NEW YORK, March 9, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Empire Sports and Entertainment Holdings Co. (OTCBB:EXCX), a promoter of entertainment and sports events, today announced the election of Robert M. Gutkowski to the Board of Directors.
Bob Gutkowski is one of the true visionaries and strategists in the fields of sports and entertainment. As the President of Madison Square Garden from 1991 to 1994, Bob was ultimately responsible for the operations of both the New York Knickerbockers and the New York Rangers, who won their first Stanley Cup in 54 years in 1994. He was also responsible for the direction of MSG Network, the nation's largest regional sports network, MSG Entertainment and the MSG Facilities Group, which operated the Garden arena and the Paramount.
While President of MSG Network in 1988, Mr. Gutkowski negotiated the landmark 12 year, $486 million deal to telecast New York Yankees baseball and the network grew to become the largest and most profitable regional sports network in the country.
Bob was also the founder of The Marquee Group, a worldwide sports and entertainment company that managed, produced, and marketed sports and entertainment events and provided representation for athletes, entertainers and broadcasters. The Marquee Group became a public company in 1996, and after acquiring many successful related companies during its rise, it was acquired by SFX Entertainment. Bob Gutkowski was one of the original architects behind radio entrepreneur Bob Sillerman's "roll-up" of the first nationwide vertically-integrated concert promotion company SFX Entertainment, and he was the individual to introduce to the N.Y.Yankees the concept of the Yankees starting their own regional sports network.
Currently, Mr. Gutkowski is a partner in Innovative Strategic Management, an advisory company dealing in the sports and entertainment industries.
Shelly Finkel, Chief Executive Officer of The Empire, has described Mr. Gutkowski as, "A superb executive and leader, a unique individual who has the foresight and keen intellect to assist The Empire Sports & Entertainment in attaining unparalleled success as a promoter of live music and sporting events. Bob's strategic initiatives have transformed the music concert and sports network industries."
About The Empire Sports and Entertainment
The Empire Sports and Entertainment, Inc. is a promoter of sports-driven promotions and entertainment events such as concerts, music festivals, pay-per-view programming, as well as other exciting events. The company is led by CEO Shelly Finkel, a legendary promoter and member of The Boxing Hall of Fame. To learn more about "The Empire," visit www.theempirese.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
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