Madison Square Garden (MSG) employees received an email offering them championship rings, but those who clicked on the email were instead assigned mandatory cybersecurity training.
After the Knicks won the 2026 NBA Finals, MSG employees received an email promising them their own championship ring. However, the email was a phishing test, allegedly commissioned by MSG owner James Dolan to address cybersecurity concerns; neither the Knicks' assistant coaches nor MSG employees have received championship rings yet.
"Congratulations, your Employee Championship Ring is here," the email obtained by The Athletic stated.
"(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," the email continued.
The MSG employees who clicked the link in the email were not redirected to reserve a championship ring, but rather to attend mandatory cybersecurity training, because the email was a phishing test, The Athletic reported.
Traditionally, NBA employees receive championship rings for their service. Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert gifted championship rings to over 1,000 employees, including janitors and food vendors, when the when the team won the title in 2016. (RELATED: Enes Kanter Freedom And Royce White, Who Tried To Join WNBA, Are 'Both Men,' League Commissioner Tells Congress)
Furthermore, even the Knicks coaches have not received their championship rings. Anonymous sources in the Knicks organization couldn't confirm whether Knicks head coach Mike Brown received his championship ring at the Knicks championship banner-raising ceremony Tuesday, The Athletic reported. The assistant coaches received empty boxes and haven't been fitted for rings yet, the sources claimed.
MSG representatives did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation's request for comment.
Dolan isn't alone in his concerns about cybersecurity. The White House directed the Federal Trade Commission to require AI companies to report potential hacking and cybersecurity threats on Oct. 15th. Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri introduced a bill on Oct. 1st to levy penalties against companies that have AI agents commit 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 said in a press release.
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