James Dolan is not going anywhere. The longtime owner of the New York Knicks and the NHL’s New York Rangers has revealed that they have no plans to sell either franchise. Instead, he wants them to maintain a generation within their family.
Knicks and Rangers stay at the Dolan family
In a rare interview with Knicks star Jalen Brunson about the “Roommates Show” podcast, Dolan was asked if he could see him leave his team’s ownership. His answer was a solid “no”.
“I could pass it on, but I could never leave,” Dolan said. “We are the dominant company controlled by my family. My descendants, my brothers and sisters, and their children. Knicks, Rangers, and the garden are unique assets. My hope is that these children will grow up and take their place of me.”
Dolan has been at the helm of Madison Square Garden Sports (MSG Sports) since 1999 when his father, Charles Dolan, moved to ownership. The 69-year-old now oversees the operations of the Knicks, Rangers and their respective minor league affiliates. His son, Quentin Dolan, is already involved in the family business, serving as Senior Vice President of Player Performance and Science at MSG Sports.
Dolan reflects on the team’s decisions and the NBA’s finances
Dolan, known for eschewing the media, also spoke about his past role in the Knicks’ basketball decision. He admitted that he had previously intervened in the movements of the roster and tried to find a simple fix for the struggling season.
“There was a time when I reached for that shiny, sparkly object,” he said. “Bring this guy in and maybe he’ll turn it all around for us. But what I’ve learned over time is that it doesn’t work. It’s not really.”
The missed opportunities still remain in Doran. I watched Vince Carter in 2004. Medical staff warned the Knicks that Carter’s Achilles was too damaging to have a long career. Carter played at a high level for several more seasons, which proved to be incorrect.
Beyond basketball, Dolan has expressed his dissatisfaction with the NBA’s financial structure. He recently criticised the rise in the league’s costs and the right deals of new media. Some of these networks may be on the crisis of financial collapse following an ongoing transport dispute.
Despite his dissatisfaction in the league, Dolan continues to be committed to his team. The Knicks are now thriving as Branson and head coach Tom Thibodeau lead them to one of their best seasons since the 1990s. And as Dolan goes his own way, the team will remain in the hands of his family for decades to come.
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