It seems the New York Rangers organization can’t avoid unnecessary drama even when the players have nothing to do with it. Over the weekend, two stories broke regarding Rangers executives, and neither paints the team in a good light. First, MSG surveillance using facial recognition seems to have gone into transphobic territory. Second, Chris Drury doesn’t seem to like being face to face with the beat reporters that cover–and by extension, promote–the team. Easily avoidable situations that the Rangers can’t seem to avoid. As per usual, I have thoughts.
On MSG surveillance and facial recognition technology
1. MSG surveillance using facial recognition technology isn’t something new. We’ve heard the stories about Rangers owner James Dolan banning a lawyer and her daughter from seeing a show at Radio City Music Hall, owned by MSG, because the woman’s law firm was representing a client suing an MSG owned restaurant. The woman was not working on the case, but was an employee nonetheless.
This was written off as petty, but within owner James Dolan’s right to do. It’s a privately owned venue and he can do what he wants as long as it’s legal. This very specific instance appears to have been legal, and again while petty, this was within his right to do.
Before moving on, I need to make this very clear: I do not and will not, under any circumstances, allow transphobia on this site, including the comments. I don’t care how long you’ve been commenting here, I will ban you if you dive into hate and bigotry. People are people and you should let people live their lives, especially when they have done nothing wrong and have absolutely nothing to do with your life or your existence. If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all.
2. Where MSG surveillance crossed a line is the stalking and harassment of a trans woman who had been attending Knicks games at Madison Square Garden. MSG surveillance and security tracked her every movement, including when she went to use the restroom.
Per the Wired article linked, MSG surveillance was fixated on her not because of anything Dolan specifically ordered, but what his new chief of security–John Eversole–ordered. This was apparently done to ensure she “doesn’t get too close to the players” and it was made clear she “never posed any danger” to MSG, its employees, or fans watching games. This is an example of MSG surveillance being used to harass fans and patrons. Wired is clear to name Eversole and not Dolan as the ringleader of this obsession, but it doesn’t absolve Dolan either.
This is targeted harassment of a fan and patron who has done nothing wrong, did not pose a threat, and was in fact seen hugging and chatting with MSG staff. This woman is not a danger to anyone.
Per Wired and one of the lawsuits against MSG, Eversole manufactured a reason to ban her from MSG. This comes from a man who finds it necessary to–again per Wired–intimidate colleagues by ensuring his holstered gun is visible in meetings, sometimes even putting his hand near his weapon while in a corporate setting.
3. How this kind of MSG surveillance impacts Dolan is two-fold. First and foremost, he owns the team and the buck stops with him. That just comes with ownership.
The second, and more troubling aspect, is Eversole name dropping Dolan as a fear tactic to justify his new take on MSG surveillance and security. Either Dolan is onboard and approves of this, or he is not and is just finding out now via this Wired article and subsequent lawsuit(s) mentioned in the Wired article. Neither is a good look for an owner with a rough history of fan relations.
To be direct, it does appear to be the former. Wired again is pretty clear that this security team goes far beyond just typical MSG surveillance. There are reports of intimidation on the streets outside MSG. If this whole thing weren’t ugly enough, having goons try to intimidate fans *outside* of MSG is, again, targeted harassment.
Even more troubling is that an 8 year old girl hugging an adult was flagged as a priority at The Sphere, another Dolan property deploying the same technology. Assuming that was a mistake, it makes you wonder what other mistakes are being fed into a technology that is still in its infancy stages.
4. It’s one thing for MSG surveillance to be used to track people who pose threats. It’s entirely different when it becomes weaponized and used as a tool to stoke fear and unease among fans. For example, I can understand why MSG surveillance would track a Tiktoker who is known for accessing arenas and stadiums when closed. That’s a security risk.
But normal fans attending games? An 8 year old girl hugging who is presumed to be a parent? A trans woman simply sitting in the stands? Where is the line drawn? At what point does this become illegal? (I’m not a lawyer, don’t ask me.)
This MSG surveillance story won’t go away any time soon, especially as the technology MSG uses is being deployed across the country and being prepped for use during the World Cup and, presumably, the LA Olympics.
On Drury’s Zoom calls
5. MSG surveillance is a major concern on the macro level, so it’s fair that Chris Drury‘s unavailability to the beat writers got overlooked when it broke. Per Vince Mercogliano, there were requests made months in advance to meet face to face with Drury. As we all know, those were declined in favor of a 15 minute Zoom call with no cameras, moderated by MSG staff that controlled muting.
If you’re surprised by this, then I don’t know what to tell you. Given what we know about Drury’s personality and track record, this all makes sense.
6. By making himself unavailable under the guise of “proprietary plans,” Drury has dug himself an even deeper hole than he was already in with fans. There’s already a lack of trust in his ability to run the retool properly. Being as clear as mud with beat reporters doesn’t help his situation.
The way Drury has conducted himself is such a shame for a guy who had a great reputation before taking over as Rangers General Manager. His entire reputation is shot because of how he conducts himself in these situations. It seems like he’s never had a difficult conversation in his life. Must be nice.
7. That said, actions speak louder than words. I can deal with minimal transparency if there’s a clear direction for the team. Right now, there is no direction other than vague “retool,” “faster and more mobile,” and “tougher to play against” sound bytes. It’s the same old corporate jargon you see on LinkedIn nowadays. We are supposed to be fed garbage and like it.
8. All this, on top of sexual assault allegations against the “team mascot” Dancing Larry. The players have changed. The coaching staff has changed. There aren’t many constants that have been present for all three issues for the Rangers right now.
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