WNBA Liberty President Isiah Thomas’s bid for partial ownership of the team yesterday "hit a jagged edge" when the league announced that it and the team had "agreed to indefinitely suspend the application process" for Thomas, according to Scott Cacciola of the N.Y. TIMES. The announcement comes three weeks after the WNBA "formed a six-member committee to vet Thomas’s ownership stake -- and nearly seven weeks after he returned to Madison Square Garden to run the Liberty at the request" of MSG Chair James Dolan. Thomas "will remain as team president -- a position that is not subject to league approval." The Liberty "have the option of renewing the ownership application process at their request." Within the league, the owners of the Storm "were among those who immediately expressed concern over Thomas’s having a role in the league." WNBA President Laurel Richie "praised the work of the league’s six-member committee." Richie: "When you face challenges, you really get a better idea and a good understanding of the people you work with, and I’m very proud of all of our members -- and specifically, the six who volunteered to help us with the vetting process" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/23). The WNBA yesterday in a statement noted the process "will resume at a future time as determined by the Liberty." In N.Y., Marc Berman reports it is "expected to resume after the season is over." Thomas’ bid is for "just a small piece of ownership, not a majority stake." Dolan as "part of an effort to ignite sagging attendance, has been to three of the Liberty’s four home games" (N.Y. POST, 6/23).
NOT GOING ANYWHERE FOR A WHILE: The N.Y. Daily News’ Bob Raissman said the WNBA's move gives Dolan "the opportunity to move Isiah Thomas to another position," especially if he comes to believe Knicks President Phil Jackson "screwed up the Draft on Thursday.” SNY’s Marc Malusis said Thomas “is still in the fold" at MSG. Malusis: "Whether he partially owns the Liberty or not, he’s still there and will be” (“Daily News Live,” SNY, 6/22). SNY’s Chris Carlin said “until there’s a restraining order against” Thomas “even calling Madison Square Garden, he’s in the mix” for a role with the Knicks (“Loud Mouths,” SNY, 6/22).
