Scott O'Neil

Scott O'Neil is president of Madison Square Garden Sports where he oversees the business operations of The Madison Square Garden Company's (MSG) three professional sports teams, the New York Knicks, New York Rangers and New York Liberty. In addition, O'Neil manages the growing MSG Sports business, which features a diverse lineup of world-class live sporting events, and is also responsible for the cross-platform marketing partnerships and suites sales for the transformed Madison Square Garden. The Garden is currently undergoing a comprehensive top-to-bottom Transformation that will significantly enhance the experience for customers, athletes, entertainers, suite holders and partners.

Since joining MSG in July 2008, O'Neil has been the driving force behind securing multiple unprecedented marketing partnerships for the company, highlighted by the addition of JPMorgan Chase as MSG's first-ever Marquee Partner, the preeminent multi-platform, multi-venue, multi-media partnership with the company. In addition, Signature Partnerships secured with industry leading brands Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola and Delta Air Lines all incorporate MSG's sports, entertainment and media assets as well as those of the transformed Garden. Under O'Neil's leadership all of the 20 new Event Level Suites, offering an unparalleled premium experience for the who's who of corporate America, sold out prior to debuting in the first phase of the transformed Garden in Fall 2011.

A key focus of MSG's overall growth strategy continues to be expanding the MSG Sports division outside of MSG owned venues. MSG Sports currently promotes, produces and partners on a broad array of live sporting events, including boxing, track and field, mixed martial arts, a premier lineup of college basketball featuring the top teams in the nation, and the annual BNP Paribas Showdown tennis event, which has included the top tennis players in the world and legends who are synonymous with the game.

During his tenure, O'Neil has been influential in directing a refocused commitment to providing world-class entertainment and customer service to fans, subscribers and marketing partners. MSG Sports has worked with marketing partners to execute world-class activation with the iconic Knicks, Rangers and Liberty brands, from offering unprecedented access to help drive business to establishing integrated brand campaigns. An elevated fan experience at Madison Square Garden has led to the Knicks, Rangers and Liberty being league leaders in attendance, providing the team's with one of the best home court advantages in sports.

The Knicks, Rangers and Liberty are continually recognized in the sports industry for their brand strength, digital innovation and fan engagement across all platforms. The three teams are extremely active in the community, hosting a wide-variety of camps, clinics and events throughout the year to help introduce hockey and basketball to youth and build the next generation of Knicks, Rangers and Liberty fans. The three team's fan engagement strategy extends online, where all are extremely active in social media, providing fans unique access to players and exclusive information about their favorite teams.

O'Neil has established a reputation in the industry as a leader in building management teams and attracting talent. At MSG, he has assembled a world-class team of the top sales and marketing talent to lead and drive the business, which has resulted in a transformational partnership based culture, driving results through an organizational culture focused on collaboration, innovation and execution. O'Neil's team has won numerous industry awards and are continually leaders in sales and innovation in the sports industry.

O'Neil came to MSG from the National Basketball Association, where, as senior vice president, he oversaw the league's team marketing and business operations, advising NBA and WNBA teams on ticket sales and service, sponsorship development, and marketing. He also managed the NBA's Canadian business and the NBA Development League. Prior to joining the NBA, he oversaw the launch of HoopsTV, and honed his sales and marketing expertise with the Philadelphia Eagles and New Jersey Nets.

O'Neil was named to Street and Smith's SportsBusiness Journal Forty Under 40 Hall of Fame, and was named one of the nation's top marketing executives under 40 by Advertising Age in 2006. He is also a member of Young Presidents' Organization, a not-for-profit, global network of chief executives connected around the shared mission of becoming better leaders through education and idea exchange. O'Neil has appeared as a keynote speaker and on panels for top industry events around the globe, including IMG World Congress of Sports, Leaders in Sponsorship, SportsBusiness Journal conferences, and events at Harvard Business School, Princeton University, Wharton, Villanova University, MIT and Columbia University.

He has a commitment to a number of non-profit organizations, including serving as a Board Member for the Garden of Dreams Foundation, the non-profit charity that works with all areas of The Madison Square Garden Company to "make dreams come true for kids facing obstacles." In addition, O'Neil is on the Advisory Board for the Each One Counts Foundation. In January 2012, he was appointed to the Board of Directors for The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., a leading natural and organic products company.

O'Neil holds a degree in Marketing from Villanova University and M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School. He is married with three children and lives in Connecticut.