Knicks, Raptors agree to voluntarily dismiss lawsuit

The New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors agreed to voluntarily disregard a 2023 lawsuit involving the alleged theft of thousands of confidential files, according to a tribunal filing Friday that was obtained by ESPN.

Spokespersons representing the teams issued the aforesaid connection to ESPN: "The Knicks and (Raptors proprietor Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment) withdrew their respective claims and the substance is resolved. The Parties are focused connected the future."

The Knicks filed the suit successful August 2023, seeking much than $10 cardinal successful damages. The squad alleged that the Raptors poached Ikechukwu Azotam, who worked for New York from 2020 to 2023, and ordered him to supply a trove of interior accusation aft Toronto began recruiting him successful the summertime of 2023. The Knicks argued that this effort was geared toward giving the Raptors a competitory advantage.

The Knicks specifically alleged that Azotam -- who worked for the Knicks arsenic an adjunct video coordinator, past arsenic a manager of video/analytics/player improvement adjunct -- sent the Raptors thousands of confidential files, including play frequence reports, a prep publication for the 2022-23 season, video scouting files and absorption research.

The Knicks besides alleged that Azotam did truthful astatine the petition of the Raptors, whom they said were trying to "organize, plan, and operation the caller coaching and video operations staff," the August 2023 ailment stated.

The Raptors, Azotam, Toronto caput manager Darko Rajaković, subordinate improvement manager Noah Lewis and 10 "unknown" employees were listed arsenic defendants successful the lawsuit.

In an October 2023 tribunal filing, the Raptors called the Knicks' allegations "baseless" and a "public relations stunt." The Raptors besides argued that the "alleged 'theft of data' progressive small much than publically disposable accusation compiled done nationalist sources readily accessible to each NBA Members."

The Raptors repeatedly called for NBA commissioner Adam Silver to measurement successful and settee the dispute, and a judge successful the U.S. Southern District Court successful Lower Manhattan agreed.

The NBA did not instantly respond to a petition for comment.

The lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed with prejudice, meaning it is dismissed permanently.