The WNBA has named a six-member committee made up of the league's BOG to vet MSG's proposal to give Isiah Thomas an ownership stake in the Liberty. The members of the committee, which met for the first time yesterday, will deliver a recommendation on the proposal to the full WNBA BOG. The members of the committee are Sky Owner Michael Alter, Sun CEO Mitchell Etess, Storm co-Owner Ginny Gilder, Lynx Exec VP Roger Griffith, Mystics Vice Chair Sheila Johnson and Spurs Sports & Entertainment President of Business Operations Rick Pych, whose company owns the Stars. The Liberty last month named Thomas team President and announced that he would take an undisclosed stake in the team. While Knicks President and coach, Thomas was accused by former Knicks marketing exec Anucha Browne of sexual harassment. MSG and the Knicks in '07 settled the case with Sanders for $11.5M (John Lombardo, Staff Writer). In N.Y., Marc Berman reports Thomas is "already immersed in his role as team president" in advance of the Liberty's season opener on Friday. James Dolan is the "last original owner in the WNBA and there's reason to believe he could be done with the Liberty if the WNBA rejects Thomas' ownership interests." Dolan is "losing money on the team as attendance has sagged" (N.Y. POST, 6/2).
QUESTIONS LINGER: In Indianapolis, Blake Schuster notes former Fever coach Lin Dunn is among the people "questioning the move" for the Liberty to bring Thomas on board. She said, "I'm waiting for [WNBA President] Laurel Richie to take a leadership role in this. I'm concerned that anyone who had been found guilty of sexual harassment would be back in a position working with women. I'm counting on Richie to do her due diligence and get the Board of Governors to make a decision that continues to show that the WNBA empowers girls and women and will be a role model when it comes to that" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 6/2).
