Live Nation CEO Grilled on ‘Outrageous’ Fees and ‘Robbing’ Fans ‘Blind’
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While testifying, Michael Rapino pushed back on claims that he overseas a live entertainment industry monopoly, insisting his company was just trying to "build a better mousetrap"
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Live Nation Trial Live Nation CEO Grilled on ‘Outrageous’ Fees and ‘Robbing’ Fans ‘Blind’ While testifying, Michael Rapino pushed back on claims that he overseas a live entertainment industry monopoly, insisting his company was just trying to "build a better mousetrap" By Jon Blistein Jon Blistein Contact Jon Blistein by Email View all posts by Jon Blistein March 19, 2026 Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino was pressed on everything from lawn chair prices to allegations of retaliation while testifying Thursday in the live entertainment giant’s antitrust trial . While on the stand, Rapino faced questions about Live Nation and Ticketmaster’s business model and industry dominance. Trying to portray the company as an unparalleled powerhouse able to shape the live entertainment world as it pleased, Jeffrey Kessler, the lawyer representing the states pursuing the case against Live Nation, ran with Rapino’s own comments from a 2019 deposition, where the CEO said the company had “built an incredible moat around the castle of Live Nation.” Rapino refuted Kessler’s claim that this had anything to do with long-term exclusive contracts that locked out competitors in the ticketing and promotions space. Rather, he insisted the company, like all businesses, was just trying to “build a better mousetrap.” And their business model — one that includes ticketing, promotions, and venue ownership — was no different than its competitors. The day featured several notable exchanges, including one back and forth on arguably the most explosive bit to emerge from the trial so far: A series of messages between two Live Nation employees who boasted about “robbing” fans blind and “taking advantage of them” with high parking fees. Rapino disavowed the messages between Ben Baker and Jeff Weinhold, calling them “disgusting” and “not the way we operate.” (Asked if Baker had been disciplined yet, Rapino said no, but that he would “deal with it this week.”) Kessler then asked Rapino whether raising prices a...
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