Josephine Vaccarello Promoted to President of MSG Entertainment
Josephine Vaccarello, a nearly thirty‑year MSG employee, was promoted to president of Madison Square Garden Entertainment. She will oversee strategy, operations, and bookings for venues such as Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and the Sphere in Las Vegas, while continuing to manage con…
By Felo News Desk · Published
On September 21, 2026, Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. announced that Josephine Vaccarello would become the company’s president. The promotion follows her long tenure with the organization, during which she rose from an administrative assistant to executive vice‑president of live events.
From Administrative Assistant to Executive Leadership
Vaccarello joined MSG in 1998, initially handling administrative tasks. Over the next twenty‑seven years she held a succession of roles that broadened her expertise across the company’s portfolio. Her most recent position was executive vice‑president of live, where she was responsible for booking concerts, sporting events, and high‑profile residencies. Notable projects under her purview included residencies for artists such as Billy Joel and Harry Styles.
Scope of the New Role
As president, Vaccarello will lead strategy and operations for MSG’s live‑event business. Her responsibilities cover entertainment and sports bookings at the company’s venues—Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, and others—excluding the New York Rangers and New York Knicks. She will also maintain oversight of live bookings for the Sphere in Las Vegas, a venue owned by Sphere Entertainment Co. and part of the MSG family of companies.
In addition to venue bookings, Vaccarello will continue to manage concert residencies and touring acts at the Sphere. The venue has been a top performer in Billboard’s 2025 year‑end Boxscore charts, ranking No. 1 among venues with capacities between 2,501 and 5,000 seats. Radio City Music Hall, another flagship property, topped the list for venues with capacities between 5,001 and 10,000 seats.
MSG’s Live‑Event Portfolio
MSG Entertainment’s portfolio extends beyond sports. The company also operates the Radio City Rockettes and hosts the annual Radio City Christmas Spectacular. These events, along with the company’s concert and sports programming, form a diverse mix that attracts millions of fans each year.
Leadership Endorsements
Jim Dolan, MSG’s executive chairman and CEO, praised Vaccarello’s impact on the company. “Over her nearly thirty‑year career with MSG, Josephine has not only been instrumental in growing our live event business but also established herself as one of the industry’s most impactful and respected leaders,” Dolan said. He added that her deep understanding of MSG’s businesses and industry relationships will help the company pursue innovative growth opportunities and maintain its leadership position in live experiences.
Vaccarello echoed Dolan’s sentiment, saying she was fortunate to build her career at a company that “uses the breadth of its portfolio to offer a wide range of events that push live entertainment forward and create unforgettable experiences for millions of fans each year.” She expressed enthusiasm for her expanded role and a commitment to working with teams across the MSG family of companies.
Implications for MSG’s Future
Vaccarello’s promotion signals MSG’s intent to strengthen its live‑event strategy under seasoned leadership. Her experience with high‑profile residencies and her long‑standing relationships with artists, promoters, and venue operators position her to drive growth across the company’s venues. The move also underscores MSG’s confidence in its internal talent pipeline, having promoted a longtime employee to the company’s top executive position.
What’s Next?
While the announcement outlines Vaccarello’s new responsibilities, the company has not yet detailed specific initiatives she will spearhead. Industry observers anticipate that she may focus on expanding the company’s presence in emerging markets, enhancing digital fan experiences, and exploring new partnership opportunities. MSG’s next quarterly earnings report and upcoming event schedules will likely provide further insight into the direction the company is taking under her leadership.
Unresolved Questions
Some observers noted that the announcement did not clarify whether Vaccarello will retain any operational duties at the Sphere or if her role will be purely strategic. Additionally, while the promotion highlights her influence over entertainment and sports bookings, it remains unclear how she will balance these responsibilities with the ongoing management of the Radio City Rockettes and the Christmas Spectacular.
As MSG moves forward, stakeholders will watch to see how Vaccarello’s leadership shapes the company’s portfolio of live events, especially in a competitive entertainment landscape where venues are continually innovating to attract audiences.
Key facts
- Josephine Vaccarello promoted to president of MSG Entertainment
- She will oversee strategy and operations for all MSG venues except Rangers and Knicks
- Vaccarello has a 27‑year career at MSG, rising from administrative assistant to EVP of live
- She will continue managing concert residencies at the Sphere in Las Vegas
- Jim Dolan praised her industry relationships and impact on the company
- The promotion reflects MSG’s confidence in internal talent
- Future initiatives under her leadership remain to be detailed
Why it matters
Josephine Vaccarello’s elevation to president marks a significant shift in MSG Entertainment’s leadership, potentially steering the company toward new growth avenues in live entertainment while reinforcing its commitment to internal talent development.
Frequently asked questions
What venues does MSG Entertainment operate?
MSG Entertainment operates Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, and other venues, as well as the Sphere in Las Vegas and the Radio City Rockettes.
Will Vaccarello handle sports bookings for the Rangers and Knicks?
No, her new role excludes sports bookings for the New York Rangers and New York Knicks.
What is Vaccarello’s background with MSG?
She joined MSG in 1998 as an administrative assistant and progressed to executive vice‑president of live, where she managed concerts, sporting events, and residencies.
