It took him 27 years, but New York Knicks owner James Dolan finally delivered a championship to the city.
The Knicks capped off an impressive playoff run with a 94-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the NBA Finals to win the franchise’s first title since 1973. Dolan took control of the organization in 1999.
James Dolan Apologizes to New York Knicks Fans for Taking so Long to Deliver a Championship
GettySAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – JUNE 13: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver presents New York Knicks owner James Dolan with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after the victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 13, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
It’s been a long 50-plus years for Knicks fans, but they’re now finally back on top of the mountain. After the game, Dolan delivered a message to Knicks fans and apologized for taking so long to bring that coveted championship back to the Big Apple.
“I want to say something to New York,” Dolan said. “Hey New York, I’m sorry it took so long. But here we are and hopefully it won’t take that long again.”
It’s always debatable how of a team’s success should be attributed to the owner, but Dolan deserves credit for sticking with it, if nothing else. He could have easily sold the Knicks for a monster profit at any point over the past 15 years, but he held on to the team, and held out hope that he would ultimately oversee a title team. Now he has. And now that he has tasted success once, he’ll probably be hungry for more.
James Dolan Gets Last Laugh After Trolling San Antonio Spurs
GettyLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 07: (3rd L-R) Executive chairman and CEO of The Madison Square Garden Company and executive chairman of MSG Networks James L. Dolan, model Marcela Braga and Tao Group partner Jason Strauss attend a game between the New York Knicks and the Phoenix Suns during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 7, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Dolan ultimately got the last laugh after trolling the Spurs earlier in the series over their halftime entertainment compared to New York’s.
“You know at halftime what’s happening tonight? The reunification of the whole Wu-Tang Clan,” Dolan said. “I gotta say, we had Cardi B at halftime for the third game, we have the reunification of Wu-Tang for the fourth game and San Antonio had a dog on a beach ball during their halftime.”
Now that he’s won one, don’t expect Dolan to be satisfied. The question for No. 2 begins next season.
James Dolan Sends Message to Knicks Fans After Bringing Championship to New York