The New York Knicks will become the first NBA champions to visit the White House during Donald Trump's presidency after several teams skipped the honor in previous years. Knicks owner James Dolan confirmed the acceptance of the invitation, citing his long-standing friendship with Trump, who attended the NBA Finals game in June.
The New York Knicks are set to break a recent tradition by visiting the White House to celebrate their NBA championship, a meeting that had become politically charged and often skipped during the presidency of Donald Trump .
According to an administration official who spoke to NBC News, the Knicks, who are owned by Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. chairman James Dolan, have extended and accepted an invitation. This event marks a significant departure from the preceding years where multiple championship teams declined the customary White House visit, frequently citing political objections to the sitting president.
Dolan emphasized his longstanding personal relationship with Trump, noting he invited the president to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 8. Trump accepted and watched from Dolan's private suite alongside several high-ranking administration officials, including Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino, and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin.
Following the game, Trump publicly praised the Knicks' playoff performance on social media, highlighting what he called perhaps the greatest series in basketball history. A White House official confirmed that conversations with the Knicks are ongoing and a date for the celebration will be determined soon. The tradition of championship teams visiting the White House dates back decades, but it became increasingly fraught with political tension during Trump's first term.
The first notable schism occurred in 2017 when the Golden State Warriors, after their title win, faced a public backlash from Trump after star Stephen Curry expressed hesitation about attending. Trump responded by withdrawing the invitation via Twitter, and the Warriors ultimately did not visit. The following year, after another Warriors championship, the team again skipped the visit. In 2019, the Toronto Raptors, the first Canadian team to win the NBA title, also declined a White House invitation.
The 2020 Los Angeles Lakers championship, which took place in the pandemic bubble, resulted in no visit either, though that was partly due to the unique circumstances. When Trump returned to office after the 2024 election, the Oklahoma City Thunder, who had not yet won a championship at that time, reportedly stated they would not make a trip if they eventually claimed the title.
This pattern underscored a deepening divide between professional sports and the Trump administration, with players and teams increasingly willing to forgo the ceremonial honor for political or social justice reasons. During President Joe Biden's tenure, the tradition saw a partial restoration. Three teams accepted White House invitations: the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021, the Golden State Warriors in 2023, and the Boston Celtics in 2024. These visits were largely uncontroversial and framed as celebrations of athletic excellence.
The Knicks' decision to visit now, under Trump's second term, is notable not only because they are his hometown team, but also because it signals a potential shift in how some sports organizations navigate political relationships. Dolan's personal rapport with Trump appears to be a driving factor, and his public statements reflect a desire to honor the championship while maintaining a friendship with the president.
The visit will likely be scrutinized as a bellwether for future interactions between major sports leagues and the White House. It remains to be seen whether other teams in the future will follow the Knicks' lead or continue to distance themselves from a presidential ceremony that has become anything but apolitical
Please follow us on Google to support us Knicks White House NBA Trump James Dolan Championship Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry Bucks Celtics
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
A legendary run: Knicks alumni react to New York’s historic world championshipThe 2025-26 Knicks’ championship has been over 50 years in the making. Throughout this city’s tumultuous journey back to the mountaintop, many players have
Read more »
Timothee Chalamet helps the New York Knicks celebrate with tequila and dancing at SevilleA spy told us the “Marty Supreme” star was hanging with everyone and described him as being “like a teammate.”
Read more »
Go New York, Go New York, Go!New York City has always been drawn together in historic moments. This time, the call to unity was simple – “Knicks in Five.”
Read more »
New York Knicks Celebrate First-Ever Championship ParadeThe New York Knicks held their first-ever championship parade in the city on June 14, 2026, after winning the 2026 NBA Finals. The parade was attended by a number of celebrities and famous recording artists, and was broadcast live on local New York channels and livestreamed on various platforms.
Read more »