Attorney General Henry Files Lawsuit Against Ticketmaster for Illegal Monopoly Over Live Entertainment
May 23, 2024
HARRISBURG – Attorney General Michelle Henry is leading a bipartisan coalition of 30 states, along with the U.S. Department of Justice, in an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Ticketmaster, LLC.
The suit filed Thursday alleges that Live Nation — owner and operator of numerous venues nationwide, including Pennsylvania — and Ticketmaster — the ticketing service giant — form an illegal monopoly over the live entertainment industry. The suit also alleges that Live Nation has engaged in anti-competitive practices to maintain its monopoly.
Live Nation and Ticketmaster’s dominance has impacted fans across the Commonwealth. In 2022, Pennsylvanians spent approximately $1.5 billion on live entertainment, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
“Live Nation and Ticketmaster have long had a chokehold on much of the live entertainment industry,” Attorney General Henry said. “Consumers who want to see one of their favorite bands, artists, or shows are likely to encounter Live Nation and Ticketmaster at the gates. Pennsylvanians deserve to have fair and competitive choices when it comes to tickets to live entertainment.”
The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for Southern District of New York.
Pennsylvania is represented by First Deputy Attorney General James Donahue, Executive Deputy Attorney General Mark Pacella, Chief Deputy Attorney General Tracy Wertz, Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney General Joseph Betsko, and Senior Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Thomson. Pennsylvania is joined in the complaint by the Attorneys General of Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York North Carolina Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Rhode Island South Carolina Tennessee Texas Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming.