Key facts
- States are using new legislative tools to expand their antitrust enforcement capabilities.
- State attorneys general are investing in enforcement resources, including new hires and expanded budgets.
- Companies must now prepare to engage with state AG offices in regulatory and competition investigations.
- The federal government's settlement with Live Nation-Ticketmaster was criticized by state AGs and the presiding judge.
- A coalition of 37 state attorneys general, both Democratic and Republican, is pursuing the Ticketmaster case independently.
State attorneys general are increasingly taking on antitrust enforcement roles, often diverging from or proceeding without federal counterparts. This trend is fueled by new legislative tools and increased investment in enforcement resources by states. The federal government's recent settlement with Live Nation-Ticketmaster, a case involving allegations of monopolistic practices and market control, has drawn criticism from state officials who are continuing the legal challenge independently. This shift signifies a more complex regulatory landscape for deal makers, requiring preparation for engagement with state AG offices.