A report claiming the New York Knicks have a list of celebrities allegedly banned from attending games at Madison Square Garden is gaining traction on social media.
The report claims that the arena has a database classifying hundreds of celebrities into various risk tiers, ranging from low risk to “do not host.”
NBA World Reacts to New York Knicks’ List of Banned Celebrities
As the internal Madison Square Garden security database categorizing celebrities went viral, the NBA world shared its thoughts on social media. Many criticized the Knicks for this reported database. Journalist Pablo Torre reacted to the story from Wired on his show.
“High school again?… This is a burn book,” Jay Jurden said on “Pablo Torre Finds Out”
Madison Square Garden’s internal “DO NOT HOST” list features comedian Adam Pally, hip-hop producer Pete Rock and actress Julia Fox.
“This is a burn book!” pic.twitter.com/wxplCp7GfF
— Pablo Torre Finds Out (@pablofindsout) July 9, 2026
The podcast’s producer, Matt Sullivan, shared Pete Rock’s comments on being included in the “do not host” list. The DJ and record producer was reportedly placed on the list after being vocal about boycotting Knicks owner James Dolan over his decision to ban Charles Oakley from Madison Square Garden.
“Me saying boycott him [Knicks owner James Dolan] put me in hot water. Apologies wont work with this guy so i will go to the away games then. If cant stop me from being a Knicks fan. I’ve been very loyal to this group. The owner cannot stop that,” Rose wrote on Instagram.
.@PeteRock speaks out, on how his call to boycott James Dolan after Oakley beef landed him on MSG’s “DO NOT HOST” list:
“me saying boycott him put me in hot water. Apologies wont work with this guy so i will go to the away games then. 🤷🏾♂️ cant stop me from being a knicks fan.” https://t.co/gX9xGmX0Tv pic.twitter.com/9g8uh5chVM
— Matt Sullivan (@sullduggery) July 9, 2026
Another basketball fan called for Fat Joe and Jadakiss to address why they think they might have been included, but warned they might not be allowed near the arena again.
Celebrities appear to be ranked on a scale, ranging from “flag” to “low risk” to “medium risk” to “high risk” to “banned from MSG.”
“I would love Fat Joe and Jadakiss to address why they think they’re labeled as ‘medium risk’ in the MSG database on their podcast but they probably won’t be allowed within a block radius of 4 Penn Plaza ever again,” they wrote.
I would love @fatjoe and @Therealkiss to address why they think they’re labeled as “medium risk” in the MSG database on their podcast but they probably won’t be allowed within a block radius of 4 Penn Plaza ever again.
— Dee Phunk (@DeePhunk) July 9, 2026
One basketball fan claimed it was time for the NBA to intervene and remove the Knicks’ owner.
“Time for Adam Silver to step up and do to Dolan what he did to Donald Sterling,” they wrote.
Time for Adam Silver to step up and do to Dolan what he did to Donald Sterling
— Philly Sports Radio Enthusiast (@AverageWIPFan) July 9, 2026
Amid this controversy, the 2025/26 season was a very successful one for the Knicks as they won their first NBA championship in 53 years. Several big-name celebrities followed the Knicks’ playoff journey, including Ben Stellar, Taylor Swift, Timothée Chalamet, and Spike Lee.
UPDATE: An MSG spokesperson reached out to PFN with the following statement: “Wired’s reporting is inaccurate and false. MSG is pursuing legal remedies.”
