NY Knicks: James Dolan seeks to deny Charles Oakley’s lawsuit appeal

Knicks owner James Dolan is hoping Charles Oakley’s lawsuit goes away.

New York Knicks owner James Dolan and Madison Square Garden are asking the United States Court of Appeals Second Circuit to deny an appeal submitted by Charles Oakley over an incident that occurred at MSG in February 2017, according to Bloomberg Law who obtained information on the court proceedings on Monday.

Oakley filed a lawsuit against Dolan and MSG alleging assault, battery, and defamation. The suit was dismissed in federal court in February, as it “failed to allege a plausible legal claim that can meet federal legal standards.”

Dolan and MSG are hoping Oakley’s motion for appeal is now denied.

"Oakley’s claim that he was embarrassed isn’t sufficient to establish injury, and the force used was objectively reasonable—a finding that doesn’t require a jury—Dolan, MSG Networks Inc., and two affiliated companies said in a brief filed Monday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. ~ via Bloomberg Law"

Oakley, who played ten seasons for the Knicks leading up to the year James Dolan took over ownership of the team, was forcibly removed from Madison Square Garden during a Knicks game in 2017. The incident was caught on video, as the game was nationally broadcast by ESPN.

The former Knick was charged with three counts of assault and criminal trespass. He reportedly approached Dolan in a confrontational manner, requiring security to escort him out of the building. The Knicks owner later claimed Oakley was an alcoholic, without any evidence. The misdemeanor charges brought against Oakley were later dismissed.

In March, Oakley and Dolan were asked to mediate their ongoing dispute by a federal appeals court.

Charles Oakley has lost the universal love of Knicks fans.

The legal battle between Oakley and Dolan put one of the most popular players in Knicks history against a beleaguered owner who many fans wish would sell the team. From a public relations standpoint, Oakley had the will of the people on his side in presenting his account of what happened on the night in question.

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Since then, Knicks fans have started to question Oakley’s motives, if not in direct relation to the Dolan confrontation, at least in terms of his standing with Knicks legend Patrick Ewing. Oakley has been critical of his former teammates’ inability to lead the team to a championship. He since sent an encouraging tweet to the Big Fella after learning Ewing was diagnosed with Covid-19.