Spike Lee Feuds With Knicks Over Security Stop

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — New York Knicks super fan and iconic Brooklyn-born filmmaker Spike Lee was seen arguing with security at Madison Square Garden ahead of Monday night's Knicks game, according to Lee and video of the spat.

The argument between Lee and security guards stemmed from the "Do the Right Thing" director's attempt to use the employee entrance to the stadium, the filmmaker said during a Tuesday appearance on ESPN's "First Take."

Lee explained his side of the story on "First Take," saying that he's been using the same entrance to Madison Square Garden for at least 28 years. Lee's ticket was scanned at the 33rd Street employee entrance, and he was allowed on the elevator, but was stopped by security when getting out of the elevator to head to his courtside seats.

"Security is waiting for me like I just rant out of Macy's stealing something," Lee said on the ESPN program.

During the argument, Lee evoked the Knicks' mistreatment of former big-name fans who have been critical of the team. In a video that shows Lee arguing with security guards the director can be heard saying: "You're going to put your hands on me like Oakley?"

Eventually, security agreed to escort Lee to his seat rather than have the director leave the arena and enter at the 31st Street VIP entrance. Lee and Dolan discussed the argument at halftime, but Lee said the conversation didn't go over as well the Knicks claimed. The director disputed the "garden spin" that he and Dolan laughed about the incident and shook hands.

Former Knicks great Charles Oakley got into a fight with Madison Square Garden security in 2017 when Knicks owner James Dolan sent security to eject Oakley from the game for heckling the billionaire owner. Oakley later sued the Knicks and Dolan for defamation after the owner implied he had a drinking problem. A judge dismissed the lawsuit this year.

Despite the "terrible experience" with security on Monday and a belief that Dolan is for some reason "targeting" him, Lee remains a loyal fan of the Knicks.

"In my heart I'm still the kid from Brooklyn that was sneaking in the Garden. I love the Knicks. Those are my guys," Lee said Tuesday on ESPN's "First Take."

The Knicks shot back at Lee following his ESPN appearance, releasing a statement describing Lee's explanation of the spat as "laughable."

"The idea that Spike Lee is a victim because we have repeatedly asked him not to use our employee entrance and instead use a dedicated VIP entrance — which is used by every other celebrity that enters The Garden — is laughable," the statement reads. "It's disappointing that Spike would create this false controversy to perpetuate drama."

The Knicks defeated the Rockets on Monday, but recently secured the franchise's seventh consecutive losing season. In addition to starting a public feud with the team's most high-profile fan, the Knicks also named former basketball agent Leon Rose as the team's new president on Monday.