Live Nation Legal Chief Urges DOJ to Settle Ticketmaster Monopoly Case

Live Nation's top lawyer says a trial is unnecessary and calls for a settlement that allows the company to keep Ticketmaster.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Live Nation's head of corporate and regulatory affairs, Dan Wall, has publicly urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to settle the antitrust case it filed against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, rather than go to trial. Wall argues that a recent court ruling has undermined the DOJ's claims that Live Nation has monopolized the concert promotion and ticketing markets, and that a settlement not involving the divestiture of Ticketmaster would be the best path forward.

Why it matters

The DOJ's case against Live Nation and Ticketmaster has been closely watched as it could have major implications for the live music industry. A settlement that allows Live Nation to retain Ticketmaster would be seen as a win for the company, but could disappoint those who have called for the two companies to be broken up due to concerns over their market dominance.

The details

In a blog post, Live Nation's Dan Wall urged the DOJ to settle the case rather than go to trial. Wall argued that a recent court ruling had undermined the DOJ's key claims, and that a settlement not involving the divestiture of Ticketmaster would be the best outcome. Wall said Live Nation is "ready to make that happen" with the DOJ and any state attorneys general involved. However, Wall did not specify what a "common-sense" settlement would entail.

  • The DOJ filed its antitrust case against Live Nation and Ticketmaster in 2020.
  • A trial in the case is currently scheduled to begin on March 2, 2026.
  • On February 18, 2026, a federal judge ruled that certain key DOJ claims would be allowed to proceed to trial.

The players

Dan Wall

Live Nation's head of corporate and regulatory affairs, who has been the public face of the company's fight against the DOJ's antitrust case.

Department of Justice (DOJ)

The U.S. government agency that filed the antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, alleging the companies have monopolized the live music industry.

Live Nation

The live entertainment company that owns Ticketmaster, the dominant ticket sales platform in the U.S.

Ticketmaster

The ticket sales and distribution company owned by Live Nation, which the DOJ alleges has monopolized the ticketing market.

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What they’re saying

“We understand that any settlement needs to be meaningful for our venue customers, for artists and of course for fans. That is what we want, too. Despite the constant criticism we receive from some quarters, Live Nation and Ticketmaster have led the industry in promoting reforms that artists and fans care about. We hope and expect that a resolution of this case will extend those efforts.”

— Dan Wall, Head of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, Live Nation (Billboard)

What’s next

The DOJ and Live Nation are expected to continue settlement negotiations, with a trial currently scheduled for March 2, 2026 if an agreement is not reached.

The takeaway

The Live Nation legal chief's public plea for a settlement without a Ticketmaster divestiture suggests the company believes it has the upper hand in the antitrust case, and is seeking to avoid a potentially damaging trial outcome. However, the DOJ and state attorneys general may still push for more significant concessions from Live Nation in any potential settlement.