In a move so cold it could freeze the court at Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks’ brass engineered a heartless hoax that left employees feeling more defeated than a last-second loss. According to explosive reports, several Garden workers recently opened an email that promised the ultimate prize: a complimentary, personalized championship ring to celebrate the team’s long-awaited triumph. ‘Congratulations, your Employee Championship Ring is here,’ the tantalizing message read, offering a choice between ‘Championship Gold’ and ‘Garden Classic’ designs. For the loyal staff who clicked the link, dreaming of bling, their reward was a brutal bait-and-switch: a mandatory cybersecurity class.

That’s right. In a stunningly tone-deaf ‘phishing test’ allegedly orchestrated to address owner James Dolan’s cybersecurity fears, the organization dangled the one symbolic trophy every behind-the-scenes worker covets, only to yank it away and punish them for taking the bait. The cruel irony? Many of those same employees, some veterans of the business operations, reportedly won’t be receiving real rings at all. The psychological game played here is more twisted than a Spike Lee courtside reaction.

The rings themselves have become a saga of phantom gifts and empty promises. In a separate but equally bizarre ceremony on opening night, assistant coaches were handed what appeared to be ring boxes as stirring music swelled in the Garden. The catch? The boxes were empty. A hollow gesture, literally and figuratively. While they are expected to get rings eventually, the Knicks’ process of measuring sizes and placing orders wasn’t finished in time for the big night—a stark contrast to other teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, who simply waited until the rings were ready.

The Dolan drama didn’t stop there. In a classic power play, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was conspicuously exiled to a seat across the court during the ring presentation, while the likes of Roger Goodell and Jon Bon Jovi stood behind the podium. Walt Frazier handled the honors, a not-so-subtle snub underscoring the long-rumored frost between Dolan and Silver. Even in celebration, the Knicks’ universe is fraught with petty politics and now, a deeply cynical lesson for its own workforce. The team may have finally won a championship, but for some employees, the taste is more bitter than sweet.