Knicks CEO calls angry lifelong fan an alcoholic, urges him to root for Nets

The New York Knicks have already hit rock bottom in the NBA standings. Now they've hit rock bottom in the PR department, as well.

The New York Knicks have already hit rock bottom in the NBA standings. Now they've hit rock bottom in the PR department, as well.

When a disillusioned lifelong Knicks fan wrote CEO James Dolan an angry letter criticizing his management decisions and asking him to sell the team, Dolan wrote an angry letter back suggesting the fan was "a sad man," "alcoholic maybe" and suggested he was a "negative force in everyone who comes in contact with him."

He went on to urge the fan to root for the Brooklyn Nets, and, in a sweeping finale, declared "The Knicks don't want you." 

The content of the letters, which are printed below, was first reported by Deadspin Sunday. A Madison Square Garden Company spokesman confirmed Dolan's letter was authentic. 

The fan's letter:

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.

James Dolan's letter:

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

Well, that's certainly one way to handle fan outreach.

- Will Green