Sphere Owners MGS Are Suing WIRED for Defamation Over Alleged Blacklist

Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG), owner of the iconic Sphere in Las Vegas, is suing WIRED magazine for defamation over a recent article that alleges the former has an internal blacklist targeting LGBTQ celebrities.

What Does MSG Alleges?

WIRED’s article, titled “Madison Square Garden Kept a List of Gay Celebrities,” alleges that MSG maintained internal databases containing information about VIP guests and celebrities. This apparently includes details about their race, sexual orientation, and gender identity, while also assigning “risk scores” to high-profile attendees.

According to MSG, WIRED searched the dark web, obtained data stolen from MSG by a hacking group calling itself ShinyHunters. The magazine then selectively used portions of that data to create a false narrative suggesting that MSG targeted the LGBTQIA community for discriminatory purposes.

MSG also accused WIRED and its reporters of deliberately overlooking dozens of routine data fields in the list, including addresses, phone numbers, and dietary preferences. The lawsuit argues that the presence of these ordinary details shows the information was part of a standard system intended for “relationship management purposes, not discrimination.

How Did WIRED Respond to the Lawsuit?

In a statement, WIRED says that it stands by its reporting and intends to vigorously defend it against this “baseless and ridiculous lawsuit.” The publication added that it would continue covering MSG and billionaire MSG CEO James Dolan’s use of technology across his entertainment empire, describing the reporting as part of its broader mission to hold powerful figures and institutions accountable.

WIRED also announced on its social media channels that it had removed the paywall from “two of the MSG stories they don’t want you to read,” allowing the public to access the articles for free. The second article WIRED is referring to is about Dolan’s security team, which allegedly had previously monitored the movements of a transgender woman inside MSG in an unusually intensive tracking effort that spanned two years.

What Does the Article Say?

According to the first article, MSG’s database includes nearly 40,000 names, with around 400 individuals assigned “risk scores” ranging from low risk to “DO NOT HOST.” WIRED reported that these ratings appear to be based on social media criticism rather than potential physical security concerns. The article alleges that the system identified public figures who criticized the venue and used the designations to restrict access to complimentary tickets.

Those reportedly included in this category are hip-hop producer Pete Rock, who previously called for a boycott of Dolan on X/Twitter. Other popular names on the list include actor Will Harrison, actress Julia Fox, comedian Adam Pally, hip-hop stars Freddie Gibbs, Lil Jon, DaBaby, and more.

In other news regarding the Sphere, MSG is planning a second scaled-down version in Maryland. However, the project recently garnered scrutiny from federal aviation officials as it would sit close to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.