Former New York Knicks player Charles Oakley failed to prove security guards assaulted him during his 2017 ejection from Madison Square Garden, a federal judge in New York ruled Friday.
Judge Richard J. Sullivan of the Southern District of New York sided with Madison Square Garden and team owner James Dolan, ending the yearslong legal dispute. Oakley, now 62, was handcuffed and arrested following an altercation with security while sitting near Dolan during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Oakley initially filed multiple claims against Madison Square Garden that were dismissed in February 2020. After an appeal, his assault-and-battery claim remained, but Sullivan ruled that Oakley produced no evidence to support his assertion that security guards assaulted him.
Madison Square Garden pointed to video evidence and previous testimony showing Oakley was not assaulted. While Sullivan acknowledged the ejection was a jarring scene, he ruled Oakley failed to prove guards used excessive force.
Oakley was a beloved Knicks forward in the 1990s and a fan favorite. However, he remains one of the few former players absent from Madison Square Garden during the team's recent playoff runs, which culminated in the Knicks winning their first NBA championship in 53 years back in June.
Reactions to the Dismissal
"For more than nine years, Mr. Oakley's lawyers have pursued claims they knew were false. Those claims have now been dismissed by the Court in their entirety, for the third time," Madison Square Garden said in a statement. The company stated it is pursuing legal action against attorney Douglas Wigdor and his law firm, holding them accountable for frivolous litigation and abuse of the judicial system.
Wigdor expressed disappointment with the decision and indicated plans to appeal. "We are disappointed with the Court's rulings," Wigdor wrote in an email. "We believe there are conflicting accounts and only a jury can decide what exactly happened. We are hopeful that the Second Circuit will agree for a third time and remand the case for an immediate jury trial."
Failed Peace Efforts
In the weeks after Oakley's 2017 ejection, NBA commissioner Adam Silver and basketball legend Michael Jordan attempted to resolve the feud between Oakley and Dolan. Oakley was a teammate of Jordan with the Chicago Bulls before being traded to New York for Bill Cartwright in 1988.
Speaking at his annual NBA Finals press conference in San Antonio prior to the series opener, Silver addressed the unresolved conflict. "I tried, Michael Jordan tried, to broker peace between Charles Oakley and Jim Dolan," Silver said. "Our efforts were unsuccessful. I think it's unfortunate for the NBA… but it's currently in litigation. I tried my best; I don't really see anything else I can do at the moment."
An NBA spokesman contacted by The Daily Mail confirmed that Silver's efforts to mediate the feud took place in 2017.
Accusations and Demand for Apology
Court filings made by Madison Square Garden stated that security asked Oakley to leave the game due to disruptive behavior. Photographs from that night showed the retired power forward on the arena floor as security pinned him down.
Following the incident, Dolan, who identifies as a recovering alcoholic, accused Oakley of having a problem with alcohol. Oakley denied the allegation. He was later cleared of misdemeanor assault charges in 2018.
Oakley continued to pursue legal action, filing an amended lawsuit in May 2024. Dolan banned Oakley from attending Madison Square Garden in 2017, and Dolan remains a divisive figure among fans and media despite the Knicks' recent championship win.
At the time of his May 2024 filing, Oakley stated he received an invitation to join former Knicks players Stephon Marbury and Latrell Sprewell at the Garden. Oakley refused the offer, insisting he will not enter the building until Dolan apologizes.
"I guess their lawyer called my lawyer saying it's a good time for you to come back to the Garden," Oakley told the Associated Press at the time. "They've got to apologize. We'll go from there. Can (Dolan) be man enough to say, mistakes happen. And he made one."
