President Donald Trump is reportedly considering attending the NBA Finals game between his hometown New York Knicks and the winner of the Oklahoma City Thunder-San Antonio Spurs series, according to three people familiar with the matter who spoke to the New York Times. Trump, a longtime supporter of the Knicks, would make an appearance at Madison Square Garden in June to watch the team compete for the championship, a feat the franchise has not achieved since 1999, the last time they reached the NBA Finals.
Trump's Sporting Event Attendance
If confirmed, the NBA Finals would join a growing list of major sporting events that Trump has attended since returning to the White House. Last year, the president was present at the Super Bowl, Daytona 500, U.S. Open men's finals, FIFA Club World Cup Final, the Ryder Cup, and several Ultimate Fighting Championship events. While no official announcement has been made, Trump hinted earlier this month that he was closely following the Knicks' successful run.
When asked by TalkRadio 77 if he remained a Knicks fan, Trump replied, "Well, I am." He expressed admiration for the team's performance, particularly their victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. The Independent has sought comment from the White House regarding the potential attendance.
Planning and Relationship with James Dolan
Insiders revealed that had the Knicks lost Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals, Trump would have made a surprise appearance at Madison Square Garden for Game 5. However, after the team's decisive 130-90 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday evening, the president is now considering attending the NBA championship series. Beyond his fandom, Trump shares a positive relationship with James Dolan, CEO and executive chairman of Madison Square Garden Sports, which owns the Knicks.
Trump remarked to TalkRadio 77, "I get along with Jim Dolan, and I think he's a really nice guy, and he's entitled to a good team because he's suffered a little bit. I'm really happy for him and for the team, I think it's great."
Historical Context
While Trump is known for attending golf tournaments and UFC fights as president, he has a long history of attending NBA games, often bringing his family in the 1990s and 2000s before his political career. If he attends the NBA Finals, he would become the first sitting president to do so, following in the footsteps of former presidents. Barack Obama attended Game 2 of the 2019 NBA Finals between the Toronto Raptors and Golden State Warriors, but he was out of office at the time. George W. Bush attended Game 2 of the 1999 NBA Finals between the Knicks and Spurs while serving as governor of Texas.
