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James Dolan reveals hilarious admission about owning Knicks, Rangers

By Jordanna Clark

Jan 18, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks executive chairman James Dolan watches during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks executive chairman James Dolan watches during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Article Update: Daily Knicks received a statement from a spokesperson with MSG Sports in response to the New York Times piece.

"“As he stated in The NY Times, Mr. Dolan loves the Knicks and Rangers.”"

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a New York Knicks fan who likes James Dolan, but at least over the past few years, the owner has faded into the background. He admitted he isn’t as involved as he used to be, and it probably isn’t a coincidence the Knicks are no longer bottom dwellers.

Dolan is typically at the center of controversy, from being the lone owner to vote against the Michael Jordan Hornets sale to MSG’s questionable use of facial recognition technology.

As much as fans would love to see him sell the Knicks, Dolan said in January that he has “no plans whatsoever to sell at this point.”

In a profile written by The New York Times’ Katherine Rosman, Dolan revealed he was looking for a new project to take on in 2015.

"“He considered expanding his sports portfolio, perhaps by buying a baseball or soccer team. But while the Knicks and Rangers are “near and dear to my heart,” he said, “I don’t really like owning teams,” calling the economics of major league sports “kind of sleepy.”"

Dolan’s newest adventure is the Sphere in Las Vegas, a $2.3 billion project he hopes will be a “premier venue for music and video productions.” The people of New York might not be on his side, specifically sports fans, but maybe the people of Nevada will soon be.

Knicks’ James Dolan hilariously reveals he doesn’t “really like owning teams”

James Dolan knows all too well he isn’t liked by fans, as he’s led the charge behind banning fans who yell or hold up signs with negative messages toward him. In the interview, he argued that fans who do so are harassing an employee, him.

He speculated that maybe one day, he’ll be regarded positively in NYC, but that it won’t happen as long as he’s around.

"“Being a professional sports owner in New York,” he said, “you’re not beloved until you’re dead.”"

New York doesn’t exactly have a good track record under Dolan’s ownership, so the dissatisfaction of fans is perfectly reasonable. As much as he doesn’t like to own the Knicks, it’s safe to say fans don’t like him owning the team that much more.

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