New York Knicks owner James Dolan announced Wednesday that the team has accepted President Donald Trump's invitation to visit the White House, marking the first NBA championship team to do so during Trump's presidency. The visit comes after the Knicks secured their first NBA title in 53 years, defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5.
Dolan, a longtime friend of the president, revealed the decision during an interview on WFAN sports radio. “We just did receive an invitation from the White House, which we accepted,” he said. “We still have to figure out the details.” Dolan added, “I invited the president to come down for the game. He is a friend. I’ve known him for 30 years, and I’m very proud to bring the team to the White House.”
A White House official confirmed to NewsNation that the administration has been in contact with the Knicks and looks forward to hosting them, though a specific date has not been set. Trump, a New York native and longtime Knicks fan, attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden alongside Dolan, becoming the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game.
The Knicks closed out the series with a 94-90 victory over the Spurs, ending a championship drought that stretched back to 1973. The visit would be the first time an NBA champion team has visited the White House during Trump's tenure, a tradition that became highly politicized during his first term.
In 2017, Trump uninvited Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry after the point guard expressed reluctance to visit the White House. LeBron James publicly clashed with Trump over the issue, calling the president a “bum” and stating that the tradition “was a great honor until you showed up.” Dolan, however, has maintained a close relationship with Trump, personally inviting him to the Finals game.
Trump praised the Knicks throughout their playoff run, describing himself as a big fan. The visit also comes as the Trump administration faces scrutiny on other fronts, including record-low approval ratings on the economy and a stalled FISA renewal process that some lawmakers say risks national security.
The Knicks' White House visit is expected to draw both support and criticism, reflecting the deep partisan divides that have surrounded the tradition. Dolan, however, framed the visit as a non-political celebration of the team's achievement. “Look, I invited the president,” he reiterated. “I’m very proud to bring the team to the White House.”
