New York Knicks fans have been waiting 53 years for this moment, and apparently, they’ve been saving their money too. The team’s first NBA title since 1973 has not only sparked a citywide celebration — it’s shattered merchandise sales records across all sports, according to data from Fanatics.
The Athletic reports that Knicks championship gear became the top-selling merchandise across any sport within the first 24 hours of a title win in Fanatics history. That mark previously belonged to the Philadelphia Eagles, who set the bar just last year after their Super Bowl 59 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
But the Knicks didn’t stop there. New York is now on pace to become the highest-selling championship team in total sales for the company’s history. If they hold that pace, they’ll surpass the 2016 Chicago Cubs, whose World Series win after a 108-year drought had long been the gold standard for merchandise sales.
How does this compare to other recent NBA champions? The 2020 Los Angeles Lakers, led by LeBron James, were previously Fanatics’ best-selling NBA Finals winners. The Knicks have already more than doubled that figure.
Fanatics rolled out more than 300 championship-branded products in the hours after the Knicks clinched the title in San Antonio. The company processed over 8,000 orders per minute immediately after Game 5 — another company record.
Unsurprisingly, T-shirts and hats led the sales surge. But fans also snapped up some pricier items, including a $10,000 Swarovski crystal-embellished leather jacket and a Seinfeld-themed shirt. Several commemorative trading cards were also released to mark the championship.
The Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs in five games to capture the franchise’s second title. Game 5 was played on the road, but Jalen Brunson refused to let his team lose. He dropped 45 points while shooting over 50% from the field, earning himself Finals MVP honors in the process.
Brunson averaged 32.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists across the five-game series. The championship capped his fourth season with the Knicks — he has led them to the playoffs in every year of his New York tenure and now delivered a title in Year Four.
The championship parade is scheduled for Thursday, June 18, 2026, in New York City. Given the sales numbers, expect a lot of fans to show up wearing fresh gear.
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