Wait, can they still break up Live Nation?

The web of lawsuits over Live Nation, Ticketmaster, and the companies’ alleged monopoly is getting more complex — but it could be good news for concertgoers who… sick to Dynamic pricing And unjustified service fees.

Department of Justice and 40 state attorneys general File a lawsuit against Live Nation, owner of Ticketmaster, was sued in 2024 for alleged monopolistic practices. The two companies merged in 2010 to form an entertainment giant that now controlled the majority of ticket sales and venue reservations in the country, making it difficult for other companies to compete, according to the lawsuit. Without meaningful competition, customers had no choice but to accept Live Nation’s skepticism Pricing modelswhich critics say benefits the company’s bottom line, not the artists.

Last month, the Department of Justice Tentatively settled With Live Nation, while a separate statewide experiment was already underway. but 34 public defenders She pressed forward, and on Wednesday, a federal jury Found That Live Nation was operating as an illegal monopoly.

During the widely watched trial, Recession messages It featured two Live Nation employees: Ben Baker, now head of ticketing at Venue Nation, and Jeff Weinhold, now a senior director in ticketing.

“These people are so stupid,” Baker said in a conversation about raising parking rates. “I almost feel bad taking advantage of them hahaha.”

Also in a later conversation about parking rates, Baker said, “Steal ’em, you blind kid.”

Long live the nation Argue These statements represent “casual banter, not policy, decision-making, or facts of consequence.”

As part of the Ministry of Justice colonyLive Nation is supposed to pay a $280 million fine and divest at least 13 of its venues, requiring those venues to accept bookings from competing promoters. But given the jury’s separate finding on Wednesday that Live Nation was operating as an illegal monopoly, the consequences could be more serious.

What will happen next is not clear. Judge Arun Subramanian must still determine remedies at a later date. But the possibility of breaking up Live Nation and Ticketmaster remains on the table.