Live Nation Staff Made Jokes About Stealing from ‘Naive’ Ticket Purchasers
Live Nation employees were caught making disparaging comments about ticket buyers in private conversations via the company’s internal Slack account. The revelations came to light as part of a 2024 antitrust lawsuit initiated by the U.S. Department of Justice against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, with a tentative settlement recently reached. As a result of the lawsuit, Live Nation would be required to open up ticketing deals to other vendors and pay damages of up to $280 million.
The lawsuit was supported by attorneys general from 39 states and the District of Columbia, who claimed that Live Nation and Ticketmaster had unlawfully dominated the live entertainment industry, resulting in escalated prices for consumers and limited alternative options. The incriminating private messages involved two Live Nation employees – Ben Baker, the Florida regional ticketing director, and Jeff Weinhold, the Virginia regional ticketing director.
In one instance, Baker derogatorily referred to customers as “so stupid” after they paid $199 for “VIP Club Admission” at a Kid Rock concert in 2022. Weinhold was reported to have callously joked about charging $250 for VIP parking in response. These remarks showcased a blatant lack of professionalism and respect for consumers’ hard-earned money.
Live Nation was swift to respond, claiming that the statements made by their employees were private and that the company’s leadership was unaware of the situation until it became public knowledge. They assured that the matter would be looked into promptly. However, the U.S. Justice Department argued otherwise, contending that the messages provided valuable insight into Live Nation’s pricing strategies and how they viewed customers’ willingness to pay for additional services at their venues.
Another disturbing instance involved Baker openly mocking ticket buyers who opted for a “premier parking” option that generated a substantial sum of $666,000 for a venue in 2021. His comment, “Robbing them blind baby. That’s how we do,” reflected a callous disregard for the financial impact on consumers, highlighting an unethical business mindset within the company.
Ultimately, these revelations shed light on the exploitative practices within the live entertainment industry, where customers are viewed solely as sources of revenue to be taken advantage of. The lawsuit and subsequent settlement signify a step towards holding companies like Live Nation accountable for their actions and ensuring fair pricing practices for consumers.