For millions of people, not only in New York but around the
world, Madison Square Garden is more than an arena. It symbolizes
the very best in sports and entertainment, earning the Garden the
moniker, "The World's Most Famous Arena."
Under the majority ownership of Cablevision, Madison Square
Garden is flourishing as a leader in the industry. The Garden
continues to pursue and develop new businesses, while growing its
signature franchise.
Nearly five million fans pass through the Garden's turnstiles
every year, taking in such familiar Garden staples as the New York
Knickerbockers, the New York Rangers, Ringling Bros. and Barnum
& Bailey Circus, concerts, The Westminster Kennel Club Dog
Show, World Championship Boxing and much more. Two brand- new
Garden teams were introduced in 1997 - the New York Liberty of the
WNBA and the New York CityHawks of the Arena Football League.
The Garden saw many firsts back in 1997. The Garden hosted the
music industry's biggest event, the 39th Annual Grammy Awards,
marking the first time in the show's history that it was held in an
arena. One of the best-loved films of all time, The Wizard of Oz,
starring Roseanne, was also introduced to the stage. The legendary
Charles Dickens tale, "A Christmas Carol," has thrilled audiences
for six years from the Garden's stage. Madison "Scare" Garden, an
interactive Halloween theme park in the Garden's Expo Center, has
"frightened" families for four seasons.
Two wonderful new chapters in the Garden's illustrious history
began in 1997 as well, in the form of Radio City Productions and
the Hartford Civic Center.
In December of that year, Cablevision purchased Radio City
Productions, which is now operated by Madison Square Garden. Radio
City Productions includes the world-renowned "Radio City Christmas
Spectacular" and the legendary Rockettes. At Radio City Music Hall,
Radio City Productions has also brought its signature expertise to
stadiums, stages and city streets throughout the world, producing
shows for the Super Bowl halftime and the NCAA Final Four, among
others.
St. John's has been part of the Garden's legacy since January
19, 1931, when they defeated CCNY 17-9 to win their first of what
would be many St. John's Garden victories. St. John's has played
577 games at the Garden, their home away from home, and have
amassed six NIT titles, 12 ECAC Holiday Festival titles and three
BIG EAST Tournament titles (1983, 1986, 2000).
Last year, nearly 11,000 fans per game came to the World's Most
Famous Arena to watch St. John's march all the way to the program's
sixth NIT Championship. This year, the Red Storm will host BIG EAST
rivals Georgetown, Syracuse and West Virginia, as well as new BIG
EAST teams Louisville and De Paul.