Madison Square Garden (MSG) has banned attorney John Scola, who represents a New York Police Department (NYPD) officer injured while providing security at the venue during a February 2025 boxing match. The ban follows a lawsuit filed by Scola against MSG, alleging operational failures that led to the officer’s injury.
What happened
John Przybyszewski, a seven-year NYPD veteran assigned as an off-duty detail officer at the then-Hulu Theater in MSG, was injured during a chaotic incident near ringside. The disturbance reportedly began after rapper Lil Tjay appeared to spit in the face of a Garden security staffer. A scuffle involving Lil Tjay’s entourage ensued, during which Przybyszewski claims he was knocked to the ground and sustained severe cervical and lumbar spine injuries, some of which are permanent.
Przybyszewski’s lawsuit accuses both Lil Tjay and Madison Square Garden, stating that MSG’s decision to staff only two officers instead of the planned eight for crowd control placed the officer directly in harm’s way. Scola filed the suit in February 2026, advocating for his client’s right to compensation.
Five weeks after the lawsuit, MSG hosted a “Thank You, NYPD” event, contrasting with their ban on Scola. The ban was confirmed in a letter dated April 30, which revoked any tickets for Scola to enter MSG venues. The venue is known for restricting access to legal representatives involved in disputes with the Garden, often enforced through a facial recognition system.
Why it matters
The ban highlights tension between New York City’s public servants and Madison Square Garden, an iconic but privately controlled venue aggressively using surveillance technology to limit access. New York Attorney General Letitia James has expressed concern over MSG’s surveillance practices, noting possible violations of citizens’ rights. The incident raises questions about the ethics and legality of biometric monitoring and underscores the precarious position of off-duty officers contracted for private security roles within high-profile venues.
Additionally, the case spotlights challenges in venue security management and accountability, especially when private entities rely on public officers for crowd control but fail to provide adequate support.
Background
Madison Square Garden, controlled by James Dolan, has a history of excluding entire law firms when even one attorney is in legal conflict with the venue. This policy relies partly on facial recognition technology to enforce bans. The Garden employs off-duty NYPD officers through the city’s paid detail program, but reports have surfaced about MSG’s security operations extending beyond the venue without NYPD’s formal permission, causing public scrutiny and promises of investigation by city officials.
Przybyszewski, despite his injuries, hopes to return to paid detail work, potentially even at MSG, highlighting the complex interdependence between the NYPD and Madison Square Garden’s private security arrangements.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following source:
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