Attorneys general from 10 new states have joined a civil antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation and its ticket-selling unit, Ticketmaster, for allegedly monopolizing markets across the live concert industry.
Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah, and Vermont have joined the lawsuit. This boosts the total to 39 states, plus the District of Columbia.
The amended complaint, originally filed in May with the U.S. Justice Department, includes additional complaints filed against the entertainment giant. The group is now seeking treble damages against the defendants by adding claims under the federal anti-monopoly law, meaning that they can triple the amount they’re after in monetary damages.
Live Nation manages more than 400 musical artists and controls around 60% of concert promotions at major venues across the U.S., according to the amended complaint. It also owns or controls more than 265 venues in North America, including more than 60 of the top 100 amphitheaters in the U.S. Through Ticketmaster, it controls roughly 80% or more of major concert venues primary ticketing.