Knicks owner James Dolan is hosting a fundraiser for GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman on Thursday at New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden, The Post has learned.
The gala will take place ahead of the reigning NBA champions’ preseason showdown with the Toronto Raptors.
New York Knicks owner James Dolan hosts a fundraiser for Bruce Blakeman in the New York governor’s race.
Blakeman for New York
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman trails Kathy Hochul in the polls by as much as 11 points. James Messerschmidt for NY Post
Tickets to attend the event start at $10,000, jumping to $25,000 for friend level and $50,000 for patriot status, according to an invite obtained by The Post.
Recent polls have Blakeman trailing Hochul by 9 to 11 points.
“James Dolan knows how to build businesses, create jobs, and win championships. I’m proud to have his support and his advice—and together, we’re ready to take on Kathy Hochul and deliver another win for all New Yorkers,” Blakeman said in a statement.
Dolan has been spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in this year’s election cycle backing Republicans running for office.
Last month, a Super PAC that he is helping bankroll dropped $250,000 on a billboard campaign to attack incumbent Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul, accusing her of driving folks out of the Empire State.
“You are Now Leaving NY (Like Everyone Else),” the billboard read, adding, “Vote Bruce Blakeman.”
New York Knicks owner James Dolan has taken a proactive role in this election cycle. Getty Images
The Strong and Safe New York PAC also recently started to dip into its coffers to back Republican AG candidate Saritha Komatireddy in her race against Democratic incumbent Letitia James.
The billboard campaign is part of a “seven-figure” buy to put up ads across Long Island and the northern burbs of Westchester County and Rockland County.
Dolan also clashed with Mayor Zohran Mamdani when a feud over the Garden’s watch parties held outside of the arena during the playoffs spilled out into public.
At a City Hall ceremony following the Knicks championship parade in downtown Manhattan, Dolan took a swipe at the mayor who had given a speech reciting the ups and downs of the Knicks in recent decades.
“I don’t need your vote, I don’t need to quote to you, right, about what happened here because if you’re real Knicks fans, you know it already,” Dolan said.
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