United States
United Kingdom
Summary:
- NY Knicks alleged that the Toronto Raptors benefitted from proprietary info being leaked
- The Knicks filed a lawsuit against the Raptors and more than 10 of their employees
- The Raptors have confirmed that they will launch an internal investigation into the matter
NBA fans were surprised to learn of a new lawsuit filed by the New York Knicks against the Toronto Raptors and more than 10 of their employees including Darko Rajaković, head coach for the Raptors and Noah Lewis who is the player development coach.
Raptors Encouraged Proprietary Info Disclosure
ESPN obtained a copy of the lawsuit which was filed in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan claiming that the Raptors collaborated with an ex-employee of the Knicks to unlawfully obtain their proprietary info.
The lawsuit alleges that some of the info that was leaked to the Raptors includes video scouting files, play frequency reports, opposition research, a prep book for the 2022-23 season and other detailed info. The leaked info was facilitated by Ikechukwu Azotam who worked for the Knicks from 2020 to 2023.
Azotam started out as an assistant video coordinator and then worked different roles including being a player development assistant and director of analytics and video. The lawsuit alleges that Azotam breached a confidentiality clause in his contract. He left the Knicks and joined the Raptors in 2023.
The lawsuit claims that the Raptors used Azotam when he worked for them to gain illegal proprietary info to gain an advantage over the Knicks. Azotam is alleged to have shared info from his Knicks email to his personal Gmail account, which was then shared with the Raptors.
Raptors To Launch Internal Investigation
Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), which is the parent company of the Toronto Raptors released a joint statement stating that they were made aware only of a complaint and not a lawsuit.
In a statement,
MLSE responded promptly, making clear our intention to conduct an internal investigation and to fully cooperate. MLSE has not been advised that a lawsuit was being filed or has been filed following its correspondence with MSG. The company strongly denies any involvement in the matters alleged. MLSE and the Toronto Raptors will reserve further comment until this matter has been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties.
