The iconic Empire State Building has provoked a storm of outrage among New York City residents after it chose to illuminate its facade in the colours of the New England Patriots, a fierce sporting rival. This controversial display occurred shortly after the Patriots secured a narrow 10-7 victory over the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game, earning them a coveted spot in the upcoming Super Bowl.
A Glowing Insult to the Big Apple
On Sunday evening, as the New England Patriots celebrated their dramatic win, the Empire State Building was bathed in red, blue, and white lights, mirroring the team's official colours. The landmark's official social media account compounded the perceived insult by sharing a video of the illuminated structure with the caption celebrating the Patriots' success and their journey to the Super Bowl in Santa Clara.
This act was immediately met with severe backlash from New Yorkers, who view the Patriots as a bitter rival of both the New York Jets and the New York Giants. The longstanding and intense sporting rivalry between New York and Boston, home to the Patriots, added significant fuel to the fire, with many locals branding the building's actions as a disgraceful betrayal.
Social Media Erupts with Anger
Outraged fans took to social media platforms to express their fury, with some directly appealing to the city's mayor to intervene and prevent such celebrations for non-New York teams in the future. Critics highlighted the perceived hypocrisy, arguing that Boston would never reciprocate such a gesture for a New York-based franchise, labelling the Empire State Building's actions as shameful and traitorous.
The controversy taps into deep-seated regional loyalties and the passionate tribalism that defines American sports culture, particularly in the fiercely competitive NFL.
A Contentious Tradition of Celebration
The Empire State Building maintains a well-established tradition of lighting up in the colours of various US sports teams to commemorate significant victories, regardless of whether the team originates from New York City. This practice spans across major leagues including the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL.
Had the Denver Broncos triumphed in the AFC Championship, the building would have shone in orange for the evening. Similarly, in previous years, the landmark has been decorated in green and white to honour the Philadelphia Eagles' NFC Championship victories, a move that also sparked considerable outrage given the Eagles' divisional rivalry with the New York Giants and the broader competitive tension between Philadelphia and New York.
Historical Precedent and Political Response
The backlash against such illuminations is not unprecedented. In 2023, the reaction reached such a fervent pitch that the Governor of New York felt compelled to publicly address the issue, clarifying that state authorities have no jurisdiction over the Empire State Building's lighting decisions.
This historical context underscores the recurring nature of the controversy whenever the building celebrates the successes of teams perceived as rivals to New York franchises.
The Path to Patriots' Victory
The New England Patriots' journey to the AFC Championship was marked by a gritty comeback. After falling behind 7-0 in the snowy conditions at Denver, a crucial fourth-down stop near their own end zone ignited their resurgence. A key interception by Christian Gonzalez and a decisive run by quarterback Drake Maye on a critical third-down play sealed their first playoff victory in Denver under new head coach Mike Vrabel.
This win places the Patriots among a select group of teams in the Super Bowl era to secure a conference championship with ten points or fewer, joining the Buffalo Bills of 1991 and the Los Angeles Rams of 1979 in achieving this defensive-minded feat.
The incident highlights how sporting allegiances can transform architectural celebrations into national talking points, revealing the deep emotional connections fans have with their teams and the landmarks that represent their cities.
