The New York Knicks have accepted an invitation to visit President Donald Trump at the White House, marking the first time an NBA Finals-winning team has done so during his presidency. Owner James Dolan announced the news during a radio interview, confirming the team accepted the ceremonial invite after their championship victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Dolan, a longtime friend of Trump, said he had personally invited the president to Game 3, which the Knicks lost before clinching the title in Game 5.

A White House official confirmed the visit is being coordinated for a date to be determined. The Knicks' visit breaks a pattern: the Oklahoma City Thunder skipped the event last year due to timing, and Trump previously uninvited or withheld invitations from the Golden State Warriors and LeBron James. The Toronto Raptors, as a Canadian team, and the pandemic-affected 2020 Lakers season also meant no NBA visit during earlier years of Trump’s term.

The upcoming ceremony will spotlight both the Knicks’ first championship in over 50 years and the intersection of sports, politics, and personal relationships. Player participation has not been confirmed, leaving open the question of how many will attend.