New York Attorney General Letitia James, along with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and a bipartisan coalition of 40 attorneys general, has filed an amended complaint against Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. (Live Nation) and its subsidiary Ticketmaster. The action seeks additional relief for American consumers harmed by these companies.
In May 2024, Attorney General James, DOJ, and the coalition initially sued Live Nation and Ticketmaster for allegedly controlling almost every aspect of live events—from promotions to venues and ticket sales—and abusing their market dominance to overcharge consumers, limit artists, and restrict venues not owned by Live Nation from working with other ticketing vendors. The amended complaint now seeks damages for Americans affected by these practices.
"Live Nation and Ticketmaster have abused the market to overcharge consumers and harm venues and artists, and my office will ensure this illegal conduct is stopped," stated Attorney General James. "Through this version of the amended lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, my office is seeking to recover damages for New York consumers who were overcharged by Live Nation and Ticketmaster. It’s time for a new era where fans, venues, and artists are not taken advantage of by big corporations that run the world of live events."
Live Nation is a prominent live entertainment company that owns or operates hundreds of venues nationwide, including New York's Madison Square Garden, Radio City Hall, Barclays Center, among others. The lawsuit alleges that Live Nation controls many aspects of sports events and live performances—from producing and promoting events to renting out venues they own—and sells tickets through its subsidiary Ticketmaster, which accounts for nearly 80 percent of the ticketing industry. This wide-ranging control has purportedly forced competitors out of the market, leaving consumers with limited options and high costs.
Attorney General James seeks disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, civil penalties, as well as damages for consumers.
The attorneys general joining in today's lawsuit represent Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico North Carolina Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming District Columbia
For New York state matters related to this case are being managed by Assistant Attorneys General Jeremy Kasha Ben Cole Deputy Bureau Chief Amy McFarlane Bureau Chief Elinor Hoffmann Legal Assistant Chelle Velez Antitrust Bureau part Division Economic Justice led Chief Deputy Attorney General Chris D’Angelo overseen First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy