One Mike McCarthy in Wisconsin wasn’t enough, the Milwaukee Bucks needed one too, and they got him from New York.
Former MSG executive, and also ex head of the St. Louis Blues, Mike McCarthy was the latest New York face to turn up in a senior executive job with the Bucks, as he was named Chief Operating Officer. McCarthy most recently was a media consultant with The Legacy Agency, and was responsible for TLA’s successful string of events with rugby in places like Red Bull Arena and Soldier Field in Chicago. he starts this latest job immediately.
The Bucks primary owner, Mark Lasry, is a New York resident, and McCarthy will join another New Yorker, Bucks president and former Knicks head of marketing Peter Feigin in Milwaukee.
“Mike is one of the most successful and respected sports executives in the world, and he’s proven time and again that he has the vision, expertise and innovative spirit to build highly successful businesses across the sports and entertainment landscape,” Feigin said. “As part of Mike’s role at TLA he has been consulting with us for over a year now and his excitement to join us full time speaks volumes about the potential he sees in the Bucks organization and the city of Milwaukee. He will be an incredible asset for our entire staff as we continue to build a world-class organization on and off the court.”
“The strides the Bucks organization has made in recent years under the leadership of Peter and this committed ownership group has been remarkable, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute my expertise to the vision for what this team can become for the people of Wisconsin,” McCarthy said.
Prior to his time at TLA, McCarthy spent six years as the Vice Chairman/CEO of the NHL’s St. Louis Blues & Scottrade Center, where oversaw the strategic vision for all aspects of the Blues’ business including finance, marketing, ticket sales and service, sponsorship sales and service, hockey operations, and food and beverage operations. McCarthy also oversaw the $79 million renovation of St. Louis’ historic Peabody Opera House, which had been closed for 20 years, and delivered over 100 events in the space during its first year of operation following the re-opening.
From 1982 through 2005 McCarthy went from intern to the President of MSG Network, ultimately overseeing a staff of over 500 full-time and freelance employees while helping to build the regional network into the gold standard for a regional rights holder. During his tenure MSG Networks grew into a nearly $400 million business, and McCarthy’s strategic vision for game broadcasts, sports talk and interview shows, and original content led to numerous accolades, including 75 Emmy Awards.
He will be have some other familiar faces around the team as well, including Gus Johnson, who is the voice of the Bucks on TV for several games a year. He will also be joined by former Knick and Connecticut native Vin Baker.
McCarthy starts this latest job immediately.