New York Post

Stuck in middle OK with new GM

- By PAUL SCHWARTZ

The Giants wanted to make a move for Joe Schoen, and there was no time to waste. They booked a flight for him from Buffalo to Newark, N.J., and, well, as anyone who waits until the last minute to make travel arrangemen­ts knows, you get what you get and you don’t get upset.

“Unfortunat­ely the only thing available was a middle seat in the rear of the plane next to the restroom,’’ Giants co-owner John Mara said Wednesday, as the team introduced Schoen as its new general manager.

And? “He never complained a bit about it, so I like him already,’’ Mara said.

No, Schoen did not complain, perhaps because he was forewarned.

“Did he say that?’’ Schoen said, smiling. “I probably shouldn’t tell you this but this is when I knew I liked John.’’

Schoen was the assistant GM for the Bills the past four years, and team owners Terry and Kim Pegula made their private jet available to the front office. So, Schoen and his boss, GM Brandon Beane, could use the Pegula’s private jet to fly to two college games at the end of the week then meet up with the team wherever it was playing that weekend.

Schoen does not have this arrangemen­t with the Giants.

“John told me, ‘Our private jet around here is called JetBlue,’ ’’ Schoen said. “So I laughed.’’

Co-owner Steve Tisch does have a private plane, but it was not available for Schoen to use earlier in the week. Hence, a middle seat. And no complaints.

“That’s not me,’’ Schoen said. “I’m going to interview for the New York Giants, I’ll ride on the wing if you need me to.’’

After getting the job Saturday, Schoen drove in with his Jeep. His family was flown in from Buffalo for the press conference on Tisch’s private jet.

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