The New York Knicks have lifted their ban on former Knick Charles Oakley this morning, multiple reports stated.
The ban is coming days after Oakley was behaving in a rude matter and pushing/shoving officials at Madison Square Garden. Earlier today, Oakley was present at The Dan Le Batard and said he actually wants an apology more than a lifted ban.
“It’s about the fans. I want them to apologize to the fans. I told the commissioner I want them to apologize to the fans,” Oakley told Le Batard. “I love the fans in New York. They’ve been supportive. One of the things I told the commissioner, I want to have a press conference and I want him to apologize to me and the fans. They’ve had my back and they’ve felt the pain. I really appreciate the people all around who’ve had my back.”
Yesterday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and hall of Famer Michael Jordan both were involved in a conference call with Oakley to “repair damages” with the Knicks.
Knicks owner James Dolan was also present for the conference call. The commissioner gave both parties chances to get whatever it was off their chest.
“Both Mr. Oakley and Mr. Dolan were apologetic about the incident and subsequent comments, and their negative impact on the Knicks organization and the NBA,” ESPN reports.
With the ban now being lifted, Oakley, however, won’t return to the garden. According to the interview with Le Batard, Dolan wants to invite Oakley back to a game as his special guest, but Oakley quickly declined.
