For the first time in the Trump administration, an NBA champion is set to step inside the White House. New York Knicks owner James Dolan announced on WFAN New York that his team will accept President Donald J. Trump’s invitation on Wednesday, June 17.
Dolan, a longtime Trump supporter and donor, personally invited the President to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals. The two sat together in Dolan’s suite on June 8, watching the Knicks fall 115-111 to the Spurs—their only loss of the series.
Trump, speaking on June 4, praised both Dolan and the team. “I’ve been a Knick fan for a long time, and I’m also a Jim Dolan fan. He’s a nice guy. He spent a long time wanting to win, and he’s a competitive guy. He’s got a team that’s amazing.”
The visit marks a notable departure from recent NBA champions, who have either declined invitations or faced controversy over White House visits under Trump. Dolan’s decision underscores his close ties to the President and signals a new chapter in the relationship between professional sports and the current administration.
