NEW YORK: A former ING Financial Services trader is suing the owners of Madison Square Garden for booting him from the arena last year after he yelled "Carmelo, you stink" during a New York Knicks game, a move he said cost him his job.

Anthony Rotondi, 43, said in his complaint that he and his supervisor took two clients to the Jan. 7, 2014, game and sat in ING's seats about four rows behind the basket, near the Knicks's bench. As the Knicks surrendered a 14-point lead to the Detroit Pistons, Rotondi said he yelled at forward Carmelo Anthony in the game's final minute and was escorted from his seat with 6.7 seconds left, then ejected from the arena.

Carmelo Anthony was heckled by Anthony Rotondi. Credit:Getty Images

Madison Square Garden "bullied" Rotondi by detaining him, having him arrested and reporting the incident to ING, said his lawyer, Eric C. Weissman.

"They went above and beyond to what they are entitled to do," Weissman said in a phone interview. "Every fan who goes to these games should be worried. They could end up losing their job."