Isiah Thomas Joins Knicks Board
Isiah Thomas is making a return to the Knicks. The Hall of Famer is set to join the Knicks’ board of directors following the division of Madison Square Garden Sports Corporation into two publicly traded entities next month.
This split, awaiting necessary approvals from the NBA and NHL, is scheduled to wrap up on October 26. It will give rise to MSG Knickerbockers Corporation, overseeing the Knicks and the Westchester Knicks, and MSG Rangers Corporation, which will manage the Rangers, the MSG training facility, and the Hartford Wolf Pack.
It’s a standard board role that primarily engages with shareholders, not a position that will directly influence team decisions. Board members aren’t considered employees of the company.
Still, this development brings Thomas back into the Knicks’ fold, even though he’s maintained a connection with Madison Square Garden over the years, despite a troubled stint as both president and coach.
From 2003 to 2008, Thomas was at the helm as Knicks president. After parting ways with Larry Brown, he appointed himself as the head coach, a role he filled for the final two years of his tenure.
During his presidency, the team recorded a disappointing 138-237, and under his coaching, they finished with a 56-108 record before he was dismissed from both roles at the end of the 2007-08 season.
In addition to his struggles on the court, Thomas faced serious allegations during his time with the Knicks, including a sexual harassment lawsuit from former executive Anucha Browne Sanders. Although the case was settled for $11.5 million by MSG, Thomas was not found liable for any damages.
After his removal from the team, there was an intention to bring him back as a consultant, but he took on a coaching role at Florida International University (FIU), which conflicted with any potential ties to the Knicks due to NBA restrictions.
However, he has kept a close relationship with Knicks owner James Dolan. In 2010, he was reportedly involved in the Knicks’ failed bid to sign LeBron James, even attending a meeting in Cleveland.
That same summer, Thomas was acknowledged for his contribution to signing Amar’e Stoudemire.
In 2011, NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski suggested that Thomas played a significant, albeit behind-the-scenes, role in the trade for Carmelo Anthony, although the Knicks denied that claim.
Dolan also tapped Thomas for the president role with the WNBA’s Liberty in 2015, a position he held until 2019, when Dolan sold the team.
Since 2020, Thomas has been part of the board for Sphere Entertainment, which is also owned by Dolan.
On another note, former Knicks president Steve Mills, who has served on the MSG Sports Corporation board, will shift to the board for MSG Rangers Corporation. Mills held the Knicks presidency from the 2013-14 season through 2019-20.
