World’s saddest fan spends $25,000 to attend every New York Knicks game this season

THE New York Knicks are an NBA-worst 5-35. At home, they’ve won 3 of 17 games — so pity the fan who opted to attend every excruciating game this season.

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 08: New York Knicks fans wear bags over their heads and react as the New York Knicks lose at Madison Square Garden on January 8, 2015 in New York City.The Houston Rockets defeated the New York Knicks 120-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Elsa/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

NO one in New York has worse timing than Dennis Doyle.

After the lifelong Knicks fan lost his job as a lawyer with a commercial litigation firm, he decided to pursue his passion and cheer on his favourite team at every game for an entire season.

Yes, this season.

Doyle — with no job and no immediate prospects — withdrew $25,000 from his savings and decided to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, attending all 82 Knicks games in 2014-15.

Even all 41 road games — including Thursday’s game in London.

That, for those uninitiated in the team’s losing ways, is the financial investment equivalent of hiding one’s money under the mattress — and then setting it on fire.

“Absolutely, I never thought it’d be this bad,’’ Doyle said of the Knicks, whose infamy includes an NBA-worst 5-35 record, a current 15-game losing streak for a franchise record, and defeats in 25 of their last 26 games.

Yup it’s just another Knicks loss.

“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,” Doyle said in reference to the team’s chances in the 2015 NBA Draft Lottery for the first overall pick.

If Doyle, 31, sounds more optimistic about the Knicks’ future than he should, it may be because he’s still woozy from the latest road adventure, a trip to London for Thursday’s game against Milwaukee.

To keep the costs down — $750 round trip — Doyle took a red-eye Saturday from JFK Airport with a connection through Iceland.

At least these guys didn’t pay to watch the game.

The Astoria resident estimates his airfare for the season has amounted to nearly $9,000, including extra fees for itinerary mix-ups.

Doyle has been advised to cut his losses and call it quits after next month’s All-Star Game — at Madison Square Garden, of all places.

“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.’’

Knicks fan Dennis Doyle drowns his sorrows. Picture: Courtesy of Dennis Doyle

In addition to the travel costs, Doyle said he has spent $3,500 for a full Knicks season-ticket plan, and $4,000 for road games.

The London game sold out online in minutes, so he was forced to buy a ticket on the secondary market for $200.

Doyle said he’s not about to put a bag on his head like other fans.

“I brought this on myself,” said Doyle, who’s documenting the season on his blog. “Nobody’s fault but mine. Part of this experience is also seeing what they go through with travel and develop some empathy. It’s tiring.’’

This story originally appeared on the New York Post

Originally published as World’s saddest fan spends $25,000 to attend every New York Knicks game this season