Jury sides with Arizona, other states in antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster, Live Nation

PHOENIX – A federal jury on Wednesday sided with Arizona and over 30 other states in their antitrust lawsuit against concert giant Live Nation and Ticketmaster.

Ticketmaster is a subsidiary of Live Nation Entertainment, which owns and operates or has an equity interest in hundreds of venues, including Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre, Arizona Financial Theatre and the Van Buren in Phoenix.

After a five-week trial, the jury agreed that Live Nation used its monopolistic position to keep ticket services other than Ticketmaster from being used at its venues.

The Justice Department, joined by dozens of states, brought the civil lawsuit during the Biden administration. Days into the trial, the Trump administration announced it was settling its claims against Live Nation.

While a few states joined the government settlement, Arizona and more than 30 others didn’t think it was sufficient and pressed on with their case.

“The Trump administration gave up the fight and wanted to let these companies off the hook easily. But we kept fighting for every Arizonan who has been charged too much by this illegal monopoly and we won. This is a major victory for fairness and competitive free markets,” Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a press release.

What happens next after ruling against Live Nation, Ticketmaster

A judge told lawyers on both sides to meet and provide a joint letter proposing a schedule for motions and how the remedies phase of the case would occur.

The verdict could cost Live Nation and Ticketmaster hundreds of millions of dollars, just for the $1.72 per ticket that the jury found Ticketmaster had overcharged consumers in 22 states. The companies could also be assessed penalties. In addition, sanctions could result in court orders that they divest themselves of some entities, including venues such as amphitheaters that they own.

Live Nation argued it’s not a monopoly, saying that artists, sports teams and venues decide prices and ticketing practices. A company lawyer insisted its size was simply a function of excellence and effort.

“Live Nation and Ticketmaster built a monopoly on the backs of Arizona fans and artists and today, a jury held them accountable. This verdict sends a clear message: no corporation is too big to face justice,” Mayes said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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