Overview
- U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian ordered previously sealed Slack exchanges made public after media outlets petitioned the court.
- The messages between regional ticketing directors Ben Baker and Jeff Weinhold include phrases like "these people are so stupid" and "robbing them blind" while discussing high ancillary fees such as $250 VIP parking and $50–$60 grass parking.
- Live Nation said the private exchange does not reflect company values and said leadership would review the matter, pointing to a 15% service-fee cap at its amphitheaters and recent venue investments.
- Days earlier, the Justice Department announced a settlement that avoids a breakup and requires opening parts of Ticketmaster’s technology to rival sellers, allowing bookings at 13 amphitheaters, capping amphitheater fees at 15%, and payments up to roughly $280 million.
- More than two dozen states, including New York, have not joined the agreement and plan to press separate cases, with plaintiffs calling the Slack messages evidence of how Live Nation monetizes market power through ancillary fees.