Mr. Cohen’s influence from coast to coast in the sports world spans more than 50 years from 1970 to the present. He was named to the board of directors of MSG Sports (NYSE: MSGS) in 2020, marking a return to his professional roots at MSG, where he began his career 50 years earlier. His touch has created and revived companies and organizations in television, cable, radio, arena operations, arena development and management, and professional sports franchises. He brought his sports network vision to bear with the creation of Madison Square Garden Network, USA Network, Z Channel (California), which became SportsChannel LA, and SportsTime Ohio.
Career Highlights
Groundbreaking pioneer and transmission technology innovator in the regional sports and transmission services industries.
Co-founded and served on the board of USA Network, an American basic cable and satellite television channel; IDB Communications, a domestic and international communications network; ACI, an independent television distributor company; the Board of Governors of the National Hockey League; National Mobile Television, operator of a fleet of mobile television units; and MSG Sports (NYSE: MSGS)
From October 2018-May 2019, Mr. Cohen served as an adviser to Platinum Equities on its bid to purchase Fox regional sports networks from The Walt Disney Company.
Brand Velocity Group Sports
A sports investment vehicle that sits within the BVG platform, BVGS targets companies in sports-adjacent categories – both legacy and emerging sub verticals – with the goal of accelerating brand growth, providing financial flexibility, and driving economic impact for all stakeholders. BVGS also assesses investing in professional sports teams and leagues.
West Ridge Associates
A sports and media consulting firm whose clients include Platinum Equities, a private equity firm, the Cleveland Indians and Arizona Diamondbacks of MLB, and The Switch, a broadcast transmission facilities provider.
The Switch is the leading provider of customer-controlled video-switching services throughout key media markets nationally
and internationally.
Joined The Switch upon its merger with HTN. Served as president of The Switch Sports Group from 2013-20.
Hughes Television Network (HTN)
Founded in 1955, HTN has a rich history and revered reputation in sports. Mr. Cohen has been involved with the broadcast transmission delivery company periodically since 1977.
Organized investment partnerships to expand and diversify the services of HTN, which has serviced such entities as MSGN, NESN, MASN, Altitude Sports & Entertainment (Denver), SportsTime Ohio and MLB Network’s ballpark cam since their inception. Other long-term clients have included ESPN, the NBA, NHL, NFL Films, WWE, CBS, NBC Sports and YES Network.
SportsTime Ohio is a northern Ohio regional sports network that offered a variety of sports programming. STO was successfully
sold to Fox Sports in 2012.
Secured all rights to Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Browns programming, serving millions of viewers in Ohio.
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden is one of the iconic sports and entertainment facilities in the world
Responsible for MSG Network, integrating Fox Sports Net New York into MSG, and later charged with developing a new, state-of-the-art Madison Square Garden arena and entertainment complex, as well as a revolutionary practice facility for the
New York Rangers, New York Knicks and New York Liberty in suburban Greenburgh, N.Y.
The Los Angeles Kings are members of the National Hockey League.
Led the club through a lockout and financial crisis and put it back on a successful course
prior to successful sale to Philip Anschutz in 1995. Member of NHL board of governors from 1993-95.
Spectacor West
Spectacor West was founded as a leading hospitality firm in the live sports and entertainment industry.
Led Spectacor West, expanding its pioneering vision. Served as project manager for Spectacor West’s renovation of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the Oakland Raiders.
In addition led Spectacor Films, a producer of feature films, made-for-TV films and mini-series, and board member of Allied Communications, Inc. (ACI), an independent television distribution company sold to Pearson plc in 1995.
Z Channel, forerunner of SportsChannel LA, carried telecasts of the MLB Los Angeles Dodgers and Anaheim Angels and NBA Los Angeles Clippers, and initiated satellite distribution. Successfully sold to Rainbow Program Services (Cablevision) in 1989.
Enabled Z Channel to gain a foothold in the Southern California TV market with the acquisition of telecast rights to the Dodgers,
Angels and Clippers.
USA Network
USA Network is a basic cable and satellite television channel that is currently owned by the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment Group division of NBCUniversal, itself a subsidiary of Comcast. Successfully sold to Paramount, Universal and Time Inc. in 1981.
Negotiated the first-ever cable broadcast contracts with the NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball.
MSG Network is a regional cable and satellite television network and radio service currently owned by MSG Networks, Inc.
Responsible for advertising, sales, production and program development for MSGN, as well as broadcast and cable operations and television exploitation of all events at Madison Square Garden. Member of NBA and NHL TV committees from 1977-85.