TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said the state will continue pursuing an antitrust case against Live Nation, the parent company of Ticketmaster, alleging the company illegally monopolized the live entertainment and concert ticketing industry.
Davenport joined attorneys general from multiple states in pledging to continue litigation after a recently announced settlement did not sufficiently address what officials say are harms to the live music marketplace.
“In May 2024, a bipartisan group of state attorneys general joined the U.S. Department of Justice to sue Live Nation for monopolizing the market for ticketing and using its monopoly power in the concert venue market to reinforce and protect that monopoly,” Davenport said in a statement.
“For too long, Live Nation has raked in billions from a monopoly that has made it harder for consumers to see the artists they love, stifled artists, and increased the price of tickets for countless music fans,” she added.
Davenport said the coalition believes the case against Live Nation remains strong and that states are prepared to continue the legal challenge even without federal participation.
“The case against Live Nation is strong, and the state coalition is committed to holding the company accountable for its illegal behavior, protecting consumers, and restoring competition to this market,” Davenport said.
“The settlement recently announced does not adequately remedy the harms to the marketplace for live music and to concertgoers caused by Live Nation. We are willing and able to stand with other partner states to continue litigating this case without the federal government so that we can hold Live Nation accountable in court and secure appropriate relief in this case.”
Davenport said state attorneys general remain committed to enforcing antitrust laws to protect consumers and ensure fair competition.
“As state attorneys general and antitrust enforcers, we are fully committed to protecting our citizens from illegal monopolies and restoring competition to the live music marketplace,” she said.
States continuing the case include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming, along with the District of Columbia.
