Live Nation Entertainment and Ticketmaster have filed motions to vacate the jury verdict in their antitrust case, arguing it is against the clear weight of the evidence and tainted by prejudicial errors.

The filings, submitted May 21 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, include a motion for a new trial under Rule 59 and judgment as a matter of law under Rule 50(b). They came on the same day a coalition of 33 states and D.C. proposed remedies including full divestiture of Ticketmaster.

The April 15 verdict found the companies illegally monopolized primary ticketing at major U.S. venues and overcharged fans by $1.72 per ticket. The defense, represented by Latham & Watkins and Cravath, Swaine & Moore, claims plaintiffs failed to prove core elements including relevant markets and anticompetitive effects.

Live Nation argues the plaintiffs shifted focus to consumers because evidence of harm to venues and artists was weak. The filings criticize the admission of irrelevant material — European practices, decades-old conduct, and anecdotes about parking and lawn chairs — saying it improperly influenced the jury.

They also challenge jury instructions on anticompetitive effects and the tying claim, citing Supreme Court precedents including Ohio v. American Express, NCAA v. Alston, and Jefferson Parish. Additionally, they dispute hearsay testimony from competitors and the impact of plaintiffs’ expert Dr. Rosa Abrantes-Metz.

The case is before Judge Arun Subramanian. The DOJ settled with Live Nation in March, allowing it to keep Ticketmaster, but most states rejected the deal and continued the trial.

In response to the states’ divestiture push, Live Nation called it “performative and political.” Whether the court orders breakup, limited remedies, or behavioral changes is still open. The motions seek to reverse the verdict or delay any outcome.

Separately, the UK House of Commons Business and Trade Committee urged a full market investigation into Live Nation’s dominance in British live music.

h/t: source