Bonta Leads States in Antitrust Fight Against Live Nation, Scrutinizes Paramount-Warner Merger
California Attorney General Rob Bonta is spearheading a bipartisan effort by state attorneys general to continue the antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation/Ticketmaster, despite the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) reaching a settlement. Bonta has likewise launched an investigation into the proposed $110 billion merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery, signaling a more assertive state-level approach to antitrust enforcement.
Rejecting the DOJ Settlement
On March 9, 2026, Attorney General Bonta and a coalition of state attorneys general announced their intention to move forward with the landmark antitrust case against Live Nation/Ticketmaster, rejecting the DOJ’s settlement reached days into the trial. The states are seeking to hold the concert giant accountable for anticompetitive conduct that they allege harms consumers, artists, and venues. Source
The lawsuit, initially filed in 2024, alleges that Live Nation’s dominance in the ticketing and concert amphitheater markets has enabled a range of anticompetitive behaviors. The states have requested the court declare a mistrial to ensure a fair trial focused on their concerns. Bonta stated the DOJ settlement did not adequately address the issues faced by consumers. Source
Scrutinizing the Paramount-Warner Merger
Bonta’s commitment to antitrust enforcement extends to the proposed merger between Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery. His office has an open investigation into the deal, and he has vowed to conduct a “vigorous” review. Source
Concerns surrounding the merger include potential contraction of the Hollywood labor market, consolidation of streaming services (Paramount+, HBO Max, Pluto, and Discovery+), and potentially higher prices and lower wages. Bonta emphasized the importance of the entertainment industry to California’s economy, and identity. Source
Paramount filed for DOJ approval in December, initiating the regulatory review process. A key deadline for the DOJ to raise concerns passed without comment, and Paramount anticipates finalizing the deal by the complete of September. Paramount’s Chief Legal Officer, Makan Delrahim, argues the merger will expand content output and create job opportunities.
A Shift in Antitrust Enforcement
Bonta’s actions reflect a broader trend of state attorneys general taking a more prominent role in antitrust enforcement, particularly in light of what some perceive as a pullback by the federal government. Rohit Chopra, a former director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, has been hired as a senior advisor by the Progressive State Leaders Committee to coordinate these efforts. Source
Bonta has publicly criticized former President Trump for “abdicating the federal administration’s responsibilities” to enforce antitrust laws and protect a competitive marketplace.