WASHINGTON, DC, Tuesday, June 11, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Justice, joined by 30 state and district attorneys generals, filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment Inc. and its subsidiary, Ticketmaster LLC.1
The suit alleges monopolization and other unlawful conduct that stifles competition in the live entertainment industry. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, seeks to restore competition, lower prices for fans, and provide more opportunities for musicians and other performance artists.
The complaint asserts that Live Nation-Ticketmaster violates Section 2 of the Sherman Act by maintaining monopoly power in several concert promotions and primary ticketing markets.
This, the complaint claims, forces music fans to use outdated ticketing technology and pay higher prices. Additionally, the company’s dominance over performers, venues, and independent promoters is said to harm competition.
“We allege that Live Nation relies on unlawful, anticompetitive conduct to exercise its monopolistic control over the live events industry in the United States at the cost of fans, artists, smaller promoters, and venue operators,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.
“The result is that fans pay more in fees, artists have fewer opportunities, smaller promoters get squeezed out, and venues have fewer choices for ticketing services.”
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco added, “Today’s announcement reflects our efforts to combat corporate misconduct. Our fight against anticompetitive conduct includes an intense focus on behaviors that disadvantage consumers, workers, and businesses. This complaint alleges that Live Nation-Ticketmaster engaged in such conduct to cement their dominance.”
The lawsuit highlights various exclusionary practices by Live Nation-Ticketmaster.
It alleges that the company exploits its relationship with Oak View Group to avoid competition and threatens financial retaliation against firms and venues that work with rivals.
Additionally, Live Nation-Ticketmaster is accused of locking venues into long-term exclusive contracts and blocking the use of multiple ticketing services.
The complaint also claims that the company restricts artists’ access to key venues unless they use Live Nation’s promotion services and acquires smaller competitors to undermine competition.
Live Nation Entertainment Inc., headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, describes itself as the “largest live entertainment company in the world.” It controls over 265 concert venues in North America and generates more than $22 billion annually from its concerts, ticketing, and sponsorship segments. Ticketmaster, its wholly owned subsidiary, is the largest concert ticketing company in the U.S.
For more information, view the complaint on the Department of Justice’s website.
- Ticketmaster: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-live-nation-ticketmaster-monopolizing-markets-across-live-concert[↩]
