Surprise Settlement Blindsides States in Live Nation/Ticketmaster Antitrust Case
The Trump administration unexpectedly settled its case against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, surprising state attorneys general who are continuing the fight against the alleged monopoly.
Surprise Settlement Disrupts Live Nation/Ticketmaster Antitrust Trial
In a sudden turn of events, the Trump administration has blindsided state attorneys general by agreeing to a settlement that stops the pursuit of a breakup of Live Nation and Ticketmaster. The case, which alleged the companies hold a monopoly on live music in America, was in the midst of a trial when the federal government announced the proposed settlement.
Lawsuit Alleges Live Nation/Ticketmaster Monopoly
The US Department of Justice and 27 states, along with the District of Columbia, had sued Live Nation and its Ticketmaster subsidiary in 2024, during the Biden administration. The lawsuit claimed that Live Nation has a monopoly on the delivery of live music in the country and asked a federal court to order the divestiture of Ticketmaster.
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The high-profile case went to trial, with testimony beginning just last week in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. However, the sudden announcement of a proposed settlement between the US government and Live Nation has taken the state attorneys general by surprise.
States Continue Fight Against Alleged Monopoly
The judge presiding over the case reportedly expressed displeasure at the way the settlement was announced, calling it
Source: Ars Technica
