James Dolan is probably the most hated team owner in the NBA right now. For years, his mishandling of things has put the Knicks in a miserable position, and fans, players, and analysts are ready to see him go.
This week, fans got some great news after MSG analyst Jonathan Boyar suggested publicly that Dolan could sell the team after the completion of the ‘MSG Sphere’ in Las Vegas.
“The enterprise value is about $4.7 billion. The Knicks were just valued at about $6 billion. So essentially, you’re getting paid to own the Rangers/Knicks. Their sister company, MSG entertainment, is currently about to finish a project in Las Vegas called ‘the sphere’ and we think it’s likely that after that is done, James Dolan, who controls the company, will sell the teams…”
Those hopes were cooled a few days later when an MSG executive pretty much dismissed the report.
Received a quick and direct response from MSG executive regarding recent speculation that owner James Dolan might consider selling the Knicks or the Rangers:
“We have no plans to sell either of the teams.” Updating my story accordingly…
Now, Dolan himself has denied the scoop about selling, which has all but doused any remaining hope Knicks fans had.
James Dolan is shutting down all talk of selling the New York Knicks … laughing at the notion and straight-up saying it’s not happening.
The rumors started to swirl earlier this week … when investment analyst Jonathan Boyar predicted Dolan would put the team up for sale after the new MSG Sphere opens up in Las Vegas next year.
An MSG rep was quick to deny the speculation … saying there were “no plans” to sell both the Knicks and New York Rangers.
Dolan doubled down on the statement as he was leaving businessman Noah Tepperberg’s birthday party at LAVO in West Hollywood … smiling and saying, “no” after being asked about the rumors.
Sadly, for Knicks fans, it looks like Dolan intends to keep his ownership role for the foreseeable future. And for a franchise that has struggled to build the right culture, a reset upstairs was desperately needed.
Nevertheless, the franchise will have to carry on with Dolan, for better or worse. Perhaps, with the right kind of star on the roster, the Knicks might still find some form of success.
