The lightning rod known as Knicks owner James Dolan finally broke his public silence on the George Floyd police killing Tuesday, the day of the funeral.
In a Twitter message, Dolan’s Knicks and Rangers wrote: “Every one of us has a role to play in creating a more just and equal society, where there is no racism, bigotry, violence or hate. We stand with all who act for positive change.”
The message was also posted on the Madison Square Garden account.
Despite his extensive record of hiring black front-office executives, Dolan was under siege with the Knicks being the lone NBA team not to have released a worded statement or have its coach speak out on the issue.
Last week, ESPN reported some players and employees were “furious” and Dolan sent an internal email explaining a public statement on police brutality would be overstepping his place. Sixteen of the 17 Knicks players are black.
Dolan clarified in a second office email, writing “We vehemently condemn and reject racism against anyone, period” and the Knicks’ Instagram account supported Blackout Tuesday. But it wasn’t enough.
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On Monday, former All-Star/Wizards broadcaster Caron Butler ripped Dolan, saying his silence “tells you a lot.”
“I know a lot of players are like: How can I run through a brick wall for this organization?” Butler added.
Two years ago, Dolan’s Knicks were lauded for having the NBA’s first all-black president-GM tandem in Steve Mills and Scott Perry and featuring a front office in which the top five ranking members were African-American, along with their head coach, David Fizdale.
The Knicks and Suns (James Jones and Monty Williams) were the only teams to enter the 2019-20 season with a black president and coach, though the Knicks have since fired both.
Dolan’s Knicks have missed the playoffs seven straight seasons. The last six of which they were out of the playoff race by March 1.