Live Nation and Ticketmaster Could Soon Face Federal Antitrust Lawsuit
Live Nation and Ticketmaster may finally face a federal antitrust lawsuit after years of criticism from fans and politicians over how the entertainment giant may have abused its power as the dominant force in the live music industry.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the Department of Justice’s antitrust division is preparing to file a lawsuit against Live Nation in the next few weeks. No exact date was given, nor were specific details about the suit. But sources reportedly said it would accuse Live Nation, which owns Ticketmaster, of using its standing and power in the industry to undermine competition.
A rep for Live Nation did not immediately return Rolling Stone’s request for comment. A rep for the DOJ’s antitrust division declined to comment.
The suit will potentially arrive two years after the DOJ launched an investigation into Live Nation and Ticketmaster. While the probe had begun earlier in the year, it was first revealed in Nov. 2022 after Ticketmaster’s disastrous on-sale rollout for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. The debacle put a magnifying glass on many issues that had long dogged fans, like wait times and high price mark-ups. Politicians soon piled on, too, expressing concerns about anticompetitive practices and Live Nation’s alleged monopoly over the live entertainment industry.
