98.7 FM ESPN New York/Yes Network’s Michael Kay reported on Friday afternoon that former New York Knicks star Charles Oakley is banned for life from Madison Square Garden, following Wednesday night’s altercation with MSG security that resulted in Oakley’s arrest:
BREAKING:
"Charles Oakley will never be allowed to enter MSG again, even if he purchases a ticket."
-According to @RealMichaelKay
— The Michael Kay Show (@TMKSESPN) February 10, 2017
Soon after Kay announced this news on his radio show, Knicks owner James Dolan came on the show as a guest and said that Oakley’s ban from MSG is not permanent: “Hopefully it won’t be forever.”
And Dolan did this while reading prepared notes out of a binder:
MSG Chairman James Dolan joins #TMKSonYES to clarify recent events regarding former Knicks player Charles Oakley. pic.twitter.com/7DSfcwGnUa
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) February 10, 2017
Knicks owner James Dolan says Charles Oakley is not necessarily banned for life
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) February 10, 2017
Knicks owner James Dolan says Charles Oakley will be banned temporarily for MSG. "Hopefully it won't be forever," he says on ESPN Radio.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) February 10, 2017
Knicks owner James Dolan says the safety of the fans is the top priority for the team and arena in explaining the Oakley temporary ban.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) February 10, 2017
Knicks owner James Dolan said Charles Oakley came to MSG with an agenda, used vulgar language. "You can't do what he did and stay."
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) February 10, 2017
the most embarrassing part of that dolan interview is that his binder indicates he actually prepared for that train wreck. pic.twitter.com/V4miyohGN0
— Joon Lee (@iamjoonlee) February 10, 2017
Dolan also said that nothing would make him happier than having Oakley honored at MSG, but Oakley would need to address his behaviors for this to happen:
Dolan says nothing would make him happier than having Oakley honored at at MSG. Says Oak needs to address his behaviors to make that happen
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) February 10, 2017
Um, okay. Consider us skeptical that nothing would make Dolan happier than Oakley being honored at MSG, but interesting comments nonetheless.
It was reported earlier on Friday that MSG security chief Frank Benedetto had been fired, and Dolan confirmed the news:
Knicks owner James Dolan confirmed that MSG has fired the security executive. He called Oakley incident the "last straw" for the individual.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) February 10, 2017
To close out the (long) interview, Kay asked Dolan if the Oakley situation was embarrassing for the organization:
James Dolan's final comments on The Michael Kay Show regarding the Charles Oakley/Knicks/MSG situation. pic.twitter.com/A6WtInt6Ti
— Matt Clapp (@Matt2Clapp) February 10, 2017
“Well, I certainly think that Charles should be embarrassed.
Should we be embarrassed? I mean, I think we’re sad. I wouldn’t say embarrassed. This is an abusive situation.The staff, the workers at Madison Square Garden, me, etc were abused here.
If you’re being abused, don’t be embarrassed. Just refuse to be abused.”
Knicks fans have been siding with Oakley in this feud, and that’s certainly not going to change after Dolan’s handling of the matter today.