http://nytimes.com/2006/06/26/sports/26inbox.html

A Fortunate Father

Selena Roberts asks ("A Bad Seed Is to Blame for the Mess at the Garden," June 23): "Does Charles F. Dolan lie awake at night counting his black sheep son?" The answer is I really sleep very well.

After all, why shouldn't I?

We are fortunate to have three sons and three daughters. We are very proud of them, none more than Jim.

Jim began with Cablevision more than 30 years ago loading freight on a dock. After college, he undertook one after the other of the most difficult and challenging tasks involved in our growth. He came to know our business the only way you can: by experiencing firsthand all of its operations.

I don't know of anyone with broader or more rigorous training or who has worked harder and accomplished more for the company. As chief executive for the past 10 years, he has led the company to a strategic focus on the New York area while offering the nation's best-selling cable, phone and Internet services. Thus, he has created an organization that is widely recognized as one of the most competitive in the telecom industry, rewarding both its customers and its owners.

Jim has five devoted sons. As Ms. Roberts pointed out, he has overcome addiction. However, she did not mention that he now gives unsparingly of his time helping others with similar difficulties. Jim is unafraid in facing unpopular problems whether investing unhesitatingly in support of the Knicks, sitting in the front row for nearly every game or revising some of his father's favorite business plans.

What does startle me, I'll admit, is reading in The New York Times, of all places, such a rancorous column about the dynamics of a family-owned media company.

Charles F. Dolan
New York
The writer is chairman of Cablevision Systems.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/26/sports/basketball/26knicks.html

Dolan the Elder Defends His Son's Knicks Tenure

By HOWARD BECK
Published: June 26, 2006
The Knicks under James L. Dolan set a league record for player payroll and recently matched a franchise record for losses in a season. The team's failures and infighting have made the Knicks the most mocked franchise in the N.B.A.

But the man who put Dolan in charge of the team offers no regrets, nor betrays any concern.

Charles F. Dolan, the chairman of Cablevision Systems and James Dolan's father, defended his son in a letter to The New York Times published today.

The elder Dolan rarely grants interviews or makes public statements about business or family matters. He made an exception to respond to criticism of his son in a recent Sports of The Times column.

"We are fortunate to have three sons and three daughters," Charles Dolan wrote. "We are very proud of them, none more than Jim."

James Dolan is the president of Cablevision and the chairman of Madison Square Garden, which runs the Knicks, the Rangers of the N.H.L. and the Liberty of the Women's National Basketball Association.

His stewardship of the Knicks began in May 2001, after he forced out Dave Checketts, who was the Garden president.

Since then, the Knicks have had five consecutive losing seasons and now six head coaches.

Isiah Thomas, the team president, became the Knicks' latest coach when Dolan gave him the additional role last week after firing Larry Brown. Brown, who was hired last July, feuded with players and tussled with Thomas as the Knicks lost 59 games. Frustrated fans often blame James Dolan for the turmoil.

"Jim is unafraid in facing unpopular problems, whether investing unhesitatingly in support of the Knicks, sitting in the front row for nearly every game or revising some of his father's favorite business plans," Charles Dolan wrote.

The last reference was to a public power struggle between father and son last year over the direction of Cablevision. They later reconciled.

"I don't know of anyone with broader or more rigorous training or who has worked harder and accomplished more for the company," Charles Dolan wrote of his son. "As chief executive for the past 10 years, he has led the company to a strategic focus on the New York area while offering the nation's best-selling cable, phone and Internet services. Thus, he has created an organization that is widely recognized as one of the most competitive in the telecom industry, rewarding both its customers and its owners."

Through a Garden spokesman, Charles Dolan declined to comment further. James Dolan has not commented publicly about firing Brown. He and Thomas will meet with reporters this afternoon.

If Charles Dolan thinks James has done a good job running MSG, he's delusional.