NY Knicks: Approval rating among players at ‘all time low’ following statement
NBA insider believes the New York Knicks have damaged their image among players because of George Floyd response.
The New York Knicks, through their parent company Madison Square Garden, finally ended their public silence in response to the death of George Floyd this week by issuing a 35-word statement that recognized the role everyone must play in creating a more equal society and said they stood “with all who act for positive change.”
George Floyd was tragically killed on May 25 when a white police officer put his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, while three other officers allowed it to happen. The death has sparked outrage across the country, leading to many businesses, celebrities, athletes, and professional sports teams to publicly condemn racism and police brutality.
The Knicks became the last NBA team to release a statement on the issue. They were one of only five professional sports teams across the four major U.S. sports who waited as long as they did to publicly comment.
Knicks hopes of attracting new players ‘devastated’ by James Dolan’s bad judgment.
NBA insider Brian Windhorst was asked how players around the league are reacting to the Knicks’ response, and let’s just say, it’s not good.
"“The Knicks approval rating amongst players is so low right now,” Windhorst said on First Take on Wednesday. “It’s devastating for their hopes to appeal to anybody and say, ‘Come play for us’ going forward. The whole purpose of retrofitting their front office, and hiring one of the most successful agents in the business in Leon Rose, hiring an image consultant [Steve Stoute] who is famous for doing work with African Americans and being more inclusive, it’s all undercut when the owner continues to show bad judgment.”"
Two former NBA players have already voiced their displeasure over the Knicks’ response, or lack thereof, to an important civil rights moment.
After reading the Knicks’ statement, Kendrick Perkins tweeted, “My energy before Dolan and the Knicks made a Public Statement regarding Civil Rights and I have the same energy after they released that BS statement today….again Dolan and the Knicks are the weakest link in the NBA!
Caron Butler called Dolan’s silence “eye-opening” on a recent podcast. He said he knew a lot of players who would have trouble “running through a brick wall” for an organization that doesn’t seem to care about their basic rights.
The Knicks have a strong record of hiring black coaches and executives. In fact, last season, they were the first NBA team to have a black president, general manager, and head coach. They have also hired several minorities in scouting roles.
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) June 9, 2020
The Knicks owner sent two internal memos to MSG employees trying to explain his initial decision to remain silent instead of issuing a statement condemning racism and police brutality as several of his own employees thought he should have done.
Dolan’s original email said the company was “not any more qualified than anyone else to offer our opinion on social matters.” In a follow-up memo, he used more pointed words in talking about racism, saying “we vehemently condemn and reject racism against anyone, period.”
As outrage grew in response to the Knicks’ silence, a public statement was released by MSG and distributed through the Knicks and Rangers social media accounts on Wednesday.