As the NBA prepares for its All-Star festivities this weekend in the Big Apple, New York Knicks owner James Dolan has managed to take the focus off the players and events and put the spotlight directly on himself (I’m sure much to Commissioner Adam Silver’s chagrin). Irving Bierman, a 73 year-old Knicks fan, sent a critical email last Friday to Dolan, expressing his extreme frustration with the owner and his organization (the Knicks currently sit at 10-41, the worst record in the league). Dolan, for some reason beyond anyone’s understanding, decided it was a wise and rational response to personally attack Mr. Bierman with a return email that could best be described as stunning. Both letters are shown below, which were originally obtained by Deadspin:
Bierman’s email:
Subject: I have been a knicks fan since 1952
At one stage I thought that you did a wonderful thing when you acquired EVERYTHING from your dad. However, since then it has been ALL DOWN HILL. Your working with Isaiah Thomas & everything else regarding the Knicks. Bringing on Phil Jackson was a positive beginning, but lowballing Steve Kerr was a DISGRACE to the knicks. The bottom line is that you merely continued to interfere with the franchise.
As a knicks fan for in excess of 60 years, I am utterly embarrassed by your dealings with the Knicks. Sell them so their fans can at least look forward to growing them in a positive direction. Obviously, money IS NOT THE ONLY THING. You have done a lot of utterly STUPID business things with the franchise. Please NO MORE.
Respectfully,
Irving Bierman
Dolan’s response:
On Fri, Jan 23, 2015 at 8:15 PM, James Dolan <JDOLAN@cablevision.com> wrote:
Mr. Bierman
You are a sad person. Why would anybody write such a hateful letter. I am just guessing but ill bet your life is a mess and you are a hateful mess. What have you done that anyone would consider positive or nice. I am betting nothing. In fact ill bet you are negative force in everyone who comes in contact with you. You most likely have made your family miserable. Alcoholic maybe. I just celebrated my 21 year anniversary of sobriety. You should try it. Maybe it will help you become a person that folks would like to have around. In the mean while start rooting for the Nets because the Knicks dont want you.
Respectfully
James Dolan
When asked why he initially sent the email to Dolan, Bierman stated. “I just felt enough is enough is enough,” Bierman said. Bierman’s son, Aaron said, “We thought maybe [Dolan] would admit he made some mistakes. Instead, he confirmed some of the worst things that fans think of him.”
Listen, Bierman’s letter was not pleasant at all, I get that. But the Knicks front office must get hundreds of these each and every week. What set Dolan off to the point he accuses Bierman of possibly being an alcoholic and toxic to his family is anyone’s guess. Maybe he was having a bad day, or it was just the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. But whatever the reasons may be they don’t justify the completely over the top response and I fully expect a heavy fine from the league office. Commissioner Silver the ball is in your court, and Roger Goodell you might want to email Mr. Bierman a thank you note – he’s managed to take the negative spotlight off the NFL – at least for a little while.
