{"id":35359,"date":"2026-03-12T13:52:17","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T17:52:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/federal-judge-pushes-states-to-settle-ticketmaster-case-but-deal-unlikely\/"},"modified":"2026-03-12T13:52:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T17:52:17","slug":"federal-judge-pushes-states-to-settle-ticketmaster-case-but-deal-unlikely","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/federal-judge-pushes-states-to-settle-ticketmaster-case-but-deal-unlikely\/","title":{"rendered":"Federal Judge Pushes States to Settle Ticketmaster Case, but Deal Unlikely"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n

A federal judge in Manhattan pressed more than two dozen states on Tuesday to resolve their antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster and Live Nation Entertainment by week’s end, following the Justice Department’s separate settlement that removed federal prosecutors from the ongoing trial.<\/p>

During a court hearing, Dan Wall, an attorney representing Live Nation Entertainment, informed Judge Arun Subramanian that the likelihood of all remaining states agreeing to settle their claims by Friday was essentially nonexistent.<\/p>

Wall explained his pessimistic outlook stemmed from recent negotiations between the entertainment conglomerate and state officials over the previous week. He noted that different states are seeking varying forms of relief in their cases.<\/p>

“There are too many parties,” Wall explained to the court. “We want to stick the landing here. Get it down. And we won’t stick the landing by Friday.”<\/p>

Wall later emphasized his position, stating: “There is zero chance we get this done by Friday.”<\/p>

Judge Subramanian responded with humor, remarking: “Not with that attitude.”<\/p>

Despite the pessimistic forecast, the judge convinced attorneys from both sides to conduct negotiations within the Manhattan federal courthouse throughout the week. He wants to assess their progress before determining whether to approve the states’ mistrial motion and schedule a new trial, or continue with proceedings that began last week.<\/p>

“Right now you should be focused on can we make a deal,” the judge instructed, offering conference rooms throughout the building for their discussions. He even volunteered his personal robing room as workspace, adding: “I want to see if we can get a deal done here.”<\/p>

Live Nation’s president and CEO Michael Rapino was present for Tuesday’s courthouse discussions.<\/p>

The Justice Department announced Monday that it had resolved its antitrust case against Ticketmaster, characterizing the agreement as a consumer victory that would dismantle an unlawful monopoly controlling live entertainment across America.<\/p>

During the trial proceedings, government attorneys and representatives from 39 states plus the District of Columbia argued that Live Nation and Ticketmaster were eliminating competition and inflating ticket prices for consumers. They alleged the companies used intimidation, retaliation and other aggressive strategies to “suffocate the competition” by dominating nearly every sector of the entertainment industry, from concert promotion to ticket sales. The defendants maintained that performers, sports organizations and venues determine pricing and sales methods.<\/p>

State officials immediately criticized the Justice Department’s settlement announcement. North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson characterized it as “a terrible deal.”<\/p>

Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat who serves on the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law, said Monday the new agreement resembled previous Justice Department deals that failed to stop Live Nation’s monopolistic behavior.<\/p>

Klobuchar commended states for rejecting the deal and expressed concern that it was revealed one month after the Justice Department’s antitrust division leader was removed from office.<\/p>

Court filings show Live Nation committed to allowing up to half of all tickets at amphitheaters under its ownership, operation or control to be distributed through alternative ticketing platforms.<\/p>

The company also agreed to limit service charges at those venues to 15% and sell its ownership or relinquish control of 13 amphitheaters, including facilities in Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Syracuse, New York, and Austin, Texas. Live Nation will establish a $280 million settlement fund to resolve claims or cover civil penalties for participating states.<\/p>

However, no funds will be distributed unless states agree to settle. A Justice Department spokesperson said Monday that at least 10 states had committed to joining the federal settlement.<\/p>

State attorneys indicate that more than two dozen states remain opposed to the proposed agreement.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A federal judge in New York is encouraging more than two dozen states to resolve their antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster and Live Nation this week. However, attorneys say reaching an agreement by Friday is highly unlikely after the Justice Department already settled separately.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":35358,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[834],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35359","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773337937639.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-9cj","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":36493,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/ticketmaster-antitrust-trial-continues-as-most-states-reject-federal-settlement\/","url_meta":{"origin":35359,"position":0},"title":"Ticketmaster Antitrust Trial Continues as Most States Reject Federal Settlement","author":"Admin","date":"March 13, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A major antitrust trial against Live Nation and Ticketmaster will continue Monday after only seven states agreed to join a federal settlement deal. Thirty-two states are pressing forward with claims that the entertainment giant uses anti-competitive tactics to control the concert industry and drive up ticket prices.","rel":"","context":"In "Business"","block_context":{"text":"Business","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/business\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773445016483.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773445016483.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773445016483.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773445016483.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":52791,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/jury-rules-ticketmaster-overcharged-customers-in-monopoly-case\/","url_meta":{"origin":35359,"position":1},"title":"Jury Rules Ticketmaster Overcharged Customers in Monopoly Case","author":"Admin","date":"April 15, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A federal jury found that Ticketmaster's parent company Live Nation operated an illegal monopoly and overcharged customers $1.72 per ticket across 22 states. The verdict could force the entertainment giant to pay hundreds of millions in refunds, though concert fans won't see immediate relief.","rel":"","context":"In "Business"","block_context":{"text":"Business","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/business\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776303464760.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776303464760.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776303464760.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776303464760.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":37771,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/states-continue-fight-against-live-nation-after-federal-settlement\/","url_meta":{"origin":35359,"position":2},"title":"States Continue Fight Against Live Nation After Federal Settlement","author":"Admin","date":"March 16, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Thirty-six states are pressing forward with their antitrust case against Live Nation and Ticketmaster in New York federal court, even after the Justice Department settled its claims last week. The states argue the entertainment giant uses anti-competitive practices to control the concert and ticketing industry.","rel":"","context":"In "Business"","block_context":{"text":"Business","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/business\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773682686934.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773682686934.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773682686934.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773682686934.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":30938,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/federal-trial-against-ticketmaster-live-nation-gets-underway-in-manhattan\/","url_meta":{"origin":35359,"position":3},"title":"Federal Trial Against Ticketmaster, Live Nation Gets Underway in Manhattan","author":"Admin","date":"March 3, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A federal antitrust trial against entertainment giant Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster began Tuesday in New York. The Justice Department alleges the company illegally monopolizes concert venues and ticket sales, potentially harming artists, venues, and fans nationwide.","rel":"","context":"In "Business"","block_context":{"text":"Business","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/business\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772542083777.jpg?fit=450%2C309&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":35532,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/ticketmaster-worker-called-fans-stupid-in-messages-now-evidence-in-antitrust-case\/","url_meta":{"origin":35359,"position":4},"title":"Ticketmaster Worker Called Fans ‘Stupid’ in Messages Now Evidence in Antitrust Case","author":"Admin","date":"March 12, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Internal workplace messages showing a Live Nation employee calling customers \"so stupid\" and bragging about \"robbing them blind\" have become evidence in a major antitrust lawsuit. The messages were exchanged between 2021 and 2023 as federal prosecutors and 39 states challenge the entertainment giant's business practices.","rel":"","context":"In "Business"","block_context":{"text":"Business","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/business\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773355061967.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773355061967.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773355061967.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1773355061967.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":31128,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/federal-trial-begins-over-claims-ticketmaster-monopolizes-concert-industry\/","url_meta":{"origin":35359,"position":5},"title":"Federal Trial Begins Over Claims Ticketmaster Monopolizes Concert Industry","author":"Admin","date":"March 3, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"A federal antitrust trial started Tuesday in New York with Justice Department lawyers arguing that Ticketmaster and Live Nation have created a monopoly that hurts consumers and artists. 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The trial is expected to last six weeks.","rel":"","context":"In "Business"","block_context":{"text":"Business","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/business\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772563771823.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772563771823.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772563771823.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772563771823.jpg?fit=1000%2C666&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35359","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35359"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35359\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35358"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35359"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35359"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35359"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}