Concertgoers in Nevada May See Changes: AG Ford Rejects Ticketmaster Deal
The U.S. Department of Justice announced a tentative settlement with Live Nation Entertainment, the parent company of Ticketmaster, in an antitrust lawsuit filed in 2024. The lawsuit, brought by the DOJ and 40 states including Nevada, accused Live Nation of illegally maintaining a monopoly in live entertainment by using practices in concert promotion and primary ticketing that stifled competition and influenced ticket prices.
Key terms of the settlement require Live Nation to pay $280 million in civil penalties or damages to participating states, divest amphitheaters, cap service fees at 15% for those venues, open Ticketmaster's platform to enable rival ticketers greater access, offer non-exclusive agreements to venues, prohibit retaliation against those selecting other ticketers, and allow a 50-50 split on ticket exclusivity. The deal also includes an eight-year extension of the existing consent decree to prevent anticompetitive conduct, and it resolves the federal claims without any admission of wrongdoing by Live Nation, pending court approval.
The agreement emerged shortly after the antitrust trial began in Manhattan federal court, prompting the judge to criticize the lack of prior notification and describe aspects of the handling as unacceptable. A senior DOJ official noted that the settlement would open markets to competitors in primary ticketing and live entertainment, potentially affecting prices positively.
However, more than two dozen states, including Nevada, have rejected the settlement. Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford (D) stated that the terms are not adequate, adding that Nevada is prepared to continue litigating without the federal government to secure appropriate relief.
While the federal claims could resolve relatively soon if the court approves the settlement, the parallel litigation pursued by the rejecting states is expected to proceed for months. This state-led effort, especially relevant in live entertainment hubs like Nevada, could influence future ticket pricing, promote greater competition among ticketing platforms, and change exclusivity practices at venues nationwide. The judge has directed the remaining parties to engage in serious negotiations and prepare for the trial's resumption.
