The parent company of the New York Knicks said it was giving away more than $3.7 million worth of championship rings and jewelry after admitting to an “unfortunate error” in using a free ring offer to lure employees into a cybersecurity test.
As first reported by The Athletic, the email indicated that employees were eligible for a free championship ring from the Knicks. Instead, clicking on the offer earned them mandatory cybersecurity training, the outlet reported.
“The company previously sent an email to its corporate team to simulate a phishing attack intended to strengthen our security against hackers,” Madison Square Garden Sports said in a statement. “MSG was recently hacked and extorted using an employee ID and password obtained in a similar phishing attack.”
The company said it will gift Knicks players, coaches, staff and other members of the organization with more than 275 rings and jewelry worth more than $3.7 million.
NFL Network host Rich Eisen criticized Knicks owner James L. Dolan said in his email on his show: “The man is phishing his own employees with the lure of a championship ring. Can you be a worse employer? Can you be less than that?”
The Athletic also reported that Knicks assistant coaches were given empty boxes during the ring ceremony before the Knicks’ season opener on Tuesday. Attendees had been informed earlier in the day that they would not receive their rings that evening but would eventually, according to the outlet.
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