Jack Krumpe

John H. Krumpe (January 26, 1936 – March 22, 2020) was an American sports executive who served as CEO of the Madison Square Garden Corporation, New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, and Javits Center and president of the New York Racing Association, New York Rangers, New York Knicks, and New York Islanders.

Early life

Krumpe was born on January 26, 1936 on Staten Island.[1] He graduated from Curtis High School and Dartmouth College, where he majored in history and was a member of the football, basketball, rugby, and baseball teams. In 1959 he graduated from the New York University School of Business. Krumpe began his business career with Union Carbide, however, he soon left to join the New York Racing Association's accounting department.[2]

NYRA

In 1960, Krumpe joined the New York Racing Association as an accountant. He rose through the organization, serving as assistant director and later director of mutuels, vice president of mutuel operations, comptroller, and vice president in charge of operations. On July 13, 1972 he was named president of the NYRA, succeeding Frank M. Basil.[2] He resigned as president on April 26, 1974, stating that the job was "no longer fun".[3] He later added that he was frustrated with the state bureaucracy, which he believed had "no long term solutions to racing's problems".[4]

New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority

On May 21, 1974, Krumpe was named CEO of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. The NJSEA oversaw the construction of the Meadowlands Sports Complex, which was to consist of a new football stadium for the New York Giants and a horse racing track. NJSEA Chairman Sonny Werblin called Krumpe "the top sports administrator in the United States, next to Pete Rozelle" and called Krumpe's hiring "my happiest announcement since the signing of Joe Namath".[4]

Madison Square Garden

On June 29, 1978, Krumpe resigned from the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to become executive vice president of the Madison Square Garden Corporation. He joined Sonny Werblin, who joined MSG in December 1977.[5] In September 1981, Krumpe was named president of the New York Rangers, succeeding William M. Jennings, who died a month earlier.[6] When Michael Burke retired as president of Madison Square Garden Corporation and the New York Knicks the following year, Krumpe succeeded him in these posts.[7] During his tenure as MSG's president, he fired general managers of both teams as well as Rangers coach Herb Brooks. In October 1985, Gulf+Western, MSG's parent company, hired Alan Fields to assume Krumpe's title of COO and control most of the arena's business and entertainment operations outside of the Rangers and Knicks. On July 17, 1986, Krumpe became president and CEO of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.[8] He worked for both MSG and the Javits Center until Richard H. Evans was named president and CEO of Madison Square Garden Corporation on November 3, 1986.[9]

New York Islanders

In 1989, Krumpe left the Javits Center to become president of the New York Islanders.[10] He remained in this position until the team was purchased by Cablevision in August 1992.[11]

References

1. Viuker, Steve (May 7, 1989). "The Business of Bringing People Together". The New York Times.
2. Nichols, Joe (July 14, 1972). "Krumpe Named to N.Y.R.A. Post". The New York Times.
3. Cady, Steve (April 27, 1974). "Krumpe Out As President Of N.Y.R.A.". The New York Times.
4. Eskenazi, Gerald (May 22, 1974). "Krumpe to Head Jersey Sports Complex". The New York Times.
5. "Krumpe Named To Garden Post". The New York Times. July 30, 1978.
6. Clarity, James F. (October 1, 1981). "Duguay Agrees to Terms; Rangers Win". The New York Times.
7. Goldaper, Sam (September 20, 1981). "Burke Is Retiring From Garden Posts". The New York Times.
8. Calabria, Pat (July 18, 1986). "Krumpe Leaves Garden". Newsday.
9. Goldaper, Sam (November 4, 1986). "Evans Is Named President of Garden". The New York Times.
10. "Torrey Named Isle Chairman". Edmonton Journal. July 15, 1989.
11. Yanniss, Alex (August 18, 1992). "Cablevision Buys Islanders, and the Torrey Era End". The New York Times.

Preceded by Frank M. Basil	President of the New York Racing Association 1972–74	Succeeded by Thomas J. FitzGerald
Preceded by Sonny Werblin	CEO of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority 1974–78	Succeeded by Robert G. Harter
Preceded by William M. Jennings	President of the New York Rangers 1981–86	Succeeded by Richard Evans
Preceded by Michael Burke	President of the Madison Square Garden Corporation President of the New York Knicks 1982–86	Succeeded by Richard Evans
Preceded by Thomas F. Galvin	President of the Javits Center 1986–89	Succeeded by Sol Chick Chaikin
Preceded by Bill Torrey	President of the New York Islanders 1989–92	Succeeded by Jerome Grossman