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States Win Ticketmaster Monopoly Case as D.C. Lands $9.9 Million Fee Settlement

A judge now weighs remedies that could range from damages to a breakup.

Overview

  • A federal jury in Manhattan found Live Nation and its Ticketmaster unit illegally maintained monopoly power after a six‑week trial led by more than 30 states and Washington, D.C.
  • The verdict said fans were overcharged by $1.72 per ticket in certain states and found the company pushed venues into exclusive deals that shut out rivals.
  • Washington, D.C., which announced its consumer case Monday, secured $9.9 million with up to $8.9 million in refunds and new rules that require clear all‑in pricing and better fee disclosures.
  • The case now moves to a remedies phase before Judge Arun Subramanian, and Live Nation says it will renew trial motions and appeal any rulings it loses.
  • States pressed on after a separate $280 million DOJ deal, signaling stronger state antitrust action and a wider shift to curb hidden fees that now also targets resale platforms.