Ticketmaster’s Big Loss in Court

The New York Times' The Daily explores the landmark antitrust verdict against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, following a six-week trial that culminated in a jury declaring the company a monopoly. The case, initially led by the federal government and 40 state attorneys general, was dramatically upended when the Justice Department unexpectedly settled with Live Nation just weeks into the trial—prompting outrage and disbelief. The states, particularly those who rejected the settlement, pressed on with a new legal team and presented compelling evidence of anti-competitive behavior, including threatening venue owners, retaliating against those who switched ticketing platforms, and internal Slack messages where employees openly bragged about overcharging fans. The jury’s unanimous 'yes' answers to 100 questions confirmed the monopoly finding, marking a major victory for consumer advocates. However, the case is far from over: a separate remedy phase will determine whether Live Nation must be broken up, face financial penalties, or implement structural changes. The episode raises urgent questions about government accountability, especially given reports of high-level lobbying by former Trump allies to influence the settlement. While immediate ticket price reductions remain uncertain, the verdict signals a potential shift in power toward competition and consumer protection in the live music industry.