The Cavs gave their fans a virtual way to wear championship rings

LeBron James and his teammates weren't the only ones able to experience wearing a championship ring last night: Cavaliers fans got in on the action as well.

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In June the Cleveland Cavaliers ended the city’s 52-year major professional sports championship drought, and on Tuesday for the season opener at Quicken Loans Arena, they enabled their fans to virtually experience wearing championship rings.

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While players, coaches and staff members received the diamonds in a pregame ceremony, the Cavaliers gave away silicone bands courtesy of Nike to fans attending the game against the New York Knicks. The bands activated an augmented reality experience through the team’s official app that simulates the visual of the wearing of the championship ring, according to the team.

Kay Jewelers is the official provider of the Cavaliers’ championship ring, which is the reward after the team came from behind to defeat the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. LeBron James, the NBA Finals MVP, shook his head before the game when asked if he had seen the design of the ring.

“I want to see my ring and be able to share it with the people that are there,” Cavaliers forward Kevin Love told reporters at shootaround before the game.

It’s safe to say, given the celebration, that the rings were worth the wait for LeBron, the Cavs and their fans.