Live Nation Trial Resumes: Michael Rapino Defends Against Monopoly Claims Amid Controversial Slack Messages

Live Nation’s antitrust trial resumed this week following a surprising partial settlement that granted the jury a weeklong break. The proceedings featured critical testimony regarding the live music industry, prominently from Live Nation’s chief executive, Michael Rapino.

Key Developments in the Trial

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is no longer involved in the case after reaching a settlement that mandates Live Nation to mitigate certain allegedly anticompetitive practices. However, this resolution has not satisfied several state attorneys general, including those from New York and California, who are pursuing efforts to completely dismantle Live Nation and Ticketmaster.

The trial resumed on March 16, with Judge Arun Subramanian welcoming the jury back from their break. The states have enlisted veteran antitrust lawyer Jeffrey Kessler to lead their case, following the DOJ’s withdrawal.

The timeline for witness testimonies has been shortened, with the states planning to conclude their presentations early next week. Live Nation will subsequently have the opportunity to present its defense before the jury deliberates on the company’s monopolistic status.

Michael Rapino Takes the Stand

Michael Rapino, a key figure in the trial, testified on March 19. As the CEO of Live Nation for two decades, he has overseen the company’s significant growth and acquisitions, including the merger with Ticketmaster in 2010. His leadership has consistently placed him among the top five in Billboard’s annual Power 100 list.

During his testimony, Rapino robustly defended Live Nation against allegations of monopolistic behavior. He expressed pride in the company’s service to artists and fans, refuting claims that Live Nation intentionally restricts shows from venues that utilize competing ticketing services. He stated, “Yeah, we don’t do that.”

Rapino maintained that the decision for venues to choose Ticketmaster as their primary ticketing service often lies with wealthy sports team owners, not due to any fear of retaliation from Live Nation. He remarked, “I don’t tell the billionaire what to do with his venue.”

Controversial Slack Messages

Rapino addressed controversial Slack messages that surfaced during the trial, where two Live Nation ticketing directors joked about exploiting consumers with high parking fees. He described the language used in these messages as “disgusting” and “not the way we operate,” indicating that the staff involved are still employed by Live Nation and that he intends to address the issue internally.

The jury was introduced to these messages when employee Ben Baker testified on March 17. In one exchange, Baker shared a screenshot showing that Live Nation had grossed over $666,000 from premier parking in 2021, stating, “Robbing them blind baby. That’s how we do.” Baker later characterized his comments as “immature,” “unacceptable,” and “indefensible,” clarifying that he was surprised by the demand for such products.

Industry Perspectives

AEG Presents CEO Jay Marciano also testified this week, expressing concerns about Live Nation’s substantial market share and Ticketmaster’s high fees. However, he acknowledged AEG’s significant influence in the live industry, promoting major artists and events like Coachella.

Additional witnesses included Live Nation executives such as Bob Roux, Mark Campana, and Mike Evans, as well as representatives from other ticketing companies, including Ed Khoury of Jump Platforms and Christian Lewis of Paciolan.

Implications of the Testimony

Rapino’s testimony regarding Ticketmaster’s exclusivity agreements is central to the monopoly claims against Live Nation. While the DOJ settlement requires the company to offer non-exclusive ticketing options to venues, state attorneys general argue that Live Nation’s ownership of Ticketmaster continues to grant it excessive power in the industry.

The Slack messages serve as critical evidence for the states’ argument that Live Nation’s market dominance fosters greed at the expense of consumers. Live Nation contends that these messages do not reflect the company’s values, leaving the jury to determine the impact of this evidence on their deliberations.

As reported by www.billboard.com.

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Published on 2026-03-21 01:22:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk