On October 2, 2007, a federal district court jury awarded Anucha Browne Sanders, the former senior vice president of the New York Knicks basketball team, $11.6 million in punitive damages against the team's owner, Madison Square Garden; its chairman, James Dolan; and its president and head coach, Isiah Thomas. Browne Sanders was seeking an additional $9.6 million in compensatory damages at a subsequent trial stage.
On December 10, 2007, the parties settled for what news media reported to be $11.5 million. Ms. Browne Sanders said: The jury's verdict in this case sent a powerful and enduring message that harassment and retaliation at Madison Square Garden will not be tolerated. It is my hope that all women will be able to work in an environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, and that any woman who stands up for her rights will be taken seriously by her employer rather than retaliated against. Madison Square Garden officials stated that they "vehemently disagree with the jury's decision," but settled the matter under pressure from NBA Commissioner Stern.
Isiah Thomas stated that he was "completely innocent." Google Browne Sanders-Isiah Thomas sexual harassment trial and read the reported testimony and commentary. Do you believe that "the law" against sexual harassment in the workplace and retaliation against the victim reporting misconduct is complicated?
Did the notoriety of this case have a "teaching effect" on all employers that harassment and retaliation should not be tolerated because it is harmful to victims and costly to the employers who allow such misconduct to exist?
["Post-Verdict Settlement Reached Former Knicks Executive's Case," DLR No. 238, A-12 (Dec. 12, 2007)]