Knicks: Impossible Return? James Dolan and the MSG Blacklist

Dolan’s Revenge: Lawyers Banned from Madison Square Garden

In the world of sports and entertainment, few figures generate as much controversy as James Dolan, CEO of MSG Sports and MSG Entertainment. His habit of banning people from Madison Square Garden (MSG) has generated considerable uproar, especially among lawyers who have litigated against his companies. This practice, which uses facial recognition technology, has created an atmosphere of tension and has transformed MSG into a legal and personal battleground. The story of Justin Brandel, a personal injury lawyer, perfectly illustrates this situation. After the Knicks defeated the Celtics in the playoffs, Brandel was preparing to celebrate with friends at MSG. However, his ban from access, imposed by Dolan, prevented him from enjoying the event. Brandel, like other lawyers on the blacklist, was vetoed for litigating against MSG Entertainment properties. The list of those banned, which includes more than a thousand lawyers from about 90 firms, has gained notoriety in the New York legal community. This list is based on facial recognition technology and other advanced security measures, demonstrating Dolan’s power to impose his decisions.

The veto process begins with an official letter from the office of the Associate General Counsel of MSG Entertainment Corporation, sent by FedEx. The letter notifies the lawyers and their firm of the ban on access to MSG venues until the litigation is resolved. This measure affects the lawyers, while support staff and paralegals are not affected. Mark Seitelman, another affected lawyer, received the notification shortly after filing a lawsuit. The ban also revokes any previously acquired entry, which aggravates the situation. The list of those banned is constantly changing, as cases are resolved and new ones arise. In addition to lawsuits, other actions can lead to being banned, such as publicly criticizing Dolan. An example is Frank Miller Jr., who was ejected from Radio City Music Hall for wearing a t-shirt with the slogan “BAN DOLAN”. Facial recognition technology plays a crucial role in the application of these bans. In December 2022, the New York Times revealed that MSG Entertainment used this technology to identify and expel people from the banned list, including a woman who was taking her daughter and her Girl Scout troop to an event. This practice led the New York Attorney General’s office to express concern about possible violations of civil rights.

“If there is someone you don’t want to serve, you can say: ‘I don’t want to serve you’”, Dolan said, quoting the Bill of Rights. “And if there is someone who is suing you and trying to put you out of business or take your money… You have the right to be, yes, a little unhappy about that”.

James Dolan

Seth Diamond, a lawyer at Morgan & Morgan, experienced firsthand the consequences of the ban when he was prevented from attending a Rangers game with his son. Diamond was unaware of the ban, which underscores the lack of clarity in the communication of the policy. The company argues that the policy seeks to ensure the safety of attendees and employees, and that it applies to firms that engage in violent or threatening behavior. The experiences of lawyers vary, and rumors about exceptions abound. Some are stopped at the scanners, while others manage to get through. Dan Watts, another lawyer at Morgan & Morgan, managed to evade detection on several occasions, but was finally discovered and banned. Dolan’s motivation seems clear: to deter lawsuits against MSG. The lawyers who have been banned suggest that this policy seeks to intimidate litigants and discourage any legal action against Dolan’s properties. John Morgan, founder of Morgan & Morgan, responded to the ban by launching a website to solicit personal injury claims against Dolan’s properties. For him, the ban is irrelevant, but he acknowledges that it may affect his lawyers.

The article recounts the personal experience of a basketball and music fan, who feels deprived of key moments in his life. The MSG ban, for him, is an attack on his memories and emotions. Nicolette Landi, a personal injury lawyer, was also a victim of this policy. Despite purchasing expensive tickets to a Mariah Carey concert, she was denied entry. Landi managed to bypass security on one occasion, but her brother was indefinitely banned for confronting Dolan. In the end, the cycle repeats: a letter from MSG Entertainment announces the end of the ban once the litigation is resolved. But the damage, and the controversy, remain. The history of James Dolan’s vetoes is a display of power and control in the world of sports and entertainment. The implementation of facial recognition technology and the application of these bans have generated debate and highlighted the complex relationship between team owners, fans, and the law. For Seth Diamond, the experience was a lesson for his son about the value of money, power, and decency. The story of Dolan and his vetoes remains open, and its impact on the legal community and sports fans is undeniable.