Leaked messages show Live Nation staff mocking customers and bragging about overcharging

Employees at Live Nation laughed about “robbing them blind” and called ticket purchasers “so stupid” in private messages sent from the company’s internal Slack account, as per UCR. The communications were gathered as part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s 2024 antitrust case against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, which was tentatively resolved earlier this week. Live Nation would have to pay up to $280 million in damages and open ticketing agreements with other vendors. Attorneys general from 39 states and the District of Columbia joined the federal government in accusing Live Nation and Ticketmaster of maintaining an unlawful grip on the live entertainment sector, which resulted in higher costs for customers with fewer options.

The New York Times reports that Ben Baker, the regional ticketing director for Florida, and Jeff Weinhold, the regional ticketing director for Virginia, were the two Live Nation workers.

These people are so stupid. I almost feel bad taking advantage of them – Ben Baker

I have VIP parking up to $250 lol – Jeff Weinhold

Customers who paid $199 for “VIP Club Admission” at a Kid Rock show in 2022 prompted the writing of this.

Because this was a private Slack message, leadership learned of this when the public did, and will be looking into the matter promptly. – A press release from Live Nation

They claimed that the remarks should not be admitted into evidence during the trial because they were a “irrelevant” private conversation that did not represent corporate policy. In response, U.S. Justice Department attorneys said the communications “provide a candid, contemporaneous look into how they view the prices that Live Nation charges fans for ancillary services at their respective venues.” Additionally, in 2022, Baker seemed to publicly ridicule ticket purchasers who included a “premier parking” option, which brought in about $666,000 for an unidentified venue in 2021. “Robbing them blind baby,” he wrote, according to the report. “That’s how we do.“