New York Knicks owner James Dolan decided not to purchase rings for several team staffers after they won the NBA Championship last year, choosing instead to dash their hopes by sending them a bizarre phishing email.

The Knicks received their championship rings this week, before their game against the Philadelphia 76ers, and celebrated their tremendous 2025/26 season after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in the finals. It was the Knicks' first championship since 1973, ending their 53-year wait.

The team's owner, Dolan, is permitted to purchase as many championship rings as he likes, with players and all coaches regularly receiving one while staff are given less extravagent versions of a ring. However, many have learned in recent weeks that they will not be given a ring and are instead being tested in cybersecurity.

According to a report in The Athletic, an email was sent around to staff confirming their ring and stating it was 'on the house'.

It read: "Congratulations, your Employee Championship Ring is here.

“(Employee name), this one is on the house. MSG is issuing a complimentary employee championship ring. The same jeweler, the same craftsmanship, personalized with your name. No cost to you.

“There are two designs to choose from: Championship Gold and Garden Classic. Reserve the one you want below.”

Incredibly, the email was a phishing test sent around by Madison Square Garden at the behest of Dolan, to see if employees would indeed click.

Those employees who had clicked did not choose their ring; instead, they learned they would need to attend a mandatory cybersecurity class.

It is said to have come from Dolan's 'concerns' around phishing and cybersecurity. The emails were leaked to The Athletic, with employees said to be furious.

The Knicks players, coaches, and Dolan himself received their rings this week, an 800-diamond-and-sapphire piece designed by luxury jeweler Jason of Beverly Hills—the same jeweler who designed the Seattle Seahawks' Super Bowl rings from this past season.

The rings are believed to have been valued at around $250,000 each. The ring features the words 'Knicks', 'World' and 'Champions', with each player's jersey number and diamonds for each postseason win.

Jason of Beverly Hills is selling a limited edition of 200 rings, priced at $19,995. They come with personal engravings and a lifetime warranty.