Sports Fans Demanding Change To NBA Finals Trophy Ceremony

NBA fans want to see a change to the trophy ceremony.

The New York Knicks won the NBA Finals on Saturday night. New York topped San Antonio, 4-1, in the seven-game series. Jalen Brunson was rightfully named the NBA Finals MVP. It's a storybook ending to a magical season for Brunson and the entire Knicks franchise.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver handed the Knicks the Larry O'Brien Trophy following their Game 5 victory. However, neither the players nor the coaches received the trophy first. Instead, it went to Knicks owner James Dolan.

In hockey, it's the star player who gets the Stanley Cup first. But in football, basketball and baseball, it's often the owner who receives the trophy first.

NBA fans want that to change.

Fans pushing for change to NBA Finals trophy ceremony

NBA fans did not like seeing James Dolan receive the trophy first.

"Not to be NHL biased, but it's so lame how the owner lifts the trophy and talks first. Get James Dolan off my screen brah let Brunson and KAT talk," one fan wrote.

"Nothing beats the Stanley Cup and the presentation of the trophy. NFL, NBA and MLB don't compare in that aspect," one fan added.

"NBA needs to change it," one fan added.

"If I was a sports owner I would just sit in my owners box and let the players have their moment with who they want out their with them," another fan added.

"Agree about the owner part, but this series reminded me why NBA is so much more popular than NHL. That was a fairytale. It would be even better if Dolan was never seen again," one fan added.

"It needs to change," one fan added.

Should the NBA change the way the trophy is awarded?

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This story was originally published June 14, 2026 at 5:24 AM.