Charles Oakley, a former player for the New York Knicks, has declined the offer to return to Madison Square Garden, especially during the current NBA playoffs and while he maintains an ongoing lawsuit against Madison Square Garden and its owner, James Dolan. The legal dispute stems from an incident in 2017 where Oakley was involved in a scuffle with security, resulting in his ejection from the arena.
Speaking to The Associated Press, Oakley revealed that there had been communication from the Garden’s legal team suggesting it was an opportune time for him to revisit the venue. However, Oakley, known for his tough play in the 1990s, expressed his disinterest in returning as long as the dispute with Dolan persists.
The animosity between Oakley and Dolan traces back to the 2017 incident when Oakley was arrested following an altercation with MSG security officials who instructed him to leave his seat near Dolan. While Oakley was cleared of misdemeanor assault charges in 2018, the rift between him and Dolan remains unresolved.
Oakley insists that for him to consider attending a game at the Garden, an apology from Dolan is imperative. He has filed assault and battery claims against Dolan, with an amended lawsuit filed recently. Despite Oakley’s calls for honesty and transparency regarding the incident, MSG has denied all allegations.
Amidst the legal battle, the New York Knicks, led by Jalen Brunson, have been experiencing a resurgence in the NBA, holding a 2-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Indiana Pacers.
Oakley, who played for the Knicks from 1988 to 1998 and helped the team reach the NBA Finals, admits to having a strained relationship with the organization due to his past criticisms of Dolan. He feels let down by the lack of intervention from the league and expresses gratitude for the support he has received from the fans.
Despite his ongoing legal battle, Oakley maintains his support for the Knicks players and acknowledges their current success on the court. However, he stirred controversy recently by suggesting on a SiriusXM show that Brunson was the best Knick since Walt Frazier, leading to tension with his former teammate Patrick Ewing.
Oakley also recalls a promise from Dolan to retire his jersey, which he now views as an attempt to salvage Dolan’s image rather than a genuine gesture of reconciliation. He insists that Dolan needs to apologize for his actions before he considers attending a Knicks game at MSG.
In conclusion, Oakley expresses his desire to return to MSG to watch a Knicks game but asserts that the pending legal case must be resolved and a sincere apology from Dolan is necessary before he considers setting foot in the arena again.
