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.
Programming during the month will pay tribute to and honor individuals, organizations and businesses that amplify the voices and contributions of the AAPI community in sports and culture across New York. Original content will include:
• An interview with Frank Chi, director of Emmy-nominated documentary “38 at The Garden,” chronicling former Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin’s inspiring rise to NBA stardom. The network will also re-air the memorable Knicks / Lakers game from 2012, where Lin scored 38 points against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, with special commentary from director Frank Chi.
• A profile on the Japanese Friendship Basketball League, which brings together Japanese visitors and ex-pats to play pick-up games in Hudson River Park.
• A behind-the-scenes look into three restaurants near Madison Square Garden with Jaeki Cho, the social media influencer behind “Righteous Eats.” In addition, the network is partnering with the Welcome to Chinatown organization to showcase voices from different AAPI communities across New York neighborhoods. Interviews with various members of the AAPI community, such as photographer Alan Chin, and businesses, such as Imperial Ballroom Dance Studio and Chinatown restaurant Wo Hop, will be featured across MSG Networks’ social channels throughout the month.
The lineup will also 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, and 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.
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.
