Knicks: James Dolan’s silence on George Floyd ‘eye-opening’ says Caron Butler
Former NBA star Caron Butler responds to Knicks owner James Dolan’s silence about police brutality and racism.
James Dolan has come under plenty of criticism during his tenure as owner of the New York Knicks, many times justifiably, other times perhaps with an unfair target on his back. But as celebrities, business owners, athletes, and other professional sports teams have used their platforms to take a stance against racism and police brutality in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, Mr. Dolan decided to remain silent, at least publicly.
George Floyd was killed when a police officer put his knee on his neck for several minutes on the side of a Minneapolis street on May 25, 2020. His death has sparked mostly peaceful protests throughout the country in scale unseen since the civil rights movement in the 1960s.
Former NBA star Caron Butler was asked how he felt about James Dolan’s silence on the issue and he gave a pointed response.
"“It’s like every opportunity that Mr. Dolan gets a chance to do something right, it’s almost like, he’s pivoting in the space to go out of his way to do the opposite,” Butler said to Alex Kennedy on the HoopsHype podcast. “And that probably works in the business space where you disturb the market. But this is not a business thing; this is a humane thing. And I think that he made a bad decision not speaking up on it.”"
James Dolan used internal emails to express his feelings about racism.
In an email leaked to the media, Dolan, in response to his public silence, told his employees that he didn’t believe Madison Square Garden – the parent company that owns the Knicks – is qualified to offer an opinion on social matters. After MSG workers grew upset about Dolan’s position, he sent a follow-up email using more direct words in “vehemently” condemning racism. However, the team has still not issued a public statement.
"“Yesterday, I made a sincere attempt to provide my perspective on a very difficult issue, one that has no easy answers,” Dolan wrote in a follow-up memo sent to his employees and obtained by ESPN. “I know how important this topic is to so many, and I do not want there to be any confusion about where I as an individual, or we as a company stand. So let me be clear: we vehemently condemn and reject racism against anyone, period.”"
The Knicks have tried to shift the narrative around the inner workings of Madison Square Garden in order to attract superstar free agents. While this issue extends far beyond the concerns of basketball, Caron Butler wonders how many players would want to play for Mr. Dolan after his latest decision to remain silent on an important topic.
"“I know a lot of players are like, How can I run through a brick wall for this organization and understand and know that my rights probably don’t really matter to this individual? It’s eye-opening for a lot of people.”"
The Knicks are one of only five major U.S. sports teams who haven’t directly spoken about the George Floyd protests and contributing factors to his death. James Dolan’s other team, the Rangers, haven’t released a statement, and neither have the New York Yankees, Washington Redskins, or Cincinnati Bengals.
"“I don’t know what he do privately, or anything like that,” Butler said. “But you should take a stance on justice, and what’s right and wrong.”"
With the NBA set to return to action in Orlando, Florida, the Knicks were one of eight teams who weren’t invited back as they hold the sixth worst record in the NBA.