At BSE Global, Shorenstein's a well-wired Chief External Affairs Officer. Also, she was appointed by Gov. Hochul to the NYS Gaming Commission. Can't hurt, right?

Either way you look at it, the appointment last September of Marissa Shorenstein as BSE Global's Chief External Affairs Officer suggests that the company, which runs the Brooklyn Nets, Barclays Center, and associated properties, wants to be a player.

First, as far as I can tell, the company never previously had a Chief External Affairs Officer to oversee "communications, community and government relations," as stated in her company bio. (Previously, Mandy Gutmann rose to become Executive VP fro Communications and Community Relations.)

Second, Shorenstein comes with an extensive resume, working in both the private sector--WeWork, AT&T, SKDK--and government, including for Andrew Cuomo's and Carl McCall's gubernatorial campaigns, and Press Secretary and Deputy Director of Communications for Gov. David Paterson.

From 2004-2007, she served as Senior Manager for Strategic Planning and Corporate Communications for the New York Jets (while going to Fordham Law at night), serving as chief spokesperson "for the controversial stadium development project on Manhattan’s West Side."

The Hochul connection

More recently, she served as Director of the Executive Transition for Gov. Kathy Hochul. That positions BSE Global that much closer to the Governor's office. Shorenstein had a solo meeting with Hochul last November, according to the Governor's schedule.

Maybe that was related to BSE Global business, maybe not.

Shorenstein in January was appointed to the six-member New York State Gaming Commission, "which regulates all aspects of gaming activity in the State, including horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering, Class III Indian Gaming, the state lottery (including video lottery terminals), commercial gaming, sports wagering, interactive fantasy sports, and charitable gaming."

That surely can't hurt efforts by BSE Global to pursue sports gambling at/near the Barclays Center.

A questionable appointment

In January, the New York Post reported Critics cry foul as Hochul appoints daughter of gambling lobbyist to NY gaming oversight board, noting that her father, "Stuart Shorenstein has long been an active lobbyist and adviser to gaming firms, and is currently listed as repping the Swedish internet gambling giant Evolution Malta, which is pushing to legalize online betting in New York."

“This is a head shaker. This is planet Albany,” John Kaehny, executive director of Reinvent Albany, told the Post, suggesting that Hochul could've appointed Shorenstein to alternative posts.

The Gaming Commission said, in the Post's paraphrase, that "it has robust policies and procedures related to recusals for all commissioners." OK sure, but that doesn't end the connections.

Company lobbying

Brooklyn Events Center, an affiliate of BSE Global, has previously lobbied regarding gambling, as I reported in 2021.

According to state filings by Brooklyn Events Center, this year it's paying $7,500/month to former Council Speaker Corey Johnson (CoJo Strategies), through August, and $8,000/month to the Parkside Group, through next May.

The latter reported lobbying on multiple issues last year and this year, but also states its current focus is sports betting.