Madison Square Garden has clarified — somewhat — last week’s decision to place long-time Knick radio and TV analyst John Andariese on administrative leave for the remainder of the season, if not longer.
Yesterday, a joint statement released by MSG read:
“MSG Network and John Andariese have agreed that he would be placed on administrative leave for the remainder of the Knicks’ season for violating Madison Square Garden’s policy prohibiting the re-sale of tickets. John has apologized and accepted complete responsibility for his actions.
“While we recognize by virtue of his position that John is a public personality, we consider this a private matter between the parties. MSG Network and John will have no further comment on this issue.”
Tuesday’s Post reported that Andariese had been suspended for violating corporate policy on the use of Knick tickets.
While two sources said that he had been accused of ticket-scalping, a third claimed that the term “scalping” was incorrect because Andariese did not seek to profit from the re-sale of tickets supplied to him by the Garden.
The Garden, of late, has been extremely sensitive to issues of employee use of tickets. This heightened sensitivity follows an internal ticket scandal that led to the dismissal of one Garden executive and several ticket booth workers, as well as a declaration by the New York State Attorney General’s office that it would vigorously pursue and prosecute both ticket-scalpers and “inside traders.”
Andariese has been replaced on Knick radio by former Knick Herb Williams or, when Knick games are televised by NBC, MSG TV analyst Walt Frazier.