‘These People Are So Stupid’: Live Nation Ticketing Directors Bragged About Charging High Fees in Slack Messages

In a statement, Live Nation says this language "absolutely doesn't reflect our values or how we operate."

Live Nation has settled with the Department of Justice to end federal antitrust claims — but the company is still under the microscope of public court proceedings.

This scrutiny was on full display after a trove of embarrassing Slack messages was unsealed on the court docket on Thursday (March 11). These internal messages were sent in 2022 between Ben Baker and Jeff Weinhold, who at the time were both regional ticketing directors at Live Nation, responsible for the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre and Jiffy Lube Live amphitheater, respectively.

In the messages, the men boasted about charging high parking fees. At one point, Baker sent a screenshot showing that Live Nation had grossed more than $666,000 on premier parking in 2021 and then wrote, “Robbing them blind baby. That’s how we do.” Weinhold replied, “lol.”

At another point, Baker wrote, “these people are so stupid,” and Weinhold replied, “I have VIP parking up to $250 lol.” Baker then said, “I almost feel bad taking advantage of them. BAHAHAHAHA.”

https://www.billboard.com/pro/live-nation-employees-slack-messages-unsealed-lawsuit/