Knicks owner James Dolan continues to stand in the way of a new arena for the Clippers, even though he seems to know few details about the lawsuits he’s involved with, according to Stefan Bondy and Nancy Dillon of The New York Daily News. Dolan has filed several suits to protect his interests in the Forum, the authors allege, citing his testimony in a deposition in which he admits he doesn’t have much knowledge about the City of Inglewood, the contractual issues involved with the proposed arena or the mayoral candidate he supported in an effort to block the project.
The story states that Dolan made two attempts to convince Lakers owner Jeanie Buss to move her team to Inglewood, that he wasn’t aware Inglewood loaned his MSG company $18MM to buy the Forum or that his company was funding lawsuits that a community group has been filing against Inglewood. NBA commisioner Adam Silver tried to work out a compromise between Dolan and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, but Dolan allegedly refused.
MSG responded with a statement disputing the article and claiming it’s the latest example of “egregious, personal attacks” by The Daily News. “The fact is, there is widespread concern across the Inglewood community about the proposed Clippers arena – with thousands of Inglewood residents actively voicing their opposition since the day the project was announced,” the statement reads. “Residents have raised several, serious concerns – about the project’s ‘backroom’ dealings, its devastating environmental impacts, and the way it would overwhelm the surrounding neighborhood with traffic and force out residents.”
There’s more NBA-related news to pass along:
- United Talent Agency will make a “significant” financial investment in Klutch Sports Group and will appoint agent Rich Paul as the head of UTA’s new sports division, writes Joe Vardon of The Athletic. Paul, who represents some of the NBA’s top stars, including LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Ben Simmons, will branch out to the NFL and Major League Baseball as well, armed with a long list of Hollywood contacts and major brand labels that will allow him to provide athletes with career options once their playing days are over.
- Shane Larkin, who last played in the NBA with the Celtics during the 2017/18 season, is negotiating a two-year deal to return to Anadolu Efes Istanbul, relays Emiliano Carchia of Sportando. Larkin, the MVP of the EuroLeague Finals, will reportedly have an NBA out after the first year of his new contract.
- Former Heat guard Matt Williams has signed with Donar in the Netherlands, tweets Keith Smith of Yahoo Sports. Williams attended a free agent mini-camp with the Pistons last month.
Dolan continues to amaze me with just how much he affects the league. The league is so much better with him in it clearly.
As a small market fan I want Dolan to be around forever.
As a disliker of the Knicks and really anything new York City, I hope Dolan is around forever.
This might be the best take ever.
Better than the one it derived from?
I don’t care one way or another about small markets. I just hate all things New York.
No
So since Balmer took ownership of the Clippers, Dolan is the new Donald Sturling and Dolan is pissed. So now, he wants to be difficult.
Dolan is the 1st owner to successfully take the title of the worst owner on both the East and West coast.
Dolan is a horrible owner. But this dispute is nothing unusual. MSG is doing what any owner of an existing arena would do in this situation. NY tabloid media is particularly upset with Dolan right now over his treatment of a reporter and is working overtime to publish non-stories as stories.
Absolutely correct.
Inglewood doesn’t want it….some other city will. Clippers deserve a new arena. They are a far better organization than the Fakers and Ballmer won’t give in. Staples is old….so many seats added….very uncomfortable for anyone over 6 feet tall.
Hey troll who you calling fakers? Go back to Indiana! Lakers nation rules!
Don’t worry man, as you said hoosierhysteria is just a troll!