David O'Connor

Managing Partner at Arctos Partners

Speaker

David J. O’Connor is a Managing Partner at Arctos Partners. In addition to his investment responsibilities for Arctos Sports Partners, Mr. O’Connor directs the Firm’s business strategy, firm governance and investor relations.

Prior to the formation of Arctos Partners, Mr. O’Connor was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Madison Square Garden Company (NYSE: MSG), whose assets include Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL), Radio City Music Hall, the Forum, Counter Logic Gaming and a number of other entertainment properties.

During his time at MSG, Mr. O’Connor oversaw all aspects of MSG’s sports business operations including media, sponsorship, ticketing, suites, hospitality, merchandizing, and venue operations, as well as representing and interfacing with NBA, NHL, and WNBA commissioners and league officials. Mr. O’Connor led the successful spin-off of MSG into a pure-play live experience company from its predecessor company, MSG Networks. He restructured numerous individual departments, most notably ticketing and sponsorship, and secured new properties for venue expansion in Las Vegas and London.

Prior to joining MSG, Mr. O’Connor spent more than 30 years at Creative Artists Agency (“CAA”), where he served as Managing Partner of the world-wide entertainment and sports agency. He began his career in the mailroom at CAA and was soon promoted to agent, representing entertainment icons such as Sean Connery, Robert Redford, Eddie Murphy, Michael Douglas, Bruce Willis, Jerry Bruckheimer and Lorne Michaels. In 1995, Mr. O’Connor took over day-to-day management and ownership of the agency along with his partners. During his leadership tenure, Mr. O’Connor led the growth, expansion and diversification of the agency with the creation of CAA Sports, quickly establishing the division as the leading sports agency in the world. Mr. O’Connor worked with all major domestic and international sports leagues, federations, and major clubs, as well as sports icons. Mr. O’Connor also led CAA’s partnership with Texas Pacific Group Capital (TPG), and led the creation of Evolution Media Capital (investment banking and advisory) and the Evolution Fund (principal investing) in collaboration with TPG.

Mr. O’Connor is a founding advisor, investor and board member of the Premiere Lacrosse League, a professional outdoor lacrosse league launched in June 2019.

Mr. O’Connor graduated with a BA from Dartmouth College where he was a four-year letterman in lacrosse.