New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is capitalizing on the Knicks' deep playoff push, using the team's first NBA Finals appearance in decades as a backdrop for a progressive political offensive. The Democrat, who rode a savvy social media campaign from obscurity to City Hall last year, is now weaving basketball imagery into an effort to reshape the city's congressional delegation.
Moments after the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Game One of the Finals on Wednesday, a political ad aired across New York. It features Mamdani dribbling a basketball before passing it to three progressive candidates he has endorsed: former city comptroller Brad Lander, community organizer Darializa Avila Chevalier, and state assemblymember Claire Valdez. The ad cost roughly $110,000, according to The New York Times, split among the campaigns.
The spot never mentions the Knicks by name, but its orange-and-blue color scheme and Mamdani's tagline—“This is the team. This is our year”—make the connection unmistakable. Lander vows to “block billionaires from buying our elections,” Chevalier pledges to “abolish ICE,” and Valdez promises to take on “bad landlords and greedy corporations.”
Two of the three candidates are challenging Democratic incumbents. Lander is running against Rep. Dan Goldman in the 10th District, while Chevalier is taking on Rep. Adriano Espaillat in the 13th. Valdez is vying for the open 7th District seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez. The timing is tight: early voting in New York's primaries begins June 13, with primary day on June 23. A potential Game Seven would fall on June 19.
Mamdani, who has never been part of the city's Democratic establishment, is seeking to expand his influence by electing allies. Tying that push to the Knicks' run is a deliberate bid to reach voters who tune out traditional political media. “When the Knicks win, New York comes alive,” Mamdani said Wednesday, also touting $202 million in economic activity from home playoff games.
But some political veterans warn the strategy could backfire. George Arzt, a Democratic consultant who served as press secretary for former Mayor Ed Koch, noted that “every mayor likes to be involved with winning teams,” citing John Lindsay's embrace of the 1969 “Miracle Mets.” However, Arzt cautioned that the ad might be “overing it a bit,” adding, “I feel that not a lot of people will pay attention to it that much, and some who do will think of it as exploitative.”
Another wrinkle: President Trump is expected to attend Game Three in New York on Monday. Mamdani told reporters he will also be at the game but in a “very different section” from Trump, who typically sits in premium seats. Mamdani has been spotted in the cheaper “nosebleed” sections of Madison Square Garden. He did not say whether he plans to meet Trump.
Beyond basketball, Mamdani has other sports-related initiatives tied to the upcoming World Cup, reflecting his broader interest as an Arsenal soccer fan. For now, though, the Knicks dominate. Even New Yorkers who disagree with Mamdani's politics might share his post-game sentiment: “Three more.”
As the primaries approach, Mamdani's gamble is that the Knicks' momentum will rub off on his candidates. Whether voters see it as authentic enthusiasm or opportunistic branding will be tested at the ballot box.
