New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown says the team is still discussing whether to visit the White House following their 2026 NBA championship.
The Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs in the 2025-2026 NBA Finals to win their first title since 1973.
Visiting the White House has traditionally been part of the celebrations for champions of major American sports leagues, although several teams declined White House visits during Trump’s first term as president from 2017 to 2021, including the Golden State Warriors led by Stephen Curry.
The discussions come despite the close relationship between Knicks owner James Dolan and US President Donald Trump. Speaking as the Knicks prepare to defend their title, Brown said the organisation had yet to make a final decision on the visit.
Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks lifts the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after the victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
“It’s still something that our guys, or the organization, is internally discussing and, you know, whatever we decide to do, we’ll all do together” Brown said about the visit to the White House.
US President Donald Trump sits next to Knicks owner James Dolan as they attend Game Three of the NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images)
Football star Lionel Messi visited the White House earlier this year after leading Inter Miami to win the MLS Cup.
(L/R) Inter Miami’s managing owner Jorge Mas, US President Donald Trump and Inter Miami’s Argentine forward Lionel Messi arrive for an event honoring the winners of the 2025 Major League Soccer Cup, in the East Room of the White House (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images)
