The New York Knicks are suing the rival Toronto Raptors for more than $10 million for the theft of confidential files, and they do not want NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to settle the dispute.
That’s according to a legal filing obtained by the New York Post, The Athletic, and ESPN on Monday, in response to the Raptors’ October request to dismiss the suit, which was filed in US District Court in New York in August.
The Knicks assert Ike Azotam, a Knicks assistant video coordinator from 2020 to 2023, sent the Raptors thousands of confidential Knicks files.
Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic, assistant coaches Noah Lewis and Azotam, several unknown Raptors employees, and Raptors parent company Maple Leaf Sport & Entertainment (MLSE) are also named as defendants in the case.
The Raptors have stated that the lawsuit should be dismissed as baseless and a “public relations stunt,” and that the dispute should be resolved by Silver in accordance with NBA rules, which would limit any damage award by Silver to $10 million.
The Knicks claim they are seeking more than $10 million in damages and question Silver’s ability to handle the situation because of his close relationship with Raptors owner Larry Tanenbaum, who is also the chairman of the NBA Board of Governors.
Tanenbaum is Silver’s boss and “exercises control over and heavily influences Silver’s continued employment and salary,” according to the Knicks filing, adding that the two have a “close relationship.”
“Among other things, Tanenbaum has been described as ‘a close ally of commissioner Adam Silver.'” Tanenbaum was described as ‘not just my boss as chairman of the board of governors, but he’s very much a role model in my life’ by Silver.
“If Silver were to preside over the instant dispute he would be arbitrating a case for his boss and ally.” — From Agence France-Presse
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