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Sunday, June 14, 2026

Inside 'Celebrity Row' at NBA Playoffs: Quid pro quo deals, loyalty tests and A-listers who got booted

The NBA playoffs aren't just a showcase for basketball's biggest stars.

They're also one of Hollywood's hottest tickets — where A-list actors, chart-topping musicians and sports icons pack the coveted front-row seats known as "Celebrity Row." Taylor Swift, Ben Stiller, Mariska Hargitay and more celebrities were spotted as the Knicks faced off against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday in New York City.

The New York Knicks made a record comeback from 29 points down and moved to the brink of their first championship since 1973 by beating the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

As the Knicks inched closer to ending a decades-long championship drought, the celebrity-packed courtside section drew almost as much attention as the action on the floor. But while "Celebrity Row" may appear effortless, landing one of the most coveted seats in sports comes with unwritten rules — and even A-listers aren't immune to the consequences when they break them.

KNICKS FANS ALREADY PAYING NEARLY $280K FOR COURTSIDE NBA FINALS TICKETS AS TEAM NEARS HISTORIC BERTH

"Training Day" star Ethan Hawke revealed he had his front-row experience yanked from him after he made comments about former Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni's abrupt exit in 2012.

"They'd always hook me up," Hawke said during an appearance on "The Bill Simmons Podcast" in 2018. "And then I called up one time, and they said, 'That'll be $7,800.' I was like, 'Why is this the first time you guys are charging me?' And they said, 'You should have thought of that before you went on the Jimmy Fallon show.'"

"And I was like, 'Wow, this is real.'"

Yet, the Knicks organization doesn't have full control over the highly coveted courtside seats.

"The biggest misconception is that [Madison Square] Garden controls all the tickets around the court. They're actually not," Joe Favorito, who led communications for the NYC team from 2001 to 2008, told ABC News. He revealed that agencies, media companies and even brands control and distribute tickets to A-listers behind the scenes.

NINA DOBREV POSES IN JUST A KNICKS SHIRT AND SLEEP MASK AFTER WATCHING HISTORIC GAME AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

There's also another way for a small group of stars. Some of the famous faces you see actually own their courtside seats, including Dustin Hoffman and director Spike Lee.

Then there are a handful of seats under the control of Madison Square Garden, but they don't come completely free.

"If you are a celebrity wanting to come and your representatives go through the process of doing that, there is, I don't want to say it's a payback, but there's an understanding," Favorito said. "There's a little bit of an expectation of a quid pro quo for getting those seats."

TAYLOR SWIFT DANCES, SHIMMIES AND STEALS HEADLINES AS KNICKS ERASE 29-POINT DEFICIT IN NBA FINALS THRILLER

If the A-lister does come to watch, he or she is unofficially expected to make a charity event contribution or show Knicks pride on the jumbotron during the game. Loyalty can get you to the top of the celebrity list, according to Favorito.

"Loyalty is tremendous," he said.

While some celebrities earn coveted spots on "Celebrity Row" through years of loyalty to the franchise, others arrive as high-profile guests. Here's a look at the stars who packed Madison Square Garden for Game 4.

Swift brought her star power to Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night to cheer on the New York Knicks courtside.

Swift sat with close friends Alana and Este Haim.

The pop star embraced a spirited, game-day-inspired look built around a bright royal blue "STEVIE KNICKS" T-shirt featuring bold orange lettering across the front. Alana and Este each wore matching shirts reading "KNICKOLE KIDMAN" and "KNICKELBACK."

Swift, the Haim sisters and Mariska Hargitay joined hands and danced in a circle as the Knicks erased a 29-point deficit. At one point, Swift and Hargitay jumped up and down while embracing as the "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" star whipped her hair back and forth.

WATCH: TAYLOR SWIFT CELEBRATES EVERY BIG KNICKS MOMENT DURING DRAMATIC FINALS WIN

Swift's appearance at Game 4 sparked widespread discussion about whether she's actually a Knicks fan. While the pop star is best known in sports circles for attending Kansas City Chiefs games to cheer on fiancé Travis Kelce, she has attended Knicks games in the past.

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WATCH: TAYLOR SWIFT AND MARISKA HARGITAY SHARE SWEET MOMENT DURING NBA FINALS

Hargitay is a longtime New York Knicks fan and recently developed a close friendship with basketball star Jalen Brunson.

Hargitay told The Hollywood Reporter she raced nearly 10 blocks after completing her Broadway show, "Every Brilliant Thing," to MSG to catch tip-off of game four. The "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" star has emerged as one of the Knicks' most recognizable super-fans during New York's push for its first NBA championship in more than five decades.

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Stiller has become one of the defining celebrity faces of the New York Knicks fan base. Stiller has attended most major Knicks home games at Madison Square Garden and often travels to cheer the team on from the road.

For many New Yorkers, Stiller isn't just a Hollywood star who likes basketball — he's one of the Knicks' most recognizable and authentic superfans, a role he's embraced nearly as passionately as any character he's played on screen.

Timothée Chalamet was raised in Manhattan, making his Knicks fandom feel less like a Hollywood attachment and more like a hometown allegiance.

Throughout the Knicks' postseason surge, he became a constant courtside presence at Madison Square Garden alongside girlfriend Kylie Jenner.

As a native New Yorker who wears his fandom on his sleeve, he's become a symbol of the excitement surrounding the franchise's resurgence and one of the celebrity supporters most closely associated with this era of Knicks basketball.



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Flesh-eating screwworm found in Texas calf as ranchers brace for possible spread

The New World Screwworm (NWS) – a parasitic fly that eats the flesh of livestock and other warm-blooded animals – has arrived in South Texas.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed on June 3 that NWS larvae had been identified in a three-week-old calf’s umbilical area in Zavala County, Texas. As of June 11, federal officials had confirmed six total cases, Fox7 Austin reported.

According to the USDA, "NWS is a serious pest that affects livestock, pets, wildlife, and less commonly, people and birds. NWS larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of living animals, causing serious damage to livestock and economic losses."

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Screwworms don’t make meat unsafe to eat, but they do threaten to raise beef prices that are already at a record high.

The USDA is led by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. On May 11, 2025, she announced "the suspension of live cattle, horse and bison imports through U.S. ports of entry along the southern border due to the continued and rapid northward spread of NWS in Mexico."

Models projected the NWS would enter the U.S. in 2025, "but thanks to the hard work across the entire Trump administration and our industry, state and local partners, we were able to buy time for this moment," said Dudley Hoskins, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs.

"USDA invested heavily in the tools needed to eliminate NWS ever since cases started increasing in Central America and Mexico," Hoskins said. "The United States has defeated this pest before, and we will do it again."

The USDA announced that "an APHIS strike team is already on-site in Texas." The agency said it has mounted a "rapid, efficient response" that involves releasing sterile male flies and establishing a movement control zone to quarantine livestock.

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Beginning in the 1920s and 1930s, USDA scientists began NWS eradication efforts. Part of the solution was the Screwworm Adult Suppression System (SWASS), which lures flies to a bait mixture that contains insecticides that kill them before they can reproduce. Since female flies only reproduce once, they also released sterile male flies so the females would mate and produce no offspring.

In 1966, Agricultural Research Magazine declared, "The screwworm has been eradicated from the United States."

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has been critical of the USDA’s response to the new NWS outbreak.

"For months, the screwworm has advanced rapidly through Mexico in spite of the USDA’s existing gameplan," Miller said in a statement. "Even though billions of sterile flies have been dispersed by USDA, the screwworm has still advanced over 1,100 miles from southern Mexico to Texas, and USDA has missed an important component. Now that it appears the first screwworm has arrived in Texas, the consequences of that decision are now staring us in the face."

Miller said he "personally provided research and the SWASS bait formula to Rollins and her team on three separate occasions while the screwworm continued its northward trek to Texas."

He added, "Instead of using every available tool, USDA moved too slowly and relied solely on a partial solution that takes years to fully implement."

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Miller asked President Trump to take control of the NWS response.

"Cut through the bureaucracy, deploy SWASS immediately and throw every available federal resource at this threat before it becomes a full-blown agricultural disaster," he urged the president.

As Texas Land Commissioner, Dawn Buckingham, M.D., oversees more than 13 million acres of state land, including roughly three-quarters of a million acres of grazing and hunting leases managed by the Texas General Land Office. Her office sent a letter to Rollins and Texas governor Greg Abbott offering full access to the lands to support the government’s response to "the active, escalating threat of the New World Screwworm."

"This is a big deal," Buckingham told Fox News Digital. "It's going to be a real problem, and it doesn't just impact our cattle, but it impacts all of the wild animals as well as our dogs and our cats. We want to be sure that we get these insects out of our state."

The Land Commission has offered access to property to house workers, grow sterile flies, set up traps, whatever is needed, Buckingham said.

According to Buckingham, the Land Commission met with South Texas ranchers "many months ago" when they observed screwworm flies marching up through Central America and Mexico. She said the pests have been slowly working their way back after they were pushed down to South America several decades ago.

"[Screwworms] come and go with the world population being so mobile," Buckingham said. "It's very easy for insects to travel, whether they jump on a fruit truck or they come on animals or whether they've infected a person. Diseases move much more quickly these days than they used to."

Buckingham added that, "The good news is we've got medication to treat [screwworms], and we know how to stop the propagation of the insect, so we should be able to get it under pretty good control. It's not reinventing the wheel. We fought them before. We'll fight them successfully again."



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US-Iran deal scheduled to be signed on Sunday, says Trump

Before the US president's comments, Iran expressed caution about the exact timing.

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Saturday, June 13, 2026

From grills to boots: American-made products worth every penny

With America's 250th birthday approaching, now is the perfect time to invest in products known for top-notch craftsmanship. From Brooks Brothers shirts and Leatherman multi-tools to Weber grills, these American-made favorites are both durable and timeless. While they're often a bit pricey, these splurge-worthy picks will last a lifetime.

READ MORE: America 250 is coming: What to know and the best commemorative gear to buy

Find U.S.-made clothing from brands like Brooks Brothers and Origin.

Original price: $128

Origin's Maverick jeans come with an extra-stitched seam to ensure durability, making them ideal for work or casual wear. The stretch denim moves with you, eliminating that stiff jean feel. Right now, save $52 on a pair while they're on sale.

Original price: $99

These durable Origin cargo shorts have a military-style slotted waist button, a rugged coil zipper and reinforced stitching. Plus, the water-resistant design makes them ready for anything. Made in the USA, these shorts are ideal for casual days and come in neutral colors along with a camo pattern.

Brooks Brothers' American-made dress shirts have authentic mother-of-pearl buttons and are neatly platted for a ready-to-wear look right from the start. The 100% cotton fabric stays cool yet still machine-washable, making this easy-to-care-for shirt a worthwhile splurge.

READ MORE: We found 10 patriotic deals in Amazon's America 250 shop — all under $50

Find popular American-made shoes and boots from brands like Red Wing and New Balance.

Original price: $329.99

Save more than $100 on this pair of Red Wing boots with 100% leather construction. Known for 70 years of craftsmanship, the company has nailed down a tough, durable design. A traction tread holds you steady on most surfaces, while the roomy fit lets your feet breathe.

New Balance proudly carries a "Made in the USA" line, and these retro-style shoes are just one standout option. The unisex fit and classic build give you a reliable shoe whether you're heading into the office or out for a long walk. A cushioned heel helps absorb shock, and the crisp white leather stands up to regular wear and tear.

Original price: $169.95

For a sturdy pair of work boots, Thorogood offers an American-made option. The high-shine toe cap and heel blend in with uniforms, while the tactical design holds up in wet or icy weather. The 8-inch height gives you enough ankle support without weighing your feet down. These boots are at a 90-day-low — making now the right time to buy.

READ MORE: Save up to 50% on top-rated sneakers before Prime Day — from Skechers to adidas

Find coolers, grills and cookware made to last.

You can pass down a Lodge Dutch oven for generations — that's how durable it is. Whether you're roasting, baking or sautéing, the American-made pot features enamel-coated cast iron that retains heat evenly. Choose from a range of unique colors that look striking in any kitchen.

Original price: $549

Weber's American-made Spirit E-210 grill is perfect for your America 250 barbecue — and it's $150 off at Lowe's. The Snap-Jet ignition turns on the burners with a quick press, and the long-lasting cast-iron grates cook your favorites evenly.

Break out the nice flatware with a Liberty Tabletop 20-piece set, which includes enough silverware for four people. The responsibly sourced stainless steel construction makes them durable yet polished enough for any table setting. You can even toss them in the dishwasher without worrying about damage.

READ MORE: 18 brands still making cookware and kitchen tools in the U.S. — from skillets to spatulas

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, this retro-looking Igloo cooler blends right in with the nostalgic celebration. The colors evoke a 1990s aesthetic, plus classic molded-in side handles provide a secure grip. The 15-quart interior holds up to 36 cans, and the impact-resistant exterior prevents dents and damage.

Many tool brands — like John Deere and Leatherman — take pride in making products domestically.

When you think of American-made lawn mowers, chances are you think of John Deere. A factory in Greenville, Tennessee, builds its tractors for durability, with a two-blade system that delivers a clean, even cut. Bright LED lights illuminate your lawn during evening and early morning mows.

This Leatherman Signal multi-tool goes beyond the classic Leatherman. Made at Leatherman's factory in Portland, Oregon, it's backed by a 25-year warranty, giving you everything from wire cutters to a knife, saw and hammer. With 19 tools in one, it makes the $150 price tag less intimidating.

Channellock pliers have a stronger build than foreign-made options. The laser heat-treated teeth improve grip and cutting power, while the high-carbon U.S. steel resists rust and corrosion. This set includes tongue-and-groove pliers, long-nose pliers and slip-joint pliers.

READ MORE: Buy it for life: Durable products worth every dollar (now on sale)

Add these high-quality products to your self-care regimen.

Perfect for Father's Day, this Caswell-Massey soap gift set has three bars of sandalwood and cardamom soap. The ingredients are plant-based and cruelty-free, helping nourish sensitive skin.

Enjoy a better shave with Remington's F5 foil shaver. It adjusts to your face during use for a closer, more comfortable result. The cordless, compact design means you can use it anywhere, and the battery lasts for up to 60 minutes. A quick five-minute charge adds enough power for a single grooming session.

Remington's compact Balder Pro is a popular buy on Amazon, with more than 5,000 shoppers purchasing one in the last month. It lets you shave your head in less than two minutes thanks to its five rotary blades. A built-in hair-capture system collects hair and helps prevent a messy cleanup.

For more deals, visit www.foxnews.com/deals

Burt's Bees makes most of its products in the U.S., and its firming face cream is a must-add to any beauty routine. It contains natural, paraben-free ingredients to help hydrate skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Plus, it's fragrance-free for anyone with sensitivities.

If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items sent to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today.



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'Top Gun: Maverick' star James Handy's official cause of death revealed as new details emerge in murder case

James Handy's official cause of death has been revealed.

The circumstances surrounding the "Top Gun: Maverick" actor's murder came into sharper focus after new findings revealed the veteran performer died from a stab wound and neck compression, Fox News Digital can confirm.

The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner's office listed Handy's manner of death as homicide.

Michael Gledhill, 44, was charged with one count of murder with a special allegation that he personally used a deadly weapon, a knife, on June 5. Police claimed officers found the 81-year-old actor stabbed in the chest and lying unconscious outside a home in Los Angeles days before. Handy was taken to the hospital and later pronounced dead.

'JUMANJI' ACTOR JAMES HANDY'S GIRLFRIEND'S SON CHARGED WITH MURDER AFTER ACTOR FOUND STABBED TO DEATH

Gledhill did not appear at his arraignment on June 5, where Superior Court Judge John H. Reid ordered that Gledhill be sent to mental health court and undergo psychological evaluations. Another judge will decide whether he is competent for trial.

Gledhill remained behind bars after the court hearing with bail set at $2 million. He faces up to 26 years in prison if convicted.

Gledhill is the son of Handy's girlfriend of 30 years, Wendy Gledhill. Actor Brian Delate, who knew Handy for over four decades, told The Associated Press that a few times over the past couple of years, Handy mentioned in passing that his girlfriend's son had mental health problems.

"I didn’t think much of it, because he just kind of mentioned it casually," he said.

Handy's girlfriend had fixed up the garage so her son could live there, Delate said. Handy had his own home.

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Gledhill's arrest came after he confessed to the alleged crime. According to police, a 911 caller stated: "I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin."

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According to investigators, Gledhill flagged down officers as they arrived and told them he was the person they were looking for.

Born in New York, Handy appeared in films and TV shows for decades.

He was known for his role as an exterminator in the 1995 film "Jumanji" and more recently as the bartender Jimmy in the 2022 film "Top Gun: Maverick," according to IMDB. He’s also appeared in some of the top TV crime dramas, including "NCIS: Los Angeles," "The Closer" and "Cold Case."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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Former Premier League star, accused of rape, to miss World Cup game after being denied entry into Canada

One of the stars of Ghana's World Cup team will be absent for its tournament opener in Canada after being denied entry into the country.

Thomas Partey, formerly of Arsenal, who now plays for Villarreal in La Liga, is currently facing seven counts of rape, all of which he has pleaded not guilty to.

"FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s team base camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government," FIFA said in a statement, via The Athletic.  

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"FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country."

Five of the charges were brought last July by the London Metropolitan Police, and two more came earlier this year.

Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz explained why he picked Partey for his World Cup squad while he awaits trial.

Queiroz cited a presumption of innocence for Partey, criticized the quick judgments of modern social media and spoke philosophically in comments late Monday ahead of a warm-up game in Wales.

USA SOCCER LEGENDS LANDON DONOVAN, TIM HOWARD SHARE HOW FAR THEY THINK THIS YEAR'S TEAM CAN GO IN WORLD CUP

"Let events run its normal course, let the river flow and one day when the river meets the ocean we will find the truth," said Queiroz, a veteran coach going to his fifth straight World Cup after leading his native Portugal and Iran at previous editions.

Ghana is set to open its tournament on Wednesday against Panama in Toronto. Ghana will then play England on June 23 at Gillette Stadium and then on June 27 at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field.

Partey is accused of raping four women from 2020 to 2022.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Friday, June 12, 2026

Mets minor league affiliate to honor TV's most underappreciated sitcom, 'The King of Queens'

The New York Mets' High-A affiliate, the Brooklyn Cyclones, is set to pay homage to one of the greatest sitcoms of the last 30 years that not enough people acknowledge as such: "The King of Queens."

The series ran from 1998 to 2007, and stars Kevin James as IPS driver Doug Heffernan, who lives in Queens with his feisty wife, Carrie — played by the fantastic Leah Remini — and her dad, Arthur, played by the late, great comedy legend Jerry Stiller.

While the show is set in Queens, not the Cyclones' home borough of Brooklyn, it's close enough, plus the show features countless references to the Mets, a team that James is a real-life fan of.

So, the team will pay tribute to the show during their "The King of Queens" night on July 11, and they're giving away an absolute beauty of a bobblehead.

That's an homage to the season two episode, "Doug Out," in which Doug jumps on the field during a Mets game to try and grab a foul ball to cheer up Arthur after he hears him refer to him as a "demented old circus monkey."

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This ends up with Doug struggling to climb over the outfield fence and getting thrown in Mets jail.

It's a great episode, but it stinks that there will only be 2,000 of those bobbleheads given out. That just means those of us looking to score one on eBay will have to pay more.

That's just supply and demand. If there's one thing I understand about economics — and there really is only one thing I understand about economics — it's supply and demand.

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

But it's not just about the bobblehead; the Cyclones will hit the field in some slick-looking uniforms that both tie into the show and honor the former short-lived Kings Queens minor league team.

I love to see some respect being given to the good name of The King of Queens.

It just kills me that when people talk about the best sitcoms of the last few decades people go "Seinfeld" (which, in fairness, is No. 1), "Friends" (which is wildly overrated), and then maybe "Frasier", "Everybody Loves Raymond", "The Office", etc., but "The King of Queens" should always have been in that conversation.

Go read the rest of the articles here at OutKick, then go throw on what the real ones refer to as "KOQ" and thank me later.



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