Hundreds Celebrate New York Liberty’s Championship Victory in Canyon of Heroes Ticker-Tape Parade
Hundreds of supporters clad in the team’s signature Statue of Liberty aquamarine lined Broadway’s Canyon of Heroes. Office workers at the windows above dumped reams of shredded paper, including some toilet paper rolls, with actual ticker tape hard to come by these days.
The team’s victorious players, including Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones, rode on floats north along Broadway towards City Hall as ecstatic crowds cheered them on.
"I’ve been here from the beginning," said 59-year-old Jocelyn Murphy, a court clerk who lives in East New York. "I still can’t really believe it, but it’s here: We’re champions."
Keys to the City
On stage before receiving their keys to the city, players reflected on their team, the city, and their championship.
"Being able to be drafted here and knowing the work that we’ve put in to get to this point today, being at this parade, being able to see so many people just celebrating us was a special moment," Ionescu said.
"I think I’m a New Yorker now."
Girls Support Girls
But the mayor’s legal woes were far from the minds of parade attendees Thursday. Friends Savannah Goldberg and Ariana Gershkowitz, both 9, traveled with their families to the city from their home in Brewster, N.Y. to cheer the Liberty. They both play on the same travel team and became fans of the team two years ago.
"It’s really cool to see that girls just like us who used to watch the WNBA and cheer on and wish to be there, end up going there," said 12-year-old Drew Moore.
Conclusion
The parade was the city’s first since essential workers were celebrated in 2021 as the COVID-19 pandemic subsided. It was the first parade for a New York sports team since the Giants’ Super Bowl celebration in 2012 or the Yankees’ World Series triumph in 2009.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why was the parade held in the Canyon of Heroes?
A: The parade was held in the Canyon of Heroes to celebrate the New York Liberty’s championship victory.
Q: Who were some notable attendees at the parade?
A: Notable attendees included Mayor Eric Adams, Governor Kathy Hochul, and players from the New York Liberty basketball team.
Q: What were some fan reactions to the parade?
A: Fans were ecstatic about the team’s victory and praised the players for their hard work and achievements.
Q: What was the significance of the parade?
A: The parade was significant because it was the first ticker-tape parade in the city since 2021 and the first for a New York sports team since 2012.
