NBA Commissioner Adam Silver met with members of the media for more than 20 minutes during NBA All-Star Weekend festivities. During his press conference, Silver spoke about a number of topics, including load management and the Celtics’ decision to let go of Ime Udoka. At one point, the conversation shifted toward the New York Knicks and James Dolan.
Within the last few months, James Dolan has returned to the headlines of the New York Post, New York Times and a number of other nearby publications. Why? Multiple lawyers have been removed from the venue after being spotted by facial recognition technology used at the venue. The one thread tying each of the legal representatives together is their employment at a firm that is involved in litigation with either Dolan or MSG Entertainment.
“This is bad, and it’s just one example of how facial recognition could be used to infringe on peoples’ rights,” Fight for the Future Director Evan Greer told Gizmodo.
“This technology puts music fans, sports fans, and others at risk of being unjustly detained, harassed, judged, or even deported.”
Despite complaints, the venue has defended the use of facial recognition technology. In a statement, the venue claimed the presence of these lawyers “creates an inherently adverse environment.” However, New York Attorney General Letitia James is pushing back against the venue’s use of this technology.
“MSG Entertainment cannot fight their legal battles in their own arenas,” James stated.
“Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall are world-renowned venues and should treat all patrons who purchased tickets with fairness and respect.”
When asked about the matter, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver indicated that the league would intervene in the matter.
“I would say in terms of their use of it currently directed at those who are litigating against them, as I’ve said previously, our only rules are that they comply with local law,” Silver said.
“From everything we understand right now, Madison Square Garden is complying with local law. At least, so far, we have not deemed it appropriate that we should be stepping into those situations.”
