-Drop the top so you don't put your head through the roof.
-Apply heat to the leather shaft of the shifter knob with a hairdryer. Warm it up good.
-Tap it a few times to loosen it up. You may have to give it a few good raps. It's gonna be stuck tight.
-Straddle the console with a foot on each side.
-Pull.
Be careful you don't hit yourself in the face when it comes loose. You'll want the top down to prevent damage to you or the car as the momentum from you pulling and the shifter coming loose will throw you backwards.
Ask me how I know all this...