The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday reached an agreement with Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster, in its antitrust lawsuit, settling claims that the entertainment company holds a monopoly in the live event business, weakening competition and driving up prices for consumers.
According to CBS News, “Under the settlement, Live Nation agreed to pay $280 million in civil penalties to 40 states that sued the company over its practices and to sell some of its amphitheaters.”
According to multiple sources who reported to CBS News, “Ticketmaster must also open technology to allow other ticket sellers to use its platform to reach customers.”
The case, brought under former President Joe Biden’s administration in 2024, accused the entertainment company of using threats, retaliation, and other methods to “suffocate the competition” by controlling nearly every aspect of the industry.
The DOJ accused Live Nation of using long-term contracts to prevent music venues from choosing rival platforms, blocking music venues from using multiple ticket vendors, and threatening venues by claiming that the spaces could lose revenue and customers if they didn’t use Ticketmaster. DOJ stated that these practices have allowed Live Nation to maintain an advantage over the live music business.
The agreement comes less than a week after the DOJ’s antitrust trial against the entertainment company commenced in a New York court.
"This case is about power, the power of a monopolist to control competition," David Dahlquist, a Justice Department lawyer, said during opening statements on March 3, according to the Associated Press.
Ticketmaster and Live Nation Entertainment have previously had several disagreements with major artists such as Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen.
Ticketmaster, founded in 1976, was acquired by Live Nation in 2010, later merging into Live Nation Entertainment. The ticketing platform is the world’s largest ticket vendor for sports, theater, live music, and more.
