New York City's Department of Transportation has launched an auction for a rare “Champions Way” street sign that was displayed during the New York Knicks’ ticker-tape parade in June, celebrating the team’s first NBA championship in more than five decades. The sign is one of 30 aluminum markers installed along Broadway’s famed Canyon of Heroes in Lower Manhattan to honor the title victory.
Measuring 36 inches wide and painted in the Knicks’ blue and orange colors, the sign was fabricated in the same Queens facility used for the city’s official street signage. While only one sign is currently up for auction, the remaining 29 signs are not scheduled for sale. The bidding opened at $100 on Wednesday morning and will close on August 12 at 8 p.m. Proceeds from the auction will be directed to the city’s general fund, potentially supporting public services such as education and infrastructure maintenance.
Interest in the sign quickly surged, with bids surpassing $7,100 by Thursday morning amid more than 70 offers. This figure is expected to grow as awareness spreads among Knicks fans. Earlier this summer, the agency sold 200 replicas of the same design—though these were never installed—at $100 each. Those replica signs sold out within seven minutes.
The sale has drawn attention from prominent Knicks supporters, including actor Ben Stiller, known for his regular presence at Madison Square Garden. Stiller reacted to the replica sale on social media but has not publicly confirmed whether he intends to bid on the authentic parade sign. Spike Lee, another well-known Knicks superfan and season-ticket holder since Patrick Ewing’s rookie season, was initially unaware of the auction. When informed, he expressed casual interest but indicated he would take his time in considering participation.
The market for Knicks memorabilia, especially items tied directly to the recent championship or the team’s New York heritage, has shown strong demand. Past examples include model replicas of local subway entrances painted in team colors, which have repeatedly sold out at the New York Transit Museum. However, the fervor surrounding Knicks collectibles has led to some controversies, such as a recent incident in which an individual was dismissed for attempting to take a commemorative Knicks garbage can during the parade festivities.
The auction is managed by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services, which regularly conducts sales of surplus city property ranging from furniture to transportation equipment. In recent years, the agency has overseen high-profile transactions including the sale of a decommissioned Staten Island ferry for approximately $280,000. Last fiscal year, the department held nearly 1,000 auctions, netting about $1.2 million in revenue—a modest contribution in the context of the city’s $126 billion budget.
While there are no plans yet to auction additional Knicks-related items such as the commemorative garbage cans, officials have expressed optimism about the potential value of the “Champions Way” sign and similar memorabilia connected to the city’s sports heritage. The auction offers a unique opportunity for collectors and fans to own a tangible piece of the Knicks’ championship celebration.