Less than two months since being named president and part-owner of the WNBA’s New York Liberty, both the league and team have announced that Isiah Thomas’ application for an ownership interest “has been suspended until further notice.” Thomas, however, will continue to act as team president.
WNBA suspends Isiah Thomas’ bid to become part owner of New York Liberty
Thomas will remain team president.
Chris McGrath/Getty Images
Thomas, of course, has been associated with Madison Square Garden, which owns the Liberty and the Knicks, since being named president of basketball operations for the Knicks in 2003. Four years after that Thomas was sued by a female employee, Anucha Browne Sanders, for sexual harassment. Browne Sanders won the case, which was later settled for $11.5 million, though Thomas has continuously denied his culpability ever since.
It was likely due to this case that the WNBA felt compelled in early June to compile a board of six individuals to vet Thomas’ bid for ownership. It should also be noted that after hiring Thomas in May the Knicks released a statement defending him, saying, “We did not believe the allegations then, and we don’t believe them now.”
Below is the entire announcement from the WNBA.
Just in from @WNBA on Isiah Thomas. pic.twitter.com/0y7VHzQ6cL
— Howard Megdal (@howardmegdal) June 22, 2015
Neither Thomas nor Madison Square Garden executive chairman James Dolan have responded to the news.
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