SDNY COURTHOUSE, April 28 – 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. Then after a week of testimony it
went on pause, and the DOJ and several states settled with
Live Nation.
Inner City Press submitted a
Freedom of Information Act requests to US DOJ on March 27,
2026.
On March 16 the trial picked back up, with
NYS' Hatch questioning AEG's Marciano followed by a
grilling cross by Live Nation's Marriott, emphasizing the
size and actions of AEG. Then the states called Live
Nation's Bob Roux, who repeatedly said he didn't remember
and couldn't confirm.
Late on March 19, Inner City Press
published TicketMonster in Court, here
On April 15, the jury found Live Nation to
be a monopolist, verdict form here.
Inner City Press immediately published "Ticketmaster Loses
the Jury: Live Nation Death Sentence?" Ebook here,
audiobook and paperback coming.
On the DOJ FOIA requests, after DOJ correctly granted expedited processing and Inner City Press voluntarily limited the scope of its request in order to get the records more quickly, on April 20 a total denial by DOJ, full copy here
Inner City Press
immediately appealed.
On April 24 a letter to
Judge Subramanian: Live Nation's briefing for a new
trial to July 2. But DOJ wants the Tunney Act process to
move forward: "the United States intends to file the
Proposed Final Judgment, Stipulation and Order, and
Explanation of Procedures Under the Antitrust Procedures
and Penalties Act by late May. The United States would
then be in a position to move for entry of Final
Judgment in early or mid-September, after the 60-day
comment period under the Tunney Act has run, the United
States has responded to public comments, and all other
Tunney Act requirements are satisfied. The United States
believes the Court should be able to enter Final
Judgment shortly thereafter. The United States sees no
reason to delay entry pending the completion of remedy
proceedings. Delaying the Tunney Act proceedings could
also affect the approval of state-specific settlements
under 15 U.S.C. § 15c." Full letter on Patreon here
On April 28, Judge
Subramanian ordered a May 7 hearing: "briefing schedule
for defendants' Rule 50(b) motions is approved. The word
limits are approved too, but plaintiffs may have up to
an additional 1,000 words in their opposition brief to
address any remaining issues concerning Dr. Abrantes
Metz. Defendants will have an additional 500 words on
reply to address any points that plaintiffs raise. The
Court will hold a conference on May 7, 2026 at 11:00 am
in Courtroom 15A of the 500 Pearl Street Courthouse to
address the schedule with respect to the Tunney Act and
remedies proceedings. If that date and time doesn't
work, please let the Court know. The states and
defendants should have someone involved in the parties'
prior settlement negotiations there so they can let the
Court know if any discussions are ongoing, and if
there's a further way that the Court can be of
assistance (without telling the Court the substance of
any terms being discussed."
March 18 extra on "war room(s)" on X for
Subscribers here
and Substack here
On March 6, Inner City
Press was in the courtroom at 8:30 am, and spoke to push
for further unsealing, including of demonstratives. See
new book, "TicketMonster: US v Live Nation 1," ebook,
audiobook and paperback here.
The case is United States of America et al v. Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. et al., 24-cv-3973 (Subramanian)
