Overview
- Democratic lawmakers convened an unofficial hearing Monday to denounce the DOJ’s $280 million Live Nation-Ticketmaster deal, taking testimony from California’s attorney general, a former DOJ antitrust leader, and working musicians.
- Former antitrust official Roger Alford called the settlement shocking and alleged political interference in enforcement decisions.
- California AG Rob Bonta said the states will ask the judge this week to order a breakup, potentially including sales of venue or artist-management businesses.
- The agreement now enters a Tunney Act review, a public-interest check that some Democrats want to toughen, even as experts debate whether the judge could reject the deal.
- Live Nation defended the settlement as consistent with how the industry works, backed broader resale reforms, and said it will appeal a jury verdict that found monopoly power and about $1.72 in overcharges per ticket in more than 20 states.