A jury in New York City found that Live Nation and its subsidiary, Ticketmaster, illegally maintained monopoly power in the ticketing market.
According to NBC News, a group of jurors found that Ticketmaster overcharged concertgoers by $1.72 per ticket at “major concert venues” as a result of its anticompetitive behavior. (Deliberations began on Friday, April 10.)
Other monetary damages are possible, which U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian will ultimately decide at a later date.
“A jury found what we have long known to be true: Live Nation and Ticketmaster are breaking the law and costing consumers millions of dollars in the process,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement to NBC News on Wednesday, April 15.
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California Attorney General Rob Bonta also praised the verdict in a statement, writing, “This verdict shows just how far states can go to protect our residents from big corporations that are using their power to illegally raise prices and rip off Americans. We are incredibly proud of today’s outcome — and especially proud of our coalition made up of red and blue states alike who understood we needed to come together to protect our consumers, businesses and state economies from Live Nation’s illegal conduct.”
Us Weekly has reached out to Ticketmaster for comment.
“The jury’s verdict is not the last word on this matter. Pending motions will determine whether the liability and damages rulings stand,” a spokesperson for Live Nation shared in a statement to Us. “Of course, Live Nation can and will appeal any unfavorable rulings on these motions.”
During the trial, David Marriott, an attorney for Live Nation, denied that the company was acting as a monopoly and argued against the “notion that the fans and the venues are doing worse with Live Nation.”
“That’s simply not true,” he said, before adding that the company is “bringing concerts to the country and fans. … It’s not against the law. We are fierce competitors.”
Before fans see any immediate change, CNN reported that Judge Subramanian will now hold a second trial to decide what remedies are warranted, such as breaking up the company or making other changes.
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Wednesday’s verdict comes two years after the Department of Justice and nearly 40 plaintiff states first announced a lawsuit against Live Nation. The original suit claimed that Live Nation monopolized the industry by controlling ticketing, concert booking, venues and promotions.
While the DOJ confirmed it had reached a settlement with Live Nation just days after the trial started, more than 30 states — including market leaders California, New York and Texas — decided to proceed with a trial.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Live Nation and the DOJ’s settlement resulted in the live music giant agreeing to some concessions, including the decision to end booking agreements with 13 amphitheaters across the country and opening its remaining amphitheaters for all other concert promoters.