Knicks allegedly tricked employees with championship ring email that was actually a phishing test

The New York Knicks participated in one of the most euphoric championships in NBA history earlier this year. It was an unforgettable playoff run that ended a 53-year title drought. But since then, a lot of news about the team has had a different tone.

Whether it’s owner James Dolan’s tough stance against moving into the second apron that cost the team’s key reserve Mitchell Robinson or contentious extension negotiations with several starters filed before the season, the mood surrounding New York’s championship defense is decidedly more dour than it was a few months ago.

And on Thursday, The Athletic reported that the problems weren’t limited to the roster.

While Knicks players received their championship rings Tuesday before their season-opening loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, the rest of the organization still appears to be waiting. Knicks assistant coaches reportedly did not receive their rings Tuesday night, despite being given (apparently empty) boxes during the ring ceremony. While assistants’ reactions to not receiving their rings reportedly ranged “from genuine anger to annoyance,” The Athletic noted that not all assistant coaches, including last year’s Oklahoma City Thunder, did not receive their rings on opening night.

However, in a move atypical by NBA standards, many longtime Madison Square Garden employees reportedly won’t receive a championship ring at all. While the most expensive and ornate championship rings tend to be reserved for players, most NBA team employees receive less expensive rings when their team wins a title. It’s unclear where exactly the Knicks intend to draw the line, with The Athletic only noting that possible exclusions include some members of the team’s business operations staff.

However, in order to test the organization’s cybersecurity, Madison Square Garden employees received an email in September asking them to reserve their preferred ring style. However, the email was allegedly a phishing test. Employees who clicked on the link were forced to take a mandatory cybersecurity course “to help address some of Dolan’s growing cybersecurity concerns,” according to team sources. It’s unclear how many employees who received this email will eventually receive a championship ring.

“We don’t disclose anything about the rings,” an MSG Sports spokesperson told The Athletic.

The Knicks began their title defense with a loss to LeBron James and the 76ers, and even though the season has only just begun, much of the goodwill that followed last spring’s magical run appears to have dissipated. Although off-court controversies have been minimal since Leon Rose was hired to lead the team, the Knicks appear to be courting a fairly avoidable one in the way they’ve handled the scattering of their championship rings.