States Seek Breakup of Live Nation After Jury Finds Illegal Monopoly; Judge Weighs Remedy

A group of states is asking a federal judge to order a rare corporate breakup of Live Nation Entertainment Inc., separating it from Ticketmaster, after an April jury verdict found the company illegally monopolized live events. US District Judge Arun Subramanian in New York will rule on the breakup request and a proposed Justice Department settlement in the coming months. Some 480 independent venues and 240 festivals have closed since 2020, including 160 this year, per the National Independent Venue Association, which cites Live Nation's market power alongside pandemic and inflation pressures. Ticketmaster handles an estimated 86% of the US concert market; Live Nation owns or operates 42 of the top 50 amphitheaters and reported revenue above $25 billion last year. Live Nation denies dominance, says most promoted shows occur in venues it doesn't own, and plans to appeal the verdict. The DOJ settled weeks after CEO Michael Rapino met President Donald Trump; the company denies political interference.