Howard Stern has made it clear that he will only attend a New York Knicks playoff game if he is given front row seats at Madison Square Garden. The 71-year-old radio host, who is not typically known as a big sports fan, has expressed his strong preference for front row seating, stating, ‘The day they put me in the second row, I quit.’ Although he supports the Knicks, Stern will not attend any games unless he is granted the front row. He has shown interest in attending an upcoming playoff game but insists he will only do so if invited and if his seating request is met. Stern also expressed skepticism about the Knicks’ ability to advance beyond the Celtics, despite their current 3-2 series lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
The Celtics won Game 5 at the TD Garden in Boston 127-105 despite not having star player Jayson Tatum due to an Achilles injury he suffered at the end of Game 4. The Knicks have another chance to clinch the series on Friday at 8 p.m. ET, when the series returns to Madison Square Garden. The team has not made the conference finals since 2000, adding to the pressure on the current roster to perform at its best. Stern’s comments highlight the personal significance he places on being seated in the front row, reflecting his self-perceived importance as a prominent media personality.
Stern’s statement, made on his radio show, emphasizes his confidence in his own status and his refusal to compromise on seating. He explained, ‘I’m very aware of where they seat me, and it’s very important to me. If they said to me, ‘Look, you’re not gonna be in the first row,’ I’d turn around and leave.’ This sentiment underscores his pride in his position and his unwillingness to settle for anything less than the most prestigious viewing experience. Despite his interest in attending the games, Stern has made it clear that he will not take the initiative to go unless extended an invitation, indicating a preference for being treated as a VIP rather than a regular fan.
The Knicks’ ongoing playoff run has drawn considerable attention, with fans and analysts alike watching closely to see if they can overcome the Celtics. Stern’s comments add an interesting layer to the narrative, as one of the most influential figures in American media expresses his personal preferences regarding attending a major sports event. His insistence on front row seating is not just a request but a declaration of his own value and importance, which he believes is reflected in the manner in which he is seated at such events.