Current Events > James Dolan threatens to not serve alcohol at Rangers game in feud with SLA

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://www.amny.com/news/james-dolan-says-no-alcohol-at-rangers-game/

New York Rangers fans might be getting shut out from being served alcohol at Madison Square Garden for an upcoming game if James Dolan has his way. Dolan, the Executive Chairman of Madison Square Garden Sports Corporation, uttered the warning while rambling his way through a Thursday-morning interview with Fox 5 after he came under fire for his use of facial recognition software to prevent certain people from entering the famous New York City venue. The practice, which Dolan claims is strictly meant to prevent entry for lawyers who are currently suing his company, has drawn the ire of New York Attorney General Letitia James, who issued a letter stating that her office believes that attempts to dissuade individuals from filing discrimination complaints or encouraging those in active litigation to drop their lawsuits so they may access popular entertainment events at the Companys venues may violate state and city laws prohibiting retaliation. After not speaking to the media for almost four years, Dolan was compelled to appear publicly, so the Knicks and Rangers owner headed to Fox 5 to defend his use of the technology. The interview quickly devolved into chaos before Dolan explained a plan to defend Madison Square Garden by banning alcohol from an upcoming Rangers game. When pressed by Fox 5 anchor Rosanna Scotto about Dolan being threatened by the State Liquor Authority (SLA) over the improper use of facial recognition software, he said, that group is way over their skis Theyre being extremely aggressive, and theyre saying, Were gonna take away your liquor license. So I have a little surprise for them. Dolan then held up a handmade flyer that featured the photo and contact information for Sharirf Kabir, the Chief Executive Officer of the SLA.

Theyre doing this for publicity, so were gonna give them some publicity, Dolan said. What were gonna do is were gonna pick a night, maybe a Rangers game, and were gonna shut down all the liquor and alcohol in the building. After explaining that this wouldnt bother him since hes been sober for 29 years and doesnt need the liquor, Dolan went on to say that where we serve liquor, were gonna put one of these [flyers] up and say, If you would like to drink at a game, please call Sharif Kabir Sharirf Kabir, the Chief Executive Officer or write him an e-mailand tell him to stick to his knitting and what hes supposed to be doing. While Dolan might not need the liquor, deciding to shut down alcohol sales because of a personal squabble with local government may upset Rangers fans in attendance. Plus, giving the contact information of the SLAs CEO and attempting to mobilize MSG fans would undoubtedly be seen as an act of aggression. Theres also the fact that Dolan is attempting to bring Knicks and Rangers fans into a personal vendetta. In the United States, theres a thing called the Bill of Rights. In the Bill of Rights, youre allowed freedom of religion, youre allowed to own property, etc, Dolan said. This is just about owning property. You know, a bakery or restaurant, you get to say who you serve. For whatever reason. If theres someone you dont want to serve, you get to say, I dont want to serve you.' Now fans could be pulled into this personal conflict because Dolan feels The Garden has to defend itself.

This tweet sums up the interview: https://twitter.com/jangelooff/status/1618609433961205760

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/1/2/AAYBCtAAEH_g.jpg

dolan pls

One of the worst owners in all of professional sports.

hey, gary, you want to do something about this?

...why would the State Liquor Authority even care?

I read that as "James Doohan"

SHE CAN'T TAKE ANY MORE, CAPTAIN! I CANNOT CHANGE THE LAWS OF PHYSICS!!!

Questionmarktarius posted...

...why would the State Liquor Authority even care?

OP is James Dolan's response. Here is what they said in previous article

https://tinyurl.com/4mrnc74w

Now the New York State Liquor Authority says giving paying customers the heave-ho might not be kosher. Such bans could lead to MSG facing disciplinary action in regard to its liquor license, according to an advisory letter issued last week by the state agency. The letter says that as a condition of your license your premises must remain open to the public and that groups or individuals cannot be excluded on the basis of criteria that are not directly related to the your duties under your [liquor] license. If the authority finds that violations have occurred, it may take disciplinary action against your license, the letter adds. MSG has for months reportedly been denying entry at MSG, where the NBAs New York Knicks and the NHLs New York Rangers play; at Radio City Music Hall, home of the Rockettes and their popular Christmas show; and at two concert venues, the Beacon Theater and the Chicago Theater.

I'm sure it's different because of the size of the venue, but I'm trying to imagine this at a small scale and it doesn't seem as bad: Say I own a coffee shop and someone is suing me for something related to the coffee shop. If I see them walk in the door and demand I serve them, I'm probably going to tell them to fuck off. I guess the question is whether or not that attitude works when your "coffee shop" houses tens of thousands of people at once.

Lebronwon posted...

OP is James Dolan's response. Here is what they said in previous article

So... the SLA is being leveraged as "gay wedding cake" enforcement?

He'd been quiet for so long you almost forgot just how much of a buffoon the guy is.

"Fuck it, no beer" would be a hell of a move, though.

I support the idea of attending ballgames without there being any booze, it would be an eye-opening experience for many.
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/3/4/5/AAN5R1AAEIAB.jpg

s0nicfan posted...

I'm sure it's different because of the size of the venue, but I'm trying to imagine this at a small scale and it doesn't seem as bad: Say I own a coffee shop and someone is suing me for something related to the coffee shop. If I see them walk in the door and demand I serve them, I'm probably going to tell them to fuck off. I guess the question is whether or not that attitude works when your "coffee shop" houses tens of thousands of people at once.

That's not really what happened.

It was more if someone was suing you, hired a law firm that had 600 employees, and the janitor that works at that law firm came in for a coffee.

The lady they originally denied wasn't even working the case that was in question.

GeneralKenobi85 posted...

He'd been quiet for so long you almost forgot just how much of a buffoon the guy is.

The man is the definition of entitled 2nd generation wealth.

My wife's uncle used to work for a regional electronics company (The Wiz for all you New Yorkers) that was eventually bought by the Dolans, and he headed up the project of running all the cable and electronics into a house Charles Dolan (Jim's father) owned. They struck up a bit of a friendship, and I got to meet both Dolans a few times at random sporting events he would take me to.

Charles couldn't have been a nicer guy, meanwhile James acted like everyone was below him and he couldn't be bothered.

bigblu89 posted...

That's not really what happened.

It was more if someone was suing you, hired a law firm that had 600 employees, and the janitor that works at that law firm came in for a coffee.

The lady they originally denied wasn't even working the case that was in question.

Okay, that definitely paints a different picture. Thanks for the clarification.

s0nicfan posted...

Okay, that definitely paints a different picture. Thanks for the clarification.

It's still dick move, as the woman was there with her kids just to see the Christmas show, but it wasn't quite like the ACTUAL person suing him trying to see the show.

Dolan being a petty bitch as usual.