MSG Holds Upfront Short On Programming, Sponsorship Details
By Terry Lefton, Editor-at-Large
MSG held its first upfront last night in Manhattan at the Expo Center within the arena, offering a presentation long on details of the forthcoming $500M renovation of the Garden but short on what new sponsorship inventory will be available in the redesigned building. For an upfront, there was also scant information on any new programming, with officials mentioning only a new reality show searching for N.Y.'s best subway musical act. MSG Sports President & COO Steve Mills said, "As we've grown over the past few years, we really wanted an opportunity to present the whole MSG picture of all of our teams, venues and networks." MSG Media Senior VP/Marketing Partnerships Lew Sherr said there will be "state-of-the-art signage" and opportunities for sponsors to buy entitled areas within the redesigned building, but added he did not expect to have specifics on new signage and other sponsorship offerings until the fall. The 75-minute presentation included remarks from MSG Vice Chair Hank Ratner and MSG Media President Mike Bair, along with a 30-minute set by Joe Walsh prior to the Eagles concert at MSG.
SKY BLUE SKY: Among the more unusual events under MSG's aegis this summer will be the WNBA Liberty's outdoor game against the WNBA Fever July 19. Mills said MSG is selling title sponsorship to that game, dubbed "The Liberty Outdoor Classic," which will be played July 19 at Arthur Ashe Stadium, home of the U.S. Open. The package includes courtside signage, hospitality, suites, and spots on MSG, which will televise the contest. Mills declined to name the price to title what is being billed as "the First Regular Season Outdoor Game in Pro Basketball History."
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