NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani honored the New York Knicks with a speech and presented them with the keys to the city during the parade. The symbolic gesture came mid-parade as players waved to crowds lining Broadway. Mamdani handed the oversized keys to the players, a tradition reserved for New York teams that deliver titles.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani gives keys to NYC to Knicks and delivers 8-minute speech
Mayor Zohran Mamdani awarded the Keys to the City to the New York Knicks on Thursday, June 18, celebrating the team at both a ticker-tape procession along the “Canyon of Heroes” and a formal event at City Hall. The route ran from Battery Park to City Hall and made history as the Knicks’ first ticker-tape parade.
“The Knicks did not just win for New York City — they won like New York City. What is New York if not your back up against the wall, a dream that feels just out of reach, a rent payment you don’t know how you will ever make? What is New York if not 99.6 percent of the world stacked against you? And who are New Yorkers if not people who hear those odds and smile? Who look at a 0.4 percent chance of success and ask: ‘why’re you giving me a head start?’ Mayor Mamdani stated.
He continued, “This is our city. This is our team. For 53 years, we watched. For 53 years, we waited. Now, we’ve won.”
Mayor Mamdani also invited a group of guests to City Hall who reflect New York’s basketball heart and the spirit behind the Knicks’ historic run (per NYC.gov).
Mamdani honored the Parks Department blacksmiths and recognized Balladoli Mieses at the Knicks parade. The 34-year-old mayor also welcomed four young players raised in NYCHA. Additionally, four athletes and the coach of CUNY’s wheelchair basketball team joined the ceremony. A city veteran with 53 years at the Office of Technology and Innovation was honored, too. Finally, five senior fans were celebrated for their loyalty.
Furthermore, star supporters like Timothée Chalamet, Martha Stewart, Edie Falco, Ben Stiller, Mariska Hargitay, and many more turned out for the Knicks parade after backing the team throughout the postseason.
Originally reported by Sibanee Gogoi on Mandatory.
