MSG Network today announced "The Garden's Defining Moments," a special 20-part television event presented by SAP, celebrating some of the greatest moments at Madison Square Garden spanning the legendary venue's more than 135-year history. The Garden's four Arena complexes have played host to many of the greatest moments in the history of sports, music, entertainment and politics and MSG Network will dedicate a half-hour episode to honor 20 of these "Defining Moments," which are showcased in the Arena with photos, memorabilia and artifacts. The first 10 episodes of "The Garden's Defining Moments" will premiere on MSG in early 2015, with the final 10 rolling out at a later date.
"Madison Square Garden has been a celebrated center of New York life since it first opened its doors in 1879, and today has come to epitomize the power and passion of live events to people around the world," said Dan Ronayne, executive vice president and general manager of MSG Networks. "We feel very privileged and enormously proud - through this new MSG Network television event -- to bring viewers some of the greatest moments from this iconic Arena's 135-year history."
"The Garden's Defining Moments" on MSG Network - First 10 of 20 premiering early 2015
(In no particular order):
The Dunk - May 25, 1993
Features interviews with John Starks, Pat Riley, Jeff Van Gundy, Phil Jackson, Patrick Ewing
During Game 2 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks and Bulls were locked in a tight battle. The Knicks were ahead by three going into the final minute of the game, when Knicks guard and fan favorite John Starks turned the right corner from a Patrick Ewing pick and roll. The Bulls' help defense arrived too late and Starks authored perhaps the single most famous play in Knicks history - The Dunk - with a driving, left-handed tomahawk slam that sent The Garden into a frenzy. The Knicks went on to win the game, 96-91.
"The Great One" Retires - April 18, 1999
Features interviews with Wayne Gretzky, Walter Gretzky, Mark Messier, Glen Sather
Hockey's all-time greatest player, Wayne Gretzky, played the final three seasons of his legendary career with the Rangers before taking to The Garden ice for his final game. During pre-game festivities, Gretzky's No. 99 became the first and only number to be retired league-wide and he was given exemption from the three-year wait list for eligibility into the Hockey Hall of Fame. During the game, Gretzky registered his final point - a league record 2,857th - with an assist on a goal by Brian Leetch, and was named as first, second and third star of the game. Following the game "The Great One" skated around The Garden ice followed by the entire team, and then took a final lap by himself to a loud salute by fans.
Pope John Paul II Visits The Garden - October 3, 1979
One of the highlights of the newly-elected Pope John Paul II's first visit to America was his stop at Madison Square Garden. As the unofficial beginning of World Youth Day, the event brought more than 20,000 young people from throughout the tri-state area to The Garden to hear directly from their new Pope. "My life changed that day and I will never, ever forget it," said Geralyn Smith, who at six years old had the ultimate honor of being greeted by Pope John Paul II at The Garden, a moment that was commemorated in a now-iconic photo from his visit.
Matteau! Matteau! Matteau! - May 27, 1994
Features interviews with Stephane Matteau, Mark Messier, Mike Richter, Brian Leetch, Mike Keenan, Ken Daneyko, John MacLean, Howie Rose
In Game 7 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals against the Devils, Rangers left wing Stephane Matteau scored a dramatic game-winning goal at 4:24 of the second overtime to give the Rangers a 2-1 win and a chance to play in the Stanley Cup Final. That goal inspired the classic radio call that will forever be etched in the minds of Rangers fans. As the puck snuck into the net, radio play-by-play man Howie Rose channeled the delirious joy of Rangers fans everywhere as he screamed, "MATTEAU!! MATTEAU!! MATTEAU!!"
Larry Johnson's 4-point Play - June 5, 1999
Features interviews with Larry Johnson, Antonio Davis, Jeff Van Gundy, Allan Houston
It was a shot no one would ever forget. With the Knicks down by three in the waning moments of Game Three of the 1999 Eastern Conference Finals, Larry Johnson launched a shot from behind the three-point arc, and was fouled by the Indiana Pacers' Antonio Davis. When the ball went through the net --- with 5.7 seconds left --- it set off a raucous celebration that was equal parts joy, relief, wonderment and sheer disbelief. Johnson's free throw gave the Knicks a 92-91 win, en route to becoming the first-ever eighth-seeded team to advance to The NBA Finals, beating Indiana in six games.
Syracuse Defeats University of Connecticut in Six OT Game - March 12, 2009
Features interviews with Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim and former UConn head coach Jim Calhoun
Basketball fans went to work bleary-eyed the morning after the epic Big East Tournament Quarterfinal game between Syracuse and University of Connecticut. At the end of regulation, No. 18 Syracuse had played to a tie score with No. 3 Connecticut, but the game was far from over. Before a winner could emerge, the two teams would play six overtime periods, in a game lasting 3 hours and 46 minutes before an exhausted Syracuse managed to outlast its opponent, 127-117, at 1:22 a.m. By the end, eight players had fouled out and the game went down as the longest in Big East history and the second-longest in Division I history.
Knicks Win First Championship - May 8, 1970
Features interviews with Walt "Clyde" Frazier, Bill Bradley, Phil Jackson, Willis Reed, Dick Barnett
When "The Captain" Willis Reed stepped onto the floor just before Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals, it brought The Garden crowd to a frenzy. After leaving Game 5 with a severe thigh injury, no one thought Reed would play again in the series. Instead, Reed limped onto the court, scored the first two baskets, and provided a shot of adrenaline that energized the fans and his teammates. Walt "Clyde" Frazier led the Knicks with 36 points, 19 assists and 7 rebounds as the Knicks defeated the Lakers, 113-99, to claim their first NBA Championship.
The "Fight of the Century" - March 8, 1971
Features interviews with Mike Tyson, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Larry Holmes, Chuck Wepner, Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, Larry Merchant
In one of the most anticipated sports events of all time, an unbeaten Muhammad Ali faced off against an unbeaten Joe Frazier in what would later be known as the "Fight of the Century." It was a star-studded night at The Garden, with Frank Sinatra shooting for LIFE magazine, Burt Lancaster serving as a broadcaster, Sammy Davis, Jr., and many others spotted in the stands. After his customary slow start, Frazier took control, and early in the 15th round hit Ali with his signature left hook that floored the former champ. Ali sprung up immediately and resumed the fight, but it was too late - the unanimous decision went to Frazier, and Ali suffered his first loss. Ali avenged the loss nearly three years later at The Garden in "Ali-Frazier II" on January 28, 1974, and later earned a dramatic TKO victory over Frazier when the two met for a third and final time in the Philippines on October 1, 1975 for the "The Thrilla in Manila."
The Concert for Bangladesh - August 1, 1971
Features interviews with Ringo Starr, Leon Russell, Jim Keltner, Claudia Lennear
George Harrison and Ravi Shankar organized this first music benefit concert of its kind to raise awareness and fund relief efforts for the people of Bangladesh, who were recovering from the devastating effects of a cyclone while in the midst of a civil war. This groundbreaking event brought worldwide attention to the war torn country, as some of the greatest artists of the time joined Harrison and Shankar for two shows at Madison Square Garden, including Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Bangladeshi musician Ali Akbar Khan and many more. The shows set the bar for all future benefit concerts around the world for decades to come.
Benefit Concert for Hurricane Katrina - September 20, 2005
Features interviews with Paul Simon, Cyndi Lauper, Allen Toussaint, Ivan Neville, Boyd Tinsley
Less than a month after Hurricane Katrina's devastation ripped through New Orleans, Madison Square Garden played host to "From the Big Apple to the Big Easy: New York City's Concert for the Gulf Coast." In keeping with the spirit of this historic event, Madison Square Garden was ornamented, from the lobby to the stage, in New Orleans-inspired decor. The star-studded show included legendary New Orleans musicians Allen Toussaint, The Neville Brothers and countless others, alongside Bette Midler, Cyndi Lauper, Dave Matthews, Diana Krall, Elton John, Elvis Costello, Jimmy Buffett, John Fogerty, Lenny Kravitz and Simon & Garfunkel. As part of the benefit, Madison Square Garden also presented a concert that same night at Radio City Music Hall. In total, the evening raised approximately $9 million towards long-term relief efforts.
"The Garden's Defining Moments" on MSG Network - additional 10 episodes to be rolled out at a later date:
Madison Square Garden Opens - May 31, 1879
Marciano Defeats Louis - October 26, 1951
Knicks vs. Celtics 1973 Eastern Conference Finals - April 22, 1973
Rangers vs. Canucks 1994 Stanley Cup Finals - June 14, 1994
The Concert for New York City - October 20, 2001
12-12-12 - December 12, 2012
Marilyn Monroe Sings Happy Birthday to JFK - May 19, 1962
WrestleMania I - March 31, 1985
Bill Clinton Presidential Nomination - July 13, 1992
Ewing's Putback Sends Knicks to Finals - June 5, 1994
"The Garden's Defining Moments" is produced by RGTV and Fran Healy Productions.
MSG Networks is the exclusive local television home of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres (Upstate New York only), New York Liberty and New York Red Bulls, and the official regional sports networks of the New York Giants. MSG Networks also telecasts over 100 live college events from top national conferences, as well as horse racing, boxing and award-winning original programming. In 2014, MSG Networks received 16 New York Emmy Awards, including 14 for MSG Network and one each for MSG+ and MSG.com. MSG Network's 99 Emmys over the past seven years are more than any single network or station in the region during that time.
About The Madison Square Garden Company
The Madison Square Garden Company is comprised of three business segments: MSG Sports, MSG Media and MSG Entertainment and is built on a foundation of iconic venues and compelling content that the company creates, produces, presents and/or distributes through its programming networks and other media assets. MSG Sports owns and operates the following sports franchises: the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL), the New York Liberty (WNBA), the Westchester Knicks (NBADL) and the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL). MSG Sports also features the presentation of a wide variety of live sporting events including professional boxing, college basketball, bull riding and tennis. MSG Media is a leader in production and content development for multiple distribution platforms, including content originating from the Company's venues. MSG Media's television networks consist of regional sports networks, MSG Network and MSG+, collectively referred to as MSG Networks. MSG Entertainment is one of the country's leaders in live entertainment. MSG Entertainment creates, produces and/or presents a variety of live productions, including the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and the New York Spring Spectacular, both featuring the Rockettes. MSG Entertainment also presents or hosts other live entertainment events such as concerts, family shows and special events in the Company's diverse collection of venues. These venues consist of Madison Square Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, the Forum in Inglewood, CA, The Chicago Theatre, and the Wang Theatre in Boston, MA. More information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com.
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