WATCH: Thousands of fans gather on the streets to welcome WNBA Champions, New York Liberty

In celebration of New York Liberty's first WNBA championship, thousands of loyal fans honored the local winners Thursday with a ticker tape parade. As the Liberty celebrated winning the WNBA title at the Canyon of Heroes in midtown Manhattan, Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and their New York colleagues were doused with confetti.

In a thrilling overtime victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday, the Liberty overcame an early 12-point deficit to win their first-ever title. In a pivotal Game 5 of the WNBA Finals on Sunday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the New York Liberty defeated the Minnesota Lynx in overtime to win the team's first championship.

Along with current coach Sandy Brondello, veteran New York Liberty players from the early teams, such as Teresa Weatherspoon, Vickie Johnson, Kym Hampton, and Crystal Robinson, attended the parade and celebration at City Hall. Maddie, the Liberty's former mascot, was even shown.

Watch the video here:

"MVP! MVP! MVP!" 👏🏆@jus242 | @nyliberty | @espnWpic.twitter.com/bmXpKoA0re

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 24, 2024

Everywhere else, it's just another Thursday!

Celebrating our @WNBA champs the @nyliberty, welcoming them down the iconic Canyon of Heroes! #LIGHTITUPNYL#SEAFOAMSZNpic.twitter.com/yxAFrouCJN

— City of New York (@nycgov) October 24, 2024

 
Fans of all ages filled the procession route, many of them children sporting their favorite players' shirts. While Breanna Stewart and Ionescu entered the crowd to give high fives and take photographs with fans, Jones carried her Finals MVP trophy on top of her float. In addition, the Liberty held a celebration at Barclays Center on Thursday night, which was capped off with a performance by rapper Lil Mama and the team's wildly famous mascot, Ellie the Elephant.

New York Liberty reveled in their success to young women

More than 200 parades in New York have used confetti and ticker tape. In 2019, the U.S. soccer team won the World Cup, marking the most recent honoring of a women's sports team. Younger generations of girls that attend the parade find great significance in Liberty's success, in addition to celebrating their title. Seeing this momentous occasion for women's sports in New York thrilled many. As Jones, Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and their teammate reveled in their success, they not only celebrated winning a title but also served as role models for innumerable sports fans.