It may look like a movie, but that’s how it happened. The New York Knicks have filed a lawsuit against the Toronto Raptors, members of the Canadian organization and former employee of the Knicks themselves, understanding that they “illegally obtained proprietary information and then disclosed it; reports SportsNet New York.

The germ of the facts would be in the former employee of the team Ikechukwu Azotam, who worked for the New Yorkers between 2020 and 2023 before changing jobs to leave for Toronto this summer. According to a copy of the complaint, which was filed in United States District Court in Manhattan and obtained by ESPNthe Knicks claim this person sent thousands of confidential files to the Raptors, including game reports, a 2022-23 season prep book, video scout files, opponent searches and more, once the Closed raptors. They contacted him to recruit him.

Indictment against Azota, who worked in New York as an assistant video coordinator and later as a video director/analyst/player development assistant, alleges he breached a confidentiality clause in an employment contract . As for the Raptors, they are accused of having directed the steps of Azotam and knowingly profiting from his misdeeds.

Focusing on the Canadian organization, the Knicks allege that it “conspired to use Azotam’s position as a current member of the Knicks to funnel proprietary information to the Raptors and help them organize, plan and structure the new training and video operations personnel.” “says the request, in which the names of the the head coach of Toronto, Darko Rajaković, along with player development coach Noah Lewis, and 10 other employees.

As for what the Knicks hope to achieve with this complaint, they are asking that unspecified damages be determined, that the Raptors refrain from using confidential information obtained from the Knicks, and that Azotam not be able to obtain any benefit from the following his diversion. and illegal acts.

Chronology of events

It was in July 2023 that Azotam informed the Knicks of the Raptors’ offer and planned to accept it. It was around the same time that the employee allegedly began transferring confidential information from his work email account to his personal account, and from there to Raptors staff. Additionally, he allegedly used his access to services contracted by the Knicks with Sinergy Sports to create and transfer to the Raptors more than 3,000 files containing information and video data.

The day the Knicks learned what happened was August 15, 2023, just the day after Azotam left the New York organization. It is estimated that in total, he illegally shared 3,358 video files.

Raptor response

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, owner of the Raptors, and the organization itself responded to the lawsuit with a joint statement in the following terms:

“MLSE and the Toronto Raptors have received a letter from [Madison Square Garden] on Thursday of last week to inform us of this complaint. MLSE responded promptly, making it clear that we intend to conduct an internal investigation and cooperate fully. MLSE was not made aware that any legal action was pending or filed after its correspondence with MSG. The company strenuously denies any involvement in the alleged matters. MLSE and the Toronto Raptors will reserve further comment until this matter is resolved to the satisfaction of both parties.”

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