Knicks’ parent company calls its use of championship rings as phishing bait an “unfortunate mistake” and says it will give out the rings
NBC News reported on Saturday, Oct. 24, that the New York Knicks’ parent company said it is giving out more than $3.7 million worth of championship rings and jewelry after acknowledging an unfortunate mistake in using an offer of free rings to lure employees into a cybersecurity test. NBC News said the story was first reported by The Athletic. Fox News reported that Knicks employees who clicked a phishing email disguised as a free championship ring offer were forced into a mandatory cybersecurity class, and that Madison Square Garden called the lure an unfortunate mistake. ABC News reported that Knicks assistant coaches did not receive their championship rings at Tuesday’s title ceremony, according to a report, and that staffers were hit by a phishing email.
A phishing test works by imitating a tempting message, and this one used the rings staff had been waiting for, which is why the company called the lure a mistake. The reports link the test to employees who were still waiting for rings.
The reports reviewed describe an internal company test, not a threat to the public. The general point for anyone is that an unexpected offer of a valuable prize in an email is a common phishing tactic.
The company’s view, as Fox News and NBC News report it, is that using the rings in the test was an unfortunate mistake and that the rings will be given out. On this view, the company has acknowledged the error and corrected it.
The employees’ side, as ABC News and Fox News report it, is that coaches had not received rings and that staff who clicked were sent to a mandatory class. On this view, the test caused frustration among people who were already waiting for rings.
Confirmed across outlets: the company called the ring-based phishing test an unfortunate mistake and says it is giving out the rings and jewelry. Not confirmed: the timing of the distribution. Watch for any further statement from Madison Square Garden or the team.
DailyDrop U.S. No. 20 · October 24, 2026 · Evening