Live Nation Directors Criticized for Mocking Customers in Leaked Messages

Internal communications from Live Nation directors have surfaced, revealing a troubling attitude towards customers. In messages leaked as part of an ongoing federal antitrust lawsuit, Ben Baker and Jeff Weinhold, two regional ticketing directors, openly mocked concertgoers for paying inflated fees. According to reports from Bloomberg and The New York Times, the directors referred to customers as “stupid” for accepting high prices for tickets and ancillary services.

The messages, exchanged on Slack in March 2022, show Baker, who heads ticketing for Venue Nation, and Weinhold, senior ticketing director for the Washington, D.C. area, boasting about substantial increases in service fees. For instance, Weinhold claimed to have raised “VIP parking up to $250 lol.” Baker chimed in, saying, “These people are so stupid. I almost feel bad taking advantage of them.” This alarming tone reflects what critics have long accused Live Nation and its subsidiary, Ticketmaster, of—engaging in monopolistic practices.

In one exchange, Baker highlighted the impressive revenue from “premier parking” fees, noting that his team generated $666,000 from these fees at a single venue in 2021. He revealed that he charged “$50 to park in the grass” and “$60 for closer grass,” boasting, “Robbing them blind baby. That’s how we do.” Such comments raise significant ethical questions about the company’s pricing strategies and their impact on concertgoers.

The leaked messages came to light during a federal antitrust lawsuit initiated by the U.S. Justice Department, which alleges that Live Nation maintains an illegal monopoly over the live events industry. The lawsuit, first filed two years ago and supported by attorneys general from 39 states, argues that this monopoly allows the company to impose exorbitant ticket prices and fees, adversely affecting customers, venues, and artists alike.

Live Nation sought to have these communications excluded from the trial, arguing they represented “off-the-cuff banter” rather than significant policy discussions. However, Judge Arun Subramanian ruled against this request, allowing the documents to be made public following appeals from media outlets.

While Baker was expected to testify, the trial has been paused after the Justice Department reached an unexpected settlement with Live Nation on Monday, surprising many state officials involved in the case. As a result, 27 state attorneys general are now preparing their own legal actions to continue pursuing the matter.

The findings from these internal communications not only highlight the contentious relationship between Live Nation and its customers but also raise broader concerns about the company’s market practices and the implications for consumer rights in the live entertainment industry.