The San Antonio Spurs were speculated on social media to have tried to protect home court ahead of Game 5 of the NBA Finals, spurring pushback from New York officials leading into the latest Knicks game.
With the Spurs trailing the Knicks 3-1 entering Saturday night's game at Frost Bank Center, confusion abounded on social media regarding geographic restrictions for tickets. Initial chatter positioned the policy as appearing to be designed to limit the number of Knicks fans attending the potential closeout game. The policy was viewed to be a response to reports that around 45% of tickets had been taken by NYC/NJ residents, despite the game taking place in San Antonio.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul quickly spoke out.
"Knicks fans finally get within one game of a championship and their reward is having their tickets canceled?" Hochul wrote on X. "Thousands of New Yorkers bought tickets, booked flights, and made plans in good faith."
She added, "Ticketmaster and the Spurs should reverse this decision and let the fans who bought those seats keep them. Until then, on behalf of Knicks fans everywhere, I'm calling foul."
New York Attorney General Letitia James also weighed in.
"My office is demanding the Spurs remove this policy and allow Knicks fans and anyone who can buy tickets for tonight's game to be able to attend," James wrote. "Let's go Knicks."
The Spurs defended the restriction, saying the 150-mile radius rule had been in place throughout the playoffs to prioritize local fans in San Antonio, Austin, and surrounding areas.
But later Saturday, Hochul announced that her office had spoken with Ticketmaster and received assurances that fans who bought tickets through the platform would not lose them.
"After hearing concerns from Knicks fans, my team got in touch with Ticketmaster, and I'm pleased to confirm that no fan who purchased a ticket through the platform will have their ticket canceled," Hochul wrote. "New Yorkers will have a fair shot to show up and show out. Knicks in five!"
Madison Square Garden Sports echoed that message, saying it had confirmed with Spurs ownership that "they will not be revoking any tickets that Knicks fans have to tonight's game in San Antonio and all ticket holders will be allowed in to Frost Bank Arena."
Ticketmaster also offered clarity, noting that “geographic restrictions on NBA Finals Game 5 tickets were set by the hosting team and applied at the time of purchase.” However, “no tickets purchased on Ticketmaster for this game have or will be canceled.”
The controversy added another layer to Game 5, where the Knicks have a chance to win their first NBA championship since 1973, with plenty of their fans expected to be in attendance.
