Live Nation & Ticketmaster Found Guilty of Monopoly

0:00A Manhattan Federal jury just ruled that live nation and its ticket master arm hold a harmful monopoly over major concert venues, handing dozens of US states a big win in their lawsuit. The verdict came after four days of deliberation on Wednesday, spotlighting how the company controls hundreds of venues through ownership, operations, or stakes, while ticket master dominates as the top global ticket seller. States hammered live nation for squashing rivals, like pressuring venues to stick with one ticketing service, which jacks up fees for fans. Company lawyers fired back, arguing their market lead comes from straight up excellence, not shady tactics, and that artists plus venues call the shots on prices. This billed on decades of gripes, from Pearl Jam's 90s clash to a recent Justice Department suit under Biden that Trump partly settled capping. Some fees and teasing rival options like Seat Geek, but no full breakup. Number 30 states said that wasn't enough and kept fighting.

1:00Trial bombshells included, exec emails trashing outrageous, prices and fans as clueless marks, which the guy later called, immature. Now with this monopoly finding locked in, expect Remedies talks to reshape the live music game for real fan relief. I'm Cory with the story, and you've been listening to Tap a Bay News today, AI-powered local news.