What did Live Nation employees joke about in Slack messages?

Live Nation employees reportedly joked about ancillary fees charged to fans, including high prices for VIP club admissions and parking revenue.

How did Live Nation respond to the employee Slack messages?

Live Nation stated that the Slack exchange from a junior staffer does not reflect company values and that leadership was unaware of the comments until they became public.

What is the outcome of the Justice Department's antitrust case against Live Nation?

The Justice Department and Live Nation reached a settlement where venues can use multiple ticket sellers, and Live Nation will divest 13 booking arrangements, though some states still need to agree.

Home / Business and Economy / Live Nation Settlement Twist: Employee Jests Surface

Live Nation Settlement Twist: Employee Jests Surface

12 Mar

•

Summary

Employees joked about charging high VIP admission and parking fees.
Live Nation calls joking employees junior staffers, not decision-makers.
Settlement allows venues to use multiple ticket sellers, not just Ticketmaster.

Live Nation Settlement Twist: Employee Jests Surface

Recent court filings have introduced a new element to Live Nation's proposed settlement with the Justice Department concerning an antitrust case. Slack messages from two employees involved in ticketing revealed them joking about the venue fees. One employee remarked about parking revenue as "robbing them blind," while another discussed VIP club admissions priced as high as $199, expressing mock guilt.

Live Nation has dismissed these employees as junior staff, asserting their private conversation does not represent company values. The company highlighted its $1 billion investment in U.S. venues and fan amenities, capping amphitheater venue fees at 15%. However, the government notes one of these employees now heads ticketing for Venue Nation, arguing Live Nation can impose excessive prices due to a lack of alternatives for artists.