The New York Knicks will become the first NBA championship team to visit the White House during a Trump administration, ending a seven-year streak of teams declining or being denied the traditional presidential honor.
Historic White House Return
Knicks owner James Dolan confirmed Wednesday on WFAN sports radio that his team accepted an invitation from President Donald Trump to celebrate their recent championship victory. The visit marks a significant shift after multiple NBA champions avoided White House ceremonies throughout Trump’s previous term and Biden’s presidency. White House officials stated they have been coordinating with the Knicks organization and expect to finalize a date in the coming weeks.
Dolan emphasized his three-decade friendship with Trump, noting he personally invited the President to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 8. Trump accepted the invitation despite facing audible disapproval from the crowd at the arena, attending alongside Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and other senior officials. The Knicks lost that game to the San Antonio Spurs but won the series in five games.
Years of NBA White House Boycotts
The tradition of NBA champions visiting the White House collapsed in 2017 when Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry expressed disinterest in visiting Trump’s White House. Trump responded by withdrawing the invitation on social media, declaring the visit a great honor and criticizing Curry for hesitating. The Warriors skipped again after their 2018 championship, and the Toronto Raptors followed suit in 2019. Trump told reporters he would not invite Lakers player LeBron James after James supported Curry’s position.
During Biden’s presidency, only three NBA champions made White House visits: the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors, and Boston Celtics in 2021, 2023, and 2024 respectively. The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2020 championship celebration was complicated by pandemic restrictions, though Trump had already indicated James would not receive an invitation regardless.
What This Means
The Knicks’ acceptance signals a potential thaw in relations between professional basketball and the Trump administration. The decision carries particular symbolism given Trump’s New York roots and Madison Square Garden’s prominence in his political career. Whether other future NBA champions will follow the Knicks’ lead remains uncertain, as player activism and political statements have become increasingly common throughout professional sports. The visit represents the first NBA White House ceremony in two years since the Celtics visited Biden in 2024.