DOJ and Live Nation Reach Tentative Ticketmaster Antitrust Settlement Less Than a Week Into Trial
Less than a week into the Manhattan trial over the DOJ’s antitrust suit accusing Live Nation and Ticketmaster of maintaining an illegal monopoly, DOJ lawyers told the court they had reached a tentative settlement with Live Nation. Judge Arun Subramanian said he was not informed until late despite a term sheet signed days earlier and called that “entirely unacceptable,” while several plaintiff states — including the District of Columbia and Texas — have raised objections and requested a mistrial, and Live Nation opposes a mistrial.
📌 Key Facts
- The Justice Department has reached a tentative settlement with Live Nation in its Ticketmaster antitrust lawsuit; DOJ and multiple news outlets characterize the agreement as tentative, not finalized.
- DOJ lawyers told the federal judge early in the Manhattan trial that a settlement had been reached; reporting says the deal came less than a week after the trial began.
- A settlement term sheet was signed on Thursday, but Judge Arun Subramanian said he was not informed of the tentative deal until late Sunday and called that lack of notice 'entirely unacceptable.'
- Several plaintiff states have not agreed to the settlement: Adam Gitlin, representing the District of Columbia, said the plaintiff states were requesting a mistrial and that Texas had expressed 'serious concerns.'
- Live Nation’s lawyer, David Marriott, told the court the company opposed a mistrial and wanted the trial to proceed.
- The DOJ has publicly described the arrangement as a tentative agreement pending resolution of objections by several plaintiff states; a finalized consent decree has not been filed.
- News coverage emphasizes the controversy around the timing and secrecy of the deal but does not report any new or additional settlement terms beyond earlier accounts.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2022, 25.2% of non-Hispanic White adults attended live performances in the 'other performing arts' category (including rock, folk, country, rap, hip-hop concerts), compared to 14.2% of Hispanic adults, 15.6% of non-Hispanic Black adults, 10.2% of non-Hispanic Asian adults, and 26.1% of non-Hispanic adults in other racial groups.
Arts Participation Patterns in 2022: What New NEA Research Reveals About U.S. Adults Engaging with the Arts — National Endowment for the Arts
In 2022, attendance rates at live 'other performing arts' events (including concerts) increased with education level: 3.0% for adults with grade school education, 6.2% for some high school, 13.6% for high school graduates, 22.3% for some college, 31.8% for college graduates, and 29.6% for those with graduate school education.
Arts Participation Patterns in 2022: What New NEA Research Reveals About U.S. Adults Engaging with the Arts — National Endowment for the Arts
The average concert ticket price in the United States was $135.92 in 2024, up from $106.07 in 2022 and $96.17 in 2019.
Concert ticket prices surge as demand for live music skyrockets — USA Today
📰 Source Timeline (4)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- The mini‑report, citing three people familiar with the matter, reiterates that Live Nation has reached a settlement with DOJ in the high‑stakes Ticketmaster antitrust case "less than a week after the trial began."
- Framing in the piece emphasizes the controversy surrounding the settlement but does not add new terms beyond what’s already in the existing story.
- The description is consistent with DOJ’s own characterization of the agreement as tentative, pending resolution of objections by several plaintiff states.
- PBS notes that the Justice Department says it has reached a tentative agreement in its antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster and Live Nation, aligning with but not materially expanding on prior reports.
- The wrap makes clear that DOJ itself is publicly characterizing the arrangement as a tentative agreement, reinforcing that a full, finalized consent decree has not yet been filed.
- DOJ lawyers told the federal judge at the very start of trial in Manhattan that they had reached a settlement in their antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster.
- Judge Arun Subramanian said he was not informed of the tentative deal until late Sunday even though a settlement term sheet had been signed on Thursday and called that lack of notice ‘entirely unacceptable.’
- Lawyer Adam Gitlin, representing the District of Columbia, said the plaintiff states were requesting a mistrial and that Texas had expressed ‘serious concerns’ about the settlement and that states have not yet agreed to it.
- Live Nation’s lawyer David Marriott told the court that Live Nation opposed a mistrial and wanted the case to proceed.