Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill and a coalition of 33 other state attorneys general won a jury verdict against Live Nation and Ticketmaster on Wednesday after a five-week federal trial.
The jury found that the entertainment giant violated federal and state antitrust laws by eliminating competition and driving up ticket prices for fans, artists, and venues across the country.
Jurors determined that Ticketmaster unlawfully maintains a monopoly in the market for ticketing services at major concert venues. They also found that Live Nation holds a monopoly in the large amphitheater market and illegally requires artists who perform at its venues to use its event promotion services as well. The jury further found that fans have been overcharged for concert tickets at major venues nationwide.
Murrill said the ruling would benefit Louisiana consumers who attend events at venues including the Caesars Superdome, Smoothie King Center, Saenger Theatre, Raising Cane's River Center, The Fillmore New Orleans, and House of Blues New Orleans.
"For far too long, Live Nation used its market power to stifle competition, limit consumer choice, and drive up prices for live entertainment," Murrill said in a statement.
The lawsuit was originally filed in May 2024 by Murrill, a coalition of 40 states and the U.S. Department of Justice. The case alleged that Live Nation's control over nearly every aspect of the live event business, from venue ownership to concert promotion to ticketing, allowed it to raise costs and suppress competition.
Trial began March 2. The DOJ reached a settlement with Live Nation during the proceedings, but Murrill and the 33-state coalition rejected it and continued to trial.
With liability now established, the coalition will argue for remedies and financial penalties at a separate bench trial.
