President Donald Trump has announced his intention to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, where the New York Knicks will face off against the San Antonio Spurs. This marks a significant occasion as Trump would be the first sitting U.S. president to attend an NBA Finals game in person.

Historic Attendance

Trump confirmed his attendance after being invited by New York Knicks owner James Dolan. The president, a self-described Knicks fan, has frequently expressed his support for the team, which has not reached the NBA Finals since 1999. The Knicks secured a victory in the first game of the series against the Spurs.

Tickets for the game are in high demand, with secondary marketplaces listing prices starting at nearly $4,000, while some courtside seats are priced as high as $220,000. Trump’s presence is expected to bring additional logistical and security challenges for attendees, who may need to arrive two hours before the game begins.

Security Measures

Federal authorities, along with the New York Police Department, are preparing an extensive security plan for the event. This includes the installation of up to 40 magnetometers by the U.S. Secret Service to screen attendees, similar to measures taken during Trump’s attendance at the U.S. Open last year. Additional police officers, air support, and traffic control will be in place to ensure safety and manage the president’s arrival.

Trump’s appearance at the NBA Finals adds to his growing list of high-profile sporting events attended during his second term. Former President Barack Obama was the last sitting president to attend an NBA game, though not a Finals match.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.