Why Alcohol Sales Might Stop at Madison Square Garden for a Day

James Dolan, executive chairman/CEO of Madison Square Garden, has banned all lawyers involved in active lawsuits against Madison Square Garden, and he's using facial recognition technology to enforce it.  Naturally, the lawyers aren't happy, so they've complained to the New York State Liquor Authority about what they are terming an invasion of their privacy.

The SLA responded by sending Dolan a letter threatening his liquor license because all retail liquor licensees, except for private not-for-profit clubs, are supposed to let the general public in.  The SLA said it is investigating his use of the facial recognition technology.

That enraged Dolan, who got himself booked on "Good Day New York" on the local Fox station.

“They’re being extremely aggressive and they’re saying, ‘We’re gonna take away your liquor license,’ ” Dolan said during his appearance. “So I have a little surprise for ‘em. They’re basically doing this for publicity, so we’re gonna give ‘em some publicity. What we’re gonna do, right, is we’re gonna pick a night, maybe a Rangers game, and we’re gonna shut down all the liquor and alcohol in the building. This isn’t gonna bother me because I’ve been sober 29 years. I don’t need the liquor.”

He then held up a sign with a photo of the SLA CEO and his contact information and said the signs will ask fans to call the SLA exec if they want to drink at games.