Knicks owner James Dolan defends not releasing statement after George Floyd's death, widespread protests
The Knicks are one of just two teams who haven't released a statement after Floyd's death.
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Knicks Fans I'm DONE: We got the 8th Pick (Minnosota got #1 GSW #2)
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Knicks owner James Dolan defends not releasing statement after George Floyd's death, widespread protests
Countless players, coaches, teams and organizations across the sports world have released statements in recent days following the death of George Floyd and the massive protests that have ensued in cities across the country.
The New York Knicks, however, have not — something that has reportedly been a growing point of frustration among players and team employees.
Owner James Dolan, though, is standing by that decision to stay quiet.
Dolan, in an email sent to all Madison Square Garden employees on Monday, per ESPN’s Pablo Torre, said that as a company, “we are not any more qualified than anyone else to offer our opinion on social matters.”
Floyd was killed on Monday in police custody and video of his arrest — which showed a white Minneapolis police officer with his knee in Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes while Floyd yelled out, “I can’t breathe” — quickly went viral. That officer, Derek Chauvin, has since been fired, arrested and is facing third-degree murder and manslaughter charges.
Protests and riots have broken out in countless cities across the country since his death and continued on Monday night.
The Knicks, along with the San Antonio Spurs, are the only two teams in the NBA to have not released a formal statement as of Monday night. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, however, addressed the topic, President Donald Trump and more in a detailed interview on Sunday — and didn’t hold back.
So while most of the sports world was quick to condemn Floyd’s killing and the larger issue surrounding his death, Dolan sounds like he is going to stay quiet.
Countless players, coaches, teams and organizations across the sports world have released statements in recent days following the death of George Floyd and the massive protests that have ensued in cities across the country.
The New York Knicks, however, have not — something that has reportedly been a growing point of frustration among players and team employees.
Owner James Dolan, though, is standing by that decision to stay quiet.
Dolan, in an email sent to all Madison Square Garden employees on Monday, per ESPN’s Pablo Torre, said that as a company, “we are not any more qualified than anyone else to offer our opinion on social matters.”
Floyd was killed on Monday in police custody and video of his arrest — which showed a white Minneapolis police officer with his knee in Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes while Floyd yelled out, “I can’t breathe” — quickly went viral. That officer, Derek Chauvin, has since been fired, arrested and is facing third-degree murder and manslaughter charges.
Protests and riots have broken out in countless cities across the country since his death and continued on Monday night.
The Knicks, along with the San Antonio Spurs, are the only two teams in the NBA to have not released a formal statement as of Monday night. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, however, addressed the topic, President Donald Trump and more in a detailed interview on Sunday — and didn’t hold back.
So while most of the sports world was quick to condemn Floyd’s killing and the larger issue surrounding his death, Dolan sounds like he is going to stay quiet.
Knicks players and staff reportedly furious after team declines to issue a statement on George Floyd's death because they are not 'any more qualified than anyone else'
New York Knicks owner James Dolan sent an email to Madison Square Garden staff on Monday explaining why the organization has not commented on George Floyd's death or nationwide "Black Lives Matter" protests, according to ESPN's Malika Andrews.
To date, the Knicks are one of two NBA teams that have not released a statement on Floyd's death or the unrest that has followed — the San Antonio Spurs are the other.
According to Andrews, via a leaked email, Dolan wrote to staff, "As companies in the business of sports and entertainment, however, we are not any more qualified than anyone else to offer our opinion on social matters."
ESPN's Pablo Torre reported that Knicks players and staff are "furious" that the team hasn't released a statement.
In his email, Dolan acknowledged that some staff members have asked whether the team was going to comment. Dolan said he wanted staff to "understand our internal position," saying that the coronavirus pandemic and civil unrest has disrupted the way of life for many.
"We know that some of you have asked about whether our company is going to make a public statement about the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. I want you to know, I realize the importance of this issue. Therefore, I want you to understand our internal position.
"This is a turbulent time in our country. The coronavirus and civil unrest have taken their toll on our way of life. We at Madison Square Garden stand by our values of a respectful and peaceful workplace. We always will."
Insider could not independently verify the leaked email. The Knicks did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to Andrews, Knicks guard Dennis Smith Jr. is one of several NBA players to participate in protests following Floyd's death.
"Our companies are committed to upholding our values, which include creating a respectful workplace for all, and that will never change," Dolan's email said.
"What we say to each other matters. How we treat each other matters. And that's what will get us through this difficult time."
As Stefan Bondy of The Daily News noted, Dolan is a supporter of President Donald Trump, having donated $300,000 to Trump's campaign in 2016 and $125,000 to his re-election campaign. Dolan told ESPN that he got married at Trump's resort in Mar-a-Lago. Trump has publicly condemned the protests, stating in an address on Monday that he would call for military intervention if states did not get the protests under control.
- New York Knicks owner James Dolan wrote an email to employees explaining why the organization has not released a public statement about the death of George Floyd or nationwide protests.
- The Knicks are one of two teams that haven't issued a statement on the matter.
- Dolan wrote in his email that as a company "in the business of sports and entertainment" they are not "any more qualified than anyone else to offer our opinion on social matters."
- According to ESPN's Pablo Torre, Knicks players and staff are "furious" that the team hasn't issued a statement; Dolan addressed in his email that some members have asked if the team would comment on the issue.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
New York Knicks owner James Dolan sent an email to Madison Square Garden staff on Monday explaining why the organization has not commented on George Floyd's death or nationwide "Black Lives Matter" protests, according to ESPN's Malika Andrews.
To date, the Knicks are one of two NBA teams that have not released a statement on Floyd's death or the unrest that has followed — the San Antonio Spurs are the other.
According to Andrews, via a leaked email, Dolan wrote to staff, "As companies in the business of sports and entertainment, however, we are not any more qualified than anyone else to offer our opinion on social matters."
ESPN's Pablo Torre reported that Knicks players and staff are "furious" that the team hasn't released a statement.
In his email, Dolan acknowledged that some staff members have asked whether the team was going to comment. Dolan said he wanted staff to "understand our internal position," saying that the coronavirus pandemic and civil unrest has disrupted the way of life for many.
"We know that some of you have asked about whether our company is going to make a public statement about the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. I want you to know, I realize the importance of this issue. Therefore, I want you to understand our internal position.
"This is a turbulent time in our country. The coronavirus and civil unrest have taken their toll on our way of life. We at Madison Square Garden stand by our values of a respectful and peaceful workplace. We always will."
Insider could not independently verify the leaked email. The Knicks did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to Andrews, Knicks guard Dennis Smith Jr. is one of several NBA players to participate in protests following Floyd's death.
"Our companies are committed to upholding our values, which include creating a respectful workplace for all, and that will never change," Dolan's email said.
"What we say to each other matters. How we treat each other matters. And that's what will get us through this difficult time."
As Stefan Bondy of The Daily News noted, Dolan is a supporter of President Donald Trump, having donated $300,000 to Trump's campaign in 2016 and $125,000 to his re-election campaign. Dolan told ESPN that he got married at Trump's resort in Mar-a-Lago. Trump has publicly condemned the protests, stating in an address on Monday that he would call for military intervention if states did not get the protests under control.
That's your team
Report: Dolan Defends Lack of Statement on George Floyd's Death
Knicks owner James Dolan said the MSG company is, "not any more qualified than anyone else to offer our opinion on social matters."
www.si.com
That's your team
not anymore
damn Convid-JD gonna be the death of me.
how them Heat looking?
On some real shit Adam Silver needs to get him the fuck outta there at this point. This shit is beyond embarrassing. 
Us ny'ers been through of knick fans... There's ny'ers and than there's Knicks fans anyway
Nyer sticks sword in Knicks fan hand and puts dog chain around knick fans neck and chokes them with it
Ny'ers: I never like you knick fans anyway
Nyer sticks sword in Knicks fan hand and puts dog chain around knick fans neck and chokes them with it
Ny'ers: I never like you knick fans anyway
You done?
On some real shit Adam Silver needs to get him the fuck outta there at this point. This shit is beyond embarrassing.
Decades of embarrassment
Decades
No free agent should ever sign there
League should investigate them.
I used to clown cub, and met fans
Why you rooting for losing?
Now i gotta look at the man in the mirror
Of course
Riley spolestra fiz back in the day
Dwayne bron ud...
Udanis going thru it right now cause i know he got cops in his family
those knicks fans is behind all this chaos all of us ny'ers was forced into this
We been wanted a better team ms hawkins, we cheered every yr jordan beat the Knicks ms hawkins, we laughed when ewing missed the layup vs the pacers in the playoffs ms hawkins, we were even happy David Robinson won his first chip against ewing ms hawkins, us ny'ers weren't born with a silver spoon in our mouth and was forced this shitty team in our city ms hawkins
Damn you bro
You see I'm hurting
Damn you to hell
Like the damn jordan doc on f*cking infinity loop
Dolan gotta go man. Shit is ridiculous. He cannot be allowed to mismanage the franchise worth the most money in the league any longer.
^^^^^
Dolan gotta go man. Shit is ridiculous. He cannot be allowed to mismanage the franchise worth the most money in the league any longer.
actions like this to me SHAMES the entire league
much llike Sterling did
they should FORCE him to sell
I can't support trump supporters. That's why the Knicks and Jets can never get any love from me.
Giants aint much better
Between This and Wendy's donating $400k to Trump's re-election......sigh...
I've never seen any of the Maras associated with trump. They and the Rooneys are entwined and it is called The Rooney Rule for a reason. If you've got some intel, do tell.
Between This and Wendy's donating $400k to Trump's re-election......sigh...
Home Depot. Bass Pro Shops.
We need to be aware and stop patronizing these places and be vocal about why.
im a giants fan
the way the handled that Kaep situation and the wife beating kicker did NOT sit right with me.
they even did Geno kinda dirty too scrub that he is
Me too. I'm the first to admit once Young died the replacements have been...less than stellar. They did muff the Kaep situation but IIRC Mara said do what you want but Tish said differently. Typical right hand-left hand shit. Geno? Meh, at least they gave him a shot.
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