New York mayor Zohran Mamdani repeals bedtime for Knicks' school-aged fans during NBA Finals with executive order

Late start times for championship matchups in sports have been an issue for years with TV networks wanting games played in prime time — and even after 8 p.m. ET to accommodate the West Coast market.

The 2026 NBA Finals will be no exception with games scheduled to tip-off at 8:30 p.m. ET. Those starts make it difficult for younger fans still in school to stay up late and watch their favorite teams and players compete for championships.

New York mayor Zohran Mamdani is doing what he can to make sure school-aged Knicks fans can stay up late to watch their team play for an NBA title. Joined at his desk by several schoolchildren, Mamdani signed an executive order on Monday to repeal bedtimes for kids during the NBA Finals.

“It is important for all New Yorkers of all ages to support the Knicks in their championship run,” the order stated, written in a playful Comic Sans font. “Bedtimes should not impede the ability of New York’s Cutest to cheer for the Knicks and watch every second of this historic Championship series.”

“As Mayor, you’re forced to make many difficult decisions,” Mamdani wrote in a social media post including a video of the signing, in addition to photos of the kids in attendance and the executive order.

Unfortunately for kids who want to stay up to watch the Knicks battle the San Antonio Spurs — and the parents who will still have to wake their children up and get them ready — they will still have to go to school during the NBA Finals. The mayor’s order did not close schools for the four games from at least June 3 to June 10. (And the three games from June 13-19, if necessary.)

New York City schools remain in session until June 26. Meanwhile, San Antonio schools broke for summer recess at the end of May. No need for an executive order for young Spurs fans.