Yes, Knicks Fans Are Buying NBA Cup Championship Gear - And It’s Selling Fast
After the New York Knicks took down the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday to win the NBA Cup, the celebration looked like something out of June - championship hats, shirts, confetti, the whole deal. But this wasn’t the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
This was the NBA Cup, a tournament still carving out its place in the league’s hierarchy in just its third year. And while the Knicks aren’t rushing to hang a banner at Madison Square Garden, there’s no denying one thing: the merch is moving.
So, the big question - are fans actually buying NBA Cup champions gear?
Based on what’s flying off shelves, the answer is a resounding yes.
The Hat: A Snapback Statement
Let’s start with the headliner - literally. The same New Era snapback that Knicks players wore during the postgame celebration in Las Vegas is one of the hottest items.
It’s a one-size-fits-all snapback, which makes sense when you’ve got to crown a dozen players in a hurry. Priced at $40, the hat features a clean white front panel with “2025 Emirates NBA Cup” stitched next to a bold “CHAMPIONS” label, outlined in blue and red bracket-style lines - a subtle but slick nod to the tournament format.
The NBA Cup logo is stitched in with detail, giving the cap a premium look.
The rest of the hat is black - crown, visor, and all - with the Knicks logo on one side and the New Era flag on the other. According to the Knicks’ team store, it’s “almost gone.”
On New Era’s own site? Already sold out, with the next shipment expected to arrive just in time for Christmas Eve.
So yes, people are buying NBA Cup champions hats. And fast.
The Shirt: Gold Accents, Jordan Logo, and a Knicks Twist
The black championship T-shirt that players wore postgame has also been a hit - and it’s easy to see why. There’s a lot going on design-wise, but it works.
The shirt features gold-accented logos - the Jordan Brand logo, the NBA Cup logo, and the word “CHAMPIONS” - all popping against a black background. There’s also a Knicks logo and a circular red-and-blue bracket design framing the NBA Cup.
It’s bold. It’s flashy.
And somehow, it all comes together.
One detail Knicks fans can’t ignore? That Jordan Brand logo.
For a franchise that’s spent decades haunted by Michael Jordan, seeing his silhouette on Knicks title gear - even if it’s not that title - feels like a bit of trolling from the basketball gods. But hey, the shirt still looks sharp.
Adult sizes sold out quickly on the Knicks’ online store. Youth sizes?
Only a few smalls left. Clearly, fans are scooping these up.
The Alternate Shirt: More Knicks Colors, Less On-Court Cred
Still available: a Knicks-colored version of the NBA Cup champions T-shirt, priced at $35. This one leans into the team’s signature blue and orange, with “NBA Cup Champion New York Knicks” front and center.
The NBA Cup logo is there, but it plays a supporting role. It’s a cleaner look and a rare piece of championship apparel in Knicks colors - but it’s not the shirt players wore on the court after the win, which likely explains why it hasn’t sold out yet (except in small).
Framed Moment: Confetti, Cup, and a Little Extra
If you’re looking to commemorate the moment with something more permanent, the Knicks’ team shop is offering a framed 13 x 16 collage featuring a photo of the team holding the NBA Cup as confetti rains down. It’s priced at $50 and captures the moment in high-def glory.
One detail in the photo stands out - the medals draped around the players’ necks. It raises an interesting thought: Why not sell replica NBA Cup medals?
It’s a small touch that could go a long way for collectors and diehards.
For the Neutral Fan: Just Here for the Cup
Not a Knicks fan but love the tournament? There’s a neutral NBA Cup T-shirt up for grabs as well.
It’s got the tournament’s logo front and center and goes for $35. The listing says it’s from 2024, but it’s still in stock across all sizes.
If Rob Lowe ever shows up courtside in a generic NBA Cup hat like he did with the NFL shield, this would be the basketball version.
What About Past Champs?
If you’re wondering whether this NBA Cup merch craze is just a Knicks thing, a quick look at eBay tells us otherwise. Try finding Lakers or Bucks NBA Cup gear from the past two years and you’ll come up mostly empty. Lakers fans, in particular, don’t seem eager to part with their 2023 “In-Season Tournament” memorabilia - which makes sense, considering LeBron and company were the first to lift the Cup.
There are a few collector items floating around - bobbleheads, trading cards, lapel pins, even a Max Christie autographed ball with “2023 NBA Cup Champions” inscribed. But overall, the resale market is thin, which suggests fans are keeping their Cup gear close.
So, Who’s Wearing It?
That’s the million-dollar question. We know the gear is selling - fast.
But will we start seeing NBA Cup champions hats and shirts out in the wild? That remains to be seen.
The NBA Cup is still finding its footing in terms of prestige, and fans may be more likely to wear this stuff at home or stash it away as collector’s items.
But make no mistake: Knicks fans are buying in. And if this tournament keeps growing, this early merch might just become a prized part of Knicks history.
After all, when you haven’t won the big one since 1973, any trophy - and the gear that comes with it - is worth celebrating.