Why Someone Paid $1 Million for Knicks Game 3 Tickets (It's Not What You Think)
Everyone knows that NBA Finals game tickets are pricey. But $1 million to see the Knicks face the Spurs? The New York Knicks just announced that two tickets in the coveted celeb VIP section sold for that astounding price. And the story behind the buyers probably isn't what you think.
No, Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner didn't cough up a million just to sit courtside. Neither did another famous New York Knicks fan. Instead, the seats were auctioned off by the Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. as part of a fundraiser for the Garden of Dreams Foundation.
Who paid $1 million for New York Knicks Game 3 tickets?
The jaw-dropping donation was made by the law firm Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher LLP and the private equity firm Veritas Capital. This major milestone marks the largest single donation in the Garden of Dreams Foundation's history.
What is the Garden of Dreams Foundation?
This non-profit works with the Madison Square Garden Family of Companies to support children through 30 partner organizations in the tri-state area. Among the many ways this foundation positively impacts children, Garden of Dreams is also giving 250 NBA Finals tickets per game (for Games 3 and 4) to deserving youth in the NYC area. If the Knicks make it to Game 6, the foundation will give away 750 more tickets!
Ramzi Musallam, CEO and Managing Partner, Veritas Capital, said of the non-profit foundation, "The work they do for underprivileged youth aligns perfectly with our values at Veritas Capital, and we're excited to play a role in helping their mission."
Barabar Becker, Chair and Managing Partner, Gibson Dunn, shared, "Advocating for underserved youth has been a longstanding part of our firm's pro bono work, and this is a special moment to see that commitment extend into the Knicks community."
How much do Knicks Game 3 tickets cost?
The skyrocketing price of Knicks tickets is a hot-button issue that has recently sparked a major backlash. On Sunday, prices for Game 3 reportedly started at $7,000. And regular people weren't the only ones complaining. Knicks forward Josh Hart spoke out against the high cost, saying, "I kind of wish the ticket prices weren't as crazy as they are."
Hart continued, "I feel like a lot of people who have been waiting for this moment for a very long time unfortunately aren't able to get into the building."
Following Hart's public statement, the prices for Game 3 tickets fell just below $5,000. As of Monday afternoon, Gametime listed the cheapest tickets for $4,354.
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This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 2:24 PM.