NIVA Speaks: Jury Confirms Live Nation Is A Monopoly & Now The Consequences Should Be Severe
April 15, 2026 — National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) Executive Director Stephen Parker issued the following statement after a jury found Live Nation and Ticketmaster operated as an illegal monopoly:
"In the 44 days Live Nation's lawyers spent arguing about whether they broke the law, Live Nation made $3.1 billion. Today, the jury confirmed what artists, fans, and independent venues have believed for 15 years: Live Nation is an illegal monopoly. The consequences should be swift and disruptive to their vertically-integrated market power.
Live Nation and Ticketmaster must be broken up now. Ticketmaster should not be permitted to participate in the ticket resale market. Live Nation should not be able to promote more than 50% of artists’ tours. And the damages paid to the states should be remitted to the independent venues, promoters, festivals, and fans that have suffered under Live Nation's monopolistic reign over the last 15 years.
The nation’s fans and independent stages have hope once again because the jury saw Live Nation for what it is. Now the case is in the hands of the judge and the Plaintiff States to determine the remedies that will protect and compensate fans, venues, and promoters for the effects of their monopolistic conduct, and prevent it in the future.
ABOUT NIVA
The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) is the national trade association representing thousands of independent live entertainment venues, festivals, promoters, and more. NIVA works to preserve and nurture the ecosystem of live entertainment. NIVA empowers members and their teams with member benefits, advocacy on the state, local, and federal levels, an annual industry-leading conference, and more.
NIVA led the Save Our Stages campaign, culminating in landmark legislation in 2020 that established the $16.25 billion Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program, the largest arts investment in U.S. history.
NIVA is committed to equity in its support of independent stages. It seeks to create and encourage opportunities for venues, promoters, and festivals owned, operated, and staffed by people of color, women, non-binary, LGBTQ+, veterans, and people with disabilities.
CONTACT
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Kris Ferraro, Kris@luckybreakpr.com
Mike Stommel, Mike@luckybreakpr.com
