In a stunning revelation from ongoing antitrust litigation, internal messages from Live Nation employees have surfaced, painting a damning picture of how the entertainment giant views its customers. The communications, released as part of court documents in a high-profile case against Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster, show staff deriding fans as “so stupid” while boasting about “robbing them blind” through inflated fees and parking charges.
The messages, exchanged via Slack in 2022, involve Ben Baker, who oversees ticketing for Live Nation’s venue nation unit, and Jeff Weinhold, another ticketing employee. They were discussing pricing strategies for VIP access and parking at venues like the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre in Tampa. Baker described certain prices as “fucking outrageous” and remarked, “These people are so stupid. I almost feel bad taking advantage of them,” followed by “BAHAHAHAHAHA.” In another exchange, Weinhold highlighted VIP parking priced up to $250, prompting Baker to respond with “Robbing them blind, baby. That’s how we do.”
These incendiary comments come amid a broader antitrust trial in Manhattan federal court, where the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and over two dozen states accuse Live Nation of monopolistic practices in the live events industry. The lawsuit alleges that the company’s dominance allows it to impose excessive fees, stifle competition, and harm consumers. While Live Nation recently reached a tentative multimillion-dollar settlement with the DOJ, several states have opted to continue the trial, arguing that the messages underscore the need for stronger accountability.
Government lawyers have pushed for these internal exchanges to be admitted as evidence, describing them as “candid” insights into Live Nation’s operations. They argue that the statements reveal a culture of exploitation, where employees openly celebrate “gouging” fans. For instance, the duo joked about charging $50 to park in the grass and $60 for “closer grass,” with one exchange noting annual premier parking revenue hitting $660,000 at a single venue.
The revelations have sparked outrage among consumers and industry watchers, amplifying long-standing complaints about Ticketmaster’s opaque fee structures, surging ticket and parking prices. Fans on social media have expressed frustration, with many pointing out that such attitudes explain why attending concerts has become prohibitively expensive for average people.
This case traces back to the 2010 merger of Live Nation and Ticketmaster, which critics say created an unchecked behemoth controlling roughly 80% of primary ticketing at major U.S. venues. The DOJ’s suit, filed in 2024, seeks to break up the company, arguing it engages in anticompetitive behavior like exclusive deals that lock out rivals. The exposed messages add fuel to the fire, providing tangible evidence of what plaintiffs describe as a predatory mindset.
As the trial progresses, these disclosures could sway public opinion and judicial outcomes, potentially leading to reforms in the ticketing industry. For now, they serve as a stark reminder of the disconnect between corporate executives and the fans who fuel their profits—fans who, according to Live Nation’s own employees, are apparently “so stupid” for footing the bill.
