Ticketmaster and Live Nation hold 'harmful' anticompetitive monopoly, US jury finds

Lead

A Manhattan federal jury has found that concert giant Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster hold a harmful monopoly over major concert venues in the United States, dealing the company a significant legal defeat in a lawsuit brought by dozens of US states and the District of Columbia. The verdict, reached after four days of deliberation, could cost Live Nation hundreds of millions of dollars and potentially force the sale of some venues, according to multiple reports.

The civil case, initially led by the US federal government, accused Live Nation of using its market dominance to smother competition—for example, by blocking venues from using multiple ticket sellers. The jury concluded that Live Nation abused its market power in ticketing for more than 200 major venues and dozens of large amphitheaters, tying access to its venues to the use of its promotion services.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from ABC Australia, Al Jazeera, and The Guardian all emphasized the potential financial impact of the verdict, noting that Live Nation could face damages in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Deutsche Welle's coverage highlighted the jury's finding that Live Nation abused its market power and noted that potential damages are under $350 million, according to the company. The Guardian's Australia-focused report added a local angle, reporting that the verdict has renewed calls for the Australian government to improve ticketing transparency and for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to intervene.

All sources agreed on the core facts: the jury found Live Nation and Ticketmaster had a harmful monopoly, the company was accused of stifling competition, and internal messages from a Live Nation executive were aired during the trial. However, only The Guardian's Australia report mentioned the jury's identification of a baseline overcharge of US$1.72 per ticket sold by Live Nation, a figure not mentioned in other coverage.

Key Claims

• Monopoly finding: The jury found that Live Nation and Ticketmaster hold a harmful monopoly over big concert venues, according to all five sources. The verdict applies to more than 200 major venues and dozens of large amphitheaters, as reported by Deutsche Welle.

• Anticompetitive conduct: Live Nation was accused of blocking venues from using multiple ticket sellers and tying access to its venues to the use of its promotion services, a claim carried by all sources. The jury concluded this conduct constituted an abuse of market power.

• Financial exposure: Live Nation said potential damages are under $350 million, as reported by Deutsche Welle. Other sources noted the verdict could cost the company hundreds of millions of dollars, with The Guardian reporting that the jury identified a baseline overcharge of US$1.72 per ticket sold by Live Nation.

• Internal messages: During the trial, internal messages from a Live Nation executive were aired, in which the executive declared some prices "outrageous," called customers "so stupid," and boasted that the company was "robbing them blind, baby." The executive, Benjamin Baker, who has since been promoted to a ticketing executive position, testified that the messages were "very immature and unacceptable," according to ABC Australia and The Guardian.

• Separate FTC case: The US Federal Trade Commission has filed a separate case against Ticketmaster, alleging deceptive ticket resale practices, as reported by Deutsche Welle.

Perspectives

Live Nation's response: Live Nation said in a statement that the verdict "is not the last word on this matter," and argued that potential damages are under $350 million. The company has maintained that it is not a monopoly, with a company lawyer insisting that its size was simply a function of excellence and effort. "Success is not against the antitrust laws in the United States," attorney David Marriott said in his summation, as reported by Al Jazeera.

State attorneys general: New York Attorney General Letitia James called the verdict a confirmation of 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." California Attorney General Rob Bonta described the decision as "a historic and resounding victory for artists, fans, and the venues that support them," according to Deutsche Welle.

Australian context: The verdict has triggered renewed calls in Australia for the ACCC to intervene and for the federal government to act on recommendations from a parliamentary inquiry. Independent promoter Paul Sloan told Guardian Australia that ticketing fees in Australia could be closer to A$10 per ticket, while the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) said the US verdict showed the need for a similar investigation in Australia.

Legal experts: Jeffrey Kessler, an attorney for the states, called Live Nation a "monopolistic bully" in his closing argument, saying "It is time to hold them accountable," as reported by Al Jazeera and The Guardian.

Background and Next Steps

The lawsuit was brought under former President Joe Biden after complaints from concertgoers. Days into the trial, the Trump administration moved to settle its claims, with some states joining a proposed $280 million deal pending court approval, but more than 30 states continued the case, according to Deutsche Welle.

The judge has instructed lawyers on both sides to provide a joint letter proposing a schedule for motions and the remedies phase of the case, with a deadline of late next week. Penalties have not yet been decided, but states are expected to seek damages and possibly a forced sale of Ticketmaster, as reported by Deutsche Welle.

The trial also brought Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino to the witness stand, where he was questioned about the company's Taylor Swift ticket debacle in 2022, when the Ticketmaster site crashed during a pre-sale event. Rapino blamed a cyber attack, according to ABC Australia.