Overview

A recent federal jury verdict has found Live Nation Entertainment and its subsidiary Ticketmaster guilty of operating an anticompetitive monopoly, raising concerns in the live entertainment sector. This ruling comes at a time when the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts has recently shifted its ticketing operations to Ticketmaster, prompting local scrutiny.

Key details

  • A Manhattan federal jury ruled that Live Nation and Ticketmaster suppressed competition through their dominance over major concert venues.
  • The case was supported by over 30 states that rejected a federal settlement to pursue the lawsuit.
  • Allegations included leveraging control of venues to block competitors and inflate consumer prices.
  • Attorneys described Live Nation as a “monopolistic bully,” highlighting practices that restricted venues from collaborating with alternative ticket sellers.
  • The verdict coincides with the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts' recent transition to Ticketmaster for ticketing operations.
  • Live Nation, which merged with Ticketmaster in 2010, reportedly controls about 86% of concert ticketing and over 70% of the broader live event market.
  • Company representatives argued that their market dominance stems from scale and success, not illegal actions.
  • They maintained that artists and venues ultimately dictate pricing and ticketing decisions.
  • Evidence during the trial included internal communications from executives admitting to excessive pricing practices.
  • The case brought back criticism of Ticketmaster, which has faced backlash for decades, including disputes with artists like Pearl Jam.
  • The recent Taylor Swift ticketing incident also reignited public dissatisfaction with the company's practices.
  • The ruling could have significant implications for the future of ticketing in the live entertainment industry.

Context

This verdict is part of a larger conversation about monopolistic practices in the ticketing industry, particularly as Ticketmaster's influence has been a point of contention for years among artists and consumers alike.

What happens next

Following the verdict, it remains to be seen how this will impact Ticketmaster's operations and whether further legal actions will be pursued against the company.

What we don't know yet

Details about the specific implications for the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts and how this ruling may influence future ticketing agreements are not confirmed.