Blumenthal Statement Regarding Department of Justice Antitrust Complaint Against Ticketmaster/Live Nation

(WASHINGTON) — U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement today in response to the Department of Justice complaint filed today against Live Nation Entertainment for alleged antitrust violations:

“These enforcement actions should be music to consumers’ ears and a strong step to support fair competition. Fans, artists, venues, small promoters and many others will enjoy huge benefits. Live Nation’s monopolistic control of the industry has eliminated competition for far too long, leading to astronomical price increases and exorbitant hidden fees. The Department Identifying Unlawful and Anti-Competitive Conduct Makes Clear: Termination of Live Nation and Ticketmaster Merger Possible.”

Blumenthal has consistently spoken out about Live Nation’s anticompetitive behavior following the company’s merger with Ticketmaster. As chairman of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), Blumenthal issued a subpoena to Live Nation for documents related to the company’s ticket prices, fees and resale practices. The subpoena followed a months-long, previously unannounced investigation launched by PSI into Live Nation’s practices following several recent high-profile incidents that affected music fans, including Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen tours. In November 2022, Blumenthal wrote to Department of Justice Attorney General Merrick Garland urging the Department to vigorously investigate the state of competition in the live entertainment and ticketing markets, as well as assess Live Nation’s compliance with the consent decrees.

Blumenthal also authored the BOSS and SWIFT Acts, laws intended to protect consumers from unfair and deceptive practices in the primary and secondary ticketing markets.

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