Mercer Times

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has joined the Justice Department and a bipartisan coalition of 28 states and the District of Columbia in filing an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment, Inc., owner of Ticketmaster. The lawsuit alleges that the company has monopolized the live entertainment industry.

“For decades, New Jersey has long enjoyed a vibrant music scene—from jazz in Newark to rock on the Jersey Shore—and both fans and artists have been hurt by the complicated business web Live Nation has built since it purchased Ticketmaster in 2010,” said Attorney General Platkin. “It shouldn’t cost thousands of dollars to take your family to see live music, to introduce your children to your favorite artists. Today, New Jersey is proud to stand with a large group of states on behalf of consumers everywhere who are tired of fee schemes that lead to exorbitant pricing and rob them of these experiences.”

The action was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. It alleges multiple violations of the federal Sherman Act as well as the New Jersey Antitrust Act, requesting the court order the sale and divestiture of Ticketmaster.

The lawsuit details how Live Nation’s $22 billion business model allows it to extract revenues at every stage as an intermediary and double-dip across multiple business lines, such as being both a ticketer and promoter. These practices create a feedback loop that inflates fees and revenue at fans' expense, straining connections between artists and fans while limiting artists' freedom in choosing performance venues—all for increasing Live Nation’s profits.

In New Jersey, Live Nation manages venue or ticketing services at several major locations including MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, Prudential Center in Newark, PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, and Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden.

According to the complaint, Live Nation dominates primary ticket sales through exclusive long-term agreements with major concert venues, effectively locking out competitors and maintaining monopolistic power. The primary ticket sales market size in New Jersey is substantial with Gross Ticket Value (GTV) amounting to approximately $994.83 million while face value stands around $781.17 million.

The DOJ along with New Jersey and other jurisdictions allege:

- Live Nation maintains its anticompetitive monopoly by locking up venues through restrictive long-term agreements.

- It leverages its network of amphitheaters to force artists into selecting Live Nation as a promoter.

- Its conduct results in higher fees for fans, lack of transparency, fewer consumer choices, and stifled innovation.

The lawsuit seeks court intervention to restore competition by prohibiting anticompetitive practices from Live Nation; ordering divestiture of Ticketmaster; and seeking equitable monetary relief for unlawful conduct.

States joining this lawsuit include Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts among others.

Attorney General Platkin emphasized his office's history in holding companies accountable for antitrust violations affecting New Jersey consumers. The state has been actively involved in significant antitrust actions against major technology corporations like Apple (wherein NJ acts as local counsel), Amazon, Google alongside other industries such as airlines retail labor healthcare pharmaceuticals etcetera.

To bolster efforts protecting NJ consumers businesses from anti-competitive behavior on May 20th within Division Law further reinforced State’s capacity robustly tackling such issues represented case Deputy Attorneys Isabella R Pitt Yale A Leber under supervision Assistant Attorney Brian F McDonough

###