Rail ads ask Knick fans for their train of thought
Subway riders were reminded of the negativity that comes with being a Knicks fan on the same day the team’s preseason starts.
A Fox Sports 1 ad campaign asked riders on Tuesday to “pick a side” on the Times Square to Grand Central shuttle: Are the Knicks hopeful or hopeless?
Half of the train was a negative ad on the outside, referring to the franchise as “hopeless” alongside photos of Joakim Noah and Tim Hardaway Jr.
Noah signed a four-year, $72 million contract last year and has been a bust for the franchise so far. Hardaway Jr. turned several heads this offseason when the Knicks signed him to a huge four-year, $71 million deal.
On the inside of the subway car, even the seats were filled with negative quotes.
Side by side were seats with “Sit here if you blame Phil,” “Sit here if you blame Melo,” and “Sit here if you blame Dolan.”
But the ads, which were installed on Monday, weren’t all negative — the other side of the car featured “hopeful” along with a picture of star Kristaps Porzingis.
Another car included similar messaging but instead took aim at Giants QB Eli Manning and Yankees star rookie Aaron Judge.
“Swings hard, misses often,” read one seat critical of Judge, while one on the other side read, “He can be the LeBron of baseball.”
FS1 released a statement saying the ads would be removed.
“Today, FS1 featured statements on a New York City subway car intended to reflect the distinct emotions and opinions of passionate sports fans. We regret the tone and are removing the content in its entirety.”
The Knicks were not aware of FS1’s subway ad wrap that took shots at the team, ESPN reported.