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Knicks offered employees free title rings. It was a phishing test

Linkedin • October 23, 2026

New York Knicks employees were subjected to a test that has divided cybersecurity experts. The team sent an e-mail purporting to offer championship rings,

reports, with links to two styles. Just one problem: The e-mail was a phishing expedition, and employees who clicked were remanded to training. "The best cybersecurity training I've seen all year," wrote IT pro

. "Absolutely sick for the Knicks employees," countered former Milwaukee Bucks exec

. And here's the kicker: In a break with tradition, numerous staff won't receive rings at all.

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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 Staff Duped by Phishing Test Posing as Championship Ring Offer In September 2026, Madison Square Garden employees received a phishing email falsely promising complimentary New York Knicks championship rings. The email instructed recipients to click a link to select their preferred ring design, leading to mandatory cybersecurity training for those who clicked. The incident coincided with the Knicks' championship ring ceremony on October 20, where players received their rings, but assistant coaches were handed empty boxes. Many longtime MSG employees were informed they would not receive rings at all. Following backlash, the Knicks announced plans to distribute 275 championship rings worth over $3.7 million to various employees. The phishing test was part of a broader effort to enhance cybersecurity awareness after a previous hacking incident. 41 sources 27

Knicks offered employees free title rings. It was a phishing test

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Extracted Entities

Attack Types (1)

MITRE ATT&CK (1)