Knicks Take Legal Action Against Senate Candidate for Unauthorized Logo Use

The New York Knicks are pursuing legal action against Senate candidate Aber Kawas for allegedly using their logo without permission to promote her campaign. Kawas, a Democratic Socialist of America member backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has faced criticism for her past comments and her campaign's branding choices. The Knicks' cease and desist letter demands the immediate removal of all promotional materials featuring their intellectual property, citing trademark infringement and misleading associations. This incident adds to the ongoing tensions between the Knicks and the Mamdani administration, highlighting a broader conflict in the political landscape of New York City.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 28, 2026, 02:16 IST

Legal Action by the Knicks

The New York Knicks have initiated legal proceedings against Aber Kawas, a candidate aligned with Mayor Zohran Mamdani, for allegedly misusing the team's logo for her political campaign. Reports indicate that the Knicks have issued a cease and desist letter to Kawas, claiming her campaign has improperly utilized the Knicks' branding to promote her candidacy for the state Senate.

Background on Aber Kawas

Aber Kawas is affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America and has garnered support from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. She recently faced backlash for her comments regarding the 9/11 attacks, which she described as actions taken by 'a couple of people.' Kawas successfully secured the Democratic nomination for a Queens state Senate seat after winning her primary election.

During her campaign, she reportedly used a modified Knicks logo on social media and campaign materials, which the team argues violates legal standards.

Details of the Cease and Desist Letter

The cease and desist letter was dispatched on Friday by Brian N. Warner, the senior vice president and legal head for Madison Square Garden Sports. According to the New York Post, the letter demands that Kawas' campaign immediately withdraw all promotional items featuring Knicks intellectual property, including unauthorized advertisements.

Warner emphasized that neither the Knicks nor NBA Properties had granted permission for such usage, stating that the campaign's actions could mislead the public into thinking it was affiliated with the Knicks. He further accused the campaign of trademark infringement and unfair competition.

Controversial Campaign Ad

The controversy centers around a campaign post by Kawas on X, shared shortly after the Knicks celebrated their first NBA Finals championship in over five decades. The post showcased a logo that read 'I Voted for Aber Kawas,' designed to mimic the Knicks' branding, complete with similar colors and basketball imagery.

The message encouraged voters to participate in the election in exchange for a novelty sticker, promoting a sense of community and engagement in her campaign.

Previous Incidents with Mamdani's Campaigns

This incident is not the first time the Knicks have had to address unauthorized use of their branding by campaigns associated with Mamdani. In a previous instance, Mamdani aired a campaign ad that altered the Knicks' logo during a season opener, which was subsequently retracted following a cease and desist letter from the team.

Ongoing Tensions with City Hall

The legal dispute surrounding Kawas' advertisement occurs amidst ongoing tensions between Knicks owner James Dolan and the Mamdani administration. Recent public disagreements have arisen, particularly after the cancellation of fan watch parties outside Madison Square Garden due to city-imposed security protocols. This friction was evident during the Knicks' victory parade and a City Hall event honoring the team, where both Dolan and Mamdani were present, leading to some uncomfortable interactions.