New York Knicks center Cole Aldrich defends as Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) goes up for two points in the second half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014.Kathy Willens/The Associated Press
A former ING Financial Services trader sued the owners of Madison Square Garden for booting him from the arena last year after he yelled "Carmelo, you stink" during a New York Knicks game, a move he said cost him his job.
Anthony Rotondi, 43, said in his complaint that he and his supervisor took two clients to the Jan. 7, 2014, game and sat in ING's seats about four rows behind the basket, near the Knicks's bench. As the Knicks surrendered a 14-point lead to the Detroit Pistons, Rotondi said he yelled at forward Carmelo Anthony in the game's final minute and was escorted from his seat with 6.7 seconds left, then ejected from the arena.
Madison Square Garden "bullied" Rotondi by detaining him, having him arrested and reporting the incident to ING, said his lawyer, Eric C. Weissman.
"They went above and beyond to what they are entitled to do," Weissman said in a phone interview. "Every fan who goes to these games should be worried. They could end up losing their job."
The Knicks wound up winning the game, 89-85, and charges against Rotondi were dismissed, Weissman said. Still, the day after the game, an arena employee contacted ING and reported that Rotondi was disorderly, used vulgar and abusive language, became abusive with security and refused to produce his ticket or leave when ejected.
"His life has been destroyed," Weissman said.
False Imprisonment In today's lawsuit, Rotondi accused the Garden of defamation, false imprisonment and infliction of emotional distress. He earlier went to court seeking names of arena employees and security guards who tossed him from the game.
Madison Square Garden representatives didn't immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment on the case. In October, after the earlier proceeding was filed, the company said in a statement that the claims were frivolous and that it was considering its own suit against Rotondi.
Elaine Clark, a spokeswoman for ING Groep NV in New York, didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.
As for the game, Rotondi missed a dramatic finish.
Anthony scored a game-high 34 points, going 6-for-7 from 3– point range. New York took a 73-58 lead into the final quarter, during which Anthony scored seven points, grabbed two rebounds and committed an offensive foul. He sealed the win, hitting two free throws with three seconds left.
The Knicks went 37-45 during the season, missing the playoffs for the first time in four years. This season, the team is 5-32 after tying a franchise record yesterday with its 12th straight loss. Anthony is hobbled by a sore left knee.
The case is Rotondi v. The Madison Square Garden Co., 150097-2015, New York State Supreme Court, New York County (Manhattan).