Brian G. Sweeney
Madison Square Garden EntertainmentAbout Brian G. Sweeney
Age 61; Class B Director at MSGE since April 20, 2023. Former President (2014) and President & CFO (2015–2016) of Cablevision; earlier senior strategy and technology roles at Cablevision (2000–2014). Current public company directorships include AMC Networks (AMCX), Madison Square Garden Sports (MSGS), and Sphere Entertainment (SPHR). Family ties: brother‑in‑law of James L. Dolan, Marianne Dolan Weber, and Thomas C. Dolan; father of Claire D. Sweeney; cousin by marriage of Paul J. Dolan .
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Committees/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cablevision | President | 2014 | Executive leadership, operations oversight |
| Cablevision | President & CFO | 2015–2016 | Led finance and operations through strategic transitions |
| Cablevision | Senior EVP, Strategy & Chief of Staff | 2013–2014 | Corporate strategy; cross‑functional coordination |
| Cablevision | SVP – Strategic Software Solutions | 2012–2013 | Technology strategy and software solutions |
| Cablevision | SVP – eMedia | 2000–2012 | Digital/media initiatives |
External Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMC Networks (AMCX) | Director | Since 2011 | Current directorship |
| MSG Sports (MSGS) | Director | Since 2015 | Current directorship |
| Sphere Entertainment (SPHR) | Director | Since 2020 | Current directorship |
| MSG Networks | Director | 2010–2021 | Prior board |
| Cablevision | Director | 2005–2016 | Prior board |
Board Governance
- Committee memberships at MSGE: None .
- Independence: MSGE is a controlled company; independent directors are Martin Bandier, Donna M. Coleman, and Frederic V. Salerno. Sweeney is not identified as independent under NYSE rules .
- Attendance: Board met 5 times in FY2025; all directors attended at least 75% of Board and committee meetings .
- Lead Independent Director: None designated; Board believes structure is appropriate given voting control .
- Executive sessions: Regular sessions of non‑management/independent directors are held .
Fixed Compensation
| Component | Structure (FY2025) | Brian G. Sweeney Actual FY2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Cash Retainer | $75,000 | $75,000 (Fees Earned) |
| Committee Member Fee | $15,000 (Audit/Comp only) | $0 (no committee) |
| Committee Chair Fee | $25,000 (Audit/Comp only) | $0 |
| Annual Equity Retainer (RSUs) | $160,000 (20‑day avg price) | $152,790 (grant‑date fair value) |
| Total | — | $227,790 |
- Director RSUs fully vest on grant but are subject to a holding requirement until 90 days after separation from service (or immediate settlement upon death) .
- Directors may elect to defer cash fees into RSUs via annual election .
Performance Compensation
| Element | Metrics | Terms |
|---|---|---|
| Performance‑based pay (Director) | None disclosed/applicable | MSGE uses time‑vested RSUs with holding requirements for directors; no performance metrics tied to director pay |
| Event tickets | Up to two tickets per event for up to eight events/year at MSGE venues; not deemed perquisites when integrally related to duties; other free tickets at MSGE/Sphere venues deemed perquisites; aggregate perqs < $10,000 per director in FY2025 |
Other Directorships & Interlocks
| Company | Shared Directors/Executives | Potential Interlock/Conflict Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Sphere Entertainment (SPHR) | Eight MSGE nominees also SPHR directors; overlapping executives (e.g., J. Dolan, L. Franco) | Transactions overseen by Independent Committee; extensive services and aircraft arrangements between entities |
| MSG Sports (MSGS) | Eight MSGE nominees also MSGS directors; overlapping executives | Arena License Agreements, revenue‑sharing, services; Independent Committee oversight |
| AMC Networks (AMCX) | Three MSGE nominees also AMC directors | Aircraft/time‑sharing arrangements; overlapping vice chair |
Expertise & Qualifications
- Senior operational and financial leadership in cable/media (President & CFO of Cablevision) .
- Multi‑company board experience across Dolan‑controlled entities (AMCX, MSGS, SPHR), providing deep industry and organizational knowledge .
- Strategic, technology, and digital media background (eMedia, strategic software) .
Equity Ownership
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Class A Common Stock beneficial ownership | 159,459 shares; <1% of Class A |
| Class B Common Stock beneficial ownership | 1,082,869 shares; 15.8% of Class B |
| Combined voting power (A + ten‑vote B) | 10.1% |
| Director RSUs held (as of 6/30/2025) | 12,989 units (subject to holding requirement) |
| Hedging/Pledging | Prohibited for directors (no short sales/hedging; no margin/pledging) |
| Ownership guidelines | Directors receive RSUs with mandatory holding until post‑separation settlement; aligns ongoing stake with tenure |
Governance Assessment
- Board effectiveness: Sweeney brings long‑tenured operating and finance expertise, but he holds no MSGE committee roles; key oversight (Audit, Compensation) is concentrated in independent Class A directors .
- Independence and conflicts: Not independent; extensive family relationships and overlapping boards with SPHR/MSGS/AMCX create inherent conflicts. MSGE mitigates via Independent Committee approval for related‑party transactions (thresholds $120k and $1M), quarterly internal audit updates, and formal policies, but controlled voting (Class B with ten votes/share) means the Dolan Family Group can elect Class B directors and approve key proposals irrespective of other shareholders’ votes .
- Attendance/engagement: All directors met the ≥75% attendance threshold in FY2025; virtual meeting participation practices are robust .
- Compensation alignment: Director pay is cash + RSUs with holding requirements; no performance metrics for directors. FY2025 compensation for Sweeney totaled $227,790, and he held 12,989 RSUs at year‑end, reinforcing skin‑in‑the‑game, though his substantial Class B holdings dominate alignment through voting control rather than performance‑conditioned equity .
- Related‑party exposure: Significant ongoing intercompany arrangements (services, arena licenses, sponsorships, aircraft) with SPHR/MSGS/AMCX. Policies exist (Independent Committee oversight, documented agreements), yet the breadth of arrangements warrants continued monitoring for fairness and arm’s‑length terms .
RED FLAGS
- Controlled company structure; Dolan Family Group controls all Class B shares and thus Board outcomes and select proposals .
- Non‑independent status and close family ties to Executive Chairman CEO (James L. Dolan) and multiple Dolan family directors .
- Extensive related‑party transactions across SPHR/MSGS/AMCX (including aircraft, services, arena economics), with potential for perceived or real conflicts despite Independent Committee processes .