President Donald Trump on Friday brushed aside mounting frustration among New Yorkers over the exorbitant cost of attending the New York Knicks' NBA Finals games in person, suggesting those who can't afford tickets simply watch from home.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump was asked about the eye-popping prices for Game 3 of the NBA Finals, set for Monday at Madison Square Garden. The cheapest available seats on secondary markets are hovering above $8,000. Trump himself is expected to attend the game.
“They can watch it on television,” Trump said. “It’s sort of semi free to watch it on television. That’s the way life goes.”
The remark comes as fans across major sports leagues have increasingly complained about the rising cost of attending live events, particularly during playoff and championship rounds. The trend has accelerated as more media rights deals shift games from free over-the-air broadcasts to streaming platforms and cable paywalls.
The NBA Finals are being carried on ESPN and ABC, which remains accessible over the air via antenna. Still, the broader landscape of live sports viewing has grown more expensive, with many premium games locked behind subscription services.
For Knicks fans, the team's first Finals appearance in decades has sparked both celebration and frustration. Thousands have gathered at outdoor viewing parties across Manhattan to watch the games on giant screens. But for those hoping to get inside Madison Square Garden, the price of admission is steep.
“If the team wasn’t a big success, you could go very easily,” Trump added. “So you can do that too, but that’s the way life is.”
The president's comments echo a broader political debate about access to live sports and entertainment. Critics argue that rising ticket prices and streaming fragmentation are pricing out average fans, a sentiment that has also flared around this summer's World Cup matches in North America, where ticket costs have drawn widespread backlash.
Trump's dismissive tone may play well with his base, but it risks alienating New York voters who see the Knicks' run as a rare moment of civic pride. The city's streets have been packed with fans watching games for free, a reminder that the live experience remains out of reach for many.
As the Knicks chase a championship, the tension between commercial success and fan access continues to simmer. For now, Trump's message is clear: if you can't pay, turn on the TV.
For more on Trump's recent controversies, read about his attack on Senator Tillis and the bipartisan backlash stalling his agenda.
