DOJ Sues Live Nation: Following a two-year investigation, the Justice Department filed an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation and subsidiary company Ticketmaster today (4/23), as had been expected (CAT 4/16). The DOJ was joined in the suit by 29 states (including Tennessee) and the District of Columbia. At a press conference, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said of the company, "It's time to break it up."

The lawsuit alleges that Live Nation holds a monopoly in the ticketing industry, and unlawfully inhibits competition. As a result, Garland claimed at the press conference, "Fans pay more in fees, artists have fewer opportunities to play concerts, smaller promoters get squeezed out, and venues have fewer real choices for ticketing services." Live Nation says in response, “We will defend against these baseless allegations ... and continue to push for reforms that truly protect consumers and artists.” Live Nation and Ticketmaster merged in 2010.