Knowledge is power

Former Detroit Piston and NBA Champion, and currently New York Knicks coach and president Isiah Thomas, has been found guilty of sexual harassment towards plantiff Anucha Browne Sanders. Thomas has been pleading his innocence since the beginning of the trial and has continued to do so, even after the verdict. Isiah Thomas had reportedly been insulting and constantly hurling expletives at Anucha Browne Sanders since her arrival in December of 2003. Her statements to this effect were backed up by her friend and a 15-year employee of the New York Knicks organization Jeffrey Nix. Nix goes on to recount that at one meeting in hopes of resolving the friction between Isiah Thomas and Anucha Browne Saunders, Isiah Thomas stated “Don’t forget, you f——— b–, I’m the president of this f———- team.” Nix also said on another occasion, he had been told by Saunders that Isiah Thomas said “What the f—- is your job? What are your job responsibilities, you f———- ho?”.

Anucha Browne Saunders not only suffered abuse at the hands of Isiah Thomas, but also from other New York Knicks players such as star guard Stephon Marbury who routinely referred to Saunders as a Black B—. Anucha Browne Saunders, a mother of 3, worked for the New York Knicks as vice president of marketing and business operations, from late 2000 to 2006, before being fired after complaining of the abuse and then the turn-around by Isiah Thomas who then claimed he loved her. Anucha Browne Saunders sued for 10 million dollars. The jury did agree that Isiah Thomas was guilty of sexual harassment, but concluded that punitive damages should come from Madison Square Gardens, the amount has yet to be determined.