NBA Commissioner David Stern addressed league owners Thursday in Manhattan about the sexual harassment judgment against Knicks coach Isiah Thomas and Madison Square Garden, saying he has decided not to take any disciplinary action against them while the matter is under appeal.
Stern called the matter "frustrating" and said it has resulted in a league-wide policy change that will require employees of all 30 teams to participate in workplace sensitivity training. But for now, Thomas and Garden chairman James Dolan have escaped punishment.
However, Stern warned that the matter is under review, and while he wouldn't reveal what course of action he might take, stated, "My powers are very broad if I choose to exercise them."
Dolan attended the Board of Governors meeting at the St. Regis Hotel, but left about 25 minutes before Stern addressed reporters.
Stern also addressed the league's ongoing investigation into gambling activities by referees, which I'll be back in a bit to expand on. Long story short, the league's internal review will not be completed at least until federal authorities close their case against former ref Tim Donaghy. Stern said the probe has found that about half of the 56 refs violated the gambling policy by betting in casinos, but that he has decided not to discipline any of them.
Comments (1)
MR STERN LIKE DOLAN AND THOMAS ARE A JOKE. IT'S NO WONDER THAT THE NBA IS RUNNING WILD WITH SEX CRIMES. MR STERN WILL NOT EVEN LAY OUT PUNISHMENT TO SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN CONVICTED IN A COURT OF LAW. YES, I SAID CONVICTED IN A COURT OF LAW. YOU ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY AND MR DOLAN AND ISIAH THOMAS HAVE BOTH BEEN CONVICTED BY A JURY OF THEIR PEERS. MR STERN IS SIMPLY STALLING, HE HAS INSULTED ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORTED THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION IN HOPES THAT THE PUBLIC WILL LET THIS DIE DOWN. MR STERN HAS SENT A CLEAR MESSAGE TO ALL TRUE AMERICAN CITIZENS AND IT IS. " IT'S OK FOR A BLACK MAN TO ABUSE A FEMALE. BUT DON'T LET ME SEE A WHITE MAN DO SUCH A THING." HE HAS TAKEN THIS POSITION SIMPLY BECAUSE MOST OF THE NBA PLAYERS ARE BLACK. I HOPE ALL THOSE WHITE FANS TURN OFF THEIR TV SETS FOR THE NEXT NBA GAMES. MAYBE MR STERN'S BOSS WILL SEE THAT THIS MAN IS NOT DOING WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THE SPORT. HE IS PLAYING POLITICS.