Live Nation Employees Boast About Gouging Fans With High Fees

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Newly unsealed text messages reveal that two Live Nation ticketing directors, Ben Baker and Jeff Weinhold, boasted about pushing ancillary fees as high as possible and 'robbing' fans 'blind' in order to maximize profits. The messages, which were part of an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation, show the employees joking about charging exorbitant prices for parking and VIP access, with one saying 'These people are so stupid' and 'I almost feel bad taking advantage of them.'

Why it matters

The revelations from these unsealed messages underscore longstanding concerns about Live Nation's dominance of the live music industry and its ability to impose high fees that degrade the fan experience. This case highlights the tension between Live Nation's pursuit of profits and the interests of concertgoers who are often left with little choice but to pay the company's steep prices.

The details

The messages were sent between Ben Baker and Jeff Weinhold, who were then serving as regional directors of ticketing for Live Nation amphitheaters. In one exchange, Baker shared data showing he had raised VIP parking prices up to $250, commenting 'These people are so stupid' and 'I almost feel bad taking advantage of them.' In another conversation, Weinhold spoke about pushing the price of reserved parking $30 above the minimum, saying 'I'm done asking people for permission... I just do it now.' Baker also boasted about charging $50 to park in the grass and $60 for closer grass parking, commenting 'Robbing them blind baby That's how we do.'

• The messages were sent in January 2022.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Live Nation has announced a tentative settlement with the government in the antitrust lawsuit, but some state co-plaintiffs are reportedly eager to continue the fight. The judge has ordered the hold-out state attorneys general to try to reach a deal by the end of this week.