The 2026 NBA champion New York Knicks are still deep in internal discussion about whether they will visit the White House, a traditional trip for sports champions. Head coach Mike Brown confirmed on Tuesday, September 29, that it’s an ongoing debate within the team, making it a group decision. This comes despite owner James Dolan previously accepting an invitation back in June.
Dolan Made the Call, But The Team Isn’t So Sure
Knicks owner James Dolan, 71, who has a close relationship with President Donald Trump, 80, was quick to accept the White House invitation. He told WFAN New York on June 17, just four days after the Knicks clinched the title in Game 5 against the San Antonio Spurs, that they had received and accepted the invite. Dolan mentioned at the time that they still needed to “figure out the details.” Fast forward to late September, and it sounds like those details are proving to be a bit more complicated than just logistics. Coach Brown, 56, is making it clear this isn’t a top-down mandate.
From the Finals Floor to the White House Question Mark
This internal discussion tracks with what some key players have said. Finals MVP and Knicks captain Jalen Brunson, 30, mentioned in July that a White House visit was “something that we actually haven’t discussed as a team.” Even backup point guard Jose Alvarado, 28, who had shared with TMZ in the days after their epic June parade that he’d attend “if there’s a chance” and wherever his teammates go, put the ball back in the team’s court.
Interestingly, President Donald Trump attended Game 3 of the Finals on June 8 at Madison Square Garden. That game was the only loss the Knicks suffered against the Spurs in the series, and he was reportedly booed by some fans inside the venue. The Dodgers made the traditional trip to Washington D.C. after their 2025 World Series win, but for the Knicks, this decision is clearly a much bigger deal. With their next road game against the Wizards not until December 18, and then March 16, 2027, the team has some time to figure out if they’ll uphold a tradition that dates back to the 1800s.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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