Department of Justice Investigates TicketMaster/Livenation

The department of Justice has been investigating Antitrust concerns with the proposed TicketMaster and Livenation merger. The two companies expected a thorough investigation and are cooperating with the DOJ. Artist, fans and other interested parties have expressed concern that if TicketMaster, the world’s largest ticket seller and Livenation, the owner of 140 major venues in the country were to merge, it would create a large scale concert monopoly. Last year, Livenation ended their long term contract to sell tickets through TicketMaster, and launched its own ticket selling service, leading to direct competition between the two companies. The proposed merger is expected to be completed in the second half of the year.