Welcome to MoneyNerd! The live music industry giant Live Nation Entertainment is back in the headlines. We break down the recent court drama and what a potential deal could mean for concert-goers.
Also this week:
Gas prices keep rising (6 ways to save).
Watching March Madness (Don’t go broke).
Airport chaos spreads (DHS shutdown rolls on).
Money tips (and more!)
DOJ's handling of Ticketmaster deal: Not too Swift
(Photo by Kate Green via Getty News Images)
More than three years after Ticketmaster crashed under demand for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and shut out millions of fans, Live Nation Entertainment — the live music industry’s gatekeeper — remains under scrutiny.
Swiftie or not, if you’ve been to a concert in the past 15+ years, there’s a good chance you’ve forked over money to Live Nation Entertainment at often exorbitant prices.
Live Nation Entertainment is the massive parent company of Live Nation and Ticketmaster, formed in their 2010 merger. The behemoth dominates much of the live music industry from concert promotion to ticketing and venue ownership.
For years, antitrust watchdogs and states have argued that Live Nation has too big a grip on the business, exerting disproportionate leverage over artists, venues and independent promoters. Ultimately, consumers like you and me have footed the bill through higher ticket prices, excess fees and steep resale markups.
Landmark case appears to end with a whimper
There have been long-standing allegations of Live Nation’s monopolistic practices that have resulted in multiple separate open lawsuits. I had trouble differentiating them myself, so here’s a crib sheet:
In 2024, 39 states joined the Department of Justice (DOJ) in suing Live Nation Entertainment on antitrust grounds.
In Sept. 2025, the FTC and seven states sued Live Nation Entertainment, accusing its event ticketing arm Ticketmaster of “tacitly coordinating with brokers and allowing them to harvest millions of dollars worth of tickets in the primary market,” according to a statement from the FTC.
The DOJ trial began last week in the Southern District of New York, and so far, it’s been a hot mess. After just one week, the DOJ and Live Nation announced a proposed $280 million settlement fund to resolve states’ damages claims brought by the DOJ (Live Nation did not admit wrongdoing).
The settlement would also include the following provisions:
Ticketing service fees would be capped at 15%.
Live Nation would end 13 exclusive amphitheater booking deals, allowing promoters to book shows and distribute up to 50% of tickets.
Ticketmaster would have to offer venues both exclusive and non-exclusive ticketing contracts.
Venues could still sell tickets through other primary ticketing platforms.
The existing consent decree with the DOJ would be extended for another eight years.
Live Nation did not admit wrongdoing and the proposed settlement is not a financial penalty. The amount is also a paltry sum when you consider the $25.2 billion Live Nation raked in last year alone. For perspective, the $280 million settlement equals just four days of revenue, said Stephen Parker, executive director of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), in a statement earlier this week.
Not so fast, says the judge
In a bizarre twist, the DOJ did not inform the court of the agreement before letting the world know first. The settlement has not been approved by the court and, in its current form, it’s not likely to be OK’d. A bipartisan coalition of over two dozen states has said they refuse to sign the DOJ’s settlement and will continue to pursue legal action against Live Nation.
On Tuesday, Arun Subramanian, the judge overseeing the case, blasted Live Nation and the DOJ for jumping the gun on its settlement. He also said the states’ attorneys general could pursue the case themselves, with the trial scheduled to resume on March 16 unless the states nail down an agreement with Live Nation.
What does this mean for you?
For consumers, the bottom line is simple: The proposed DOJ and Live Nation settlement would not substantively change how much you pay for live music. Artists and independent venues would see little relief either. Without clearer protections in a settlement or trial outcome, concert-goers would still lose.
The FTC suit, meanwhile, remains unresolved.
For now, the hope is that when the dust settles, the outcome will result in meaningful reforms that rebalance the live music system for us all.
⛽ Gas prices soar: 6 ways to protect your wallet
(Photo by Joe Raedle via Getty News Images)
The war with Iran has entered its second week, and you might be wondering what it means for your household finances. The human toll of war is devastating. While that remains the most important reality, global conflicts can ripple through the economy in ways that affect everyday costs.
If you’ve filled up your car lately, you’ve likely felt one of the first impacts: higher fuel prices. According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular gas is $3.539 as of March 10, up 43 cents in a single week. For households with a commute, that adds up quickly.
Here are a few steps you can take over the next two weeks to build a little cushion into your budget:
Be strategic about fuel: If prices are climbing in your area, top off your tank before the next price spike hits. Use your wholesale club memberships from Costco or Sam’s Club to get a deeper discount. Find ways to stretch each tank by using “eco” mode if your car has it, grouping errands together to cut down on separate trips and avoiding idling.
Lock in predictable rates: Make your monthly budget more predictable by signing up for budget or leveled billing with utility companies. While you’re at it, switch to internet and cell phone plans that have fixed fees, too. And if you’re really on a roll, call up your utility company to negotiate. Need a script to make the call easier? We’ve got you covered.
Review recurring bills: Cut that subscription you don’t use, and redirect those funds to areas where prices are up, like gas and groceries. Take an hour or two to review your bank and credit card statements. Freeing up even an extra $50 can ease the pressure your budget might be feeling.
Peek inside your pantry: Grocery prices are a pain point for many Americans at the moment. Before prices go up even more, now’s the time to restock on household supplies like toilet paper, laundry detergent and paper towels. It also wouldn’t hurt to pick up some extra shelf-stable supplies you know your household will use — but won’t go bad quickly. Building a small buffer now might keep you from paying peak prices.
Be thoughtful about big purchases: If you can delay splurges or nonessential upgrades, now’s the time. Keeping that cash in a high-yield savings account or using it to bulk up your emergency fund can give you more flexibility.
Protect your credit from cyber attacks: Experts warn that cyber attacks could be a tactic in the war with Iran, so you may want to protect your credit. Freezing your credit with Experian, Equifax and TransUnion is free and fast, and prevents scammers from stealing your data to open new accounts in their name.
How to get your March Madness fix without going broke
(Photo by Joe Buglewicz via Getty News Images)
Have you tried locating live sports on TV lately? Unless you pay for cable or a costly live TV streaming option, you have to select your services based on the sport, league and game you’re after. College basketball is no exception, and it’s right about time to tune in.
Brackets open Sunday: Both men’s and women’s tournaments begin next week, with the fields of teams being set this Selection Sunday, March 15. Fill out your bracket before first-round tipoffs.
Men’s March Madness games air on CBS, TBS, TNT and TruTV. Two services will get you the four networks needed.
Stream games on CBS with Paramount+ Premium ($13.99 per month).
Stream games on TBS, TNT and TruTV with HBO Max Standard ($18.49 per month).
That’s a hefty slate of hoops for about $33 a month (before taxes).
Women’s tournament games air on ESPN’s family of networks. You can use one service for all of ESPN.
Stream all the games with ESPN Unlimited ($29.99 per month).
Cancel what you don’t need after the nets get cut down. Here are a few more ways to cut the cord on your excess subscriptions.
Travelers hit by airport snarls as DHS shutdown drags on
(Photo by Joe Raedle via Getty News Images)
The Department of Homeland Security shutdown, soon to enter its fourth week, is testing the patience of Transportation Security Administration workers and travelers alike.
It’s the second time in six months that TSA workers have missed paychecks due to an impasse in Congress over government funding and, like the shutdown in the fall, they’re calling out of work in increasing numbers.
The callouts and quits have fueled an untold number of stress headaches for travelers. On March 8, travelers through Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport and New Orleans’ Louis Armstrong International Airport faced hours of snaking security lines.
Lawmakers appear no closer to a bipartisan solution as they now grapple with the effects of the Iran war.
TSA PreCheck is still active and the DHS reopened Global Entry on March 11 in an effort to clear security lines faster, but it’s unclear how effective that move will be as the shutdown drags on.
If you’re looking for more information on how the shutdown is impacting travel — plus tips for managing cancellations and delays — NerdWallet’s Travel team has you covered:
Travel writer Benjamin Din explains more about how the government shutdown is affecting travel.
Contributing writer Harlan Vaughn digs into how the TSA is affected by the partial government shutdown.
Travel writer Craig Joseph runs down flight delay and cancellation compensation rules.
- A.H.
Make a list before you shop online. Arriving at a website with a list can help you cut down on the number of impulse purchases you make. Check out more ways to get the best deal when shopping online.
Got a raise or bonus? Don’t overcommit. If you’re not careful, splurging on treats — like a house or car — that come with ongoing payments could end up becoming a long-term financial commitment. Learn more ways to hold onto more of your money.
Negotiate bills like cable and internet. We created a script that you can use when you call your provider.
Will chip shortages make laptops and phones more expensive?
News editor Rick VanderKnyff and personal finance writer Tommy Tindall discuss the latest consumer tech headlines. They talk through the tentative Live Nation/Ticketmaster settlement and what it could change about fees, Apple’s new lineup including the budget MacBook Neo, and how an AI-driven memory chip crunch could push up PC and smartphone prices.
Watch below or get the audio version.
Here’s a look at what the Nerds covered this week:
Travel Nerd Sally French compiled 10 trips for Disney adults (that aren’t theme parks).
Shopping for an extended car warranty? Auto Nerd Dalia Ramirez explained how to compare your options carefully, and don’t let high-pressure dealers lock you into a contract that’s too good to be true.
The Nerds compiled a list of grocery apps that can save you money the next time you hit the supermarket.
If you decided against getting the iPhone 17, we rounded up some of the best places to buy used iPhones.
The Nerds explored how to zero in on a side hustle that suits you with a quiz and top picks for how to make money.
Life insurers now double‑check your history before they approve. If they find mismatches, it can cost you. Learn how to prepare your application and audit your own financial data.
The latest inflation data is in. Find out what got more expensive — and what’s getting cheaper.
The Fed meets next week to decide what to do about rates. We explain what the fed rate is right now and what to expect.
Elsewhere in money news:
Could the United States Postal Service run out of money? (USA Today)
Billionaires take out mortgages, too. Here’s why. (Fortune)
In an era of online shopping, a big-box retailer is planning to open its 2,000th location. (Axios)🔒
Your MoneyNerd team: Courtney Neidel, Anna Helhoski, Rick VanderKnyff.
Until next week,
