Live Nation Employee's Slack Messages in Antitrust Trial

0:00It's March 12th. Here's what's happening in entertainment. Internal Slack messages from a live nation employee have surfaced in the anti-trust trial against the company and ticket master. The messages from late 2021 to early 2023 show staff mocking fans as stupid and bragging about robbing them blind over. High VIP prices at a Florida amphitheater. Government lawyers want these used as evidence in the Manhattan federal court case, where over 39 states in the District of Columbia accused. The firms of stifling competition and hiking prices. The employee, Ben Baker, was a regional ticketing director at the time, but has since been promoted to head of ticketing for all live nation venues. He called the prices outrageous and laughed about taking advantage of fans. Live nation argues the chats were just off the cuff banter between friends about side items like parking or rentals, not court ticketing or company. Policy Fans and officials see this as proof of deeper issues and how live nation controls promotions,

1:02venues and sales, squeezing out rivals and hurting. Consumers with higher costs. The company insists artists and venues set prices, not them, and says the messages don't reflect their values. Live nation is fighting to keep the exhibits out, calling them irrelevant to monopoly claims. Meanwhile, the trial hit a snag this week after the federal government settled separately, offering competitors better access to ticket sales. Leadership only learned of the messages publicly and plans to investigate. More than two dozen states want to scrap the current jury and restart soon, while the judge urged negotiations. Lawyers say rulings on the messages will shape witness lists as the case, as the Monday resumption. This DNN story is thanks to our sponsor details in the description. Max Deeper. Reset faster. Comfort. You can hear. S-O-L-I. SullyPillo.com