For Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. A new era has arrived and it starts with Rangers.
MSG Executive Chairman and CEO James Dolan is handing over day-to-day running responsibilities of Blueshirts to his son Quentin, The Post has learned.
This begins the process of passing the torch to his children, something Dolan said he always hoped to accomplish.
Indeed, for the first time since he took over the Knicks and Rangers 27 years ago, Jim Dolan is reducing his involvement with one of his teams.
It all starts with 32-year-old Quentin Dolan taking over the duties of Rangers president, chief operating officer and lieutenant governor. Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury will now report to him instead of James Dolan.
The hierarchical change will not affect Drury’s responsibilities in hockey operations. Drury will continue to lead all decisions at the Rangers and work alongside the fourth oldest of Dolan’s six sons.
“I think this is what I’ve been going for, and I’m going to work as hard as I can and probably prove to myself for a while that I’m ready,” Quentin Dolan told The Post from his office at 2 Penn Plaza in his first interview.
“For me, the ultimate goal is to win a championship. My goal is to truly continue the legacy of my father and grandfather, and that’s what I realized about myself and wanted from the very beginning. This is a continuation of that, and it feels right.”
Quentin Dolan, son of Knicks owner James Dolan, is set to take over the Rangers.
Quentin Dolan’s promotion to the Rangers doesn’t change anything for the Knicks, a source said. Things remain the same for NBA champion MSG, with Jim Dolan remaining as executive chairman.
Quentin Dolan’s most notable position was as Senior Vice President of Player Performance and Science for both the Rangers and Knicks, after which he held various positions at MSG Sports and served on the MSG Sports Board of Directors as of 2021.
His experience as a consultant on several projects in sports performance, biotechnology research and product development has helped him build the infrastructure and leadership of performance science and player development within the organization.
His responsibilities included overseeing medical, strength and conditioning, nutrition, mental performance and performance data for both teams.
Prior to becoming Senior Vice President, Dolan also served as Vice President, Strategic Advisor to the Executive Chairman and Chief Investment Officer. Over the years, he worked closer and closer with his father.
The elder Dolan’s passion for work and insatiable work ethic are traits his son said he plans to take with him to this new opportunity.
Knicks owner James Dolan celebrates beating the Spurs to win the NBA championship. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
“There’s a quote that I’m not sure if he knows that I even know, that the art of management is being able to control the outcome without being there,” Quentin said. “Of course I will be much more present and involved in operational activities, but there is much more to the role. I continue to work on my management skills and keep that in mind that ultimately this is the standard I have to strive for.”
The younger Dolan was active for the Knicks, who recently ended their 53-year NBA title drought.
Knicks head coach Mike Brown even praised him during a press conference in March for his efforts in putting together a plan that kept the oft-injured Mitchell Robinson healthy.
James Dolan and son Quentin watch the Rangers take on the Devils during a 2023 playoff game with the Yankees’ Aaron Judge and his wife Samantha Braksik, Harrison Bader and Anthony Volpe. Paul J. Bereswill
And less than 12 hours after landing after a memorable night at San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center, where he was doused in champagne while holding the Larry O’Brien Trophy, Dolan was already in a meeting to discuss Rangers strategy.
“You know, that was the thought: How do we get this done with this franchise?” – he said.
Dolan was at the MSG training facility in Tarrytown with Drury and the rest of the front office during the Rangers’ first busy free agency day on Wednesday. Also taking a look at the development camp, Dolan said he enjoyed being around while everything unfolded.
A graduate of New York University with a bachelor’s degree in sports and events management, Dolan already has a working relationship with Drury and Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan, which should help ease his new responsibilities.
Quentin Dolan celebrates the Larry O’Brien Trophy after the Knicks won the NBA Championship. MSG Sports
Building relationships has been a priority for Dolan, who recognizes the importance of collaboration and instilling a winning culture.
When asked what he thinks will help him succeed in this job, Dolan noted how much he cares about it.
“And I hope that will happen over time,” he said.
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After two disappointing seasons with no playoffs, the Rangers are experiencing a turning point in team history: their Stanley Cup drought has reached 32 years. Drury has acted on his statement of retooling, making significant changes and additions to the team since sending an official letter to fans on January 16th.
It was the second communication from the organization since 2018 informing Blueshirts faithful of the new direction. Unlike the first, which came under the Jeff Gorton regime, this one ensured that the plan was not to rebuild but to look forward to a restructuring “built around our core players and prospects.”
Quentin Dolan celebrates the Larry O’Brien Trophy after the Knicks won the NBA Championship. MSG Sports
Dolan is aware of his growing profile and influence on the franchise, but he knows exactly how he will approach the position.
“That’s the same way I’ve approached it since I joined a company that honestly keeps its head down and works as hard as it can, and for me, I have an extremely high bar for when I work the hardest and I’m hard on myself,” he said. “So I believe I will continue to be hard on myself because that’s all I know how to do.”
In some ways, Dolan said he thinks he will be different from his father as he enters the next chapter of his career.
The Rangers will be the first team to see how to do this.
“The harder the task, the better I get at it,” Dolan said. “I run to these things. That’s what I’m looking for.”