SDNY COURTHOUSE, March 5– The United States versus Live Nation trial began
on March 2 with jury selection, before U.S. District Court
for the Southern District of New York Judge Arun
Subramanian.
In the run-up, the parties and some
non-parties like counsel to Irving Azoff, arguing for
sealing and redaction of documents. As it has done in
other SDNY cases, Inner City Press anticipates filing when
necessary to unseal.
On March 4, it happened. A request
was made to seal an exhibit, and then nothing else could
be covered. Inner City Press filed with Judge Subramanian,
cc-ing DOJ and Live Nation's counsel, below.
The two witnesses on March 4 both
testified to threats by Live Nation: John Abbamondi while
at Barclays (thread by Michael Rapino), and Mitch
Helgerson of the Minnesota Wild (thread by Ticketmaster,
before flying back to St. Paul).
March 4 extra on X for Subscribers here
and Substack here
On March 5, as Judge Subramanian granted
Inner City Press fist motion to unseal, here,
Matt Geiger of Gate 52, Oliver Chi formerly the city
manager of Irvine, California (about Live Nation
strong-arming about that city's amphitheater) and It's My
Party CEO Seth Hurwitz, whose testimony while funny at
times only marginally served the antitrust case, if that.
March 5 analysis and what's-next on X for Subscribers here
and Substack here;
vlog here.
On March 4 Inner City Press did a vlog,
after filing:
"Inner City Press has been covering the
above captioned case, like many others, since the
Complaint was filed in May 2024. Now
that trial has begun, exhibits and filings are being
withheld - this specifically challenges the withholding of
an exhibit this morning, seemingly a text message between
witness Abbamondi and Patty Kim of Live
Nation. It was said, cut off the public
view - but then, exclusion... In the courtroom, it
seems many seats have been set aside for the parties, but
too few for the press and public. Therefore Inner City
Press relies on the feed, and it is not working, making it
nearly impossible to cover this important
trial. This also challenges last night's
formal request to seal by Tennessee Football LLC (Dkt
1108), and that of the LA Clippers (Dkt 1091), IMP (Dkt
1071) - A better process should be
established" - full letter on DocumentCloud here
On March 5, greanted.
More March 2 details, and the names, on X for Subscribers
here
and Substack here
On March 3, three opening statements -
David Dahlquist out of Chicago for the US, Jonathan Hatch
for NY and the other states, and Latham's Marriott for
Live Nation. The first witness was supposed to take the
stand after that, but Judge Subramanian cited technical
issues and sent the jurors home.
More March 3 detailing including on
upcoming witnesses on X for Subscribers here
and Substack here
The case is United States of America et al v. Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. et al., 24-cv-3973 (Subramanian)
