Hold up, you won’t believe what’s going down at Madison Square Garden right before the Knicks’ preseason game against Toronto on October 15. Owner James Dolan is throwing a fundraiser for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman.
The Price of Politics in the Garden
This isn’t just a casual get-together, either. We’re talking serious cash here. An invitation from the New York Post shows tickets to this event start at a cool $10,000. Dolan is no stranger to the political game, either. Politico reports he’s one of the biggest Republican donors in New York for the 2026 midterm cycle. His company, family, and Dolan himself have already poured $1.4 million into Blakeman’s committees, plus millions more into super PACs supporting the guy.
Blakeman’s Longshot Bid and Dolan’s Championship Tie
So, who is Bruce Blakeman? He’s the Nassau County executive, but he’s a longshot in the race for governor in a heavily Democratic state. An Emerson College poll from October 8 shows incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul with a 12-point lead. Blakeman, though, is absolutely thrilled to have Dolan in his corner, telling the Post, “James Dolan knows how to build businesses, create jobs, and win championships. I’m proud to have his support and his advice and together, we’re ready to take on Kathy Hochul and deliver another win for all New Yorkers.” This isn’t their first rodeo, either. Blakeman was in Dolan’s suite when President Donald Trump showed up for Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals. That was the only game the Knicks lost in that series, by the way, on their way to their first title in 53 years. MSG has a history of this, too, hosting a huge rally for Trump back in 2024.
So, yeah, expect some chatter around MSG when the Raptors roll into town. This isn’t just about hoops anymore.
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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