Danhausen Lists His Demands to Stephen A. Smith To Keep the New York Knicks Un-Cursed

The rivalry between WWE Superstar Danhausen and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith continued on today’s edition of First Take. Danhausen appeared in a new pre-recorded video on today’s ESPN First Take, with a message to Smith. Danhausen declared to Smith that he wants the New York Knicks to remain un-cursed, he will have to answer his demands until tip-off time.

Danhausen says in the video, “It is I, Danhausen here. Battle-damaged, speaking of which, I won my match, and as you all know, the Knicks have been winning their matches. Swept! So, speaking of which, Stephen A. Smith, your checks have cleared so far. However, if you want to keep this un-cursing going, perhaps Danhausen is going to need his own TV show, or more monies, or perhaps those courtside seats, no big deal. You have until tip-off time to decide what happens with the curse.”

Smith later claimed that he didn’t hear any of Danhausen’s demands. He added, “People who are serious about this, they don’t blackmail you. They take their position, and they hold to it. He’s trying to blackmail. That does not work. He’s dampening his reputation by engaging in blackmail.”

Smith has said in the past that he does not fear Danhausen’s curse. However, Danhausen did curse the Cleveland Cavaliers before the NBA Eastern Conference Finals, and they were subsequently swept by the Knicks.

Game 1 of the NBA Finals, featuring the San Antonio Spurs vs. the New York Kicks, starts later today and airs live on ESPN.

.@DanhausenAD has a price to keep the Knicks uncursed 😭💰 pic.twitter.com/cbtcylgD4g

— First Take (@FirstTake) June 3, 2026