Summary
A federal jury decided that Live Nation and its Ticketmaster subsidiary hold illegal monopolies in ticket sales and concert venues, leading to fans being overcharged. The ruling favors US states that continued the case after the Trump administration dropped out, and damages and possible company breakup are still to be decided.
Key Facts
- A federal jury ruled Live Nation and Ticketmaster have illegal monopolies in ticket sales and large concert venues.
- The jury found Ticketmaster overcharged fans by about $1.72 per ticket in 22 states.
- Live Nation requires artists using its large venues to also use its event promotion services.
- The case was held in US District Court for the Southern District of New York over five weeks.
- The Trump administration stopped pursuing the case and agreed to a settlement, but only six states joined it.
- The remaining 33 states and the District of Columbia continued the lawsuit and won the jury ruling.
- Possible remedies include financial damages and breaking up the company by separating Live Nation from Ticketmaster.
- A former Trump-appointed antitrust official praised the states' effort in winning the case.
