Big Mack: So glad that he was able to fit some time in for us. But ladies and gentlemen, the one and only, Mayor Mamdani is on here! Good morning. What's up? Oh wait, I didn't even answer the phone, my bad. Hold on, there we go. Mayor Mamdani here, good morning, man.
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani: Good morning, my man, how you doing?
Big Mack: You know, I'm big, Black, and blessed — the three B’s. How are you?
Mayor Mamdani: I'm doing well. I'm doing well.
Big Mack: Well, you know, it's a major time in the city for us right now. The talk of the town — and in the world — is this parade going down tomorrow.
Mayor Mamdani: Absolutely, I mean, it's been 53 years in the making, and we know that even the last time the Knicks won the championship in ‘73, they didn't actually get a ticker-tape parade. It's gonna be the first one in the history of the Knicks Organization, and we can't wait to deliver it to New Yorkers.
Big Mack: Now, what can the people expect to be out there? Like, what are some tips? Like, what do you think people need to know before they come out there tomorrow?
Mayor Mamdani: So, the parade itself is gonna kick off at 10 a.m. at Battery Park. It's gonna travel up Broadway to City Hall. It's going to have Knicks players, press trucks, special guests. The owner — everybody affiliated with the organization — is going to be there. People can show up along the parade route and watch. It's free, they do not have to buy tickets for this. After the parade, there's going to be a ceremony where I present the team with keys to the city and we hear from a number of — whether players or myself, as well as special guests and performances. If New Yorkers want any more information, they can go to nyc.gov/knicks. The last thing I'll say, Big Mack, is that we know that this could be the largest parade in New York City history. So, we are encouraging people to show up and show out as early as they can. We're gonna be opening the viewing sites at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning.
Big Mack: Well, that's good, because I'm going to be there at 5 a.m., so I'll be early.
Mayor Mamdani: Well, when you come, I do also want to let you and everybody else know there are a few things to not bring so that you can get through screening easy. Don't bring a bag, don't bring chairs, coolers, a bicycle, strollers, umbrellas — whatever it may be — because we want to make sure we can move as many people as possible into these areas where they can be watching the parade.
Big Mack: Okay, so no bags. That was good to know, because I was planning on bringing a bag, because I know the weather is up in the air, so I was going to bring a poncho. And I'm not going to lie to you, mayor. Mayor, we are family, so I'm not going to lie to you. I was going to bring my Knicks bottle that had some Hennessy in it. So, I just know I can't bring my bag now.
Mayor Mamdani: What you do on the way to the parade, that's your business. But at the parade, this is what I'm talking about.
Big Mack: Man, all right, well, it's going down, the parade. Now, for you, this is your first, like, big championship under your leadership. How does that feel for you?
Mayor Mamdani: It felt incredible. I mean, I'll tell you: it's been [27 years] since we were even in the finals. And just as someone who grew up in this city and has seen what this weight has looked like for so many, and then to actually be here, and it happened while I'm the mayor of the city of New York, there's just nothing more that I could ask for. And this team is incredible. They're an inspiration, and they really brought the city together in a way that I've never seen.
Big Mack: Nah, it's amazing. And I will be out there. Now that we friends and family, you know, maybe I could get like — you know what I mean — you slide me in through the back door, pause, you know what I mean? Get me a seat or something, you know what I mean? You know, if you see a chair, just, you know, put one to the side for me, maybe.
Mayor Mamdani: You know, I'm glad you asked this on air, because I'm getting this exact phone call every minute of every day. And I want to be honest: there's no sliding tickets to anybody. What I would say though, is if people want to be a part of the ceremony, do go to knicks.com/ceremonysweeps. You have until 11 a.m. to enter into a public lottery. We set 600 tickets aside for the public because we want people to be able to be there and be a part of this.
Big Mack: That's dope. So, make sure you guys do that right now because you got an hour, but don't be on no CP time and wait [and] be like, “oh, let me just run to the store and then I'll do it.” Do it now so you guys can be out there, you know, [and] possibly get one of those 600 tickets.
Mayor Mamdani: Absolutely.
Big Mack: And now mayor, before you go too, tell me about the 2K program. How's that going on right now?
Mayor Mamdani: You know, this is something we're so excited about. We're right now in the middle of the application period. We're delivering our first 2,000 free childcare seats for two-year-olds and we're doing it across our city. So, whether you're Uptown — Inwood, Washington Heights; or you're in Fordham; or you're out in Queens, Ozone Park; or the Rockaways; or in Brooklyn and Canarsie and Brownsville; [or] parts of East New York, these are seats that are available for you. Instead of having to pay $20,000 a year for childcare for your two-year-old, you can apply at myschools.nyc before June 26. You can save that money, and you can actually build a family here in New York City.
Big Mack: Wow, so you got till June 26 to apply for that right now.
Mayor Mamdani: Yep, June 26th, go to myschools.nyc.
Big Mack: Mayor Mamdani, I appreciate you as always for taking your time. I know you're one of the busiest people in the world. You and Jalen Brunson right now. So, I appreciate you even giving me these five minutes.
Mayor Mamdani: Well, come on now. He's the king. I'm just the mayor. Thank you, my man.
Big Mack: Wait, last thing, real quick before you go. How's the cats going?
Mayor Mamdani: I got like three shots left. They hurt now, too.
Big Mack: Well, ladies and gentlemen, the mayor of New York City, Mamdani, right here inside the Radio Big Mack show. Appreciate you, man.
Mayor Mamdani: Always, my man, talk soon.
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