US states seek full breakup of Live Nation-Ticketmaster in antitrust remedy request
Federal Judge Arun Subramanian faces pressure to order the sale of the ticketing giant and its amphitheaters following an April jury verdict finding the company an illegal monopolist.
More than 30 US states have formally requested that Federal Judge Arun Subramanian order the breakup of Live Nation-Ticketmaster, seeking the sale of the ticketing giant and a significant number of its large amphitheaters. The request follows an April jury verdict finding the company an illegal monopolist. The states' proposed remedies exceed the terms of the Department of Justice’s settlement, including demands to limit tying arrangements, prevent retaliation against venues, and provide monetary relief for overcharged ticketing fees.
The states’ proposal goes beyond the Department of Justice’s settlement, which was reached one week into the trial. While the DOJ deal required the offloading of some exclusive booking arrangements at over a dozen amphitheaters, it did not mandate the sale of the venues themselves. The states are additionally seeking monetary relief for overcharged ticketing fees, limits on tying arrangements, and protections against retaliation by Live Nation against venues.
Specific demands include limiting Live Nation’s ability to tie access to its remaining amphitheaters to the use of its promotions services. The states are also requesting measures to prevent retaliation against venues and to bar conditioning the ability for a venue to receive a concert on the ticketing platform they use. These measures address specific allegations that emerged during the trial regarding the company’s conduct towards partners.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta indicated earlier this week that the states were considering further breakups of other parts of Live Nation’s business, though the initial proposal does not include these additional measures. The states reserve the right to make further requests as they learn more about the company’s operations and the impact of the verdict.
Live Nation has not immediately responded to requests for comment but has previously promised to fight the verdict. It remains unclear exactly how far Judge Subramanian will be willing to go in ordering the requested remedies, as the legal standard for such a significant structural change is being tested in this proceeding.
