Silver State Times

Carson City, NV – Attorney General Aaron Ford announced today that he has joined the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and a bipartisan coalition of 30 attorneys general in an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. The lawsuit alleges that Live Nation, which owns Ticketmaster, has monopolized the live entertainment industry and increased prices for live shows in Nevada and across the country.

“Live Nation's business practices have directly harmed consumers and the entertainment industry by contributing to skyrocketing prices for live entertainment,” said AG Ford. “Nevada, with our reliance on the tourism sector and live entertainment, feels the effects of increasing prices in this area deeply. By joining this lawsuit, we will fight to keep our world-class experiences more affordable for both Nevadans and tourists.”

Filed by the DOJ and attorneys general in the Southern District of New York, the lawsuit seeks financial compensation for plaintiffs and fans who were overcharged by Live Nation. It also aims to prohibit Live Nation from continuing its current anticompetitive practices and demands that Live Nation divest itself from Ticketmaster.

The plaintiffs argue that Live Nation increased fees without transparency about the ultimate cost at the point of sale; threatened venues with a loss of access to Live Nation-controlled tours if they signed with another ticket service; and used its network of venues to pressure artists into selecting Live Nation as their promoter.

By joining the DOJ’s lawsuit, AG Ford aligns with attorneys general from Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island South Carolina Tennessee Texas Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin and Wyoming.

View a copy of the complaint.