Press Release  AG Campbell Issues Statement After Jury Finds Live Nation Operates As An Illegal Monopoly

BOSTON — Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell today issued the following statement after a jury found that Live Nation, which owns Ticketmaster, violated state and federal antitrust laws as a result of her office’s multistate lawsuit against the company. A federal judge will determine the penalties and remedies Live Nation must face at a later date. 

“For too long, Live Nation has abused its power to drive up prices and harm fans, artists and venues,” said AG Campbell. “This verdict forces real accountability – lowering costs and sending a clear message that no company, no matter how powerful, is allowed to rig the market against consumers. This result also underscores something critical about this moment: when the federal government steps back, bad actors will not escape accountability from state attorneys general. This case is a clear example of states using their authority to take on powerful corporations and put people first.” 

In 2024, AG Campbell joined the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and a bipartisan coalition of 39 other attorneys general in suing Live Nation and Ticketmaster for monopolizing the live entertainment industry, resulting in higher fees to consumers, fewer choices, and less innovation in the live entertainment industry. 

In March, despite the DOJ’s decision to settle its case against Live Nation, AG Campbell, along with 26 other states, reaffirmed her commitment to prosecuting Live Nation for operating as an illegal monopoly and engaging in anticompetitive practices. 

Live Nation owns or controls more than 265 concert venues in North America, including House of Blues Boston, MGM Music Hall in Fenway, Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston, and Xfinity Center in Mansfield. It conducts the majority of concert promotions across the country, manages more than 400 musical artists, and, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Ticketmaster, controls roughly 80% or more of major concert venues’ primary ticketing for concerts. 

Joining AG Campbell in securing this victory were the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 

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