Madison Square Garden Is Out Of Control
Welcome to the Terrordome
By Khalid Salaam
He said. She said. Anytime you hear this phrase uttered in relation to pretty much anything, it’s a negative. When the context of the phrase is related to a sexual harassment charge then it’s worse than negative, it’s tragic. Oftentimes even disgusting once the sordid details begin to emerge. So when the wattage of despicability is increased by involving the president of the NY Knicks and a former Madison Square Garden employee, well, what you have is a scandal of titanic proportions. Right? I mean it sure seems that way here in NY. Everyday for the last few weeks information and allegations have come out about Isiah Thomas and Anucha Browne Sanders and its been all downhill.
I’d been doing my best to avoid this whole thing. I didn’t want to know about it until last week when the big deal was Isiah’s explanation about the word bitch. Explaining his stance by saying “I do make a distinction. A white male calling a black female a bitch is highly offensive. That would have violated my code of conduct Maybe I shouldn’t go there. … A white male calling a black female, that is wrong with me. I’m not taking that. I’m not accepting that. … That’s a problem for me.”
When I first heard about it I figured he must have been misquoted somehow. Nobody with any intelligence would apply such a double standard would they? Wow, what the hell was he thinking? Is it not obvious that this is wrong? It’s just as disrespectful regardless of who says it. His level of ignorance is Bill O’Reillyesque (btw, I live in Harlem and while its absolutely absurd what O’Reilly said I’m not offended at all. This is what he does; to me he’s a no doubt, hardcore racist. But at least he doesn’t try to hide it. It’s best to know your enemies) What kind of backward double-standard is this. The slope is just too slippery to be justifiable. The way I was raised you call a black woman a bitch, you better be prepared to bob and weave. For those out there who never dated a sister let me school you. They don’t play around with that. To make matters worse, testimony from Knicks guard Stephon Marbury saying that yes he called Sanders a bitch but not a “black bitch” came out next. Like somehow that makes it better. Again wow.
And then word came out that Brown-Sanders was trying to pressure her subordinates to testify against Isiah and other MSG executives, which is also very shady. And then today the aftermath of Zeke’s latest testimony when the defense tried to paint Isiah as a clean-cut semi-momma’s boy. This stuff is getting crazier by the hour.
The suit ALLEGES that she was fired from her position of VP of Marketing because she didn’t appreciate Isiah’s language and refused his sexual advances. MSG claims she resigned because she knew she sucked at her job and that when she tried to coerce her co-workers to speak on behalf of her lawsuit (which is almost like tampering) it was then when she was fired. What’s weird is that Browne-Sanders isn’t just suing for money, she also wants her old job back. Something that seems to fly in the face of her case, because if a working environment is so toxic that she has to go through all of this—then why go back? I’ll skip over the seedy stuff about the Garden employee who slept with Steph and his cousin. You can read about that in Sam’s blog.
I have no idea if Anucha Browne Sanders is lying or if Isiah Thomas is lying but I find myself both bored and fascinated by this whole ordeal. Let me explain.
I’m bored because I’m tired of sports being about everything else but sports. The Patriots cheating scandal, the rampant steroid allegations, Mike Vick and his dog-fighting scandal (did I just hear that he failed a drug test? He’s got to be one of the dumbest guys ever), the NBA referee point-shaving situation and now the coach and president of an NBA team knee deep in a sexual harassment suit. I mean damn. I know BS like this is akin to celebrity scandals and that people are into this destructive behavior but I’m good on this stuff. I’m getting tired of hearing about this. Growing up sports was an escape from depressing news and even now, even though I work in sports journalism, I still rely on athletics to give me a dose of escapism. But lately sports are flooding my life with frustration. When I hear people complain about athletes these days I don’t try to sway them. I try to not agree and everyday it gets a little harder.
The fascination comes from trying to figure out how in this day and age sexual harassment even happens. Again I don’t know if Browne Sanders is being truthful or not. Initially when I hear about harassment I assume that the woman has been victimized, if only because I can’t imagine someone going through the trouble of making something this significant up. You’d have to be crazy to do that. But after learning more about the case I have my doubts about her story. The problem is, I can’t entirely put what Isiah has been accused of past him. I mean you never know.
I will say this though, I will never be accused of that. Well, knock on wood I won’t. What I mean is that I never will harass anyone for anything like this. My ego won’t let me, that sh*t is almost like a perverse way of begging.
51 Responses to “Madison Square Garden Is Out Of Control”
Sep.26 at 4:32 pm
white hot eboy says:
Khalid, very good read. Just adjust the spelling of “thing” in the first sentence in the second paragraph. I think you’re speaking for a lot of people in regards to this idiocy.
Sep.26 at 4:35 pm
H to the izzo says:
You are forgetting the capital letters in your name,Eboy.Great piece Khalid by the way.
Sep.26 at 4:36 pm
white hot eboy says:
It’s never capitalized, dum dum.
Sep.26 at 4:40 pm
H to the izzo says:
I’m aware,I’m calling you out in your mistakes dumb dumb
Sep.26 at 4:43 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
There have been so many of these types of stories over the summer, I miss the good old days of fighting about the Amare suspension.
Sep.26 at 4:45 pm
white hot eboy says:
It’s not a proper name, Izzo. It doesn’t need to be capitalized (I can’t believe I’m arguing about a screen name. A SCREEN NAME!!)
Sep.26 at 4:45 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
p.s. I had to look something up, and check out name #6: http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.feature&featureId=1282
Sep.26 at 4:48 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Khalid, I’m glad you brought up O’Reilly. I consider you a friend, and I enjoyed my time working with you at the Slam Dome, but I do not miss those times, usually around 3:30 or 4 each afternoon, when you and all the other black people in our office would get thirsty and start yelling “Bring me some motherf*cking iced-tea!” It’s not that I minded the yelling and profanity. It’s just that none of you ever actually drank the tea I brought, and I think that was rude.
Sep.26 at 4:48 pm
white hot eboy says:
@ Sam, Damn.
Sep.26 at 4:50 pm
H to the izzo says:
Eboy do you have something better to argue?
And Ryan:lol(I hate you for making me type that)
Sep.26 at 4:55 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Sorry izzo. And remember, eboy’s a lawyer, so while he may have work he should be doing, he does not, by the definition of his job, have anything *better* to do.
Sep.26 at 4:56 pm
Myles Brown says:
1.I use the word b*tch in an offhanded manner from time to time (amongst other inappropriate words…), but most often in a playful manner so that the person I’m addressing knows it’s not with any intent of disrespect or misogyny. But to this day, I have never called a black woman that word in anger, and more than half of the ones I know don’t even like it when it’s tongue in cheek. I like my teeth inside of my head, so they call the shots.
2.Michael Vick can’t play football, lost a significant amount of money and he’s got years hanging over his head. People thought he wasn’t gonna get high? C’mon now…
3.Anytime someone makes sexual advances and is so oblivious/undeterred by the second parties rejections that charges need to be filed, said advancer deserves everything they get. It’s worse than begging. But maybe he’s still got those competitive instincts and refused to lose. Howeva, that chick was no Larry O’Brien if you see what I’m saying.
Sep.26 at 4:56 pm
Myles Brown says:
And I like lemonade. Even in the winter.
Sep.26 at 5:00 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
My bad Jones. Regarding iced tea, next time i got you
Sep.26 at 5:04 pm
Cheryl says:
Always enjoy your posts, Khalid. This one was no exception. The thing about a lawsuit is that everyone exagerates–they’re trying to win. I can totally see that the working environment for Browne-Saunders was f_k’d. And I’m not siding with her cuz I’m a sista, but because in a “boys club” sh*t like this is just regular. And the wanting her job back thing is from the lawyers. In civil work-related cases, sometimes this is a compromise–short of a lumpsum payout, the plaintiff will accept the old position (w/benefits and pension included) and back pay. This rarely gets awarded though. Once the case goes to trial, it’s either payoff or nothing (maybe even attorneys fees, if the judge believes it was a fivolous suit). So, I doubt girlfriend wants her job back–unless of course Isaiah, Dolan, and Steph are all gone. It was a good gig. Except for that harrassment stuff tho’…
Sep.26 at 5:22 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Good points Cheryl. I know a little about lump-sum payouts…..from watching Law and Order SVU
Sep.26 at 5:27 pm
Jake Appleman says:
Good stuff, Khalid. I agree with everything Myles said in the comments section, and I also agree with Izzo’s assessment of Ryan’s comment, though I won’t enter the lame realm of typing those three letters.
Sep.26 at 5:28 pm
Sam Rubenstein says:
ALLEGEDLY Anucha was cursing at people just as much as any of the other choir boys in this sordid affair.
She was also responsible for the budget under the Layden regime, and then she ALLEGEDLY tried to pull a power move on Isiah like “You have to approve your budget with me pretty boy!”
Oh my God… I’m defending Isiah. Life is a word I wouldn’t call a woman.
Sep.26 at 5:30 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
I think they should just hire her back and see what happens.
Sep.26 at 5:30 pm
H to the izzo says:
Jake making me feel even worse about typing the three beacons of lame-itude
Sep.26 at 5:40 pm
Bryan says:
You guys are hilarious.
Sep.26 at 5:44 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
Pretty much everyone loses in this case–because no matter who said b*tch, they’re all a bunch of a**holes.
Sep.26 at 6:22 pm
coach says:
dolan should send MSG employees to don imus language school !
Sep.26 at 6:45 pm
Dennard says:
That was a great read Khalid. It’s just like everybody is losing there motherf*cking minds!!! A trial like this just proves that sports is a microcosm of society.
Sep.26 at 6:55 pm
white hot eboy says:
Tarzan is a pure idiot, but that sh*t made me die laughing.
Sep.26 at 9:52 pm
Ben Osborne says:
Thanks for the thoughtful post, Khalid. Echo what white hot said about Tarzan. Also: I’ve been erratic in my slamonline reading lately (job and life getting in the way), but from what I have checked out, it seems like Bodie has gone missing? What’s up?
Sep.26 at 11:14 pm
David says:
Love reading the slam staff comments. But made me wonder - Besides Ryan, are you all still in the office, writing comments to each other? Do you guys talk to each other during the day?
Sep.26 at 11:47 pm
MikeC. says:
With all this MSG craziness and the uncountable trade demands, I actually forgot about the Don-A-Gie scandal. Wowzers.
Sep.27 at 12:35 am
Khalid Salaam says:
To answer David’s question–Russ is also out of the office but the rest of us are at the Slamdome. Yeah we talk to each other but not all the time, sometimes we’re busy editing or writing or doing whatever
Sep.27 at 1:07 am
Jpolk says:
Must be a fun office
Sep.27 at 1:08 am
Jpolk says:
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO SHAWN KEMP??????????
Sep.27 at 2:34 am
Dyce says:
I mean if he called he a b*tch, what’s the big deal about the word? Any insult that he used at the time would have had the same affect…like nappy headed ho, you could easily insert bit*h….bottomline is an insult is an insult who cares about the actual vocab used.
Sep.27 at 6:14 am
bja says:
I do find Isiah’s double standard repugnant but I don’t think he’s the only one applying double standards. I remember reading about an American football player (I don’t follow football so can’t remember his name) saying he prefers playing for a black coach. All I could think about was if a white player said the same thing it would blow up into a big controversy and he’d get lynched in the media. Not quite the same as Isiah but in the same ball park?
Sep.27 at 6:42 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
” When I hear people complain about athletes these days I don’t try to sway them. I try to not agree and everyday it gets a little harder.” Do I ever feel you on that one. Everywhere I turn it seems like the sports world is being tarnished 10 times over. Isiah…Vick…OJ for crying out loud. It’s beginning to feel like the chorus of a crappy song on repeat. And it does get tougher to stand up for this world, for these people living in a dream world everyday. But, maybe it is this damn dream world that leaves them completely out of touch with reality. If this knicks case has shown me anything its been that Isiah needs to get his head checked because that boy just isn’t right. Khalid: You took the words out of my mouth with this one. This was exactly what I needed to hear to know I am not alone in the disgust I feel towards this entire situation, great read. And some of the “journalists” covering this trial? Thats a whole other story for another day.
Sep.27 at 7:35 am
David says:
Khalid - Oh okay, thanks for explaining. When I was reading earlier, I suddenly imagined everyone at their desks, typing messages to each other on slamonline. I’m guessing the off-season slows you guys down a little (except for all the special summer issues)
Sep.27 at 8:25 am
SLAM ONLINE | » Mets. Wow do I hate being a sports fan. says:
[…] Yes it’s been that kind of run. I didn’t watch many Mets games over the summer. I don’t watch much T.V. when the weather is nice. There are better things to do, and with all the time I spend staring at computer screens, I get concerned for the health of my eyeballs. So, no I have not been a superfan clinging to every pitch. I assumed I’d have plenty of time for that once they got to the playoffs. I was looking forward to some fun nights watching the do or die intensity of playoff games with my friends at assorted viewing get togethers and bars. The communal joy of being a sports fan. That’s what it’s all about to me. I really didn’t expect to find myself worrying about the Mets trying to beat some lowly quasi-expansion team. As Khalid said yesterday, all the sports coverage over the summer is off the field stuff. this is on the field and it suxxxxxxxxxxx. Do you enjoy my suffering? Does it make you feel better about yourself in a “At least I’m not him” kind of way? Is what I call misery what you would call entertainment? Well I don’t martyr myself. This is BS! I want to be happy. I would rather be quiet and content than all pissed off and fired up. […]
Sep.27 at 8:45 am
Ryan Jones says:
Ben: I have bodie locked in my basement. Trying to deprogram him. There may be waterboarding involved.
Or he could be on vacation. No idea.
Sep.27 at 8:51 am
Sesa says:
Wow, you’re wondering how in this day and age sexual harassment happens?
Sexual harassment happens at any time and age as long as there are still man and women. No matter how “The Law” told us to behave. Humans are a smart beings, they will find a hole in “The Law” IMO.
Khalid, are tryin’ to pull an Etan Thomas? Hehe…
Sep.27 at 8:51 am
Sesa says:
Hi Ryan.
Sep.27 at 10:27 am
Khalid Salaam says:
Sesa: What i’m saying is that after all the stuff we’ve heard about sexual harrassment i’m floored when i read about a dude pressuring a co-worker fo sex or whatever. Is is that serious that you have to threaten with your workplace authority? All of us had to take “sensitivity training” classes when we started working her. In these classed they go over the do’s and dont’s in a workplace environment. But it’s basically common sense stuff. bja: what did the guy say exactly? that he prefers playing for a black coach or did he say he had a problem playing for a non-black coach. big difference
Sep.27 at 11:08 am
Sesa says:
I really think stuff like that happens in the workplace. It’s just a matter whether the problem surfaced in a big way like the current MSG episode or maybe in a small way. IMHO that is…
Hope all good with you and your favorite ex. I know you’re still expecting that Women.
Sep.27 at 11:30 am
The Best Yet says:
Good read! Looking from the outside in its very sad to be a sports fanatic these days. back in the day (when i was still a young boy) the biggest scandals we’d hear was that MJ likes playing cards and minor things like that. bUt everyone is no after the Almighty Dollar. Sexual harassment suits are rampant and a trend kinda like anerexia among Hollywood’s talentless celebs. I aint saying that the Browne-Sanders creature aint telling the truth. Not that I or anyone else should care. But I watched the ‘98 All Star game yesterday and Isaiah was commenting alongside Bill Walton (who’s bugs bunny teeth I enjoy and not bcuz he’s any good at his job) and the $h!t that came out this guy’s mouth the entire game just said it all for me. Btw, isnt he or wasnt he a christian.
Sep.27 at 12:08 pm
jbn74sb says:
I escaped from that f-cker Ryan’s basement. He had old, discarded, sticky Fathead poster of Kobe all over the place, with the face “X”‘d out. And there was neither a weight nor a scrap of food to be found anywhere in the place (big surprise there). There were, however, boxes full of “Believe The Hype” throughout, accounting for perhaps half of the sales numbers. Creepy…
Sep.27 at 1:27 pm
Ryan Jones says:
That’s actually a pretty accurate description of my basement, Bodie. Only thing you got wrong is that half of the books I sold would require more than one small box to hold.
Sep.27 at 3:22 pm
Allenp says:
BJA is talking about Larry Johnson, who said he related better to Herm Edwards as a black coach because they had shared experiences. You know, the same thing players at the University of Miami said about head coach Randy Shannon after he was hired. I don’t understand how saying I like playing for this coach because he’s black and we share common experiences is a problem. Larry Johnson doesn’t hire people, he’s an employee. And if I remember correctly, the media jumped on his ass for saying it. That is all.
Sep.28 at 4:12 am
bootlace says:
Cmon.. how can you speak like you and SLAM magazine is above all this…you guys rely on this kinda news for most of your stories too. If you’re blaming the media as a whole and including the SLAM staff in there, then agreed. Scandals have always been around, its just that the media has started caring much more about it recently. “The game didnt change…it just got more fierce.”
Sep.28 at 4:42 am
bja says:
@Allenp: I stand corrected. I probably shouldn’t have mentioned anything in the first place since I couldn’t remember it clearly. Thanks.
Sep.28 at 12:00 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Bootlace (?) i’m not saying we are above this. I’m saying i’m sick of hearing about this bs all the time. and actually SLAM pretty much does stay away from scandals.
Sep.30 at 7:47 am
Kayce Online says:
great writing Khalid, i feel the same way bout the state of sports & athletes today.. even wrote a similar piece/rant about it a while ago..
Oct.1 at 5:07 am
dougi says:
man, i think zeke should think
of his actions
Oct.2 at 5:17 pm
O says:
Yo Ryan, youse a fool. That Iced Tea joke had me cracking up. I hate Isiah. I hate that Sanders too. I hate James Dolan. I’m starting to hate Stephon for that picture of him in the daily news where he was sticking out his tongue with a stupid smile on his face after his testimony. But i don’t hate the intern. I would’ve blammed her out too. I think Isiah b*tch a$$ did it, but i don’t think Sanders should be paid anything more than what she’s lost over the year she hasn’t been working. She’s a burgerduck. She’s like a female Stanley Grouch.