Tennessee AG to Newsmax: Live Nation Verdict Proves 'Illegal Monopoly'
April 16, 2026
A federal jury's finding that Live Nation Entertainment has maintained an illegal monopoly over major concert venues marks a turning point in a long-running battle over competition in the ticketing industry, Tennessee AG Jonathan Skrmetti said Thursday on Newsmax.
In a significant blow to the live entertainment industry's largest company, a federal jury found that Live Nation Entertainment and its subsidiary, Ticketmaster, operated an illegal monopoly that harmed consumers, artists, and venues. The verdict, delivered on April 15, 2026, in a Manhattan federal court, concluded a closely watched antitrust trial and was hailed by Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti as proof of an "illegal monopoly." Skrmetti, a leading voice in a bipartisan coalition of states that pursued the case, stated that Live Nation and Ticketmaster have "ripped off consumers for decades" and that this verdict finally holds them accountable.
The legal battle began in May 2024, when the U.S. Department of Justice and a group of 40 state attorneys general, including Tennessee, filed a lawsuit alleging widespread anticompetitive practices. The suit argued that since Live Nation and Ticketmaster merged in 2010, the combined entity has leveraged its dominance across concert promotion, venue ownership, and ticketing to stifle competition. This control, plaintiffs alleged, locked venues into restrictive, long-term contracts with Ticketmaster and pressured artists into using Live Nation's promotion services to gain access to its extensive network of amphitheaters. These practices allegedly led to higher ticket fees, fewer choices, and a lack of innovation in the market.
The trial, which started on March 2, 2026, took a surprising turn when the Department of Justice announced a settlement with Live Nation just days into the proceedings. However, a determined coalition of more than 30 states, Tennessee among them, rejected the settlement, arguing its terms were insufficient to restore competition to the industry. The states' legal team pressed on with the trial, which culminated in the jury finding the companies liable on all monopolization counts after four days of deliberation. The jury specifically found that Ticketmaster unlawfully maintained a monopoly in the primary ticketing market and that Live Nation illegally monopolized the market for large amphitheaters.
The jury's decision confirmed the states' claims that Live Nation's business practices were harmful, finding that consumers were overcharged by an average of $1.72 per ticket because of the company's conduct. This verdict was celebrated by consumer advocates and independent venue owners as a landmark victory. In its response, Live Nation Entertainment stated that the jury's verdict "is not the last word on this matter" and indicated its intent to file motions to refute the ruling and appeal if necessary. The company has consistently argued that its market position is the result of offering superior services, not anticompetitive behavior.
With liability now established by the jury, the case moves to the remedies phase, where a federal judge will determine the penalties. The states have signaled they will seek significant relief. Attorney General Skrmetti has stated that a court-ordered breakup of Live Nation and Ticketmaster is "absolutely on the table." Such a structural remedy would be the first of its kind in an antitrust case in over four decades and could fundamentally reshape the landscape of live music and entertainment. The court will also determine financial damages and other potential prohibitions on the company's business practices.
Source: newsmax