Overview
- Knicks owner James Dolan is holding a gala at Madison Square Garden on Thursday that invites donors for tickets starting at $10,000 with higher $25,000 and $50,000 tiers.
- State Board of Elections filings show three $1 million transfers from Dolan‑linked firms into Strong and Safe New York, a pro‑Blakeman Super PAC, made in the days before the Oct. 13 debate.
- Dolan, his family and MSG‑related entities previously gave about $1.4 million to Blakeman committees and have spent additional millions through super PACs and billboard ads targeting suburban New York.
- The fundraiser has intensified public criticism from Knicks fans and local leaders after a season of tensions over ticketing, roster moves and Dolan’s past political uses of MSG.
- The concentrated late‑cycle spending and the Garden event provide a funding and visibility boost for Blakeman even as polls show him trailing Gov. Kathy Hochul by roughly high single digits.