OUR VISION
VISION
Staten Island Entertainment is the operator of the Ballpark near the Ferry in Staten Island, NY, and the owner of the Staten Island FerryHawks, the new Atlantic League professional baseball team that will begin play in 2022. We're excited to bring
professional baseball back to Staten Island and we are passionate about transforming the Ballpark near the Ferry into a year-round, fun-filled, community and entertainment destination.
A stadium is a community asset and professional baseball is just the beginning of our plans for Ballpark near the Ferry. The stadium will become a year-round entertainment venue hosting concerts, festivals, youth, high school and college sporting events, graduations and other community activities. We are committed to creating a great atmosphere for friends, families and groups of all types looking for a fun and affordable night out.
COMMUNITY ENTERTAINMENT
.jpg)
The Staten Island FerryHawks will start playing April 2022 as part of Major League Baseball’s Partnership with the Atlantic League. The Atlantic League offers the highest quality professional baseball outside of the Major Leagues. 60% of its players have MLB experience and dozens of are signed to MLB
clubs each year. The league is MLB’s preferred partner for testing out new rules and game changes. The season has 140 games and over 2.5 million fans attend Atlantic League baseball each season.
AN ECONOMIC PARTNER FOCUSED
ON STATEN ISLAND
Staten Island Entertainment is committed to being an engaged member of the community and a charitable and economic partner, hiring local residents and using local vendors wherever possible. Additionally, the ballpark and the baseball team are part of a $1 billion+ redevelopment effort of the NYC Economic Development Corporation, which includes Empire Outlets, and The Fast Ferry.
Mr. Levine has been a partner in the New York law firm of Proskauer Rose Goetz & Mendelson, was Counsel at the law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, and is presently Counsel at the law firm of Jackson Lewis P.C.
OWNERSHIP & LEADERSHIP
Staten Island Entertainment wants to create magical entertainment experiences for our visitors each time they enter our stadium. Our group is led by Eric Shuffler and John Catsimatidis along with a powerful investor group that includes: Yankee Global Enterprises, Dany Garcia, Pete Davidson, Colin Jost, Michael Che and other prominent members.
JOHN CATSIMATIDIS
John is a true son of New York; he was educated in both the parochial and public school systems earning his HS diploma from Brooklyn Tech. John enrolled in New York University to study electrical engineering; going to school during the day and working in a small grocery store on nights and weekends to help his parents pay the bills. With just 8 credits remaining to graduate, John left NYU to work in the grocery business full-time. By his 25th birthday he was already a success with 10 Red Apple Supermarkets on Manhattan’s Upper Westside. Today, the Red Apple Group has evolved into a diversified corporation with holdings in the energy, aviation, retail and real estate sectors and over 8,000 employees, with approximately 2,000 located in NYC. John is a firm believer in giving back to the community and has been a strong supporter of the Police Athletic League for nearly 30 years.
ERIC SHUFFLER
Eric is the President of Magic Waters Baseball and the River Crossing Strategy Group, a strategic consulting and government affairs firm. Eric lives in NYC with his wife and two sons and is an active member of his community, a longtime little league coach, PTA President and member of his Community Board. He is a passionate baseball fan and a lifelong Mets devotee.
Eric has held many senior positions in government including serving as the Director of the New Jersey Office of Recovery and Victim Assistance after the September 11th terrorist attacks; Counselor, chief policy adviser and speechwriter to two New Jersey Governors and Chief of Staff to a United States Senator on Capitol Hill.
RANDY LEVINE
Randy Levine is the President of the New York Yankees. He was named to his position in January 2000, becoming the first person to hold the post with the club since 1986. Mr. Levine was a principal founder of the YES Network, which is the most-watched regional sports network in the United States. Before joining the Yankees, Mr. Levine served as New York City’s Deputy Mayor for Economic Development, Planning and Administration. He also served as New York City’s Labor Commissioner.
Gary began his Professional Sports career in 2001, by serving as the Brooklyn Cyclones, Director of Community Relations. In 2004, he was selected to attend the Major League Baseball Scout School where he received his certification. He was awarded the MiLB Presidential Citation in 2010 for his involvement and assistance with the MiLB Diversity and Inclusion Program. In 2012 and then again in 2016 he was selected by the New York Penn League (MILB) as the Robert Julian Award for Community Service & Baseball Award. In addition to his duties with the Cyclones, he has created or spearheaded many industry and citywide initiative's such as the Long Ball Club, NYC Varsity League, and the largest youth baseball tournament in NYC the Borough Cup. Gary continues to serve as President / Co-Founder of the Borough Cup, Vice President of the New York Pro Baseball Scouts Association (Hot Stove League) and Board Advisor to the Greater NY Sandlot Athletic Association. Gary attended St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights. Gary and his wife, Ellena have four children: Nicolette, Dominique, Alexandrea and Gary John.
GARY PERONE - GENERAL MANAGER
CONNECT WITH US
Help shape the future of the Ballpark near the Ferry and Staten Island's next professional baseball team, the FerryHawks. Send us your ideas as we prepare to put a winning team on the field and an exciting lineup of entertainment on the books. Follow the FerryHawks on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. To connect with someone now, email fun@sinyentertainment.com.
