New York Knicks accept Trump's White House invitation, ending NBA's streak of refusals under his presidency
New York Knicks owner James Dolan confirmed on Wednesday the team had accepted a White House invitation to celebrate its first NBA championship since 1973, a visit that would make the franchise the first NBA champion to be hosted by President Donald Trump.
The announcement
James Dolan told WFAN radio on Wednesday that the Knicks had received and accepted the invitation. "We still have to figure out the details," he said, adding that the team would definitely go. The White House confirmed the communication.
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 long friendship with the president
Dolan described Trump as a friend he has known for 30 years. He invited the president to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden last week. Trump sat with Dolan in a luxury box protected by bulletproof glass. When the president appeared on the video board, he was loudly booed by the crowd. The Knicks lost that game 115-111, but went on to win the series against the San Antonio Spurs in five games.
I've known him for 30 years, and I'm very proud to bring the team to the White House.
Breaking a boycott
No NBA champion has visited Trump's White House during either of his two terms. The Golden State Warriors started the trend in September 2017, when Stephen Curry said he would not attend a White House ceremony for their 2017 title. Trump then withdrew the invitation on social media. The 2018 Warriors were not invited. The 2019 Toronto Raptors players ruled out a trip. The 2020 Los Angeles Lakers skipped a visit to Biden's White House because of pandemic health protocols. Last season's champion, the Oklahoma City Thunder, declined to visit Trump due to a "timing issue." The Boston Celtics were the last NBA team to visit the White House, hosted by Joe Biden in June 2024.
Players' political divide
Some Knicks players hold opposing views. Forward Josh Hart celebrated Joe Biden's 2020 election victory on social media and called Trump a "dumbass." Center Mitchell Robinson, a registered Republican, described Trump's appearance at Game 3 as "cool, I guess." The visit is likely to be contentious with a New York fanbase that voted overwhelmingly for Kamala Harris in 2024 and that booed Trump at the Garden.
