Knicks to distribute nearly $4 million in rings after phishing-test mishap

The Knicks disclosed a $3.7 million program to present more than 275 championship rings and jewelry to members of the organization, including players, coaches, staff and other affiliates. The move follows criticism that assistant coaches Chris Jent, Rick Brunson and Brendan O’Connor were handed empty boxes during the ring-presentation ceremony, though a league source said they will receive the proper rings shortly. League insiders confirmed that the broad distribution of rings had been planned from the start.

Earlier, the franchise sent a mass email to corporate employees prompting them to click a link for ring fittings; the link instead directed users to a mandatory cybersecurity training module, a tactic employed after a recent hacking incident. The Knicks called the use of rings as a phishing lure an "unfortunate mistake." All current players, as well as executives Leon Rose and William Wesley, and former center Ariel Hukporti, have already obtained their rings.