You open the sports section and feel a jolt of surprise as the headline hits: a longtime New York Rangers super fan known as “Dancing Larry,” whose energetic third-period routine has been a Madison Square Garden staple for nearly three decades, is now at the center of serious harassment allegations in a new workplace discrimination lawsuit filed against the team and MSG Sports, a development that has left many fans stunned and the organization facing uncomfortable questions about how it handles behavior from its most recognizable non-employee personalities.
The lawsuit, filed on Monday in New York County Supreme Court by Miranda Tyson, a member of the Rangers’ “Blue Crew” hype squad, accuses Larry Goodman – the man behind the Dancing Larry persona – of engaging in “pervasive and severe” harassment during his recurring act. Tyson, the daughter of famed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, claims Goodman has repeatedly touched members of the Blue Crew on their heads, necks, arms, shoulders, and backs, and even tried to lace his fingers with theirs during high fives.
The complaint also alleges that Tyson was told by others of even more egregious conduct by Goodman, including spitting into people’s mouths, though she did not witness that herself. In an email to her supervisor quoted in the lawsuit, Tyson wrote that every time the Blue Crew returned from a “Dancing Larry” segment, more than one person lamented an unwanted interaction, adding that MSG has a responsibility to address what she described as “textbook sexual harassment” from one of its most recognizable personalities.
Goodman, a New Jersey resident and longtime Rangers season-ticket holder who is not an MSG employee, has been doing his dancing bit at Madison Square Garden since 1996. He is famous for pulling out some outrageous moves to “Strike it Up” by Black Box on the jumbotron during a stoppage in play in third periods. Rangers fans have hired him to come to their weddings, birthday parties and b’nai mitzvahs over the years.
After Tyson reported the behavior, the complaint alleges that a conversation between MSG’s HR department and Goodman went nowhere, and he once again subjected her to unwanted physical contact by placing his full palm on the small of her back as she exited the performance area. When she followed up with another report, her position on the Blue Crew was eliminated, with HR citing a “business decision.”
Tyson had been a member of the Blue Crew since September 2021 and had received positive feedback, including an additional assignment for Knicks events during the team’s 2025 playoff run.
An MSG spokesperson told The Post: “We don’t comment on employee or legal matters.” Goodman is not named as a defendant in the suit.
The story has sparked widespread discussion among Rangers fans and the broader sports community, with many expressing disbelief that the beloved Dancing Larry could be accused of such behavior while others are calling for a thorough investigation to ensure a safe environment for all staff and performers at Madison Square Garden.
As the lawsuit moves forward, the focus remains on the experiences of the Blue Crew members and whether the organization took appropriate steps to address the reported conduct. The case serves as a reminder that even the most recognizable fan personalities are not above accountability when it comes to workplace behavior.
As you read about the disturbing accusations against Rangers super fan Dancing Larry and feel the shock that comes with seeing a beloved figure face serious claims, ask yourself this: when someone in a high-profile role at your favorite team or venue is accused of inappropriate behavior, how important is it to demand transparency and accountability rather than looking the other way to protect the entertainment?