Coronavirus: New York Knicks owner James Dolan tests positive

James Dolan of the Knicks is the first known owner of a major U.S. sports team to test positive for coronavirus.

James Dolan of the Knicks is the first known owner of a major U.S. sports team to test positive for coronavirus.

New York Knicks owner James L. Dolan has tested positive for coronavirus, the team said in a statement Saturday night. Dolan, 64, is the first U.S. major pro sports owner known to have tested positive for COVIID-19, ESPN reported.

According to the Knicks, Dolan was in self-isolation and was "experiencing little to no symptoms," The New York Times reported. At least 10 NBA players have also tested positive, which led the NBA to suspend its season March 11, according to the newspaper.

Dolan made headlines during the 2019-20 season for a verbal exchange with a fan, who told the team owner to sell the Knicks, ESPN reported. Dolan also had a publicized feud with director Spike Lee, which caused the Oscar winner to stop attending games at Madison Square Garden for the rest of the season.

Earlier this week, Dolan and the MSG Company sold the Forum, in Inglewood, California, for $400 million to Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, according to ESPN.

The Knicks said in Saturday’s statement that Dolan continues to oversee business operations for the Madison Square Garden Company, of which he is the executive chairman.

A Knicks spokesman declined to comment on Dolan's test, the Times reported.

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