Internal communications revealed a disturbing disregard for customers within Live Nation, the entertainment giant. Court documents unveiled a series of Slack messages exchanged between two regional directors of ticketing, exposing a culture of exploiting concertgoers.
The messages, spanning from 2021 to 2023, showcased Ben Baker and Jeff Weinhold openly mocking fans and celebrating the company’s ability to extract exorbitant fees. They appeared during proceedings related to an antitrust lawsuit brought by the U.S. Justice Department against Ticketmaster, Live Nation’s subsidiary.
Weinhold boasted about charging $250 for VIP parking at a Virginia venue, while Baker detailed charging $50 simply to park on grass, and an additional $10 for slightly closer grass. Baker even confessed to feeling “almost bad” about taking advantage of customers, immediately following the admission of their exploitative pricing.
The pair reveled in the financial gains from these inflated costs. A financial table shared within the Slack channel showed “premier parking” revenue at one venue reaching $660,000 in 2021, prompting Baker to write, “Robbing them blind, baby. That’s how we do.”
Their conversations extended beyond parking fees, encompassing ticket pricing strategies. Baker admitted to intentionally inflating ancillary costs to compensate for lower base ticket prices, effectively padding profits at the expense of fans.
Ironically, Baker has since been promoted to head of ticketing for Live Nation’s 150 amphitheatres. He was prepared to testify before a settlement was reached, and remains a potential witness as several state attorneys general continue to pursue legal action.
Live Nation initially fought to suppress the release of these messages, claiming they were “irrelevant” and intended solely to damage the company’s reputation. They characterized the exchange as casual “off-the-cuff banter” lacking any real significance.
Following the public disclosure, a company spokesperson stated the messages did not reflect their values and promised a prompt internal investigation. However, the content paints a starkly different picture of the company’s internal mindset.
This revelation adds to a long history of friction between Live Nation and both artists and fans. Prominent figures like Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen have previously voiced strong criticism of the company’s practices and ticketing policies.
Live Nation has consistently maintained that artists and teams are responsible for setting ticket prices and determining sales strategies. However, these internal messages suggest a more active and cynical role in maximizing profits, regardless of the impact on consumers.
