Long-time Knicks supporter and legendary movie director Spike Lee found himself in a verbal dispute with authorities after using the wrong entrance ahead of Monday night's game inside Madison Square Garden.
Lee has been a fixture at Knicks games for roughly 28 years, despite their poor play in recent seasons. Most of the time, he's seated courtside.
Before Monday's game started, a video of Lee being denied access to the arena blew up on Twitter. Apparently, he had used the wrong entrance to the arena. However, Lee later noted that he has used the same entrance for years.
“No one told me!” Lee was heard yelling in the video clip. “I'm staying right here! Now if you want to arrest me like Charles Oakley, then go ahead!”
Director Spike Lee denied entry to MSG. Rumors are circulating that MSG CEO James Dolan didn’t want the famed director to enter. #SpikeLee #MSG pic.twitter.com/0gZVaHDXBP
— BroTalkLive (@brotalklive) March 3, 2020
The Knicks sent out an official statement on this debacle on Tuesday afternoon, noting that Lee had been asked to use a separate entrance:
“The idea that Spike Lee is a victim because we have repeatedly asked him to not use our employee entrance and instead use a dedicated VIP entrance — which is used by every other celebrity who enters The Garden — is laughable. It's disappointing that Spike would create this false controversy to perpetuate drama. He is welcome to come to The Garden anytime via the VIP or general entrance, just not through our employee entrance, which is what he and Jim agreed to last night when they shook hands.”
New York Knicks Statement on Spike Lee pic.twitter.com/19JcvhFKO7
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) March 3, 2020
Though the team says he is welcome to come back, Lee later noted that he won't be attending any more Knicks games at The Garden this season.
Spike Lee joined @firsttake to explain last night's incident at MSG. pic.twitter.com/xsjGHApDqH
— ESPN (@espn) March 3, 2020
Follow Us
Subscribe