Have you ever wondered if anything will actually change the way we buy concert tickets? In this episode, we break down the monumental shift in the fight against Live Nation-Ticketmaster.
For over a decade, the debate around Ticketmaster relied on the constraints of a 2010 negotiated settlement with the DOJ, where core economic questions were never fully adjudicated. Now, the story has changed. We discuss the recent landmark case where a jury officially found that Live Nation-Ticketmaster possessed monopoly power, engaged in exclusionary conduct, and caused consumer harm.
Tune in as we unpack the details of the “Antitrust Decision Funnel” and explain why determining liability is just the beginning. We explore the jury’s estimation of a $1.72 (or 1-3%) ticket overcharge and discuss how this magnitude of harm will influence the judge’s ultimate decision on remedies, which could range from damages to structural breakups. Finally, we compare the U.S. antitrust path—which seeks to restore competitive conditions—to alternative approaches, like Ontario’s direct price regulation that caps resale tickets at face value.
If you want to understand the economics, the law, and what this verdict actually means for your next concert, this episode is for you!
For a full article and graphic examination of this case, click this link:
