Madison Square Garden was shocked that Gov. Andrew Cuomo opened New York Knicks and Rangers games to fans unexpectedly early, President Andy Lustgarten said Friday.
Gov. Cuomo reported Wednesday that neighborhood fields could open to 10 percent limit, or around 2,000 individuals at Madison Square Garden, this month. The Knicks will have their first game before fans on Feb. 23 when they play the Golden State Warriors.
“This was sooner than we had expected,” Lustgarten told investigators on a Friday income call.
Seven days sooner, Lustgarten had said on a profit call for Madison Square Garden Sports, proprietor of the Knicks and Rangers, that he was supported that wedding gatherings and gatherings could expand their ability to 150 individuals in March.
To certain spectators, that resembled a sign that the company accepted endorsement for fans to get back to games was as yet a month away. One MSG expert on foundation said it had not been clear when fans would be permitted back.
“We think this is the ideal chance to welcome back fans,” Lustgarten said.
Fans should give verification that they got a negative COVID test inside 72 hours of the occasion, and temperature checks will be taken at the passageway, MSG executives said Friday.
Face masks will be required and social separating likewise will be forced.
MSG likewise said there will be restricted kinds of nourishment available to be purchased, and no eating in the corridors. After the call, MSG declined to expound on what sorts of food would be accessible, saying subtleties would be just around the corner.
“We are on a way to keep on expanding limit,” Lustgarten said, trusting participation will develop past 10% before the b-ball and hockey seasons end.
On Friday, Madison Square Garden Entertainment affirmed that the state prohibition on fans going to games has crushed its funds of late. The company said it lost $64 million in the quarter, contrasted with acquiring $109 million in a similar period a year ago.
The sports and entertainment powerhouse headed by James Dolan said it has $1.45 billion in real money and momentary speculations.