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Knicks coaches waiting on rings; staffers hit by phishing offer, per report

Tsn.Ca • October 23, 2026

New York Knicks assistant coaches did not receive their championship rings during Tuesday's title ceremony ahead of the season opener, while a number of team employees instead were targeted by a Madison Square Garden phishing scam and will not receive rings at all, according to a report.

The Athletic reported Thursday that the assistant coaches were handed empty boxes during Tuesday's ceremony, in part because they had not yet been fitted for the rings.

The coaches' reaction to the delayed rings ranged from annoyance to anger, according to The Athletic.

But for some team employees in Knicks' business operations and at Madison Square Garden, no rings are coming. Instead, they reportedly received an email last month saying "your Employee Championship Ring is here" that claimed that they could choose from a pair of options at "no cost to you."

When the employees clicked on a link in the email, The Athletic reported, they were informed that they had failed a phishing test and would have to attend a mandatory cybersecurity class.

"We are not disclosing anything the rings," an MSG Sports spokesperson said in a statement to The Athletic.

The delay in some rings being handed out also occurred for the Oklahoma City Thunder after their 2025 title, The Athletic noted.

The Knicks ended a 53-year championship drought when they defeated the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. On Tuesday, the team had not one but two new banners in the rafters, as one was also added to honor their win in the NBA Cup during the 2025-26 season.

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This article is one source in a clustered incident — the cluster page carries the summary, timeline and every other outlet covering it.

Knicks Employees Targeted in Phishing Test Masquerading as Championship Ring Offer In September 2026, several employees at Madison Square Garden received a phishing email claiming they could reserve a complimentary championship ring from the New York Knicks. Those who clicked the link were redirected to a mandatory cybersecurity training session instead. This phishing test was part of the Knicks' efforts to enhance cybersecurity awareness among staff. While players received their championship rings during a ceremony on October 20, assistant coaches were given empty boxes, and many MSG employees were informed they would not receive rings at all. The incident has drawn criticism for its deceptive nature, as it misled employees into believing they would receive a reward. The Knicks' owner, James Dolan, has been noted for his increasing concerns regarding cybersecurity. The incident highlights the challenges organizations face in balancing cybersecurity training with employee morale. 11 sources 28

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Knicks coaches waiting on rings; staffers hit by phishing offer, per report

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