NBA Commissioner David J. Stern Drops The Ball

Professor Tracey, WAOD Contributor

NBA Commissioner David J. Stern missed a golden opportunity to make an impact for women who have been sexually harassed in the workplace. Stern has decided not to punish the New York Knicks Organization nor its coach, general manager and president Isiah Thomas for their direct roles in the sexual harassment trial that Thomas and the Knicks recently lost. Stern cited the fact that the Knicks organization recently agreed to settle the case brought by former team executive Anucha Browne Sanders for $11.5 million.

In my view, Mr. Stern should have additionally fined the New York Knicks Organization and Mr. Isiah Thomas. Further, Mr. Stern should have ordered that the entire executive staff, particularly Isiah Thomas, who struggled during a deposition to understand that no man, black or white, should refer to a any woman, black or white as a bitch in any situation, much less the workplace, to immediately sign up for a refresher course on the NBA's sexual harassment policy, a sexual harassment workshop and a diversity training program.

Please feel free to send an e-mail or letter to NBA Commissioner Stern pointing out the fact that paying off the victim is a nice first step, but it did absolutely NOTHING to change the clearly negative workspace for women employed in the New York Knicks organization. Paying out 11.5 million dollars is a drop in the bucket for an NBA franchise valued at 608 million dollars!!!

The National Basketball Association
Attn: Fan Relations
645 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY
10022