Free-agent buzz fuels Knicks' season-ticket sales

If they could, the Knicks presumably would hand out full-color brochures featuring free agents to be as they sell season tickets for 2010-11.

But that would be frowned upon by the NBA, which does not allow team officials to so much as utter the names of LeBron James and his counterparts publicly before July 1.

Fortunately for the Knicks, there is nothing to prevent the news media, fans, mayors and the president of the United States from discussing those players - and providing millions of dollars' worth of free publicity.

The message seems to be getting through.

Scott O'Neil, president of Madison Square Garden Sports, said last week that the Knicks have sold 3,000 new full-season tickets since around the All-Star break, which he called "a huge milestone.''

"I was at the NBA for eight years or so, and we always thought that 2,000 full-season tickets was a barometer of a very successful sales season,'' he said. "So to hit 3,000 before July 1 is a stunning and spectacular number.''

The Knicks ranked fifth in the NBA in paid attendance this season (and first among teams with losing records) at 19,501 per game.

O'Neil said more than 90 percent of 2009-10 season subscribers renewed, and that the total number is about 13,000.

Why all the excitement about a team that hasn't made the playoffs in six years? Duh!

"I think the hope and excitement about what's coming, the anticipation of July 1, is pretty spectacular to be a part of,'' O'Neil said.

What if anticipation turns into fulfillment with the signings of one or two star players? Might there be a new midsummer run on tickets?

"If I were a Knicks fan and had any interest in buying tickets,'' O'Neil said, "now would be the time, for sure.''

The Dolan family owns controlling interests in the Knicks, MSG and Cablevision. Cablevision owns Newsday.