New York Knicks’ playoff run boosts city’s economy and fan spirit

Editor’s note: The video above aired in a previous newscast.

NEW YORK CITY (PIX 11) — The excitement of the New York Knicks’ playoff run is extending far beyond the basketball court as fans filled sports bars across the city Wednesday night, cheering on their team in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

“It means a lot,” said longtime Knicks fan Curtis Thomas. “I played basketball. My family plays basketball so having this whole atmosphere in New York right now is amazing. It feels really good.”

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At Stout NYC, staff ramped up inventory for the Finals, preparing for packed crowds as Knicks fever builds across the city.

“I had to look at the reservations, and they’re booking up already up until Game 7, not knowing if there’s going to be a Game 7, which I think is great,” Kerry Agate said of Stout NYC. “Everybody has the heart, and they’re ready for it.”

City officials estimate that home playoff games have already generated more than $200 million in economic activity, with that number expected to grow as New York makes its first NBA Finals appearance in 27 years.

At Homie’s Donuts, owner Steve Stilianudakis said Knicks-inspired donuts have driven a 20 percent increase in sales, with more than 1,000 sold on Wednesday alone.

“There’s days where we’re just making Knicks donuts, and they’re just flying,” said Steve Stilianudakis, owner of Homie’s Donuts. “Today we got a phone call from people from Philly, from Jersey, from other states that are like, ‘Are you guys going to have them on Friday? ‘cause we want to come and get some’. So it’s great.”

Meanwhile, die-hard Knicks fans are heading over to Live by the Sword Tattoo to show love for their favorite team in a permanent way. The tattoo shop is offering tattoos in honor of the hometown team. The shop has been seeing customers coming by daily to get one.

“Now, technically it should be very slow, but thank God they’re in the finals ‘cause now we’re getting a steady stream of people/money,” said tattoo artist Valery Klimovich.

City officials said this postseason could generate $465 million in economic activity if all possible home games in the Finals are played.

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