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The web of litigation around Live Nation, Ticketmaster, and the companies\u2019 alleged monopoly is getting more complicated \u2014 but it could be good news for concertgoers who are sick<\/a> of dynamic pricing<\/a> and inexplicable service fees.<\/p>\n The Department of Justice and 40 state attorneys general sued<\/a> Live Nation, owner of Ticketmaster, in 2024 for alleged monopolistic practices. The two companies had merged in 2010 to form an entertainment giant that came to control the majority of ticket sales and venue bookings in the country, which made it more difficult for other companies to compete, according to the lawsuit. Without meaningful competition, customers had no choice but to accept Live Nation\u2019s dubious pricing models<\/a>, which critics say benefit the company\u2019s bottom line, rather than artists.<\/p>\n Last month, the DOJ tentatively settled<\/a> with Live Nation, while a separate state-level trial was already underway. But 34 of the attorneys general<\/a> pressed forward, and on Wednesday, a federal jury found<\/a> that Live Nation had been operating as an illegal monopoly.<\/p>\n During the widely followed trial, Slack messages<\/a> surfaced between two Live Nation employees: Ben Baker, now head of ticketing for Venue Nation, and Jeff Weinhold, now a senior director in the ticketing department.<\/p>\n \u201cThese people are so stupid,\u201d Baker said in a conversation about raising prices on parking. \u201cI almost feel bad taking advantage of them BAHAHAHAHAHA.\u201d<\/p>\n In a later conversation, also about parking prices, Baker said, \u201cRobbing them blind baby.\u201d<\/p>\n Live Nation argued<\/a> that these remarks represented \u201coff-the-cuff banter, not policy, decision-making, or facts of consequence.\u201d<\/p>\n Techcrunch event<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSan Francisco, CA<\/span>
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOctober 13-15, 2026<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n