Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. Reports Fiscal 2022 Second Quarter Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (NYSE: MSGS) reported FY2022 Q2 revenues of $289.6 million, a significant rise from $28.8 million in the previous year. Operating income reached $35.9 million, up $74.3 million year-over-year, while adjusted operating income improved to $55.7 million. The company benefited from the return of fans to The Garden, leading to increased ticket sales and media rights fees. Comparatively, the prior year saw significant restrictions due to COVID-19. The positive momentum is expected to continue throughout the fiscal year.

Positive

• Revenues increased by $260.8 million compared to the previous year due to increased attendance and fan engagement.
• Regular season average per-game revenues exceeded pre-pandemic levels, indicating strong demand.
• Operating income improved to $35.9 million from an operating loss of $38.4 million in the prior year.

Negative

• None.

FY2022 Second Quarter Revenues of $289.6 Million, Operating Income of $35.9 Million and AOI of $55.7 Million⁽¹⁾

FY2022 Second Quarter Regular Season Per-Game Revenues Above Pre-Pandemic Levels⁽²⁾

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (NYSE: MSGS) today reported financial results for the fiscal second quarter ended December 31, 2021.

The New York Knicks (“Knicks”) and New York Rangers (“Rangers”) began their 2021-22 regular seasons in October, which include full season schedules and no capacity restrictions at the Madison Square Garden Arena ("The Garden"). The Company is seeing positive results across its key revenue lines driven by robust consumer and corporate demand. For the fiscal 2022 second quarter, regular season average per-game ticket revenue was in line with pro-forma results for the fiscal 2020 second quarter, the most recent pre-pandemic period.⁽²⁾ In addition, regular season average per-game suite and sponsorship revenues as well as food, beverage and merchandise per-caps exceeded results for that same pre-pandemic period. Local and national media rights fees were also higher, reflecting contractual rate increases and the impact of the NHL's new U.S. media rights agreements.

As a result of this positive momentum, the Company generated revenues of $289.6 million, operating income of $35.9 million and adjusted operating income of $55.7 million for the fiscal 2022 second quarter.⁽¹⁾ The comparability of fiscal 2022 and 2021 second quarter results is impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which, in the prior year period, caused the delayed starts to the 2020-21 NBA and NHL seasons. During the second quarter of fiscal 2022, the Knicks and Rangers played a combined 35 pre/regular season home games with no capacity restrictions, as compared with four Knicks home games without fans in attendance and no Rangers home games in the prior year period. As a result, the Company’s financial performance in the fiscal 2022 second quarter reflects significant improvements compared to the fiscal 2021 second quarter in which the Company generated $28.8 million in revenues, an operating loss of $38.4 million and an adjusted operating loss of $19.0 million.

Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. President and CEO Andrew Lustgarten said, “We are pleased with how quickly our business has returned to pre-pandemic levels, with our second quarter results reflecting robust ongoing demand for the Knicks and Rangers. We will look to build on this momentum through the rest of the fiscal year and remain confident in the value of owning iconic professional sports franchises.”

Results from Operations
Results for the three and six months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 are as follows:

		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		December 31,				Change				December 31,				Change
$ millions		2021		2020		$		%		2021		2020		$		%
Revenues		$ 289.6		$ 28.8		$ 260.8		NM		$ 308.4		$ 85.8		$ 222.6		NM
Operating income (loss)		$ 35.9		$ (38.4)		$ 74.3		NM		$ 1.0		$ (65.8)		$ 66.8		NM
Adjusted operating income (loss)(1)		$ 55.7		$ (19.0)		$ 74.7		NM		$ 27.5		$ (36.8)		$ 64.3		NM

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.
2. Fiscal 2020 second quarter results on a pro-forma basis for the spin-off of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp ("MSG Entertainment").

Summary of Reported Results from Operations for the Fiscal 2022 Second Quarter
For the fiscal 2022 second quarter, the Company generated revenues of $289.6 million, as compared to revenues of $28.8 million in the prior year period, an increase of $260.8 million. The year-over-year comparability of fiscal second quarter revenues was impacted by several factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in higher pre/regular season ticket-related revenues, local media rights fees, league distribution revenues, suite license revenues, and sponsorship and signage revenues in the current year period.

Pre/regular season ticket-related revenues increased $100.8 million as compared to the prior year period due to restrictions in place during the prior year period that prohibited fans from attending events at The Garden.

Local media rights fees increased $50.9 million as compared to the prior year period due to the delayed start of the 2020-21 NBA and NHL regular seasons and the impact of the shortened 2020-21 NHL regular season schedule in the prior year period, as well as contractual rate increases.

League distribution revenues increased $44.8 million as compared to the prior year period, primarily as a result of the delayed start of the 2020-21 NBA and NHL regular seasons in the prior year period, as well as increased NHL media rights fees in the current year period.

Suite license fee revenues increased $34.3 million, sponsorship and signage revenues increased $20.2 million, and food, beverage and merchandise sales increased $8.5 million, all as compared to the prior year period, as a result of restrictions in place during the prior year period that prohibited fans from attending events at The Garden.

Direct operating expenses of $192.8 million increased $176.2 million as compared with the prior year period, primarily due to the delayed start of the 2020-21 NBA and NHL regular seasons in the prior year period. As a result, team personnel compensation increased $91.1 million, other team operating expenses increased $36.4 million, and operating lease costs, including deferred operating lease costs, under the Arena License Agreements with MSG Entertainment increased $25.5 million, all as compared to the prior year period. Net provisions for league revenue sharing expense (net of escrow) and NBA luxury tax increased $20.8 million as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to higher provisions for league revenue sharing expense (net of escrow) as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the prior year period, partially offset by higher recoveries of NBA luxury tax in the current year period.

Selling, general and administrative expenses of $59.6 million increased $10.7 million, or 22%, as compared to the prior year period. This increase was primarily due to higher marketing costs, fees related to the Company's sponsorship sales and service representation agreements with MSG Entertainment, and costs related to the Company's services agreement with MSG Entertainment.

Operating income of $35.9 million improved $74.3 million and adjusted operating income of $55.7 million improved by $74.7 million, both as compared with the prior year period, primarily due to the increase in revenues, partially offset by higher direct operating expenses and, to a lesser extent, higher selling, general and administrative 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); two development league teams – the Westchester Knicks (NBAGL) and the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL); and esports teams through Counter Logic Gaming, a leading North American esports organization, and Knicks Gaming, an NBA 2K League franchise. MSG Sports also operates two professional sports team performance centers – the MSG Training Center in Greenburgh, NY and the CLG Performance Center in Los Angeles, CA. 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) deferred rent expense under the Arena License Agreements with MSG Entertainment, (ii) depreciation, amortization and impairments of property and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets, (iii) share-based compensation expense or benefit, (iv) restructuring charges or credits, (v) gains or losses on sales or dispositions of businesses, and (vi) the impact of purchase accounting adjustments related to business acquisitions. 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. We believe that given the length of the Arena License Agreements and resulting magnitude of the difference in deferred rent expense and the cash rent payments, the exclusion of deferred rent expense provides investors with a clearer picture of the Company's operating performance.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“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, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic 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.

Conference Call Information:
The conference call will be Webcast live today at 10:00 a.m. ET at investor.msgsports.com
Conference call dial-in number is 833-942-2482 / Conference ID Number 6569519
Conference call replay number is 855-859-2056 / Conference ID Number 6569519 until February 10, 2022

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		December 31,				December 31,
		2021		2020		2021		2020
Revenues		$ 289,581		$ 28,771		$ 308,375		$ 85,809
Direct operating expenses		192,847		16,661		201,425		56,447
Selling, general and administrative expenses		59,600		48,909		103,328		91,905
Depreciation and amortization		1,215		1,607		2,641		3,267
Operating income (loss)		35,919		(38,406)		981		(65,810)
Other income (expense):
Interest income		43		—		93		—
Interest expense		(3,585)		(2,487)		(6,688)		(4,476)
Miscellaneous expense, net		(64)		(70)		(127)		(190)
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes		32,313		(40,963)		(5,741)		(70,476)
Income tax (expense) benefit		(17,115)		(170)		4,054		328
Net income (loss)		15,198		(41,133)		(1,687)		(70,148)
Less: Net loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests		(647)		(508)		(1,127)		(1,106)
Net income (loss) attributable to Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.’s stockholders		$ 15,845		$ (40,625)		$ (560)		$ (69,042)
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.’s stockholders		$ 0.65		$ (1.68)		$ (0.02)		$ (2.86)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.’s stockholders		$ 0.65		$ (1.68)		$ (0.02)		$ (2.86)
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		24,261		24,144		24,217		24,103
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		24,373		24,144		24,217		24,103

ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) TO
ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

The following is a description of the adjustments to operating income (loss) in arriving at adjusted operating income (loss) as described in this earnings release:

• Deferred rent. This adjustment eliminates the impact of the non-cash portion of rent expense associated with the Arena License Agreements with MSG Entertainment.
• 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.
• Restructuring charges. This adjustment eliminates costs related to termination benefits provided to employees as part of the Company's workforce reduction in August 2020.

		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		December 31,				December 31,
		2021		2020		2021		2020
Operating income (loss)		$ 35,919		$ (38,406)		$ 981		$ (65,810)
Deferred rent		11,179		1,802		11,708		1,802
Depreciation and amortization		1,215		1,607		2,641		3,267
Share-based compensation		7,354		15,981		12,205		22,326
Restructuring charges		—		—		—		1,644
Adjusted operating income (loss)		$ 55,667		$ (19,016)		$ 27,535		$ (36,771)

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except per share data)
		December 31, 2021		June 30, 2021
		(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 54,815		$ 64,902
Restricted cash		745		7,134
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $0 and $0 as of December 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021, respectively		79,737		74,197
Net related party receivables		31,751		6,420
Prepaid expenses		33,996		16,724
Other current assets		17,511		15,869
Total current assets		218,555		185,246
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $44,784 and $42,673 as of December 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021, respectively		34,233		35,716
Right-of-use lease assets		697,309		703,521
Amortizable intangible assets, net		1,165		1,695
Indefinite-lived intangible assets		112,144		112,144
Goodwill		226,955		226,955
Deferred income tax assets, net		19,975		15,943
Other assets		39,085		28,719
Total assets		$ 1,349,421		$ 1,309,939

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued) (In thousands, except per share data)
		December 31, 2021		June 30, 2021
		(Unaudited)
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable		$ 3,009		$ 2,226
Net related party payables		24,708		17,089
Debt		30,000		30,000
Accrued liabilities:
Employee related costs		88,312		90,269
Other accrued liabilities		85,883		55,718
Operating lease liabilities, current		43,081		41,951
Deferred revenue		176,805		131,025
Total current liabilities		451,798		368,278
Long-term debt		330,000		355,000
Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent		692,532		691,152
Defined benefit obligations		6,149		6,283
Other employee related costs		46,234		57,740
Deferred revenue, noncurrent		31,324		31,603
Other liabilities		994		1,749
Total liabilities		1,559,031		1,511,805
Commitments and contingencies
Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. Stockholders’ Equity:
Class A Common stock, par value $0.01, 120,000 shares authorized; 19,689 and 19,587 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021, respectively		204		204
Class B Common stock, par value $0.01, 30,000 shares authorized; 4,530 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021		45		45
Preferred stock, par value $0.01, 15,000 shares authorized; none outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021		—		—
Additional paid-in capital		6,460		23,102
Treasury stock, at cost, 759 and 861 shares as of December 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021, respectively		(129,426)		(146,734)
Accumulated deficit		(87,390)		(78,898)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(1,983)		(2,027)
Total Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. stockholders’ equity		(212,090)		(204,308)
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests		2,480		2,442
Total equity		(209,610)		(201,866)
Total liabilities and equity		$ 1,349,421		$ 1,309,939

SELECTED CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
		Six Months Ended
		December 31,
		2021		2020
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$ 24,030		$ (21,633)
Net cash used in investing activities		(627)		(141)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(39,879)		11,363
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(16,476)		(10,411)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period		72,036		90,673
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period		$ 55,560		$ 80,262

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220203005247/en/

Mark Costiglio

Communications

(212) 465-4402



Ari Danes, CFA

Investor Relations

(212) 465-6072

Source: Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.

FAQ

What were Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.'s revenues for FY2022 Q2?

Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. reported revenues of $289.6 million for FY2022 Q2.

How much did the operating income improve in FY2022 Q2 for MSGS?

The operating income for MSGS improved to $35.9 million, an increase of $74.3 million compared to the previous year.

Did MSGS see an increase in ticket sales in FY2022 Q2?

Yes, MSGS reported regular season average per-game ticket revenues that surpassed pre-pandemic levels.

What factors influenced MSGS's financial performance in FY2022 Q2?

The financial performance was influenced by increased attendance at games and high consumer demand, along with contractual media rights increases.