The Digester

Unsealed Slack chats entered as exhibits in the federal antitrust case show Live Nation ticketing executives mocking fans and celebrating parking and upsell revenue, material plaintiffs say supports their claim that ancillary fees are a key part of the companys market power.

Federal antitrust court filings include Slack messages from Ben Baker and Jeff Weinhold that call fans "so stupid" and say they are "robbing them blind baby".
Chats show premium parking priced as high as $250 and single-show upsells totaling six figures.
Internal notes claim parking revenue was nearly $200,000 above 2019 levels despite fewer shows and that ancillary spend averaged about $45 per fan in 2025.
Plaintiffs say the messages support their theory that onsite add-ons are a major way Live Nation monetizes its amphitheater market power.
The exhibits include a 2018 CNBC transcript of CEO Michael Rapino describing digital ticketing as a tool to upsell and expand onsite revenue.
The documents are now public record in ongoing litigation but are not final court findings.

Unsealed exhibits show Live Nation ticketing execs mocking fans and touting parking and upsell profits

Articles