Live Nation operated as monopoly, overcharged customers, jury finds

A New York jury found that Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster maintained an illegal monopoly on the live event market in the latest action against the entertainment giant.

Manhattan jurors reached the verdict on Wednesday, April 15, after a lengthy trial that began on March 2 and included testimony from dozens of witnesses, including well-recognized names in the live entertainment industry.

"This is a landmark victory in our ongoing work to protect our economy and New Yorkers’ wallets from harmful monopolies,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James in an April 15 statement.

“For far too long, Live Nation and Ticketmaster have taken advantage of fans and artists by raising prices for tickets and stifling any competition that threatened their power," she said. "A jury found what we have long known to be true: Live Nation and Ticketmaster are breaking the law and costing consumers millions of dollars in the process."

The suit was brought in 2024 by the Department of Justice and 39 states plus the District of Columbia. Officials accused the company of "anticompetitive conduct" that included retaliating against competitors, restricting artists' access to venues and using long-term contracts to block rival ticket sellers and drive up prices.

Live Nation has denied any wrongdoing. When the lawsuit was first brought, it issued a statement saying the bulk of ticket fees go to venues and that competition has eroded Ticketmaster’s market share.

"The DOJ's lawsuit won't solve the issues fans care about relating to ticket prices, service fees, and access to in-demand shows,” the statement said.

USA TODAY has reached out to Live Nation for comment.

Live Nation, Ticketmaster under pressure from fresh scrutiny

Live Nation/Ticketmaster is no stranger to criticism – or lawsuits. It underwent newfound scrutiny in 2022 after ticket sales for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour resulted in major delays and errors in online queues.

The company, an industry power player that reportedly earned $25 billion in revenue and $500 million in profit last year, controls roughly 70%-80% of major concert and live‑event ticket sales and owns a significant share of venues and concert promotions, as reported by USA TODAY.

It was accused, among other actions, of forcing performers to use its in-house promotion services at venues it owned, effectively allowing it to control marketing and ticketing across the industry.

The DOJ and a handful of state attorneys general previously settled with the ticket seller on March 10, agreeing to a deal that includes the divestment of up to 13 of its amphitheaters nationwide. The agreement would also place a 15% cap on service fees for people who want to use the venues, USA TODAY previously reported.

More than 30 states, including New York, declined the settlement, instead choosing to go to trial.

Wednesday's verdict found Live Nation and Ticketmaster liable for harming the music industry as a whole, said California Attorney General Rob Bonta in a statement.

"This is a historic and resounding victory for artists, fans, and the venues that support them,” he said. The statement further explained that a judge will now determine how much the company owes in damages and consumer restitution.

The company recently garnered ill will after messages from a ticketing employee calling customers "so stupid" and discussing "robbing them blind" were released in court filings.

Contributing: Taijuan Moorman, Aysha Bagchi, Bart Jansen, Melina Khan, USA TODAY; Reuters