Game Day with Jeanie Baumgartner

The highlight of working in sports is game day, and we recently spent one following New York Rangers Vice President of Marketing Jeanie Baumgartner as she did everything from plan playoff promotions to celebrate a shootout win over the Washington Capitals.

Text by Tripp Mickle
Photos by J.P. Verni

11:55
After getting her two sons, Luke (6) and Logan (4), up at 7 and leaving for the office at 7:40, Baumgartner spent her morning writing e-mails and making calls. Her first meeting was with Howard Jacobs, senior vice president of marketing for the Rangers and Knicks, to review playoff marketing.

1:00
Baumgartner leaves her meeting with Jacobs 10 minutes before sitting down with 11 staffers to discuss the sweater retirement ceremony for Harry Howell and Andy Bathgate.

4:05
With Steve Mars, vice president of marketing for MSG Media, to discuss playoff promotions.

5:15
Working with Mark Piazza (center) of sports team operations and Bill Martino, vice president of building operations, to pick a place to hang the retired sweaters.

6:28
Baumgartner strolls through the bowels of the Garden for a meeting with team photographers.

6:46
With a small crowd watching Aaron Voros before the game.

7:22
Heading for section 131 to watch a little of the game and take in the in-arena presentation.

7:47
At a ticketing service booth on the concourse, checking on the setup and number of names netted.

7:59
Baumgartner pops into a team store to review the marketing materials and merchandise being touted during that night’s game.

8:12
After climbing to the upper level, Baumgartner talks to Ryan Halkett, Rangers vice president of event presentation, about that night's game.

8:55
In Suite 1034 to check on the Garden of Dreams Foundation, a nonprofit that works with children’s hospitals to provide special experiences. Kyle Meier was taking in the Capitals game that night with his family and stopped between periods to show off for the camera.

10:07
Baumgartner winces and Kerryann Tomlinson (vice president of community relations) throws her head back in disbelief as Capitals star Alex Ovechkin scores to tie a shootout at 1-1. The Rangers would go on to win 2-1 on a Ryan Callahan goal and Henrik Lundqvist save.

10:25
Baumgartner and public relations manager Jody Sowa head back to the office after the game.

10:30
Sending late e-mails and gathering information about everything from the day’s merchandise sales to an event planned at the Plaza Hotel. She leaves at 11 p.m., arriving at her Westchester County home a little after midnight.