About James Dolan
James Dolan, executive chairman and CEO of Madison Square Garden Sports, spoke at several public events following the New York Knicks' 2026 NBA championship, which ended a 53-year title drought. At a championship parade at City Hall, Dolan thanked fans for their patience, saying "you all don't look older than 53 years" and that some fans "weren't born yet" when the team last won. He stated the team would "keep working to bring you even better basketball." During a subsequent radio interview, Dolan said he had not previously addressed the team before the playoffs, and that he told players the season required "10 weeks" of focus and "sacrifice" to achieve a championship.
In other media appearances, Dolan discussed the team's culture change, saying he sought "the best collector of talent" rather than focusing on a specific strategy. He responded to a question about selling the team by stating "I don't think we're going to sell the team" and that he was focused on "repeating." Dolan also criticized the mayor's office over restrictions around Madison Square Garden, saying their decisions "makes absolutely no sense at all" and that he believed New Yorkers could handle the event.
Source: AI-verified profile updated from James Dolan's recent appearances.
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✨ AI-enhanced transcript with speaker attribution
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James Dolan0:09
Yeah.
10 weeks, baby.
Hello, you Knicks fans out there. Yes, thank you for waiting 53 years. Although I have to say when I look out over the Knicks fans here, you all don't look older than 53 years. Some of you weren't waiting 53. You weren't born yet. So, we're very, very happy to have brought you a championship. I'm very proud of our team. Look, I don't need your vote. I don't need to quote to you about what happened here, because if you're real Knicks fans, you know it already. So, thank you for supporting our team. We're going to keep working to bring you even better basketball, although it's hard to imagine that we'd get much better than this, but we will, right, fellas? And thank you again for your support.
Now, the architect of this roster, New York Knicks President Leon Rose.
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Leon Rose1:47
First, I want to thank Jim Dolan, who I've known for many years. I want to thank him for bringing me into the organization.
What's up? Speak up. They can't hear you.
Can you hear me?
All right.
First, I want to thank Jim Dolan, who I've known for a very long time, and I want to thank him for bringing me into the organization six years ago. He's believed in us through every step of this journey and supported us in every way imaginable. To the players, as you heard, the cardiac kids, no quit, find a way to win, really representing the grit and the character of the people of New York. Your commitment and sacrifice was second to none. Mike Brown and our entire coaching staff, you came in this season with enormous expectations and completely exceeded them. And you did it with so much class that resonated with New Yorkers. To my front office, you have been here since the start with me and there were so many decisions big and small that we made together that got us here today. And to my family, I can't describe how much it means to me and how special it's been to go through this journey with you and celebrate with you. And to all the families of the Knicks organization. And last and most importantly, to the greatest fans in the world, we did it for you. Your support in every arena, it felt like a home game wherever we played and all over the world has been unbelievable. And we hope to see you again very soon.
