Thomas back to lead New York Liberty
GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Isiah Thomas knew there would be questions when it was announced two weeks ago that he would be the new president of the New York Liberty. He just hopes people will keep an open mind.
“We were concerned, and we talked about it,” he said in a news conference Thursday at the WNBA team’s training camp. “At the end of the day you can only live your truth.”
Thomas had an unsuccessful stint as coach and president of the New York Knicks from December 2003 to April 2008. After being fired as coach, he remained with the team in an unspecified role, even after a lawsuit brought by former team employee Anucha Browne Sanders cost Madison Square Garden $11.6 million. Sanders alleged she was sexually harassed by Thomas, who was never found personally liable.
“I’ve always maintained my innocence, moved on from that. Our organization has moved on from that,” Thomas said. “I’m proud of the way I lived my life.”
Madison Square Garden Chairman James Dolan gave Thomas another chance now as president and potential partial owner of the Liberty. Thomas and Dolan had a meeting with the players before training camp opened Sunday.
“It was necessary to do that because we live in a society where the information that’s out there, some’s accurate, some’s not accurate,” Thomas said. “We felt it was necessary to meet, discuss and h ave an open forum. The players we have and the people in this room, they’re grown women and they can make up their own minds and come to their own conclusions.”
Coach Bill Laimbeer, who played with Thomas for years in Detroit, and the Liberty players sat on couches off to the side during the 25-minute news conference. At the end, the players applauded their new president.
“It was great having that sit-down the other day to clear the air. We are all professionals and are focused on what happens on the court,” said Liberty guard Essence Carson.
Thomas filed the paperwork to be a partial owner of the team last week. He needs approval from the league’s board of governors for his ownership application to go through.