TalkSPORT host Jim White, 69, was trying to get through endless crowds of New York Nicks’ fans celebrating their first title in 53 years when he decided to jump over a barrier
A sports broadcasting legend had a rough encounter with a police officer after he jumped a barrier to get to his show. TalkSPORT host Jim White, 69, was in a rush to get to his show in New York to cover the World Cup.
The radio show presenter was en route to One World Trade Centre for his shift when his way became blocked by heavy traffic caused by a New York Nicks’ winning parade. The iconic city’s streets descended into chaos when the basketball team won their first title in 53 years.
White decided to beat the crowds by vaulting a barrier but was quickly stopped by a police officer. The sports broadcaster told his co-presenter Paul Hawskbee: “The place is absolutely gridlocked. My hotel is less than an hour away.
“So I set off a bit earlier, but then I had problems trying to approach the World Trade Center.
“As you can see, I’m in, but the crucial moment came, Paul, when there was a barrier in front of me and I decided, right, do I or don’t I? and surrounded by Knicks fans, I decided to jump the barrier.
“I was flattened by one of NYPD’s finest. They then told me, hey, buddy, if you pull that stunt again, you’ll be arrested.”
The officer named Vinny was then approached by the radio host who plead his case. White said: “I said, ‘Vinny, you’ve got to help me here. My name is Jim White. I do a show on talkSPORT with Simon Jordan. White and Jordan, you must have heard of it’.
“And he looked at me as if, uh-huh, carry on. And he said, ‘right, let’s see what we can do’. And Vinny, the senior policeman, and I’ll send a picture of this later, walks me to the top of Broadway and then down to the World Trade Center.
“And I have made it so has producer Luke. So has Troy Deeney. Let me tell you, Simon Jordan is out there somewhere in amongst two million Knicks fans.
“Brad Friedel is in the same hotel as me and I don’t think Brad has decided it would be extremely prudent to jump the barrier trying to get here. There is utter chaos here, Paul, let me tell you. Chaos.”
However, Simon Jordan walked into the studio moments later, telling his colleagues he had “no problem” getting to the building.