North Carolina AG Jeff Jackson Continues Fight Against Live Nation, Ticketmaster

Raleigh – North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson is forging ahead with a legal challenge against Live Nation and its subsidiary, Ticketmaster, despite a recent settlement reached between the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the entertainment giant. Jackson announced Monday that North Carolina will remain part of a bipartisan coalition of states litigating against the companies, deeming the federal settlement a “terrible deal.”

DOJ Settlement and State Opposition

The original lawsuit, filed in May 2024 by the DOJ and 40 states, sought to dismantle the 2010 merger between Live Nation and Ticketmaster. The suit alleged the company’s dominance over concert promotion, artist management, and ticketing services created an illegal monopoly, driving up prices for consumers and stifling competition [1].

The DOJ settlement, announced shortly after the antitrust trial began, includes $280 million in civil penalties and requires Ticketmaster to open its technology to third-party sellers. It likewise mandates Live Nation to sell several amphitheaters and limit exclusive venue contracts [2].

Jackson, along with attorneys general from over two dozen other states, including New York, California, Florida, and Texas, argue the settlement fails to adequately address the core issue of the alleged monopoly [3].

Allegations Against Live Nation and Ticketmaster

“North Carolina is staying in this case – as are most of my fellow attorneys general, both Republicans and Democrats,” Jackson stated in a release. “This is a terrible deal that USDOJ hid from the states until the last minute. We are going to continue our fight against ticket inflation with a bipartisan group of AGs who remain committed to a just outcome for consumers.”

The state’s case centers on allegations that Live Nation and Ticketmaster inflated ticket prices with unnecessary fees, used long-term exclusive contracts to pressure venues, and leveraged artists by requiring them to use Live Nation as their promoter to secure access to key amphitheaters.

Jackson contends that Live Nation’s control extends across the entire entertainment ecosystem: “This case is about Live Nation and Ticketmaster harming consumers, trapping artists, and driving up ticket prices,” he said. “We will see them back in court, shortly.”

Impact on North Carolina Venues

Live Nation and Ticketmaster are connected to numerous venues across North Carolina, including the Lenovo Center and Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek in Raleigh; First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro; Live Oak Bank Pavilion in Wilmington; Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC); the Carolina Theatre in Durham; Spectrum Center in Charlotte; and the Orange Peel and Harrah’s Cherokee Center in Asheville [4].

Next Steps

North Carolina and its partner states have filed a motion for a mistrial, citing the need for additional preparation time following the DOJ’s withdrawal from the case. Jackson’s office is collaborating with U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian and other state attorneys general to establish a new timeline for the lawsuit.