(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, made “a terrible deal” in its settlement with Live Nation and “hid” it “from states until the last minute,” says first-term Democratic Attorney General Jeff Jackson of North Carolina.
He says the state, along with others, will remain in the case.
“North Carolina is staying in this case – as are most of my fellow attorneys general, both Republicans and Democrats,” Jackson said. “This is a terrible deal that USDOJ hid from the states until the last minute. We are going to continue our fight against ticket inflation with a bipartisan group of attorneys general who remain committed to a just outcome for consumers.
“We are currently working with our state partners and the judge to determine the timeline for the lawsuit going forward. This case is about Live Nation and Ticketmaster harming consumers, trapping artists, and driving up ticket prices. We will see them back in court, shortly.”
Bondi’s Antitrust Division declared a win for consumers. The judge was critical, as were Jackson and other state prosecutors.
Under terms of settlement, Live Nation allows venues to sell a portion of tickets outside of Ticketmaster’s umbrella; and up to 50% of all tickets through any ticketing marketplace at amphitheaters Live Nation owns, operates or controls.
Ticketmaster service fees are capped at 15%, and ownership or control of 13 amphitheaters are to be divested. Live Nation is creating a $280 million settlement fund for claims and civil penalties paid to states.
Judge Arun Subramanian of the U.S. District for the Southern District of New York said not knowing about the settlement until late Sunday was “entirely unacceptable.” The term sheet was signed Thursday.
States unwilling to settle resume the trial next week.
Michael Rapino, president and CEO of Live Nation, in a statement said his company never attempted to monopolize. Rather, he said it was “the result of having the best products, services and people in the industry.”
The settlement was front-page news for a number of major publications Tuesday morning. And with good reason – the Taylor Swift 2022 Eras Tour is credited as a trigger; Congress has unsuccessfully tried to help; and more than three dozen state prosecutors spanning both major political parties got involved in the litigation.
Millions follow the artists, spend on the venues, and have an eye for the outcome. Plaintiffs have sought separation of Ticketmaster and venue partner Oak View Group in order to restore a market.
Live Nation and Ticketmaster are connected to a number of amphitheaters in North Carolina. Additionally, some large arenas are also tied to the entertainment giant. Among them large and small are the Lenovo Center and the Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek in Raleigh; First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro; Live Oak Bank Pavilion in Wilmington; Durham Performing Arts Center, or DPAC, and the Carolina Theatre in Durham; Spectrum Center in Charlotte; and the Orange Peel and the Harrah’s Cherokee Center in Asheville.
Filed May 23, 2024, when now-Gov. Josh Stein was attorney general and Jackson was in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Department of Justice – Merrick Garland was the Biden administrator back then – is leading plaintiffs.
David Dahlquist has led the Justice Department from his role as a lawyer in the antitrust division. David Marriott has been lead counsel for Live Nation.
Ticketmaster and Live Nation merged in 2010. The former originated in 1976.
