[1] In 1911 O'Neil was appointed to the newly created New York State Athletic Commission by Governor John Alden Dix.
[5] In September 1911, O'Neil led an investigation into the Madison Square Athletic Club over allegations of overcrowding, tax irregularities, and other issues that occurred during a fight between Matt Wells and Valentine Brown.
O'Neil suspended the club's license until improvements recommended by Fire Commissioner Joseph Johnson were made to Madison Square Garden.
The commission eventually revoked the MSAC's license and another club, reported to be run by Frank J. Farrell and Tim Hurst with O'Neil as a partner, took over fight promotion at the Garden.
[7] On October 8, 1915, Governor Charles Seymour Whitman removed O'Neil from the board after the commission failed to renew the license of the Show Corporation, which caused the cancellation of a fight between Willie Ritchie and Johnny Dundee at Madison Square Garden.