User:Ssabathsloane/sandbox/Hank J. Ratner

Hank J. Ratner has been a leading media, sports, entertainment and telecommunications executive throughout his career, serving in various executive positions including President and CEO of The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG), Vice Chairman of Cablevision Systems Corporation and Chief Operating Officer of AMC Networks (formerly Rainbow Media).[1]

Personal Life
Ratner is a native New Yorker, born and raised on New York’s Long Island. He received a bachelor’s degree in 1981 and doctorate of law with distinction in 1984 from Emory University.[2] Ratner met his wife in college and they have three children.

Cablevision
A Cablevision executive for nearly 30 years, Ratner has played a significant role in the successful operations and growth of Cablevision into one of the leading media and telecommunications companies in the country.[3] As Vice Chairman, Ratner works closely with the Cablevision executive team to help set corporate direction and oversee major business partnerships and negotiations.[4] During his tenure as Vice Chairman, he was instrumental in numerous financings and strategic transactions, including, the acquisition of MSG in partnership with ITT in 1994[5], the acquisition of ITT’s interest in MSG in 1997[6], the issuance of AMC Networks’ tracking stock in 2001[7], the exchange of Cablevision’s interest in Bravo for NBC’s interest in Cablevision in 2002[8], the sale of PCS licenses to Verizon in 2003[9], the sale of the Voom satellite to Echostar in 2005[10], and the spin-offs of MSG in 2010 and AMC Networks in 2011[11], both now standalone, public companies.[12],[13]

The Madison Square Garden Company[edit source | edit] From 2009 to 2014, Ratner served as President and Chief Executive Officer of MSG where he directed the overall strategy and day-to-day operations of the business including, Madison Square Garden, The Theatre at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theater, the Chicago Theater, the Wang Theater in Boston, the Forum in Inglewood, California, MSG Network, MSG Plus, Fuse, the New York Knickerbockers, the New York Rangers, the New York Liberty, the Hartford Wolfpack, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and the Rockettes.[14] During his tenure as CEO, MSG’s stock price more than tripled[15], and its adjusted operating cash flow grew from $120 million[16] to $355 million[17].

Ratner led a period of unprecedented and enduring growth for MSG. He presided over the historic three year, top-to-bottom $1 billion transformation of the iconic Madison Square Garden arena.[18] Ratner was also instrumental in MSG’s landmark marquee marketing partnership with JPMorgan Chase and the signature marketing partnerships with Delta, Coke and Anheuser Busch.[19]  He also played a key role in bringing some of the country's legendary venues under MSG management, including the Beacon Theatre, the Chicago Theatre, the Wang Theatre and the Forum. Ratner helped oversee the restoration of the Beacon Theatre to its original grandeur and the comprehensive renovation of the Forum.[20] MSG Networks experienced unprecedented programming success, receiving 112 Emmy Awards[21], the most of any network in the New York market. MSG significantly increased its concert and live event bookings across its venues, including Billy Joel’s monthly residency at the Madison Square Garden arena.[22] MSG also produced numerous theatrical productions, including many in partnership with Cirque du Soleil. Ratner served as MSG’s Vice Chairman for seven years before and for one year after being named President and CEO.[23] Additionally, he served as alternate governor to the NBA and NHL on behalf of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers from 2003-2014.[24]

AMC Networks
Prior to being appointed Cablevision Vice Chairman in 2002, Ratner spent nearly 15 years at AMC Networks, where he served in various positions including Chief Operating Officer, directing the operations of AMC, IFC, Bravo, WE tv, 10 regional sports networks, two national sports networks, five News 12 regional news networks, IFC Films, Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, Rainbow Network Communications, among others.[25] Ratner helped oversee the launch of many of these networks and the acquisition of numerous professional sports rights and film libraries. He was also instrumental in obtaining carriage agreements with the major distributors for the networks.

Ratner oversaw numerous acquisitions, divestitures and strategic partnerships of significant importance to the growth of the business, including: the establishment and management of the comprehensive partnership with NBC in 1988[26]; the negotiations with News Corp. in 1997, which led to the creation of Fox Sports Net and to Fox’s $850 million investment in MSG and the regional sports properties[27]; MGM’s investment in AMC in 2001[28]; the sale of Fox Sports Bay Area and Fox Sports Florida  to Fox in 2005[29]; the sale of Fox Sports NE and Fox Sports Bay Area to Comcast in 2007[30]. Ratner began working at AMC Networks in 1988, overseeing its business affairs and legal departments, a year after he had joined Cablevision as assistant general counsel.[31]

Sullivan & Cromwell
Prior to working in the media, sports, entertainment and telecommunications industries, Mr. Ratner was a corporate lawyer with the law firm of Sullivan & Cromwell[32] from 1984 to 1987.

HJR Ventures
In 2015, Ratner created HJR Ventures to acquire interests in private sports, media and entertainment companies. HJR Ventures currently has interests in various companies, including: the BB&T Atlanta Open, (the USTA sanctioned tennis tournament in Atlanta); the Memphis Open (the USTA sanctioned tennis tournament in Memphis); the BNP Paribas Showdown (a tennis exhibition at Madison Square Garden featuring matches played by top ranked tennis players); Halloween on Ice (a Halloween theme figure skating tour featuring the world’s top figure skaters); Tiger Beat (the leading girl fan magazine that is expanding into digital and live events); Reserve (a dining concierge app that provides restaurant recommendations, reservations, payment and dynamically priced seating opportunities); and One Big Ball Pictures (a multi-media production company that produces film, television, music videos, commercials and digitals media).

Public Company Board of Directors
Ratner serves on the Board of Directors of MSG Networks (NYSE: MSGN).[33]

Philanthropy
Ratner was the driving force behind the creation of The Garden of Dreams Foundation, the nonprofit that works closely with all areas of MSG and MSG Networks to positively impact the lives of children facing obstacles.[34]

Since its inception in 2006, the Garden of Dreams Foundation has provided unforgettable experiences for almost 300,000 children and their families, with access and interaction with events and celebrities at MSG and its properties.[35] Ratner was Chairman of The Garden of Dreams Foundation from its inception in 2006[36] until 2014 and now remains a board member.[37]