Ticketmaster’s Monopoly Case Has Serious Consequences
Ticketmaster and Live Nation both got put on notice today after a court ruled that they had been acting as a monopoly. Now, the decision is poised to have some far-reaching effects.
Up in New York, a jury found that the two ticket platforms had violated US and state antitrust laws. Back in 2024, the US Justice Department filed a suit that alleged that the 2010 merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster created an illegal monopoly. A lot of music fans on the ground would agree with that assessment.
Now, concertgoers wonder if the Department of Justice will go after other antitrust violations. It’s not like there is a shortage of them in our current context in the United States. Hysterically, the Trump administration decided to settle instead of trying to take these matters to court. But, the individual states wanted to listen to the pleas of their constituents.
Make no mistake, people are fired up to hear this news. The Ticketmaster and Live Nation pricing system has ballooned in the year since 2018 2019., that might even be too generous, and people are looking for ways to participate in their favorite hobbies again.
“We filed this case in 2024 because Live Nation and Ticketmaster used their dominance to lock out and intimidate rivals and drive up costs,” Doha Mekki, a law instructor at UC Berkeley who previously worked for the government said to Axios.
The statement continued, “Today’s decision affirms that even the most powerful companies are not above the law – and it sends a strong signal that lawyers and citizens have the power to take on monopolies even when the federal government falls down on its obligation to do so.”
Ticketmaster and Live Nation Put up resistance
Anyone should have guessed Live Nation would not take this judgment just quietly. They issued a statement saying that although the jury’s verdict came through and they respect the decision, they won’t be rolling over for the United States justice system. A bold claim, but let’s see how it works out for them. The two ticket giants plan to appeal any unfavorable rulings, so get comfortable, we’re going to be here for a while.
“The jury’s verdict is not the last word on this matter. Pending motions will determine whether the liability and damages rulings stand,” the company began. “Live Nation will soon renew its motion for judgment as a matter of law, which the Court deferred until after the jury returned its verdict. That motion addresses all liability theories. The Court previously noted that Live Nation’s motion raises serious issues.”
“There is also a pending motion to strike the damages testimony on which the jury’s award was based,” Live Nation continued. “The Court deferred ruling on that motion as well, while noting significant concerns with the damages expert’s analysis. Of course, Live Nation can and will appeal any unfavorable rulings on these motions.”
The secret element of the Ticketmaster ruling
Maybe the most interesting part of this ruling is that Ticketmaster and Live Nation would have to divest from entertainment venues that they purchased over the course of the last 20 years. Not every single one, but more than you might think. Some of these iconic venues are the lifeblood of live entertainment in their chosen communities. Having them change ownership is going to be an ordeal for the people living there.
But, The residents would probably agree that getting rid of the monopoly maneuvering from Ticketmaster and Live Nation is worth all of that fervor. The future is coming whether these corporations know it or not. Moves like this signal a realignment towards better experiences for users. Everything isn’t done in one large swoop, but the small moments will play a big role later on.
(featured image: Wendy Wei on Pexels.)
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