Knicks owner appears to take swipe at Mamdani at NBA championship celebration, stiffs photo op with him
Last week, New York Knicks owner James Dolan and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani got into a war of words over team viewing parties.
The two faced off at City Hall to cap off the team’s championship ceremony, and there was definitely some tension on stage.
During the watch party challenge, Dolan said in an interview that Mamdani was not a real Knicks fan. Perhaps the mayor took that into consideration during his speech at City Hall, listing some of the team’s best memories as he called out their names, standing just feet away from Dolan. both unknown and legendary players — including Charles Oakley, who Dolan banned from MSG after his infamous 2017 shenanigans.
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New York Knicks owner James Dolan speaks during the championship celebration and Key to the City ceremony at City Hall Plaza following a ticker tape parade honoring the team’s NBA Finals victory on June 18, 2026 in New York City. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)
For nearly eight minutes, Mamdani gave an impassioned speech about the team’s history, the road to the championship, the heartbreaking seasons and the perseverance required to bring a championship to New York after 53 years.
Dolan was short and sweet.
“I don’t need your vote. I don’t need to tell you what happened. If you’re real Knick fans, you already know that,” Dolan said.
Mamdani then distributed the keys to the city to staff and players, including Dolan and his son. seriously disinterested in a photo shoot. Both Dolans shook hands with the mayor.
New York Knicks owner James Dolan speaks during the championship celebration and Key to the City ceremony at City Hall Plaza following a ticker tape parade honoring the team’s NBA Finals victory on June 18, 2026 in New York City. (Angela Weiss/AFP)
MAYOR PUT UP EWING’S RETIRED NUMBER OF KNICKS PLAYER WHO HAD HARD SEEING FROM THE FIELD AT NBA FINALS PARADE
Dolan-Mamdani beef is hardly new. The controversy began during the election cycle when Mamdani used the Knicks logo for his campaign and the team issued a cease and desist letter. “Trump is Your President,” the White House said, using the Knicks logo in a post shortly after last year’s election. The Knicks reached out to the White House, which later removed the post.
“The Knicks remain neutral on political matters,” the team said in a statement at the time. “We hope all of our elected officials, whether current or recently elected, do a great job in their roles.”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani hands the keys to the city to New York Knicks player Jalen Brunson during the Knicks’ championship tickertape parade on June 18, 2026 in New York City. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
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Before the City Hall portion of the celebration, Mamdani, wearing a Knicks jersey, was on Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby’s float heading to Broadway.
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