The Empire State Building is an iconic cornerstone of New York City. It not only represents those that call The Big Apple home, but it also represents the many professional sports franchises that play in New York and New Jersey.
For that reason, it came as quite a shock to many New Yorkers on Sunday night when its lights were changed to green. And it wasn’t to honor the New York Jets but rather, to pay tribute to the Philadelphia Eagles after their NFC Championship victory.
Fly @Eagles Fly! We’re going Green and White in honor of the Eagles NFC Championship Victory. pic.twitter.com/RNiwbCIkt7
— Empire State Building (@EmpireStateBldg) January 29, 2023
The sight outraged most New York sports fans, who took to social media to voice their displeasure. Even New York City council members expressed frustrations.
As the representative for the Empire State Building, and a diehard Giants fan, let me be on the record saying that this is absolutely ridiculous. ⬇️ https://t.co/SL4rP0Z2ys
— Keith Powers (@KeithPowersNYC) January 29, 2023
The New York Daily News asked, “Where’s King Kong when you need him?”
As frustrated as New Yorkers were, the Empire State Building had previously announced its color change schedule to fit in the winners of both the AFC and NFC Championship Games. And after the Kansas City Chiefs took down the Cincinnati Bengals, they swapped it over to red and yellow.
That hurt us more than it hurt you.
We’re now lit for the @chiefs in honor of their AFC Championship Win pic.twitter.com/t0tExEievk
— Empire State Building (@EmpireStateBldg) January 30, 2023
Even with the knowledge that it was pre-planned, seeing the Empire State Building in that ugly green was a stomach-turner for most. The “Fly Eagles Fly” tweet also wasn’t necessary.
Fans of the New York Giants hope they don’t see things lit up in green again two weeks from now.
