Dennis Doyle is a 31-year-old NY Knicks fan who recently lost his job as a lawyer. With no plans and no work obligations, Doyle decided to do what we’d all dream of doing should we find ourselves in the same situation with the financial means to do so; he emptied his savings account and bought season tickets for his favorite team. And no, not just their home games. He spent $7500 total for both their home and away. Little did he know at the time, however, was that halfway through the NBA season, the Knicks would be the worst team in the league at 5-35.
“I never thought it’d be this bad,” said Doyle. “Nobody did. But it reached a point where I know the losing is only going to be helpful in the long term. I actually find myself less upset. If they’re losing or getting blown out, I only know it’s going to help with the ping-pong balls.”
The road games have begun to take their toll, which includes the Knicks’ upcoming game against the Milwaukee Bucks in London on Thursday as part of the NBA’s Global Games. Doyle was able to book a red-eye through Iceland for $750 round-trip. He estimates that travel has cost him almost $9000 so far.
With the season being a complete bust, people have suggested he call it quits after the NBA’s all-star game at MSG on February 15th.
“You mean shut it down like Melo?” Doyle said of injured Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony. “I can’t shut it down. I’m in too deep. I knew there was a chance this could be a really awful season. I thought they’d contend for the eighth [playoff] seed, but I knew there was a chance they’d be awful. I’ll see it through — if it doesn’t kill me first.”
Doyle has documented his travels on his personal blog, but call me crazy, if this were a television documentary on HBO, I think I’d watch it. At the very least, I’m sure it would be more entertaining than watching a Knicks game.
[NY Post]
