Amy Klobuchar Calls Live Nation Deal ‘Weak’

Senator Amy Klobuchar has criticised the Department of Justice’s settlement with Live Nation and Ticketmaster, arguing that the agreement does not meaningfully address market power in US live entertainment. Speaking after the court action on Monday, the Minnesota senator said the outcome leaves fans and independent venues without the protections they expected after years of scrutiny over ticketing practices and consolidation.

Klobuchar told Variety that she views Live Nation-Ticketmaster as a monopoly and cited the company’s footprint across ticketing, venues and promotion. She said Live Nation controls more than 80% of the primary ticketing market for major concert venues, owns 40 of the top 50 amphitheatres, and takes in about 60% of promotion revenue at major concert venues, adding that the company also holds large shares of the pro and college sports ticketing business.

While acknowledging some parts of the settlement, Klobuchar argued it “does little” to lower costs, preserve independent venues or protect fans. She pointed to the limitation of exclusive ticketing contracts to four years as a positive element, but said structural change would be needed to deliver meaningful relief, referencing prior antitrust action in other industries as an example of a more forceful approach.

Klobuchar also raised concerns about how the settlement was reached, referencing the recent departure of former assistant attorney general for the antitrust division Gail Slater and saying the sequence of events undermined confidence in the process. She said the court signalled frustration as well, and claimed the handling of the agreement showed “disrespect” for the court and for fans who have pushed for reform.

Looking ahead, Klobuchar said she plans to introduce legislation next week aimed at strengthening settlement review standards. She said the bill would require stronger disclosures about the circumstances surrounding an agreement and would seek to prevent courts from approving settlements that fail to resolve core antitrust issues, as the broader debate over Live Nation’s role in the live music economy continues.