Overview
- The Manhattan jury, which returned its verdict Wednesday, found Live Nation and Ticketmaster illegally monopolized ticketing and said fans were overcharged $1.72 per ticket.
- Following Wednesday’s decision, Judge Arun Subramanian told both sides and the U.S. to submit a proposed timetable for post-trial motions and the remedies process by late next week.
- The case at trial was led by 34 states and the District of Columbia after most refused a March DOJ deal that proposed fee caps, rival access, and up to 13 amphitheater divestitures, plus a $280 million fund.
- A group of senators asked the court Tuesday to scrutinize that DOJ deal after reports of a White House meeting before it was disclosed, and the judge ordered settlement communications preserved.
- Trial evidence included internal Slack messages boasting “Robbing them blind, baby,” and testimony about long exclusive ticketing contracts and threats to withhold shows that, according to plaintiffs, raised fees and limited venue choice for fans.