The Golden State Warriors have named Stephen Collins Chief Operating Officer of GSW Arena LLC. Collins will oversee all operations as it relates to the Warriors state-of-the-art sports and entertainment center in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood set to open in 2018, reporting to Warriors President & Chief Operating Officer Rick Welts.
“Steve brings over 20 years of experience in operations and event management with the top venues in the industry, having served most recently in a similar position with Madison Square Garden in New York,” said Welts. “The addition of Steve to our project team in such a key role is another demonstration of our commitment to build and operate a world-class sports and entertainment arena in San Francisco.”
Collins joins the Warriors most recently from Madison Square Garden, where he was Executive Vice President of Facilities, overseeing operations for all MSG properties including Madison Square Garden Arena, Radio City Music Hall, the Los Angeles Forum, the Beacon Theater and the Chicago Theater. Collins managed the $1 billion renovation of Madison Square Garden arena, as well as the $120 million renovation of the LA Forum. In addition, he was responsible for all facility operations including food and beverage, event production and operations, merchandising, guest services, security, finance, legal, human resources and construction.
“I am honored to be joining not only a NBA Championship Team, but also an all-around first class organization,” said Collins. “The opportunity to manage the Warriors’ new state-of-the-art sports and entertainment center in San Francisco is an exciting opportunity and I’m looking forward to bringing the vision Joe Lacob and Peter Guber have for this remarkable project to reality.”
Prior to Madison Square Garden, Collins led operations for Giants Stadium and Meadowlands Arena for the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority. During his role with Giants Stadium, Collins was responsible for overseeing event management, physical plant, capital projects, and the practice facility. While with Meadowlands Arena, Collins ran event management and operations for nearly a decade.
Collins graduated from Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania with a degree in Business.