James Dolan, who not too long ago re-emerged within the media to struggle a PR battle over his use of Facial Recognition Technology, has been consulting Donald Trump’s former communications director Hope Hicks, the Daily News has discovered.
Hicks was one in every of Trump’s longest-serving political aides when she resigned from her White House place in 2018. She returned as an influential Trump whisperer earlier than leaving the Administration for the final time after a failed re-election try.
It’s unclear how lengthy Hicks has been working with Madison Square Garden as a advisor.
“We work with a variety of consultants across the company,” a MSG spokesperson emailed when requested to remark about Hicks.
Dolan was public in his help of Trump, donating lots of of hundreds to his campaigns whereas telling ESPN, “I’ve known him for a long time. I got married at Mar-a-Lago. I’m a member of Mar-a-Lago, and I support him as a friend.” It was a view opposite to many contained in the NBA, with the Golden State Warriors both boycotting or being “uninvited” from the White House after their championships throughout Trump’s presidency.
Dolan hadn’t carried out an in depth interview in virtually 4 years earlier than showing on FOX5 NY and WFAN final week. The longtime Knicks proprietor has been dealing with media and political warmth for ejecting adversaries from his venues by figuring out them with Facial Recognition Technology, particularly attorneys from regulation companies concerned in litigation in opposition to MSG. According to experiences, Dolan additionally makes use of the expertise to establish and confront critics.
One fan, Brett Klein, advised Substack reporter Ethan Strauss that he has been approached and warned by MSG safety a number of instances with out provocation. Klein believes he was focused for commenting “Sell the team” on the Facebook web page of Dolan’s blues band, in accordance with the report.
In 2019, one other fan was ejected from MSG after telling Dolan, “Sell the team,” at a Knicks sport. The alternate was captured on video.
“The guys up in the stands [in the upper decks], we don’t even know if we’re going to hear him. Even if we do, so what,” Dolan advised WFAN. “But the guy who comes down, works his way down to the floor, and as I’m leaving starts confronting me, that guy’s going to go. He’s there to pick a fight.”
Dolan’s use of Facial Recognition Technology, particularly to focus on legal professionals, drew the eye of New York lawmakers. It prompted a menace to ban alcohol from MSG, which grew to become Dolan’s headlining interview subject as he attacked State Liquor Authority govt Sharif Kabir and state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal.
Hicks, 34, who grew up in Greenwich, Conn., was one of many first individuals to affix Trump’s 2016 election marketing campaign and was labeled by Forbes as “Trump’s right-hand woman.” More not too long ago, she testified to the Jan. 6 House committee about her makes an attempt to dissuade Trump from claiming election fraud. According to a textual content message launched by the House committee, Hicks was fearful concerning the Jan. 6 revolt ruining her employability.
“In one day he ended every future opportunity that doesn’t include speaking engagements at the local proud boys chapter,” Hicks wrote to Julie Radford, the previous chief of workers to Ivanka Trump.
“We all look like domestic terrorists now,” Hicks added.
Turns out, Hicks was mistaken. She can nonetheless discover a billionaire to seek the advice of at MSG.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com