TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a jury verdict against Live Nation Entertainment and its subsidiary Ticketmaster in a federal antitrust case, following a four-day deliberation in a New York court.
According to the attorney general’s office, the jury found that Live Nation operated an illegal monopoly within the live entertainment industry. The case was heard in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, where the state argued that the company’s business practices violated federal antitrust laws.
State officials alleged that Live Nation, which merged with Ticketmaster in 2010, used its market dominance to control multiple aspects of the live event industry, including concert promotion, artist management, venue operations, and ticketing services. The complaint further claimed the company required venues to enter restrictive agreements that limited competition and contributed to higher ticket prices for consumers.
The lawsuit also alleged that these practices reduced consumer choice and led to added fees on ticket purchases. Jurors determined that consumers were overcharged by an estimated $1.72 per ticket. The company could be required to pay damages based on that finding, in addition to any further penalties imposed by the court.
Live Nation has described itself as the largest live entertainment company in the world, with ownership, management, or contractual relationships with hundreds of venues across the United States.
State officials say the verdict represents a step toward increased competition in the ticketing marketplace. Further proceedings are expected to determine financial remedies and any additional enforcement actions.
