NY Knicks issue cease-and-desist letter to Mamdani over logo use, clarify they don't endorse him

[Polybius]

Source: MEAWW News

WASHINGTON, DC: The New York Knicks hit mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani with a cease-and-desist after he used a modified version of their iconic logo in a campaign ad.

The team emphasized that it does not endorse the Democratic socialist candidate. Mamdani had replaced the word “Knicks” with “Zohran” in the logo and shared it across social media during the team’s season opener, before pulling the ad on Friday, October 24.

“The NY Knicks have sent NYC Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani a cease-and-desist letter for using the NY Knicks logo to promote his candidacy,” a team spokesperson told The Post. “The Knicks want to make it clear that we do not endorse Mr Mamdani for Mayor, and we object to his use of our copyrighted logo. We will pursue all legal remedies to enforce our rights."

Knicks owner James Dolan has stayed quiet on the mayoral race but remains active in city politics. The Madison Square Garden CEO recently revealed that he is quietly supporting independent candidate Diana Florence in her bid for Manhattan district attorney, part of his effort to unseat Democratic prosecutor Alvin Bragg.

Read more: https://news.meaww.com/ny-knicks-issue-cease-and-desist-letter-to-mamdani-over-logo-use-clarify-they-dont-endorse-him

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Link to tweet

[Cha]

1. Wow.. why would he do that Without

the Knicks Approval?

[QueerDuck]

9. Amazing. Definitely not accidental. It's very deceptive and manipulative. Not a good sign.

[oldmanlynn]

2. Makes me believe the New York Knicks owner is Maga

[NoRethugFriends]

3. Yup.

[rpannier]

5. He's a lot of things.

In 2022, he installed facial recognition software in MSG to detect any attorneys whose law firms were engaged in legal disputes with Dolan and his businesses. Even if they had purchased tickets he had them escorted out
He banned writers who criticized the franchise from access to players for interviews
He is a part owner of Cablevision (or was). He renovated MSG to add more luxury areas, and decrease the number of regular seats

[electric_blue68]

6. Bummer! Haven't been inside MSG since Sept 2019.

And I spent decades there between multiple Who, Springsteen, U2 shows!
A few other one off shows.

[choie]

12. Ya think?

[NoRethugFriends]

4. In addition to Spike Lee's antics, another reason to dislike the Knicks

[mcar]

7. So it's ok to steal a logo?

We don't agree when TSF steals songs for his rallies but it's just fine to appropriate a logo for a campaign ad?

[no_hypocrisy]

8. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if Dolan and the Knicks

aren't concerned about TSF coming after them if they don't curtail Mamdani.

[MichMan]

10. Zohran Mamdani Learns Hard Lesson From Angry Knicks Fans

The overwhelming response from fans shows clear disapproval of Mamdani's unauthorized logo use. Social media erupted with criticism as passionate supporters rallied behind their beloved franchise.​

The legal implications weren't lost on fans either. One user commented: "Using a team's logo without permission? That's a legal slam dunk". The comparison to basketball terminology highlighted how clear-cut the intellectual property violation appeared to many observers.​

Questions about authenticity dominated the conversation as well. One Knicks fan stated: "He was tryna act like this big time Knicks fan, people saw right through it he knows nothing about sports". This comment suggested many supporters felt the campaign move was inauthentic pandering rather than genuine fandom.​

Not everyone was critical; some added humor. One user said: "He's getting this knicks fan's vote! Go Knicks." The harshest reactions called for permanent consequences. One user commented, "Good! I hope the Knicks don't let him into MSG!" This statement reflected fans' protective nature toward their team's brand and legacy.​

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/zohran-mamdani-learns-hard-lesson-from-angry-knicks-fans/ar-AA1P8DrE?ocid=BingNewsSerp

[VeryProgressive]

11. Jealousy

The Knicks are upset because Mamdani is a winner and the Knicks aren't. His use of their log in way would be misconstrued as an endorsement. How do we know he actually used or one of his campaign people did it not knowing it might be illegal. Much ado about nothing. They are getting desperate.

[Polybius]

13. I don't know why so many are taking his side on this

It's never alright to use a logo without permission. Imagine if Trump did this. What was he thinking?

[QueerDuck]

15. It's a knee-jerk reaction and circling of the wagons.

In response to your question, it shows arrogance, poor judgement, and a lack of thinking things through. Was it a "rouge" and "entitled" graphics designer? Did Mamdani sign-off on it and approve the design?

One would think that in these days, a serious highly-visible campaign would have hired experienced staffers and at the very least their own legal team to review things like this.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

14. I'm sure the crybabies and bingo ladies having the vapors over this stand outside games and protest vendors.

This shit goes on nonstop outside every sporting event and the “fans” don’t give a shit.

I don’t blame the owner for defending his trademark even though he is a maga piece of shit. And the twitter replies are like something out of a Nazi/klan rally - oh wait, that’s what Twitter is.

But let’s be honest; Some people are big mad this guy is way ahead of the sex pest and subway karate chopper. And it really sticks in their vote-blue-no-matter-who craws.