Knicks Owner James Dolan Tests Positive for Coronavirus

News broke on Saturday night that New York Knicks owner James Dolan tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Dolan, 64, is experiencing “little to no symptoms,” has been self-isolated and continues overseeing business operations, according to the Knicks organization.

Although Dolan did not attend the Knicks’ final road trip to Washington and Atlanta, he sat baseline at MSG when his team took on the Detroit Pistons on March 8. Christian Wood, 24, a power forward on the Pistons, was one of the 10 NBA players who tested positive for COVID-19. He was also the first known player to be cleared from the virus.

Utah Jazz stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert join Wood after it was announced Friday that the two were cleared from the virus.

No players on the Knicks have tested positive.

The news of the positive test came on the heels of an announcement that Dolan established a $2.3 million relief fund to give financial assistance to Madison Square Garden employees. In the agreement, he committed to paying qualified venue employees through at least May 3, New York Post reported. 

The fund set up will provide assistance to employees for various expenses, including healthcare, rent, mortgage, food, and other necessities while the arena is shut down. 

A negative spotlight has been on Dolan this season, specifically over the last two months, after lifetime mega-fan Spike Lee aired issues with the owner on ESPN’s “First Take” and sports radio shows. Lee alleged that Dolan had him removed from MSG after he entered an entrance he had used for years. Dolan claimed the rules had changed and that he had no grievances with Lee. 

Photo: (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)