Knicks owner, NYC mayor at odds over watch party size and safety

(NewsNation) — New York is still buzzing after the Knicks’ Game 4 comeback, but as fans look ahead to Game 5, there’s drama between New York City Hall, the NYPD, and Madison Square Garden over a watch party.

The Knicks’ owner has said the city is turning the area around Madison Square Garden into a police state.

The big question is whether Knicks fans will even get a watch party outside MSG.

Knicks owner James Dolan scrapped Wednesday’s Game 4 party and placed the blame on Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the NYPD, sparking a public back-and-forth.

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Dolan complained the approved watch party size was too small.

The city approved a permit for up to 999 people. Mamdani posted this: “MSG requested a permit for a watch party for 500-999 fans. We approved that permit for 999 fans. Mr. Dolan has now decided to cancel the watch party.”

Following Wednesday’s historic win, Knicks fans took to the streets by the thousands, leading to a night of chaotic celebrations ending in more than 50 arrests.

A similar scene played out at New York’s Bryant Park Monday when President Donald Trump attended the game.

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City officials said this is all about public safety. Dolan sees it differently, saying during a radio interview, “This is all really designed around stopping people from celebrating around Madison Square Garden.”

Dolan said the restrictions are preventing fans from celebrating at what he calls the “mecca of basketball.”

City Hall insists the event was approved and security measures were consistent with other large public gatherings in New York.

Game 5 is Saturday night. It remains to be seen if a watch party will be held outside of the garden.

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