Live Nation Employee's Slack Messages Exposed in Antitrust Trial

0:00Durham's story is making news on March 12. Internal messages from a live nation employee have surfaced in the anti-trust trial against the company and ticket master. The employee called fans stupid and bragged about taking advantage of them with high prices on extras like VIP access. These slackchats from late 2021 to early 2023 were made public this week in a New York Federal Court filing. Government lawyers want the messages included as evidence to show how live nation squeezes competition and raises costs for concert goers. The sender, Ben Baker, was a ticketing director for a Florida venue at the time but has since been promoted to oversee ticketing for all live nation, venues. The chats focused on pricey add-ons at amphitheaters in Florida and Virginia. Live Nation argues the messages are just casual talk between friends and not company policy. They say the comments were about side items like parking or rentals, not core ticketing issues. The company stressed in a statement that this does not reflect their values and they are

1:02looking into it now. Fans and critics are upset, seeing the messages as proof of gouging in an industry already hit by high fees. The trial claims live nation controls promotion, venues and tickets, hurting competition and driving a price is said by artists and teams. Meanwhile, the trial is on hold after a federal settlement that opened some ticket sales to rivals. More than two dozen states want to keep going or restart with a new jury next week. The judge urged negotiations with a decision needed soon on using the messages. Dean and his brought to you by our sponsor link in the description. When you want calm, do not reach for your phone. Lay back and listen, s-o-l-i-soli-pillow.com.