New York Knicks owner James Dolan is set to host a high-dollar fundraising event for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, according to the New York Post.

The event will be held ahead of the Knicks’ preseason matchup against the Toronto Raptors. Dolan will host the gathering alongside Scott Alper, president and CEO of the Witkoff Group, and Gregg Hymowitz, chairman of EnTrust Global.

According to the event invitation, tickets begin at $10,000, with higher contribution levels of $25,000 for the “friend” tier and $50,000 for the “patriot” tier.

Blakeman, who currently trails Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul by approximately 9 to 11 percentage points in recent polls, has received significant financial backing from Dolan and groups aligned with Republican candidates.

Last month, a super PAC that Dolan is helping fund spent $250,000 on a billboard campaign criticizing Hochul’s leadership and blaming her policies for driving residents out of New York. The advertisements featured the message, “You are Now Leaving NY (Like Everyone Else),” alongside an appeal to vote for Blakeman.

The Strong and Safe New York PAC has also launched spending efforts on behalf of Republican attorney general candidate Saritha Komatireddy, who is challenging Democratic incumbent Letitia James. The group is planning a seven-figure advertising campaign targeting Long Island and the northern suburbs, including Westchester and Rockland counties.

Dolan has also had a public disagreement with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani over playoff watch parties held outside Madison Square Garden.

Tensions were evident during a City Hall ceremony following the Knicks’ championship parade in Manhattan. After Mamdani reflected on the team’s history and its struggles over the years, Dolan responded with a pointed remark about longtime fans.

“I don’t need your vote, I don’t need to quote to you, right, about what happened here because if you’re real Knicks fans, you know it already,” Dolan said.

Dolan’s latest fundraiser adds to his growing involvement in New York’s Republican political efforts as the gubernatorial race and other statewide contests approach.