By Alexandra Cheney
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MIDTOWN WEST — The Knicks' and Rangers' seasons ended in flames, so let the fire sale begin.
Surplus merchandise — including hats, shirts, sippy cups and cotton thongs — is on sale at up to 90 percent off now that playoff basketball and hockey won't be played at Madison Square Garden.
Known as the employee sale, the first hour of the bargain bonanza, which includes Liberty gear and Christmas Spectacular swag, was opened for Garden staff, who were given first dibs on the merchandise.
"I shop here every year," said Jessica Rodriguez, who has worked as an administrative assistant at the Garden for the last six years. "It's a good chance to get some gifts for the family for a cheaper price and it's easy to shop. I look forward to it."
Season ticket holders also received a yearly e-mail informing them of the sale, which was established four years ago, said Scott Belfoni, the merchandise operations manager.
"During the year it's a little bit expensive to buy this sort of stuff," said Glenn Rothbort, a Rangers season ticket holder for the last 30 years. "I like to wear mostly caps of my favorite teams, so this was good opportunity to to get merchandise cheap."
Garden reps said they expect 1,500 to 2,000 people to take advantage of the sale which ends Tuesday at 6 p.m.
