James Dolan’s Knicks Just Won The NBA Title. Here’s How He Made His Fortune.

Forbes Daily Briefing

Forbes

Business, Tech News, News

4.4 • 18 Ratings

🗓️ 18 June 2026

⏱️ 7 minutes

🔗️ Recording | Apple Podcasts | RSS

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Summary

For most of James Dolan’s tenure in charge of the New York Knicks since he became Madison Square Garden’s chairman in 1999, he has been an easy punching bag for Knicks fans—and much of the damage was self-inflicted. But now, after one magical spring, that turbulent past might be water under the bridge. The Knicks are NBA champions for the first time in 53 years, a moment many fans never thought would be possible with Dolan in charge. “Hey, New York, I’m sorry it took so long, but here we are, and hopefully it won’t take that long again!” Dolan shouted on stage after Saturday night’s 94-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 clinched the title. The 71-year-old Cablevision heir also has plenty of reason to celebrate off the court. Forbes recently valued the Knicks at $9.75 billion—No. 3 in the NBA—and Dolan’s NHL team, the Rangers, at $4 billion, the second-best mark in hockey. While that combined total of $13.75 billion easily outpaces the $9.26 billion market cap of the publicly traded MSG, the stock is up 103% over the past year. Meanwhile, Dolan’s other company, Sphere Entertainment, which owns the Sphere just off the Las Vegas Strip and the MSG regional sports TV and radio networks, has seen its share price soar 291%. By Hank Tucker, Forbes Staff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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0:54.0	to status, eligibility criteria and and tis and Cs apply.
1:00.6	Today on Forbes, James Dolan's Nix just won the NBA title.
1:06.3	Here's how he made his fortune.
1:08.9	For most of James Dolan's tenure in charge of the New York Knicks,
1:12.7	since he became Madison Square Gardens chairman in 1999, he has been an easy punching bag for
1:18.4	Knicks fans, and much of the damage was self-inflicted. But now, after one magical spring,
1:24.8	that turbulent past might be water under the bridge.
1:28.3	The Knicks are NBA champions for the first time in 53 years, a moment many fans never
1:34.6	thought would be possible with Dolan in charge.
1:39.0	On stage after Saturday night's 94 to 90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 clinched the title.
1:46.4	Dolan shouted, quote,
	...

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