Knicks Sue Raptors for Stealing Trade Secrets

Knicks Sue Raptors , for Stealing Trade Secrets.

On August 21, the New York Knicks sued the Toronto Raptors for hiring a "mole" who allegedly stole scouting reports and other confidential material.

On August 21, the New York Knicks sued the Toronto Raptors for hiring a "mole" who allegedly stole scouting reports and other confidential material.

According to the Knicks, former video, analytics and player-development assistant Ikechukwu Azotam is the alleged mole.

According to the Knicks, former video, analytics and player-development assistant Ikechukwu Azotam is the alleged mole.

Following Azotam's departure from the Knicks last week, he allegedly stole thousands of proprietary files and forwarded them to the Raptors.

In June, the Raptors hired hired Darko Rajakovic, previously an assistant coach with the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies, as their head coach.

In June, the Raptors hired hired Darko Rajakovic, previously an assistant coach with the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies, as their head coach.

As a first time NBA head coach, Defendant Rajakovic would be expected to bring his own organizational structure and coaching method, Knicks' lawsuit, via NBC.

Apparently, given his non-traditional path to his head coaching job, Defendant Rajakovic did not have his own, so he chose to exploit the Knicks’ methods, Knicks' lawsuit, via NBC.

Apparently, given his non-traditional path to his head coaching job, Defendant Rajakovic did not have his own, so he chose to exploit the Knicks’ methods, Knicks' lawsuit, via NBC.

NBC reports that Azotam was first hired by the Knicks as a video coordinator in 2020.

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Information that Azotam is accused of transmitting to the Raptors include details on the Knicks' organizational structure, game films and reports on plays and tendencies.

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NBC reports that the Knicks are seeking an unspecified amount of damages and for the court to permanently block the misuse of trade secrets.

In addition to Rajokovic and Azotam, the lawsuit names several unidentified Raptors employees as defendants.