LinSane In The Membrane: The Economic Effect of Lin

It's no surprise that Jeremy Lin is taking the country by storm. It's not just a "race" thang, but the fact that he is such a humble cat, just wants to play basketball, and more importantly, he has this ENORMOUS likability factor. He didn't go to UNC or Duke, he went undrafted, he had many NBA stumbling blocks, but the kid is so fascinating, in that, he has brought new life to, what appeared to be, a lackluster New York Knicks squad.

It's not only the fact that he's a hard worker. It's not only the fact he is Taiwanese-American. It's not only the fact he is shattering NBA records within his starting opportunities. It's not only the fact that he's leading *his* team to victories, even if some were - .500 teams, WITHOUT NY's 2 superstars.

It's the whole package with Jeremy Lin. He's so damn likable!!!

More than that, though, listen to his story, read the papers, visit the blogs, Google his name, it's the fact that, to me, he has taken the road less traveled, and has more than EARNED the hype and his starting spot on the New York Knicks.

It's not just the fans that are being swept up in the Lin-Sanity, but there is a Lin effect on the economy as well.

Just look at this picture from The New York Observer:

or how about this picture:

The media has reported that Lin has the #1 NBA selling jersey since February 4th, the #1 Fathead, MSG stocks are rising daily, there are websites popping all over the web selling Lin T-shirts especially LinSanity.com, NY sports bars are garnering an economic profit from Lin's plays.

Check out StubHub and the Lin Effect is in full motion. Standing room only tickets are going for over $100 as the Lin-Sanity is driving nouveau NBA/Knicks fans to MSG and opponent's arenas.NYK tickets today, an average price, are going for over $300. Not only that, but Forbes is putting a $14 million price tag on Lin's brand. 

Check out these Lin cards on Ebay, these very cards were going for $5 or less just 2 weeks ago. (Thanks to Jim Park for the heads up). EVERYTHING around Jeremy Lin, people, hobbies, past friends, coaches, teammates, his favorite brands, they ALL have a hand in the Lin Effect.

It isn't a bad thing!!

To me, this Lin story takes me back to when I was 13-14-15 years old and being so FLIPPING excited to see basketball. It takes a person back to the innocence of the sport. Jeremy Lin isn't what NBA fans are used to seeing and experiencing. That's the BEAUTY of this whole Lin-Sanity.

Tyson Chandler says it best:

“It’s one thing if this is Kyrie Irving or John Wall. There’s expectations. Coming in, you think, ‘Wow, this kid is going to be special.’ You don’t see this coming. Undrafted, gets cut from Golden State, cut in [Houston], and probably days away from being cut by the New York Knicks. And then all of a sudden … ”

I'm officially Lin-Sane.

Until next time,

Mrs. NBA