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2w ago

Knicks Issue Cease-and-Desist to Mamdani-Backed Candidate Over Doctored Logo

The team says campaign materials that mimic its branding risk misleading voters and has demanded their immediate removal under trademark law.

Aber Kawas holding her campaign stickers with a logo similar to the New York Knicks, Zohran Mamdani endorsing a slate of New York candidates, An "I Voted For Aber Kawas" sticker featuring a basketball and logo similar to the New York Knicks

Overview

  • Madison Square Garden Sports sent a formal cease-and-desist Friday night demanding that Aber Kawas’ campaign stop using materials that copy Knicks branding and remove the items immediately.
  • The campaign distributed social posts and stickers reading “I Voted for Aber Kawas” that use the Knicks’ orange-and-blue colors, basketball graphic, and a near-identical font and shape.
  • MSG’s legal letter, signed by Brian N. Warner, alleges trademark infringement, trademark dilution, false advertising, false association, and unfair competition and warns the use could mislead the public about an endorsement.
  • Kawas’ campaign has not publicly responded to the demand and an MSG representative declined further comment beyond saying the letter speaks for itself.
  • The dispute echoes a prior incident in which Mayor Zohran Mamdani ran an ad using altered Knicks art and highlights a wider clash between the mayor’s allies and Knicks/MSG leadership that could prompt further legal or political fallout.