Wigdor LLP represents NBA All-Star Charles “Oak” Oakley in a defamation lawsuit against James Dolan and The Madison Square Garden Company (“MSG”). The lawsuit alleges Defendants Dolan and MSG launched a coordinated and defamatory public relations campaign against Mr. Oakley.
Mr. Oakley, who was traded for the Knicks in June of 1988, was instrumental in ushering one of the most successful eras in Knicks history. Even now, nearly two decades after he stopped playing for the Knicks, Mr. Oakley ranks among the top three players in franchise history in offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds, minutes played and steals, making him inarguably the greatest power forward in Knicks history.
As set forth in the complaint, despite the fact that Mr. Oakley never met Mr. Dolan during his playing career, or for several years thereafter, Mr. Dolan constantly disrespected Mr. Oakley, refusing to make eye contact or shake his hand during meetings and even making him purchase his own tickets to Knicks games.
Mr. Dolan’s animosity came to a head on February 8, 2017, when Mr. Oakley was forcibly removed from a Knicks game by MSG security without explanation and publicly embarrassed on live television, according to the complaint. The lawsuit outlines how Mr. Oakley was unlawfully taken outside of the arena, arrested and charged with assault. Notably, as set forth in the complaint, Mr. Oakley was neither intoxicated nor otherwise behaving inappropriately when he arrived at the Garden and was allowed to enter the arena without incident.
The lawsuit further alleges that over the ensuing days Defendants Dolan and MSG launched a coordinated and defamatory public relations campaign against Mr. Oakley in a series of outrageous and patently false statements to the national media, baselessly accusing him of abusing fans and staff, acting inappropriately and struggling with alcoholism.
The lawsuit outlines that this is not the first time Mr. Dolan has attempted to malign individuals who upset him with unsupported accusations that they were alcoholics.
Mr. Oakley seeks damages for the following causes of action: defamation per se, libel, slander, assault, battery, false imprisonment, abuse of process, and denial of a public accommodation in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as state and city laws.
The Plaintiff is represented by Wigdor LLP Partner Douglas H. Wigdor, Senior Associate Renan F. Varghese, and Associate Alex J. Hartzband.
New York Daily News
“How Charles Oakley is using James Dolan’s latest fan run-in as ammunition in defamation case”
March 13, 2019
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WFAN Sports Radio
“Charles Oakley’s Lawyer: Video Shows James Dolan Ordered MSG Removal, Gave Thumbs-Up After”
May 24, 2018
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ESPN
“A year after incident, Oakley still wants Dolan, MSG held ‘accountable’”
March 8, 2018
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NY Daily News
“Charles Oakley files suit against Knicks owner James Dolan, MSG over February arrest”
September 12, 2017
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ESPN
“Charles Oakley files civil suit over incident at Madison Square Garden”
September 12, 2017
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Forbes
“Charles Oakley Could Win His Lawsuit Against Knicks Owner James Dolan”
September 13, 2017
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Daily Mail
“Charles Oakley takes aim at Knicks: NBA legend files lawsuit against Madison Square Garden and owner James Dolan in connection with violent ejection from arena”
September 12, 2017
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Reuters
“Ex-Knicks star Oakley sues Dolan, MSG over removal from game”
September 12, 2017
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TMZ Sports
“Charles Oakley Blasts James Dolan, Knicks in Scathing New Lawsuit”
September 12, 2017
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Yahoo Sports
“Report: Charles Oakley to file civil suit in wake of incident at Madison Square Garden”
September 12, 2017
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USA Today
“Charles Oakley sues Knicks owner James Dolan, Madison Square Garden”
September 12, 2017
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New York Post
“Charles Oakley wants to use James Dolan heckler video against him in court”
March 13, 2019
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Newsday
“Charles Oakley’s ejection from Madison Square Garden was directed by James Dolan, attorneys say”
May 24, 2018
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ESPN
“James Dolan, Unplugged”
December 17, 2018
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NY Daily News
“New video shows James Dolan ordered Charles Oakley’s ejection, gave ‘thumbs up’ after melee: lawyer”
May 24, 2018
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NY Times
“Charles Oakley Files Lawsuit Against James Dolan and Madison Square Garden”
September 12, 2017
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NY Post
“Charles Oakley says James Dolan humiliated him on live TV”
September 12, 2017
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NBA.com
“Charles Oakley sues New York Knicks owners, claiming defamation”
September 12, 2017
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Newsday
“Oakley files civil suit against Knicks owner, MSG”
September 12, 2017
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Metro US
“Charles Oakley suing MSG for libel, slander”
September 12, 2017
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Daily Knicks
“New York Knicks legend Charles Oakley to file civil suit”
September 12, 2017
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