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New York City is preparing for rowdy crowds as the Knicks will take on the Spurs Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.
So much so, that officials are having disagreements on the best way to figure out how to properly handle crowd control — particularly between the Garden and the city.
Referring to both Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch as "New York City's biggest party poopers," the arena slammed officials for keeping some of the tightened security measures in place for President Donald Trump's attendance on Monday night.
"The last several victories the Knicks have had have been celebrated by thousands and thousands outside MSG. The joy and happiness were palpable everywhere,” The Garden's statement, released Tuesday, said.
“Apparently Mayor Mamdani and Police Commissioner Tisch, despite what they say, don’t want to see these celebrations happen.”
The NYPD had granted the Knicks a permit to host the Game 4 watch party outside of the stadium for up to 1,000 people, according to The Athletic. Tickets will be needed for attendees and no re-entries will be allowed.
But the stadium snapped at some of the security measures the city told them it planned to take.
"We have been told that the NYPD will once again implement the same 'frozen zone' restrictions for Game 4, which were supposedly to thwart any threats related to the President's attendance," the Garden wrote.
"We now know these restrictions were never about the President — it was just a convenient excuse to restrict how and when Knicks fans celebrate."
Police told USA TODAY Network that a security perimeter would be established, beginning at 4 p.m., from West 29th to West 35th streets, between Sixth and Eighth avenues.
The venue claimed that closing the area would lead to small businesses losing support they have come to rely on from Knicks fans.
"The actions of the Mayor and Police Commissioner, supposedly in support of the Knicks and their fans, are difficult to understand," MSG said.
"We urge them to lift these restrictions and embrace the love of the team."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NYPD, MSG clash over watch party for Knicks Finals match
Continue reading...
So much so, that officials are having disagreements on the best way to figure out how to properly handle crowd control — particularly between the Garden and the city.
Referring to both Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch as "New York City's biggest party poopers," the arena slammed officials for keeping some of the tightened security measures in place for President Donald Trump's attendance on Monday night.
"The last several victories the Knicks have had have been celebrated by thousands and thousands outside MSG. The joy and happiness were palpable everywhere,” The Garden's statement, released Tuesday, said.
“Apparently Mayor Mamdani and Police Commissioner Tisch, despite what they say, don’t want to see these celebrations happen.”
The NYPD had granted the Knicks a permit to host the Game 4 watch party outside of the stadium for up to 1,000 people, according to The Athletic. Tickets will be needed for attendees and no re-entries will be allowed.
But the stadium snapped at some of the security measures the city told them it planned to take.
"We have been told that the NYPD will once again implement the same 'frozen zone' restrictions for Game 4, which were supposedly to thwart any threats related to the President's attendance," the Garden wrote.
"We now know these restrictions were never about the President — it was just a convenient excuse to restrict how and when Knicks fans celebrate."
Police told USA TODAY Network that a security perimeter would be established, beginning at 4 p.m., from West 29th to West 35th streets, between Sixth and Eighth avenues.
The venue claimed that closing the area would lead to small businesses losing support they have come to rely on from Knicks fans.
"The actions of the Mayor and Police Commissioner, supposedly in support of the Knicks and their fans, are difficult to understand," MSG said.
"We urge them to lift these restrictions and embrace the love of the team."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NYPD, MSG clash over watch party for Knicks Finals match
Continue reading...
