3. Based on the few facts that you have, what steps could Garden management have taken to protect itself from liability in this matter? The jury in a sexual harassment suit brought by a former high-ranking New York Knicks basketball team executive recently awarded her more than $11 million in punitive damages. They did so after hearing testimony during what the New York Times called a sordid four-week trial. Officials of Madison Square Garden (which owns the Knicks) said they would appeal the verdict. However, even if they were to win on appeal (which one University of Richmond Law School professor said was unlikely), the case still exposed the organization and its managers to a great deal of unfavorable publicity.

The federal suit pitted Anucha Browne Sanders, the Knicks senior vice president of marketing and business operations (and former Northwestern University basketball star), against the teams owner, Madison Square Garden, and its president, Isiah Thomas.