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Raptors and Knicks settle long-standing lawsuit

Breadcrumb Trail LinksSportsBasketballBoth sides voluntarily dismiss 2023 lawsuit.Published Oct 10, 2025  •  2 minute readRaptors head coach Darko Rajakovic watches the play against the Utah Jazz during the first half on March 14, 2025, in Salt Lake City. Photo by Rob Gray /THE ASSOCIATED PRESSArticle contentThe off-the-court battle between the Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks is finally over.Advertisement 2THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Edmonton Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Edmonton Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe two teams agreed to voluntarily dismiss a 2023 lawsuit the Knicks had brought alleging theft of thousands of confidential files by an ex-employee who was hired by the Raptors, ESPN first reported Friday.Article contentArticle content“The Knicks and [Raptors owner] Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment withdrew their respective claims and the matter is resolved. The Parties are focused on the future,” spokespeople for both teams told ESPN in statements.The voluntary dismissal came more than two years after the filing of the suit in 2023. In that time Toronto had insisted it had no merit, while the Knicks professed it did.New York had sought more than $10 million in damages in the case, alleging that Ikechukwu Azotam, who worked for the team from 2020-2023, largely in a video and analytics capacity, had brought with him thousands of confidential files after being hired away by Toronto. The Knicks alleged the files gave them a competitive advantage.Edmonton Sun Headline NewsGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Edmonton Sun Headline News will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againArticle contentAdvertisement 3Article contentThe Knicks had named then incoming Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic in the suit, along with player development coach Noah Lewis and 10 “unknown” employees who were listed as defendants.The case had been ordered for a July arbitration back in March, but there had been no update since. NBA commissioner Adam Silver was supposed to serve as arbitrator. In June of 2024, U.S. District Judge Jessica Clarke ruled that Silver should decide the matter rather than the courts.We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Play VideoThe Raptors had called the allegations “baseless” and a “public relations stunt” and had said the data allegedly stolen was from publicly available sources.Toronto initially had asked Silver to settle the dispute, but New York fought that idea throughout the process, saying Silver could not do that fairly because Raptors co-owner Larry Tanenbaum is the chair of the NBA’s board of governors.Advertisement 4Article contentThe Knicks told ESPN after the decision last summer: “We (allegedly) were the victim of a theft of proprietary and confidential files in a clear violation of criminal and civil law,” the statement said. “We don’t think it’s appropriate for the commissioner of the NBA to rule on a matter involving his boss, the chairman of the NBA, and his team.”They vowed to continue to look into further legal options and had told ESPN they remained “skeptical of this process as the NBA has consistently demonstrated that it has no desire to address this blatant theft of proprietary information, likely because the chairman of the NBA is the defendant.”The Raptors told ESPN in a statement last summer: “The Raptors and (Raptors owner Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment) are pleased that the court agreed this should be resolved by the NBA, which we have maintained is the correct forum for disputes of this nature. We hope this brings this matter closer to a resolution.”It took a while, but that’s now the case.Read More How Brandon Ingram’s long-awaited return could spark Raptors’ 2025-26 season DeMar DeRozan dumps on Drake, shares love for Toronto: 'That’s home, man' Article contentShare this article in your social networkComments Join the Conversation

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