The owner of the New York Knicks, James Dolan, is set to make his first media appearance in two years, coinciding with another prominent New York figure returning to the airwaves.
The Knicks are a notoriously private organization; their front office and ownership tend to avoid media appearances, Dolan especially. This makes his upcoming appearance both interesting for what he has to say about his successful team and a significant get for WFAN overall.
James Dolan’s First Media Appearance in Two Years Coincides With Redemption Arc Over His Ownership
James Dolan will appear on Craig Carton’s return to the New York airwaves on WFAN, Monday at 5.30 pm ET, just an hour and a half before his team faces the Detroit Pistons, in a top of the Conference clash.
Neither Dolan nor Knicks President Leon Rose has spoken publicly since the Knicks won the NBA Cup, then became the first team to refuse to hang the banner, wishing to keep his squad focused. It will be interesting to hear his point of view on that call as he breaks his silence on Monday.
James Dolan is set to break his silence tomorrow https://t.co/6BLpODJzL8
— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) January 5, 2026
Also, he will likely be asked about his decision to bravely pull the trigger on firing the successful Tom Thibodeau after the team made their first Conference Finals in a quarter century last season. Albeit, it currently looks like the right call considering how well the team has played under Mike Brown so far this season, culminating in a Cup win. Brown is said to have complimented Dolan, having set a “high bar” within the organization.
Dolan has seen somewhat of a redemption arc. He made the wise decision to step back and allow his front office to preside over all Basketball decisions, similar to what he’s done as owner of the New York Rangers, with whom they share the same venue.
His choice of hiring ex-CAA agent and power broker Leon Rose as President of Basketball Operations, along with his staff, in 2020 has proven inspired in turning the Knicks from cellar dwellers to title contenders.
Dolan went from a deeply unpopular figure throughout the 00’s, facing protests over his stewardship after being accused of meddling during several high-profile, disastrous Knicks teams. Nevertheless, despite lawsuits and a public feud with Charles Oakley, Dolan has managed to recover his reputation.
Dolan perhaps deserves more credit for taking care of his players. Ex-player Tyson Chandler, for instance, said, “I got nothing but respect for him.” In 2014, Dolan gave Chandler his personal plane to visit his sick mother on the West Coast throughout the season after a Cancer diagnosis.
Team captain and MVP candidate Jalen Brunson had Dolan on his “Roomates” podcast with Josh Hart last year, clearly a signal of his close relationship with the players.
He is also willing to spend whatever it takes to put a winner on the court and make MSG an arena befitting its nickname as the “world’s most famous arena.” Now, Dolan’s redemption arc sees the Knicks as the best-performing major franchise in the New York metropolitan area.
Under Hal Steinbrenner, the Yankees haven’t won since 2009, and he has gone public several times about his desire to lower the Yankees’ payroll. The Mets missed the playoffs last year, and the Giants and Jets are perennially among the NFL’s worst teams.
As the saying goes, ‘history is written by the victors.’ If the Knicks can finally win their first championship since 1973 under Dolan’s stewardship, his tenure will likely be viewed favorably once it’s all said and done.
