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"They can watch it on television" - Trump dismisses outrage over $9,000 Knicks Finals tickets
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- "They can watch it on television" - Trump dismisses outrage over $9,000 Knicks Finals tickets
President Donald Trump will attend Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden. The game marks the first time this century that The Garden will be hosting an NBA title game, as the last time the Knicks made the Finals was in 1999.
Given that it will be the first such game in 27 years, while also considering that the Knicks have a very long 53-year title drought - they last won the NBA championship in 1973, when it wasn't named the Larry O'Brien trophy yet it's a must-watch event in New York , and the ticket prices for the game are sky high.
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When a reporter told Trump that the average American cannot afford a ticket to Game 3, the president didn't seem bothered.
"They can watch it on television," replied Trump. "It's sort of semi-free to watch it on television. But that's the way life goes."
Game 3 tickets continue to soar as Monday approaches
Trump was aboard Air Force One, en route to a farmers' event in Wisconsin, early Friday, when he had that exchange with the reporter. During that conversation, she told him that the cheapest Game 3 ticket was at $8,000. Just hours later, that number went up to $9,000 , with former ESPN writer Darren Rovell predicting that it will go up further if the Knicks win Game 2 on Friday night.
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But while the numbers are astronomical and unaffordable for the average American, Trump noted that the price is set that way because it's a massive event for Knicks fans. If it were just any other Knicks game during the regular season, the ticket prices wouldn't be as high or unaffordable.
"If the game wasn't a big one, if the team wasn't a big success, you can go very easily. So you can do that, too. But that's the way life is, you know. And they've had great success. Don't forget they've suffered also, losses. They've suffered through the bad times. Now they have a team that's amazing," he added.
New York Mayor also expected to be present in Game 3…but will pay for his tickets
Likewise, New York City mayor Zohran Mamdami also said that he will be in attendance for Game 3. However, he told reporters that he will pay for his own ticket and won't be seated courtside or in a suite.
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" I can tell you that I'm planning to go to a Knicks game. I will be at Game 3. I will be in a very different section of the stadium," said Mamdami. When told that Trump is expected to attend too, he replied: "I think we're looking forward to welcoming any New Yorker who is excited for the Knicks to have that chance to win a championship."
It can be recalled that in Game 2 of the Knicks' Eastern Conference Finals series against the Cleveland Cavaliers , Mamdami was caught on video cheering and watching the game from the nosebleeds at The Garden. It's unclear how much he paid for those ECF tickets. But those seats are the ones that cost $9,000 for Game 3.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Jun 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
