New York Knicks owner James Dolan granted a rare television interview to local station Fox 5 New York on the backs of a generational NBA Finals victory where he dished about the team’s success, his likelihood for selling the team, and whether or not his venue would host Taylor Swift’s wedding.
Dolan’s Knicks won their first NBA title in 53 years by defeating the San Antonio Spurs in five games.
Speaking on ‘Good Day New York’ on Wednesday, the day before a ticker-tape parade goes through Lower Manhattan, Dolan revealed that he hasn’t had a good night’s sleep in a while.
‘I finally got a few hours last night, but it’s been long,’ the owner said.
Dolan also expressed some surprise at how much the Knicks victory has brought the city together since the win on Saturday.
‘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,’ the owner commented.
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.’
