The New York Knicks have been fined $50,000 for violating the NBA’s rules regarding equal access for the media. The news was first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic.
The Knicks have been fined $50,000 by the NBA for violating the league's rules regarding equal access for media.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 24, 2019
This fine stems from Knicks owner James Dolan specifically singling out the New York Daily News and barring them from press conferences, via David Waldstein and Kelly Whiteside of the New York Times. The piece notes Dolan would dictate to team President Steve Mills who is allowed to be invited to his own conferences. This means Mills ultimately does not have total control over his own situations, another issue entirely.
The move has some support too, as other journalists are in favor of the fine. Sam Amick in particular shared his pleasure in seeing the Knicks get slapped with the fine:
Good for the NBA. Good for Adam Silver. This well-deserved fine is in regards to James Dolan exiling the NY Daily News from media availability because he didn't like their coverage.
News flash: Win games, run a functional organization, and the headlines will change… https://t.co/GM7aQjbdKH— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) June 24, 2019
James Dolan is not the most…popular basketball owner already, but this adds to it. Between initially banning fan-favorite Charles Oakley and getting angry over the “hopeless” subway ads, this fine is just another in a long list of eye-rolling antics from the Knicks.
