Live Nation CFO Confident in Victory Against DOJ Antitrust Lawsuit — "We're Going to Prevail"

Live Nation CFO Confident in Victory Against DOJ Antitrust Lawsuit — "We're Going to Prevail"

By Marcus Stevenson

December 14, 2024 at 08:29 PM

Live Nation's CFO Joe Berchtold expressed confidence about the company's position in the ongoing antitrust lawsuit filed by the U.S. Justice Department and 39 state attorneys general against Live Nation and Ticketmaster.

Speaking at the Bank of America conference, Berchtold stated, "I expect we're going to prevail," and dismissed concerns about operational changes during the legal process. The trial is scheduled to begin in early 2026, following a period of discovery and depositions throughout 2024.

Joe Berchtold at Live Nation event

Joe Berchtold at Live Nation event

Regarding Ticketmaster's relationship with Live Nation, Berchtold described it as a "nice complement" while emphasizing that the companies operate separately. He reported strong ticket sales and artist touring demand, particularly globally, despite recent controversies over high-profile events like Taylor Swift's 'Eras Tour.'

Addressing ticket pricing concerns, Berchtold acknowledged the challenge of managing consumer expectations when demand significantly exceeds supply. He emphasized the need for better communication and transparency with fans, stating, "We can absolutely do a better job around some of the pieces to set up the expectations in terms of what fans should be seeing."

Ticketmaster has implemented all-in pricing in jurisdictions where required, showing final ticket prices upfront. The outcome of the DOJ's antitrust lawsuit will likely influence future transparency measures in the ticketing industry.

US Department of Justice building exterior

US Department of Justice building exterior

Michael Rapino in black shirt

Michael Rapino in black shirt

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