Who is billionaire James Dolan, and why is he being sued for sexual assault with Harvey Weinstein? A massage therapist just accused the NY Knicks owner and MSG Entertainment CEO of sex trafficking

Jan 20 , 2024

NY Knicks billionaire owner James Dolan was accused of sexual assault by a massage therapist on January 16. Photo: Getty Images

On January 16, massage therapist Kellye Croft sued MSG Entertainment CEO Dolan and disgraced film producer Weinstein, accusing them of sexual assault and trafficking in a bombshell lawsuit

Croft met the NY Knicks owner in 2013 while serving as a masseuse for Eagles lead singer Glenn Frey during its concert tour, where Dolan was a source of funding and member of the opening band

A massage therapist has sued Madison Square Garden CEO James L. Dolan and disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein, accusing them of sex trafficking and sexual assault.

The bombshell lawsuit filed on January 16 in the US District Court of Central California alleges that in 2013 and 2014, Dolan “manipulated” and brought Kellye Croft, then a 27-year-old working as a licensed massage therapist, to Los Angeles and other places “under fraudulent pretences for Dolan to engage in unlawful and unwelcome sex acts with her”.

Convicted rapist and disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein wears a face mask during an arraignment hearing in Los Angeles, in July 2021. Photo: AP

The federal lawsuit also alleges that Weinstein sexually assaulted Croft with Dolan’s knowledge, and that the abuse was funded by Dolan’s corporate entities, including some connected to veteran music industry executive Irving Azoff, who is not a defendant in the case.

“With the filing of today’s complaint, it is time to finally hold Dolan accountable for his outrageous conduct,” Douglas H. Wigdor, a lawyer for Croft, said in a statement.

Here’s what we know so far.

Who is James Dolan?

James Dolan on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, in March 2018. Photo: Getty Images

Dolan is the executive chairman and chief executive officer of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment), according to his bio on the website.

He also serves as executive chairman of Madison Square Garden Sports Corp., whose portfolio includes the New York Knicks (NBA) and New York Rangers (NHL) franchises, and is chairman of AMC Networks Inc.

How did James Dolan make his money?

Billionaire James Dolan attends the fifth annual Little Steven’s policeman’s ball at Mandarin Oriental in New York City, US, in December 2019. Photo: Getty Images

According to Sportskeeda, Dolan, whose net worth is valued at US$2 billion, got his wealth from his family. His father Charles was a billionaire and successful businessman.