On Thursday, Mayor Zoran Mamdani found himself in the limelight during a memorial event for the Knicks at City Hall. Interestingly, he appeared somewhat distracted for nearly ten minutes after celebrating with the NBA champions on a parade float.
During the Knicks’ first-ever ticker tape parade along Broadway, Mamdani was right in the midst of the action, mingling with Governor Cathy Hochul and Knicks players, including Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby.
This self-proclaimed Knicks fan once took a photo with a lucky orange wallet that belonged to Towns’ fiancée, Jordyn Woods.
“The Knicks didn’t just win for New York City; they won like New York City,” Mamdani expressed to the crowd at City Hall Square, donning a Josh Hart jersey over a white button-down shirt and an orange tie instead of a blazer.
He went on to ask, “What is New York without your back against the wall, a dream that feels out of reach, a rent payment you don’t know how you’re going to make?”
Mamdani’s speech lasted eight minutes and 19 seconds—more than twice as long as any other speaker—and took up over a third of the speaking time allotted for the ceremony.
His remarks exceeded the length of time it took to hand the keys to the city to Knicks owner James Dolan and the team.
In attendance were notable figures like Dolan, team president Leon Rose, head coach Mike Brown, and star point guard Jalen Brunson, all of whom addressed the crowd of approximately 2,000 enthusiastic fans.
Brown’s speech, while impactful, was the second longest of the event, clocking in at just under four minutes.
Other speakers included politicians, such as member Jumaane Williams, who, in a rather unexpected moment, referenced her approaching 50th birthday during her brief speech of one minute and 24 seconds.
“This, folks, is what the New York Knicks are all about,” she exclaimed with excitement. “And I can’t wait to tell my younger self that on your 50th birthday, you’re going to be celebrating a championship while being an elected official on this stage.”
Meanwhile, Mamdani’s comments reflected on the Knicks’ rich history, honoring both the current team and former players who have made their mark at Madison Square Garden.
His predecessors, Eric Adams and Bill de Blasio, had delivered much shorter speeches at similar events in the past. Adams spoke for nearly two minutes during the 2024 New York Liberty celebration, while de Blasio’s remarks were just over four and a half minutes during the 2019 U.S. women’s soccer team parade.
Interestingly, Governor Kathy Hochul chose not to speak at the event, with her office indicating that the focus should be on the team.
Other officials who took the microphone included City Auditor Mark Levine and City Council President Julie Menin.
At least one fan watching the event on television from a nearby bar seemed somewhat perplexed by the political speeches, inquiring about Menin, “Who is she?”
