States seek mistrial after DOJ surprise Live Nation settlement blindsides attorneys general
Mar 10th 2026
State attorneys general asked for a mistrial after the Department of Justice quietly reached a near-final settlement with Live Nation and gave states one day to accept, saying they were kept out of negotiations and will be harmed by DOJ's sudden withdrawal from the trial.
- DOJ told states of a near-final Live Nation settlement on March 5 at 4 P.M. and gave them one day to accept or reject the terms.
- Several state attorneys general say they were excluded from settlement talks and filed to stay the trial and obtain a mistrial.
- States argue DOJ led the case at trial and its abrupt exit will cause substantial prejudice if the settlement stands.
- New York Attorney General Letitia James led the filing and said the settlement fails to address Live Nation's alleged monopoly and her office will continue the lawsuit.
- The group opposing the settlement is bipartisan and includes Republican attorneys general from Kansas, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, and Wyoming.
- States that agreed to the settlement are Arkansas, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and South Dakota, while Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Texas, and West Virginia have not taken positions.