Cablevision Systems president Dolan, who took over from the axed Dave Checketts as MSG chief three weeks ago, initiated the changes after a disappointing playing season by both the New York Knicks (basketball) and the New York Rangers (ice hockey) had been compounded by the potential loss to MSG of the television rights to the New York Yankees (baseball).
“Looking to the future of our teams and entertainment properties, we are extremely fortunate to have strong executives who each excels in his field.” Dolan explained. “I expect that this six-member office will work together to become greater than the sum of its parts and deliver to fans and consumers successful teams and the very best entertainment products in one of the world’s leading markets.”
Seth Abraham, formerly responsible for Radio City Entertainment and the MSG Network and its sport properties in his role as executive vice president and CEO, has been promoted to MSG president. Steve Mills moves from his executive vice president of franchise operations post to become president of sports team operations, while Scott Layden is promoted to president and general manager of the Knicks. Dolan, Rangers president Glenn Sather and Cablevision and MSG vice chairman Robert Lemle complete the six-strong executive board.
The restructuring comes ahead of impending negotiations between the Madison Square Garden Network (MSGN) and YankeeNets over the baseball team’s television rights. YankeeNets has until June 22 to pay MSGN $30 million to purchase the 85 games for the 2002 season, after which the company can launch its own regional service. YankeeNets may also opt to sell the rights to the 65 matches it currently owns to MSGN for $37.5m.
New York sports venue Madison Square Garden (MSG) has restructured its internal organisation, establishing a six-person executive office headed up by new CEO James Dolan.
