Knicks Employees Targeted in Phishing Test with Fake Championship Rings
Knicks Employees Targeted in Phishing Test with Fake Championship Rings
The New York Knicks organization sent employees a phishing email promising free championship rings in a test of its staff’s ability to detect scams. 🏆 The email, sent in late September, stated: “Congratulations, your Employee Championship Ring is here!” Employees were instructed to click a link to choose from two ring designs.
Those who clicked the link were required to attend a mandatory cybersecurity class to address owner James Dolan’s growing cybersecurity concerns.
The offer seemed plausible, as most employees for NBA teams typically receive rings, even if they are not as extravagant as those given to players. According to Joe Vardon, senior NBA writer for The Athletic, the email included a graphic of two differently styled rings that employees could supposedly choose from. The full text read: “(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.”
Multiple team sources confirmed that this was a phishing test. Following the incident, MSG issued a statement explaining that the email was part of a simulation designed to strengthen security against hackers. They acknowledged that the use of championship rings as bait was an unfortunate mistake, especially after MSG had recently been hacked and extorted using an employee login obtained through a similar phishing attack.
To address employee disappointment, MSG announced it would be gifting over 275 championship rings and jewelry to players, coaches, employees, and other members of the Knicks family, valued at more than $3.7 million, in recognition of their contributions and to celebrate this achievement. 🎉