New York Knicks Owner James Dolan Gives Unhinged Interview About Madison Square Garden’s Facial Recognition Technology

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James Dolan and the New York Knicks yet again came under fire recently.

No, not because they’re bad at basketball. That’s yet again true.

But this time the Knicks and their gregarious owner are under fire for something a little more strange. The Knicks, and their home arena Madison Square Garden, are using facial recognition technology to target enemy lawyers,  CNBC’s Noah Sheildlower reports.

And New York City Attorney General Letitia James isn’t a fan of the tactics.

MSG Entertainment has reportedly used the technology to identify and deny entry to multiple lawyers affiliated with law firms involved in ongoing litigation relating to the company, including those with season tickets. According to a letter she sent the company Tuesday, approximately 90 law firms were impacted by this policy.

“MSG Entertainment cannot fight their legal battles in their own arenas,” James said Wednesday in a release announcing her letter. She’s seeking a response from MSG Entertainment by Feb. 13.

Dolan, however, sees no issue with the use of the new tech. In a recent interview with New York City television station FOX 5, he said he believes it doesn’t significantly change anything.

“Facial recognition, right, is just the technology. I mean, when I walked into the studio, did you recognize my face? Facial recognition! Technology just makes you better at it,” Dolan said. “The real issue that’s going on here is our policy of not letting attorneys who are suing us into our building until they’re done suing us. When they’re done, they’re very much welcome back.”

While Dolan doesn’t see a problem, others do. Particularly those who believe the use of the tech will lead to a larger surveillance state.

It’s hardly the first time Dolan has run into problems with Knicks games attendees. Including one prominent run in with former Knicks great Charles Oakley.

But it appears this one won’t get very far if the AG has anything to say about it.