Home / Crime and Justice / Live Nation Staff Bragged About 'Robbing Fans Blind'
Live Nation Staff Bragged About 'Robbing Fans Blind'
12 Mar
Summary
- Employees discussed 'price gouging' and 'robbing customers blind'.
- They boasted about inflating ancillary fees for parking and seating.
- The company stated the messages don't reflect its values.
Internal communications from Live Nation employees, recently unsealed in court documents, reveal candid discussions about "price gouging" customers. Two regional directors of ticketing bragged about charging excessive "ancillary fees" for services like parking.
One director referred to concertgoers as "so stupid" for paying inflated prices, while another described charging "$50 to park in the grass" and "$60 for closer grass" as "robbing them blind." These exchanges were part of an antitrust case where Live Nation sought to exclude them, but the judge ordered their release.
Live Nation has responded by stating the private Slack messages from a junior staffer do not reflect the company's values. They noted that leadership learned of the incident publicly and will investigate promptly. The company also highlighted investments in venue improvements and a cap on amphitheater venue fees.
