StubHub’s antitrust lawsuit against industry rival Ticketmaster and the Warriors was dismissed in its entirety in a California court on Thursday, dealing a heavy blow to the ticket resale marketplace operator. U.S. District Judge Maxine Chesney rejected StubHub’s antitrust claims against the pair, which alleged a conspiracy to manipulate the resale market for Warriors tickets and inhibit freedom of choice for Warriors season-ticket holders by requiring them to use Ticketmaster’s Ticket Exchange. Chesney found unpersuasive StubHub’s contention that the primary and secondary ticket markets were separate markets improperly tied together by the Warriors’ official partnership with Ticketmaster.
“The natural monopoly every manufacturer has in the production and sale of its own product cannot be the basis for antitrust liability,” Chesney wrote in her order. Warriors General Counsel & VP/Basketball Legal Affairs David Kelly in a statement said, “The court correctly concluded that the antitrust laws do not prevent us from managing our ticket distribution process in a manner that ultimately protects and benefits our fans.” StubHub is reviewing its legal options, and retains the ability until Nov. 30 to file an amended complaint. The case has been a high-profile battle between two of the largest players in sports ticketing, and is expected to carry a deep influence throughout the industry.
