NEW YORK – A lawyer who has owned New York Knicks season tickets for nearly 50 years has sued Madison Square Garden Entertainment, claiming he and nearly 60 lawyers in his firm have been barred from company property.
Larry Hatcher said in a lawsuit filed in state court on Thursday that MSG was sued by Davidoff Hatcher & Co. after becoming lead attorney for 24 ticket resellers who were suing MSG for violating New York’s Arts and Cultural Affairs Act. Citron LLP said it had filed a lawsuit against him and his partner.
Two weeks later, Hatcher received a letter informing him that the solicitor had been banned and that his ticket, which he had owned since 1976 and had already paid for for this season’s renewal, had been cancelled.
“He dutifully renewed this subscription at great expense – no championship, long playoff drought, postseason failure, chairman coaching – but because he fulfilled his ethical obligations to his clients. I was summarily dismissed from MSG without warning,” he said.
MSG said in June it enacted a policy barring lawyers from companies involved in lawsuits against the company from attending events at the venue until the lawsuits are resolved.
A MSG spokesperson said in a statement: “We understand that this is frustrating for some, but MSG has the right and obligation to defend itself during the legal process.” The fact that it creates a hostile environment cannot be ignored and its attendant consequences must be protected against inappropriate disclosure and discovery.”
The ban applies not only to the Knicks-New York Rangers game at Madison Square Garden, but also to concerts at venues and facilities such as Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theatre.
Hatcher’s lawsuit argues that there is no need to fear conflicts with lawyers attending the event. This is because those who work for MSG must not only have knowledge of litigation, but must also have the authority to “bind MSG to its decisions.” influence the subject matter litigation. ”
“How many MSG employees fit into this narrow category?” Suits says. “The likelihood of individual plaintiffs discussing the subject matter of a lawsuit with an MSG employee is astronomical. The odds of a lightning strike or the Knicks winning the NBA Championship this year are more likely.”
Bans are not uncommon at MSG, led by James Dolan. Even former Knicks star Charles Oakley was critical of the team’s owner, winning one after being kicked out of the arena during a game.
In addition to monetary damages, the lawsuit seeks to have Hatcher’s season ticket reinstated in time for this season and the immediate lifting of the ban on attorneys.
