Back in February, Knicks legend Charles Oakley was ejected from a Knicks game, basically for being Charles Oakley and having previously criticized the Knicks ownership and organization, then showing up to a game. Do not tell the Emperor he has no clothes. The ejection was anything but smooth as Oakley fought with security, then was arrested and charged with several misdemeanors. He eventually accepted a plea deal that basically cleared him of charges as long as he didn’t get arrested again for six months.
If you thought that’s where this sordid tale would end, guess again.
Oakley is going to sue the Knicks, reports Adrian Wojnarowski and Ian Begley of ESPN.Former New York Knicks great Charles Oakley is preparing to file a civil suit in response to a February run-in with security at Madison Square Garden and the incident’s aftermath, sources familiar with the matter told ESPN....
Oakley hinted at the possibility of taking civil action against Dolan when he accepted a deal to have charges stemming from the incident dismissed. It is unclear if the civil suit will specifically target James Dolan, the owner of Madison Square Garden and the Knicks, or the larger entity of Madison Square Garden.
Oakley has not let the incident go, nor the fact afterward that Knicks owner James Dolan banned Oakley from the Garden (he lifted that a few days later), and said the former player has alcohol and anger management issues. Of course, players and fans rallied to back Oakley.
This is a no-win situation for the Knicks that will not go away.