Knicks Owner James Dolan Becomes New York's Largest GOP Donor, Giving $1.4M to Back Republican Bruce Blakeman for Governor

James Dolan and his family and company gave $1.4 million this year to committees backing Republican Bruce Blakeman for New York governor, making Dolan the state's largest GOP donor.

Original report
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Industry impact

The donations tie a major arena owner's political spending to an upcoming municipal permit decision, spotlighting how sports-venue operators can leverage election funding around regulatory approvals.

Madison Square Garden and New York Knicks owner James Dolan, along with his family and company, donated $1.4 million this year to committees supporting Republican Bruce Blakeman in the New York governor's race, making Dolan the state's largest GOP donor. The shift marks a reversal from four years ago, when Dolan backed Democrat Kathy Hochul: between 2021 and 2024, Dolan family members contributed $530,000 to Hochul, MSG itself gave $52,000, and his super PAC spent an additional $580,000 helping her win in 2022, including a final week in which Dolan gave $69,700, his sons Ryan and Quentin each gave $47,100, and his father Charles added $44,700.

This cycle, the Dolan family sent $970,000 to the Nassau County Republican Party and $108,000 directly to Blakeman's campaign, and Dolan became the largest donor to both Republican legislative campaign committees in Albany at $139,000 each. MSG contributed $2 million to its super PAC in July and began directing funds to a pro-Blakeman group called Strong and Safe New York, which also received $700,000 directly from the company.

The pivot follows a policy win for MSG: in May, the Trump administration committed $8 billion to a Penn Station redevelopment plan that rejected a competing proposal to relocate Madison Square Garden, and in June President Trump watched NBA Finals Game 3 from Dolan's owner suite with Blakeman seated beside him. MSG operates above Penn Station on a special permit controlled by the New York City Council; Dolan requested a permanent permit in 2013 and received only 10 years, then requested another 10-year extension in 2023 and was granted five, with the next permit vote due in 2028. Madison Square Garden has not paid New York City property taxes since 1982, an annual break worth roughly $43 million, with cumulative inflation-adjusted savings estimated at approximately $875 million by the city's Independent Budget Office.