Live Nation to unwind Ticketmaster exclusivity under DOJ antitrust settlement

The Department of Justice reached a settlement with Live Nation Entertainment over antitrust concerns about Ticketmaster, requiring the company to unwind 13 exclusive venue bookings, offer a standalone third-party ticketing option (such as SeatGeek), and pay about $280 million in civil penalties; the deal still requires approval from more than 20 states and the court. The settlement follows years of scrutiny of Live Nation’s dominance in live events, including past Taylor Swift ticketing issues and an FTC suit, while supporters say exclusivity was not necessary for quality. Shares rose on the news.