Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
Fan Banned from Radio City Music Hall Over “Ban Dolan” T-Shirt Design
New York’s Radio City Music Hall became the site of an unforeseen incident for Frank Miller on Monday night: what was intended as a celebration of his parents’ anniversary turned into a lifetime ban from the iconic venue and all Madison Square Garden Entertainment (MSG) properties. Arriving for a concert, Miller was stopped before even passing through security and informed of his permanent expulsion from MSG venues.
Unexpected Ban at Venue Entrance
Upon scanning his ticket, security personnel promptly escorted Miller aside. He was then informed by staff that he was prohibited from entering any MSG Entertainment location due to a supposed episode at Madison Square Garden in 2021. Miller, however, maintains that he has not visited the Garden in nearly a decade.
Formal Trespass Notice Issued
“They presented me with a document stating I was on a ban list,” Miller recounted. “It was a formal trespass notice, indicating that if I appear at any MSG property again, I would be considered trespassing.” The ban encompasses a range of prominent venues, including Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, the Sphere, and the Chicago Theatre.
Facial Recognition Suspicions
Initially perplexed, Miller soon realized the ban likely stemmed from a T-shirt design he created several years prior. While MSG Entertainment has not disclosed the specific reason for Miller’s ban or how he was identified, he believes controversial facial recognition technology, known to be utilized across the company’s venues, played a role.
The “Ban Dolan” T-Shirt Origin
The saga trace back to 2017, when Charles Oakley, a beloved player from the 1990s New York Knicks, was forcibly removed from his seat near Knicks owner and Madison Square Garden CEO James Dolan. This widely publicized event ignited a protracted legal dispute. Miller, a graphic designer and admirer of Oakley, created a T-shirt echoing the vintage Knicks logo, but instead bearing the words “Ban Dolan” – a clear critique of the aforementioned altercation.
Friend’s 2021 Ban Amplifies Concerns
In 2021, the controversy intensified when a friend of Miller’s was ejected from a Knicks game and subsequently banned for wearing the “Ban Dolan” shirt. This occurrence garnered attention from ESPN and various news outlets, fueling public perception of MSG and Dolan targeting fans critical of team ownership through overly punitive measures.
Ban Extends Beyond Knicks Games
Notably, Miller was not wearing the contentious T-shirt during the Monday night incident, nor was he attending a Knicks game. Although his friend who was banned in 2021 had tagged Miller on social media as the shirt’s designer, Miller, residing in Seattle, had not been to a New York event in years.
Encounter at Radio City Entrance
Miller described the moments leading up to the ban. After his digital ticket was scanned, but prior to reaching security checkpoints, a Radio City employee halted the entry line, singled him out, and requested identification for verification. He was then escorted to a separate entrance where a group of at least five staff members awaited to deliver the news of his ban.
Unclear Connection to Past Events
The precise method MSG employed to link Miller to the T-shirt or a supposed 2021 incident he was not present at remains unclear. Miller stated to The Verge that prior to this concert, he had never personally purchased tickets for MSG events, having received them as gifts or through professional engagements.
Facial Recognition Suspicions Strengthened
“I am aware of the reports concerning facial recognition technology employed by Dolan and MSG properties,” Miller commented. “However, I haven’t been near the Garden, except for passing through Penn Station to access New Jersey Transit to Newark Airport, in nearly two decades.” While Miller navigated this unexpected situation, his friend ensured his parents enjoyed the concert. Miller himself waited at a nearby bar and did not receive a ticket refund.
Anniversary Celebration Spoiled
“Initially, I found the situation absurd, until I was informed that my mother was crying in the lobby,” Miller shared, reflecting on the experience. “It struck me then that my online critique had marred their anniversary. It highlights the potent nature of internet memes and the pervasive reach of surveillance.” The following evening, Miller and his parents had tickets for a Knicks game. His parents attended with a family friend taking Miller’s place, while Miller remained across the street to drop them off.
MSG Entertainment Declines to Comment
MSG Entertainment has chosen not to provide an official statement regarding this matter.
Precedent of Patron Monitoring
MSG’s practice of closely monitoring visitors is not unprecedented. In 2022, a New Jersey attorney was denied entry to Radio City Music Hall during a Girl Scout outing. Her offense: inclusion on an “attorney exclusion list” comprising individuals affiliated with law firms engaged in litigation against MSG. Facial recognition technology was used to identify the attorney at that time.
Appeal Process and Broader Concerns
Miller mentioned being informed at Radio City of a possible appeal process for the ban, but indicated it is not his priority. He hopes his experience will raise awareness for others potentially facing similar situations – unexpected denial of entry to events based on company-collected personal data.
Surveillance State and Deterrent Tactics
“This situation underscores the reality of constant surveillance,” Miller concluded. “It’s invariably presented as a safety measure, but it often serves as a deterrent and intimidation strategy to enforce conformity.”