When the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors face off in December, there will be lingering resentment on one side. The Knicks recently filed a lawsuit against the Raptors, alleging that they hired a “mole” from within the Knicks organization who stole confidential team files and shared them with his new employer, according to Reuters. The lawsuit claims that Ikechukwu Azotam, a former video, analytics, and player-development assistant for the Knicks, forwarded scouting files, opposition research, play frequency reports, and other proprietary information to the Raptors, in violation of a confidentiality clause in his contract. The Knicks argue that the Raptors either directed Azotam’s actions or knowingly benefited from them.
Azotam left the Knicks last week after receiving a job offer from the Raptors in late July, as stated by Reuters. However, the lawsuit reveals that Azotam was actually recruited by the Raptors in June, around the same time they hired head coach Darko Rajakovic, a former assistant coach with the Memphis Grizzlies. The suit suggests that Rajakovic, lacking his own organizational structure and coaching method, chose to exploit the Knicks’ methods due to his unique path to becoming a head coach.
The lawsuit also lists the Raptors’ player development coach, Noah Lewis, and 10 other unidentified employees as defendants, reports ESPN. The Knicks are seeking a court order to prevent the Raptors from misusing the stolen information and are also pursuing unspecified damages. In response to the Knicks’ complaint, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, the owner of the Raptors, stated that it was unaware of the lawsuit until last week and promised to conduct an internal investigation while fully cooperating. The company strongly denies any involvement in the alleged activities, reserving further comment until the matter is resolved satisfactorily for both parties, according to ESPN. (Read more New York Knicks stories.)
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