![\"Entertainment](\"https:\/\/www.digitalmusicnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Live-Nation-AG-Comments-1024x546.jpg\" "\\"Entertainment\\"")
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Photo Credit: Tingey Injury Law Firm<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Entertainment It\u2019s time to break up Live Nation and Ticketmaster once and for all \u2013 at least according to multiple state attorneys general, who are demanding, among other things, an end to \u201cLive Nation\u2019s hold on the live entertainment industry.\u201d<\/h2>\n
We highlighted the earliest of these demands yesterday, when covering the jury verdict<\/a> in favor of 34 states (including D.C.) as well as the possibility that a court-ordered Ticketmaster divestiture<\/a> could be in the cards.<\/p>\n Now, though, most but not quite all the litigating attorneys general have officially weighed in on the win. At the top level, that they\u2019re taking a victory lap won\u2019t come as a shock. Nor will their deciding to capitalize on about as politically safe an opportunity as they\u2019ll find by attacking Live Nation\/Ticketmaster along the lines of the business\u2019s \u201cmonopoly\u201d and \u201coutrageous ticket prices.\u201d<\/p>\n Overall, the remarks are targeting the defendants themselves and touting the verdict as proof that massive corporations can be held accountable for their allegedly unlawful practices. Meanwhile, AGs in blue states appear comparatively eager to criticize the terms of Live Nation\u2019s DOJ settlement.<\/p>\n Side note: Today, DOJ antitrust attorneys Catherine Dick (acting director of litigation), David Dahlquist (acting deputy director of litigation), and John Thornburgh II each moved to withdraw from the case, with the former two individuals indicating that they\u2019re \u201cleaving the United States Department of Justice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLive Nation is being held to account for violating state and federal antitrust laws, and I\u2019ll continue to fight to break up their monopoly, restore competition, and get money back for concertgoers,\u201d Colorado AG Phil Weiser said in part.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a major step in restoring fairness in the live entertainment marketplace. We will continue pressing forward to ensure real accountability, meaningful reform, and a system that puts consumers first,\u201d Connecticut AG William Tong added in part.<\/p>\n \u201cToday\u2019s historic verdict holds this company accountable under the law, and we will continue fighting to secure the full relief that live music fans, artists, and venues in Maryland deserve,\u201d stated Maryland AG Anthony Brown.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will argue vigorously during the penalty phase of this trial that consumers, artists, and venues need significant relief and that the monopolies that enable this behavior must be dismantled once and for all,\u201d spelled out Minnesota AG Keith Ellison.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are seeking divestiture to break up these two companies,\u201d New York AG Letitia James elaborated in an interview, proceeding to describe Live Nation\/Ticketmaster\u2019s alleged consent decree violations and to lambast the combined entity as \u201ca recidivist organization.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe case will now head to a second phase where the judge will decide the appropriate remedies to break Live Nation\u2019s hold on the live entertainment industry and restore competition, and our office will stay on the side of bringing prices down for consumers,\u201d North Carolina AG Jeff Jackson underscored.<\/p>\n \u201cA jury determined that Live Nation and Ticketmaster are an illegal monopoly. Next up, the judge will decide the appropriate remedies, and a breakup is absolutely on the table. It\u2019s been over 40 years since an antitrust case resulted in breaking up a company, and I think we\u2019re due,\u201d he finished.<\/p>\n In short, then, the calls for a Live Nation breakup are very real. Whether it materializes \u2013 and, separately, how much the promoter\u2019s made to pay in damages \u2013 remains to be seen. Save the above-mentioned motions to withdraw, the docket was free of post-verdict updates at the time of writing.<\/p>\n<\/section><\/div>\nInterestingly, however, a few of the AGs, in red and blue states alike, are zeroing in on states\u2019 relief \u2013 with some touching on the possibility of a Live Nation-Ticketmaster breakup.<\/h4>\n
Especially when considered alongside other components of the relevant releases, the intent behind \u201cfull relief,\u201d \u201creal accountability,\u201d and particularly \u201cbreak up their monopoly\u201d seems clear enough. But different AGs yet are being even more direct with their relief demands.<\/h4>\n
\u201cLive Nation and Ticketmaster have ripped off consumers for decades. Thanks to a relentless bipartisan coalition of states, they\u2019re finally being held accountable,\u201d said Tennessee AG Jonathan Skrmetti.<\/h4>\n