Knicks Issue Cease and Desist to Senate Candidate

The New York Knicks have taken action against Abar Kawas, a candidate for the state Senate, sending him a “cease and desist” letter. It appears he borrowed a tactic from NYC Mayor Zoran Mamdani, using the team’s well-known logo to promote his campaign, according to reports.

Kawas, affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America and supported by Mamdani, has made headlines for his previous comments about 9/11, referring to it as a terrorist act committed by “a few people.” Recently, he used a modified Knicks logo in social media posts and campaign stickers in his primary race, which concluded with him clinching the Democratic nomination for the Queens state Senate seat.

Brian N. Warner, the executive vice president and general counsel for Madison Square Garden Sports, dispatched a demand letter to Kawas’s campaign. He insisted they must stop using any Knicks intellectual property, including unauthorized advertising. Kawas’s campaign has been accused of potentially misleading the public into thinking there’s an affiliation with the Knicks.

The letter stated, “Their activities could be seen as trademark infringement, trademark dilution, false advertising, false association, and unfair competition.”

Kawas’s attempt to leverage the Knicks’ success is evident in materials promoting his June 20 game appearance, which coincided with the Knicks winning their first NBA Finals in 53 years. His campaign employed the same font and color scheme associated with the team, claiming “I Voted for Abar Kawas” alongside a basketball icon, replacing the team name with his own.

He encouraged people to vote with a message like, “Go to the polls and get your ‘I Voted for Abar Kawas’ Champion Sticker.” The aim seemed to be to create a sense of pride and community around his campaign. Mamdani had previously attempted something similar during his mayoral bid, modifying the Knicks logo by substituting “Knicks” for “Zoran,” which led to a swift cease-and-desist request from the team.

James Dolan, who owns the Knicks and Madison Square Garden, had a recent public disagreement with Mamdani’s administration over a planned fan viewing party that was canceled due to safety regulations. Their ongoing tensions were evident during public appearances, including a victory parade for the Knicks.

Kawasu has a background with the Council on American-Islamic Relations and has been involved in various activist efforts. Yet, she has faced backlash for her remarks on 9/11, which resurfaced in light of recent events.

In remarks that have drawn criticism, she expressed that “systems like capitalism, racism, white supremacy, and Islamophobia” contribute significantly to ongoing injustices globally, tying this to events like 9/11. She further commented on the lack of reparations for historical atrocities compared to the apologies expected for acts of terrorism.

As for the Kawas campaign, they did not provide immediate comments when reached out to. Meanwhile, a representative from Madison Square Garden asserted that the letter speaks for itself.