Irving Azoff Named To New York Knicks Board Of Directors

Music mogul Irving Azoff has joined the board of directors of MSG Knickerbockers Corp., the new entity serving as the renamed Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. and owner of the New York Knicks and Westchester Knicks. The appointment was disclosed in an SEC filing on Wednesday, which notes that the New York Rangers, Hartford Wolf Pack and MSG Training Center will move into the newly public MSG Rangers Corp. as planned.

Azoff’s appointment will become effective upon the completion of the transaction, expected Oct. 26. He will fill a board seat elected by holders of the company’s Class A common stock and serve on its compensation committee.

Azoff’s connection with the Knicks and owner James Dolan goes back decades, with examples including MSG investing in Azoff’s Front Line Management, a previous Azoff MSG Entertainment joint venture as well as with the two sides working closely in major redevelopment of the Forum in Inglewood, California, and collaborating creatively on the innovative and ground-breaking Sphere in Las Vegas.

The 8K filing notes that Dolan will serve as executive chairman and CEO of MSG Knicks, MSG rangers, MSG Entertainment and Sphere Entertainment.

As manager of the Eagles since 1974, Azoff remains chairman of the Azoff Company talent management division and is a senior executive at other companies within the The Azoff Company portfolio, including chairman of performance rights company Global Music Rights, chairman of legacy music rights and estate management company Iconic Artists Group, and co-founder and board member of venue developer and management company Oak View Group. OVG is parent company to Pollstar.

OVG venue project Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert will debut the inaugural Coachella Valley Lakers season with 24 home games at the arena. The G League Lakers affiliate is moving from previous homes in Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo and, before that, Staples Center (Crypto.com Arena) in downtown Los Angeles. The Coachella Valley Lakers will officially tip off on Nov. 6 against the Salt Lake City Stars. The 2026-27 campaign will feature 48 total games.