Not sure if this belongs here or in the Sports Forum, but I was wondering what anyone here thinks of the guilty verdict in this sexual harassment trial.

Here's the story, in case you're unfamiliar. Thomas/MSG Trial

Probably a good sports topic, but since I'm not an NBA fan, I can't really comment.

Incidentally, I've just found out she's now part of our athletic department at my Uni. Go figure.

From the little bit I heard, the accuser had much more credibility than Kobe Bryant's accuser and the Duke Lacrosse accuser. In other words, she was not a gold digger.

It would not surprise me if Isaiah is guilty and the verdict stands. Not only is Thomas costing the organization for his disastrous personnel decisions, he is also costing the Knicks in big litigation fees.

Worse than that, he's become a public relations nightmare. He's a liability now and I think his days with the Knicks are numbered.

I can't believe they found him guilty. I really thought he'd get off

Interesting choice of words, IM.

Thomas has been a pain in the ass with every organization he has worked for since his playing days. He is estranged from the Detroit Pistons, he was partially responsible for the collapse of the CBA (a dumb idea to begin with) and the Knicks are a mess.
The knicks need: 1. New Owners 2. New Front office. 3. New Coaches. 4. New players.

Seems like if there is a court involved, the Knicks lose either on it or in it. I am not a Knick fan, but I can't believe the Knicks ownership can be happy with the way the Thomas era has worked out. He was a great player, but his executive skills don't match his playing skills.

Why does MSG have to pay but not Isiah Thomas?

Apparently the jury felt that Cablevision (who owns Madison Square Garden and the Knicks) allowed this type of behavior to go on. They're (Cablevision and the Garden) gonna argue against the verdict.

Mig, she reported the harassment and was fired for doing so. Therefore, the company has to pay damages because they didn't obey the law by investigating the matter.

To take on such a high-profile case that many were certain she would lose, I think this woman showed enormous courage. As she said, she did it for working women everywhere. I'd say that we owe her some thanks.

I must be having a blonde moment why don't That Thomas dude have to pay up himself? He did the harrassment right?

Yes, he did. But it is the company's responsibility to respond to an employee that complains about harassment by investigating the incident to see if it's valid and warrants further action. Their response to her complaint was to fire her. Therefore, they have to pay the money because they didn't follow the proper procedure.

So anyone who works for the Nicks also works for MSG?

Cablevision is the company that owns the Knicks and Madison Square Garden. They are the parent company.

Technically, yes. As SB pointed out, they're both owned by Cablevision.

Mr. Dolan repeatedly said, before the trial and during the trial, that if Thomas was found Guilty of all charges, he would still be the Knicks coach for the upcoming season.

Well, that's what he SAID.

True Don T, but besides those minor things they really are a quality organization.

He will continue to be the coach because they need some kind of stability, anything at all.

The accuser's lawyers did the smart thing by going after MSG. They have the ability of paying since they are a huge, multi-million dollar entity.

Look at the OJ Simpson civil verdict as a perfect example. The order, in 1997, was for him to pay millions to the Browns & Goldmans. He has stalled them for 10 years. Isiah Thomas could do the same thing. The accuser covered her bets by going after both.