Amy Klobuchar Slams Live Nation Settlement: 'Disrespect for the Fans'
Senator Amy Klobuchar criticizes the Department of Justice's settlement with Live Nation, arguing it fails to adequately protect fans and venues.
Senator Amy Klobuchar has voiced strong disapproval of the Department of Justice’s settlement with Live Nation, asserting that it will do “little to lower costs, preserve venues, or protect fans.” Her comments came in a recent interview with Rolling Stone.
Speaking shortly after the deal was announced, the Minnesota senator expressed concerns regarding the terms and the process by which the agreement was reached. She highlighted the unexpected departure of the DOJ’s antitrust head, Gail Slater, who had shown strong interest in pursuing the Live Nation case, just a month before the trial was set to begin.
"Every single sign points to a backroom deal,” Klobuchar stated, “made without the knowledge of antitrust lawyers, and made against the wishes of people that were trying to do the right thing and then were forced to leave. And certainly made against the wishes of fans.”
Live Nation has actively lobbied the Trump administration regarding the suit over the past year. Notably, the company appointed Ric Grenell, a Trump ally and current Kennedy Center president, to its board of directors last May. Reports also indicate that Live Nation’s lobbying efforts included former Trump aide Kellyanne Conway and MAGA influencer Mike Davis.
"This case was one of the biggest monopolies the world has ever known,” Klobuchar explained, highlighting Live Nation's significant control over ticketing, venues, and major sporting events. She expressed that the settlement was not entirely surprising given the administration's approach.
Amy Klobuchar
Judge Arun Subramanian, who is presiding over the trial, also expressed surprise that the court was not informed of the agreement until after it was reached. Klobuchar echoed this sentiment, stating, “I agree with the judge who said it showed absolute disrespect for the court and the jury. I would add one more thing: it shows absolute disrespect for the fans and for people that go to concerts.”
Klobuchar acknowledged that the settlement includes “some good things,” such as the four-year cap on Ticketmaster’s exclusivity contracts with venues. However, she maintained that breaking up Live Nation and Ticketmaster would be the most effective solution.
"Every time a Justice Department or an administration has done something like this, they have gotten around it and grown even bigger,” Klobuchar said. “The only way to see a future for competition in ticketing, venues, and promotion would be breaking them up.”
She also dismissed concerns that a divestiture would lead to a private equity firm acquiring Ticketmaster and worsening the situation. She cited the breakup of Bell System and AT&T as a successful example of bringing down costs and fostering innovation.
Looking ahead, Klobuchar emphasized the importance of congressional oversight and plans to introduce new legislation to enhance disclosure requirements and empower states to intervene in cases voluntarily dismissed by the DOJ.
Klobuchar also supports state attorneys general who plan to continue the fight. Several states have already filed a motion to declare a mistrial, noting they were unaware of settlement discussions until after the jury was selected.
“I hope to see aggressive litigation from the states,” Klobuchar concluded. “They’ve had to lead the way in so many ways.”
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