WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — A bipartisan group of U.S. states is refusing to join a proposed settlement between the U.S. Department of Justice and Live Nation Entertainment, the parent company of Ticketmaster, in a major antitrust lawsuit over ticket sales in the live entertainment industry.
More than two dozen states say the deal does not go far enough to address what they call monopolistic practices in the ticketing market. The states plan to continue their lawsuit against the entertainment giant in court. The case has drawn national attention because it targets one of the most powerful companies in the live music and events industry. State officials argue that stronger action is necessary to protect artists, venues, and fans.
Several state attorneys general announced Monday that they will not sign the Department of Justice settlement with Live Nation. Officials from states including New York, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Ohio, Kansas, and Maryland said they will continue pursuing the antitrust case.
The coalition includes both Democratic and Republican attorneys general. They say the proposed settlement fails to fix the core problem of monopoly power in the ticketing and live events market. New York Attorney General Letitia James criticized the agreement in a public statement.
“The settlement recently announced with the U.S. Department of Justice fails to address the monopoly at the center of this case and would benefit Live Nation at the expense of consumers,” James said. “We cannot agree to it.”
State officials say they want stronger reforms that would break up what they describe as a dominant system controlling ticket sales, concert promotion, and venues.
The U.S. Department of Justice and about 40 state attorneys general filed the lawsuit against Live Nation in 2024. The case started during the administration of Joe Biden. The lawsuit claims the company built an illegal monopoly in the live entertainment market. Regulators say Live Nation controls key parts of the industry through its ticketing service, venue ownership, and artist promotion business.
According to the complaint, the company used exclusive contracts with venues and other business practices to block competition. Regulators argue that those actions forced many artists and venues to rely on Ticketmaster for ticket sales.
State officials say the alleged monopoly led to higher ticket prices and fewer choices for consumers. The case also gained attention as fans across the country complained about high service fees and limited ticket availability.
News outlet Politico first reported that Live Nation reached a settlement worth about $200 million with the Justice Department. Company leaders welcomed the deal and said it would increase transparency in ticket sales. Live Nation President and CEO Michael Rapino said the company stands by its business practices.
“We have never relied on exclusivity to drive our ticketing business,” Rapino said in a statement. “It has simply been the result of having the best products, services, and people in the industry.”
Rapino added that the company supports steps that allow artists and venues to make their own ticketing decisions. He said Live Nation expects to continue growing based on the quality of its services.
A senior Justice Department official said the settlement would improve transparency for ticket buyers. The official spoke to reporters Monday on the condition of anonymity. The official said the agreement would weaken Ticketmaster’s control over online ticket sales. The settlement would allow consumers to purchase tickets through more platforms, which could increase competition.
“It weakens what was previously this stranglehold that Ticketmaster.com had,” the official said. “Now people can buy tickets on a variety of platforms.”
The official also noted that it is not unusual for states to continue lawsuits even after the federal government settles.
Despite the settlement, several state attorneys general say they remain confident in their case. They believe the courts could force greater changes to restore competition in the live music industry. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said her office plans to keep pushing the case forward.
“The case against Ticketmaster is strong, and I am committed to seeing it through,” Mayes said. “Ticketmaster has operated above the law for too long.”
State officials say the outcome of the lawsuit could reshape the ticketing industry and change how concerts and major events sell tickets in the United States.
For now, the legal fight continues. Courts will decide whether the states’ antitrust claims move forward and whether Live Nation must face stricter limits on its role in the live entertainment market. The case could also set a major precedent for how regulators address monopolies in the modern entertainment economy.
