NEW YORK, Aug. 17, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Madison Square Garden Company (NYSE:MSG) today announced that Rich
Claffey has been named senior vice president and general manager of Madison Square Garden, which includes overseeing all facility
operations for the famed arena, as well as The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Mr. Claffey, who was general manager
of Radio City Music Hall until November 2015, returns to resume a career at the company that spans more than three decades.
In this role, Mr. Claffey will oversee the planning and direction of building operations, event production, event operations,
food and merchandise operations, construction and ticketing operations. With the overarching goal of providing a superior
customer experience, he will work closely with various teams across the company to execute and support strategic plans and programs
that involve The Garden and The Theater. Mr. Claffey will report to Hank Abate, executive vice president of Venue
Management.
“Rich has always been a part of the MSG family, and we are thrilled to welcome him back in this important role,” said Mr.
Abate. “He knows our venues and our business well, and his expertise will be highly valuable as we remain focused on
delivering a first-class experience to our customers and partners at The Garden and The Theater, while exploring new and innovative
ways to build on the standard of excellence that these venues have set.”
Mr. Claffey said, “This is an incredible opportunity – rejoining the company, and in this role at the World’s Most Famous Arena
– is significant to me both professionally and personally. Hank and the MSG leadership team have established clear goals to
strengthen and enhance the live experience we provide to our customers and partners at our venues. I look forward to working
with them to ensure Madison Square Garden delivers on this objective and continues to provide the unforgettable experiences that
have made it so iconic for so many.”
Mr. Claffey most recently worked as a venue consultant to various clients, including MSG. In his previous role at MSG, Mr.
Claffey served as senior vice president and general manager of Theatre Operations and Rockettes Operations, responsible for
directing all facility operations for Radio City Music Hall, The Beacon Theatre and The Chicago Theatre, and managing day-to-day
operations and administration for the Rockettes. Mr. Claffey began his career with MSG in 1983 as part of the stage crew at The
Garden. Over the next 20 years he assumed positions of increasing responsibility at Radio City Music Hall, including head
electrician of the stage crew; head carpenter; technical director of the Christmas Spectacular; vice president of
production; and general manager. In addition to his experience at MSG, Mr. Claffey also spent one year as a member of the
crew on a Bruce Springsteen world tour.
The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) is a world leader in live sports and entertainment that presents or hosts a broad
array of world-class events – including concerts, sporting events, family shows and special events – in an unparalleled mix of
celebrated venues that span four of the nation’s largest entertainment markets. Those venues are: New York’s Madison
Square Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theatre; the Forum in Inglewood, CA; The
Chicago Theatre; and the Wang Theatre in Boston. In addition, MSG has a diverse collection of properties that includes
some of the most widely-recognized sports franchises: the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL) and the New York
Liberty (WNBA), along with two development league teams -- the Westchester Knicks (NBADL) and the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL).
The Company also features popular original entertainment productions -- the Christmas
Spectacular and New York Spectacular – both starring the Radio City Rockettes, and through Boston
Calling Events, produces outdoor festivals, including New England’s premier Boston Calling Music Festival. More
information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com
Contact: Kimberly Kerns / Kimberly.Kerns@msg.com / 212-465-6442
