Live Nation Found Illegal Monopoly; Prices Stay High
Get the Culture newsletter
Daily culture — film, music, books, the trends and ideas worth your attention. Free.
- Live Nation and its ticketing arm Ticketmaster were found by a unanimous New York jury to run an unlawful monopoly in the concert industry, a verdict brought by a coalition of 33 states and D.C.
- Judge Arun Subramanian has not yet issued a remedy for the verdict, which could include a breakup of Live Nation and Ticketmaster, and Live Nation has pledged to appeal.
- Attorney Aaron Silvenis said a breakup might eventually allow competition, but he does not expect ticket prices to drop dramatically in the near term.
- Benjamin Baker was quoted in internal Slack messages describing fees as “fucking outrageous” and fans as “robbing them blind,” showing internal acknowledgment of high fees.
- Michael Rapino faced a 2016 email stating “Our fees are too high we can’t defend them,” indicating senior‑level awareness of fee concerns.
- National Consumers League argues that dismantling Live Nation’s “flywheel” of ticketing, venues, promotion, and concessions could eventually lower prices, though demand and artist‑set pricing also drive costs.
Why it matters: Fans and rival promoters could benefit if a court‑ordered breakup dismantles Live Nation’s integrated ticketing network, but the verdict alone won’t cut prices soon because fees are set by artists and demand stays high, while Live Nation prepares an appeal, extending the timeline for any changes.
