Hank Ratner

Hank J. Ratner is vice chairman of Cablevision Systems Corporation, one of the nation's leading entertainment, media and telecommunications companies. He also serves as vice chairman of Cablevision's Madison Square Garden unit, which includes the arena complex, the New York Knicks and Rangers, the WNBA Liberty, two regional sports networks and Radio City Music Hall. A long-time Cablevision executive, Mr. Ratner helps to set corporate direction and strategy, and is the primary executive overseeing major business partnerships and transactions. He works closely with Cablevision Chief Executive Officer and MSG Chairman James L. Dolan on the overall advancement of the corporation as well as the day-to-day oversight of MSG and its business units. On behalf of the Knicks and Rangers, Mr. Ratner serves as alternate governor to the National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League. Prior to being appointed Cablevision vice chairman, Mr. Ratner served as vice chairman of Rainbow Media Holdings, the company's programming subsidiary. At Rainbow, he helped lead the executive management team that directs AMC, IFC (The Independent Film Channel), WE tv, News 12 Networks and Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation. Throughout his tenure, Mr. Ratner has been influential in formulating and implementing management activity and strategic direction for Rainbow, Cablevision and MSG. Most recently, in 2005 he led Cablevision's negotiations with News Corporation to restructure the ownership of assets held by Regional Programming Partners, a partnership between the two companies. This restructuring gave Cablevision 100 percent ownership of MSG and its properties. In addition, Mr. Ratner has a long history of managing Cablevision's sports and entertainment programming rights and relationships, as well as its programming development efforts. In 2003, he was responsible for negotiating Rainbow's sale of Bravo to NBC for $1.25 billion. He also played a primary role in the landmark agreement between Rainbow and MGM, and the establishment and management of Rainbow's long and fruitful partnership with NBC. Mr. Ratner joined Cablevision as assistant general counsel in 1987. A year later, he moved to Rainbow Media, where he oversaw the programming pioneer's legal and business affairs departments in various capacities. Appointed the subsidiary's chief operating officer in 1998, Mr. Ratner was named vice chairman of Rainbow Media in 2002 before moving to Cablevision and MSG later that year. Previously, Mr. Ratner was an associate with the law firm of Sullivan & Cromwell. He received a bachelor's degree and doctorate of law with distinction from Emory University.