Knicks Reportedly Sent Fake Phishing Emails Telling MSG Employees They Were Getting Rings

Multiple Madison Square Garden employees were forced to attend a mandatory cybersecurity class after they fell for a fake phishing email promising them an NBA Championship ring to celebrate the New York Knicks’ 2025-26 season victory.

On Tuesday (Oct. 20), the New York Knicks held their NBA championship ring and banner-raising ceremony at Madison Square Garden ahead of their first game of the season. The team received their decadent Championship Rings to celebrate their first NBA title in 53 years, as designed by Jason of Beverly Hills. Featuring almost 800 diamonds and sapphires, totaling 22 carats, it proved to be a worthy celebration of the historic 2025-25 season. But, as reported by The Athletic, the ceremony wasn’t quite as perfect as it seemed.

While the players and team president Leon Rose received their rings on Tuesday, league sources said that Knicks coaching staff received boxes without rings inside. Assistant coaches had reportedly only been told they wouldn’t be getting rings earlier that day, with some of them expressing annoyance and others appearing angry that they were seemingly left out. They have since been informed that they will, in fact, receive their rings eventually. Several sources shared conflicting information about whether head coach Mike Brown received a ring on Tuesday.

Perhaps one of the most striking details about the whole ordeal, however, is that longtime employees at Madison Square Garden, including those that directly work with the Knicks, have been told they won’t receive rings at all. But to add insult to injury, some MSG employees received a fake phishing email in September telling employees they could get a championship ring “on the house.”

The email promised the ring would come from “the same jeweler, the same craftsmanship,” and would be personalized with their name. They were even offered two designs to choose from, and the email included a link to reserve the design they wanted.