Knicks accept invitation to visit White House after win, owner says

New York Knicks owner James Dolan said on Wednesday that the team has accepted an invitation to visit the White House following its championship victory last week.

“We just received an invitation from the White House, which we accepted. We still have to figure out the details,” Dolan said in an interview on WFAN Sports Radio.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Dolan, who previously invited U.S. President Donald Trump to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals earlier this month, has described him as a personal friend.

The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94–90 on Saturday to win their first NBA championship since 1973.

Visits to the White House and meetings with the sitting president have long been a customary tradition for major championship-winning teams in American sports.

While most championship teams have continued the tradition during recent administrations, some have chosen to decline the invitation in certain cases.

Last year, several members of the Philadelphia Eagles, including quarterback Jalen Hurts, did not attend the White House ceremony following their Super Bowl victory.

It remains unclear whether the entire Knicks roster will attend the upcoming visit. However, Knicks guard Jose Alvarado expressed interest in participating.

“If there’s a chance, I’m going wherever my teammate goes,” he told TMZ. -Reporting by Jasper Ward in Washington; Editing by Jamie Freed/Reuters