A New York jury on Wednesday, April 15, found Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster guilty of operating an illegal monopoly in the live event market. The verdict followed a trial that commenced on March 2 and involved testimony from numerous industry figures. New York Attorney General Letitia James stated this is a significant win against monopolies, asserting that Live Nation and Ticketmaster have exploited fans and artists by inflating prices and suppressing competition. The lawsuit, initiated in 2024 by the Department of Justice, 39 states, and the District of Columbia, accused the company of anti-competitive practices such as retaliating against rivals, limiting artists' venue access, and using exclusive contracts to control ticketing and increase prices. Live Nation has refuted these claims, arguing that most ticket fees go to venues and that its market share has been eroded by competition.