DOJ push to break up Live Nation-Ticketmaster gets 10 more states

Ten other states have joined the federal government’s request to break up Ticketmaster and Live Nation’s alleged illegal monopoly over the live entertainment industry, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Monday.

The department was joined by 29 states and the District of Columbia then DEPOSIT trial in the Southern District of New York in May. Now, attorneys general from several states — including Louisiana, New Mexico and Utah — are joining them, expanding the group of plaintiffs to 40 members.

They accuse Live Nation of relying on illegal and anti-competitive behavior to maintain its control over the live entertainment industry, which harms venues, artists, consumers and promoters.

According to the DOJ complaint, Live Nation controls approximately 80% of the main ticket sales at major concert venues and 60% of the concert promotions. Smaller companies Live Nation identified internally as “threats” were acquired, while venues that did not work with it were threatened with losing access to some tours.

Dan Wall, who heads Live Nation’s corporate and regulatory affairs department, said in May that the lawsuit was the result of “intense political pressure” and lobbying from rivals and ticket brokers. The company also said that breaking it up would not result in lower ticket prices or fees.

In 2010, a merger between Live Nation and Ticketmaster was approved by the Department of Justice on the condition that the new entity not retaliate against venues that refused to work with Ticketmaster. That deal provided Live Nation Entertainment (LYV) controlling over 70% of the ticket and live event market.

In 2019, Live Nation settled a DOJ lawsuit which accused her of violating those terms on five separate occasions, including threats that the company would withhold tours from concert venues that did not renew their contracts with Ticketmaster. That consent decree was subsequent prolonged until 2025 and an independent monitor was appointed to investigate other allegations.

In November 2022, the DOJ opened a new investigation into the company to investigate how it outbids rival ticketing services, concert promoters and other players in the live music industry. Politico reported at the time. The investigation came as Live Nation faced a barrage of criticism when it allegedly was wrong ticket sales for Taylor Swift setting records — and stimulating the economy — The Tour of Eras.

When tickets went on sale that month, overwhelming demand crashed the Ticketmaster website, leading to huge reaction from Swiftiespublic apologies in congressional hearings and a new wave of scrutiny. Several US senators advocated for the dissolution of the companyas they have rivalry.