Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost on Monday praised a Manhattan jury’s verdict finding Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster liable for monopolistic practices, calling the decision a significant victory for consumers and independent music venues.
The ruling follows a high-profile antitrust trial in New York, where a jury determined the companies violated both federal and Ohio antitrust laws by maintaining an unfair grip on the live entertainment ticketing market.
Ohio was among 34 states that continued pursuing the case after a federal settlement was reached earlier in the proceedings. State attorneys general argued the settlement did not go far enough to address long-standing concerns over market dominance and limited competition.
“This verdict affirms what fans and small venues have known for years — the system has been rigged,” Yost said in a statement. “Today’s decision is a step toward restoring fairness and competition in the live entertainment industry.”
Advocates for concertgoers and independent venues hailed the outcome as a major breakthrough, saying it could pave the way for increased competition, more transparent pricing and greater access to ticketing services.
The case centered on allegations that Live Nation leveraged its control over concert promotion and venue management to strengthen Ticketmaster’s position as the dominant ticketing platform, effectively shutting out competitors.
Legal experts say the dual finding of liability under both federal and state law could expose the company to significant penalties and potential structural changes, though the next phase of the case will determine remedies.
Live Nation has not yet announced whether it will appeal the decision.
The verdict marks one of the most consequential antitrust rulings in the live entertainment industry in recent years, with potential ripple effects for how concerts are promoted, ticketed and priced nationwide.