Knicks, Rangers will refund season tickets
The Knicks and Rangers made it all but official: There will be no more games at the Garden for the 2019-20 season, at least not with any fans, due to the coronavirus pandemic. The teams emailed their season-ticket holders on Monday, informing them they will get a full refund on the 13 postponed regular-season games — eight for the Knicks and five for the Rangers — or have an option of rolling it over to next season with a gift for doing so as an incentive.
“As a season-ticket member, we would like to offer you the option to receive a refund on the 2019-20 postponed games if you so choose,” the email to Knicks fans, obtained by The Post, stated. Rangers fans received a similar email. “Your next installment on a 2020-21 New York Ranger Membership is scheduled to be automatically processed this Friday, May 15,” it read. “Instead of processing that charge, we will simply credit your account and your next cash payment will be on June 15th.
“Finally, if you take no action, your account balance will remain intact pending the NHL’s decision regarding the rescheduling of any 2019-20 postponed games.”
Knicks fans were told if they take the option, they would receive a bonus of either a food and beverage credit, MSG Store credit or an RJ Barrett “swingman” jersey. Rangers fans would receive $150 food and beverage credit, $150 Madison Square Garden Store credit or an autographed stick.
The two leagues have yet to make decisions on whether they will resume play at some point or cancel the season. The NBA has not ruled out still playing some regular-season games before the playoffs. Commissioner Adam Silver said in a conference call with players Friday he may not decide on a restart plan until June. Teams in areas without stay-athome orders were able to open their facilities on Friday for informal and limited workouts.
The Post recently reported the NHL’s focus has shifted to diving straight into a 24-team tournament that would include a best-of-three play-in round. The league has no timeline for opening team training facilities or allowing individual or small group workouts, but commissioner Gary Bettman ensured that there at least would be a two-week training camp held prior to any games.
In Monday’s note from the Rangers, the organization concluded with a hopeful outlook.
“It’s times like these when we truly understand that it’s more than just the game that unites us — we are not just fans of a team but part of a community that is bigger than hockey,” the letter read. “Hockey will be back, and when it is, we can’t wait to re-take the ice in front of the world’s greatest fans.”