California Attorney General Rob Bonta and a bipartisan group of state attorneys general announced on Mar. 9 their decision to continue the antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation/Ticketmaster, following the U.S. Department of Justice’s settlement with the company just days into the trial.
The move signals ongoing concerns among several states about the impact of Live Nation’s business practices on consumers, artists, and competition in the live music industry. The coalition of attorneys general is seeking further accountability for what they allege are monopolistic actions by Live Nation that have harmed fans and venues across the country.
In a statement, Bonta said, “Today, U.S. DOJ has chosen to settle with Live Nation, but a bipartisan group of attorneys general, including California, have chosen to continue this fight and get a better deal for consumers — the deal Americans nationwide deserve.” He continued, “Just in the first week of trial, we’ve already heard that Live Nation fully intended to take advantage of fans — and were able to do so because fans had no other place to go. Live Nation has manipulated the market, made itself untouchable by any competitor, and raked in the cash — not because it is better, but because it has acted illegally and created a monopoly.”
Bonta also addressed broader economic issues: “Allowing big corporations to raise prices and push competitors out of the marketplace with impunity will only worsen the affordability crisis felt by Americans. From President Trump’s efforts to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, to instituting tariffs that have raised prices on nearly everything, to firing the head of the federal DOJ’s antitrust office tasked with protecting fairness in the marketplace, and now abandoning this lawsuit, it’s abundantly clear: The President is more concerned with protecting corporate interests than making life affordable for American families.”
The California Attorney General’s office plays an important role as part of California’s executive branch under state law according to its official website. It serves as California’s chief law enforcement authority with responsibilities that include enforcing state laws and advancing policies related to civil rights, consumer protection, economic security, and environmental justice according to its official website. The office promotes transparency through initiatives like OpenJustice for publishing criminal justice data according to its official website.
Rob Bonta leads this statewide office according to its official website, which exercises authority throughout California according to its official website.
Joining Bonta in continuing litigation are attorneys general from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming as well as Washington D.C. The outcome could influence future approaches toward large corporations accused of anti-competitive conduct.
