Rapper Fat Joe once famously praised Madison Square Garden owner James Dolan, comparing him to Bruce Wayne in a Gotham City scenario. However, within Dolan's own organization, a different narrative exists. An internal VIP database reveals that Fat Joe is labeled as a medium risk. This list, which is part of a cache of documents released by the hacker collective ShinyHunters, categorizes approximately 400 celebrities with specific risk scores. Notably, the broader talent database contains 39,539 entries, including prominent figures from business, technology, politics, and sports, yet the vast majority of these individuals lack any such risk designation.
Monitoring Critics and Online Sentiment
While the database lacks explicit justifications for every designation, security operations at the Garden monitor online discourse regarding James Dolan and company management with intense scrutiny. Fans and public figures have been targeted for voicing criticism. In one instance, MSG security personnel even involved local law enforcement to confront a 14-year-old child in Colorado over a critical tweet. Security teams perform regular social media sweeps for celebrities requesting complimentary tickets. If an individual appears on the radar of the wrong people, they are assigned a risk score. The database frequently cites SM concerns, or social media concerns, as a rationale for these internal labels.
The Logic of Risk Scoring
Fat Joe was flagged due to his affiliation with fellow New York rapper Jadakiss, who had previously criticized Dolan. Jadakiss is also classified as medium risk. Similarly, iconic producer and DJ Pete Rock was labeled DO NOT HOST after calling for a boycott following the removal of Charles Oakley from the arena. The system appears highly arbitrary; actress Julia Fox was barred from complimentary tickets due to her attire, while Vogue editor Anna Wintour is inexplicably marked as medium risk. The hierarchy of risk ranges from Flag—the lowest tier—to low, medium, and high risk. Notable high-risk individuals include Freddie Gibbs and Lil Jon, while Lil Tjay is explicitly marked as banned from MSG.
Tracking LGBTQ Identities and Political Agendas
The database tracks sensitive personal details, including race, gender identity, and sexual orientation, with 93 entries specifically tagged as LGBTQIA. Evan Greer of Fight for the Future suggests this reflects a recurring pattern of undue interest in queer and trans individuals within the venue. Beyond personal labels, the database serves political purposes, listing 32 candidates supported by the MSG PAC. Dozens of others were included simply for testifying or signing letters in support of permit renewals for the Garden in 2023. These individuals, however, were not assigned any risk scores, highlighting the strategic nature of the documentation.
The Breach and Its Fallout
The hacker collective ShinyHunters claimed responsibility for the massive 45-gigabyte data leak, which originated from an intrusion into the Garden’s Microsoft Entra and Salesforce systems. By utilizing vishing techniques to reset passwords, the group gained access to sensitive records, including tax documents and private contact information for high-ranking officials like NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch. Although the Garden has not provided an official comment, the leak has exposed the extent of Dolan's surveillance apparatus, which includes facial recognition technology at venues ranging from the Sphere to Radio City Music Hall. Despite the controversy, the Knicks' championship run and subsequent celebratory parade saw many of these flagged rappers, including Fat Joe and Jadakiss, performing for the public, illustrating the complex relationship between the arena’s security practices and the New York culture it hosts.
