James Dolan

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James L. Dolan (born 1956) is Chairman of New York City's Madison Square Garden in the United States, as well as President and Chief Executive Officer of Cablevision Systems Corporation. He's had numerous feuds with his father, Charles Dolan regarding the ownership and financial stability of Cablevision.^{[citation needed]}

James Dolan is well-known for his stewardship of Madison Square Garden's teams, the National Basketball Association's New York Knicks, the WNBA's New York Liberty, and the National Hockey League's New York Rangers, which has resulted in economic success but also competitive failure aside from a few good years (notably 1999, when the Knicks reached the NBA Finals). Particularly galling to Knick fans was Dolan's decision to give Allan Houston a 6-year contract for $100 million in 2001 when no other team had offered Houston more than $75 million.^{[citation needed]} Houston retired due to injury after just four seasons, and the Knicks only reached the playoffs once over the duration of his expensive contract. He is currently under fire from many Knick fans for recent transactions made by the organization.^{[citation needed]} In a recent Sports Illustrated players poll, Dolan received the most votes as the worst owner in the NBA.^{[citation needed]}

After the 2004-2005 season, he signed Larry Brown to a 5 year, $50 million contract to coach the Knicks. After just one season he bought out Browns contract for $18 million. Brown walked away with $28 million for coaching one year.

There is strong sentiment from Knicks fans for Dolan to sell the team. Fans chanted "Fire Dolan" during the 2003 NBA draft and during a December 2006 game against the Wizards.^[1]

Dolan also purchased The Wiz, a faltering New York-based electronics store, but failed to sustain it despite heavy cross promotion with Cablevision's popular Optimum Online service.

Dolan performs blues-inspired rock as the singer for JD and the Straight Shot.