New York Attorney General Letitia James told the Knicks during their championship parade that a White House visit is entirely a personal decision for the players. Her comments land days after owner James Dolan confirmed the team accepted an invitation from Pre
The Knicks’ championship parade had barely settled into its celebratory noise when New York Attorney General Letitia James stepped up to reporters with a blunt reminder: no one can force these players to show up at the White House.
James spoke at the Knicks’ championship parade and framed the decision as something players control, not something they owe. “That is their personal prerogative, because, you know, in their contract, they have autonomy over their bodies,” she said. “And therefore, if they decide not to go, I would respect that.”.
It was a message delivered on a day when the story around the team’s next stop was already moving fast—right down to who accepted an invitation in the first place. One day earlier, owner James Dolan publicly confirmed the Knicks had accepted a White House invitation from President Donald Trump.
“We just did receive an invitation from the White House, which we accepted,” Dolan said during an appearance on WFAN. “He is a friend. I’ve known him for 30 years, and I’m very proud to bring the team to the White House.”
James’s remarks land inside a knot of history around champions. presidents. and the question of who gets to say no. Every NBA champion during Trump’s first and second terms declined White House invitations. That stretch dates back to the 2017 Golden State Warriors. when star Stephen Curry expressed reluctance. and Trump promptly rescinded the invite. Last year, the Oklahoma City Thunder also passed, citing scheduling conflicts.
The Knicks are breaking that streak.
This is a franchise that ended a long wait. The Knicks recently clinched their first title in 53 years with a 94-90 Game 5 win over the San Antonio Spurs. Trump attended Game 3 at Madison Square Garden—the first sitting president ever to watch an NBA Finals game. He was met with loud boos from fans, and those fans had to clear TSA-style security to get inside. The Knicks also lost that night.
Now, the only certainty is what James made clear at the parade: the players’ choice matters, and it will be respected if they decide not to go.
Which players will actually make the Washington trip remains unknown, but the message behind the uncertainty was unmistakable—when it comes to this particular visit, the contract and the body belong to the athletes, not the politics swirling around the trophy.
Letitia James New York Attorney General Knicks James Dolan White House invitation Donald Trump championship parade Stephen Curry Golden State Warriors Oklahoma City Thunder Madison Square Garden TSA-style security