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A statement from WIRED leadership.

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Read our story from July 9 about how an MSG database tracked and categorized hundreds of celebs, famous Knicks superfans, and even some of Taylor Swift’s wedding guests. Labels included “LGBTQIA,” “DO NOT HOST,” and low to high “risk.”

wired.comMadison Square Garden Kept a List of Gay CelebritiesAn MSG database tracked and categorized hundreds of celebs, famous Knicks superfans, and even some of Taylor Swift’s wedding guests. Labels included “LGBTQIA,” “DO NOT HOST,” and low to high “risk.”

This seems like a thing any casino or venue might do. Someone posted a list of nazi symbols taped to a club's wall for bouncers to watch for. Not sure why the venue would sue you for reporting on this. It's not particularly innovative or unique. The problem is scale, as usual.

1/2 Earlier today, WIRED learned that Madison Square Garden was suing us for our accurate reporting. We stand by this reporting, and plan to vigorously defend it against this baseless and ridiculous lawsuit.

2/2 We look forward to continuing our coverage of MSG, and on billionaire James Dolan's use of technology across his entertainment empire. It's one part of our wider mission and the critical job of journalists, now more than ever: holding power to account.

Jesus you people! If hitting the link masquerading as a posted opinion sends you to a paywall and is not clearly marked as an AD for subscribing to that publication, that is simply consumer fraud. If a so-called "free" article is stimulating enough, sure I'll subscribe. But not via subterfuge.

In fact, if I didn't know any better (read: "If I hadn't seen the signs myself at MSG warning me that Big Jim was watching!) I'd wonder if maybe Dolan was being treated unfairly by @wired.com Additional rant: the sight of the championship Knicks tongue-bathing Dolan after the big win made me 🤮

Wrong! If ANY publication is attempting to flog a certain position and posts a link to an online article to make their point, when the reader gets there and it says something like "To continue reading this you will be charged...", that is the last fucking company I'd ever send my money to.

@pablo.show did a great episode on tnis as well for people that want supplemental info. Between this and AI glasses it really feels like freedom to live or attend sporting events are being taken away. Also kinda sucks that Taylor’s wedding was there to give a tacit approval for this.

The attitude -- and in fact, the answer -- "Bring it on!" tends to make the belligerent bluffers stumble and stammer, back up a little, and then announce that we're lucky they're too busy right now, because otherwise yadda yadda yadda.

Dear @wired.com : Obviously I'm not the Lone Ranger complaining about this but if you're gonna do a media blitz, pitting your publication vs. that rat bastard possibly you shouldn't turn your evidence into a cheap pitch for paid subscribers? You want to make a point? Don't put it behind a paywall.

Appropos of nothing, I will never read "MSG" and hear "Madison Square Gardens" in my head instead of Monosodium Glutamate" no matter how overwhelmingly obvious the context is.

MSGhas facial recognition that allows the venue to remove anyone they want. I personally know lawyers that have sued MSG for negligence in injury cases then got banned from the Garden - paid their money for a concert and were kicked out. This is not a friendly venue. Iconic, sure. Friendly, no.

Bravo. This is the kind of spine, pushing back against abusive attempts by the powerful to silence public critique and keep their misbehavior secret, that I want to support. So I did. You guys just got one more subscriber. 👍

💩 has promoted hate,anger,violence &psychotic behavior!Now it’s a free for all to hate&destroy!I still can’t figure out ? 💩isn’t in Federal Prison!He sold our Secret Documents to Egypt!Pardoned all the Criminals from Jan 6 2021!He’s a DRAFT DODGER, SEXUAL ASSAULTER,he has stolen 2.8 Billion💰so far!

Having worked for an organization (the NHL) that was sued by Dolan and MSG on similarly baseless grounds, and having mopped the floor with him, I wish you luck (which you won't need) and can't wait to see him faceplant AGAIN!