Take Decisive Action in the Knicks of time

They talk about it in crisis communications all the time--come clean and take decisive action to fix the problem and protect your brand.

Well, someone obviously forgot to relay that message to Jim Dolan, the CEO, director, chairman and titan of Madison Square Garden and the hapless New York Knicks.

In the latest blunder, MSG personnel apparently tossed from the world’s most famous arena a diehard, lifelong Knicks fan, who usually sits front and center in Spike Lee territory, for holding up a "FIRE ISIAH" sign during the team’s 17^th loss (against seven wins) of the young hoops season.

Obviously a pretty cerebral fan, 23-year-old Jason Silverstein should get points, at the very least, for spelling Isiah correctly, and then also for his visionary thinking on management transition issues, too.

But, anyway, the squabble led the New York Daily News Dec. 19 to publish its own full-page "FIRE ISIAH" sign on p. 3 and New York’s hometown newspaper urged fans to follow Silverstein’s lead and display the signs at that evening’s game against King LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

In the communications arena, it’s never a good sign when a major publication takes on such a public campaign against your chief public spokesperson and team leader.

You see, the Knicks have a big problem with stakeholder engagement i.e.--a helluva lot of the team’s fans want Isiah and Dolan gone.

Dolan, who sits courtside at many home games, has been very timid about the idea of convening stakeholders in another forum and hearing them out on the status of his basketball team.

And, it’s unlikely that Dolan will fire himself for turning a once-proud NBA franchise into a laughingstock. But, despite Dolan’s stonewalling the fans’ wishes until now, it’s clear that Thomas will not be able to ride out the storm.

All of this occurs, of course, after MSG, Dolan and Thomas settled a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by Anucha Browne Sanders, a former Knicks marketing executive, for what is believed to be around $11.5 million.

MSG had appealed the case after a jury sided with Browne Sanders, and the NBA had to pressure Dolan and company into a settlement, by all accounts.

The NBA should have stepped in months ago when the sexual harassment allegations against MSG emerged, and should have taken control of the team.

But, that hasn’t happened.

Meanwhile, here’s my admittedly amateurish action plan for the Knicks for the game against Cleveland tonight.

Fire Isiah, who’s been inept as a manager, coach and president of basketball operations for the Knicks, and give ousted fan Silverstein the red carpet treatment.

Send a limo to deliver Silverstein to the game, and give him all the popcorn he wants courtside.

With Isiah gone, the Garden can keep its audio equipment at normal sound levels. Until now, the Knicks have blasted the music every time the "Fire Isiah" chants began.

Then, with the Isiah issue out of the way, send Dolan to the showers, too.