The New York Knicks just ended a 53-year championship drought, and now they face a decision that's sparking debate across the sports world: Should they visit the White House?
After Jalen Brunson dropped 45 points in Game 5 to clinch the franchise's first title since 1973, President Donald Trump was quick to congratulate the team. In a Truth Social post, Trump praised Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson, calling Brunson "a superstar." The president even attended Game 3 at Madison Square Garden, making history as the first sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game.
But the question remains: Will the Knicks accept an invitation to the White House? Vanessa Bryant's tribute to Kobe after the win reminded everyone of the team's journey, but political tensions could complicate the celebration.
During Tuesday's edition of the "Boomer & Gio" show on WFAN, former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason made his stance clear. "When does Jim Dolan tell his team that we’re going down to visit my good friend Donald Trump in the White House? That’s what I can’t wait for. And hopefully they all go," Esiason said.
Esiason didn't stop there. He framed the potential visit as a patriotic gesture, especially with the nation celebrating its 250th birthday. "I would love to see them be honored at the White House, given this is the 250th birthday of our great nation. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see the Knicks standing there with a huge Knicks fan who happens to be the president of the United States?"
The former NFL star also urged the team to set aside politics. "You go out of respect to the office… I would think that everybody can get over the political nature of all of this," Esiason added. "Doing the right thing by the team, which this mayor happens to be doing, I’m all in support of."
Knicks owner Jim Dolan, who has known Trump for over 30 years, previously dismissed rumors that the president slept during Game 3. "I was with him the whole time. We were talking the whole time. He was very much awake, he was very much engaged," Dolan said. "That’s the first sitting president of the United States to ever go to an NBA Finals. That’s a huge honor – and he’s a New Yorker. Whatever you think about him, he’s a Knicks fan."
While some fans may be divided, Knicks fans have already fired back at critics who mocked the team's celebration. The championship run has also reignited old rivalries, including Becky Hammon's 'too small' jab at Jalen Brunson that backfired spectacularly.
Esiason's push for a White House visit echoes a broader conversation about sports and politics. Dana White recently declared the UFC will never return to the White House after a costly event, highlighting how polarizing such visits can be. But for the Knicks, the decision ultimately rests with Dolan and the players.
As the team basks in the glory of their first championship in over half a century, the question of whether they'll take that trip to Washington D.C. remains unanswered. One thing is certain: Boomer Esiason will be watching closely.
