States Seek Live Nation-Ticketmaster Breakup

A federal judge is now tasked with deciding whether to dismantle Live Nation-Ticketmaster, following a request from more than 30 states. The states are asking Judge Arun Subramanian to force the company to sell off its ticketing operations, a “sufficient number” of large amphitheaters, and to restrict its ability to link access to remaining venues with its promotions services. This comes after a jury found in April that the company operated as an illegal monopolist following a trial lasting over a month.

The initial remedies proposal does not call for further breakups of other parts of Live Nation’s business, though California Attorney General Rob Bonta told The Verge and other outlets earlier this week that such options were being considered. The states have reserved the right to file additional requests as more information emerges. It remains uncertain how far Subramanian will go in ordering remedies, but the demands already surpass what the Department of Justice secured in its settlement with the company just one week into the trial. That deal required the company to drop some exclusive booking arrangements at more than a dozen amphitheaters, but did not mandate selling the venues themselves.

The states are also pushing for remedies that target specific allegations raised during the trial, such as barring retaliation or conditioning a venue’s ability to host concerts on which ticketing platform it uses. Additionally, they are seeking a range of monetary relief, including reimbursing customers for overcharges on ticketing fees. Live Nation did not immediately respond to a request for comment but has pledged to fight the verdict.