The Kings of New York
James Dolan and Steve Cohen have more in common that meets the eye
There has been a running ‘King of New York’ narrative between Jalen Brunson and Aaron Judge.
You can decide that for yourself.
There are also two owners in New York sports who have more in common than meets the eye — with their teams who are on the precipice of something special.
Knicks owner James Dolan and Mets owner Steve Cohen have ideas for their respected franchises — improve the sustained fan experience on and off the court or field.
While both owners share the same team colors, they also share the same city. Over the past few years, the Mets’ plans for Metropolitan Park have been met with many hurdles, as building real estate in New York City has been a headache forever. Steve Cohen has been a real reason why the Mets have been back to relevancy over the past five years, and the same can be said for James Dolan over that time span with the Knicks.
Unlike Cohen, Dolan has felt the wrath of New York. I can cite multiple examples. Whether it be in 2015, when he responded to an email from a lifelong Knicks fan, Irving Bierman, with a harsh personal attack, calling him a "hateful mess," suggesting he was an alcoholic, and telling him to root for the Nets instead. He never apologized. There was also 2017, when Dolan had former Knicks star Charles Oakley forcibly removed from Madison Square Garden during a game, which later led to Oakley’s arrest. Or in 2019, when his reputation was on the line over top free agents, like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in 2019, after they chose to sign with the rival Brooklyn Nets instead of the Knicks. There is a clear difference between the two owners here, which is important to note.
The similarities certainly are stark, though. Throughout the recent ending to the Knicks’ season, you always think about the next steps. You always think about talent to bring in to improve your team going forward. The Knicks and Mets have done that — with both owners being the final say who essentially cut and cash the checks. Whether it be bringing on Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns, or Juan Soto — both the Knicks and Mets have beefed up this offseason. In years past, signing Amar’e Stoudemire in 2010 and trading for Carmelo Anthony in 2011. For Cohen, paying to get rid of Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer for prospects. Both have been willing to get the big fish. This, along with having the motors to drive your franchises as captains (one proverbial, one for real) in Jalen Brunson and Francisco Lindor.
Another factor important to note is that today — James Dolan and Steve Cohen trust their basketball and baseball people to make the important decisions. James Dolan trusts Leon Rose — and Steve Cohen trusts David Stearns.
When thinking about the recent firing of Tom Thibodeau as the head coach of the New York Knicks, it sparks questions as to who the next will be. Experience, or a first year head coach? You’d have to think that James Dolan has reached out to Steve Cohen in some way to pick his brain. If not recently, likely at many points in the past.
Food for thought. Who else would you rather pick the brain of?
When the Mets hired Carlos Mendoza as their head coach to begin the 2024 season, it was met with much skepticism. How could a first year manager have success in New York? Carlos Mendoza later took the Mets to the two games away from the World Series in the same year. Whether it’s with or without prior experience — the Knicks are looking for a coach to have the same impact, but with even more pressure.
Carlos Mendoza’s success is the reason why Johnnie Bryant could be a good coaching option for the Knicks.
When thinking about how to move forward — there are a lot of conversations being had about the future of New York broadcast networks. Whether it be SNY, the emergence of the Gotham App, the return of MSG Networks to Optimum after their cable dispute, there needs to be some uniformity in the future.
Over time, hopefully there could be a way to combine some combination of the Knicks, Mets, Nets, Rangers, Yankees, Giants, Jets, and Islanders all together under the same roof one channel. If not all, hopefully some. There would be a market for it, and it can start with James Dolan and Steve Cohen having a meeting of the minds.
These similarities highlight how James Dolan and Steve Cohen navigate the high-stakes world of New York sports ownership, and how they’ve used their wealth and influence to chase success while facing intense public pressure.
The pressure will never go away — but the championship-less droughts will.