Madison Square Garden allegedly maintained a database identifying LGBTQ+ celebrities who had visited, or might visit, the New York venue, according to an investigation by Wired.
The venue has already faced scrutiny over its use of surveillance technology. The latest report claims its internal database included specific labels relating to the gender identity or sexual orientation of some high-profile visitors.
Wired reported that the MSG database contained details about VIPs alongside risk assessments. Categories reportedly ranged from “flag”, indicating minimal concern, to “low risk”, “medium risk” and “high risk”.
Celebrities including Edie Falco, Tracy Morgan and Ben Stiller were allegedly considered low risk, while rappers Jadakiss and Fat Joe were categorised as medium risk. Lil Jon and DaBaby were reportedly labelled high risk.
According to Wired, the classifications frequently reflected whether an individual had publicly criticised Madison Square Garden owner and New York Knicks executive chair James Dolan.
Fat Joe, a prominent Knicks supporter who has spoken positively about Dolan, was allegedly rated as medium risk because of his association with Jadakiss, who criticised Dolan in 2020.
“It’s a really, really paranoid, terrible system,” a source told Wired.
Madison Square Garden has disputed the findings.
In a statement to Them, an MSG spokesperson said, “Wired’s reporting is inaccurate and false. MSG is pursuing legal remedies.”
The database was reportedly obtained by hacker collective ShinyHunters and was first covered by 404 Media. Wired later reported on the extent of its celebrity classifications, including labels relating to gender identity and sexuality.
The database reportedly contains 39,539 entries covering figures from business, technology, media, politics and sport. Many of the names do not have labels attached.
However, Wired reported that 93 celebrity entries were labelled “LGBTQIA”. Those listed allegedly included singer Ricky Martin, musician Phoebe Bridgers and transgender musician Emily Green, guitarist for the band Geese.
Ice Spice, who has publicly identified as bisexual, was also reportedly included in the database and classified as low risk.
“I’ve never met James Dolan. I don’t know the higher-up leadership at Madison Square Garden. But, like, there does seem to be a bit of a pattern here,” Evan Greer, director of the digital rights organisation Fight for the Future, told Wired. “They just seem overly interested in queer and trans people in their venue.”
Greer’s remarks follow an earlier report alleging that Madison Square Garden security closely monitored a transgender Knicks fan as she moved throughout the venue.
Under Dolan’s leadership, security staff allegedly tracked the woman’s movements to the second, reportedly with the goal of keeping her away from Knicks players.
Although an employee reportedly said the woman “posed no threat”, security allegedly compiled an 18-page dossier documenting her activities inside the venue.
The file reportedly included the times she scanned her ticket, used an elevator, hugged an usher, ordered drinks and entered the women’s bathroom. It also allegedly recorded that she left the bathroom two minutes and five seconds later.
The reported database and surveillance practices have raised further questions about Madison Square Garden’s monitoring of visitors, particularly LGBTQ+ and transgender attendees. MSG maintains that Wired’s account is false and says it is considering legal action.
