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This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr.
spoke with retired NBA player and head coach Vinny Del Negro.
In his interview with Easton Jr., Del Negro, who is participating in this year's American Century Championship, which will take place July 10-12 at Edgewood Tahoe and air on NBC and Peacock, commented on the impact of loyal fans supporting their teams at road games across all sports in response to the New York Knicks ' recent NBA championship run.
Kansas City Chiefs fans have earned a reputation for affecting games at Arrowhead Stadium, but are also known for traveling well in support of the team.
Del Negro, a 12-year NBA veteran, says it does matter significantly.
"I think it does, especially when you get to the finals.
I think the New York fans are so loyal and have been waiting for this moment for a long time.
So they showed up in a big way, which is no surprise.
And it was great to see," said Del Negro, "I mean, they were into it even after the game, waiting around, thousands and thousands of them.
The atmosphere in the (Madison Square) Garden is always special.
But it was absolutely electric for the finals." We'll have our popcorn ready, @spurs and @nyknicks pic.twitter.com/ri6YHiAGu6 Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) June 3, 2026 The loyal fans of 'Chiefs Kingdom' waited 50 years between Super Bowl titles, while the Knicks fanbase had to wait 53 seasons.
Chiefs players weighed in on this year's NBA Finals, including Travis Kelce, who praised New York's tenacity after seeing them defeat his Cleveland Cavaliers in person, courtside.
Taylor got baptized into Cleveland sports fandom at the ECF @Enterprise pic.twitter.com/4Kcvd9v9NW New Heights (@newheightshow) May 27, 2026 "So well deserved.
They were hungry for it.
The fans were hungry for it.
The team was hungry for it, and it all worked out in the right way," said Del Negro, "So kudos to the fans, especially the Knicks fans, for showing up in such large numbers, which really didn't surprise me or anybody, really.
I mean, that's the way they are.
They're dedicated fans who have had to deal with some misery over the years, and they were excited to let some of that frustration kind of out, then be obviously awarded the championship and feel a part of it, which they are.
I think it made everybody feel good there." The annual tournament awards $750,000 in prize money, much of which the celebrity players donate to local and national charities.
Over the years, over $8 million has been donated to non-profit causes.
Network television exposure on NBC/Peacock and a first-place prize of $150,000 make the celebrity tournament one of the most prestigious in golf.
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