James Dolan repeats threat to ban booze at Madison Square Garden amid face tech

James Dolan’s gloves are still off in his fight against state alcohol regulators.

The CEO of Madison Square Garden has again threatened to ban the sale of alcohol at an upcoming Rangers game in the hope that thirsty fans will take out their anger on government liquor officials who are trying to stop his use of facial recognition software.

“I don’t think I would ban beer at Rangers games, but maybe,” he told WFAN radio on Friday, the day after he went public with the idea in an interview with Fox 5.

When hosts on the Carton and Roberts show said such a ban would likely anger fans at himself rather than the State Liquor Authority, Dolan seemed to double down and even repeated the phone number of SLA CEO Sharif Kabir.

“Of course we want to sell alcohol at every event in Madison Square Garden,” he said.

” [State Liquor Authority] threatens us with our ability to do so, now that you’re a fan, would you rather have one day without alcohol that will keep us from losing a whole season of alcohol, or do you want us to lose a whole season?”

The move comes months after the SLA suggested MSG could lose its ability to sell alcohol at Rangers and Knicks games unless Dolan stops using facial recognition software to ban opponents.

Dolan has faced mounting criticism in recent months after at least four lawyers were fired from MSG and Radio City Music Hall for working for firms involved in the MSG lawsuit, whether or not they were in person. involved in this matter.

The first reported incident of MSG using facial recognition against its perceived critics involved a lawyer who had her wedding anniversary plans smashed in October after cameras spotted her face.

“It was a very creepy experience,” she told Rolling Stone.

Then in December, a woman was kicked out of Radio City Music Hall while waiting for the Rockettes to perform with her daughter’s Girl Scout troop ahead of the SLA letter to MSG.

The same month, a Long Island lawyer was also kicked out of the Knicks’ game.

And then a Brooklyn attorney was denied entry to a Rangers game on January 10, sparking outrage among elected officials representing Manhattan and beyond.

“We are seriously concerned that MSG Entertainment is using facial recognition technology against its perceived legitimate enemies, which is extremely problematic due to the potential restriction of free speech and access to the courts,” Rep. Jerrold said in a letter dated January 15. Nadler. , State Senators Liz Krueger, Brad Hoylman-Segal, and other selects.

Assemblyman Tony Simone (D-Manhattan) was subsequently denied an invitation to an NHL-sponsored Pride event, inspiring him to propose legislation to prevent the company from denying admission to Dolan’s opponents.

Another Manhattan politician, State Senator Brad Hoylman-Segal (D-Manhattan), also hopes the NHL and NBA will take action against Dolan.

“I understand that facial recognition software can help with security at large venues, but Mr. Dolan misused this technology to stoke his personal vengeance, not make games safer,” Hoylman-Segal wrote in a letter to the Commissioners. NBA January 27th. and NHL.

“I implore both of your organizations to use your authority to punish MSG and Mr. Dolan for these disturbing violations unless they immediately stop profiling fans using facial recognition technology for non-security purposes,” he added.

None of the leagues provided comment on Friday.

MSG defended the policy, saying that these attorneys could somehow use their presence on company property to gain their firm’s courtroom advantage.

But elected officials have argued that MSG has a moral obligation to allow any paid member of the public to attend events, given the state’s tax breaks to help keep it afloat.

A city permit that allows the Garden to have more than 2,500 people could also be in jeopardy before it expires this year.

State Attorney General Letitia James on Wednesday demanded that MSG provide documents that show the policy does not violate anti-discrimination laws.

“We are writing to express concern that the Policy may violate the New York City Civil Rights Act and other city, state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination and retaliation for engaging in protected activities,” she said Tuesday in a letter to MSG attorneys. .

But a worried Knicks and Rangers owner responded the next day, telling Fox 5 he could lean on sports fans to pressure the SLA while denying he had any obligation to admit lawyers connected to litigation, to MSG events.

“People say, ‘You’re so sensitive, you shouldn’t be defensive.’ It’s like in “The Godfather” – like “It’s just a business,” Dolan was outraged on FOX 5. “[But] The garden must be protected.”

On Friday, Dolan said he had no plans to deprive Rangers fans of alcohol at games anytime soon, reserving the right to do so at any time of his choosing.

“At the moment there is no plan to make it right?” he said. “Beer is safe and waiting for you.”

However, he repeated his threat to place signs with Kabir’s picture and number outside beer gardens in the area, which he first posted during an interview with Fox.