Charles Oakley Ban Lifted, Oakley Wants Apology From Dolan

Just like that, Charles Oakley is once again allowed within the walls of Madison Square Garden.

James Dolan banned Oakley from MSG following an altercation during last Wednesday’s Knicks game. Michael Jordan and NBA commissioner Adam Silver met with Dolan Monday in an attempt to intervene in what Silver calls a “disheartening” situation.

“It is beyond disheartening to see situations involving members of the NBA family like the one that occurred at Madison Square Garden this past week,” Silver said in a statement.

According to Silver,  both parties appear to be apologetic and it appeared as if things could be ironed out in the near feature.  Apparently, everything seems to be okay, because the Knicks legend is now allowed to return to the Garden as Dolan’s guest.

Oakley, though happy with the outcome, isn’t ready to return just yet. He tells The Dan Le Batard Show that right now he is “hurt,” and that he’s already told Silver he won’t return yet.  In the meantime, Oakley is asking for an apology, not just for him, but for the fans of New York.

“It’s not about being at the Garden,” Oakley told ESPN’s Jeff Goodman. “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.”

He tells the Dan Le Batard Show,  “I have never asked for nothing. 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.”