Скачать или смотреть Podcast - The "Velvet Hammer": Why the Feds Want to Destroy Ticketmaster

The Department of Justice has officially declared war on the biggest name in live music1. This is not just about high service fees or frustrated Swifties anymore2. The government claims Live Nation and Ticketmaster have built an illegal fortress around the industry1. They call this strategy the "Flywheel," and it is allegedly designed to suffocate competition34. The lawsuit accuses them of using threats and retaliation to keep venues in line5. If a venue tries to leave, they allegedly risk losing access to the world's biggest tours6. One business partner even described themselves as the "pimp" and the "hammer" for the company78. It sounds like a script from a crime drama, but these are real allegations from a federal complaint9. They allegedly track you and your friends to build a data moat that no rival can cross1011. Now forty states are demanding a jury trial to break this empire apart1213. The DOJ says it is time to stop the "Ticketmaster Tax" once and for all14. But Live Nation is fighting back and claims there is absolutely zero proof of harm15. If the government wins this massive lawsuit, the way you buy tickets could change forever16. But you will not believe the text message executives allegedly sent to a venue that tried to switch to SeatGeek17.