The committee that will evaluate Thomas’ ownership interest includes just two women, and all members of the panel are from the league’s Board of Governors.
The panel members are:
Michael Alter, Principal Owner, Chicago Sky Mitchell Etess, Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Sun Ginny Gilder, Co-Owner, Seattle Storm Roger Griffith, Executive Vice President, Minnesota Lynx Sheila Johnson, Vice Chairman, President and Managing Partner, Washington Mystics Rick Pych, President of Business Operations, Spurs Sports & Entertainment
The Liberty named Thomas president and part owner on May 5. He previously served as the Knicks’ president of basketball operations from 2003-08 and as head coach from 2006-08. His tenure included an $11.6 million lawsuit against the Knicks after a federal jury found Thomas guilty of sexually harassing former team executive Anucha Browne in 2007.
The lawsuit has left the WNBA Players Association and many team owners skeptical about the idea of Thomas returning to Madison Square Garden.
