New York Knicks owner James Dolan says the team has accepted an invitation to visit the White House after winning its first NBA championship in 53 years.
Dolan confirmed the news during a radio interview, saying the Knicks had received an invitation and accepted it. However, he said the team still needs to work out the details and timing of the visit.
The announcement comes after the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals, ending a championship drought that had lasted since 1973. The win sparked massive celebrations across New York City and gave the franchise one of its most historic moments in decades.
The planned White House visit is also drawing attention because it would make the Knicks the first NBA championship team to visit President Donald Trump during his presidency. NBA teams did not make traditional White House visits during Trump’s first term, and the custom has become more politically sensitive in recent years.
Dolan has known Trump for decades and previously invited him to attend the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. Trump attended Game 3, becoming the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game, according to reports.
The visit may still bring mixed reactions from fans and possibly players. White House visits by championship teams have become controversial in modern sports, with some athletes choosing not to attend because of political views.
Still, Dolan said he is proud to bring the team to the White House. For the Knicks, the visit would mark another major moment following their long-awaited championship season.
The Knicks’ title has already become one of the biggest sports stories of the year. Now, the team’s planned trip to Washington adds a political and cultural layer to the celebration.
