NBAYesterday
Knicks Staff Receive Phishing Test Tied to Championship Rings
Madison Square Garden acknowledged an internal simulation that reached business operations employees and arena workers, while separate ring distribution problems affected assistant coaches.
· 2 min read
On this page3 sections
Phishing Simulation Delivered to Staff
Employees in Knicks business operations and at the arena received an internal email that appeared to offer a championship ring at no cost. Those who clicked the link learned they had failed a security test and would need to complete a mandatory cybersecurity class. The company confirmed the message was part of a planned exercise intended to improve defenses after a prior breach that used stolen employee credentials.
Company Acknowledges Poor Choice of Lure
A Madison Square Garden spokesman described the decision to use championship rings as bait as an unfortunate mistake. The organization is distributing more than 275 rings and pieces of jewelry to players, coaches, employees and others at a total value exceeding 3.7 million dollars. The simulation was designed to reduce the risk of future extortion attempts similar to one that recently targeted the company.
Coaches Receive Empty Boxes at Ceremony
Assistant coaches did not receive their rings during the title ceremony ahead of the season opener and were instead given empty boxes because fittings had not been completed. Reactions among the coaches ranged from annoyance to anger. A similar delay occurred with the Oklahoma City Thunder following their 2025 title. The Knicks ended a 53-year championship drought by defeating the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals and also raised a banner for their NBA Cup victory in the 2025-26 season.
Analysis, not a wagering instruction. Confirm every number on the sportsbook. 21+.
