Knicks owner James Dolan challenges Adam Silver, resigns from NBA committees / News - Basketnews.com

James Dolan leaves his roles on the NBA's Board of Governors' influential advisory/finance and media committees.

Credit: AP - Scanpix Credit AP - Scanpix

Before initiating an unconventional legal action against the Toronto Raptors, which includes challenging the impartiality of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, New York Knicks owner James Dolan resigned from his roles on the league's Board of Governors' influential advisory/finance and media committees.

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This decision was communicated in a memo obtained by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Dolan's memo to Silver, copied to the other 29 league owners, stated, "Given all that has occurred lately, I have come to the conclusion that the NBA neither needs nor wants my opinion."

Additionally, he informed Silver and his peers of his intention to no longer attend Board of Governors meetings. While Dolan retained voting power for the Knicks, he designated Knicks general counsel Jamaal Lesane to represent the organization at BOG meetings, a transition that has already taken place, per the same report.

Expressing his hope for equitable treatment of the Knicks, Dolan said in the memo, "My hope is that the Knicks will be treated equally and fairly as all other NBA teams. As you know, I am very busy with all my duties at MSG family of companies. I need to apply my time where I can be most productive."

In recent unanimous votes, Dolan dissented against Michael Jordan's sale of the Charlotte Hornets and WNBA expansion to San Francisco, with the Knicks being the lone "no" votes.

ESPN sources revealed Dolan's growing criticism of the league and Silver on various issues, including dissatisfaction with the NBA's revenue-sharing system. Dolan expressed concern about the requirement for big-market franchises like the Knicks to share their significantly higher revenue with smaller-market teams.

In a court filing on Monday, the Knicks disclosed their pursuit of over $10 million in damages from the Raptors, alleging the theft of thousands of confidential files. They argued against Silver arbitrating the dispute, citing his close relationship with Raptors governor Larry Tanenbaum.

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