Multiple venues, millions of fans in Carolinas eye Live Nation litigation

(The Center Square) – Taylor Swift’s 2022 Eras Tour gets credit as the trigger, Congress couldn’t help, and more than three dozen state attorneys general – including North Carolina’s Jeff Jackson – are poised for a breakup.

The trial for the owner of Ticketmaster began Monday. Live Nation will try to fend off charges of creating an unlawful monopoly. Thirty-nine state prosecutors are signed on with the U.S. Department of Justice.

“Live Nation is illegally driving up ticket prices,” Jackson said. “Live Nation owns the tickets, the venues, and the tours, and uses its power to charge higher prices for tickets and tack on ridiculous fees knowing fans have no choice but to pay. We want to break up this monopoly and bring ticket inflation down.”

Live Nation and Ticketmaster are connected to a number of amphitheaters in North Carolina. Additionally, some large arenas are also tied to the entertainment giant. Among them large and small are the Lenovo Center and the Coastal...