Knicks watch party canceled amid dispute over arena security measures
A planned outdoor watch party for Game 4 of the NBA Finals was called off as New York City officials and Knicks owner James Dolby clash over security restrictions around Madison Square Garden.
A scheduled outdoor watch party for Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden was canceled amid a dispute between the Knicks' ownership and New York City officials over security protocols. The venue had applied for a permit to host 500-999 attendees, which the city approved for up to 1,000 people, but the event was later called off, according to a post by Mayor Zohran Mamdani on X.
Knicks owner James Dolan told WFAN that the mayor’s security plan was intended to limit fan celebrations outside the arena. > "This is all really designed around stopping people from celebrating around Madison Square Garden," Dolan said. He also suggested city officials lacked confidence in their police force and implied they were not Knicks fans.
Mamdani responded that the city’s security measures were comparable to those used for large public gatherings such as Independence Day or New Year’s Eve celebrations. > "We want to encourage every New Yorker to celebrate in this moment, to do so responsibly, and to be looking out for one another through it all," he said.
The New York Police Department confirmed that it had prepared for the approved watch party but could not confirm whether the venue would proceed. Earlier, a separate watch party moved to Bryant Park drew an estimated 7,000 fans and resulted in arrests and injuries after a loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
The disagreement follows earlier security actions at Madison Square Garden, including a steel fence and restricted access for Game 3, which was attended by President Donald Trump.