Many team owners are skeptical about Isiah Thomas returning to Madison Square Garden to run the Liberty. Now the Women's National Basketball Players Association is joining in.
“The WNBA is the premier women’s sports league in the world — its players represent the pinnacle of athletic prowess, are deeply vested in their local communities, and serve as role models for millions of boys and girls across the country,” Evie Goldstein, director of operations for the WNBPA, said in a statement Thursday, via For The Win. “As such, we feel it is important to convey the message that WNBA players will not tolerate a hostile work environment, and that no one should have to endure unwanted sexual advances and harassment in the workplace.
“The verdict finding there to be a hostile work environment at MSG was issued eight years ago, however. We recognize that people can learn, grow and evolve in that time frame, and that MSG, under Mr. Dolan, may now afford a hospitable, appropriate and non-discriminatory environment for its female employees.”
MORE: Isiah sees no wrongdoing | Statement from league
Thomas served as the Knicks’ president of basketball operations from 2003-08 and head coach from 2006-08. His tenure, however, cost the team $11.6 million in damages after a federal jury found Thomas guilty of sexually harassing former Knicks executive Anucha Browne in 2007.
Despite the ugly court case involving Thomas, the Liberty announced May 5 that MSG executive chairman and Knicks owner James Dolan had hired Thomas as president and part-owner of his WNBA team.
According to the statement, the players’ union will hold “recurring meetings with the Liberty players throughout the season to provide a forum for any issues, complaints or concerns regarding the working environment” beginning this month.