Live Nation Faces Lone Fight: NY AG Rejects DOJ Deal

NEW YORK – Live Nation/Ticketmaster isn’t off the hook yet. New York Attorney General Letitia James today threw a wrench into the U.S. Department of Justice’s proposed settlement with the entertainment behemoth, declaring it a pathetic attempt to appease a known predator at the expense of fans, venues, and the artists they claim to serve. James, leading a coalition of 27 state attorneys general, is refusing to sign on, vowing to pursue the case independently.

The core of the issue? James alleges Live Nation has illegally monopolized the live entertainment industry for years, raking in obscene profits by squeezing every last dollar out of concertgoers. “For years, Live Nation has made enormous profits by exploiting its illegal monopoly and raising costs for shows,” James stated bluntly. “My office has led a bipartisan group of attorneys general in suing Live Nation for taking advantage of fans, venues, and artists, and we are committed to holding Live Nation accountable.”

The DOJ’s settlement, details of which remain largely obscured, apparently doesn’t go far enough for James and her colleagues. She accuses the federal government of caving to corporate pressure. “The settlement recently announced with the U.S. Department of Justice fails to address the monopoly at the center of this case, and would benefit Live Nation at the expense of consumers,” she said. “We cannot agree to it.” The AG’s office is refusing to detail specific sticking points, but sources close to the investigation suggest the proposed remedies fall far short of dismantling Live Nation’s control over ticketing and venue access.

This isn’t just about high ticket prices, though those are a major component. The lawsuit alleges Live Nation strong-arms venues into exclusive contracts, effectively shutting out competition. Artists, too, are reportedly feeling the squeeze, forced to accept unfavorable terms to get their shows booked. James isn’t backing down. “My attorney general colleagues and I have a strong case against Live Nation, and we will continue our lawsuit to protect consumers and restore fair competition to the live entertainment industry,” she vowed.

Joining New York in this lone stand against Live Nation are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, as well as the District of Columbia. It’s a powerful alliance, signaling a widespread distrust of Live Nation’s business practices.

Inside the NY Attorney General’s office, the case is being spearheaded by Assistant Attorneys General Jonathan Hatch, Luisa di Lauro, Pratik Agarwal, and Juliana Karp, working under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Amy McFarlane and Bureau Chief Elinor Hoffmann of the Antitrust Bureau. The Antitrust Bureau falls under the Division of Economic Justice, led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Chris D’Angelo and overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy. They’re bracing for a protracted legal battle, now without the backing of the federal government, but determined to deliver justice for those harmed by Live Nation’s alleged monopoly. The fight is far from over.

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