New York Rangers' Dancing Larry Honored Amid Groping Allegations Lawsuit
A longtime New York Rangers superfan, famously known as "Dancing Larry," was publicly honored during a game at Madison Square Garden this week, even as a newly filed lawsuit accuses him of groping staffers during his in-game performances. The civil action, brought by a former member of the Rangers' Blue Crew entertainment team, alleges pervasive harassment involving unwanted physical contact.
Lawsuit Details Allegations of Unwanted Contact
The lawsuit, filed in New York County Supreme Court and first reported by The Independent, was initiated by Miranda Tyson. Tyson, whose father is renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, claims that Larry Goodman, the man behind the Dancing Larry persona, engaged in repeated and severe harassment. The complaint describes incidents during Goodman's third-period routines, where he allegedly touched performers' heads, necks, arms, shoulders, and backs without consent. It further states that he sometimes attempted to intertwine fingers during high-fives, creating an uncomfortable environment for staff.
According to the legal documents, other colleagues reported even more egregious conduct, including allegations of spitting into people's mouths. Tyson emphasized in communications with supervisors that the issue was not isolated, writing that after each Dancing Larry segment, multiple assigned personnel lamented unwanted interactions. The suit argues that Madison Square Garden and the Rangers organization failed to address these complaints adequately, allowing the alleged behavior to persist.
Honor at Madison Square Garden Sparks Controversy
Despite these serious allegations, Larry Goodman was spotlighted on the jumbotron during Wednesday's Rangers game against the Buffalo Sabres, a 5-3 loss. The tribute marked his three decades of entertaining fans at the iconic arena, a milestone celebrated in a post on social media by New York Post NHL reporter Mollie Walker. This decision has drawn criticism from observers, with Jonathan Ouimet, a journalist covering the Rangers for NY Hockey Insider, describing it as an "avoidable own goal" for the team.
Ouimet noted that while the Rangers did not create the lawsuit, the tribute inadvertently brought the controversy into the arena, shifting focus away from what was intended as a celebratory moment. Instead of controlling the narrative, the organization amplified attention to the allegations, potentially undermining the event's positive intent.
Organizational Response and Legal Stance
In response to inquiries about the lawsuit, an MSG spokesperson stated, "We don't comment on employee or legal matters," mirroring their initial reaction when first approached. However, a source familiar with the situation told the New York Post that the allegations are unfounded and that the organization continues to support Goodman. Notably, Goodman is not named as a defendant in the civil lawsuit; the legal action targets MSG and the Rangers, accusing them of negligence in handling complaints and fostering a hostile work environment.
The lawsuit details that Tyson raised concerns with supervisors and human resources, arguing that MSG had a responsibility to intervene. Despite these reports, Tyson claims no meaningful action was taken, and the alleged conduct continued. After years of hesitation due to Goodman's popularity with fans and team leadership, Tyson formally reported the behavior to a direct supervisor in March 2024. In a message, Tyson stressed that removing themselves from Dancing Larry segments would not solve the problem, as it would merely place another victim in their position.
Retaliation Claims and Legal Consequences
Tyson's position with the Blue Crew was eliminated in August 2025, following continued reports of alleged misconduct, according to the suit. The complaint argues this was retaliatory, despite Tyson having received positive performance reviews previously. As a result, Tyson is seeking compensatory damages for lost wages, employment benefits, and future earning capacity, along with punitive damages for what is described as "malicious, willful, wanton and reckless conduct" by MSG and the Rangers. The suit also includes requests for pre-judgment and post-judgment interest.
Attorney Bhavleen Sabharwal, representing Tyson, declined to comment beyond the complaint's contents. Dancing Larry, who remains a season ticket holder and has performed at Rangers games since 1996, was unavailable for comment. The case highlights ongoing issues of workplace harassment in entertainment settings, raising questions about accountability and response protocols within major sports organizations.
