It appears that the Knicks and Wesley never had a verbal agreement for him to join the front officeGETTY IMAGES
CAA consultant Wes Wesley is "no longer expected to join" the Knicks in "any formal capacity," according to sources cited by Shams Charania of THE ATHLETIC. It is believed that the Knicks would "surely have a position for Wesley should he have an interest in a front-office role, but that his other business ventures make a formal title unlikely" (THEATHLETIC.com, 2/11). In N.Y., Marc Berman notes Wesley has a "slew of business ventures in the basketball industry, likely making any formal role with the Knicks not ideal." Sources believe that Wesley probably can help prospective Knicks President of Basketball Operations Leon Rose "behind the scenes, even as the NBA's tampering rules have been more strictly enforced." A source said that there was "never a verbal agreement for Wesley to join the Knicks as there is with Rose." Meanwhile, Rose still is "going through the process of leaving CAA and his many clients." A source said that Rose is "expected at the All-Star Weekend festivities in Chicago" this weekend, but "not in an official Knicks' role." A formal announcement on Rose is "likely to occur after the All-Star break" (N.Y. POST, 2/12).
GAME PLAN: Translation Founder & CEO Steve Stoute, who was hired by the Knicks as a special advisor in January, said one of his first challenges with rebranding the team is showing NBA free agents and players that the Knicks are where "they should show up at (and) this is where they should be." Appearing on ESPN's "First Take," Stoute said, "This is the greatest city in the world, man, and you have the most iconic franchise ... that is synonymous with the sport itself ... and I'm going to be a big part of turning it around." Stoute said of Knicks Owner James Dolan, "A lot of teams have owners that people dislike. It's not about an owner. If you have an aggressive owner, somebody who's willing to invest in the team and put money behind the belief of putting the best product on the court, to me that's the kind of owner I want." Stoute added, "My job starts from today, going forward, to fix up and clean up some of the things in the past that was wrong. But also bring that excitement back to the city, bring that music and entertainment hub that New York is, bring that back and that's my job, and that's what I'm going to do ... but those things take time" ("First Take," ESPN, 2/11).
THE RIGHT FIX? In N.Y., Stefan Bondy writes the Knicks "never had a problem selling tickets but they certainly carry branding issues as the league's laughingstock." There is "skepticism around the league that Stoute can make any difference in turning the Knicks around." The strategy of attracting superstars is "hardly new" for the team, as it "failed twice in the last decade" with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade rejecting them in '10, and Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving choosing the Nets last summer. But Stoute is "certainly a different personality and character" to have Dolan's attention. Stoute is "very connected," with Translation becoming the league's "marketing agency of record." The Knicks "don't have a problem finding people to take their money," but they have an" issue winning basketball games." Stoute believes that he can "change that by pitching his connections and business opportunities to star athletes" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 2/12).
OVERSTEPPING? The DAILY NEWS' Bondy writes hours after Stoute "essentially fired the Knicks coaching staff on ESPN," the team released a statement "declaring their 'brand consultant' doesn't speak for the organization." Stoute also "attempted to clarify" with his own statement. Stoute: "In my excitement to defend the Knicks on live TV, I inadvertently insinuated about Knicks personnel." During his appearance on "First Take," Stoute declared that the team's new front office "will hire a new coach and staff." The implication was that interim coach Mike Miller "won't return next season." Bondy: "Even though that's the likely scenario given the changing power dynamic at MSG, putting it on record would sabotage the remaining 28 games of the season for Miller and his assistants" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS. 2/12). In N.Y., Zach Braziller writes Stoutes comments were "so very Knicks from the man who is supposed to be rebranding the franchise's tattered image." A source said that Stoute "doesn't have a say in those top-level decisions" (N.Y. POST, 2/12). SI.com's Dan Gartland writes, "Congratulations to the guy charged with improving the Knicks' public perception on causing a PR disaster on his first day" (SI.com, 2/12).
