The Unwritten Rules of Madison Square Garden’s Celebrity Row
NEW YORK—The hunt for Knicks tickets has created a cutthroat Hunger Games -like competition during this week’s NBA Finals. But Hollywood stars and Wall Streeters pursuing “Celebrity Row” seats at Madison Square Garden should be forewarned: There are some unofficial rules to scori
NEW YORK—The hunt for Knicks tickets has created a cutthroat Hunger Games -like competition during this week’s NBA Finals. But Hollywood stars and Wall Streeters pursuing “Celebrity Row” seats at Madison Square Garden should be forewarned: There are some unofficial rules to scoring the ultimate in luxury, courtside seats, say sources.
During ABC’s telecast of Monday night’s Game 3 between the Knicks and Spurs, a few dozen camera-friendly seats at the World’s Most Famous Arena are expected to host A-Listers like Timothée Chalamet , Spike Lee, Kylie Jenner, Ben Stiller, Tracy Morgan, and Fat Joe.
A pass inside the rarefied air of Celebrity Row comes with perks—lots of perks—for the rich and famous. They get their own entrance and elevators, so they don’t have to rub elbows with blue-collar bridge and tunnel hoops fans. They become part of ABC’s coverage as they react to big moments or dodge a lunging Jalen Brunson . Before and after the game, these lucky few get access to MSG’s near-mythical “Suite 200,” where they enjoy the finest food and booze while mingling with each other.
“It’s very similar to the way the President’s box works in the U.S. Open. It’s invitation only,” says Joe Favorito, the former Knicks PR chief-turned-sports media consultant.
An inscrutable MSG declines to comment on the process for deciding which movie stars, singers, and comedians get comped courtside–and who are turned away. But interviews with former Garden executives and other sources reveal there’s a method to MSG’s madness.
Nothing is spelled out in black and white. But there are some unofficial rules governing Celebrity Row. Beware. If you break them, you could run afoul of Jim Dolan, the Knicks mercurial billionaire owner, as well as the internal team that decides who makes the list–and who’s left empty-handed.
The Garden is famous for the care and feeding of celebrity clientele. But don’t take its largesse for granted. If you make it to Celebrity Row, you’re expected to mostly remain in your seat—within camera range—until the end of the game.
Supermodels Emily Ratajkowski and Irina Shayk committed the cardinal sin of leaving their comped seats early during a blowout. Guess what? The Knicks stormed back to beat the Heat. When Ratajkowski asked for free Rangers tickets later, the Garden turned her down flat. “She was offered, and is welcome, to buy great seats at any time,” a spokesperson told the New York Post .
