Charles Oakley loses MSG assault lawsuit in federal court

A federal judge has dismissed the long-standing lawsuit filed by former New York Knicks player Charles Oakley against Madison Square Garden (MSG) and owner James Dolan for the third time. U.S. District Judge Richard J. Sullivan ruled that Oakley failed to provide sufficient evidence to support his claims of assault, battery, and defamation stemming from a 2017 incident.

The dispute originated in February 2017, when Oakley was forcibly removed and arrested following an altercation with security during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers. While the ejection was described as a jarring scene, Judge Sullivan noted that video evidence and unanimous witness testimony indicated Oakley had a reasonable opportunity to leave and instead resorted to physical violence. The judge concluded that no rational jury could find that Oakley reasonably feared wrongful physical contact.

MADISON Square Garden issued a statement characterizing the litigation as a “blatant abuse of the judicial system” and announced plans to pursue legal action against Oakley’s attorney, Douglas Wigdor, for “frivolous litigation.” Oakley’s legal team expressed disappointment with the ruling and indicated intentions to appeal to the Second Circuit in hopes of securing a jury trial.