Concert-goer Banned from MSG Properties for Life Over T-Shirt Design
A Special Occasion Ruined
A concert on Monday night at New York’s Radio City Music Hall was a special occasion for Frank Miller: his parents’ wedding anniversary. He didn’t end up seeing the show — and before he could even get past security, he was informed that he was in fact banned for life from the venue and all other properties owned by Madison Square Garden (MSG).
The Incident
After scanning his ticket and promptly being pulled aside by security, Miller was told by staff that he was barred from the MSG properties for an incident at the Garden in 2021. But Miller says he hasn’t been to the venue in nearly a decade.
The T-Shirt Design
"They hand me a piece of paper letting me know that I’ve been added to a ban list," Miller says. "There’s a trespass notice if I ever show up on any MSG property ever again," which includes venues like Radio City, the Beacon Theatre, the Sphere, and the Chicago Theatre.
Facial Recognition Technology
He was baffled at first. Then it dawned on him: this was probably about a T-shirt he designed years ago. MSG Entertainment won’t say what happened with Miller or how he was picked out of the crowd, but he suspects he was identified via controversial facial recognition systems that the company deploys at its venues.
The Shirt’s Connection to a Knicks Game
In 2017, 1990s New York Knicks star Charles Oakley was forcibly removed from his seat near Knicks owner and Madison Square Garden CEO James Dolan. The high-profile incident later spiraled into an ongoing legal battle. For Miller, Oakley was an "integral" part of the ’90s Knicks, he says. With his background in graphic design, he made a shirt in the style of the old team logo that read, "Ban Dolan" — a reference to the infamous scuffle.
A Friend’s Misadventure
A few years later, in 2021, a friend of Miller’s wore a "Ban Dolan" shirt to a Knicks game and was kicked out and banned from future events. That incident spawned ESPN segments and news articles and validated what many fans saw as a pettiness on Dolan and MSG’s part for going after individual fans who criticized team ownership.
The Present Day
But this week, Miller wasn’t wearing a "Ban Dolan" shirt; he wasn’t even at a Knicks game. His friend who was kicked out for the shirt tagged him in social media posts as the designer when it happened, but Miller, who lives in Seattle, hadn’t attended an event in New York in years.
Conclusion
Miller’s experience highlights the concerns surrounding facial recognition technology and its potential misuse. While MSG Entertainment claims that the technology is used for safety, Miller’s story suggests that it can be used to target and ban individuals who pose no threat to the venue or its patrons.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of facial recognition technology in MSG properties?
A: MSG Entertainment claims that facial recognition technology is used for safety and security purposes, but critics argue that it can be used to target and ban individuals who pose no threat to the venue or its patrons.
Q: How does facial recognition technology work in MSG properties?
A: MSG Entertainment uses facial recognition technology to scan and identify patrons as they enter its venues. The technology is designed to detect and prevent potential threats, but critics argue that it can be used to target and ban individuals who pose no threat to the venue or its patrons.
Q: What are the implications of facial recognition technology in MSG properties?
A: The use of facial recognition technology in MSG properties raises serious concerns about privacy, surveillance, and the potential for misuse. Critics argue that the technology can be used to target and ban individuals who pose no threat to the venue or its patrons, and that it can be used to stifle free speech and dissent.
Q: Can individuals be banned from MSG properties for life without due process?
A: Yes, under MSG’s current policies, individuals can be banned from MSG properties for life without due process. Critics argue that this is an unfair and un-American practice that violates the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals.
