Former New York Knicks forward Charles Oakley remains steadfast in his decision to refrain from setting foot in Madison Square Garden until he receives an apology from team owner James Dolan.
The ongoing lawsuit stemming from a 2017 altercation between Oakley and MSG security personnel continues to sour relations between the two parties, with Oakley asserting his stance against returning to the arena.
“I guess their lawyer called my lawyer saying it"s a good time for you to come back to the Garden. I think it"s a bad time," Oakley revealed to The Associated Press on Friday.
"I guess their lawyer called my lawyer saying it's a good time to come back to the Garden…I think it's a bad time…They've got to apologize"
–– Charles Oakleyhttps://t.co/NubBSNPDA1 pic.twitter.com/41xqfrj2L7
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) May 10, 2024
The animosity dates back to 2017 when Oakley was ejected from the arena after an altercation with security officials near Dolan. Despite being cleared of misdemeanor assault charges in 2018, Oakley remains resolute in his demand for an apology from Dolan before considering a return to MSG.
“They"ve got to apologize," Oakley emphasized. “We"ll go from there. Can [Dolan] be man enough to say, ‘Mistakes happen." And he made one."
Oakley has filed assault and battery claims against Dolan, with an amended lawsuit recently filed and assigned to Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron to handle.
“Just be honest," Oakley urged. “Just be transparent over what you put someone through and how you changed their life. This definitely changed my life."
Despite Oakley"s continued absence, the Knicks are enjoying success in the NBA playoffs, holding a 2-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Indiana Pacers.
Oakley, who played for the Knicks from 1988 to 1998, maintains a strained relationship with the team due to past criticism of Dolan.
“It"s been a struggle the last seven years," Oakley reflected. “There have been things said that weren"t true. The league didn"t step in. The commissioner is pretty soft. He didn"t do nothing."
Oakley"s willingness to return to MSG hinges on Dolan"s willingness to reconcile the ongoing legal dispute.
“I think it"s a bad time to ask me to come to a game," Oakley concluded. “The case is still going. You ain"t trying to settle a case. The case is still pending. Take care of your business with the case and let the game worry about the game."
