James Dolan isn’t going anywhere. The longtime owner of the New York Knicks and the NHL’s New York Rangers made it clear that he has no plans to sell either franchise. Instead, he hopes to keep them within his family for generations to come.
Knicks and Rangers to Stay in the Dolan Family
In a rare interview on the “Roommates Show” podcast with Knicks star Jalen Brunson, Dolan was asked if he could ever see himself stepping away from team ownership. His answer was a firm “No.”
“I could pass it on. But I could never walk away,” Dolan stated. “We’re a controlled company, controlled by my family—some of my offspring, my brothers and sisters, and their kids. The Knicks, the Rangers, and the Garden are one-of-a-kind assets. My hope is that these kids grow up and take my place.”
Dolan has been at the helm of Madison Square Garden Sports (MSG Sports) since 1999 when his father, Charles Dolan, transitioned ownership. The 69-year-old now oversees operations of the Knicks, Rangers, and their respective minor league affiliates. His son, Quentin Dolan, is already involved in the family business, serving as Senior Vice President of player performance and science at MSG Sports.
Dolan Reflects on Team Decisions and NBA Finances
Dolan, who is known for avoiding the media, also spoke about his past role in Knicks’ basketball decisions. He admitted to previously meddling in roster moves, trying to find a quick fix for struggling seasons.
“There were times when I reached for that shiny sparkly object,” he said. “Let’s bring in this guy, and maybe he’ll turn it all around for us. But what I’ve learned over time is that doesn’t work. It really doesn’t.”
One missed opportunity still lingers for Dolan—trading for Vince Carter in 2004. Medical staff warned the Knicks that Carter’s Achilles was too damaged for him to have a long career. That diagnosis turned out to be wrong, as Carter played at a high level for several more seasons.
Beyond basketball, Dolan has voiced frustrations with the NBA’s financial structure. He recently criticized the league’s rising costs and new media-rights deal, which he believes hurts his regional sports networks. Some of those networks may be on the brink of financial collapse after ongoing carriage disputes.
Despite his gripes with the league, Dolan remains committed to his teams. The Knicks are currently thriving with Brunson and head coach Tom Thibodeau leading them to one of their best seasons since the 1990s. And if Dolan gets his way, the team will stay in his family’s hands for decades to come.
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