Live Nation Employees Joked About 'Robbing Them Blind' on Fees

Private Slack messages revealed in antitrust lawsuit show ticketing staff boasting about gouging concertgoers

Mar. 12, 2026 at 3:06pm

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Ticketing employees at Live Nation joked about trying to 'gouge' people for parking and VIP upgrades at concerts, calling fans 'so stupid' for paying the inflated charges and boasting that they were 'robbing them blind baby,' according to internal messages released as exhibits in the Justice Department's antitrust lawsuit against the concert giant.

Why it matters

The comments undercut Live Nation's narrative of excellent customer service and highlight concerns about the company's alleged monopolistic practices that have resulted in higher ticket prices for consumers. The revelations come as Live Nation faces an antitrust lawsuit from the Justice Department and state attorneys general.

The details

The private Slack exchanges were between two Live Nation employees, Ben Baker and Jeff Weinhold, who discussed inflating prices for VIP seating, parking, and other 'ancillary' services at concerts. They referred to concertgoers as 'so stupid' for paying the high fees and boasted about 'robbing them blind.' The messages covered events at Live Nation venues in Florida and Virginia.

  • The Slack messages were sent between late 2021 and early 2023.

The players

Ben Baker

A former regional ticketing director for Live Nation who is now the head of ticketing for Venue Nation, a division that includes the company's amphitheaters.

Jeff Weinhold

A former senior ticketing director for Live Nation in the Washington, D.C. area.

Live Nation

The concert giant that includes Ticketmaster and is facing an antitrust lawsuit from the Justice Department and state attorneys general.

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What they’re saying

“These people are so stupid”

— Ben Baker, Former regional ticketing director (The New York Times)

“I have VIP parking up to $250 lol.”

— Jeff Weinhold, Former senior ticketing director (The New York Times)

“Robbing them blind baby. That's how we do.”

— Ben Baker, Former regional ticketing director (The New York Times)

What’s next

The judge overseeing the case has urged the states that did not accept Live Nation's proposed settlement with the Justice Department to reach their own agreement with the company, or else prepare to continue the trial on Monday.

The takeaway

The revelations from the internal Slack messages undermine Live Nation's claims of excellent customer service and highlight concerns about the company's alleged monopolistic practices that have resulted in higher ticket prices for concertgoers. The case serves as a cautionary tale about the need for greater transparency and accountability in the live entertainment industry.