Ticketmaster Under Scrutiny: State Attorneys General Take the Lead in Antitrust Enforcement

With the federal government largely retreating from robust antitrust enforcement, a new front is emerging in the fight against corporate monopolies: state attorneys general. California Attorney General Rob Bonta is at the forefront of this movement, leading a significant caseload of antitrust cases, including a pivotal trial against Ticketmaster and Live Nation.

The States Press Forward Where the DOJ Stepped Back

The Ticketmaster/Live Nation trial is particularly noteworthy, as state attorneys general continued to pursue the case even after the Department of Justice (DOJ) reached a settlement. This demonstrates a commitment to challenging the dominance of these industry giants and protecting consumers from potentially anti-competitive practices.

Beyond Ticketmaster: A Broad Assault on Corporate Power

Bonta’s portfolio extends far beyond Ticketmaster. He’s actively involved in a price-fixing case against Amazon, lawsuits against Meta and TikTok addressing concerns about social media addiction, and a challenge to the Nexstar/Tegna local TV merger – a case that could grant a single broadcaster control over news in a staggering 70% of American households. These cases highlight a broader strategy to address concentrated power across various sectors.

Addressing Concerns About Corruption and Encouraging Hollywood to Speak Up

Bonta doesn’t mince words when discussing the situation in Washington D.C., openly describing what he perceives as corruption influencing antitrust decisions. He also issued a direct message to those in Hollywood concerned about the Paramount/Warner Bros. investigation, emphasizing that communication with his office is not illegal and that their input is welcomed. He encourages industry insiders to come forward with information.

The American Prospect Podcast: A Deep Dive into the Issues

These critical issues are explored in detail on The American Prospect podcast, featuring insights from David Dayen and Matt Stoller. You can listen via The American Prospect, Apple, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

About the Experts

• David Dayen is the executive editor of The American Prospect and author of Monopolized: Life in the Age of Corporate Power and Chain of Title: How Three Ordinary Americans Uncovered Wall Street’s Great Foreclosure Fraud.
• Matt Stoller is research director at the American Economic Liberties Project and author of Goliath: The 100-Year War Between Monopoly Power and Democracy.

The increasing scrutiny of companies like Ticketmaster signals a potential shift in the landscape of antitrust enforcement, with state attorneys general playing an increasingly vital role in safeguarding competition and protecting consumers.