Madison Square Garden Sports Corp MSGS

NEW YORK, Nov. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (NYSE: MSGS) today reported financial results for the fiscal first quarter ended September 30, 2023.  

With the 2023-24 New York Knicks ("Knicks") and New York Rangers ("Rangers") seasons now underway, the Company is seeing continued positive operating momentum across its business. The combined season ticket renewal rate for the Knicks and Rangers is over 94%, which is on a larger renewable base than the prior year.  Renewal and new sales activity remains robust in suites, and, in sponsorships, the Company has signed a number of new marketing partners leading into the seasons. In addition, the Company anticipates continued growth in both local and national media rights fees in fiscal 2024 due to ongoing annual contractual rate escalators.

For the fiscal 2024 first quarter, the Company generated revenues of $43.0 million, an increase of $19.0 million, or 79%, as compared to the prior year period. In addition, the Company reported an operating loss of $14.8 million, an improvement of $21.1 million, or 59%, and an adjusted operating loss of $10.0 million, an improvement of $17.8 million, or 64%, both as compared to the prior year period. ⁽¹⁾

Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. Executive Chairman James L. Dolan said, "We are pleased with the positive momentum we have seen in our business so far this fiscal year. We are confident that the enduring popularity of our teams and strength of our operations has us well-positioned to drive long-term shareholder value."

Summary of Reported Results from Operations
For the fiscal 2024 first quarter, revenues of $43.0 million increased $19.0 million, or 79%, as compared to the prior year period. This increase primarily reflects higher revenues of $17.0 million due to an increase in and the timing of recognition of certain league distributions unrelated to national media rights fees.

Direct operating expenses of $3.5 million decreased $0.2 million, or 4%, as compared to the prior year period. This decrease was primarily driven by lower team personnel compensation of $1.3 million, partially offset by an increase of $1.0 million in net provisions for league revenue sharing expense (net of escrow and excluding playoffs) and NBA luxury tax.

Selling, general and administrative expenses of $53.6 million decreased $1.7 million, or 3%, as compared to the prior year period. This decrease was driven by lower employee compensation and related benefits of $2.7 million, primarily due to executive management transition costs recognized in the prior year period, partially offset by higher other expenses. 

Operating loss of $14.8 million improved $21.1 million, or 59%, as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to the increase in revenues and, to a lesser extent, the decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses (including share-based compensation). Adjusted operating loss of $10.0 million improved $17.8 million, or 64%, as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to the increase in revenues, partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding share-based compensation).

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
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company amended its definition of adjusted operating income (loss) so that the impact of the non-cash portion of operating lease costs related to the Company's arena license agreements with MSG Entertainment is no longer excluded in the calculation of adjusted operating income (loss) in all periods presented.

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 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.  

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN SPORTS CORP.
ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) TO
ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
(In thousands)

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. 

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SOURCE Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.