Residents of New York and Texas are eagerly anticipating a showdown between their home teams in the NBA Finals. In a rare bipartisan display of camaraderie, Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Ted Cruz have even agreed to a friendly wager on the outcome.
The matchup between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs is set to take place at the Spurs’ Frost Bank Center on Wednesday night. With passionate fans on both sides, including MAGA Republican Cruz and Democrat Gillibrand, the excitement is palpable.
Cruz reached out to Gillibrand on X, proposing a bet on their teams’ performance.
“If the Knicks win the series (though that’s unlikely!), you and your team enjoy Texas BBQ, Shiner Bock beer, and Blue Bell ice cream. But when the Spurs take the victory, the loser dons the winner’s jersey. Deal?” Cruz suggested.
Gillibrand accepted the challenge, promising to treat Cruz and his team to a meal featuring “the world-famous Joe’s Pizza and Brooklyn Lager” should the Knicks not prevail against the Spurs.
“Go NY Go!” she enthusiastically added.
The politicians’ uncharacteristically amicable tête-à-tête came after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott trolled New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on X.
Abbott posted an AI-generated image on Sunday depicting himself in a Spurs jersey “dunking” on Hochul, clad in a Knicks jersey, with President Trump laughing from the sidelines.
“Spurs about to dunk on Knicks like Texas has been dunking on New York. Go Spurs Go,” Abbott wrote.
Hochul crafted a short-and-sweet response on Monday, taking a jab at Abbott’s staunch stance on transgender people’s participation in athletics.
“BREAKING: Greg Abbott comes out for men and women competing on the same court,” Hochul wrote.
The oft-opposed politicians aren’t the only ones putting their pride on the line for the good of the game.
When the Knicks were still giving the Philadelphia 76ers a slow death in the Eastern Conference Finals, a pair of cheesesteak connoisseurs wagered their livelihoods.
Frank Olivieri, proud owner of Philadelphia’s iconic Pat’s King of Steaks, and Louis Cretella, co-owner of Dario’s Pizza in West Hempstead, agreed to cook in the winner’s restaurant while decked out in the opposite team’s gear.
When the Knicks came out on top in Game 4, Olivieri assured he would make good on his promise and cook for Cretella — while decked out in Knicks merchandise.
