Live Nation tried to keep internal Slack messages out of public view, but they are now out in the open. These chats became a major point of discussion during the company’s ongoing federal antitrust trial. The Justice Department opposed Live Nation’s request to exclude the messages, and they were made public after media organizations petitioned the court.
According to The Daily Beast, the leaked messages from 2022 show Live Nation regional director Ben Baker, who now heads ticketing for over 150 amphitheaters nationwide, and fellow regional director Jeff Weinhold talking about how they make money through extra fees. “These people are so stupid,” Baker wrote to Weinhold, adding, “I almost feel bad for taking advantage of them.”
Weinhold boasted about charging customers “$50 to park in the grass” and “$60 for closer grass,” and even raised VIP parking prices for one concert in Virginia to $250. “Robbing them blind, baby. That’s how we do it,” Weinhold stated.
The federal antitrust case against Live Nation is far from over
Baker also wrote about upcharging for aisle seats, rebranding them as “Preferred Seating.” When Weinhold mentioned complaints from “angry people,” Baker replied: “Yeah, that’s the point. If you want to buy before 10 am, pay me! lol.”
These messages came to light as the government’s antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation-Ticketmaster continues. A key issue in the case has been the Taylor Swift presale failure, where the site crashed amid a surge of bots trying to buy tickets for resale. While Ticketmaster blamed bots, federal prosecutors argued it showed how their ticketing monopoly leads to a poor experience for consumers.
Swift has faced controversies of her own lately, with Ruby Rose defending Swift against MAGA claims that have been making headlines. Artists including Beyoncé, Pearl Jam, and Oasis have also raised concerns about high ticket prices.
The Justice Department reached a $200 million settlement with Live Nation this past Monday. The terms would involve payments to states, allow third-party sellers to access the ticketing platform, and cap service fees for amphitheater tickets at 15% of the ticket price.
However, more than half of the country’s states have already rejected the settlement, calling it “inadequate” and arguing it would “benefit Live Nation at the expense of consumers.” Much like athletes who face a career-defining crisis and difficult comeback, Live Nation now faces a defining moment that could reshape how it operates.
A Live Nation spokesperson tried to distance the company from the leaked messages, stating that the fee cap shows their commitment to customers. The spokesperson said, “The Slack exchange from one junior staffer to a friend absolutely doesn’t reflect our values or how we operate.”
They added, “Because this was a private Slack message, leadership learned of this when the public did, and will be looking into the matter promptly.” However, Ben Baker, described as a “junior staffer” by the spokesperson, currently oversees ticketing for more than 150 amphitheaters across the country.
Published: Mar 13, 2026 12:30 pm