Knicks Owner James Dolan Won't Be Punished for Email Response to Upset Fan

New York Knicks owner James Dolan will not be punished for a vitriolic email sent to a fan in January, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver confirmed Monday.   

"Jim is a consummate New Yorker," Silver told Tim Bontemps of the New York Post. "Jim got an unkind email and responded with an unkind email."

In an email first published by Timothy Burke of Deadspin, the Knicks owner responded to an angry correspondence from a longtime fan by telling him to start rooting for the crosstown Brooklyn Nets because "the Knicks don't want you":

"

On Fri, Jan 23, 2015 at 8:15 PM, James Dolan

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

"

The emailer was Irving Bierman, who said he's been a fan of the franchise since 1952. Bierman criticizes Dolan for a number of decision-making snafus, most notably the Isiah Thomas era and the recent failure to hire Steve Kerr as head coach. 

"As a Knicks fan for in excess of 60 years, I am utterly embarrassed by your dealings with the Knicks," Mr. Bierman wrote in his email.

Kerr was President Phil Jackson's first choice to take over the coaching reins in New York, but he ultimately spurned the Knicks' offer to take the same post in Golden State. The email from Bierman came around the same time as a report from Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, which insinuated Dolan "low-balled" Kerr. Bierman used the same phrase in his email and asked Dolan to sell the franchise.

Rick Bowmer/Associated Press

Kerr will be coaching at Madison Square Garden next weekend, leading the Western Conference All-Stars thanks to the Warriors' No. 1 spot in the West. The Knicks are 10-41 heading into Monday night and have won five games since Dec. 14.

Since Dolan took over The Madison Square Garden Company from his father, Charles, in 1999, the Knicks have consistently been among the NBA's most disappointing teams. They have won just one playoff series since 2000, which has led many to question Dolan's management of the team. 

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.