The official social media account for Sesame Street's Elmo found itself in the middle of a sports controversy this week, after a well-intentioned post about the NBA Finals drew sharp criticism from fans. The red puppet had written on Wednesday that it hoped both the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs would “have fun” in their championship series, a comment that struck many as tone-deaf given the character's New York roots.
By Thursday, Elmo's handlers were in damage-control mode, posting a follow-up message on X that leaned heavily into wordplay. “KNICKS that last message! Elmo didn’t mean to SPUR you on!” the account wrote, using puns referencing both teams. The post came a day before Game 2 in San Antonio, where the Knicks eventually won 105-104 to take a 2-0 series lead.
The original post had drawn fire from several corners, with some X users accusing the beloved character of betraying its New York City identity. The Wendy’s fast-food chain account piled on with a blunt “NOT NOW ELMO,” while one fan called the puppet a “traitor.”
The Knicks’ strong performance on the road has put them in a commanding position as the series shifts to Madison Square Garden for Game 3 on Monday night. New York hasn’t appeared in the NBA Finals since 1999, when they also faced the Spurs and lost. The franchise’s last championship came in 1973.
Monday’s game is expected to draw heightened attention after President Trump, a New York native, said he plans to attend following an invitation from Knicks owner James Dolan. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said, “I’ve been a Knicks fan for a long time,” and didn’t rule out also attending Game 4 on Wednesday.
On Friday, while aboard Air Force One, Trump singled out Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns as two of his favorite players. He also praised Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama, using the nickname “Wemby.”
However, the president brushed aside concerns about high ticket prices that have frustrated many New Yorkers. The cheapest seats for Game 3 are reportedly going for more than $8,000 on secondary markets. “They can watch it on television,” Trump said. “It’s sort of semi free to watch it on television. That’s the way life goes.”
Trump’s attendance at the game is part of a broader pattern of the president engaging with sports and cultural events, as he did when he accepted Dolan’s invitation. Meanwhile, the Knicks’ deep playoff run has even prompted some parents to suspend bedtimes for their children to watch the games.
