The New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors agreed to dismiss a 2023 lawsuit regarding the alleged theft of “thousands” of confidential files, according to ESPN’s Baxter Holmes.
“The Knicks and [Raptors owner] Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment withdrew their respective claims and the matter is resolved,” spokespersons representing both teams said in a statement, via Holmes. “The Parties are focused on the future.”
In Aug. 2023, the Knicks filed a lawsuit alleging that a former employee, Ikechukwu Azotam, was hired by the Raptors and illegally took proprietary files with him to his new position with Toronto.
At the time, the Raptors were heading into their first season with head coach Darko Rajaković.
New York was seeking $10 million in damages, arguing that the files would help the Raptors gain a competitive advantage. The files allegedly requested by Toronto included play frequency reports, a prep book for the 2022-23 season, video scouting files and opposition research (via Holmes).
Two months after the initial lawsuit was filed, Toronto’s lawyers called the litigation “baseless” and a “public relations stunt by the Knicks.” They added that the information allegedly taken from the Knicks could be compiled from NBA game footage “accessible to all” 30 organizations.
In June 2024, a New York judge overseeing the case ruled that NBA commissioner Adam Silver should resolve the matter. An arbitration hearing was eventually set for July 21.
Now, both teams are moving on.