A Manhattan jury has found Live Nation-Ticketmaster illegally monopolized the live event ticketing market, amphitheaters, and illegally tied its concert promotions business with venue usage. This verdict, which concluded a six-week trial, exposes the company to a potential breakup, a primary goal of the Biden administration’s Department of Justice lawsuit. While the judge will determine final damages and potential remedies, this outcome significantly surpasses the settlement reached by the Trump administration’s DOJ. The trial featured testimony from executives, artists, and rivals, with states arguing Live Nation used coercive tactics to ensure venue and ticketing exclusivity.
Read More
A Manhattan federal jury has found that concert giant Live Nation and its Ticketmaster subsidiary engaged in a harmful monopoly over live event venues. This decision, reached after four days of deliberation, concluded a lawsuit brought by dozens of U.S. states. The verdict could result in significant financial penalties for the companies, potentially reaching hundreds of millions of dollars due to overcharging consumers. Furthermore, sanctions could compel Live Nation to divest certain assets, including venues they own.
Read More
Michael Jordan is slated to testify in a federal antitrust trial against NASCAR, as his co-owned 23XI Racing team, along with Front Row Motorsports, alleges the racing circuit is a monopoly. The lawsuit, filed in 2024, claims NASCAR limits team revenues and freedom by requiring standardized cars and parts from approved suppliers. The teams are also contesting NASCAR’s charter system and the league’s control over track approvals. Jordan has stated he is fighting for the rights of smaller teams as well.
Read More
Elon Musk’s proposed $97.4 billion bid for OpenAI has sparked considerable controversy and apprehension. The sheer scale of the offer itself is staggering, raising immediate questions about the financial feasibility and potential ramifications of such a monumental acquisition. Many are questioning where Musk intends to source such a massive sum, especially given the recent financial struggles of several of his companies, including Twitter, and the fluctuating value of Tesla stock. The concern is that this bid might be another reckless gamble, potentially jeopardizing OpenAI’s future.
The potential for Musk to acquire OpenAI has ignited widespread alarm over the possibility of a single entity wielding such immense power over a technology as transformative as artificial intelligence.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood