The New York Knicks are in the midst of one of their most difficult seasons in recent memory. They are last in the NBA with a record of 10-42. It’s been so awful that a Knicks fan wrote owner James Dolan to tell him his displeasure with the team through e-mail.
The letter explained that he has been a Knicks fan for 60 years. He believed bringing in Phil Jackson was a positive move but not hiring Steve Kerr as head coach was a shame. The fan also thought that James Dolan interferes with the franchise too much. He is embarrassed by what a bad product the Knicks are and that he should sell the team.
James Dolan wrote him back and wondered why he would send such a hateful letter. He called the fan “negative” and said, “In fact I bet you are a negative force in everyone who comes in contact with you. You most likely have made your family miserable.” Dolan told him to “start rooting for the Nets because the Knicks don’t want you.”
Fans should be allowed to express their opinion about the team. Would Dolan ever tell people attending a game to stop booing if they didn’t like what they were seeing? The answer is no. A letter is an easy way for fans to actually tell an owner how they feel about the direction the team is going.
This is not the first time an owner has reacted hostilely to a letter. Last year, owner of the Colorado Rockies, Dick Monfort, was in the same situation. Rockies fans emailed to say how bad the Rockies were and they wanted change. Monfort didn’t take the criticism well. He wrote fans saying that, “Denver doesn’t deserve a franchise and if it is that upsetting don’t come to games.”
In both cases James Dolan and Dick Monfort were replying to fans in a negative fashion. They should have said thanks for the email and your consideration. The fan base needs to be heard. The fans have every right to show their disappointment. One of the best ways to express dissatisfaction of any team is not attending games. When attendance drops, it may help the owners realize they need to make a change. This won’t be the last time we will hear of owners sending irritating letters back to a fan.
What could James Dolan and Dick Monfort have done differently
Owners should appreciate fans who write of their unhappiness instead of keeping their feelings to themselves. Fans are important part of every sports team. If you don’t think so ask the Seahawks. !!!!
That is true. The fans do spend the big bucks for tickets, jerseys, shirts, and everything else. IF it weren’t for the fans showing up, there wouldn’t be a team. The hawks take the 12th man to heart.
This is unbelievable! The only reason any of these teams exist is due to fans. Those guys are idiots!!