
U.S. Senate Subpoenas Live Nation After Allegedly Blocking Consumer Practices Investigation
The U.S. Senate has issued a subpoena to Live Nation and Ticketmaster following allegations of non-compliance with an ongoing investigation into their business practices. This development comes shortly after the company reported its "biggest quarter ever."

US Capitol at night
Senator Richard Blumenthal, chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, announced the subpoena, citing Live Nation's alleged "egregious stonewalling" of the committee's inquiry into consumer practices. The subpoena demands documents related to ticket pricing, fees, and resale specifics, addressing information requests dating back to March.
Live Nation EVP Dan Wall refuted the stonewalling allegations, stating the company has provided nearly 10,000 pages of documents, including:
- Over 2,000 emails
- Dozens of commercial agreements
- Various other materials
The key point of contention involves confidential information, particularly regarding artist tour earnings. Wall explained that Live Nation offered to provide this sensitive information with standard confidentiality protections, which the Subcommittee reportedly refused to grant.
This subpoena emerges amid an intensifying Justice Department antitrust investigation into the Live Nation-Ticketmaster merger. During the company's record Q3 financial report, CFO Joe Berchtold dismissed concerns about the DOJ probe, suggesting there was "no real news" regarding the investigation.
The scrutiny follows January's congressional hearing, where Berchtold faced bipartisan questioning in the aftermath of the Taylor Swift Eras Tour pre-sale difficulties.

US Department of Justice building exterior

Michael Rapino in black shirt
Related Articles

What Are the Major Record Labels? Complete Industry Guide
