Knicks employees were promised rings in a phishing test

Madison Square Garden offered employees fake Knicks championship rings in an email that was actually a cybersecurity test.

The message, sent in late September, invited staff to choose a design and register for personalized jewellery.

Employees who followed the link were assigned cybersecurity training instead of receiving rings, though the company has not said how many were affected.

The exercise aimed to spot workers vulnerable to fraudulent messages and credential theft.

The test followed an earlier cyberattack in which stolen employee credentials were reportedly used to access company systems and extort the organization.

Madison Square Garden said using the rings as bait was an unfortunate mistake.

The organization plans to distribute more than 275 commemorative items worth an estimated total of more than $3.7 million, but it has not said how many employees will get rings rather than other jewellery.

Some assistant coaches who received empty presentation boxes are expected to get their rings later, while many long-time arena and business employees reportedly remain excluded.