Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. and MSC Cruises signed a deal for a multi-year marketing partnership, making MSC Cruises the official cruise partner of the New York Knicks. The partnership will provide MSC Cruises with significant brand promotion during all Knicks games at The Garden, including LED signage and virtual on-court signage. In addition, MSC Cruises will be the presenting partner for the Knicks' in-game jersey toss.
As Knick's first global rights marketing partner, the organization will work with MSC Cruises to create new opportunities in overseas markets, which could include Italy, Germany, England and Brazil. They will work together to provide unique content and brand promotion to continue to evolve the game of basketball.
"MSC Cruises is one of today's top-rated cruise lines with a long history of putting its customers first, a value that MSG Sports lives by every day, making them a fantastic addition to our illustrious group of marketing partners," said David Hopkinson, President and CEO Director, Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. “This partnership will also make MSC Cruises our first global rights marketing partner. MSC Cruises will be involved with the Knicks organization through digital channels and fan activations and will provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our incredible Jr. Knicks program."
"Our partnership with MSG and the New York Knicks is symbolic of our overall commitment to New York with the upcoming launch of year-round cruises from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal aboard the MSC Meraviglia," said Ruben A. Rodriguez, president of MSC Cruises USA. “At MSC Cruises, we are focused on improving the communities we serve by supporting families and advancing sustainability efforts. MSG and the Knicks share those priorities, and we're thrilled to combine our efforts here in New York. as in more than 40 countries that make up our global itineraries."
Together, the Knicks and MSC Cruises will partner on a sustainability initiative that will see a donation to the Ocean Conservation Cause for every 3-pointer the Knicks make this season. Throughout the year, GardenVision and Knicks Digital Channels will run content about the program and provide updates on the amount donated up to that point.
This spring, the Knicks will host a Jr. Clinic. The Knicks on the basketball court on the MSC Meraviglia during her inaugural call at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. Clinic participants will participate in basketball drills, skills and drills, as well as play games led by the Jr. coaching staff. Nix. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet Knicks alumni and receive branded gifts from the Knicks and MSC Cruises.
In addition to the partnership with the Knicks, MSC Cruises will also come on board as the official cruise partner of the Westchester Knicks and Knicks Gaming, which includes LED signage for all Westchester Knicks home games and virtual court markers for all Knicks Gaming home games. Finally, MSC Cruises will be featured on digital billboards outside Madison Square Garden, visible to the millions of people who pass by The Garden every day.
