NYS lawmaker says James Dolan withdrew MSG invite after criticizing use of facial tech

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He used it to ban lawyers – now Madison Square Garden CEO James Dolan is targeting elected officials for speaking out about his controversial use of facial recognition software to screen attendees.

West Side Assemblyman Tony Simone said MSG withdrew an invitation to attend an upcoming event after criticizing CEO James Dolan’s practice of using the controversial technology against his legal enemies.

“This could lead to corporate abuse. If Jim Dolan doesn’t like you, you don’t come to his events,” Simone told The Post on Tuesday.

“What, I won’t see Madonna again in a year, because I said something bad about the company?”

Simone was one of seven local politicians who hit out at MSG at a press conference on Sunday over its use of facial recognition software to kick out Garden and Radio City Music Hall lawyers who work for companies linked to litigation against the company.

The freshman lawmaker says the situation took an ironic turn when an MSG representative called him to say he didn’t “think it would be the right time” for Simone, the first LGBTQ person elected. to represent the district, to attend the NHL-sponsored “Hockey is for Everyone” event.

“I was thrilled to drop the puck on Hockey Night,” said Simone. “Then being kicked out just because I want to speak out against politics kind of proves our point.”

Manhattan Assemblyman Tony Simone was told not to come to a Madison Square Garden event after criticizing CEO James Dolan for his use of facial recognition software. related to a dispute against him. for the NY POST

Simone said it was unclear if he was prevented from attending other events at MSG venues. I was not told I was banned, I was just uninvited from this event, he said.

An MSG representative did not immediately comment on Simone, whose district includes the Garden, being the first non-lawyer to be barred from attending events at its sites, which was first reported Tuesday by the local newspaper Chelsea News.

The company claimed it was well within its legal rights to ban people from attending events.

MSG has instituted a simple policy that prohibits attorneys from firms pursuing active litigation against the Company from attending events on our sites until that litigation is resolved. While we understand this policy is disappointing to some, we cannot ignore the fact that litigation creates an inherently adversarial environment, a spokesperson previously told The Post.

All relevant lawyers have been informed of the policy. We continue to specify that the lawyers concerned will be welcomed back to our premises once the dispute has been resolved, adds the press release.

A state lawmaker was told he wasn’t welcome at an NHL-sponsored ‘hockey is for everyone’ event after criticizing Madison Square Garden Entertainment.NHLI via Getty Images

Four lawyers who worked for companies linked to litigation against MSG said they were spotted by facial recognition software and told to leave by security while trying to attend events outside their working hours.

“It’s dystopian. How would you know if other business leaders won’t start using it? How do you know if they’re already using it? Come on,” Simone said.

Kelly Conlon, who was denied entry to a Rockettes show because her law firm is suing Madison Square Garden Entertainment, plans to file a lawsuit against MSG, arguing that the use of technology is a violation of the private life.

Local politicians like Simone have noted that MSG receives a range of public support, including a state tax abatement as well as an expiring municipal permit that allows the garden to accommodate more than 2,500 people despite zoning rules in the city.

“With these factors in mind, we hope that MSG Entertainment will act accordingly and immediately cease the use of personal biometric technology for purposes other than security,” reads the January 15 letter to Dolan signed by Simon and six other pols.

Representative Jerrold Nadler, State Senses Liz Krueger, Brad Holyman-Sigal, Kristen Gonzalez Brian Kavanagh as well as Assemblyman Alex Bores and Councilman Erik Bottcher also signed the letter.

Dolan could end the controversy with a simple gesture, Simone noted on Tuesday.

“I hope that instead of being petty or intimidating, he just stops politics,” Simone said. “It’s silly, like not being so sensitive.”

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