News Details

The Madison Square Garden Company Reports Results for the Fiscal 2013 Third Quarter

May 3, 2013

Third quarter revenues of $412.4 million, a 3% increase compared to prior year quarter

Third quarter AOCF of $91.7 million, a 14% increase compared to prior year quarter

Third quarter operating income of $63.8 million, up 20% versus prior year quarter

NEW YORK, May 3, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Madison Square Garden Company (Nasdaq:MSG) today reported financial results for the fiscal third quarter ended March 31, 2013.

Fiscal 2013 third quarter revenues of $412.4 million grew 3%, as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to an increase in revenues in the MSG Media segment, partially offset by a decrease in revenues in the MSG Sports segment. Adjusted operating cash flow ("AOCF")(1) of $91.7 million increased 14%, as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to an increase in AOCF in the MSG Media segment, partially offset by a decrease in AOCF in the MSG Sports segment. Fiscal 2013 third quarter operating income of $63.8 million grew 20% and net income of $38.4 million ($0.49 per diluted share) increased 24%, both as compared to the prior year quarter.

Results for the fiscal 2013 third quarter were impacted by the shortened NHL regular season as a result of the NHL work stoppage, which delayed the start of the 2012-13 regular season by approximately three months to January 19, 2013 and led to a shortened 48-game regular season. As a result, the New York Rangers (as well as other NHL teams whose games are telecast on MSG Networks) played fewer regular season home and away games during the fiscal 2013 third quarter as compared to the prior year quarter.

In addition, the comparability of fiscal 2013 third quarter results to the prior year quarter was impacted by last year's NBA work stoppage, which resulted in a shortened 66-game 2011-12 regular season, with those games primarily taking place in the fiscal 2012 third quarter. As a result of last year's compressed regular season schedule, the New York Knicks played fewer regular season home and away games during the fiscal 2013 third quarter as compared to the prior year quarter.

President and CEO Hank Ratner said: "Our company delivered strong AOCF results in our fiscal third quarter, as we successfully managed our business through the NHL work stoppage. The final phase of the Transformation project will begin following the end of the Knicks' and Rangers' seasons, and we look forward to the successful completion of this historic project in the fall. With the approaching conclusion of this significant capital investment, long-term NBA and NHL collective bargaining agreements now in place, our recurring and increasing affiliation fee revenue base and a strong balance sheet, we believe our company is well-positioned to drive continued growth."   

Results from Operations

Segment results for the quarters ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:

   
  Revenues AOCF Operating Income (Loss)
$ millions F'Q3 2013 F'Q3 2012 % Change F'Q3 2013 F'Q3  2012 % Change F'Q3 2013 F'Q3  2012 % Change
MSG Media $184.7 $166.2 11  % $95.4 $65.3 46  % $89.8 $58.5 53  %
MSG Entertainment 35.5 34.3 3  % (13.1) (12.8) (2) % (17.1) (16.4) (4) %
MSG Sports 208.1 216.1 (4) % 11.6 29.3 (60) % 8.1 25.4 (68) %
Other (includes eliminations) (15.8) (16.2) 2 % (2.2) (1.7) (33) % (17.0) (14.2) (20) %
Total Company $412.4 $400.5 3  % $91.7 $80.2 14  % $63.8 $53.3 20  %
Note: Does not foot due to rounding
1.        See definition of adjusted operating cash flow ("AOCF") included in the discussion of non-GAAP financial measures below.

MSG Media

For the fiscal third quarter, MSG Media revenues of $184.7 million grew 11%, as compared to the prior year period. Affiliation fee revenue increased $16.8 million, as compared to the prior year quarter. This increase was primarily attributable to MSG Networks being carried by a key affiliate for the entire quarter versus approximately half of the prior year quarter, and higher affiliation rates, partially offset by the impact of revenue recognized in the prior year quarter related to this affiliate's carriage of Fuse during calendar 2011. Advertising revenue increased $1.8 million, as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to higher advertising revenue at Fuse.  Advertising revenue at MSG Networks decreased slightly as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to the impact of fewer NBA telecasts as a result of the Knicks' compressed schedule in the prior year quarter, combined with the impact of fewer NHL telecasts as a result of the NHL work stoppage, as well as other advertising revenue decreases, largely offset by higher Knicks per-game advertising revenue. 

AOCF of $95.4 million increased 46% and operating income of $89.8 million increased 53%, both as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to higher revenues and lower direct operating and selling, general and administrative expenses.  The decrease in direct operating expenses was primarily due to lower rights fee expense, mainly a result of the NHL work stoppage, as well as lower non-rights related programming costs at MSG Networks, partially offset by an increase in non-rights related programming costs at Fuse. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to the absence in the fiscal 2013 third quarter of certain marketing expenses which were incurred in the prior year quarter related to an affiliate dispute.

MSG Entertainment

For the fiscal third quarter, MSG Entertainment revenues of $35.5 million grew 3%, as compared to the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to higher event-related revenues at The Theater at Madison Square Garden and the Beacon Theatre (both primarily due to an increase in the number of events held) and higher venue-related sponsorship and signage and suite rental fee revenues.  This increase was mostly offset by lower revenues for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular franchise, as there were no scheduled performances during the fiscal 2013 third quarter versus performances during the prior year quarter, as well as lower event-related revenues at Radio City Music Hall and The Chicago Theatre (both primarily due to a decrease in the number of events held).   

AOCF loss of $13.1 million increased 2% and operating loss of $17.1 million increased 4%, both as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to an increase in selling, general and administrative and direct operating expenses, partially offset by the increase in revenues. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to higher employee compensation and related benefits and allocated corporate general and administrative expenses. The increase in direct operating expenses was primarily due to higher venue operating costs, primarily for Radio City Music Hall and the Forum, the latter of which is not currently open for events, and higher event-related expenses, partially offset by lower expenses for the Christmas Spectacular franchise and other net expense decreases.      

MSG Sports

For the fiscal third quarter, MSG Sports revenues of $208.1 million decreased 4% as compared to the prior year period. Total segment revenues were negatively impacted by the New York Rangers' shortened regular season due to the NHL work stoppage. In addition, the comparability of segment revenues to the prior year quarter was impacted by the New York Knicks' compressed regular season schedule in the prior year quarter as a result of the NBA work stoppage. The impact of these two items was reflected in lower professional sports team ticket-related revenue, league distributions, and food, beverage and merchandise revenues, partially offset by an increase in suite rental fee revenue and sponsorship and signage revenue. In addition, event-related revenues from other live sporting events and other net revenues decreased, as compared to the prior year quarter.

AOCF decreased by $17.7 million to $11.6 million and operating income decreased by $17.2 million to $8.1 million, both as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to higher direct operating expenses and lower revenues. The increase in direct operating expenses was primarily due to higher net provisions for certain team personnel transactions and higher team personnel compensation costs, partially offset by lower event-related expenses for other live sporting events, expenses associated with food, beverage and merchandise sales and other net expense decreases. 

About The Madison Square Garden Company

The Madison Square Garden Company is a fully-integrated sports, media and entertainment business. The Company is comprised of three business segments: MSG Sports, MSG Media and MSG Entertainment, which are strategically aligned to work together to drive the Company's overall business, which is built on a foundation of iconic venues and compelling content that the company creates, produces, presents and/or distributes through its programming networks and other media assets. MSG Sports owns and operates the following sports franchises: the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL), the New York Liberty (WNBA), and the Connecticut Whale (AHL). MSG Sports also features the presentation of a wide variety of live sporting events including professional boxing, college basketball, bull riding and tennis. MSG Media is a leader in production and content development for multiple distribution platforms, including content originating from the Company's venues. MSG Media's television networks consist of regional sports networks, MSG Network and MSG+, collectively referred to as MSG Networks; and Fuse, a national television network dedicated to music. MSG Networks also include high-definition channels, MSG HD and MSG+ HD, and Fuse includes its high-definition channel, Fuse HD. MSG Entertainment is one of the country's leaders in live entertainment. MSG Entertainment creates, produces and/or presents a variety of live productions, including the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Radio City Rockettes. MSG Entertainment also presents or hosts other live entertainment events such as concerts, family shows and special events in the Company's diverse collection of venues. These venues consist of Madison Square Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, the Forum in Inglewood, CA, The Chicago Theatre, and the Wang Theatre in Boston, MA. More information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com.

The Madison Square Garden Company logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=15647

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We define adjusted operating cash flow ("AOCF"), which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as operating income (loss) before 1) depreciation, amortization and impairments of property and equipment and intangible assets, 2) share-based compensation expense or benefit, and 3) restructuring charges or credits. Because it is based upon operating income (loss), AOCF 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 the various operating units of our business without regard to either the distortive effects of fluctuating stock prices or the settlement of an obligation that is not expected to be made in cash.

We believe AOCF is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of our business segments and the company on a consolidated basis. AOCF and similar measures with similar titles are common performance measures used by investors and analysts to analyze our performance. Internally, we use revenues and AOCF measures as the most important indicators of our business performance, and evaluate management's effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators. AOCF 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 AOCF 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 AOCF to operating income (loss), please see below.

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 or developments 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.

Conference Call Information:

The conference call will be Webcast live today at 10:00 a.m. ET at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com

Conference call dial-in number is 877-347-9170 / Conference ID Number 32084162

Conference call replay number is 855-859-2056 / Conference ID Number 32084162 until May 10, 2013

THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY
 
CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS DATA AND RECONCILIATION
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
         
  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  March 31, March 31,
  2013 2012 2013 2012
         
Revenues  $412,406 $400,451 $1,004,458 $951,097
Adjusted operating cash flow  $91,739 $80,230 $263,336 $205,453
Share-based compensation expense  (4,958) (4,371) (13,898) (14,817)
Operating income before depreciation and amortization  86,781 75,859 249,438 190,636
Depreciation and amortization (incl. impairments)  (22,995) (22,536) (64,439) (62,994)
Operating income  63,786 53,323 184,999 127,642
Other income (expense):        
Interest expense, net  (1,193) (1,088) (3,607) (3,601)
Miscellaneous  3,373 6,590 3,475 6,590
Income from operations before income taxes  65,966 58,825 184,867 130,631
Income tax expense  (27,517) (27,750) (78,902) (52,649)
Net income  $38,449 $31,075 $105,965 $77,982
Basic earnings per common share  $0.50 $0.41 $1.39 $1.04
Diluted earnings per common share  $0.49 $0.40 $1.36 $1.01
         
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding  76,537 75,007 76,022 74,717
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding 78,041 77,612 77,900 77,392

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

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

  • Depreciation and amortization. This adjustment eliminates depreciation, amortization and impairments of property and equipment and intangible assets in all periods.
  • Share-based compensation expense. This adjustment eliminates the compensation expense relating to restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock options and stock appreciation rights granted under our employee stock plans and non-employee director plans in all periods.
THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY
       
CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS DATA
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
       
REVENUES      
  Three Months Ended  
  March 31,  
       %
  2013 2012  Change
       
MSG Media  $184,666 $166,180 11%
MSG Entertainment  35,491 34,342 3%
MSG Sports 208,080 216,131 (4)%
Other (including Inter-segment eliminations)  (15,831) (16,202) 2%
Total Madison Square Garden Company $412,406 $400,451 3%
       
  Nine Months Ended  
  March 31,  
       %
  2013 2012  Change
       
MSG Media  $500,974 $447,218 12%
MSG Entertainment  217,390 213,168 2%
MSG Sports 329,547 333,567 (1)%
Other (including Inter-segment eliminations)  (43,453) (42,856) (1)%
Total Madison Square Garden Company $1,004,458 $951,097 6%
 
ADJUSTED OPERATING CASH FLOW AND OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
  Adjusted Operating    Operating Income   
  Cash Flow   (Loss)  
  Three Months Ended    Three Months Ended   
  March 31, % March 31, %
  2013 2012 Change 2013 2012 Change
             
MSG Media  $95,390 $65,347 46% $89,786 $58,545 53%
MSG Entertainment  (13,078) (12,764) (2)% (17,102) (16,415) (4)%
MSG Sports 11,649 29,316 (60)% 8,143 25,381 (68)%
All other  (2,222) (1,669) (33)% (17,041) (14,188) (20)%
Total Madison Square Garden Company  $91,739 $80,230 14% $63,786 $53,323 20%
             
  Adjusted Operating    Operating Income   
  Cash Flow   (Loss)  
  Nine Months Ended    Nine Months Ended   
  March 31, % March 31, %
  2013 2012 Change 2013 2012 Change
             
MSG Media  $267,712 $192,718 39% $250,982 $168,837 49%
MSG Entertainment  4,399 10,617 (59)% (6,904) (644) --
MSG Sports (1,374) 8,933 -- (12,279) (2,949) --
All other  (7,401) (6,815) (9)% (46,800) (37,602) (24)%
Total Madison Square Garden Company  $263,336 $205,453 28% $184,999 $127,642 45%
     
THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY
     
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
     
  March 31, 2013 June 30, 2012
ASSETS    
Current Assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents  $228,417 $206,500
Restricted cash  4,948 5,789
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,063 and $2,434  174,844 126,565
Net related party receivables  27,193 27,277
Prepaid expenses  35,699 29,700
Other current assets  17,474 19,980
Total current assets  488,575 415,811
Property and equipment, net  1,092,694 969,528
Amortizable intangible assets, net  93,305 101,814
Indefinite-lived intangible assets  158,636 158,636
Goodwill  742,492 742,492
Other assets  94,845 136,403
  $2,670,547 $2,524,684
     
     
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY    
Current Liabilities:    
Accounts payable  $6,956 $33,048
Net related party payables  737 362
Accrued liabilities:    
Employee related costs  67,056 82,886
Other accrued liabilities  212,760 188,410
Deferred revenue  240,219 211,639
Total current liabilities  527,728 516,345
Defined benefit and other postretirement obligations  64,644 58,817
Other employee related costs  44,236 36,689
Other liabilities  57,708 60,438
Deferred tax liability  539,371 532,382
Total liabilities  1,233,687 1,204,671
Commitments and contingencies     
Stockholders' Equity:    
Class A Common stock, par value $0.01, 360,000 shares authorized; 63,262 and 62,016 shares outstanding.  638 628
Class B Common stock, par value $0.01, 90,000 shares authorized; 13,589 shares outstanding  136 136
Preferred stock, par value $0.01, 45,000 shares authorized; none outstanding  -- --
Additional paid-in capital  1,069,261 1,070,046
Treasury stock, at cost, 597 and 927 shares  (14,191) (22,047)
Retained earnings  401,377 295,412
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (20,361) (24,162)
Total stockholders' equity  1,436,860 1,320,013
  $2,670,547 $2,524,684
     
THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY
     
SELECTED CASH FLOW INFORMATION
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
     
  Nine Months Ended 
  March 31,
  2013 2012
Net cash provided by operating activities  $180,762 $235,567
Net cash used in investing activities  (152,551) (356,473)
Net cash used in financing activities  (6,294) (2,874)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  21,917 (123,780)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  206,500 304,876
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $228,417 $181,096
CONTACT: Kimberly Kerns

         Senior Vice President

         Communications

         The Madison Square Garden Company

         (212) 465-6442



         Ari Danes, CFA

         Vice President

         Investor Relations

         The Madison Square Garden Company

         (212) 465-6072

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