Knicks owner James Dolan said he would be “proud” to accept President Donald Trump’s invitation and take the winning team to the White House.
Speaking with WFAN Sports Radio on Wednesday, Dolan noted that his friendship with Trump goes back decades and that he was glad to invite the president to see the Knicks play at Madison Square Garden in the NBA Finals. He also confirmed that the team will travel to D.C. to be the president’s guests at the White House, the first NBA team to do so during Trump’s presidency.
“We just did receive an invitation from the White House, which we accepted,” Dolan said.
James Dolan confirms the Knicks have been invited to the White House and have accepted:@craigcartonlive @CMacWFAN pic.twitter.com/kemKQZJhf9
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) June 17, 2026
“We still have to figure out the details, et cetera, but yes, of course. Look, 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,” he added.
Trump attended game 3 of the NBA Finals, making the native New Yorker the first sitting president to do so. With their first NBA championship in 53 years, the Knicks scored the historic win in Game 5 in San Antonio and got a shout-out from Trump.
“Congratulations to Jim Dolan and the New York Knicks!!!” he wrote on Truth Social. “What incredible playoff wins we have all witnessed, especially the last four — maybe the greatest in the history of basketball.”
Congratulations to Jim Dolan and the New York Knicks!!! What a year it has been but, even more so, what incredible playoff wins we have all witnessed, especially the last four – Maybe the greatest in the history of basketball. Also, tonight, a superstar was born. His name is… pic.twitter.com/EGLP1OYtxu
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) June 14, 2026
“We have been in touch with the Knicks and look forward to hosting the team at a date to be determined in the near future,” a White House official confirmed to CBS News.
In 2025, the Oklahoma City Thunder did not visit the White House after winning due to a “timing” issue.
According to CBS News:
During his first term in office, Mr. Trump uninvited the Finals-winning Golden State Warriors in 2017 because star Steph Curry was “hesitating” at taking the president up on the “great honor,” and he didn’t extend an invitation when the Warriors won again the following year.
ADVERTISEMENTThe 2019 Finals were won by the Canada-based Toronto Raptors, and the 2020 Finals — won by the Los Angeles Lakers — were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. (Mr. Trump had also previously said he wouldn’t invite Lakers superstar LeBron James.)
A White House official threw cold water on the “fake news” that the Knicks had declined Trump’s invitation.
“This is fake news,” the official told Vanity Fair. “The White House congratulates the Knicks on their championship win and looks forward to discussing a visit in the near future.”
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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