Knicks Owner James Dolan last month responded to a critical e-mail by "tearing into a lifelong 72-year-old fan," going "as far as accusing the fan of being an alcoholic," according to Berman & Greene of the N.Y. POST. Instead of taking the "much-deserved critique in stride," Dolan responded with "the email equivalent of a flagrant foul." Dolan wrote to Irving Bierman, "Start rooting for the Nets because the Knicks don’t want you." An MSG spokesperson "confirmed the emails were legit" but said that Dolan "had no comment." Bierman said that he "wasn’t surprised by Dolan’s nasty tone." Bierman: "This guy is one big schmuck. I would have loved to get into a room with him … one on one and have a talk with him. I’m not trying to pick a fight, I’m just a disgruntled fan." Berman & Greene note Bierman "clearly touched a nerve when he wrote Dolan" (N.Y. POST, 2/9). In N.Y., Mike Vaccaro writes under the header, "With Email, Dolan Sets New Standard For Arrogance, Stupidity." Vaccaro: "What kind of businessman conducts business this way?" Mets COO Jeff Wilpon and Jets Owner Woody Johnson, "to the best of anyone’s knowledge, never actively encouraged their fans to switch to the Yankees and Giants." They are not "that arrogant because NOBODY should be that arrogant" (N.Y. POST, 2/9). Also in N.Y., Stephen Rex Brown cites a source close to the Nets as saying, "It's clear that Mr. Dolan didn't go through Disney training." Brown notes the comment references "the extensive training Nets employees go through in the area of hospitality" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/9).
BITING THE HAND THAT FEEDS? Radio host Dan Patrick said Dolan “should be above this.” Patrick asked, “Does the NBA do anything to James Dolan when he’s sending this letter in an official capacity as the owner of the Knicks? I don’t believe that anytime you do something stupid that you need to be run out of town … (but) this is embarrassing for James Dolan” (“The Dan Patrick Show,” 2/9). ESPN Radio’s Mike Greenberg said, "If an NBA player wrote this, that NBA player would probably be suspended, at minimum fined.” He added if NBA Commissioner Adam Silver does not discipline Dolan in some fashion “than that is hypocritical” (“Mike & Mike,” ESPN Radio, 2/9). CNBC’s Steve Liesman said, “For a guy who should be apologizing to all of New York, he instead is writing nasty notes. ... They are still buying tickets to this lousy team, they’re still selling out and he has the nerve (to verbally attack a fan)" (“Squawk Box,” CNBC, 2/9). MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough said sarcastically, “That is a good way to win back somebody” (“Morning Joe,” MSNBC, 2/9). ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith: "It gives us some insight as to why the New York Knicks have been so pathetic for so long.” ESPN’s Skip Bayless said, “That resounding thud you just heard that echoed all around New York City was this franchise hitting absolute bottom. ... If ever an owner could be fired, this is a fire-able offense” (“First Take,” ESPN2, 2/9).
