{"id":2647973,"date":"2026-08-21T17:38:01","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T21:38:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ny-knicks-owner-turns-against-kathy-hochul-gives-big-to-republican-opponent\/"},"modified":"2026-08-21T17:46:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T21:46:40","slug":"ny-knicks-owner-turns-against-kathy-hochul-gives-big-to-republican-opponent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ny-knicks-owner-turns-against-kathy-hochul-gives-big-to-republican-opponent\/","title":{"rendered":"NY Knicks Owner Turns Against Kathy Hochul, Gives Big to Republican Opponent"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fny-knicks-owner-turns-against-kathy-hochul-gives-big-to-republican-opponent%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2647973&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses a political shift among New York Democrats, highlighting billionaire James Dolan&#8217;s move from supporting Democratic gubernatorial candidate Kathy hochul to becoming the state&#8217;s largest Republican donor. Dolan, owner of the New York Knicks and Madison Square garden, has funneled significant funds into Republican Bruce blakeman\u2019s campaign. His switch is partly driven by his business interests, including preserving Madison Square Garden and its surroundings, like the upcoming $8 billion Penn Station renovation. Dolan has also clashed with New York City officials and state authorities over regulatory actions. His increased support for GOP candidates could influence broader political dynamics in New York and potentially benefit national Republican efforts, especially if blakeman\u2019s campaign gains traction against Hochul. Dolan&#8217;s political activities are intertwined with his business pursuits and frustrations with Democratic policies.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>New York Democrats have driven one of the state\u2019s major donors into the arms of Republicans.<\/p>\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/news\/2026\/08\/20\/knicks-owner-bankrolled-hochul-for-years-now-hes-the-gops-biggest-donor-in-new-york-01044964\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Politico<\/a>, billionaire James Dolan, owner of the NBA champion New York Knicks, has spearheaded an effort to pour millions of dollars into Republican Bruce Blakeman\u2019s gubernatorial campaign.<\/p>\n<p>In 2022, Dolan backed Blakeman\u2019s opponent, Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.<\/p>\n<p>Now, in conjunction with his company and with family members, Dolan has given so much money to pro-Blakeman committees and super PACs that he stands as New York state\u2019s single largest GOP donor.<\/p>\n<p>New York Conservative Party Chair Jerry Kassar offered one explanation for the billionaire\u2019s apparent shift.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHistorically he\u2019s leaned toward Republicans, but he hasn\u2019t always been about Republicans,\u201d Kassar said of Dolan. \u201cHe\u2019s been about what\u2019s best for his business interests.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>At present, Dolan\u2019s business interests include keeping Madison Square Garden intact. The billionaire owns the legendary arena. He also owns the two teams that call the Garden home: the Knicks and the NHL\u2019s New York Rangers.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, New York City\u2019s iconic Penn Station, which sits directly below the Garden, will soon receive an $8 billion overhaul. Construction will begin by the end of 2027 and continue for six years, per <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/newshour\/nation\/new-yorks-penn-station-to-get-8-billion-remodel-with-columns-sunlight-and-trumps-name\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PBS<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Over the years, some Penn Station renovation proposals called for relocating Madison Square Garden. With the backing of President Donald Trump, however, the current project will proceed while leaving Dolan\u2019s arena in place.<\/p>\n<p>According to Politico, Dolan met with Trump at the White House earlier this year. Trump later told the New York Post that he preferred not to relocate Madison Square Garden.<\/p>\n<p>But Dolan\u2019s frustration with New York\u2019s ruling Democrats goes beyond the Penn Station renovation project.<\/p>\n<p>In 2023, for instance, the New York State Liquor Authority  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/major-nba-nhl-arena-lose-liquor-license-govt-brings-legal-action-owner-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">threatened to revoke<\/a> Madison Square Garden\u2019s liquor license after Dolan installed cameras and facial-recognition software to prevent his perceived adversaries from attending events there.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis gangster-like governmental organization has finally run up against an entity that won\u2019t cower in the face of their outrageous abuses,\u201d the billionaire said at the time. \u201cWhile others that have been subject to this harassment may have been forced into submission or silence, we are taking a stand on behalf of our fans and the many small businesses who have long been subject to the SLA\u2019s corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dolan has also feuded with Democratic Mayor Zohran Mamdani of New York City, Politico reported. The socialist mayor has made no secret of his desire to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/nyc-homeowners-score-temporary-court-victory-mamdanis-new-tax\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tax the rich<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>From the GOP perspective, Dolan\u2019s contributions could have nationwide consequences. After all, if Blakeman runs a competitive race against Hochul, down-ballot Republicans will benefit. That includes Republicans in U.S. House swing districts, of which New York boasts several.<\/p>\n<p>Thus, a strong showing from Blakeman, backed by Dolan, could help the GOP maintain control of Congress.<\/p>\n<p>In June, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/new-york-knicks-respond-white-house-invitation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Knicks<\/a> defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 4-1, to win the NBA title. Shortly thereafter, Dolan announced that his team would become the first NBA champion to visit Trump\u2019s White House.<\/p>\n<p>Amid the excitement of New York\u2019s 2026 playoff run, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/1994-nba-finals-clip-resurfaces-showing-trump-knicks-game-hochul-questioned-fandom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hochul<\/a> falsely insinuated that Trump qualified as a Johnny-come-lately Knicks fan. Footage of Trump attending a 1994 NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden, however, proved the governor wrong.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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Politico reports billionaire James Dolan, owner of the Knicks, is now heavily funding GOP candidate Bruce Blakeman\u2019s gubernatorial race after supporting Hochul in 2022<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2647974,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Dolan-vs-Hochul.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[39075,39987,65865,38930,68767],"class_list":["post-2647973","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-kathy-hochul","tag-new-york-politics","tag-ny-knicks","tag-political-donations","tag-republican-opponent"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Dolan-vs-Hochul.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647973","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2647973"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647973\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2647977,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647973\/revisions\/2647977"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2647974"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2647973"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2647973"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2647973"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}