Move over Knicks, step aside Yankees—the New York Liberty just made Manhattan the new mecca of hoops glory!
In a dazzling spectacle worthy of Hollywood (or better yet, Times Square on New Year’s Eve), the New York Liberty paraded through Manhattan’s historic Canyon of Heroes on Thursday, fresh off their nail-biting Game 5 victory over the Minnesota Lynx. The streets of New York were drenched in ticker tape as Liberty stars Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart, and Sabrina Ionescu brought the franchise its first-ever WNBA championship—and the city of New York a reason to break out the confetti cannons.
Imagine the scene: A roaring crowd of thousands lined the streets, joined by a powerhouse trio of officials: Senator Chuck Schumer, Governor Kathy Hochul, and NYC Mayor Eric Adams. With the wind carrying shredded paper like a ticker-tape tornado, New York finally recognized its Liberty team’s journey from hopefuls to history-makers.
The Liberty, dripping in freshly minted championship glory, celebrated at the heart of New York, basking in the kind of hero’s welcome normally reserved for sports legends of the other leagues. Sabrina Ionescu held up the championship trophy as if she was cradling the very heart of NYC basketball pride, while her teammates looked on, gleaming like the Empire State Building at night.
For the city, this was more than just a parade—it was a statement: New York now celebrates its champions regardless of gender or league. Remember, it’s been a while since a women’s team earned this treatment; the last parade of this scale honored the U.S. women’s soccer team in 2019 after their World Cup win. Just two years later, New York also celebrated its frontline workers, the heroes of the pandemic, with a similar parade.
Yet, not all New York teams have had the luxury of such a grand ticker-tape parade. Take New York City FC, who celebrated their first MLS championship in 2021 at City Hall rather than through a Canyon of Heroes parade. And last year, NY/NJ Gotham FC’s NWSL championship didn’t make it to the ticker-tape club either. But Liberty? They made sure to claim their rightful place—and oh, did they own it!
The championship game itself was a heart-pounding thriller, culminating in overtime at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. It was a battle of nerves and strategy, where every play counted and no one was ready to back down. The Liberty pulled off their final victory in a display of grit that would make even the most seasoned New Yorker stop, stare, and cheer.
So, here’s to the Liberty, New York’s newest titans of the ticker tape. They’ve redefined what it means to be a champion in the city that never sleeps, where parades are earned with sweat, hustle, and a bit of a New York edge.