Rockville Centre resident joins MSG

After more than two decades, Rockville Centre resident Dave Howard has left his position with the New York Mets franchise and has taken a job as President of MSG Sports.

In the new position, Howard will be responsible for running the business operations of the New York Knicks, new York Rangers, New York Liberty and Hartford Whale, as well as the management of the company’s Sports Properties unit.

“I am honored to be joining The Madison Square Garden Company, and particularly thrilled to have the privilege of leading MSG Sports,” Howard said in a release. “There are very few organizations anywhere with the strength of MSG’s sports brands, and I look forward to utilizing my experience to ensure we build on MSG’s position as one of the world’s leading sports organizations. I would also like to thank the Mets’ ownership and organization for what has been an amazing professional experience in Flushing.”

Howard used to be the Executive Vice President of Business Operations for the Mets, where he oversaw all business departments, including ticket sales and services, corporate sales and partnerships, marketing and communications, broadcasting, media relations, venue services, ballpark operations, guest experience and security. He was also responsible for the team’s Florida training facility and the St. Lucie Mets and Brooklyn Cyclones minor league business operations.

In his new role with MSG, Howard will have a wide range of responsibilities. In addition to managing the strategic plan, budgets and forecasting for the businesses, he will oversee the marketing and game presentations of the Knicks, Rangers and Liberty, as well as the sale of their season and individual game tickets, suites and Madison Club memberships. He will also manage the Sports Properties division, including the presentation of sporting events such as college and high school basketball, boxing and tennis, along with the development of new growth opportunities.

“Dave has been one of New York’s premier sports executives for over two decades, and we are pleased he will be joining our company to lead our sports business,” said Hank Ratner, president and CEO of the Madison Square Garden Company. “MSG Sports represents some of the most popular and enduring brands in the world, and we’re confident Dave’s vision and management skills will ensure we continue to earn the passionate loyalty of generations of fans, while developing strategic growth opportunities that help drive our business.”