Unpacking the MSG Attorney Exclusion List
Madison Square Garden (MSG) Entertainment Corp., under the leadership of James Dolan, has maintained a controversial policy known as the 'attorney exclusion list' since at least 2022. This policy has reportedly banned over a thousand lawyers from entering MSG venues, including the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City. The policy targets attorneys who are involved in lawsuits against MSG or its affiliates, using facial recognition technology to identify and eject them from events, even when they hold valid tickets.
The issue gained significant attention in December 2022 when a woman was barred from attending the 'Christmas Spectacular' at Radio City Music Hall with her daughter's Girl Scout troop, simply because she was on the exclusion list. Stories have since emerged of lawyers being swarmed by security and denied entry to concerts, comedy shows, and sporting events like New York Knicks games, often with no refund provided. This practice has sparked outrage among fans and legal professionals alike, raising questions about fairness and the use of surveillance technology in private venues.
Impact on Knicks Fans and Legal Community
For dedicated Knicks fans like attorney Larry Hutcher, a season ticket holder for over four decades, the ban has been a personal blow. Despite being barred from MSG, Hutcher made a point to support his team by traveling to Miami to watch a game against the Heat, sending a symbolic message to Dolan from courtside. The emotional toll of being excluded from a venue tied to lifelong memories of fandom is palpable for many affected individuals.
Beyond individual fans, the broader legal community in the New York area has felt the sting of this policy. Lawyers have shared accounts of being abruptly removed from events, often in front of family or friends, creating a sense of humiliation. The use of facial recognition to enforce the ban has also raised privacy concerns, as it involves constant monitoring of attendees without their explicit consent, a practice that many argue oversteps ethical boundaries.
Public Backlash and Future Implications
Despite widespread backlash, MSG Entertainment has shown no signs of reversing the attorney exclusion list as of August 13. Public sentiment, as reflected in various posts on X, ranges from calling the policy 'petty' to labeling it one of the 'saddest' stories related to sports venue management. Critics argue that no other major U.S. arena actively bans individuals suing the owner, making MSG's approach uniquely aggressive.
The ongoing controversy surrounding the ban could have lasting implications for how private venues balance security, personal rights, and customer relations. As facial recognition technology becomes more prevalent, the precedent set by MSG may influence other arenas and entertainment spaces. For now, Knicks fans and lawyers alike remain caught in a standoff with Dolan and MSG Entertainment, with little clarity on whether there’s any path back into the Garden for those on the banned list.