Live Nation CFO Joe Berchtold MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images Share on Facebook Share on X Share to Flipboard Send an Email Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Print the Article Post a Comment Logo text Ahead of a possible trial date in March, Live Nation says it is preparing for the possibility of having to cede its exclusive ticketing contracts with venues. The Department of Justice has brought suit against Live Nation alleging that the company, which also owns Ticketmaster, uses its position as the largest concert promoter, ticket seller and venue operator in the U.S. to undermine competition. As part of this, the suit alleges that the company is illegally pushing venues into exclusive ticketing contracts, and retaliating against those who choose to work with another ticketing operator. Related Stories Music Sabrina Carpenter Says 'Man's Best Friend' Album Cover Is "a Metaphor" Music VMAs Set Preshow Details and Presenters Including Jessica Simpson, 'Hunting Wives' and 'KPop Demon Hunters' Stars, Paris Hilton One of the government's proposed remedies has been separating Ticketmaster from Live Nation. However, speaking at an investor conference Wednesday, Live Nation President Joe Berchtold said he believes the alleged issue could be addressed by if venues are not allowed to exclusively auction off ticketing rights. "Most of the things that we think are the greatest concern around exclusivity, length of exclusivity, these are not things that are ultimately drivers of our success. Exclusivity and ticketing is driven by how venues, certainly in the US, how venues seek to monetize their rights. So the question isn't, are we doing anything bad by forcing exclusivity? Because we're not forcing it. We're not demanding it. That's what they're auctioning off. So, you know, if they're told that they can't auction off exclusivity, then fine, we'll adjust," Berchtold said. Beyond preparing for that possibility, Berchtold said the larger business is operating as usual (the concert business has been booming) with a handful of executives focused on the DOJ regulatory issues and pending trial date. "We spend time on DOJ regulatory issues. More broadly, a handful of us at corporate, we do our best to keep the businesses focused on running the business. Everything that we've told our teams at Ticketmaster on the concert side, the venue side is you guys keep running. You guys should not wait for one minute about any of that. You guys just go out and compete hard," he said. THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up Vice Media Vice Media Hires Comms Chief As It Plots Next Production Moves Theater Disney Theatrical's Thomas Schumacher Set to Depart Company Podcasts Dude Perfect Launching Video Podcast With Wave Sports & Entertainment (Exclusive) WWE TKO Group Doubles Dividend THR, Esq Fox, Skip Bayless Settle Sexual Misconduct Lawsuit From Hairstylist Theater Broadway Box Office: 'Purpose' Ends Run On $1 Million High Vice Media Vice Media Hires Comms Chief As It Plots Next Production Moves Theater Disney Theatrical's Thomas Schumacher Set to Depart Company Podcasts Dude Perfect Launching Video Podcast With Wave Sports & Entertainment (Exclusive) WWE TKO Group Doubles Dividend THR, Esq Fox, Skip Bayless Settle Sexual Misconduct Lawsuit From Hairstylist Theater Broadway Box Office: 'Purpose' Ends Run On $1 Million High