Madison Square Garden Fires Back: Shocking Lawsuit Over Explosive Celebrity ‘Risk Scores’ Allegations Unveiled

Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corporation filed a defamation lawsuit on July 16 against Wired Magazine over an article published last week that claimed the midtown Manhattan arena used surveillance to track celebrities’ race, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

According to the Wired article, published on July 9, celebrities and other dignitaries who have attended home games at Madison Square Garden were assigned “risk” scores, ranging from “low risk” to “DO NOT HOST.” The article also alleges the database labeled nearly 100 people as “LGBTQIA.” There are nearly 40,000 entries in the “talent” database, each with specific labeling designations.

The lawsuit obtained by USA TODAY Sports and filed in New York State Supreme Court also names Wired contributing editor Noah Shachtman, co-author Maddy Varner and Wired Global Editorial Director Katie Drummond as defendants and alleges the article was “unethical and inflammatory.” MSG alleges in the lawsuit that Wired and the article’s authors continued to promote the piece in the days following publication “without concern for the truth and with the intent to cause maximal public impact.”

Advertisement

CHECK OUT THE HOTTEST DEALS ON AMAZON!

2025-26 Topps Signature Class Basketball - Factory Sealed - Mega Box

(38588)

(as of July 17, 2026 03:28 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

2026 Panini Donruss Baseball Retail Mega Box | Factory Sealed MLB Trading Cards | Exclusive Mega Box Parallels | Rated Prospects, Optic Cards, Inserts & Rare Chase Cards

(5051)

$55.74 (as of July 17, 2026 03:28 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Topps Baseball Series 1 Pack 2026 Trading Cards

$12.98 (as of July 17, 2026 03:16 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

2026 Soccer Trading Cards | 55 Unique Collectible Cards per Box | Premium Paper, for Soccer Fans of All Ages, Ideal for Collecting & Trading (Non-Original) (Golden)

(45572)

$18.99 (as of July 17, 2026 03:16 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

NEW 2026 ToppsFINEST Baseball Trading Card MEGA Box

(5052)

(as of July 17, 2026 03:28 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

2026 Panini FIFA World Cup Official Sticker Series (1 x Softcover Album + 5 x Sealed Sticker Packs)

(4855)

$18.85 (as of July 17, 2026 03:16 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

2025 2026 Upper Deck Hockey Series 2 Sealed 48 Card Blaster Box Containing an OPC Glossy Card and an Exclusive Green Dazzler Card Plus Chance for Matthew Schaefer Young Guns Rookie Card and More

(45511)

$34.99 (as of July 17, 2026 03:16 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

2024-25 Topps Chrome Basketball - Factory Sealed - Value Box

(435438)

$36.99 (as of July 17, 2026 03:16 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

2025–26 Panini Absolute Football Blaster Box – Retail Exclusive Parallels & Inserts – NFL Trading Cards – Sealed Retail Box

(395121)

$27.47 (as of July 17, 2026 03:16 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

2025-26 Panini Donruss Road to FIFA World Cup Soccer Hobby Blaster Box

(4856)

(as of July 17, 2026 03:28 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5