DOJ to announce antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation as soon as Thursday
DOJ Targets Live Nation: Monopoly Play?
The U.S. Department of Justice is set to file an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster, potentially as early as Thursday. This legal action, reported by sources who wish to remain anonymous, targets the company's extensive control over concert venues and event promotions.
What specific allegations is the Justice Department expected to make in its antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation?
The Justice Department is expected to file an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster, as soon as Thursday. The lawsuit will take aim at Ticketmaster's use of exclusive venue contracts for its ticketing services, according to sources familiar with the matter6. The allegations revolve around claims that Live Nation has been abusing its power in the ticketing market, leveraging its dominance in a way that undermines competition for ticketing live events4. The company has been under investigation since at least 2022 over these claims4.
On what grounds is the Justice Department likely to base its antitrust case against Live Nation?
The Justice Department is likely to base its antitrust case against Live Nation on the allegation that the company has leveraged its commanding share of the live event ticketing market in a way that undermines competition. This comes after intense scrutiny from lawmakers and consumer advocacy groups over botched ticket sales and the company's industry dominance, which critics argue is harming rivals, musicians, and fans3. Live Nation's subsidiary, Ticketmaster, has faced criticism for its handling of events, such as Taylor Swift's "Eras" tour in 2022, which fueled demands for the two companies to be investigated for harming consumers through their dominance of the live event market.