MSG defends canceling Knicks watch party as fans pack bars around the Garden

Hundreds of police officers patrolled the area around Madison Square Garden on Wednesday evening as Knicks fans crowded bars, restaurants and nearby streets after the team scrapped plans for a Game 4 watch party outside the arena.

The swelling crowds unfolded hours after Knicks owner James Dolan — an ally of President Donald Trump and longtime critic of the mayor — told WFAN the watch party would not happen, blaming city-imposed security restrictions.

“No, we’re not going to have the screens up,” Dolan said in the interview.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the NYPD pushed back, saying MSG had requested a permit allowing fewer than 1,000 attendees. The mayor maintained an upbeat tone in a post on X about the team he's supported since childhood.

"MSG requested a permit for a watch party for 500-999 fans. We approved that permit for 999 fans," Mamdani said. "Mr. Dolan has now decided to cancel the watch party. I know this is breaking hearts across our city. But if there's one thing Knicks fans don't need permission for, it's showing up for our team wherever we may be — no matter the block or the borough. Knicks in five."

Later in the game, Mamdani said the NBA had arranged for Game 4 to be shown on dozens of LinkNYC screens across the city instead.

MSG released a lengthy, unsigned statement, but it did not address why it had requested a permit for only 999 attendees. Late Wednesday, the company said it declined to use the permit because attendance would have been capped at 999 ticketed fans, leaving thousands of other supporters unable to participate.

'That's New York for you'

The last-minute change in plans did not affect other Knicks watch parties around the city, including official gatherings at Wollman Rink in Central Park and Brooklyn Bowl. But around Madison Square Garden, fans who had hoped to watch the game outside the arena instead packed nearby bars, restaurants and other makeshift viewing spots.

Thousands of fans packed Wollman Rink, while others without tickets watched from nearby hillsides.

Kevin Burgos, 23, of Brooklyn, sat with a blanket, snacks and the game streaming on his phone.

"Being outside is better," he said. "The air in New York City is nice."

Even B&W Deli and Pizzeria on West 34th Street became an impromptu watch party. Fans who came looking for food or a television gathered around a single screen near the entrance as tipoff approached, while representatives from actor Ben Stiller's beverage company handed out free root beer outside.

Brooklyn resident Stacie Ann Palmer said Knicks fans were finding ways to watch the game despite the cancellation.

"That's New York for you,” she said. “We figure it out, you know, everybody's not able to see it in the bar or go pay for it. We’ll create street watch parties. We're creative like that. We got through COVID, you know what I mean?”

A smoke shop at Ninth Avenue and West 39th Street also became an unofficial watch party. Fans crowded onto a rooftop viewing area with two televisions showing the game, while others played giant Connect Four nearby.

Instead of paying a bar cover, patrons could gain access by purchasing an item from the store, including a $3 lighter.

At Maggie Reilly's Irish pub, Zach Boni, 24, said he traveled from New Jersey to be part of the atmosphere around the Garden after hosting a watch party for Monday's game at home.

"It's really cool to be amongst the environment and a part of the culture itself, not just observing it," Boni said.

Harlem resident Shyann Moore said she made last-minute plans to watch the game at a nearby cannabis dispensary after the watch party was called off.

"I'm here for the Knicks," she said.

Boni, who was not alive the last time the Knicks reached the NBA Finals in 1999, said the team's run had united friends who normally root for rival baseball, football and hockey teams.

"My whole friend group, we are all divided on baseball, hockey and football, but we all come together for the Knicks," he said.