All articles tagged with #ticketmaster
Newly revealed documents allege that Live Nation used its clout to pressure venues, artists, and rivals, even as it faces a New York antitrust trial. The report notes CEO Michael Rapino earned $195 million in compensation over three years—a figure the judge barred the jury from hearing as prejudicial—while the company maintains it is not a monopoly.
A Manhattan jury is closing in on a verdict in the multi-state antitrust case against Live Nation-Ticketmaster, with prosecutors arguing the company maintained monopoly power through coercive venue deals and inflated ticketing charges, while Live Nation defends its product and contends fierce competition exists; a ruling for the states could trigger sweeping industry changes, including potential breakup, though appeals are likely.
In a surprise end to much of the antitrust case, the DOJ and Live Nation reached a settlement that includes a $280 million fund for states, mandated openness of Ticketmaster to rival ticketing platforms, a 15% cap on service fees, and the end of exclusive venue deals with 13 U.S. venues. Arkansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota joined the settlement and withdrew from the suit, while about three dozen states remain in litigation. Kid Rock criticized the deal as a win for Live Nation, even as some attorneys general argue it doesn’t address the core monopoly issue.
Kid Rock criticized the DOJ’s settlement with Live Nation and Ticketmaster over antitrust concerns, saying the case should have gone to trial instead of being settled; the rocker has long opposed the companies, and newly released internal messages showing executives joking about exploiting customers—including Kid Rock’s VIP buyers—have fueled his stance.
The antitrust case against Live Nation-Ticketmaster resumes with the DOJ out of the picture and the states leading the proceedings after a mid-trial settlement. A new litigation team replaces early witnesses, and testimony centers on Live Nation’s control of major US amphitheaters and emails describing a “velvet hammer” approach to pressure venues and promoters. The trial is expected to continue for several more weeks, with Live Nation’s CEO anticipated to testify.
Unsealed Slack messages show Live Nation executives boasting about gouging fans with high ancillary fees (parking, VIP access), a finding that bears on a major antitrust case over the amphitheater monopoly; the US-government settlement could pause the trial, while Live Nation argues the private messages don’t reflect current operations.
Private 2022 Slack messages between Live Nation staff brag about gouging fans with high ancillary and parking fees, cited in a DOJ antitrust suit. The exchanges, released as court exhibits, highlight perceived monopoly power. A settlement accompanying the case caps amphitheater fees at 15% and requires some Ticketmaster tech to be opened to rivals, while Live Nation says the remarks don’t reflect its values and it will investigate.
A Trump-era Department of Justice settlement in a long-running antitrust case against Live Nation Entertainment keeps the Live Nation-Ticketmaster merger intact, preserving a near-total monopoly on live-event ticketing while delivering only limited penalties; the outcome follows years of regulatory pressure and public backlash sparked by the Taylor Swift Eras Tour fiasco.
The U.S. Department of Justice reached a surprise settlement with Live Nation that ends the bid to break up the company and blindsides 27 states and the District of Columbia, who want to continue the antitrust trial. The abrupt exit by the DOJ could mislead the jury, prompting a motion for mistrial as states take the lead in litigation; terms reportedly require non-exclusive ticketing deals, open booking at amphitheaters, and civil penalties, while states continue their suit with New York leading the challenge.
A federal judge urged state attorneys general to settle their Live Nation antitrust claims after a deal with the U.S. was struck, but the states say such a settlement is unlikely and their lawsuits remain unresolved.
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian ordered Live Nation and a coalition of state attorneys general to press ahead with settlement talks this week in the antitrust case accusing the company of monopolizing live events. If no deal is reached, the trial could resume after a brief pause; the DOJ has already struck a separate deal with Live Nation that drew Subramanian’s criticism, while executives say a Friday settlement is unlikely and Rapino must remain in New York during talks.
Michigan will not join the DOJ’s proposed settlement with Live Nation and will continue its separate antitrust lawsuit over ticketing and venue control; Attorney General Dana Nessel called the settlement preposterous. The DOJ's 2024 suit alleged Live Nation monopolized ticket sales and the concert venue market, a claim supported by 29 states, while Live Nation disputes the charges.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar criticized the DOJ's settlement with Live Nation, saying it does little to lower ticket costs, preserve venues, or protect fans, and calling the deal a backroom arrangement reached without input from antitrust lawyers. She urged continued oversight and possible breakup actions, noting a four-year cap on exclusivity as a partial concession.
During the DOJ’s six‑week antitrust trial against Live Nation‑Ticketmaster, witnesses described a climate of fear that venues could be punished for switching, including a SeatGeek‑backed idea of 'retaliation insurance'; though the government announced a settlement, several states plan to press ahead with claims, underscoring concerns that Live Nation’s dominance extends beyond ticketing to control major amphitheaters.
Live Nation and Ticketmaster have agreed to a $280 million settlement with the DOJ and 40 states, which requires divesting 13 amphitheaters, capping amphitheater service fees at 15%, and opening Ticketmaster’s technology to rival ticket sellers to boost competition in primary ticketing. Reactions are mixed, with some states vowing to continue litigation while DOJ officials say the changes will lower prices.