Knicks owner James Dolan is known for his petty behavior, and a recent incident involving model Emily Ratajkowski suggests he may have struck again.
Madison Square Garden’s stands are often graced by celebrities, and free tickets are occasionally offered to attract notable names. However, Ratajkowski may have jeopardized her chance for complimentary seats due to an early departure from a recent game.
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Madison Square Garden, along with the New York Knicks and Rangers, is overseen by James Dolan, a billionaire known for his strict control over the iconic venue. In the past, Dolan banned Knicks legend Charles Oakley from MSG for a year after a confrontation and faced a lawsuit alleging the use of facial recognition technology to exclude attorneys involved in a legal battle against him.
Sources exclusively told Page Six that after Emrata and her fellow model pal, Irina Shayk, exited a nail-biter Knicks victory with a couple minutes to go, Ratajkowski subsequently put in for Rangers tickets at MSG — but didn’t get the coveted comped seats.
The top model is still welcome at MSG, as long as she buys tickets like any paying customer.
During a Knicks game against the Heat on November 28, which saw a remarkable comeback victory, Ratajkowski left the building with about two minutes left in the fourth quarter, citing a “childcare issue.” According to Page Six her premature departure did not sit well with MSG authorities.
Multiple sources reported that Ratajkowski’s attempt to secure complimentary tickets to a Rangers game in December was denied. An official spokesperson stated, “Emily was not offered comped tickets for the Rangers. She was offered, and is welcome, to buy great seats any time.”
While there is no definitive proof that this denial was a direct result of James Dolan’s reaction to the perceived slight, the incident suggests another instance of his penchant for petty actions.