A federal judge now has a big decision to make: should Live Nation-Ticketmaster be broken up? More than 30 states are pushing Judge Arun Subramanian to order a sale of the ticketing giant. They also want the company to sell off a “sufficient number” of its large amphitheaters. Plus, they want limits on how Live Nation can tie access to its venues to its promotion services.
This all comes after a jury found Live Nation to be an illegal monopolist in April. The trial lasted over a month. Now, the states are requesting remedies that go much further than what the Department of Justice (DOJ) initially proposed.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta told The Verge earlier this week that they were considering a further breakup of other parts of Live Nation’s business. The initial proposal doesn't include it, but the states are keeping their options open. They say they might make additional requests as they get more information.
It's not clear how far Judge Subramanian will go. The states' requests are much bigger than what the DOJ got in its settlement with Live Nation, which happened just a week into the trial. That deal included a promise to get rid of some exclusive booking arrangements at more than a dozen amphitheaters. It didn't include selling the venues themselves.
The states are also targeting specific issues that came up during the trial. For example, they want to prevent Live Nation from retaliating against venues. They also want to stop Live Nation from making a venue's access to concerts depend on which ticketing platform they use. The states are also seeking money back for overcharged ticketing fees.
The states want Live Nation to change its ways. They're asking the court to bar Live Nation from “conditioning the ability for a venue to receive a concert on which ticketing platform they use.”
Live Nation hasn't commented yet. But the company has said it will fight the verdict. This case could significantly change the live entertainment industry.
