Knicks: Rebrand consultant doesn't speak for team on personnel decisions
Steve Stoute's partnership with the New York Knicks is off to a rocky start.
Stoute, whose marketing agency, Translation, was brought on to assist the Knicks in a potential rebrand, appeared on ESPN's "First Take" on Tuesday and suggested the franchise could part with its current coaching staff.
The Knicks, however, issued a statement denying Stoute's involvement in decisions relating to basketball operations.
"While Steve Stoute is a valued contributor to the Knicks' marketing and branding efforts, he does not speak on behalf of the New York Knicks personnel and basketball operations," the team said. "Any decisions regarding the operations of the team will be made by the new president of the New York Knicks."
Mike Miller has served as the Knicks' interim head coach since the club dismissed David Fizdale in December. However, Stoute suggested Miller's role won't be made permanent so that New York can hire someone to develop the franchise's budding talent.
"There had to be a change. ... That change will bring a new coach and new coaches that are going to help develop these younger players," Stoute said, per ESPN. "And they got some young superstars - you see RJ Barrett, Mitch Robinson, they got something to work with - and ultimately getting a coach and a coaching staff that's going to help develop the team.
"That's what I expect to happen so that we can actually get to what you expect from a New York team."
Stoute clarified in the joint statement that his previous comments were simply a result of his overeagerness to support the franchise.
"In my excitement to defend the Knicks on live TV today, I inadvertently insinuated about Knicks personnel. I look forward to working with Knicks management to elevate the great Knicks brand moving forward."
New York is still searching for a new president to replace Steve Mills, who was fired last week. Leon Rose, a prominent agent with Creative Artists Agency, is reportedly the front-runner for the position.