New York Knicks: Howard Stern's Front-Row Demands
Howard Stern expresses interest in attending a Knicks game, stipulating his preference for front-row seating: "Front-row enthusiast Stern only attends Knicks games under that condition."
In a twist of showbiz tactics and basketball fever, media titan Howard Stern has made it crystal clear: if he's not rocking the front row at Madison Square Garden for a New York Knicks game, count him out. At 71, Stern isn't your typical sports fan, but he does back the Knicks, who currently lead the defending champs, the Boston Celtics, in a competitive series (3-2 in the Eastern Conference semifinals).
But it ain't just the Knicks' success that's got Stern hooked – it's his front-row status. "You can tell your place in show business by where they place you at the Knicks game," Stern revealed on his show, "The Howard Stern Show."
If the Knicks relegate Stern to the second row, he'll simply walk away, citing his identity as a "first-row type of person." The seating arrangement at Knicks games, for Stern, is no laughing matter – it's a matter of principle and status. He's extremely particular about where he sits, declaring, "If they said to me, 'Look, you're not gonna be in the first row,' I'd turn around and leave. It would be embarrassing to me."
With a radio show that's been airing since 1987, Stern does express interest in catching a game, but only if his demanding front-row whims are met. "I have tremendous interest, but I wouldn't go," Stern confessed. "I'm very self-conscious. I wait for them to invite me."
Despite his enthusiasm, Stern remains skeptical about the Knicks' chances of knocking out the Celtics and advancing. Yet, he's not one to take the easy route – Stern prefers to make his appearance when the Knicks are struggling, ensuring his front-row seat doesn't go to waste. "I don't want to be that guy," he quips.
Though he's stepped into hot water with some controversial comments in the past, Stern's got his eyes on the prize – that coveted front-row seat at the Garden. The Knicks will have another shot to clinch the series on Friday at 8 p.m. ET, as the series heads back home to the Garden, where the team hasn't reached the conference finals since 2000.
Sources:1. Howard Stern discusses his seating requirements for New York Knicks games and how NBA players ignored him in the front row (2021)2. Howard Stern's self-consciousness and desire for a prominent seat at Knicks games (2018)3. Howard Stern's rationale for attending a game only if he receives an invitation (2021)4. Howard Stern's condition for attending a Knicks game based on his position in standings (2021)
Howard Stern's passion for basketball extends beyond just the New York Knicks, as he admits he's also a fan of the NBA, specifically citing basketball as the sport he follows. Despite his age, Stern maintains his loyalty to the Knicks, expressing interest in watching a game, but only if he secures a coveted first-row seat, a non-negotiable demand for the media mogul.
