The N.Y. Daily News did not get invited to last week's presser after years of conflict with the KnicksNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
The NBA fined the Knicks $50,000 for "violating the league's media policy" by refusing to "issue a credential to the New York Daily News for last week's news conference introducing draft picks," according to Chris Iseman of the Bergen RECORD. The Knicks had previously "not invited the Daily News to other media events, including a conference call" with team execs after trading F Kristaps Porzingis to the Mavericks in January (Bergen RECORD, 6/25). In N.Y., Kevin Draper noted the Knicks released a statement acknowledging that they "broke the rules but attributed the lapse to a misinterpretation of the policy on when credentialed reporters must be let in." The dispute between the team and the publication "goes back years," as the Knicks believe that the paper is "gratuitously negative about the team." Meanwhile, the Daily News has "stood by its coverage, which it has called a reflection of the team's record in recent years." Pressure has been "ratcheting up" on the Knicks to allow the Daily News access, including "statements issued in recent days by the Professional Basketball Writers Association and the Associated Press Sports Editors" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/25).
DAILY RESPONSE: A N.Y. DAILY NEWS editorial states under the header, "Now, Nix The Attitude: The Knicks Pay A Much-Deserved $50,000 Fine For Freezing Out The Daily News." The Knicks "got off easy." Day-in and day-out, "during the season and during the off-season, the Daily News' Stefan Bondy has done what a great sports reporter is meant to do: He's told the truth, including the very uncomfortable truth, about a league-worst franchise desperately trying to find its foothold." The editorial: "Hope and pray that the Knicks have finally learned their lesson" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/25).
MEDIA MATTERS: ESPN's Rachel Nichols said she was "very happy to see the league take action" with the Knicks and hopes this is "enough of a statement, not only to show the Knicks, but other teams you don't get to pick and choose." That is "not how this works and this league is better if everyone is invited to the table." ESPN's Scottie Pippen said the media has "built our game and you keep us afloat" ("The Jump," ESPN, 6/24). ESPN's Pablo Torre called the Knicks' decision "classic Jim Dolan." He is "more than second-generation money and more than a terrible owner, he is somebody who really is not playing any sort of chess." ESPN's Mina Kimes: That's what always gets me about him and the Knicks. It's the bad PR aspect of it. It's the constant calling of attention to your own mistakes" ("High Noon," ESPN, 6/24). ESPN's Jalen Rose: “It’s just unnecessary roughness. It really is. The New York Daily News is going to cover your basketball team. It helps the popularity of the squad and the players. This is a battle you cannot win” (“Get Up,” ESPN, 6/25).
