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Steve Mills was named president and chief operating officer, MSG Sports, on Dec. 22, 2003. In this position, the Long Island native oversees all aspects of Madison Square Garden's three professional sports teams, the Knicks, Rangers and Liberty, including basketball and hockey operations, as well as all business related functions. Steve is also responsible for all other sports-related activities of The Garden, including college basketball and boxing.Steve has worked closely with Isiah Thomas, Glen Sather and Carol Blazejowski to rebuild the teams toward the long-term goal of competing for championships. The last two seasons, the rebuilt Rangers have featured young players throughout the roster, thrilled fans with fast-paced, energetic hockey, and returned to the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Knicks roster has also been restructured for long-term success with a focus on young, athletic players; the team boasts its youngest roster in more than 20 years and features several key contributors under the age of 25. One of the league's most successful franchises in the WNBA, the Liberty is also in transition with a focus on younger players that can contribute to future success. The 2007 Liberty, the second youngest team in the WNBA, defied predictions this past season and reached the playoffs. In addition, Mills' tenure has been marked by the reestablishment of Madison Square Garden's long-time association with boxing, including numerous high profile fight nights and, in the second half of 2007, three much anticipated arena bouts. He also oversaw the successful transition of the New York Liberty from the "World's Most Famous Arena" to the "Great Stage" of Radio City Music Hall during the summer of 2004, to make way for New York City's historic first Republican National Convention held at Madison Square Garden. He has also overseen a period of growth in MSG Sports that has been highlighted by sumo wrestling, bullriding and the addition of the New York lacrosse team.From instituting a "fan-friendly" mandate that impacts all aspects of game operations, to placing a priority on community relations, Steve's expectation of excellence has elevated all areas of The Garden"s sports business. In his role as a board member of the Garden of Dreams Foundation, Mills oversees the Foundation's significant commitment to "making dreams come true for kids in crisis." The Foundation works with all areas of Madison Square Garden, as well as local children's hospitals, "wish-granting" organizations and community-based organizations, to brighten the lives of children facing enormous obstacles, including terminal or chronic illness, homelessness, foster care, hunger, abuse, and tragedy. Steve originally joined the Knicks as executive vice president, franchise operations in September, 1999 and was promoted to president, sports teams operations for Madison Square Garden in June, 2001. Prior to his move to The Garden, the 46 year-old played an integral role in the National Basketball Association's development over 16 years, most recently as senior vice president, basketball and player development. His duties included managing the league's relationships with all domestic and international basketball organizations, including the NCAA and USA Basketball, as well as overseeing the NBA's developmental programs and player initiatives. Mills also played a key role in the creation of the Women's National Basketball Association and served on the team responsible for the negotiation of the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement.Steve began his impressive ascent up the NBA ladder in 1983 when he joined the NBA as an account executive in the corporate sponsorship department of NBA Properties. He was promoted to national programs manager for NBA Properties in August, 1986 and then spent three years in the NBA's special events department (1987-89), prior to being named vice president, special events in May of 1989. From there, he joined the NBA Commissioner's Office as vice president, corporate development in October of 1993, before his appointment as senior vice president, basketball and player development in 1995.Mills has been honored by a host of organizations and institutions for his distinguished career, including "Business Executive of the Year" by Black Enterprise Magazine. He was selected by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as part of her second annual African American Heritage Celebration, which recognizes top executives from all business areas, and has been selected as one of Sports Illustrated's "101 Most Influential Minorities in Sports." Steve also represents the Knicks on the NBA???s Labor Relations Committee and the Liberty on the WNBA's Labor Relations Committee.An accomplished basketball player, Mills started three seasons at guard for Hall of Fame coach Pete Carrill at Princeton University, where he helped lead the Tigers to two Ivy League first place finishes, including the League title and an NCAA berth in 1981. He also played professionally for one season in South America in 1981.Steve earned a degree in sociology from Princeton in 1981, and has served on the Board of Trustees for the Basketball Hall of Fame and the Board of Directors for USA Basketball. He and his wife Beverly have two daughters and reside in South Orange, NJ. |
