob Bonta of California, however, has praised today’s decision as a victory.

In the face of dwindling antitrust enforcement by the Trump Administration, this verdict shows just how far states can go to protect our residents from big corporations that are using their power to illegally raise prices and rip-off Americans. We are incredibly proud of today’s outcome — and especially proud of our coalition made up of red and blue states alike who understood we needed to come together to protect our consumers, businesses, and state economies from Live Nation’s illegal conduct.

In reaction to today’s decision, Live Nation Entertainment released the following statement.

The jury’s verdict is not the last word on this matter. Pending motions will determine whether the liability and damages rulings stand. Live Nation will soon renew its motion for judgment as a matter of law, which the Court deferred until after the jury returned its verdict. That motion addresses all liability theories. The Court previously noted that Live Nation’s motion raises serious issues.

There is also a pending motion to strike the damages testimony on which the jury’s award was based. The Court deferred ruling on that motion as well, while noting significant concerns with the damages expert’s analysis. Of course, Live Nation can and will appeal any unfavorable rulings on these motions.

The jury’s award of $1.72 per ticket applies to a limited number of tickets—those sold at 257 venues, which represent about 20% of total tickets—and only to purchases by fans (excluding brokers) in certain states over the past five years. Based on that scope, we believe the aggregate single damages figure would be below $150 million, which would be trebled. In connection with the DOJ settlement, Live Nation has already accrued $280 million toward state damages and civil penalty claims.

Injunctive relief will be determined by the Court after the states make a remedy proposal, which we expect in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the Tunney Act proceedings regarding the DOJ settlement will continue. We remain confident that the ultimate outcome of the States’ case will not be materially different than what is envisioned by the DOJ settlement.