New York Rangers/Knicks Owner Offers Further Explanation for Silence

New York Rangers and Knicks owner James Dolan sent out a second email on Tuesday hoping to clarify the email that he sent to employees on Monday. In a copy of the email obtained by SNY, Dolan appeared to try to explain his first email, that had confused many employees of the Knicks, who are just one of two NBA teams, as well as the being just one of two NHL teams, to not to issue a formal statement on George Floyd’s death at the hands of police in Minneapolis.

During the second email, Dolan made his feelings about racism clearer. “So let me be clear. We vehemently condemn and reject racism against anyone, period,’’ Dolan wrote and then added, “Racism is born of ignorance.’’

The second memo was sent as the first was met with confusion and anger by Knicks employees and prompted a virtual meeting by some employees on Tuesday morning. The Knicks’ Instagram account did put up a post in support of Blackout Tuesday.

Also In the second email, Dolan reiterated that MSG has built an “environment of inclusion and mutual respect.” The implication was that MSG’s strong value system serves better than any public statement about injustice or police brutality.

It was reported that some players, especially on the Knicks, were “furious” that no statement has been made by ownership, according to ESPN’s Pablo Torre. That also helped prompt the second email.

What has compounded the issue for all parties involved with Dolan, their New York sports counterparts have all responded to the civil unrest. The Brooklyn Nets did address what was happening right outside their front door at Barclays Center. The New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils also issued statements supporting the need to address racial inequality.

The second memo may have come too late for damage control, as Dolan waited a full day to respond while taking a great deal of criticism in the news and on social media.