US jury finds Live Nation and Ticketmaster operated as illegal monopoly, broke antitrust laws

A US federal jury has found that entertainment giant Live Nation acted as an illegal monopoly and broke US anti trust laws in a landmark case that could shape the live music industry.

Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster were sued by more than 30 US states, which were able to convince a New York jury after a four-day deliberation that the live music conglomerate constituted a monopoly by way of its control over ticketing, concert promotions, and venues.

Live Nation Entertainment owns and operates, has equity in, or controls bookings for hundreds of venues, with Ticketmaster operating as arguably the world’s largest ticket vendor for live events.

State attorneys general who sued Live Nation said the verdict could potentially lead to lower ticket prices for music fans, but that’s unlikely to be immediate.

Live Nation denied it was a monopoly, suggesting artists, sports teams and venues determine prices and ticketing practices. It claimed its size reflected its effort and excellence.

“Success is not against the antitrust laws in the United States,” attorney David Marriott said.

The ruling could cost Live Nation hundreds of millions of dollars and force the company to sell a portion of its concert venues, with Judge Arun Subramanian to dish out penalties at a second hearing.

It is also likely that Live Nation will appeal the verdict, which would extend the case for several more years.

The trial is said to have given fans a peek behind the curtain of one of the most powerful company’s in entertainment globally.

Jurors were afforded access to private internal messages sent from one Live Nation employee to another, who claimed some prices were “outrageous”, labelling customers “so stupid”, and boasting the company was “robbing them blind, baby”.

In recent years, major artists such as Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, and The Cure have condemned the actions of Live Nation.

Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino testified, suggesting a cyber attack was behind Swift’s 2022 Eras Tour pre-sale ticket horror show that saw bots crash the site and lock out fans for hours.

In March, the Justice Department reached a settlement with Live Nation and Ticketmaster which aimed to give consumers more options and lower prices, but that would ultimately avoid separating the two.

A handful of states agreed to the terms, however more than 30 pushed ahead with the trial.

Live Nation has been contacted for comment.

- With AP