Excitement and Exclusion at Madison Square Garden
In May, as the New York Knicks celebrated a stunning victory against the Boston Celtics in the playoffs, excitement filled the air outside Madison Square Garden. Fans, eagerly anticipating the Eastern Conference finals, speculated about the outrageous ticket prices — some estimating that the cheapest ones would soar up to $1,500. It had been nearly three decades since the Knicks hosted a Game 1 at the iconic venue, and many felt the urgency to secure their chance to witness history live.
The Bitter Ban
For Justin Brandel, however, these jubilant plans were overshadowed by a bitter restriction: he was banned from all events at Madison Square Garden due to a policy enacted by James Dolan, the controversial CEO of MSG Entertainment.
Brandel, a successful personal injury attorney in Manhattan, was one of over a thousand lawyers barred from the venue after their firms took legal action against MSG. This practice, which took root following a publicized incident with Knicks legend Charles Oakley in 2017, has evolved into a widespread industry trend targeting attorneys involved in litigation against MSG properties, which span various prestigious venues including Radio City Music Hall and the Chicago Theatre.
The Cold Process of Banning
This ban not only impacts Brandel but many others across the legal field, often creating a surreal dichotomy between their professional lives and personal passions, particularly when it comes to the events they love.
The process of being banned is notably cold and bureaucratic; it begins with a formal letter sent via FedEx. It states that due to ongoing litigation against the company, the firm’s lawyers are prohibited from entering MSG venues. There is an aura of unwelcome exclusivity to the ban, as only attorneys are affected, leaving support staff and paralegals untouched. The letter even nullifies any pre-existing ticket purchases, adding insult to injury for those who learn about their status only after arriving at the venue.
A Chilling Effect
This peculiar ecosystem of bans has turned life in the legal community into somewhat of a local lore within New York, where stories circulate about friends and family finding themselves on the wrong end of Dolan’s vengeful tactics. The use of cutting-edge security technologies like facial recognition at MSG has only intensified this chilling effect. Last year, a light shone on the issue when various media outlets reported incidents where lawyers unwittingly attempted entry to concerts or games, only to be swiftly removed by security personnel, often before they could even get a glimpse of the show.
Defiance and Response
Despite pushback from the public and even demand for clarification from the New York attorney general, Dolan remains defiant. He argues that the policy safeguards against potential litigation hijinks, though many lawyers dispute this, pointing out that there’s already ethical prohibitions in place preventing legal misconduct in such scenarios. As litigation against MSG continues, the ban has prompted various responses in the legal community, ranging from retaliation lawsuits to the creation of dedicated websites like SueMSG.com, inviting claims against Dolan’s venues.
A Glimmer of Hope
In a twist, Brandel saw a glimmer of hope when a lawsuit that contributed to his ban was settled in early April, prompting speculation about whether he might be freed from his restrictions. However, the grey areas surrounding the enforcement of the ban, along with a lack of notification, leave many in limbo. Conversations abound on the topic of potentially sneaking into events, where shared camaraderie forgoes fear of repercussions in the name of enjoying a game or concert.
A Larger Metaphor
As this saga continues, both the ban and its fallout serve as a larger metaphor for the intersection of power, privilege, and access, complicating what it means to be part of a community passionate about sports and entertainment. For once ardent Knicks fans, their connection to the team can often feel tinged with sadness, as the ban becomes a story of exclusion in a space meant for inclusion.
And as for Brandel, despite the external pressures, his loyalty to his team remains undeterred. Whether he will ever step foot in Madison Square Garden again is uncertain, but for many fans facing similar dilemmas, the fight against James Dolan’s ban feels increasingly personal.
