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Madison Square Garden Sues Wired, Conde Nast for Defamation

7/20/2026

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Summary

Madison Square Garden Sues

Madison Square Garden Entertainment Company sued Conde Nast and Wired journalists Maddy Varner, Noah Shachtman and Katie Drummond Thursday, accusing defamation over 40,000 records.
The filing says Wired story falsely claimed the venue targeted gay and lesbian customers and created a “hot list” ranging from “low risk” to “do not host.”
Madison Square Garden says the data were meant only to invite LGBTQ patrons and that no such list existed.

Summary

MSG Restricts Critics

The Sphere in Las Vegas posted a notice that it uses facial-recognition scans for safety and policy enforcement.
Wired reported that a June 2026 ShinyHunters breach leaked about 40,000 MSG records, exposing a talent database that scores roughly 400 individuals.
A “DO NOT HOST” rating, which blocks complimentary tickets, tracks critics of chair/CEO James Dolan such as Pete Rock, Will Harrison, Julia Fox and Adam Pally.

Summary

MSG Lifts Paywall

The outlet lifted paywall on MSG articles, making them free.
A February 2025 piece says rapper Lil Tjay was banned from MSG after a Hulu Theater fight.
The article notes graphic designer was denied entry to March 2025 concert while MSG’s complaint seeks a jury trial and a retraction.
The April 2026 story alleges Dolan’s security team tracked a trans woman for years as MSG says notes are routine and not used for scoring.

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Madison Square Garden Sues

Madison Square Garden Entertainment Company sued Conde Nast and Wired journalists Maddy Varner, Noah Shachtman and Katie Drummond Thursday, accusing defamation over 40,000 records.
The filing says Wired story falsely claimed the venue targeted gay and lesbian customers and created a “hot list” ranging from “low risk” to “do not host.”
Madison Square Garden says the data were meant only to invite LGBTQ patrons and that no such list existed.

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