Raptors Respond to Knicks' Lawsuit

The Toronto Raptors have released a statement regarding the New York Knicks' lawsuit against the team for alleged illegal acquirement of proprietary information.

The Toronto Raptors and their ownership group, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, have released a statement regarding the New York Knicks' filed lawsuit for the alleged illegal acquirement of proprietary information. 

Monday's statement denied any wrongdoing and claimed that they were ready to conduct an internal investigation into the Knicks and the Madison Square Garden Company's accusations.

Raptors' statement on the reported Knicks' lawsuit, which alleges that a former NYK employee illegally took proprietary files with him to his new position in Toronto: pic.twitter.com/Pwqg2XPRV6

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) August 21, 2023

"MLSE and the Toronto Raptors received a letter from MSG on Thursday of last week bringing this complaint to our attention," the statement, obtained by TSN's Josh Lewenberg, said. "MLSE responded promptly, making clear our intention to conduct an internal investigation and to fully cooperate."

"MLSE has not been advised that a lawsuit was being filed or has been filed following its correspondence with MSG," the reading continues. "The company strongly denies any involvement in the matters alleged. MLSE and the Toronto Raptors will reserve further comment until this matter has been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties."

Several Toronto employees are listed as defendants in the case, including first-year head coach Darko Rajaković and Ike Azotam. The latter is set to enter his first year with the Raptors after spending time in the Knicks' analytic and video departments. Formerly a college basketball star at Quinnipiac, is said to have forwarded sensitive Knicks materials such as scouting reports and film from his team account to his personal email. The Knicks claim that such activities would violate the confidentiality agreement included in Azotam's contract. 

The first of four meetings between the Knicks and their divisional rivals is scheduled for Dec. 1 in Ontario.

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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