Knicks NBA Championship Gear Sets Fanatics Record, Doubles LeBron James, Lakers Sales from 2020

People can't get enough of the New York Knicks in the wake of the team's first championship in 53 years.

According to Larry Holder of The Athletic, "Knicks championship gear has become the top seller across all sports within the first 24 hours of a title in Fanatics history, the company said, breaking a record previously held by the 2025 Philadelphia Eagles just after beating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. The Knicks are also on pace to become the top championship team for total sales in Fanatics history, surpassing the sales record set when the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series in 2016. Sales of Knicks championship gear has already more than doubled that of Fanatics' previous best-selling NBA Finals champion: the LeBron James-led Los Angeles Lakers in 2020."

Here's a look at the line for the NBA Store in New York City, just to drive home the merchandise frenzy after the Knicks finally ended their title drought:

The longest title drought in the NBA belongs to the Sacramento Kings, at 75 years, followed by the Atlanta Hawks (68 years) and Phoenix Suns (57 years).

In the NFL, the Arizona Cardinals have a title drought stretching back 78 years, while the MLB's Cleveland Guardians have gone 77 years without winning a championship. In the NHL, one of hockey's most storied franchises—the Toronto Maple Leafs—have the longest active title drought at 59 years.

You can bet those teams would see a massive spike in merchandising sales if, or when, they finally break their drought. Now add New York City's population to the mix and you have the recipe for a merchandising craze.

Fanatics was quick to capitalize, releasing "more than 300 championship-branded products," per Holder. Those included "championship T-shirts and hats, including the Nike locker room T-shirt ($45) worn by the players. Some of the more unique items being sold include a Knicks NBA Finals champion Swarovski crystal leather jacket for $10,000 and a Seinfeld-inspired 'Summer of the Knicks' T-shirt featuring an image of a shirtless George Costanza wearing Knicks shorts for $42."