It’s no secret that NBA games often double as star-studded events, with courtside seats regularly occupied by some of the biggest names in entertainment. A few of these celebrity superfans, whose passion for the game and loyalty to their teams have made them fixtures in the NBA world, are now being honored in a major way: by earning a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Over the years, countless fans have become synonymous with their favorite teams, turning into minor celebrities in their own right simply because of their consistent presence at games. However, for a select few, their fame comes not only from their dedication to the sport but also from their illustrious careers that afford them some of the best seats in the house. Now, four of these iconic superfans are set to be recognized for their unwavering support.
When it comes to the New York Knicks, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more famous fan than Spike Lee. The acclaimed director has been cheering for the Knicks since long before he became a courtside staple, purchasing his season tickets in 1980.
Those seats, which reportedly cost him $300,000 annually, have allowed Lee to become a courtside fixture at Madison Square Garden. Known for his bold, stylish outfits and his vocal interactions with players and referees, Lee has become as much a part of the Knicks’ home games as the team itself.
Out west, Jack Nicholson has held a similar role for the Los Angeles Lakers. The legendary actor has been a Lakers season ticket holder since 1970, becoming one of the most recognizable figures sitting courtside at the team’s games. His regular appearances at what is now Crypto.com Arena have long been a staple of Lakers home games, though Nicholson has limited his attendance in recent years due to the pandemic.
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Both Lee and Nicholson will now have their decades of loyalty to their respective teams immortalized as part of the James F. Goldstein SuperFan Gallery at the Basketball Hall of Fame, a section created to honor fans who have shown extraordinary dedication to the sport.
This gallery, which first opened in 2021, recognizes superfans who have gone above and beyond in their support of basketball. Lee and Nicholson will be inducted as part of the 2024 class.
According to ESPN’s Marc Spears, they won’t be entering the Hall alone. Joining them will be actor Billy Crystal, a longtime supporter of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Despite his New York City roots, Crystal pledged his allegiance to the Clippers after moving to Los Angeles, and he has been a courtside regular ever since. Another inductee is real estate billionaire Alan Horwitz, the unofficial “Sixth Man” of the Philadelphia 76ers. Horwitz has held season tickets for over 60 years and has been a passionate supporter of the team through every high and low.
These four superfans will be formally inducted into the Hall of Fame in a ceremony on October 13th, where they will be honored for their exceptional loyalty to the game and their teams. While their fame may have been earned outside of basketball, their love for the sport has earned them a special place within it.
This recognition is a testament to the unique role superfans play in the culture of sports, proving that sometimes, the people cheering from the sidelines are just as integral to the game’s story as the athletes on the court.
