Knicks Lose Trial, Must Pay $11.6 Million
These days it seems that even the Knicks problems have problems. Fresh off a 33 win season, the New York franchise’s offseason has been marred by a sexual harassment suit brought by a fired VP of marketing, along with a guilty verdict in a Manhatton courtroom yesterday. The trial brought out such unsavory aspects of Knick culture as Thomas repeatedly referring to the woman in very inappropriate terms, and Stephon Marbury having romantic liasons with an intern. The verdict against Thomas and Madison Square Garden (MSG) means that the team will have to pay $11.6 million in damages to the woman, Anucha Browne Sanders.
Thomas, an All-Star on the court with the Pistons, has had a questionable post-playing career as both GM and coach of the Knicks. His roster moves have brought in underachieving stars for huge salaries, and has not resulted in the number of wins that New York fans are accustomed to. Now, his image is even further tarnished by this verdict, and even though he will not be held responsible for paying the damages, his employer is, and once again he is costing the team money, with nothing to show for it. Certainly, Thomas is being given lots of rope to work with, the only question is, will he eventually hang himself with it. The Knicks have been very patient with its GM/head coach, but their patience must be running out.
Knick owner, James Dolan gave Thomas a contract extension last year, along with a warning to win or else. New York businesses aren’t generally known for their patience, especially when they are underperforming. One has the feeling that Isiah’s Knicks probably need to make the playoffs for him to keep his job. In the weak Eastern Conference, where you don’t even need to be a .500 team to make the playoffs, Isiah would do well to put this behind him and start worrying about his team, and not about what is going on in the marketing department anymore.
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