The New York Knicks organization has issued a cease and desist letter to Aber Kawas, a Democratic Socialist of America candidate who secured the Democratic nomination for a state Senate seat in Queens. The letter, sent by Brian N. Warner, senior vice president and head of legal for Madison Square Garden Sports, demands that Kawas immediately remove all campaign materials that incorporate Knicks intellectual property.
According to the letter, the campaign used a doctored version of the Knicks' iconic logo on social media posts and campaign stickers. These materials featured the team's signature orange and blue colors, font, and a basketball motif, with the word "Kawas" replacing "Knicks" on a logo bearing the slogan "I Voted for Aber Kawas." The campaign also used the logo on "I Voted for Aber Kawas" stickers, inviting voters to "claim your champion sticker."
Madison Square Garden Sports argues that the unauthorized use of their intellectual property is likely to mislead the public into believing the campaign is affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the Knicks. The organization states that these activities constitute trademark infringement, trademark dilution, false advertising, false association, and unfair competition.
The campaign's use of the logo came shortly after the Knicks' first NBA Finals championship in 53 years. The X post featuring the altered logo was published on June 20, a week after the team's victory.
Kawas' campaign is not the first to face such a warning from the Knicks. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has reportedly backed Kawas, faced a similar cease and desist letter in October for using an altered Knicks logo in a campaign ad during the team's season opener. Mamdani pulled the ad at the time, and the team reiterated it was not making any endorsements.
Mamdani and Knicks owner James Dolan have recently been involved in public exchanges, stemming from canceled fan watch parties outside Madison Square Garden during the NBA Finals due to city-imposed security measures. The tension surfaced during a Knicks victory parade and a City Hall ceremony.
Kawas has previously drawn scrutiny for comments made about 9/11 and federal holidays. In an unearthed video, she described the 9/11 attacks as an event carried out by "a couple people." She also expressed that federal holidays like July 4th and Thanksgiving, instead of being celebrations, represent the "silencing & destruction of our movements."
Kawas is also noted as a former intern for the Council on American-Islamic Relations and has maintained ties to the organization. Her campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A representative for MSG stated the letter speaks for itself.