A genuine NBA legend is returning to the scene, though not in a starring on-court role. According to announcements from the New York Knicks, Isiah Thomas is rejoining the organization as a member of the board of directors, a position he will officially begin during the first week of the 2026-27 season.
Thomas’s relationship with the Knicks runs deep. In 2003 he was hired as the president of basketball operations and later, from 2006 to 2008, stepped into the coaching chair, taking over for Larry Brown.
And there is more. In 2010 he held an advisory post and also served as president of the Liberty (the MSG-owned franchise) between 2015 and 2019. Moreover, since 2020 he has been a member of the board of Sphere, a company also under the umbrella of James Dolan, the Knicks’ owner.
Isiah Thomas returns precisely as the Knicks are set to become part of a new standalone company, separating themselves from the structure that also includes the Rangers. Until now both teams formed part of Madison Square Garden Sports (MSG Sports). James Dolan remains in control, but the corporate structure will be different and the new company will be listed on the stock market.
The explanation above helps to understand that Thomas will not hold any position of responsibility or sporting administration, but rather his role would be in corporate governance, unless a different arrangement is announced later.
