Entertainment giants Ticketmaster and its subsidiary Live Nation have reportedly maintained an illegal monopoly over the live event and ticketing markets, according to a closely watched New York trial on Wednesday.

The civil case – initially led by the U.S. government – accused Live Nation of using its scope to block venues from using multiple ticket sellers,.

Jurors found that Live Nation, led by CEO Michael Rapino, unlawfully leveraged its control of major concert venues to benefit its own tour-promotion business. The panel concluded these anti-competitive practices forced concertgoers to pay an extra $1.72 per ticket—an amount the judge may order the company to repay, according to Bloomberg.

Live Nation, however, has denied the monopoly claims, arguing that artists, sports teams, and venues decide the prices and ticketing practices.

In its statement, Live Nation said the jury’s $1.72-per-ticket award applied to only a limited subset of tickets sold across 257 venues, accounting for roughly 20% of total sales. The company estimated that total single damages would come in under $150 million, though that amount would be tripled.

Company lawyer David Marriott argued in his closing statement, “Success is not against the antitrust laws in the United States,” asserting that the company’s size was simply the result of “excellence and effort.”

U.S. District Judge, Arun Subramanian, will decide on what penalties Live Nation will be required to pay as a result of the verdict, along with the appropriate remedies – including a potential breakup of the business.

Live Nation, however, could be charged hundreds of millions of dollars and potentially have no choice but to sell some its concert venues when the penalties are handed out.

The jury’s decision followed a six-week trial that continued even after President Donald Trump’s Justice Department reached a controversial settlement with the entertainment giant. A coalition of 33 states, including New York and California, opted to press ahead with the case.

The states are seeking up to $700 million in damages, as well as penalties for violations of state-level antitrust laws, according to Bloomberg.

The deal included a cap on service fees at certain amphitheaters, along with new ticket-selling options for promoters and venues that could allow—though not require—them to work with Ticketmaster competitors such as SeatGeek or AXS.

The conflicts with the companies go back decades, with Grunge powerhouse, Pearl Jam battling the business in the 1990s, even filing an anti-monopoly complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice.

The trial gave fans the equivalent to a backstage pass to a business that dominates live entertainment in the U.S. and beyond, as Live Nation owns, operates and controls booking for – or has an equity interest – in hundreds of venues. Ticketmaster is known has the world’s largest ticket-selling platform for live events.

Live Nation, however, said the verdict “is not the last word on this matter” the company said in a statement.

Days into the trial, President Trump’s administration has announced that it was settling its claims against Live Nation, The Associated Press reported.

Despite the successes of the trial, critics alleged that the settlement amounted to a slap on the wrist that wouldn’t help lower ticket prices.

“A slap on the wrist is even too strong of a characterization of this agreement,” an entertainment industry source told The Associated Press. “It’s more like light tickle on the wrist.”

“Without the breakup of Live Nation and Ticketmaster, there isn’t going to be a meaningful difference in ticket prices,” the source added.

Nonetheless, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement, “this is a historic and resounding victory for artists, fans, and the venues that support them.”

[H/T One America News Network]