James L. Dolan is a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, having a long career marked by leadership at major companies. He has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. since May 2024 and was...

James L. Dolan is a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, having a long career marked by leadership at major companies. He has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. since May 2024 and was the Executive Chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment from late 2022 to mid-2024. Before that, he held similar positions at AMC Networks and Cablevision for many years, where he shaped the company's direction during significant changes in the industry. Dolan has a deep connection to the family business—his father established Cablevision, and he is part of a family dynasty that continues to have major influence. His compensation package in 2023 reached over $11 million, which includes a base salary, bonuses tied to performance, and stock units. Dolan has also proven his skill in navigating the complexities of corporate governance, especially when it comes to compensation programs designed to motivate top executives. All in all, Dolan’s career reflects a blend of leadership, familial legacy, and the pursuit of corporate performance, making him a central figure at Madison Square Garden Sports.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Madison Square Garden Sports CEOs

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James L. Dolan

CEO of Madison Square Garden Sports

Education

Bachelor's degree from SUNY New Paltz

Field of Expertise

Media & Entertainment - Media

Sector of Economy

Communication Services

Born

May 11, 1955 - 70 years ago

CEO of Madison Square Garden Sports for

1 year 0 months (May 2024 - Present)

Previous Experience

Unknown

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of James L. Dolan

Holdings

See how much did James L. Dolan make over time.

James L. Dolan has a substantial stake in Madison Square Garden Sports. His holdings have fluctuated, but he owns a significant amount of stock now, highlighting his commitment to the company. Notably, he saw high value during the fiscal year...

James L. Dolan has a substantial stake in Madison Square Garden Sports. His holdings have fluctuated, but he owns a significant amount of stock now, highlighting his commitment to the company. Notably, he saw high value during the fiscal year 2023, with his compensation topping $11 million due to strong performance. His financial interests appear well-aligned with the company's success, indicating his belief in its future prospects. Given the industry's volatility, Dolan's strategic decisions and his significant equity stake will be closely watched by investors.

Mar 18, 2025

A

shares

AMCX @ $NaN

M

shares

MSGE @ $33.00

S

shares

SPHR @ $31.71

Total Stock Sold

$12.35M

MSGS

$12.35M

65,868 MSGS shares

What if they kept their stock?

If James L. Dolan didn't sell their stock, today they would have:
Extra MSGS65,868 shares worth $11.51M.
This is -6.8% and $840.43K less than what they got when they sold the stock.

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of James L. Dolan.

MSGS

$131.65K

MSGS at $209.30/share

Aug 26, 2024

Sale

MSGS

$3.35M

MSGS at $186.21/share

Mar 6, 2024

Sale

MSGS

$3.57M

MSGS at $187.81/share

Feb 28, 2024

Sale

MSGS

$5.35M

MSGS at $189.48/share

Feb 26, 2024

Sale

Compensation History

See how much did James L. Dolan make over time.

In 2023, James L. Dolan's total compensation reached about $11 million, a package heavily influenced by bonuses tied to the company's performance. His base salary was approximately $1.25 million, with about $3.25 million in bonuses reflecting strong results against set financial goals. Also included in his compensation were vested stock units, valued at around $4.9 million, marking a reward for his continued leadership and success at Madison Square Garden Sports. The overall design of his compensation plan aims to motivate him to push for long-term growth and to align with shareholder interests, making him a key player in the company's strategic direction.

Year

2022

Total Compensation

$9.85M

Salary

$1.25M

Board Justification

The compensation program is designed to align pay with performance, with a significant portion of compensation at risk, focusing on long-term incentives to drive company performance and shareholder value.

Bonus

$3.25M

Board Justification

The annual incentive award earned for performance during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, calculated at 129.9% of the target level based on pre-determined financial and strategic performance measures.

Other

$401.82K

Board Justification

Includes 401(k) plan match, excess savings plan contributions, life insurance premiums, and perquisites such as car and driver, aircraft use, and executive security.

Restricted Stock

$4.95M(31.96K RSU)

Board Justification

Restricted stock units that vested during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023.

Performance Metrics

The annual incentive compensation is based on adjusted operating income (AOI) and strategic objectives.

Other Madison Square Garden Sports CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Madison Square Garden Sports

Andrew Lustgarten

Ex-CEO of Madison Square Garden Sports

January 2019 - December 2022