The Knicks are seeking over $10 million in their lawsuit against the Raptors and argue that which Adam Silver was a response to the Raptors’ motion to dismiss the lawsuit, focused on several reasons why the court should handle the dispute, would be compromised as an arbiter because of his cozy relationship with Toronto minority owner Larry Tanenbaum, according to a 24-page response filed Monday in a New York court.
The filing, which was a response to the Raptors’ motion to dismiss the lawsuit, focused on several reasons why the court should handle the dispute, rather than the NBA, including Tanenbaum’s current position as the NBA’s Chairman of the Board of Governors.
“In his capacity as Chairman, Tanenbaum serves as Silver’s boss and exercises control over and heavily influences Silver’s continued employment and salary,” the Knicks wrote. “Tanenbaum and Silver also have a close relationship.
“Among other things, Tanenbaum has been described as ‘a close ally of Commissioner Adam Silver.’ Silver himself described Tanenbaum as ‘not just my boss as the chairman of the board of governors, but he’s very much a role model in my life.’
“If Silver were to preside over the instant dispute, he would be arbitrating a case for his boss and ally.”
The Knicks infer that Tanenbaum was handpicked by Silver as Chairman.
The Knicks’ lawsuit stems from alleging that Ike Azotam, a former Knicks video coordinator, stole a trove of scouting and analytics secrets – including zip files containing “over 3,000 videos” – and gave them to the Raptors after he was hired there.
Azotam and Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic were also named in the suit.
The Raptors have argued that this is an issue between two NBA teams and, per the league rules, should be thrown out of court and settled by Silver.
Monday’s filing listed several reasons the Knicks believe it is a dispute for the court, including the amount in damages they’re seeking.
The Knicks wrote the commissioner is capped at levying penalties at $10 million.
“As the Knicks intend to prove at trial, damages exceed $10 million,” the paper read. “The Knicks also intend to seek attorneys’ fees.”
The Knicks play the Raptors in Toronto on Dec. 1.
“We were the victim of a theft of proprietary and confidential files, which is a clear violation of criminal and civil law, and we remain confident that the Court will decide in our favor in this matter,” an MSG Spokesman said Monday.
