The New York Knicks plan to visit the White House following their NBA championship, becoming the first title-winning team to do so during the administration of President Donald Trump. The announcement was made by team owner James Dolan, who confirmed that the organization has accepted an invitation from the president.
Announcement
Dolan shared the news during an appearance on WFAN New York on Wednesday, June 17. He said the invitation was recently received and accepted, though logistical details are still being finalized.
Dolan noted his long-standing relationship with Trump and said he was proud to bring the team to the White House. He also confirmed that he had personally invited the president to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Team Context
The decision may prompt mixed reactions within the Knicks organization. Some players have previously expressed political views that differ from Trump’s. Forward Josh Hart, for example, posted a critical message about Trump on social media following the 2020 presidential election.
The team has not publicly commented on whether the visit will be optional for players, a common practice in similar situations.
Historical Background
No NBA champion visited the White House during Trump’s previous term in office. The streak began in 2017 when the Golden State Warriors declined an invitation after winning the NBA Finals. That decision followed public comments from Stephen Curry and head coach Steve Kerr indicating a lack of interest in attending.
Trump later withdrew the invitation in a social media post that mentioned Curry by name. The exchange drew widespread attention and led to further commentary from players across the league, including LeBron James.
The Warriors also declined a visit after their 2018 title. In 2019, the Toronto Raptors did not visit the White House or Canada’s Parliament, citing scheduling conflicts. The Los Angeles Lakers declined after winning in 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic also complicating any potential visit.
Recent Champions
Under President Joe Biden, several NBA champions resumed White House visits. The Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, and Boston Celtics all attended following their respective titles.
The Denver Nuggets scheduled a visit after their 2023 championship but ultimately did not attend due to scheduling conflicts related to the NBA playoffs. After Trump returned to office following the 2024 election, the Oklahoma City Thunder won the 2025 NBA Finals and declined a visit, also citing scheduling issues.
Dolan and Trump
Dolan has long been a supporter and donor of Trump. The two were seen together in Dolan’s suite during Game 3 of the NBA Finals on June 8, when the Knicks suffered their only loss of the series.
Trump publicly praised Dolan and the Knicks earlier in the Finals, calling the team competitive and describing the roster as impressive.
Team Activities
As championship celebrations continue, Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart appeared at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night, where they threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Yankees’ game against the Chicago White Sox.
The Knicks’ championship parade is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday. City officials have released details outlining the parade route and timing.
The planned White House visit adds a notable chapter to the Knicks’ championship season and marks a shift in recent NBA history regarding presidential invitations.
