Employees at Madison Square Garden received an email about championship rings but, instead of the expected reward, they were put into mandatory cybersecurity training after clicking the link.
Following the Knicks’ victory in the 2026 NBA Finals, the email promised a championship ring to MSG employees. However, it turned out to be a phishing test, supposedly initiated by MSG owner James Dolan to address increasing cybersecurity issues. So far, neither the assistant coaches nor MSG staff have received any championship rings.
The email, which was reviewed by The Athletic, began with, “Congratulations, your Employee Championship Ring is here.”
It went on to say, “(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.”
Instead of securing a ring, those who clicked the email link were diverted to a cybersecurity training session due to the phishing test, as reported by The Athletic.
Typically, NBA employees are awarded championship rings for their contributions. For instance, when the Cleveland Cavaliers won the title in 2016, owner Dan Gilbert provided rings to over 1,000 employees, including non-gaming staff like janitors and food providers.
Curiously, even the Knicks’ coaching staff has yet to receive their rings. Sources within the organization were unable to confirm if head coach Mike Brown got his ring during the championship banner-raising ceremony on Tuesday. Allegedly, assistant coaches were given empty boxes with no rings fitted for them yet.
Requests for comments from MSG representatives were not answered by the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Dolan isn’t the only one worried about cybersecurity. Recently, the White House instructed the Federal Trade Commission to require AI companies to report any potential hacking or cybersecurity risks. Meanwhile, Republican Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri introduced a bill aimed at penalizing companies whose AI agents engage in cyberattacks.
“If Big Tech companies are going to design AI agents that wreak havoc, these companies better be on the hook for any damage that is caused,” Hawley stated in a press release.
