The Knicks buzz is leading to big bucks.<\/p>\n
Big Apple hospitality leaders cheered an estimated $465 million in economic development generated by the Knicks\u2019 magical playoff run<\/a>, calling it a crucial \u201cshot in the arm\u201d for the industry.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI mean, New York right now is absolutely electric, more bars, more restaurants are just doing amazing, and they\u2019re so pumped up to welcome people through their doors,\u201d said NYC Hospitality Alliance executive director Andrew Rigie at a press conference Monday.<\/p>\n The city is filled with Knicks fever and it\u2019s leading to more business. Christopher Sadowski for NY Post<\/p>\n \u201cAnd when we talk about the economic impact, our bars and restaurants have really, really been struggling the past bunch of years.\u201d<\/p>\n Versa Restaurant & Rooftop owner Arthur Backal said bars and hotels have struggled to bounce back since the COVID shutdown in 2020 kept tourists at home.<\/p>\n The industry is \u201cnow finally getting this shot in the arm,\u201d Backal said at the press conference that took place at his venue alongside other officials and former Knicks player Tom Hoover.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Knicks are giving us so much of what we need, and on the heels of that, right behind it is a big beautiful World Cup,\u201d Backal added.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s so much happening in New York that is so important and so needed to this industry of restaurants, hotels, tourism.\u201d<\/p>\n But with the crush of revelers showing their Knicks fever, business officials said local establishments have upped private security, increased staffing and bolstered crowd control management.<\/p>\n The team is two wins away from a championship to the excitement of fans. Aristide Economopoulos for NY Post<\/p>\n Watch parties outside Madison Square Garden have at times caused chaos, leading to arrests of rowdy fans. One NYPD cop was even punched last Friday.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n While a watch party outside the Garden was scrapped for Game 3 on Monday with President Trump coming to town, the bash is expected to be back on for Game 4 on Wednesday, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a separate briefing Monday.\u00a0<\/p>\n