A federal jury in Manhattan has ruled that Live Nation Entertainment and its subsidiary Ticketmaster engaged in monopolistic practices that harm competition in the live entertainment industry. The lawsuit, brought by numerous U.S. states, accused the companies of using their market dominance to restrict venues from utilizing alternative ticket sellers, thereby inflating ticket prices for consumers. Live Nation, which operates or has interests in hundreds of venues, controls 86% of the concert ticket market and 73% of the overall market when sports events are included. The trial featured testimony from Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino, who faced scrutiny over the company's pricing strategies and internal communications that suggested a disregard for customer concerns. The case is significant as it highlights long-standing issues with Ticketmaster's practices, which have drawn criticism from fans and artists alike, including past disputes with rock band Pearl Jam. The ruling may lead to further scrutiny and potential changes in how ticket sales are managed in the industry.