Michael Jordan, Adam Silver mediate Knicks-Oakley dispute
Michael Jordan and NBA commissioner Adam Silver have spoken with Charles Oakley and the New York Knicks to try to reconcile the dispute between Oakley and his former team, the commissioner said in a statement released Monday evening.
Frank Isola of the New York Daily News first reported the conversation had taken place.
Silver, Oakley and Knicks owner James Dolan met at the league office on Monday, with Jordan calling in to the meeting via phone.
"It is beyond disheartening to see situations involving members of the NBA family like the one that occurred in Madison Square Garden this past week," Silver said in the statement. "In an effort to find a path forward, New York Knicks owner Jim Dolan, Charles Oakley, and I met today at the league office, along with Michael Jordan, who participated by phone.
"Both Mr. Oakley and Mr. Dolan were apologetic about the incident and subsequent comments, and their negative impact on the Knicks organization and the NBA. Mr. Dolan expressed his hope that Mr. Oakley would return to MSG as his guest in the near future.
"I appreciate the efforts of Mr. Dolan, Mr. Oakley and Mr. Jordan to work towards a resolution of this matter."
Oakley was ejected from Madison Square Garden and arrested on assault charges on Feb. 9.
Oakley maintains his innocence and says he was removed at the request of Knicks owner James Dolan, while the Knicks released a statement accusing Oakley of abusive behavior.
New York radio host Michael Kay reported that Oakley had been banned from MSG for life, but Dolan said the ban wasn't necessarily permanent in an appearance on Kay’s show.
Oakley played 10 seasons for the Knicks.
Jordan and Oakley played together for the Bulls and Wizards, and have remained close friends. Jordan is also the majority owner of the Hornets.
