The NBA yesterday said that Knicks Owner James Dolan "will not face discipline" from the league "over a vitriolic email he sent in response to a critical fan," according to Andrew Keh of the N.Y. TIMES. The NBA, as a general rule, "does not consider impassioned responses from team owners -- or players, coaches, executives or anyone else in the league -- toward criticism to be grounds on their own for discipline." Dolan’s note "did not contain any vulgar language, which most likely helped in shielding him from potential action by the league." Still, the incident "reflected a changing landscape in which unsavory private interactions -- particularly those involving high-profile figures -- are finding easier paths to public disclosure." The NBA "made clear that Dolan's email was not as serious" as private communications last year that led to the ouster of then-Clippers Owner Donald Sterling or those that caused Hawks GM Danny Ferry to take a leave of absence. Dolan "has likely heard similar criticism, or worse, from fans in the past, making his response all the more puzzling" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/10). NBA Commissioner Adam Silver described Dolan as a "consummate New Yorker" in characterizing the e-mail exchange. In N.Y., Marc Berman reports Dolan "hasn’t reached out" to the fan, 72-year-old Irving Bierman, "to explain himself or extend an olive branch." Dolan also declined comment on the matter "for a second straight day." In "a spate of bad timing, he’s the host of the All-Star Game on Sunday at the Garden and will go through with his usual key speaking role at Friday’s NBA technology summit -- where new email software probably won’t be discussed" (N.Y. POST, 2/10). ESPN N.Y.'s Ohm Youngmisuk noted former NBA Commissioner David Stern "backed" Silver’s decision. Stern: "We have our own brand of due process. In terms of all the things that people should be held accountable for ... if you are looking for every email that gets sent to a fan who sends a nasty email, I’m sorry ... that’s almost beneath the commissioner’s duties" (ESPNNY.com, 2/9).
UNNEEDED DISTRACTION: In N.Y., Frank Isola writes Silver's "worst nightmare for All-Star Weekend isn’t frigid temperatures, traffic jams or injured superstars," but rather Dolan himself. The "absolute last thing Silver wants is for Dolan’s insulting email to dominate the NBA’s showcase winter event." That Silver elected not to punish Dolan is "not surprising." While the comments are "outrageous," Silver is "looking to put out a brushfire, not throw gasoline on it." The short-term solution would be for Silver to "strongly suggest that Dolan either maintain a low profile this weekend or better still take a little vacation" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/10). In New Jersey, Tara Sullivan writes the NBA spotlight is "about to turn directly" on N.Y. for an event that is "supposed to celebrate all that is good in the sport." Sullivan: "Instead, we are talking about an idiot owner, a man whose disdain and contempt for the average fan of his franchise was unmasked once again for the world to see." Dolan has "managed to tear open a new chapter on his contempt for the people who continue to root for his team." He "can buy a lot of things, but clearly, decency isn’t one of them" (Bergen RECORD, 2/10).
MORE OF THE SAME: In N.Y., Bob Raissman writes anyone skeptical of Dolan "knew his alleged hands-off policy," which he ensured fans of following the hiring of team President Phil Jackson, "was just another con." Raissman: "Dolan can’t help himself." Now, not only does he, and the corporation he runs, "wind up embarrassed, so does" the NBA. In a season "where the unwatchable Knicks were safely stashed in irrelevancy, Dolan, out of control again, becomes the story" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/10). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Jason Gay writes, "Besides the mangled public relations, it's a blown opportunity." The "easiest way to soothe an antagonized customer is to respond with kindness." That is "just good business and commons sense." Had Dolan "sent Bierman a polite reply," he would have "likely secured a permanent ally." Gay: "Instead it's another foolish Knicks circus in a season full of them" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 2/10). ESPN's Jemele Hill said, "James Dolan is a force unto himself. ... If you are a potential recruit, a potential free agent, you're like, 'Really, this is who the ownership is?'" ("His & Hers," ESPN2, 2/9).
GATHERING THE PITCHFORKS: ESPN N.Y.'s Johnette Howard wrote under the header, "Silver, Dolan Both Dropped Ball." Silver's "flip-sounding explanation" of his decision to forgo punishing or fining Dolan "was a thudding failure." It "only created further embarrassment" for the NBA. But "welcome to Silver's NBA," where an owner "can basically slander one of his paying customers ... and still rest easy knowing his commissioner has his back." Howard: "What Silver should have done is fine Dolan six figures" (ESPNNY.com, 2/9). SNY's Adam Schein said of Silver not punishing Dolan, "Come on Adam, you're better than that ("Loud Mouths, SNY, 2/9). The L.A. Times Bill Plaschke asked, "How can the NBA let (Dolan) off the hook" and not discipline him? ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 2/9).
NOT WORTHY OF PUNISHMENT: ESPN's Bomani Jones said, "Given the things the NBA has dealt with with owners and executives and what they've said wrong, this is so little compared to those other things" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 2/9). ESPN's Michael Wilbon said not punishing Dolan is the "right call." ESPN's Tony Kornheiser added, "I would be appalled if the commissioner of the league punished him for this. He didn't start the fire in this one" ("PTI," ESPN, 2/9).
