Does Thomas have something on Dolan ? This hiring would be like major league baseball hiring A-Rod, Bonds and Clemens to warn minor league players about the risks to their careers of taking performance enhancing drugs.
4
Dolan is such a disgrace. Maybe he is actually as bad as Donald Sterling was.
3
Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
2
Obviously Dolan is giving Phil Jackson fair warning: you either do better or Isiah may get your job. Jackson didn't do too well in LA, then came to NY, and now is getting too old.
1
Dear Mr. Dolan,
You need to sell the Liberty. You seem to be the only person who finds Isaiah Thomas competent in basketball matters and innocent of sexual harassment.
In fact, as a long-time fan of the teams that play in Garden, I demand you sell the Liberty.
But before you do, please write me a weird and nasty email -- where you make wildly inaccurate guesses about my life and my sobriety -- so that we can both get on the news (me, for being discerning; you, for being clueless).
Go, Rangers!
You need to sell the Liberty. You seem to be the only person who finds Isaiah Thomas competent in basketball matters and innocent of sexual harassment.
In fact, as a long-time fan of the teams that play in Garden, I demand you sell the Liberty.
But before you do, please write me a weird and nasty email -- where you make wildly inaccurate guesses about my life and my sobriety -- so that we can both get on the news (me, for being discerning; you, for being clueless).
Go, Rangers!
6
The Liberty players and staff should strike.
Maybe Dolan would get the message then.
Maybe Dolan would get the message then.
5
Isiah Thomas has not been good at anything other than playing basketball. He made a mess of the ABA, got dumped by NBC because he was a terrible reporter. Messed up the Knicks and also got dumped. He should just call it quits. I am all for a good female ex WNBA player to be at the head of the Liberty.
4
Dolan has every right to shower his good friends with patronage jobs. We have every right not to be the fans of this team.
4
Isiah Thomas was a very good pro player. As an executive, he's a squirrelly, smirking, incompetent disgrace. No matter Dolan has a doofus-crush on the guy. But the most astonishing thing about this entire bit of news? There's still a professional men's basketball team in Manhattan. I thought they left town years ago. Huh. Live and learn.
5
I hope every prospective WNBA free agent states that due to Dolan's hiring of Thomas, she will not sign with the Liberty, and every prospective high draft pick states that if drafted by New York, she will play in Europe.
9
The MSG stock will tank, severly, and the Knicks, Dolan and the the Liberty will suffer. Isiah, the criminal, may walk.
1
Haha, Dolan has put the arsonist in charge of the fire-brigade! Watch out ladies, Zeke's gonna be in the locker room. A lot.
3
Dolan's revenge
How many times can one man be called "an idiot or a moron" by the NY press and thousands of Knick fans everywhere without wanting to retaliate in some way. By hiring Thomas, Mr.Dolan has achieved his goal: sweet revenge. He knew this action would inflame everyone and he is enjoying every minute of it.
How many times can one man be called "an idiot or a moron" by the NY press and thousands of Knick fans everywhere without wanting to retaliate in some way. By hiring Thomas, Mr.Dolan has achieved his goal: sweet revenge. He knew this action would inflame everyone and he is enjoying every minute of it.
5
Why? He has failed at all his off-court ventures in basketball.
Bring back Witherspoon and Weatherspoon.
Bring back Witherspoon and Weatherspoon.
3
This has got to be a joke right?
2
Isiah Thomas and James Dolan are both toxic.
5
Fox, meet chicken coop.
6
He must have some really good dirt on Dolan.
3
Isiah Thomas was sued in a civil suit - he has not been convicted of a crime. That said - he is a creep. The WNBA should be ashamed for agreeing to this and I hope that Liberty fans will just stop showing up. There is no other way to express one's displeasure than calling the WNBA and never returning to MSG as long as there is a Dolan within spitting distance.
5
Davis Brooks wrote today asking about our purpose in life and if we'd help him compile a list of important things that made us feel fulfilled. Well, as shallow as it is, I wish I could care more for the teams I grew up admiring. Even the losers. The Horace Clark Yankees, The Stengel Mets, the Knicks for the years that they won, and when losing. I can even root for the Johnson led Jets, whose owner seems bent on electing the most right wing extremists to elected office. James Dolan really stands for nothing but spoiled and entitled. 12 million here or there is just nothing for him. He'd rather rub elbows with Isiah than field good teams. He'd sooner be insensitive to woman's sincere objections to Isiah's presence than be buddies with him.
This entitled/uber rich behavior just holds too much sway, so we all become a bit more detached.
This entitled/uber rich behavior just holds too much sway, so we all become a bit more detached.
3
There are all sorts of reasons to be outraged by the news that Isiah Thomas is back, but if the outrage does not become converted into action (stop attending games; boycott buying merchandise), there will be no reason for Dolan to change his ways. When did we as fans become so impotent? We are not passive observers/victims of the James Dolans of the world, we can do something about it besides writing outraged comments.
2
It's completely inappropriate and ludicrous for Isiah Thomas to be named team president and part owner of the NY Liberty. He was sued by former Knicks executive Anucha Browne Sanders, who sued Thomas and Madison Square Garden for sexual harassment after she was fired. Browne Sanders claimed Thomas verbally abused her and made unwanted advances and said the team fired her after she made the accusations against Thomas.
In October 2007, a Manhattan jury ruled in her favor, agreeing with her allegation that the team “improperly fired her for complaining about the unwanted advances,”!!!!
How can a team that's supposed to support women hire someone who's previous boss (SAME OWNERS OF MSG) had to pay an $11 million settlement suit for SEXUAL HARASSMENT?! How can he lead a women's team? It's offensive to women everywhere. They would never let him lead NY Knicks, why is it ok for him to lead the Liberty?
I know that I won't be going to any WNBA games this year if Isiah Thomas is on their payroll!!!
In October 2007, a Manhattan jury ruled in her favor, agreeing with her allegation that the team “improperly fired her for complaining about the unwanted advances,”!!!!
How can a team that's supposed to support women hire someone who's previous boss (SAME OWNERS OF MSG) had to pay an $11 million settlement suit for SEXUAL HARASSMENT?! How can he lead a women's team? It's offensive to women everywhere. They would never let him lead NY Knicks, why is it ok for him to lead the Liberty?
I know that I won't be going to any WNBA games this year if Isiah Thomas is on their payroll!!!
3
Tone deaf and awful choice. Hopefully the WNBA won't approve.
4
With Isiah's record of serial incompetence and his seeming ability to come back from the dead, I'd almost think he was a NY politician...
15
James Dolan must have some kind of disorder. There just can't be any other explanation for his disturbing and never-ending obsession with Isiah Thomas. Isiah was a demonstrably great, exciting basketball player, and then he became a demonstrably horrendous, incompetent basketball executive.
I saw someone comment that this was similar to the George Steinbrenner/Billy Martin relationship, but it's not. That ongoing fiasco at least sold tickets. Having Isiah even in the same building as the Knicks is more likely to start a fan revolt than sell tickets.
And I haven't even gotten to the sexual harassment issue. I know Isiah's not technically employed by the Knicks, but let's be real - Dolan couldn't care less about the Liberty. This is just his first move to eventually re-install Isiah with the Knicks.
Phil Jackson should get away from Dolan as quick as he can, and Adam Silver really needs to look seriously into Dolan's capacity as an owner, because this is simply unbalanced, inexplicable behavior.
I saw someone comment that this was similar to the George Steinbrenner/Billy Martin relationship, but it's not. That ongoing fiasco at least sold tickets. Having Isiah even in the same building as the Knicks is more likely to start a fan revolt than sell tickets.
And I haven't even gotten to the sexual harassment issue. I know Isiah's not technically employed by the Knicks, but let's be real - Dolan couldn't care less about the Liberty. This is just his first move to eventually re-install Isiah with the Knicks.
Phil Jackson should get away from Dolan as quick as he can, and Adam Silver really needs to look seriously into Dolan's capacity as an owner, because this is simply unbalanced, inexplicable behavior.
22
Thanks for printing that headline from The Onion!
21
Just a matter of time before he is running the Knicks again. Dolan never wanted him to leave in the first place.
3
It's a joy to have this first-rate executive and steadfast supporter of working women back in the Knicks family!
15
WHAT?!
When I first about heard this, I thought this was a prank. Oh man. This is a very bad idea of ALL bad ideas. This is a epic scandal waiting to happen. Mark my words, something VERY bad will happen here. I promise you. You heard it here first.
Good God, I HOPE I'm wrong...
When I first about heard this, I thought this was a prank. Oh man. This is a very bad idea of ALL bad ideas. This is a epic scandal waiting to happen. Mark my words, something VERY bad will happen here. I promise you. You heard it here first.
Good God, I HOPE I'm wrong...
1
With Thomas' track record at the CBA (league bankrupted), the Knicks (reduced to a dysfunctional disaster area), FIU (.315 win pct and a postseason ban), it's a wonder anyone would hire him to give pointers to an elementary school team. And this is before we even get to the sexual harassment.
James Dolan could very well be the most oblivious person in the entire world.
James Dolan could very well be the most oblivious person in the entire world.
5
Isiah knows what is needed to win after playing at IU under Bob Knight. He proved it with the Pistons as their leader. He deserves another opportunity...
3
Well...Umm...Uhhh....Ugghhg!!!
Glad to see Jim Dolan hasn't lost his touch.
Glad to see Jim Dolan hasn't lost his touch.
2
This hiring just goes to show clearly that Dolan has no clue how bad this makes the Knicks organization look, but of course he doesn't care. They are simply his toys, to do whatever he wants. It's simply mind boggling that the NBA has done nothing to get rid of this owner in New York. I haven't been able to root and support the Knicks since he's been involved with the team. Jackson being here makes the cesspool smell a little bit better, but it's still rotten at the core.
2
Really? Given his problems with women and as coach and as President of Basketball Operations for the NY Knicks, this should leave everyone scratching their head.
What is it about Dolan that keeps him interested in keeping Isaiah so close. Does Isaiah know something about the organization that keeps them so loyal to him? That's the only thing I can think of.
What is it about Dolan that keeps him interested in keeping Isaiah so close. Does Isaiah know something about the organization that keeps them so loyal to him? That's the only thing I can think of.
6
If you are a deviant with a $1B to spend, and you each had a lot to hide, and bullying has worked up to now for both of you, this makes a lot of sense. Obviously, this is a real estate deal. Lower the value of the tenants and make the city taxpayers bail out an eyesore that few have the income to attend for even grander profits.
1
Loved him as a player, college and pro. Really did not care for him in his Knicks front office role. He and Dolan seem to be on the same page. Good luck.
Just illustrates how little management thinks of the Liberty's players. The team deserves better than Thomas. Don't be surprised if his hiring impacts ticket sales negatively.
4
One look at Isiah Thomas' face and I'm thinking: Con Man.
3
This is a joke. If there were ever a reason to convert me into a Nets fan, this is it. Unbelievable.
2
Get over youselves and put on your big boy / big girl pants.
At the end of the day, Jim Dolan will be able to say two things:
1. "I'm a millionaire and you're not."
2. "And if you're so smart, how come you're not rich?"
At the end of the day, Jim Dolan will be able to say two things:
1. "I'm a millionaire and you're not."
2. "And if you're so smart, how come you're not rich?"
I have my big boy pants on. Daddy handed him a cable empire and a basketball franchise. This guy couldn't accomplish anything on his own. The Knicks still outspend most teams and Dolan has gotten them nowhere. Get REAL.
9
It would be ironic indeed for Dolan to equate wealth and intelligence, given that he inherited his money.
8
But look at how many people inherited their money and is dead broke. For him to have money after all these years shows he must be smart enough to hold on to it.
Go Zeke! Make us proud.
Go Zeke! Make us proud.
"The return of Thomas to an executive position at the Garden comes seven and a half years after a federal jury in Manhattan awarded a former female team executive $11.6 million in damages following charges that she was wrongfully fired for complaining about being sexually harassed by Thomas during his time as president and coach of the Knicks."
“There is a certain insensitivity and tone deafness to Liberty fans and women in general when you hire someone who has lost a nearly $12 million sexual harassment lawsuit,” Kane said.
“He seems to be more committed to making sure that Isiah Thomas has a job in basketball than to ensuring that the Liberty — one of the flagship W.N.B.A. teams in the same city as the league market — has a winning team,” Kane said.
Of all the really stupid things Dolan has done, and the list is long, this is the worst.
Pure arrogance in ownership.
“There is a certain insensitivity and tone deafness to Liberty fans and women in general when you hire someone who has lost a nearly $12 million sexual harassment lawsuit,” Kane said.
“He seems to be more committed to making sure that Isiah Thomas has a job in basketball than to ensuring that the Liberty — one of the flagship W.N.B.A. teams in the same city as the league market — has a winning team,” Kane said.
Of all the really stupid things Dolan has done, and the list is long, this is the worst.
Pure arrogance in ownership.
13
Donald Sterling makes racist statements and he is properly booted as owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, a team made up of predominately black players. Isiah Thomas is found by a jury to have sexually harassed a prominent female Knicks executive--and he is hired by the Liberty, a team made up of all women players. As a strong supporter of both women's basketball and women's rights, a father of two daughters, and a recipient on the Liberty email list, I am outraged.
23
I'm speechless. Maybe I'll have something to say after I scrape the Dolan off my shoe.
13
This is an outrage. An insult to the game of basketball and women everywhere.
6
It will not be long before the Liberty players are paraphrasing Helen Reddy:
If I have to, I can face anything
I am strong
(Strong)
I am invincible
(Invincible)
I am woman
Read more: Helen Reddy - I Am Woman Lyrics | MetroLyrics
If I have to, I can face anything
I am strong
(Strong)
I am invincible
(Invincible)
I am woman
Read more: Helen Reddy - I Am Woman Lyrics | MetroLyrics
1
This is outrageous! The man is a loser in so many different ways. And we can't fire the owner! I am laid low with this news.
2
Alas, poor Liberty! What did they do to deserve this punishment from the gods of the sport?
2
I have 4 daughters. I am appalled that Dolan has so little respect for the women of Liberty. But then, Mr. Dolan must feel he has plenty of latitude, given the 70% increase in stock value of MSG over the past 12 months. It's a shame he uses his capitol with such disregard for his employees and equal disregard for Mr. Thomas's appalling track record.
9
This has to be a joke...right. Isn't this the guy who LOST a sexual harassment suit that got him fired? And, now someone is putting him in charge of woman's basketball team? Are they going to hire Bill Cosby next to be VP of Personnel???
16
Women's groups such as NOW should be protesting vehemently and picketing.
3
Disappointing and puzzling is how the Times covers this story, as it might have done in a different historical period when sexual harassment news was more in the shadows. In a nine paragraph story, the Times mentions the sexual harassment conviction only briefly in paragraph eight. The conviction seems significant not only in itself but the victim being female and the team being female, there's a lack of sensitivity all around.
4
"No love today?" (which is what Isiah is alleged to have said to Aunuka Sanders before attempting to kiss her during a 2005 incident).
You can't make this stuff up.
You can't make this stuff up.
14
Is this an article from the Onion or National Enquirer? I am not a woman but would be furious if I were part of the Liberty organization. What a travesty. Jim Dolan is as arrogant and clueless as they come.
29
Just when the Lib seemed to be on track again - Bill is back, they got young, exciting talent on deck, they're back in the Garden after their NJ exile... and then Dolan does THIS? Thomas already cost him $11mil. What kind of photos does he HAVE on Dolan.
Lordy, and when the WNBA brass meets with the NCAA WBB brass, who wouldn't want to be a fly on the wall when the recipient of that 11mil, current VP of Women's Division I championships, strides in. Can you say, Awwwkward!
Lordy, and when the WNBA brass meets with the NCAA WBB brass, who wouldn't want to be a fly on the wall when the recipient of that 11mil, current VP of Women's Division I championships, strides in. Can you say, Awwwkward!
21
This is the end of Liberty. Terrible record as an executive and that is putting it mildly.
9
If at first he doesn't succeed, hire him again.
3
Lemme get this straight...
He never proved himself with the Knicks, gets a sexual harassment charge paid off with big money, and so you put him in charge of a women's pro basketball team? Sounds about right for the Dolan bizarro sports management world.
This couldn't possibly go wrong, could it?
He never proved himself with the Knicks, gets a sexual harassment charge paid off with big money, and so you put him in charge of a women's pro basketball team? Sounds about right for the Dolan bizarro sports management world.
This couldn't possibly go wrong, could it?
40
How long before he starts getting in Dolan's ear and undermining Phil Jackson so he can get another shot at ru(i)nning the Knicks?
15
For the one person in the world who didn't know that Jimmy Dolan is a complete idiot, you now have confirmation.
38
Wow. Back at the Garden for Isiah. Now in charge of the women's team. Wow. Lucky him. Nice to have friends in high places who can look over his past indiscretions. Something is really odd about this all.
6
Dolan & Thomas deserve each other. The WNBA doesn't deserve either...
31
Honestly, you can't make this stuff up.
Certified loser in multiple basketball management jobs.
Sexual aggressor in the workplace.
What other credentials do the NY Liberty need?
You're hired, Mr. Thomas!
Certified loser in multiple basketball management jobs.
Sexual aggressor in the workplace.
What other credentials do the NY Liberty need?
You're hired, Mr. Thomas!
20
Really amazing. The only analogy to the Thomas/Dolan relationship is maybe the one between Billy Martin and George Steinbrenner. Except with the key difference that Martin had some success.
Thomas has been at the helm for one Knicks failure after another yet Dolan keeps going back for more. He was single-handedly responsible for about a decade of unwatchable basketball at the garden. I'd even blame him for some of the current woes because Donnie Walsh was ready to walk away from the Carmelo Anthony trade talks when they got too rich until Thomas was called in to help consult.
Thomas has been at the helm for one Knicks failure after another yet Dolan keeps going back for more. He was single-handedly responsible for about a decade of unwatchable basketball at the garden. I'd even blame him for some of the current woes because Donnie Walsh was ready to walk away from the Carmelo Anthony trade talks when they got too rich until Thomas was called in to help consult.
3
Poor New York Liberty fans, but it's best to cue up the infamous score from "Jaws." Virtually nothing has gone right for Thomas in basketball since his career-ending injury twenty-plus years ago. He wasn't a bad drafter or player developer (or even coach), but his other management skills have been nothing short of awful and occasionally scandalous. The CBA? The Knicks? Florida Atlantic? Especially the Knicks. Still, he (somehow) retains the confidence of Dolan, even after all these years and embarrassments. What sort of advising has he really done and how could Dolan be pleased with the results? It seems too easy to say that this will not end well for the Liberty, but...
14
Are they completely stupid?
11
"Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in"
I am just revolted. Why would you put a sexual predator like Isiah Thomas in charge of a women's team? So he has more scope for harassment? Never mind that he has a terrible losing record.
I don't know if I can stomach Liberty games anymore.
I don't know if I can stomach Liberty games anymore.
22
How can a man who was found guilt in a civil suit of harassing women at MSG be given a job as President of a woman's team??
Are we in the Twilight Zone??
Are we in the Twilight Zone??
5
Okay, sure, those who us who have heard Dolan play music know the answer to this question. But still, this is an insulting and disgusting turn of events.