Time and again, there happens a moment in the WNBA that warms your heart. Whether it’s Sabrina Ionescu donating her 3‑Point Contest winnings to charity or Hailey Van Lith consoling a tearful Angel Reese after a tough loss, these moments offer powerful reminders of the humanity behind the game. However, the latest glimpse of this came from not a player, but a staff member of the defending champions. And he got applauded over the internet for it.
The person in question is Jonathan Kolb, the General Manager of the New York Liberty. He won the WNBA Basketball Executive of the Year back in 2023. When Liberty was facing Mercury on July 26, 2025, Kolb proved yet again why he is deserving of that award. What was this sweet gesture that everyone is applauding for? Well, it involved a Liberty fan family and a whole lot of fun.
On June 26, 2025, a Liberty fan on X shared how Kolb reached out to her and made her day. The fan was looking to bring her family to a New York Liberty game. But the General Manager of the team went one step forward and gave her and her family Liberty gear of their respective sizes. Looking at this heartwarming gesture, WNBA insider Mark Schindler came forward to share their experience with Kolb. Schindler said in his X post, “Wherever I end up in life, I will owe a significant amount to Jonathan.”
This is who JK is!
Wherever I end up in life, I will owe a significant amount to Jonathan
One of the best, man https://t.co/yxGNGlNK5C
— Mark Schindler (@MG_Schindler) July 26, 2025
The Liberty fan gave a reply to Schindler, stating that she does not know his story but wholeheartedly believes Kolb would have done that. “I don’t know your story, of course, but believe that to my core, regardless! So kind,” she said. This positive sentiment was shared by a lot of netizens, who rallied in support of the New York Liberty General Manager. They took to X to voice this too.
WNBA fans applaud the New York Liberty General Manager for his kind gesture
In her original post, the Liberty fan shared how Kolb made sure she and her family had a great night during the game. She sang praises for him, calling him the best in the league. This sentiment of hers was echoed among a lot of WNBA fans. They joined in unison to give Kolb his flowers. “It’s so heartwarming to see that connection and thoughtfulness from Jonathan Kolb! Family moments at games really are the best, and it speaks volumes about the Liberty organization,” a fan of the Liberty team chimed in.
Another fan shared the same thought, claiming Kolb is a unique one. “So glad your parents were able to go and have a great time!! There aren’t very many GMs in any sport that would do this!!” they penned down. Kolb firmly believes in elevating the team as a collective unit. During his 2023 WNBA Basketball Executive of the Year acceptance speech, Kolb didn’t forget to mention his peers. He stated that the award was won not by himself but by the collective effort of his team.
One fan was quick to note that not only Kolb, but the people around him in the Liberty team are kind towards fans. The fan wrote on X, “That’s so sweet! Their office is the nicest people.” Indeed, Kolb has built the Liberty office to be a nurturing ground for talent and kindness. The current General Manager of Golden State Valkyries, Ohemaa Nyanin, grew under the leadership of Jonathan Kolb.
Even the Liberty GM had nothing but praise for Nyanin, stating she is the prime example of hard work paying off. The whole internet is praising Kolb. He, on the other hand, is giving back tenfold to the WNBA community. This is the type of positive message that should keep coming out of the W.
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