Overview
- Newly public 2022 chats between regional ticketing directors Ben Baker and Jeff Weinhold show them joking about “robbing” fans and bragging about raising ancillary charges for parking, VIP access, and lawn seating.
- In specific exchanges, the pair discussed VIP parking priced up to $250 at venues and parking in the grass at $50 or $60 for spots labeled as “closer grass,” with Baker writing, “I gouge them on ancil prices.”
- Live Nation said the private Slack messages do not reflect its values, stated leadership learned of them only upon unsealing, cited a 15% cap on amphitheater venue fees, and noted $1 billion invested in U.S. venues and amenities.
- The company previously sought to keep the chats sealed; after media outlets including Bloomberg moved to unseal them, the judge made the exhibits public, while DOJ lawyers argued the messages showed pricing power where fans lack alternatives.
- The DOJ’s recent settlement requires $200 million in payments, divestiture of 10 amphitheaters, limits on exclusivity, third-party access to Ticketmaster, and a 15% fee cap for amphitheater tickets, yet more than two dozen state attorneys general reject the deal and the court has pressed holdouts to seek a quick resolution.