Fans of live events are expressing outrage after internal Slack messages from Live Nation employees revealed them joking about overcharging ticket buyers.
The exchanges, obtained as part of a 2024 antitrust lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, show staff mocking fans for paying inflated fees. The lawsuit, which was tentatively settled earlier this week, would require Live Nation to open ticketing deals to other vendors and pay up to $280 million in damages. Attorneys general from 39 states and the District of Columbia joined the federal government in accusing Live Nation and Ticketmaster of maintaining an illegal monopoly over live entertainment, leading to higher ticket prices and fewer alternatives for consumers.
According to The New York Times, Florida regional ticketing director Ben Baker and Virginia regional ticketing director Jeff Weinhold were among those involved in the exchanges. Baker reportedly wrote in 2022, after customers paid $199 for “VIP Club Admission” at a Kid Rock concert: “These people are so stupid. I almost feel bad taking advantage of them.” Weinhold replied: “I have VIP parking up to $250 lol.”
Baker’s comments extended beyond concerts, as he appeared to mock fans who purchased a “premier parking” option that generated $666,000 for an unnamed venue in 2021. “Robbing them blind baby,” he wrote. “That’s how we do.”
The revelations have sparked anger among fans, many of whom expressed disbelief that staff were openly joking about exploiting them. Social media reactions ranged from frustration to calls for accountability, with many pointing to the messages as evidence of the systemic issues at the heart of the antitrust case.
In response to the leak, Live Nation issued a statement: “Because this was a private Slack message, leadership learned of this when the public did and will be looking into the matter promptly.” The company argued that the comments were “irrelevant” and should be excluded from evidence at trial, emphasizing that they did not reflect official company policy.
However, U.S. Justice Department lawyers countered that the messages “provide a candid, contemporaneous look into how they view the prices that Live Nation charges fans for ancillary services at their respective venues.”
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