One of the most influential figures in New York business and entertainment is making a major political move that could have consequences well beyond the race for governor.
The shift comes at a critical moment for Republicans as they attempt to remain competitive statewide while protecting congressional seats that could determine control of the House.
Madison Square Garden executive chairman James Dolan has emerged as New York’s largest Republican donor this election cycle after previously supporting Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Dolan, his company and members of his family have contributed approximately $1.4 million this year to committees supporting Republican gubernatorial nominee and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
Millions more have flowed into super PACs that have begun supporting Blakeman as he attempts to defeat Hochul in November.
The development represents a significant change for Dolan, who has previously financially supported Democrats including Hochul and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Dolan’s financial support could also become important in the national battle for control of Congress because Republicans are counting on Blakeman to run competitively enough to boost GOP turnout in several closely divided House districts.
New York helped Republicans capture control of the House in 2022 when Lee Zeldin’s unexpectedly competitive gubernatorial campaign coincided with Republican congressional gains across the state.
The GOP hopes Blakeman can produce a similar down-ballot effect this November even as current polling shows him trailing Hochul.
A recent Siena poll placed Hochul at 49 percent and Blakeman at 39 percent among likely New York voters.
Republicans are particularly focused on competitive congressional districts in the New York City suburbs that could become decisive in determining which party controls the narrowly divided House.
Dolan’s emergence as a major Republican benefactor also comes after billionaire cosmetics heir Ronald Lauder reportedly stopped his political giving following years as one of the New York GOP’s most important financial supporters.
Lauder contributed more than $11 million to efforts supporting Zeldin’s 2022 campaign, leaving Republicans searching for other major donors capable of helping finance statewide efforts.
Dolan’s political activity includes $2 million contributed to Madison Square Garden’s super PAC, which has previously supported moderate Democrats including Hochul.
That organization has also transferred money to another super PAC originally created to support Rep. Elise Stefanik’s brief gubernatorial campaign and now airing advertisements supporting Blakeman.
A Madison Square Garden Entertainment spokesperson said the company supports candidates interested in helping all New Yorkers and argued that objective cannot be accomplished in a failing economy.
Blakeman suggested Dolan is among former Hochul supporters who have become dissatisfied with the governor’s leadership.
“There’s a lot of people that supported Kathy Hochul four years ago that are incredibly disappointed in the way she’s managed the state,” Blakeman said.
Dolan’s relationship with President Donald Trump adds another dimension to the political story.
Trump and Blakeman recently joined Dolan in his suite during game three of the NBA Finals, and Dolan is expected to bring the championship-winning New York Knicks to the White House.
The Trump administration is also backing an approximately $8 billion redevelopment of Penn Station that would allow Madison Square Garden to remain at its longtime location.
Dolan met with Trump at the White House earlier this year alongside real estate developer Steven Roth before Trump publicly supported a Penn Station renovation proposal that would not require relocating the Garden.
The billionaire’s Republican support is not without political risk because Madison Square Garden benefits from a longstanding state tax exemption estimated to be worth tens of millions of dollars annually, Politico reported.
They can’t do it anymore.
Long-time Democrat donors are bailing on the party and supporting pro-business, pro-freedom, pro-sanity Republicans. https://t.co/qEeVHwLi0F
— USA Features Media (@USAFeatures) August 21, 2026
Some Democratic lawmakers have pushed to eliminate that benefit, while MSG’s use of facial-recognition technology has also faced scrutiny from New York Attorney General Letitia James and other elected officials.
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