Knicks owner faces fan backlash after tricking MSG staff with a fake championship ring phishing test

Published Oct 23, 2026, 10:37 AM EDT Simon is a Computer Science BSc graduate who has been writing about technology since 2014, and using Windows machines since 3.1. After working for an indie game studio and acting as the family's go-to technician for all computer issues, he found his passion for writing and decided to use his skill set to write about all things tech. Since beginning his writing career, he has written for many different publications such as WorldStart, Listverse, and MakeTechEasier. However, after finding his home at MakeUseOf in February 2019, he would eventually move on to its sister site, XDA, to bring the latest and greatest in Windows, Linux, and DIY electronics. Sign in to your XDA account Summary Madison Square Garden sent a fake employee championship ring email as a phishing test, sparking outrage. Longtime staff weren't getting rings anyway, so the test felt needlessly cruel and misleading. Fans blasted MSG; critics say phishing tests are fine, but fans claim this crossed a line. Do you think you'd be able to spot a company-mandated phishing test if you saw one? Businesses sometimes send out fake scam emails to their employees to see if they click them; if they do, they earn themselves a one-way ticket to a cybersecurity training course. However, Knicks fans were left outraged when they learned that the staff at Madison Square Garden were seemingly offered to customize their championship ring, only for it to turn out that it was a phishing test all along. People lash out against a phishing test that promised MSG staff a championship ring It seems that many of the staff weren't getting rings in the first place As reported by The Athletic, the New York Knicks' staff at Madison Square Garden were looking forward to receiving commemorative championship rings after their team took the NBA Championship from the San Antonio Spurs earlier this year. So, excitement was high among the staff when they received this email: “Congratulations, your Employee Championship Ring is here." “(Employee name), this one is on the house. MSG is issuing a complimentary employee championship ring. The same jeweler, the same craftsmanship, personalized with your name. No cost to you. “There are two designs to choose from: Championship Gold and Garden Classic. Reserve the one you want below.” Except, this wasn't a real offer at all; it was a cybersecurity test to see if staff members would click it. Those who did would be called up for a cybersecurity training course on how to avoid scams. Even worse, it seems that longtime staff members weren't getting rings at all, regardless of whether they fell for the scam, which rubs even more salt in the wound. It seems this test was spearheaded by chairman James Dolan's desire to enhance MSG's cybersecurity. Online reactions have been pretty divided. Some say this is standard phishing prevention protocol and that companies send these fake emails all the time to test employees. However, Knicks fans are furious to learn that MSG staff were teased with something they felt the workers were owed, but were never going to receive. To make matters worse, the assistant coaches for the Knicks were given ring boxes during opening night that didn't actually contain a ring, acting merely as a prop while the real rings were still being fitted. In any case, the message is clear: there is such a thing as a phishing test email that goes too far.