Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said on Mar. 9 that a coalition of state attorneys general will continue the antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation, which owns Ticketmaster, for allegedly monopolizing the live entertainment and concert ticketing industry.
The case is significant because it addresses concerns about competition in the live music marketplace and aims to protect consumers from high ticket prices and limited access to events. The group of states joined the U.S. Department of Justice in May 2024 to challenge what they describe as illegal monopoly practices by Live Nation.
“In May 2024, a bipartisan group of state attorneys general joined the U.S. Department of Justice to sue Live Nation for monopolizing the market for ticketing and using its monopoly power in the concert venue market to reinforce and protect that monopoly. For too long, Live Nation has raked in billions from a monopoly that has made it harder for consumers to see the artists they love, stifled artists, and increased the price of tickets for countless music fans,” Davenport said.
Davenport also addressed a recent settlement announcement, stating: “The case against Live Nation is strong, and the state coalition is committed to holding the company accountable for its illegal behavior, protecting consumers, and restoring competition to this market. The settlement recently announced does not adequately remedy the harms to the marketplace for live music and to concertgoers caused by Live Nation. We are willing and able to stand with other partner states to continue litigating this case without the federal government so that we can hold Live Nation accountable in court and secure appropriate relief in this case.”
“As state attorneys general and antitrust enforcers, we are fully committed to protecting our citizens from illegal monopolies and restoring competition to the live music marketplace,” Davenport said.
States continuing with litigation include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming as well as the District of Columbia.
The New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin plays a key role in these efforts through statewide enforcement authority over legal standards affecting public safety according to its official website. The office provides services such as law enforcement oversight and consumer protection initiatives across all counties according to its official website. Its statutory mandate includes prosecuting offenses and regulating public safety matters throughout New Jersey according to its official website.