Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (NYSE: MSGS) reported Q2 EPS of ($1.68), $0.15 worse than the analyst estimate of ($1.53). Revenue for the quarter came in at $28.8 million versus the consensus estimate of $27.1 million.

Summary of Reported Results from Continuing Operations

• Fiscal 2021 second quarter revenues of $28.8 million decreased $264.0 million, or 90%, as compared to the prior year period, primarily driven by the absence of pre/regular season ticket-related revenues and suite license fee revenue as well as a decrease in local media rights fees from MSG Networks, league distribution revenues, and sponsorship and signage revenues.
• Pre/regular season ticket-related revenues decreased $108.7 million and suite license fee revenue decreased $28.2 million, both as compared to the prior year period, as a result of fans being prohibited from attending events at The Garden.
• Local media rights fees from MSG Networks decreased $47.2 million and league distribution revenues decreased $37.3 million, both as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to the timing of the start of the 2020-21 NBA and NHL regular seasons.
• Sponsorship and signage revenues decreased $23.8 million as compared to the prior year period, due to the timing of the start of the 2020-21 NBA and NHL regular seasons, the impact of fans being prohibited from attending events at The Garden, and the spin-off of MSG Entertainment, which impacted the comparability of results on a year-over-year basis.(3)
• Direct operating expenses of $16.7 million decreased $181.1 million, or 92%, as compared with the prior year period, primarily due to the timing of the start of the 2020-21 NBA and NHL regular seasons and the impact of fans being prohibited from attending events at The Garden. Team personnel compensation decreased $88.7 million, other team operating expenses decreased $36.9 million, and net provisions for league revenue sharing expense (net of escrow) and NBA luxury tax decreased $28.4 million, all as compared to the prior year period.
• Selling, general and administrative expenses of $48.9 million decreased $41.4 million, or 46%, as compared to the prior year period. This was primarily due to lower corporate overhead costs, which in the prior year period included certain corporate expenses that the Company has not incurred since the spin-off of MSG Entertainment and does not expect to incur in future periods, but which did not meet the criteria for inclusion in discontinued operations.(2)
• Operating loss of $38.4 million increased $38.2 million while adjusted operating income decreased by $38.0 million to an adjusted operating loss of $19.0 million, both as compared with the prior year period. This primarily reflects the decrease in revenues, partially offset by lower direct operating expenses and, to a lesser extent, a decrease selling, general and administrative expenses.

Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. President and CEO Andrew Lustgarten said, “We are excited to have the Knicks and Rangers competing again and look forward to the time when we can safely welcome fans back to The Garden. As we prepare for a return to normal operations, we remain confident in the fundamentals of our business, the strength of our balance sheet, and that we are well-positioned to create long-term shareholder value.”

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