• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

Knicks Owner Hires PI to Trail Liquor Regulator Investigating MSG

  • Knicks and Rangers owner James Dolan hired a private investigator to follow a state regulator evaluating Madison Square Garden’s liquor license.
  • Dolan has taken an antagonistic stance toward NY authorities and lawyers engaged with his companies.
New York Knicks and New York Rangers executive chairman, James Dolan, at Madison Square Garden.
Brad Penner-Imagn Images

James Dolan is upping the ante in his battle against New York regulators.

The owner of the New York Knicks and Rangers, Madison Square Garden, and other venues and restaurants hired a private detective to follow New York State Liquor Authority investigator Charles Stravalle.

MSG Entertainment, which operates the Garden and other properties, acknowledged having done so, calling it “a common and lawful practice.”

Dolan is in an ongoing feud with state authorities over his policy of barring lawyers employed by firms engaged in active litigation against his companies from entering his properties, including Madison Square Garden. The company uses facial recognition technology to enforce the policy.

The New York State Attorney General wrote a letter in January to MSG Entertainment saying the policy could violate civil rights laws. Stravalle is investigating whether the policy is grounds for removing the Garden’s liquor license.

MSG Invites Fans to Buy Knicks and Rangers Games Directly

MSG is inviting fans to buy and stream games.
March 1, 2023

The issue could impact the attempted sale of MSG Entertainment’s Tao Group, which Dolan is looking to sell to fund the construction of his $2.2 billion Las Vegas venue, MSG Sphere.

In a televised interview, Dolan held up a picture of the state Liquor Authority’s chief executive Sharif Kabir and suggested that fans tell him to “stick to his knitting.”

Dolan has recently expressed interest in selling a minority stake in the Knicks and Rangers but has promised to retain majority control of both teams.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Goodell, Owners Signal 18-Game NFL Season Is Coming—Eventually

The idea of a longer schedule ties into several other league initiatives.

Clark Hunt: Chiefs Will Decide on Stadium Plans by Summer

The Chiefs owner also addresses TV, Patrick Mahomes, and the White House.
Oct 20, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; General view of a television camera operator during the game between the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

Sources: NFL ‘Virtual Lock’ to Opt Out of Media-Rights Deals

Data continues to support an early opt-out of the league’s rights.

Featured Today

Mar 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the first half Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The Creator Behind the LeBron ‘Glazing’ Trend Sweeping TikTok

FOS spoke to TikTok user OkaySpade who made the original song.
Seattle Kraken
April 1, 2025

Samantha Holloway Is Seattle’s NHL Present—and Hopeful NBA Future

Samantha Holloway is steering the Kraken and hoping to revive pro hoops.
Brehanna Daniels
March 31, 2025

NASCAR Pit Crew Member Brehanna Daniels Didn’t Know She’d Be a Trailblazer

The first Black female tire changer didn’t know she’d be a trailblazer.
Columbia, SC - February 16, 2025 - Colonial Life Arena: Rebecca Lobo and Ryan Ruocco during a regular season game.
March 30, 2025

Inside Ryan Ruocco’s Rapid Rise to ESPN’s Top Voice of Women’s Hoops

The top voice became “quickly addicted” to calling the women’s game.

Junior Bridgeman Was the Prototype for Business Success After Sports

He started with Wendy’s franchises, later expanding into bottling, magazines, and more.
Oct 23, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat president Pat Riley addresses the crowd during the Pat Riley Court dedication ceremony at halftime at Kaseya Center.
February 14, 2025

Here’s Where Pat Riley’s Three-Peat Trademark Money Goes

Riley has the phrase trademarked despite having no three-peat of his own.
Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; A$AP Rocky on the sideline after halftime during Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium.
February 27, 2025

A$AP Rocky Could Be Latest Celebrity Owner in English Soccer

Following his acquittal, the rapper is closer to owning Tranmere Rovers.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Dec 1, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters (L) talks with Commanders owner Josh Harris (R) on the field prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at Northwest Stadium.
December 4, 2024

CEO Leaves $13 Billion Soup Company to Run Commanders

The new president will lead the planning and development of the team’s stadium.
LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan after the final round of golf during the CME Group Tour Championship at the Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla., Sunday, November 19, 2023.
December 2, 2024

LPGA Commissioner Leaving After Brief Up-and-Down Tenure

Mollie Marcoux Samaan was hired in 2021.
November 15, 2024

Adam Silver Defends NBA Product Amid Sluggish Ratings

Silver said the NBA compares itself to “the biggest brands in the world.”
November 11, 2024

Endeavor to Sell OpenBet, IMG Arena to Its CEO Ari Emanuel

The move is “a necessary step” as Endeavor seeks to go private.