MSG Chair James Dolan has “every right to feel vindicated over his staunch, unyielding support” of Rangers President & GM Glen Sather, according to Larry Brooks of the N.Y. POST. Dolan said, “I’m not interested in vindication. I haven’t given that a thought. You know, it’s not as if the team has done terribly the last few seasons. Glen and I have had one goal since we’ve been together, and that’s to win the Stanley Cup. That’s his motivation. That’s my motivation.” Brooks noted this is Dolan’s “first time as an owner of a Stanley Cup finalist.” When he “talks about the experience, he sounds like a fan.” Probably “because he is.” Dolan “primarily is identified in the public consciousness as the Knicks’ owner who has been a little bit too involved in personnel decisions” and in the Knicks day-to-day operations. But that perception “never has applied to the role he takes with the Rangers.” Dolan: “My biggest responsibility as owner is to make sure the team has the resources it needs. As far as getting into personnel decisions, I rarely even ask questions about the players Glen wants to bring in, that’s not my area of expertise. … You know what I hope, honestly? That we have really good games that hockey aficionados will appreciate. I hope the hockey people leave the finals with appreciation for the Rangers” (NYPOST.com, 6/3).
PEOPLE PERSON: In N.Y., Peter Botte notes while Dolan has “meddled with several Knicks front-office decisions through the years, Sather painted a positive picture" of their relationship. Sather said, “I enjoy him. I think he’s an interesting, complex, caring human being that is probably a little bit apprehensive at letting himself be known by the media. ... I get along with him fine. Somebody wrote that I manage him well. Well, I wouldn’t say I’m a particularly good manager. I like to be friends with the people that I work with. ... I do respect him. I like him. I get along with him. It’s about that simple” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/4). Sather said, “We don't ask him permission to do something. We say, ‘What do you think about this?’ It's a cooperative decision throughout the entire organization when we do things" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 6/4).
BAD MEDICINE: In N.Y., Frank Isola notes Dolan yesterday “tried to distance himself from having any influence” with Warriors coach Steve Kerr’s decision not to accept the Knicks’ head coaching position. Dolan, speaking on WFAN-AM's "Francesa," said of the team's coaching candidates, “I have no idea who [Knicks President of Basketball Operations Phil Jackson] is talking to.” Dolan: “I have not asked about the coaching search on purpose. I told him, ‘I’m here for you if you need me, if you don’t need me, that’s fine, too. I’ve got a lot to do.’” However, ESPN N.Y. in April reported that Dolan “rebuffed Jackson’s wishes of making changes” to the Knicks’ medical staff. Dolan yesterday “seemed to indicate that Knicks GM Steve Mills, and not Jackson, is in charge of the medical staff.” When asked if Jackson is working out like he expected, Dolan answered, “Pretty much. He’s gotten in, he’s taking control, he and Steve are working really well together. (The) big (thing) for me, pieces of the operation I knew Phil wouldn’t have time for; D-League (team), developing players, everything down to medical staff. Phil has a great guy underneath him, actually right next to him. I think I’ve got the right team in place managing it. We’ll see how it turns out” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/4).
