Fan Wants Apology From Knicks Player

Fan Wants Apology From Knicks Player


CHICAGO - The fan accused of harassing the wife of New York Knicks forward Antonio Davis will drop threats of a lawsuit if the couple apologizes, the man's attorney said Friday.


Attorney Jay Paul Deratany planned to send a letter to the couple on Friday, asking Davis to make a donation to a charity that tries to prevent violence against women and children. Deratany e-mailed a copy of the letter to The Associated Press.

Davis was suspended five games by the NBA on Thursday, a day after he went into the stands during a game at the United Center in Chicago to confront 22-year-old Michael Axelrod.

Davis' statement after the game said the man he thought was threatening his wife, Kendra, was drunk. Axelrod said all he had was a glass of wine at dinner, and that he did nothing wrong.

Axelrod is asking Davis to take back his comments. He said several witnesses and videotapes of the event back up his client's claims.

Deratany said he would give the Davises about a week to respond.

"Both of us respect the game and the point was to send a message not to harass fans — either physically or by later comments that disparage their character," Deratany said Friday. "If that's accomplished, then it's time to move on. It's never been about money."

On Thursday, Deratany said he planned to sue Davis and his wife for more than $1 million, alleging battery by Kendra Davis and slander by her husband.

On Friday, Deratany said the $1 million figure was inflated, but declined to say how much his client would seek.

Axelrod's father, David, is a prominent Democratic political consultant in Chicago who has worked with Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.