New York Knicks fans has decided to rise up against the owner of their favorite team, James Dolan, and the team executives, decisive that they should protest the "systemic and consistently recurring lack of responsible decision-making at Madison Square Garden." March 19's home game against the Indiana Pacers will have a host of protestors standing at the face of Madison Square Garden, where they will voice their outrage.

KF4L, which stands for "Knicks Fan For Life, is the name of the fan group that has organized protests, citing Dolan for a lack of communication from team president/GM Steve Mills (an apparent known recluse) and the team's ties to Creative Artists Agency. Already at more than 2,500 likes on Facebook, the rebel-rousing group plans to be visible, and to uproariously confront anyone encountering Madison Square next Tuesday, reminding them that the team was going nowhere.

"We understand Dolan will not sell. We understand change may not come of this. We just want our voices heard," Mark Griffin, one of the organizers of the protest, wrote in an emailed statement. "We want to remind Dolan and the NBA that our voices matter. We buy the tickets, the jerseys, the NBA League Pass subscriptions. We are frustrated. We are tired. We deserve better."

The Knicks have yet to make any comments regarding the protest, and declined to comment last Thursday. However, the following email was sent out to season-ticket holders just this morning, offering love to Knicks' fans:

With the Knicks back from their west coast tour, we wanted to celebrate in a big way, with you! If you plan to attend the Knicks game on Wednesday, March 19th, we'd love for you to attend the Knicks Happy Hour, courtesy of Chase. At this event, you'll meet some Alumni, receive vouchers for merchandise and concessions and be able to watch shoot-around from a great spot. The event starts at 6PM, which is an hour before doors open to the general public [and two hours before game time], so you'll be a VIP!

If you and your guests would like to attend, please let me know and print the invite for admission. Let me know if you have any questions. I hope you are able to join us.

Thanks!

[Redacted]| Madison Square Garden

MSG Sports Sales

2 Penn Plaza -14th Floor

New York, NY 10121

KF4L intends to rally on, and will voice their dissatisfaction as a unit. News of the fan revolt occurs as the Knicks offered Phil Jackson the head coaching job that changed to a proposed head office position after speaking with Madison Square Garden chairman Dolan. According to NY Daily News, hiring Jackson could result in Steve Mills losing his job; particularly with the two men having a disastrous meeting two weeks ago.

"Phil doesn't want to work with Steve," said a person close to Jackson. "Mills doesn't know what to think now. Dolan is calling the shots on this one."

Dolan appointed Mills to replace Glen Grunwald as team president on Sept.  26, even though Grunwald had built a roster that won 54 games last season and captured the organization's first playoff series victory in 13 years. In his role, Mills has followed Dolan's orders to a fault, and has failed to communicate to his fan why he elected to make no trades prior to last month's deadline. Mills' first priority has been to re-sign Carmelo Anthony, whose future with the Knicks could be in jeopardy if Jackson joins the front office.

"The problem with having a plan here is that Jim is OK with it until you start losing and then he'll step in and want to change the plan immediately," said one Knicks official. "Steve hasn't been here that long and already Jim wants to try something different."

"Steve Mills has yet to speak to the media or fans about the state of the team since he came back. The fans deserve explanations and the media deserve to do their job in order to keep fans informed," said Mark Griffin, one of the organizers of the protest.

Jackson has not agreed to a job, but if he agrees to work under Dolan, Jackson will seek full autonomy from the owner with the understanding that he can bring in his own general manager and head coach.
Vice chairman Hank Ratner, who was placed in charge of the Madison Square Garden renovation; if Mills is ejected, it would be the second major office change in two weeks.

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