DOJ settles Live Nation suit, but Tennessee presses forward

Why it matters: The federal settlement, which requires a judge's sign-off, means Live Nation won't need to divest Ticketmaster or any other assets, despite the Department of Justice's previous argument that that the corporate tie-up created an illegal monopoly that hurt consumers and performers.

Zoom in: Tennessee was one of dozens of states that had joined the DOJ's case. State Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said Tennessee would continue to litigate the case.

• "Our resolve has not wavered," Skrmetti said in a statement. "We are proud to stand with a powerful core of conservative AGs and bipartisan partners from across the country committed to continuing the fight against Ticketmaster/Live Nation."

What he's saying: "The entertainment industry is woven into the very fabric of our State's identity," Skrmetti said. "When a corporate monopoly acts as a gatekeeper to live entertainment, it doesn't just crank up prices for fans; it threatens the heartbeat of our culture."

• "For decades too long, we've seen fans, artists, and independent venues squeezed by a system that prioritizes monopoly power over affordability and quality."

Flashback: DOJ filed its lawsuit in 2024, and the trial began earlier this month.

• Only some of the states who joined the suit have signed onto the DOJ settlement.

Between the lines: One concession obtained by DOJ is that at least some Live Nation venues that had exclusive ticketing deals with Ticketmaster will become open to other primary ticketing agencies, but Live Nation isn't divesting any actual venues.

The big picture: The settlement represents a green light for U.S. dealmakers, coming just weeks after the Trump administration forced out DOJ antitrust chief Gail Slater.