(an open petition via UltimateKnicks)
As a loyal follower of the New York Knicks since 1967 (my Dad took me to my first Knicks game at the Old Madison Square Garden in 1964 - San Francisco Warriors) to the present day, my emotional connection to the franchise runs deep. Along with everyday people and celebrity fans alike, we the undersigned demand a change.
In 2012, one season-ticket holder, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution from a management that has been notoriously contentious, expressed exasperation over James Dolan’s unwillingness to do what he has asked of his fans over and over: keep the faith and invest in the potential for success, in this case that of Jeremy Lin.
“After sitting there all those years and watching all that horrible basketball, we finally had such a feel-good story that felt like our own. How many times can they hurt me?”
In the words of Harvey Araton, "...the fans also know that what Dolan asks of his patrons is not necessarily what he demands of himself." There is no leadership on the court, or in the front office. The honorable Donnie Walsh, and the steady Glen Grunwald were both fired for standing their ground. The gratuitous signing of Chris Smith signalled the alarm for what the franchise has become.
According to an analysis by the New York City Economic Development Corporation. A Knicks’ home playoff game brings in just under $11 million. If both Knicks and Rangers play the maximum number of games each round and make it to the finals, it means an extra $224 million for city businesses.
According to Forbes, The Knicks' average rating on the MSG Network was 3.1, up 71% from the 2011-12 season. The team also boasted the second largest average audience size per game (230,000), behind only the Los Angeles Lakers. The playoff run and higher revenues from the $1 billion renovation of Madison Square Garden pushed the Knicks' operating income to $96 million, the highest in the history of the NBA. The franchise is valued at $1.4 Billion.
We, the undersigned, demand that the criteria for hiring professional basketball players be handled by professionals. Bill Bradley was described by one NBA coach as, "not the most physical player. Others can run faster and jump higher. The difference...is self-discipline."
Self discipline.
Although it is profitable, the franchise has no apparent business model, or intent, to keep its stated brand promise. It has broken the covenant between is core consumers (its most loyal fans), lost the trust of the media and damaged the brand of the City of New York. For any successful franchise, the core values start at the top. Current ownership, sadly, has demonstrated that its only core value is cash and profit. Championship basketball is not an objective so much as it is a false expectation. A broken promise with 19.1 million consumers in metropolitan NYC.
We, the undersigned, respectfully demand the publicly traded Madison Square Garden Company, be held accountable for its failure to provide a professional basketball product worthy of the City of New York. We the undersigned, continue to support the franchise on an emotional level. As of March 1, 2014, we will not invest in tickets, merchandise, cable viewing rights or products and services affiliated with the New York Knicks.
Signed this day, March 1, 2014...
- MisterEarl
bring him back. He will do better I promise.
Dolan should sell the team but keep his television rights.