"Live Nation and Ticketmaster first announced plans to merge in 2009, a move that would give the resulting company the ability to take total control of the U.S. ticket-selling market and squeeze everyone involved. At the time, Bruce Springsteen was vocally opposed to the deal, warning that it would essentially give the new entity a monopoly on event ticketing in the U.S., but despite the Boss's protests, the DOJ approved the merger in 2010."
"The intervening 15 years have seen the new company make the experience of going to any show painful and the experience of putting on any show both annoying and less lucrative than it used to be, with Live Nation operating most venues and Ticketmaster controlling access to virtually all of them."
"Live Nation agreed to take a number of slaps on the wrist, but was able to keep control of Ticketmaster, and with it a monopoly on the live-events experience in this country."
The Department of Justice reached a settlement with Live Nation Entertainment regarding antitrust violations, concluding a lawsuit filed in May 2024 following the 2022 Taylor Swift Ticketmaster ticket sales failure. Live Nation and Ticketmaster merged in 2010 despite opposition from Bruce Springsteen and concerns about monopolistic control. Over 15 years, the combined company has dominated the U.S. ticketing market, operating most venues and controlling ticket sales access. A 2010 consent decree and 2019 strengthened version failed to prevent anticompetitive practices. The recent settlement imposed minimal consequences, allowing Live Nation to maintain its monopolistic grip on the live-events industry.
#antitrust-settlement #live-nation-monopoly #ticketing-industry #doj-enforcement #consumer-protection
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