The trial that could change the way you purchase concert tickets is underway.
Jury selection began Monday, March 2, in New York in the civil antitrust lawsuit brought by the U.S. Department of Justice in May 2024 and joined by Iowa, 39 other states and Washington D.C.
The company, the largest concert promoter and venue owner in the world, operates Waukee’s Vibrant Music Hall and handles ticketing for many other venues through its sales unit Ticketmaster, also the largest globally.
The suit alleges Live Nation relies on “unlawful, anticompetitive conduct to exercise its monopolistic control over the live events industry in the United States,” then-U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said at the time of the filing.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird joined the suit in August 2024, saying, “When companies like Live Nation and Ticketmaster form monopolies, Americans are left to pay the price. I am suing to uphold the law and ensure that no American has to grapple with inflated prices or poor customer service because Live Nation and Ticketmaster have stifled competition.”
The 2010 merger of Live Nation with Ticketmaster is the focal point of the suit.
“Live Nation harms fans through higher fees and a, frankly, terrible ticketing experience and threatens venues with loss of access to tours and artists if they don’t enter into long and exclusive agreements with the company,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement released Saturday. “Add this all up and what do we get? Bad service, bad experiences, and higher ticket prices, all while Live Nation rakes in the cash. We look forward to proving our case and holding Live Nation accountable.”
Live Nation and Ticketmaster control at least 80% of primary ticketing at major concert venues in the U.S. and directly manage more than 400 artists. Live Nation also owns or controls more than 60% of the large concert amphitheaters in the country.
“The DOJ’s lawsuit won’t solve the issues fans care about relating to ticket prices, service fees and access to in-demand shows,” Live Nation said in a statement at the time of filing. “Calling Ticketmaster a monopoly may be a PR win for the DOJ in the short term, but it will lose in court because it ignores the basic economics of live entertainment, such as the fact that the bulk of service fees go to venues, and that competition has steadily eroded Ticketmaster’s market share and profit margin.”
If there’s a ruling in the government’s favor that does not include divestiture, possible options, according to Terry Camp, senior entertainment and litigation attorney for Marin Goodman LLP, include:
A ruling could “set extraordinarily enhanced monetary penalties for violations of the terms of a consent order or judgment if a trial reaches verdict,” Camp said in an email. “Overall, it’s time that Live Nation accepts non-exclusive, non-long term and non-coercive. For the consumer, something good will come of this.”
Opening statements in the trial are expected Tuesday.
(This article was edited to correct information.)
Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at cjordan@app.com
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: DOJ vs. Live Nation Ticketmaster: What we know about the trial
Reporting by Chris Jordan, Asbury Park Press / Asbury Park Press
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