NEW YORK, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (NYSE: MSGS) today reported financial results for the fiscal first quarter ended September 30, 2024.
(PRNewsfoto/MSG SPORTS, LLC)
Last month, the New York Knicks ("Knicks") and New York Rangers ("Rangers") began their 2024-25 regular seasons at the Madison Square Garden Arena. Recent Company operating highlights include:
The combined average season ticket renewal rate for the Knicks and Rangers is approximately 97% for the 2024-25 seasons;
The Company announced a new multi-year marketing partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi that includes naming 'Experience Abu Dhabi' as the Official Patch Partner of the New York Knicks;
The Company also recently signed a new multi-year sponsorship deal with Lenovo and its subsidiary Motorola Mobility, as well as multi-year sponsorship renewals with Verizon and Benjamin Moore; and
The suites business continues to benefit from strong renewals and new sales activity, including the event-level club space, which was introduced during the 2023-24 seasons and was recently expanded.
In the fiscal 2024 first quarter, the Company generated revenues of $53.3 million, an increase of $10.3 million, or 24%, as compared to the prior year period. In addition, the Company reported an operating loss of $8.3 million, an improvement of $6.6 million, or 44%, and an adjusted operating loss of $2.3 million, an improvement of $7.7 million, or 77%, both as compared to the prior year period.(1)
Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. Executive Chairman and CEO James L. Dolan said, "The new fiscal year already includes several operational highlights across our key revenue categories, including in ticketing, sponsorships and suites. We look forward to continuing this momentum through the Knicks' and Rangers' seasons and remain confident that we are well-positioned to generate long-term shareholder value."
Financial Results for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Change
$ millions
2024
2023
$
%
Revenues
$ 53.3
$ 43.0
$ 10.3
24 %
Operating loss
$ (8.3)
$ (14.8)
$ 6.6
44 %
Adjusted operating loss(1)
$ (2.3)
$ (10.0)
$ 7.7
77 %
Note: Does not foot due to rounding
1. See page 3 of this earnings release for the definition of adjusted operating income (loss) included in the discussion of non-GAAP financial measures.
Summary of Financial Results For the fiscal 2025 first quarter, revenues of $53.3 million increased $10.3 million, or 24%, as compared to the prior year period. This increase primarily reflects higher revenues of $9.7 million due to an increase in certain league distributions unrelated to national media rights fees.
Direct operating expenses of $8.2 million increased $4.7 million as compared to the prior year period. This increase primarily reflects higher net provisions for league revenue sharing expense (net of escrow and excluding playoffs) and NBA luxury tax of $4.1 million due to the net impact of adjustments to prior seasons' revenue sharing expense (net of escrow).
Selling, general and administrative expenses of $52.6 million decreased $1.0 million, or 2%, as compared to the prior year period.
Operating loss of $8.3 million improved $6.6 million, or 44%, and adjusted operating loss of $2.3 million improved $7.7 million, or 77%, both as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to the increase in revenues and, to a lesser extent, lower selling, general and administrative expenses, partially offset by higher direct operating expenses.
About Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (MSG Sports) is a leading professional sports company, with a collection of assets that includes the New York Knicks (NBA) and the New York Rangers (NHL), as well as two development league teams – the Westchester Knicks (NBAGL) and the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL). MSG Sports also operates a professional sports team performance center – the MSG Training Center in Greenburgh, NY. More information is available at www.msgsports.com.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures We define adjusted operating income (loss), which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as operating income (loss) excluding (i) depreciation, amortization and impairments of property and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets, (ii) share-based compensation expense or benefit, (iii) restructuring charges or credits, (iv) gains or losses on sales or dispositions of businesses, (v) the impact of purchase accounting adjustments related to business acquisitions, and (vi) gains and losses related to the remeasurement of liabilities under the Company's Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. Because it is based upon operating income (loss), adjusted operating income (loss) also excludes interest expense (including cash interest expense) and other non-operating income and expense items. We believe that the exclusion of share-based compensation expense or benefit allows investors to better track the performance of our business without regard to the settlement of an obligation that is not expected to be made in cash. In addition, we believe that the exclusion of gains and losses related to the remeasurement of liabilities under the Company's Executive Deferred Compensation Plan provides investors with a clearer picture of the Company's operating performance given that, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), gains and losses related to the remeasurement of liabilities under the Company's Executive Deferred Compensation Plan are recognized in Operating (income) loss whereas gains and losses related to the remeasurement of the assets under the Company's Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, which are equal to and therefore fully offset the gains and losses related to the remeasurement of liabilities, are recognized in Miscellaneous income (expense), net, which is not reflected in Operating income (loss).
We believe adjusted operating income (loss) is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of our Company. Adjusted operating income (loss) and similar measures with similar titles are common performance measures used by investors and analysts to analyze our performance. Internally, we use revenues and adjusted operating income (loss) as the most important indicators of our business performance, and evaluate management's effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators. Adjusted operating income (loss) should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for operating income (loss), net income (loss), cash flows from operating activities, and other measures of performance and/or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Since adjusted operating income (loss) is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, this measure may not be comparable to similar measures with similar titles used by other companies. For a reconciliation of operating income (loss) to adjusted operating income (loss), please see page 5 of this earnings release.
Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results, developments and events may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including financial community and rating agency perceptions of the Company and its business, operations, financial condition and the industry in which it operates, and the factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the sections titled "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained therein. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein.
Contacts: Ari Danes, CFA Investor Relations and Financial Communications (212) 465-6072
Basic loss per common share attributable to Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.'s stockholders
$ (0.31)
$ (0.79)
Diluted loss per common share attributable to Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.'s stockholders
$ (0.31)
$ (0.79)
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding
24,049
23,971
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding
24,049
23,971
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN SPORTS CORP. ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) TO ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) (In thousands) (Unaudited)
The following is a description of the adjustments to operating loss in arriving at adjusted operating loss as described in this earnings release:
Depreciation and amortization. This adjustment eliminates depreciation, amortization and impairments of property and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets in all periods.
Share-based compensation. This adjustment eliminates the compensation expense related to restricted stock units and stock options granted under the Company's employee stock plan and non-employee director plan in all periods.
Remeasurement of deferred compensation plan liabilities. This adjustment eliminates the impact of gains and losses related to the remeasurement of liabilities under the Company's executive deferred compensation plan.
Three Months Ended
September 30,
2024
2023
Operating loss
$ (8,273)
$ (14,824)
Depreciation and amortization
782
794
Share-based compensation
4,268
4,149
Remeasurement of deferred compensation plan liabilities
965
(104)
Adjusted operating loss(1)
$ (2,258)
$ (9,985)
____________________
(1)
Adjusted operating loss includes operating lease costs which is comprised of a contractual cash component plus or minus a non-cash component for each period presented. Pursuant to GAAP, recognition of operating lease costs is recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement based upon the value of total future payments under the arrangement. Adjusted operating loss includes operating lease costs of (i) $854 and $829 of expense paid in cash for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively, and (ii) a non-cash expense of $457 and $482 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN SPORTS CORP
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2024
June 30, 2024
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 52,252
$ 89,136
Restricted cash
5,832
5,771
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $0 as of September 30,
2024 and June 30, 2024
45,302
33,781
Net related party receivables
26,018
32,255
Prepaid expenses
84,260
30,956
Other current assets
22,116
25,043
Total current assets
235,780
216,942
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $51,199 and
$52,281 as of September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024, respectively
28,282
28,541
Right-of-use lease assets
692,412
694,566
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
103,644
103,644
Goodwill
226,523
226,523
Investments
64,450
62,543
Other assets
22,206
13,533
Total assets
$ 1,373,297
$ 1,346,292
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN SPORTS CORP
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2024
June 30, 2024
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable
$ 5,334
$ 9,900
Net related party payables
4,658
6,718
Debt
30,000
30,000
Accrued liabilities:
Employee related costs
68,766
133,930
League-related accruals
98,215
120,876
Other accrued liabilities
11,064
21,613
Operating lease liabilities, current
49,799
50,267
Deferred revenue
306,839
148,678
Total current liabilities
574,675
521,982
Long-term debt
275,000
275,000
Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent
738,555
749,952
Defined benefit obligations
4,104
4,103
Other employee related costs
47,580
43,493
Deferred tax liabilities, net
9,792
16,925
Deferred revenue, noncurrent
1,120
1,147
Total liabilities
1,650,826
1,612,602
Commitments and contingencies
Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. Stockholders' Equity:
Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01, 120,000 shares authorized; 19,465 and 19,423
shares outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024, respectively
204
204
Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01, 30,000 shares authorized; 4,530 shares outstanding
as of September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024
45
45
Preferred stock, par value $0.01, 15,000 shares authorized; none outstanding as of
September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024
—
—
Additional paid-in capital
8,353
19,079
Treasury stock, at cost, 983 and 1,025 shares as of September 30, 2024 and June 30, 2024,
respectively
(162,504)
(169,547)
Accumulated deficit
(122,689)
(115,139)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(938)
(952)
Total equity
(277,529)
(266,310)
Total liabilities and equity
$ 1,373,297
$ 1,346,292
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN SPORTS CORP
SELECTED CASH FLOW INFORMATION
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
September 30,
2024
2023
Net cash used in operating activities
$ (26,158)
$ (54,141)
Net cash used in investing activities
(1,163)
(1,729)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(9,502)
67,830
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
(36,823)
11,960
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period
94,907
40,459
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
