Key Points
The 2024 Liberty and 2021 NYCFC titles are recent exceptions outside those major leagues.
The Knicks are seen as strong contenders to end the city's championship drought in 2025.
When the New York Liberty took home the WNBA title over the Minnesota Lynx in 2024, overcoming rough performances by Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart, it was the first title that the city of New York had seen in a major sports team since Eli Manning hoisted the Lombardi Trophy in 2012.
It’s been a rough go for arguably the biggest sports market in the country: the Yankees have failed to cash in on their 28th ring despite being a contender every year since 2017 (save for one blip). The Jets, Mets and Giants are well, the Jets, Mets and Giants (though the latter leaves some promise) and the Rangers failed to cash in on a President’s Trophy win in 2024.
As the New York sports fandom turns its weary eyes to the Knicks’ upcoming season, a stat revealed just how long this city has been waiting for a title from its top teams.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton controls the ball as New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson defends during overtime of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals at Madison Square Garden on May 21, 2025.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton controls the ball as New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson defends during overtime of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals at Madison Square Garden on May 21, 2025.
As of Tuesday, it has now been 5,000 days since Eli Manning led the Giants to a win over the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, the last time any New York team in the MLB, NBA, NFL or NHL has come home with a championship.
Prior to 2012, the city of New York was not starved of championships – the Yankees took home their 27th World Series win in 2009, and the Giants won Super Bowl XLII, also over the Patriots, in 2008.
The Liberty’s win over the Lynx in 2024, along with NYCFC’s MLS championship in 2021, represented the only titles that have arrived in the Big Apple since the Giants won in 2012, but the city needs its iconic big-market franchises to step up.
The City on Their Back
The Knicks are widely expected to make a championship push in 2025, thanks to the depth signings of Jordan Clarkson, Guerschon Yabusele, Malcolm Brogdon, resigning of Landry Shamet, and hope for progression from Miles McBride, Pacome Dadiet and Ariel Hukporti.
That, along with new coach Mike Brown, who promises a different, more three-dimensional managerial style, means expectations will be high.
The Knicks are also beneficiaries from an Eastern Conference that looks to be up for grabs. The Pacers are without Tyrese Haliburton, the Celtics are without Jayson Tatum for most of the year, and the Bucks let Damian Lillard walk.
The Cavs appear to be the main contenders for the No. 1 seed in the East, though Darius Garland appears to still be nursing the injury to his big toe that required surgery, potentially limiting his efficacy early on.
The Bucks added Myles Turner, who adds paint depth and offensive mettle, as their starting center, and they can’t be counted out. The Magic and the Pistons also look young and hungry, and the Knicks will get plenty of reps with them.
The point is, though, the Knicks may have the best odds at bringing home a title this city has seen in quite some time. Thus, as the days without a major championship continue to amass, the Knicks will face pressure and urgency to bring it home with Jalen Brunson and KAT in their respective primes.