Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco Delivers Remarks on Lawsuit Against Live Nation-Ticketmaster for Monopolizing Markets Across the Live Concert Industry

Remarks as Prepared for Delivery

Thank you, Mr. Attorney General — and good morning, everyone. 

Today’s announcement reflects the latest efforts by the Justice Department to combat corporate misconduct.

Since day one of this administration, we have prioritized holding the most serious corporate wrongdoers accountable — from bribe payers to money launderers to price fixers.

Our fight against corporate wrongdoing includes an intense focus on anticompetitive conduct — which disadvantages consumers, workers, and businesses of all kinds.

As the Attorney General detailed, today’s announcement alleges that Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster have engaged in anticompetitive conduct to cement their dominance of the live concert market.

It lays out how Live Nation-Ticketmaster acts as the gatekeeper for an entire industry – reaching its proverbial hands into every stage of the concert lifecycle: from who promotes shows; to where they happen; to how they are ticketed. 

And with its exclusionary conduct, Live Nation effectively reaches into the pockets of concertgoers by driving up fees.

Over the years, Live Nation has intentionally blocked others out of the market — limiting where shows can take place, who can sell tickets, and who benefits from them. 

As alleged in the complaint, they’ve employed a range of tactics to keep competitors out of the market: long-term exclusive ticketing contracts, serial acquisitions of regional competitors, and threatening to retaliate against venues. 

Today’s lawsuit by the Justice Department Antitrust Division is an enormous step forward in preventing one company from dictating the ebbs and flows of an entire industry. 

It’s a step forward to give more venues, promoters, and ticket sellers a chance to compete for the biggest shows. 

And it’s a step forward in making this era of live music more accessible for the fans, the artists, and the industry that supports them.

Because when families want to attend a concert, the add-on fees they need to pay shouldn’t break the bank.

When an independent venue wants to host the next big show, they should have the opportunity to compete. 

And when a regional promoter wants to publicize an artist, they shouldn’t have to fear retaliation. 

Put simply, one company should not have the power to determine who gets to participate in a marketplace.

I want to thank the women and men of the Antitrust Division for their work — and Assistant Attorney General Kanter for his leadership – to protect consumers, performers, and small businesses. 

Today, and always, their work forms part of the foundation of the Department’s corporate enforcement mission: to promote fairness, to drive deterrence, and to advance the rule of law. 

Thank you.