Who is James Dolan? What did James Dolan do?

On Tuesday, a federal lawsuit was filed against James Dolan by a woman, accusing the Madison Square Garden Sports executive chairman and CEO of sexual assault and trafficking during late 2013 and early 2014.

As reported by Ben Sisario of the New York Times, the lawsuit claims that Dolan coerced Kellye Croft, then 27 years old and working as a massage therapist for a music tour headlined by the Eagles, into unwanted sexual encounters on multiple occasions.

Dolan, who is also the main executive for the NBA’s New York Knicks and NHL’s New York Rangers, is a blues singer for the band JD & The Straight Shot, an opening act during the tour.

The legal document alleges that Dolan initiated unwanted sexual advances during a massage appointment, and Croft, feeling obligated, engaged in sexual activity with him multiple times during the tour.

Furthermore, Croft accuses former Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein, currently serving prison sentences for rape and sexual assault, of sexually assaulting her. The lawsuit claims that Dolan facilitated a meeting between Croft and Weinstein in January 2014, where Weinstein allegedly assaulted her in a hotel room.

Croft asserts that Dolan orchestrated the meeting and exposed her to the attack, stating, “James Dolan manipulated me, brought me to California to abuse me, and then set me up for a vicious attack by Weinstein.”

According to Croft, she immediately informed Dolan of the alleged Weinstein assault, though Dolan, years later, claimed ignorance of Weinstein’s misconduct despite their friendship.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver, responding to the allegations, stated, “I saw the article and don’t know anything else about it other than I read the article so we’ll stand by and wait to find out more information.”

In response to the accusations, Dolan’s lawyer, E. Danya Perry, issued a statement vehemently denying any wrongdoing, asserting that there is compelling evidence supporting Dolan’s innocence. Perry expressed confidence in proving their position in court. Weinstein’s lawyer, Jennifer Bonjean, also released a statement, asserting Weinstein’s denial of the allegations and expressing readiness to litigate the claims in court to unveil the truth.