Eric game plan: Tough talks with Madison Square Garden
Mayor Adams vowed Tuesday that the city will be a “hard negotiator” in its dealings with Madison Square Garden to hash out a new operating permit for the storied sports arena — but said the recent antics of its head honcho won’t influence his decision-making.
The head of the company that controls the arena, MSG Entertainment CEO James Dolan, has come under fire recently for employing facial-recognition technology to ban lawyers involved in lawsuits against MSG, prompting speculation that backlash against Dolan might factor into the licensing deal, which expires in July.
“I’m not sure what provocative things he has been doing,” Adams said Tuesday when asked about the permit negotiations and Dolan. “Things that happen within Madison Square Garden and how they carry out their procedures is not going to get in the way of negotiating the best deal for the city.
“We’re going to factor in the benefit of the city in our decision, not what he’s doing and how he runs his mannerisms inside the Garden,” Adams continued. “That doesn’t play into at all.”
Talks of possibly moving the Garden to Hudson Yards to better accommodate the renovation of Penn Station are also heating up again, but Adams said he likes MSG (photo) where it is now.
“I think it’s a great location — 34th St., Penn Station, people don’t have to drive in, they can use public transportation,” he said. “It’s just a good place for it to be. I’m happy with it being there.”
Aside from the facial-recognition controversy, Dolan has taken heat over the years for feuding with Knicks’ legend Charles Oakley — who was once dragged out of MSG in handcuffs — and has been slammed by Knicks fans for how he runs the franchise.
Adams suggested none of that will not factor into the city’s decision making when it comes to negotiating a new license, either.
“It’s not going to be based on the won-loss record of the New York Knicks,” he said.
“It’s going to be based on what’s the best deal for the city.”