In a peculiar move by New York Knicks owner James Dolan, he re-hired Isiah Thomas to be president and a part-owner of the WNBA’s New York Liberty. This has Anucha Brown Sanders’s name reverberating in the sports world administrative offices and locker rooms. In 2007, Brown Sanders was entitled to $11.6 million dollars in damages from Madison Square Garden (MSG) and James Dolan after suing for sexual harassment and being unfairly treated in a hostile environment.
After it was recently announced Thomas might be back in the basketball world this week, Madison Square Garden released a statement saying “we did not believe the allegations then, and we don’t believe them now. We feel strongly that Isiah Thomas was held responsible for sordid allegations that were completely unrelated to him, and for when MSG bore responsibility. In fact, when given the opportunity, the jury did not find Isiah liable for punitive damages, confirming he did not act maliciously or in bad faith. We believe Isiah belongs in basketball and are grateful that he has committed his considerable talent to help the Liberty succeed”. Isiah Thomas has maintained his innocence and still needs approval from the Board of Governors to enter the WNBA.
Along with the losing New York Knicks, this city seems to continue accumulating negative attention in the basketball world. if this is the attention the organization wants, it’s surely the wrong way to obtain it. Women around the world want to work in an environment free of harassment, and allowing Isiah Thomas to be their boss would raise fear and ambivalence.
In response to this news, Isiah Thomas victim Anucha Browne Sanders, released a video reminding people of the inapt behavior of this man.
My question is why James Dolan bringing Isiah Thomas back to NYC considering the terrible job he did with the Knicks? Why does he feel like this is a positive move for women’s basketball? Isiah Thomas is not from New York, so why does he want to return in a different capacity? What is the relationship between James Dolan and Isiah Thomas? Does James Dolan care about New York City basketball? So many questions…..This should be interesting!!
SOURCE: NY POST
