Actor and noted New York Knicks fan Michael Rapaport claims he stopped receiving free tickets to games at Madison Square Garden after expressing support for Charles Oakley.
Oakley was forcibly removed from MSG and charged with assault following an altercation with Knicks owner James Dolan during a game last season. The former Knicks star later accepted a plea deal that barred him from entering the arena for one year.
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Rapaport came to Oakley's defense soon after the incident, comparing his arrest to the Pope being arrested at the Vatican.
"Arresting Charles Oakley in Madison Square Garden, you might as well arrest the Pope at the Vatican. That's how we feel." —@MichaelRapaport pic.twitter.com/YjUKntWIUo
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) February 9, 2017
On the latest episode of Sports Illustrated's "Holdat" podcast, hosted by former NBA players Carlos Boozer and Nate Robinson, Rapaport said he no longer receives Knicks tickets.
"I'm not welcome - after the Oakley thing, I imposed a ban on the Garden for myself. I was like 'yo, I'm not going back to the Garden until Charles Oakley is welcome.' But I've been so outspoken about it ... I'm not getting those free tickets right now," Rapaport said. "They shut me down because I've been so outspoken about it but I'm like "yo, I'm a fan ... you need to put something on the court so that I want to come sit courtside."
