The city of New York is waiting with bated breath as the Knicks stand on the brink of making history with their first NBA championship in over 50 years.
But one Manhattan business owner has had to take drastic action to prevent glory from damaging his summer profits.
Jeffrey Yip is the owner of ‘Rage Cage’ in midtown Manhattan, a venue where people pay to turn up and smash objects to their heart’s desire.
He has placed a $6,000 hedge with Kalshi on the Knicks emerging victorious against the San Antonio Spurs and indeed, he hopes they do.
But the smart thinking is that if the Knicks clinch their first title since 1973, the millions of fans in the city will be euphoric – perhaps too euphoric, and won’t want to visit the cage to destroy things.
If they get it done, his payout will cover what he fears would be a loss for his business as the city celebrates.
Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks are on the brink of NBA Finals glory
Brunson’s Knicks lead Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs 3-1 ahead of Game 5 on Saturday
‘If anyone wants to let out any excitement, frustration or stress over the finals then The Rage Cage is the place to be,’ Yip told the Daily Mail.
‘It’s also a fun and unique place for a date night. Let’s go Knicks!’
The Knicks lead the series 3-1 ahead of Game 5 in San Antonio on Saturday night – just one win away from victory.
But should they blow such a commanding lead and lose the series to Victor Wembanyama and his team in seven games, Yip anticipates that the loss will be worth it.
The city will be in meltdown if Jalen Brunson and his team lose out from here and that, Yip expects, will see bookings at his venue rise and his business surge – even if he was to lose his $6,000.
New York is counting down the minutes until Game 5 begins on Saturday night. If the Knicks lose, the series goes to a sixth game at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night.
Game 7, if it is needed, is back in San Antonio on Friday, June 19.
