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Madison Square Garden is often referred to as “The Mecca” when it comes to hosting sports events, and for good reason. The legendary Midtown Manhattan arena has seen it all, and will continue to at the New York Knicks continue their improbable playoff run. But there is one place in MSG where the stories stay behind closed doors.
During the early 2010s, MSG spent three years and $1 billion on renovations. As part of those renovations, the arena installed a significant number of new suites. But one of those, Suite 200, stands above the rest as the most exclusive of them all. It is home to only the most famous, most powerful attendees of Knicks games. And what happens in Suite 200 is often meant to remain in Suite 200, as Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports reports.
Suite 200 is a private box controlled by MSG owner James Dolan.
“That’s where deals are done,” former VP of public relations for the Knicks Joe Favorito told McCarthy. “Among the titans of industry, deals are done at Suite 200 in Madison Square Garden—and the President’s Box at the US Open.”
Access To Famed Suite 200 In MSG Comes With Quid Pro Quo For Attendees
The Suite contains both private entrances and elevators, and the fare includes top-shelf liquor and gourmet food. Regulars include, of course, Knicks superfan Spike Lee, as well as Hollywood superstars Katie Holmes and Liam Neeson. But an invite also comes with a price. Attendees are expected to promote the Knicks and support Dolan’s causes in return.
“You don’t get something for nothing, and if it helps the Garden if they see someone of my celebrity status—however high or low that is—I’ll put on my best Armani suit and go out there,” Neeson told the New York Times.
But for as much as Suite 200 is about exclusivity, it’s also about privacy. McCarthy reached out to MSG about the mythical suite, only to receive a “no comment” in return. The secrecy, of course, only makes access to the suite even more appealing.
With the Knicks 2-0 up against the Boston Celtics and two wins away from their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000, the buzz around MSG is undeniable. And for a lucky few set to join Dolan in Suite 200, they’re in for an experience unlike any other.