James Dolan insults lifelong Knicks fan in email, tells him to root for Nets

A Knicks fan of over 60 years probably wasn’t expecting a response when he fired off an email to team owner James Dolan imploring him to sell off the franchise. While the desired result was not achieved, Dolan perfectly illustrated Irving Bierman’s complaints in his angry missive.

Bierman’s son, Aaron, released the email exchange between his dad and Dolan to Deadspin. Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck later confirmed the authenticity of the emails.

Besides the Isiah Thomas debacle, the elder Bierman cited the lowball offer to head coaching candidate Steve Kerr as the latest in a string of Dolan’s “utterly STUPID business things with the franchise.”

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.

Respectfully,

[Aaron Bierman’s dad]

And now for Dolan’s reply, which Knicks PR staffers are likely wishing they had a chance to nix before it was ever sent.

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

Typos aside, it’s pretty bizarre that Dolan questions why anyone would write a hateful letter and then proceeds to demean Bierman over his next six sentences. But it’s not like this is the first time we have seen an executive castigate a fan recently.

Will Dolan’s insults be enough to chase this lifelong fan away? Not so, according to ESPN New York’s Ian Begley. Those fans are loyal!