close
close

Virginia Joins Antitrust Action to Break Up Live Nation, Ticketmaster

Posted on by darion

Open the audio article player

A coalition of 30 states, including Virginia, has joined the U.S. Department of Justice in an antitrust case against Live Nation Entertainment Inc and its subsidiary Ticketmaster LLC, accusing both companies of illegally obtaining and maintaining monopoly power over much of the live entertainment industry.

The lawsuit alleged that Live Nation and Ticketmaster abused their market power to stifle innovation, raise prices for consumers and harm artists and venues. The lawsuit accuses Live Nation of using its vast network of amphitheaters to force artists to choose Live Nation over its competitors as promoters, thus maintaining a monopoly on promotions.

The coalition further alleges that the companies closed the venues under restrictive, long-term, exclusive contracts and by threatening that the venues would lose access to Live Nation-controlled tours and artists if they signed with a competing ticket seller. The antitrust lawsuit seeks civil penalties and other relief against Virginia and the remaining plaintiffs and calls for the divestment of Ticketmaster.

“Live Nation and Ticketmaster’s dominance over the live entertainment industry has harmed artists, venues and small businesses, leaving consumers with fewer choices and exorbitant fees,” said Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares. “Virginia consumers and businesses deserve a free market for products, services and ideas, and breaking away from Ticketmaster and Live Nation will allow competition and innovation to return to the live entertainment industry.”

Was this article informative? Help us write more like this.

Trustworthy, impartial local reporting is an essential element of our democracy – which is why the press is the only private institution mentioned by name in the Constitution. However, keeping a newsroom like ours at Henrico Citizen alive costs money, and we can no longer rely solely on the support of advertisers.

That’s why we’re asking readers like you to support our independent, fact-based journalism. We know you value it – otherwise you wouldn’t be here. Help us maintain this important source of honest reporting in Henrico County by making a donation today: https://henricocitizen.fundjournalism.org/contribute/.

Show your support.