PHOENIX – Attorney General Kris Mayes has joined the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and a bipartisan coalition of 29 states and the District of Columbia in filing an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment, Inc., which owns Ticketmaster. The lawsuit alleges that the companies have illegally monopolized the live entertainment industry, resulting in increased prices for Arizonans attending live shows.
"For years, Live Nation's anti-competitive and monopolistic practices have resulted in Arizonans paying more to see their favorite artists than they otherwise would have," said Attorney General Mayes. "The uncompetitive live entertainment market created by Live Nation has also left artists and venues without any real choice but to use Live Nation. This lack of competition hurts everyone, from fans to performers – and it's time to hold Live Nation accountable for its violations of the law."
Filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, the lawsuit claims that Live Nation has:
- Harmed fans through higher fees and limited information regarding the ultimate cost to see a show.
- Maintained its monopoly in ticketing markets by locking up venues through restrictive long-term, exclusive agreements and threats that venues will lose access to Live Nation-controlled tours and artists if they sign with a rival ticketing company.
- Leveraged its extensive network of venues to force artists to select Live Nation as a promoter instead of its rivals, maintaining its promotions monopoly.
The lawsuit seeks court intervention to restore competition in the live entertainment industry by:
- Prohibiting Live Nation from engaging in anticompetitive practices.
- Ordering Live Nation to divest Ticketmaster.
Attorney General Mayes joins this suit alongside attorneys general from Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming