STEVE MILLS President, Business Operations, MSG Sports Teams

Steve Mills serves as president, business operations, MSG Sports Teams. In this position, the Long Island native is responsible for all business operations, including marketing and community relations for Madison Square Garden's three professional sports teams, the New York Knicks, Rangers and Liberty, and is responsible for all other sports-related activities of the Garden, including college basketball and boxing.

Mills' tenure has been marked by the reestablishment of Madison Square Garden's long-time association with boxing, including numerous high-profile fight nights. The Garden hosted six fight cards in both 2006 and 2007, the most since 1997.  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, and has been heavily involved in staging this season's outdoor game at Arthur Ashe Stadium.  He has also spearheaded a period of growth in MSG Sports that has been highlighted by sumo wrestling, bullriding, tennis, and the addition of the New York Titans lacrosse team.

Steve originally joined the Knicks as executive vice president, franchise operations in September, 1999 and became 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.

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