New York Knicks owner James Dolan made a rare TV appearance on Fox 5 New York after the franchise’s long-awaited NBA championship, reflecting on the team’s success, speculation about a possible sale, and even whether one of his venues could host Taylor Swift’s wedding.
The Knicks captured their first NBA title in 53 years by beating the San Antonio Spurs in five games, ending one of the league’s longest championship droughts.
During an interview Wednesday on Good Day New York — one day before the team’s ticker-tape parade through Lower Manhattan — Dolan said the whirlwind celebration has left him short on sleep.
“I finally got a few hours last night, but it’s been long,” Dolan said.
He also said he has been struck by the scale of the reaction across New York City since Saturday’s title-clinching win.
“I knew there was a lot of pent-up frustration, but we’re obviously really happy about how people have all come together. The whole city’s turned orange,” Dolan said.
New York Knicks owner James Dolan granted a rare interview to Fox 5’s ‘Good Day New York’
Dolan is celebrating his team’s first championship victory in over five decades
The Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games to clinch their first title since 1973
‘It’s great, it’s great for the city, it’s great to see people come together on something.’
As for why people embraced these Knicks, Dolan believes, ‘I think that it was the team itself.
‘The guys, they’re all lovely people, good character people, and I think that people felt that throughout the season but particularly in the playoffs and Jalen [Brunson] leading them. They’re very, very likeable.’
On the show, the owner admitted he felt his team was capable of winning a championship since last season.
‘We made it to the semifinals and we just needed a little something more and we could get over the hurdle,’ Dolan recalled. ‘We saw it last year in the playoffs and we just needed to go the rest of the way.’
As for the upcoming celebration on Thursday, Dolan name dropped some former Knicks legends and special performers who will make the atmosphere even more special.
‘I’ve never been in a parade before… it’s gonna be great, we’ve put it together with the city,’ Dolan revealed.
‘We have everybody from Clyde [Frazier], to the old team, to the new team, Knicks City Dancers, there’s like five marching bands. When we get to City Hall we have a special performance by Alicia Keys… it’s gonna be a moment.’
Dolan says players like Jalen Brunson (middle) helped the city fall for the Knicks
He also maintained he wouldn’t sell the Knicks to anyone, including Elon Musk
Dolan also addressed rumors that Madison Square Garden will host Taylor Swift’s wedding
As for the future of the Knicks, Dolan said, ‘We have to get ready for next season. Because we went so far in the playoffs, all the way to the finals, we’re right up against Draft Day and trade days.
‘So we’ve actually already begun meetings about next season, and of course, our focus is gonna be to repeat.’
Dolan has long been a controversial figure in New York sports, mostly due to the past ineptitude of the Knicks and hockey’s New York Rangers under his control.
But now, despite a rising valuation for the team and a rumor that the Rangers and Knicks could be spun off into a different company, Dolan has no intentions to sell – not even to Elon Musk.
‘No, I don’t think we’re gonna sell the team, nuh-uh,’ Dolan said with a laugh. ‘I’ve been at this a long time and I’m gonna enjoy this team.
‘But, you know, the stock of the team has gone up dramatically in the last year and there’s really no reason for us to consider any of that.’
Finally, he was asked about another major event taking place at Madison Square Garden: the rumored wedding of Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift.
A coy Dolan replied, ‘You gotta ask Taylor Swift that.’
