Charles Oakley’s Lawsuit Against Madison Square Garden Dismissed for Third Time

A federal court has dismissed Charles Oakley’s legal action against Madison Square Garden and its owner James Dolan for the third time, marking another setback in a dispute that has stretched across nearly a decade. The dismissal came down Friday, ending what has become a protracted legal battle between the basketball hall-of-famer and the arena operator.

The conflict stems from a February 2017 incident in which Oakley was removed from MSG following a confrontation with security personnel. Following his ejection from the arena, Oakley was arrested, though prosecutors later dropped all charges against him. He subsequently filed suit alleging false imprisonment and defamation among other claims.

The case has experienced a turbulent legal history, with initial dismissals issued in early 2020 and again in 2021 before being revived in early 2023. MSG indicated it intends to pursue counterclaims against Oakley’s attorney Douglas Wigdor and his firm for what the arena characterized as frivolous litigation. “For more than nine years, Mr. Oakley’s lawyers have pursued claims they knew were false,” MSG stated in a release.

Oakley’s legal team expressed dismay at the outcome, maintaining that conflicting accounts of the incident warrant jury consideration. The attorneys signaled plans to appeal to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing the case warrants a trial. Oakley, a 6’8″ forward who starred for the Knicks during the 1990s and appeared in the 1994 NBA Finals, has remained a team supporter despite the ongoing feud with Dolan.