Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Isiah Thomas Parses Who Can And Can't Say Bitch
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 18, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 18, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a former Knicks executive finally offered up some soundbites from Knicks president and coach Isiah Thomas. And they weren't too good for the Knicks!
Anucha Browne Sanders, who was the vice-president of marketing for the Knicks, claims that Thomas acted inappropriately around her, from calling her derogatory names to claiming he was in love with her, and that Madison Square Garden executives did nothing to support her. Even though Browne Sanders admitted to a few things under cross examination (such as fudging her tax returns and asking Thomas to hand sign 4,500 letters to season ticket holders was probably not a great idea) the biggest bombshell was a videotaped deposition her lawyers made of Thomas. From the Daily News:
Asked if he was bothered by a black man calling a black female "bitch," Thomas said: "Not as much. I'm sorry to say, I do make a distinction.
"A white male calling a black female a bitch is highly offensive," Thomas said. "That would have violated my code of conduct."
"Maybe I shouldn't go there. ... A white male calling a black female, that is wrong with me. I'm not taking that. I'm not accepting that. ... That's a problem for me."
In the deposition, Thomas also denied ever swearing at Browne Sanders or calling her a ho, as well as saying, "I'm not attracted to her, no." Thomas did not appear outside court until an hour after the trial recessed for the day, apparently to chat with his lawyers and prepare a statement: "Please don't mischaracterize the video that was shown in court today. I don't think it's right for any man to ever call a woman a 'bitch.' I didn't do it, and I wouldn't do it. Thank you."
There was also testimony from a Knicks season ticket holder, Robert Levy, a lawyer who is not affiliated with either party. He bolstered Browne Sanders' claim that at a 2005 open practice Thomas was physically demonstrative with her. Levy said she looked "extremely uncomfortable at the time...."I heard him say at one point he couldn't get any love or no love from her. Mr. Thomas had his hand on Ms. Brown Sanders' shoulder. ... She seemed to be pulling away."
Thomas and MSG are trying to argue that Browne Sanders is just bitter because she was fired for unsatisfactory job performance.
Photograph of Isiah Thomas arriving at court yesterday by Louis Lanzano/AP
Tagged
anucha Browne sanders
basketball
Browne Sanders
court
daily news
isiah thomas
knicks
lawsuit
Louis Lanzano
love
madison square
madison square garden
Maybe I
msg
news
News: NYC
sports
video
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani says Trump will 'immediately' grant visa to Ghanaian mom of slain Bronx teen
Javits Frimpong, whose family is from Ghana, was walking to school Thursday morning when he was shot and killed.
By
Christian Santana
and
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 31, 2026
Modified Oct 31, 2026 at 7:03 p.m. ET
Overflowing school in downtown Jersey City is hitting a crisis point, parents say
There aren't great options for relieving overcrowding at P.S. 16 in Paulus Hook. It's a consequence of a economic boom — and huge influx of residents.
By
Michael Sol Warren
News
Overflowing school in downtown Jersey City is hitting a crisis point, parents say
There aren't great options for relieving overcrowding at P.S. 16 in Paulus Hook. It's a consequence of a economic boom — and huge influx of residents.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Bronx e-bike fire that killed a boy has claimed 3 more lives, NYPD says
By
Amanda Rozon
Donald Trump looms over New York attorney general’s race
By
Jon Campbell
and
Walter Wuthmann
How formerly homeless New Yorkers are helping others get off the streets
By
Karen Yi
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .