Sports Media Report
MSG Networks today announced a month-long lineup of special programming in May to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and recognize the influence and tremendous contributions of the AAPI community on the world of sports.
The commemorative coverage will include a series of interstitial vignettes that put a spotlight on the incredible achievements of trailblazing AAPI athletes throughout history that continue to have a lasting impact on sports and society. Some of the individuals that will be featured include Wataru “Wat” Misaka, who became the first Asian American to play in the NBA after getting drafted by the Knicks in 1947, Olympic diver Manalo Draves, who became the first Asian-American woman to earn an Olympic Gold medal back in 1948 or Larry Kwong, who became the first player of Asian descent to suit up in an NHL game when he took the ice with the Rangers in 1948.
The programming during the month will also pay tribute and honor the individuals, organizations and businesses that help shape the culture and proudly represent the AAPI community across New York City. Some of the original content will include:
- Behind-the-scenes look at the work inside the kitchen of Tao Group’s Executive Chefs Ken Yang Kangchao and Erin Cayaban
- Profile on the New York Titans, an Asian American youth basketball team based in Queens and member of Junior Knicks organization
- Interview with Knicks assistant coach Dice Yoshimoto, who became the second Asian American to ever lead an NBA team when he served as the Knicks summer league head coach in 2021
The lineup will also include re-airs of top Knicks games from the 2012 season, which featured Jeremy Lin’s improbable and inspiring rise to NBA stardom. The Knicks and Lin, the first American basketball player of Taiwanese descent to play in the NBA, put together a memorable winning streak that season that captivated the fanbase and the city.
All AAPI Heritage Month programming airing in May will also be available on MSG GO, the network’s live streaming and video on demand platform.
