Want to bid on a piece of Knicks history? Champions Way street sign displayed during NBA victory parade being auctioned by NYC
New York City is auctioning a Champions Way sign that was installed along the Canyon of Heroes for the Knicks’ championship parade. Credit: Newsday/Howard Schnapp
During the Knicks' ticker-tape parade down the Canyon of Heroes on Broadway just over a month ago, the street, lined with rabid fans, was adorned with an additional sign: Champions Way.
Now the Champions Way sign could be displayed on your mantelpiece.
The city is auctioning off an authentic Champions Way street sign, with bidding that began at 9 a.m. Wednesday, New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn and Department of Citywide Administrative Services Commissioner Yume Kitasei announced on Wednesday.
Bidding for the blue-and-orange sign, one of 30 installed for the championship celebration, started at $100 and is being auctioned through the city’s online surplus action website. All proceeds benefit the City of New York. As of 2 p.m. Wednesday bidding stood at $4,050; bidding closes at 8 p.m. on Aug. 12.
"The Knicks championship celebration was a once-in-a-generation moment for New York City, and these commemorative street signs capture the excitement, pride and history of that unforgettable day," Kitasei said in a statement. "Through DCAS’ surplus property auctions, we’re thrilled to give fans the rare opportunity to own an authentic piece of New York City and Knicks history."
Measuring at 36 inches by 9 inches, the aluminum sign was handcrafted at the NYC DOT’s Sign Shop in Maspeth, Queens. Crews at the shop make more than 70,000 street signs each year and maintain more than 1 million street signs across the five boroughs.
The DOT installed the 30 signs, with two placed at each intersection along the parade route, "to bring the spirit of the Knicks’ championship to the city streets during the ticker-tape parade and in the weeks that followed," officials said.
"NYC DOT was proud to join the celebration," Flynn said in a statement, "and bring an extra touch of civic pride to the Canyon of Heroes during this special day in the history of our city."
