Dolan firms give $3M to super PAC backing Blakeman hours before Hochul debate
State filings show three $1 million transfers from companies run by Knicks owner James Dolan to Strong and Safe New York Inc., a super PAC backing Republican Bruce Blakeman, hours before his debate with Gov. Kathy Hochul. Coverage so far comes only from right-leaning outlets.
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The story, neutrally told
Right · 2Companies run by Knicks and MSG owner James Dolan put another $3 million into Strong and Safe New York Inc., a super PAC backing Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman, hours before a debate with Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul. New York PostR “Knicks and MSG owner James Dolan’s firms pumped another $3 million into a Super PAC backing Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman” Read at New York Post ↗ BreitbartR “Companies controlled by New York Knicks owner James Dolan gave another $3 million to a super PAC supporting Republican Bruce Blakeman’s campaign against Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY).” Read at Breitbart ↗ Right · 2Both outlets cite State Board of Elections filings showing three $1 million contributions; they differ on the sources, with the New York Post naming two transfers from MSG Sports and one from Sphere Entertainment Group, and Breitbart naming MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports and Sphere Entertainment Group LLC. New York PostR “two from MSG Sports and an additional $1 million from the Dolan-run Sphere Entertainment Group” Read at New York Post ↗ BreitbartR “The PAC received $1 million each from MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports, and Sphere Entertainment Group LLC.” Read at Breitbart ↗ Right · 1The New York Post describes Dolan as Blakeman's biggest booster in the business community, and says he stepped in to help "pro-business and common sense" candidates because other corporate leaders had not stepped up this election cycle. New York PostR “Dolan has been Blakeman’s biggest booster in the business community.”“because of the vacuum left by other corporate leaders who haven’t stepped up this election cycle” Read at New York Post ↗
Right · 1The Post reports that Ronald Lauder, who funded Republicans in earlier cycles, has not been active this cycle, and that Dolan criticised the leaders of the Partnership for the City of New York for sitting out the governor's race; some Partnership members back Hochul. New York PostR “In prior election cycles, Estee Lauder cosmetics heir and philanthropist Ronald Lauder aided Republican candidates with his fortune, but he has not been active this cycle.”“Some members of the Partnership are backing Hochul’s reelection.” Read at New York Post ↗ Right · 1Breitbart, relaying the Post, adds that the organisation said it is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. BreitbartR “The organization said it is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates, the Post reported.” Read at Breitbart ↗ Right · 1Breitbart also reports that the PAC had already put up billboards promoting Blakeman along routes leaving New York, and that spokesman Chapin Fay told Spectrum News in September the group had raised more than $5 million from donors concerned about the state's cost of living. BreitbartR “Spokesman Chapin Fay told Spectrum News in September that the group had raised more than $5 million from donors concerned about the state’s cost of living.” Read at Breitbart ↗
Right · 1The debate was the only one scheduled before the November 3 election; Breitbart says the candidates clashed over utility bills, crime and immigration enforcement, with Blakeman blaming Hochul's policies for higher costs and public safety problems and Hochul defending her record and criticising his ties to President Donald Trump. BreitbartR “Blakeman and Hochul’s only scheduled debate ahead of the November 3 election.”“Hochul defended her record and criticized his ties to President Donald Trump.” Read at Breitbart ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets treat the donation as a business-world story about Dolan's backing of Blakeman, led by the Knicks owner and the size of the contribution; the Post adds a critical note on corporate leaders it says have sat out the race.
- Emphasis
- Dolan's role as Blakeman's top business backer, the filing details, and the Partnership for the City of New York's stance; Breitbart adds the PAC's billboards, fundraising and debate topics.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither outlet quotes Hochul's campaign, Blakeman's campaign or Dolan directly on the donation, and no left or centre outlet has covered it yet. Neither addresses disclosure or campaign-finance debate about corporate money in the race.
- Charged language
- “pumps”“fiery debate”“Pour Millions”“biggest booster”
- For example
-
“Knicks owner James Dolan-backed Super PAC pumps $3M to back GOP’s Bruce Blakeman ahead of fiery debate with Hochul” — New York Post
“Knicks Owner James Dolan’s Companies Pour Millions into PAC Supporting Blakeman Against Hochul” — Breitbart
What every side reports
- Dolan-run companies gave $3 million in three $1 million contributions to Strong and Safe New York Inc.
- The filings are with the State Board of Elections and came hours before the Blakeman-Hochul debate.
- Dolan is described as one of Blakeman's biggest business supporters.
- Some members of the Partnership for the City of New York back Hochul.
Where accounts differ
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Which Dolan companies made the contributions
- Right
- The New York Post says two $1 million transfers came from MSG Sports and one from Sphere Entertainment Group; Breitbart says $1 million each came from MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports and Sphere Entertainment Group LLC.
James Dolan person
As reported by the Post, Dolan says he stepped in to back "pro-business and common sense" candidates because other corporate leaders have not, and he criticised the Partnership for the City of New York for sitting out the governor's race.
“help Blakeman and other “pro-business and common sense” candidates” — New York Post
“Dolan even called out leaders of the city’s most influential business group” — New York Post
Bruce Blakeman person
Blakeman, the Republican candidate, is the beneficiary of the super PAC; at the debate he blamed Hochul's policies for higher costs and public safety problems, per Breitbart.
“Blakeman blamed Hochul’s policies for higher costs and public safety problems.” — Breitbart
Kathy Hochul person
Hochul, the Democratic incumbent, defended her record at the debate and criticised Blakeman's ties to President Donald Trump, per Breitbart; neither outlet reports her response to the donation.
“Hochul defended her record and criticized his ties to President Donald Trump.” — Breitbart
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right2 articles
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Mixed Short report on the filings that presents Dolan as Blakeman's leading business booster and faults other corporate leaders and the Partnership for not stepping up.
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Knicks Owner James Dolan’s Companies Pour Millions into PAC Supporting Blakeman Against Hochul
Neutral Rewrites the Post's report with added PAC background and a debate recap, attributing Dolan's reasoning to the Post.
- 14 Oct 23:27 First New York PostR Knicks owner James Dolan-backed Super PAC pumps $3M to back GOP’s Bruce Blakeman ahead of fiery debate with Hochul
- 15 Oct 04:03 +4h 37m BreitbartR Knicks Owner James Dolan’s Companies Pour Millions into PAC Supporting Blakeman Against Hochul
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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