Knicks' Parent Company Admits Error in Ring-Themed Phishing Test, Says Staff Will Get Rings

The New York Knicks' parent company said it will give out more than 275 championship rings and pieces of jewelry, worth more than $3.7 million, to players, coaches, employees and others in the organization. It made the announcement after admitting a mistake in using an offer of free rings to lure employees into a cybersecurity test. The Athletic first reported that the email told employees they were eligible for a free Knicks championship ring, but clicking on it led to mandatory cybersecurity training. The Athletic also reported that assistant coaches received empty boxes at the ring ceremony before the Knicks' first game of the season on Tuesday, after being told earlier that day they would get their rings later. NFL Network host Rich Eisen criticized owner James L. Dolan over the email on his show. On Saturday, the Knicks said eligible staff will receive rings within a month, a wait of four to six weeks, and sought to correct what they called misinformation.

Alternative / independent outlets had not reported this story at the time of writing; left-leaning and right-leaning outlets had. The right-leaning Washington Times leads with the prank itself, saying Madison Square Garden tricked its employees with a fake email during a digital security training. Its headline uses the word fools and names MSG as the actor. In the material available, it does not mention the apology, the $3.7 million figure, Eisen or the empty boxes. Left-leaning outlets cover the same email but add the aftermath. NBC News leads with the company's admission of a mistake and the 275-plus rings, and features Eisen's criticism of Dolan and The Athletic's empty-box account. CNN focuses on the Knicks' effort to correct misinformation and the four-to-six-week timeline for rings. Both sides agree on the basic facts: a ring-themed email was used in a security test.