AG’s Rejects Live Nation Settlement, AG Vows to Continue Antitrust Fight Over Ticketmaster

Black Press Media USA

District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb said the city will continue pursuing its antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment despite a settlement reached between the company and the U.S. Department of Justice, arguing the agreement fails to address what he describes as a deeply entrenched monopoly over the live entertainment industry.

The case targets Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster, and alleges the company used its market dominance to control ticketing services, concert promotions, and venue access across the country. The District joined a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general and federal officials who filed the lawsuit in May 2024, accusing Live Nation of illegally monopolizing the market for concert tickets and live entertainment.

“DC’s live entertainment scene is vital to our local economy and culture, and the recently announced settlement is simply not adequate,” Schwalb said. “Live Nation has raked in billions from an illegal monopoly that stifles artists, harms venues, and makes it harder for fans to see the performers they love. We will continue fighting to hold Live Nation accountable and restore competition to the live entertainment industry.”

The Justice Department’s agreement with Live Nation includes $200 million in damages and a series of changes to the company’s ticketing practices. Under the settlement, Ticketmaster will no longer be able to require venues to use its platform exclusively, venues will be allowed to sell tickets through competing vendors, and ticketing fees will be capped at 15 percent of the ticket price.

The settlement also requires Live Nation to divest more than 10 percent of its share of amphitheaters nationwide. The lawsuit alleged that Live Nation controlled roughly 78 percent of major amphitheaters, giving the company enormous influence over concert promotions and ticket sales.

Despite those changes, attorneys general representing multiple states, including the District of Columbia, say the agreement does not fully address what they describe as anticompetitive practices tied to Live Nation’s control of both concert promotion and ticketing services.

Court filings submitted in federal court in New York show that the coalition of states asked the court to declare a mistrial and pause proceedings after the federal government reached its agreement with Live Nation in the middle of the trial. The states argued that the sudden settlement altered the structure of the case and could affect their ability to present witnesses, experts, and other evidence before the jury.

The motion states that the midtrial settlement “materially and irreparably prejudiced the Plaintiff States before the currently empaneled jury” and changed the nature of the proceedings, prompting the states to request a new trial and additional time to prepare their case.

Ticketmaster data reportedly shows the District records far more ticket sales per resident than any state, making the city a major hub for concerts and touring events. Local venues range from Capital One Arena, which can host more than 20,000 fans, to smaller clubs and theaters that anchor the city’s music scene.

According to the lawsuit, Live Nation controls two central elements of that market. The company serves as the exclusive ticketing provider for the largest venues in the District while also operating as the dominant concert promoter responsible for booking artists.

Attorneys general say that dual roles leave artists and venues with limited alternatives when planning shows, giving Live Nation significant control over ticket pricing and contractual terms. The lawsuit contends that the company’s control of promotions and ticketing forces fans to pay higher prices while limiting competition from rival ticketing platforms.

The original complaint sought several remedies, including financial compensation for consumers who allegedly paid inflated ticket prices and structural changes to restore competition in the industry. The states also asked the court to prohibit future anti-competitive practices and order the company to divest Ticketmaster.

A large coalition of attorneys general joined the case alongside the District. The group includes officials from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Schwalb said the District intends to keep pressing the case in court.

“We will continue fighting to hold Live Nation accountable and restore competition to the live entertainment industry,” he demanded.