New York, N.Y., March 7, 2022 – Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (NYSE: MSGS) (“MSG Sports”) today announced that Patrick Rees – an accomplished sports communications leader – has been named Senior Vice President, Communications, effective March 28.
Mr. Rees will oversee public relations activities across the Company’s portfolio of professional sports assets, highlighted by the New York Knicks and New York Rangers franchises. Other MSG Sports properties include two development league teams – the Westchester Knicks (NBAGL) and Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL); and esports teams through Counter Logic Gaming, a North American esports organization, and Knicks Gaming, an NBA 2K League franchise.
In his role, Mr. Rees will lead Knicks and Rangers public relations efforts while working closely with team management and MSG Sports leadership to support business priorities. In addition, he will be responsible for helping develop publicity strategies that further build the teams’ brands while overseeing major announcements, issues management, and other communications initiatives. MSG Sports’ public relations teams will report to Mr. Rees.
Deirdre Latour, Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Patrick to MSG Sports, where he brings an array of sports communications experience. The Knicks and Rangers are two of the most recognized brands in all of sports, garnering interest from a wide range of traditional, digital, and social media. Patrick’s track record of developing and executing effective strategies that enhance media exposure will be a tremendous asset to our teams and MSG Sports’ business.”
Mr. Rees said: “I’m excited to join MSG Sports and have this incredible opportunity to work with the Knicks and Rangers – two premier franchises with celebrated histories and passionate fan bases. I look forward to collaborating with talented MSG Sports public relations colleagues, as well as team management and executive leadership, to drive effective communications strategies that position our iconic brands for continued success in the media capital of the world.”
Mr. Rees has more than 15 years of public relations experience in the sports industry. He joins MSG Sports from Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, where he served as Vice President, Communications for the Philadelphia 76ers. In this role he developed and implemented strategic and crisis communications plans for all team and organizational matters, including press outreach strategy to further build and promote the 76ers brand in local, national, and international media. He also collaborated with groups across the organization, including corporate sponsorship, community relations, and business operations on various programs related to the team and its business priorities. Before joining the 76ers, Mr. Rees served as Director of Basketball Communications for the Washington Wizards, where he led the day-to-day efforts for all basketball communications. Prior to the Wizards, Mr. Rees held communications roles with the Brooklyn Nets and San Antonio Spurs. Mr. Rees began his public relations career with Walt Disney World Sports Attractions.
Mr. Rees holds a bachelor’s degree from Elon University, where he was a member of Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communications Honor Society.