A week ago, Wired published a report alleging that Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. maintains a database of LGBTQIA celebrities. Following the publication, MSG announced its intent to sue Wired, a claim that was formally filed today.
Owned by James Dolan, MSG celebrarates the iconic Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, as well as New York City venues like Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theatre, and Chicago’s historic Theatre. Its parent company, Sphere Entertainment, also operates the Sphere in Las Vegas.
In the press release, MSG stated it is suing Wired reporter Noah Shachtman and affiliated parties. The company alleges that Shachtman “searched the dark web, obtained data stolen from MSG by an extortionist hacking group, and selectively pieced together fragments to create a false narrative depicting MSG as discriminating against the LGBTQIA community.” The release further claims that by continuing to publicize the article, Wired and its associates are knowingly spreading misinformation. It also points out that the data in question was reportedly used for “inclusion purposes, such as inviting LGBTQIA individuals to support events, identifying sales and sponsorship opportunities, and facilitating charitable contributions and community outreach.”
Full details of the lawsuit can be accessed here.
Earlier, MSG had confirmed its use of facial recognition technology, which Dolan has allegedly used to exclude adversaries from its premises. In a separate incident, Wired reported that this surveillance technology had been employed to monitor the movements of a transgender woman at the arena over a two‑year period.
