MSC Cruises Becomes the First Official Global Rights Partner of the Knicks Organization
Knicks and MSC Cruises will Partner on a Sustainability Program to Help Ocean Conservation
NEW YORK, January 18, 2023 – Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (NYSE: MSGS) announced today a multi-year marketing partnership with MSC Cruises, naming one of the world’s largest cruise brands the Official Cruise Line Partner of the New York Knicks. Through the partnership, MSC Cruises will receive significant brand promotion during all Knicks games at The Garden including LED Signage and Virtual On-Court Signage. MSC Cruises will also serve as the Presenting Partner of the Knicks in-game T-Shirt Toss.
As the Knicks first global rights marketing partner, the organization will work with MSC Cruises to create new activations in overseas markets, which could include Italy, Germany, England and Brazil. They will work together to provide unique content and brand promotion to continue growing the game of basketball.
“MSC Cruises is one of the world’s top-rated contemporary cruise lines with a long history of putting their customers first, a value that MSG Sports lives by every day, making them a fantastic addition to our illustrious group of marketing partners,” said David Hopkinson, President & COO, Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. “This partnership will also make MSC Cruises our first-ever global rights marketing partner. MSC Cruises will be involved within the Knicks organization across digital channels and fan activations and will provide once-in-a-lifetime experiences for our incredible Jr. Knicks program.”
“Our partnership with MSG and the New York Knicks is symbolic of our overall commitment to New York City with the upcoming launch of year-round cruises from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal onboard MSC Meraviglia,” said Rubén A. Rodríguez, President, MSC Cruises USA. “At MSC Cruises, we’re focused on improving the communities we serve by supporting families and furthering sustainability efforts. MSG and the Knicks share those priorities, and we’re thrilled to be combining our efforts right here in New York City, as well as throughout the more than 40 countries that make up our global itineraries.”
Together, the Knicks and MSC Cruises will partner on a sustainability initiative which will provide a donation to an Ocean Conservation Cause for every three-pointer made by the Knicks this season. Throughout the year, GardenVision and Knicks Digital Channels will run features about the program and provide updates on the amount donated to that point in time.
This spring, the Knicks will host a Jr. Knicks clinic at the basketball court aboard MSC Meraviglia during her inaugural call at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. Participants in the clinic will take part in basketball drills, skills and training as well as play games run by the Jr. Knicks coaching staff. Participants will also have the opportunity to meet with Knicks alumni and receive branded giveaways from the Knicks and MSC Cruises.
In addition to the partnership with the Knicks, MSC Cruises will also come on board as the Official Cruise Line Partner for the Westchester Knicks and Knicks Gaming, which includes LED signage for all Westchester Knicks home games and virtual on-court signage for all Knicks Gaming home games. Finally, MSC Cruises will be displayed on the digital boards outside of Madison Square Garden, which are visible to the millions of people who walk by The Garden every day.