WASHINGTON -- Five days after President Donald Trump told the National Basketball Association champion Golden State Warriors they weren't welcome at the White House, the owner of the New York Knicks sent a $125,000 check to help his re-election efforts.

James Dolan, executive chairman of Madison Square Garden Corp., contributed the money to the joint fundraising committee set up by Trump and the Republican National Committee, Federal Election Commission filings show.

His check was dated Sept. 28. That same week, on Sept. 23, Trump disinvited the Warriors from the traditional White House visit afforded most championship sports teams after all-star guard Stephen Curry said he wouldn't accompany the team.

"This is indeed how the game is played," said Craig Holman of Public Citizen, a Washington-based advocacy group that favors stronger campaign finance laws. "Clearly, the New York Knicks owner wants to make sure the Knicks are not dissed by the president, who has a tendency to do that type of thing."

Dolan also contributed to $300,000 to the joint fundraising committee last year, FEC records show.

"Mr. Dolan is a long-time friend and supporter of President Trump," Knicks spokesman Jonathan Supranowitz said. "His contribution is a matter of public record, and was made by Mr. Dolan as a private citizen."

Trump's criticism of the Warriors came while simultaneously criticizing National Football League players for protesting police brutality against minority communities by kneeling during the national anthem.

Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team.Stephen Curry is hesitating,therefore invitation is withdrawn! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017

NBA All-Star LeBron James responded by calling Trump a "bum."

U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain't going! So therefore ain't no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up! — LeBron James (@KingJames) September 23, 2017

"There's a big disconnect between the players and owners," Holman said. "It's true in all the professional leagues."

Dave Jenkins, a spokesman for the NBA players union, did not respond to requests for comment.

Unlike previous incumbents, Trump began raising money for his re-election effort even before as he was inaugurated. His campaign committee is run by Mendham resident Michael Glassner.

NFL owners and players, meanwhile, are scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss the anthem protests.

"Like many of our fans, we believe that everyone should stand for the national anthem," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a memo issued to all 32 teams last week. "We also care deeply about our players and respect their opinions and concerns about critical social issues. The controversy over the anthem is a barrier to having honest conversations and making real progress on the underlying issues."

Trump said Monday that the kneeling players were "disrespecting our flag" and "disrespecting our country."

"The NFL should have suspended some of these players for one game," Trump said at a White House press conference. "Not fire them -- suspended them for one game. And then if they did it again, it could have been two games and three games and then for the season. You wouldn't have people disrespecting our country right now."

It is about time that Roger Goodell of the NFL is finally demanding that all players STAND for our great National Anthem-RESPECT OUR COUNTRY — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 11, 2017

A Quinnipiac University poll released last week said 52 percent of voters disapproved of the football players' decision to kneel during the anthem, with 43 percent approving. While 62 percent of whites opposed the action, 79 percent of blacks were in favor of the protests.

At the same time, 58 percent of voters called Trump's comments on the issue inappropriate, while 34 percent supported them.

Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.