On Wednesday, a federal jury determined that Live Nation has been functioning as an unlawful monopoly — a ruling that may result in the disbanding of the entertainment behemoth along with its ticketing branch, Ticketmaster, and offer respite to concertgoers tired of dynamic pricing and confusing service charges.

This decision emerged as internal Slack exchanges were revealed during the trial, depicting Live Nation employees laughing about exploiting customers — including a discussion regarding parking fees that prosecutors claimed exposed the company’s genuine perspective on its clientele.

The ruling marks the latest progression in a series of legal actions initiated when the Department of Justice and 40 state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against Live Nation in 2024 for purported monopolistic behavior. The two entities merged in 2010 to create an entertainment powerhouse that came to dominate most ticket sales and venue reservations nationwide, making it harder for other firms to compete, as stated in the lawsuit. Lacking significant competition, consumers were compelled to accept Live Nation’s questionable pricing strategies, which critics argue serve the company’s interests over those of the artists.

Last month, the DOJ provisionally reached a settlement with Live Nation, while a separate state-level trial was already in progress. Yet, 34 attorneys general continued to pursue the case — culminating in the jury’s ruling on Wednesday.

Throughout the widely publicized trial, Slack messages between two Live Nation staff members surfaced: Ben Baker, now the head of ticketing for Venue Nation, and Jeff Weinhold, currently serving as a senior director in the ticketing division.

“These individuals are so foolish,” Baker remarked during a discussion on increasing parking costs. “I nearly feel guilty for taking advantage of them BAHAHAHAHAHA.”

In a subsequent chat, also regarding parking fees, Baker stated, “Swindling them blind baby.”

Live Nation contended that these comments signified “casual joking, not policy, decision-making, or significant facts.”

As part of the DOJ settlement, Live Nation is expected to pay a $280 million penalty and divest at least 13 of its venues, mandating those venues to allow bookings from rival promoters. However, due to the jury’s conclusion that Live Nation operated as an illegal monopoly, the repercussions could potentially be more drastic.

What unfolds next remains uncertain. Judge Arun Subramanian still has to decide on remedies at a subsequent date. Yet, the chance of dismantling Live Nation and Ticketmaster continues to be a possibility.