Newly unsealed documents reveal a Live Nation regional director boasting about gouging ticket buyers and 'robbing them blind' with excessive fees for parking and VIP services. The messages, sent via Slack between employees Ben Baker and Jeff Weinhold, show Baker bragging about charging $50 for grass parking and $60 for closer spots at major concert venues.

Live Nation attempted to exclude the messages from an ongoing antitrust trial seeking to break up the company's merger with Ticketmaster, arguing they're irrelevant and 'highly prejudicial.' The US government and state attorneys general opposed this motion, with the brief noting Baker has since been promoted to Head of Ticketing for Venue Nation, overseeing all Live Nation amphitheaters.

The messages add fuel to claims that Live Nation exploits its monopoly power in the amphitheater market. The company charges ancillary fees that generate over $45 per fan annually, with CEO Michael Rapino calling these 'high margin' services enabled by Live Nation's scale. Despite the company's defense that the messages reflect one employee's actions, the plaintiffs argue they demonstrate how Live Nation monetizes its market dominance.