Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
The phenomenon of undrafted Harvard grad and previous NBA benchwarmer Jeremy Lin is translating into serious money, as Knicks’ ticket prices soar and stores can’t keep up with demand for Lin jerseys and “Linsanity†merchandise.
Not long after being let go by two NBA teams (Rockets, Warriors), Lin is the biggest story in basketball. He’s led the Knicks to five straight wins, highlighted by a dominant, 38-point performance against the Lakers, all without Carmelo Anthony or Amar’e Stoudemire, the Knicks’ two perennial All-Stars, in the lineup. Or perhaps the Lin phenomenon has occurred partly because Anthony and Stoudemire haven’t been playing—if they were, the ball probably wouldn’t have been in Lin’s hands quite as much.
In any event, fans can’t seem to get enough of Lin and his “Lincredible†story. Since Lin started his magical run February 4, Lin’s #17 jersey has been the NBA’s best seller. Yahoo! Sports also reports that since Linsanity surfaced, Knicks merchandise sales have been tops in the NBA, sports stores in midtown Manhattan have sold out multiple shipments of Lin gear, the Knicks have jacked up ticket prices by 27%, and the stock price of the team ownership (Madison Square Garden Co.) has risen 6.2%.
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WRITTEN BYÂ BRAD TUTTLEÂ |Â @bradrtuttle & FULL STORY HERE
