News Details

The Madison Square Garden Company Reports Fiscal 2019 First Quarter Results

November 1, 2018

NEW YORK, Nov. 01, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Madison Square Garden Company (NYSE: MSG) today reported financial results for the first quarter ended September 30, 2018.

Effective July 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606), the new accounting standard for revenue recognition.  The most significant impact of ASC Topic 606 in fiscal 2019 is a change in the timing of when certain Company revenue streams are recognized during the fiscal year.  Prior period results have not been restated to reflect the adoption of ASC Topic 606 and, therefore, the Company's consolidated and segment results for the fiscal 2019 first quarter are not directly comparable to the results for the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

On a reported basis, for the fiscal 2019 first quarter, the Company generated revenues of $218.1 million, operating loss of $50.8 million and adjusted operating loss of $9.9 million.(1)(2)

Excluding the impact of ASC Topic 606, fiscal 2019 first quarter revenues would have been $258.4 million, an increase of 5% as compared with the prior year period.  In addition, fiscal 2019 first quarter operating loss would have been $15.3 million, an increase of 5%, and adjusted operating income would have been $25.6 million, a decrease of 15%, both as compared to the prior year period.(3)

Executive Chairman and CEO Jim Dolan said, “For fiscal 2019, we are focused on delivering another year of solid operational performance, while we continue to move forward with our Company’s next chapter, our MSG Sphere initiative.  At the same time, we are making important progress on our proposed plans to separate our sports and entertainment businesses - a transaction we believe would position both new companies for long-term growth and value creation.”

Results from Operations
Segment results for the quarters ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:

  Revenues Operating
Income (Loss)
Adjusted Operating
 Income (Loss)
$ millions F’Q1 2019 F’Q1 2018 %
Change
F’Q1 2019 F’Q1 2018 %
Change
F’Q1 2019 F’Q1 2018 %
Change
MSG Entertainment $ 163.0  $ 164.3 (1)%  $ 1.7  $ 10.2 (83)%   $ 9.0 $ 18.2 (50)%
MSG Sports   55.4   80.9 (32)%   (4.1)   20.3 NM     0.6   26.5 (98)%
Corporate and Other (4)   (0.2)   NM   (43.4)   (39.6) (9)%     (19.5)   (14.5) (34)%
Purchase accounting adjustments     NM   (5.0)   (5.4) 7%       NM
Total Company $ 218.1 $ 245.2 (11)% $ (50.8) $ (14.5) NM   $ (9.9) $ 30.1 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 2018 first quarter operating results did not include Obscura Digital, which the Company acquired on November 20, 2017.  Accordingly, the Company's results for fiscal 2019 are not directly comparable to fiscal 2018 results.  In addition, the Company records TAO Group’s operating results in its consolidated statements of operations on a three-month lag basis.
(3) See page 7 of this earnings release for a reconciliation of adjusted operating income (loss) to adjusted operating income (loss) excluding the impact of ASC Topic 606.
(4) Corporate and Other primarily consists of unallocated corporate general and administrative costs (including costs associated with business development initiatives) and unallocated venue-related depreciation and amortization expense, as well as inter-segment eliminations.
 

MSG Entertainment
For the fiscal 2019 first quarter, MSG Entertainment revenues of $163.0 million decreased 1%, as compared to the prior year period. This primarily reflects lower overall event-related revenues at the Company's venues and, to a lesser extent, lower suite rental fee revenue, both of which include the impact of ASC Topic 606.  These decreases were offset by the inclusion of results for Obscura Digital, higher sponsorship and signage revenues and increased TAO Group revenue.

Fiscal 2019 first quarter operating income of $1.7 million decreased $8.4 million and adjusted operating income of $9.0 million decreased $9.2 million, both as compared to the prior year period.  The decrease in operating income and adjusted operating income primarily reflects higher selling, general and administrative expenses and, to a lesser extent, higher direct operating expenses and lower revenues.  The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to the inclusion of Obscura Digital results, as well as higher expenses at TAO Group, mainly a result of increases in employee compensation and related benefits and pre-opening costs associated with new TAO Group venues.  The increase in direct operating expenses reflects the inclusion of Obscura Digital results, higher expenses at TAO Group, increased venue operating costs and other net cost increases, offset by a decrease in overall event-related expenses at the Company's venues.

Excluding the impact of ASC Topic 606, fiscal 2019 first quarter MSG Entertainment revenues would have been $168.0 million, an increase of 2% as compared to the prior year period.  In addition, fiscal 2019 first quarter operating income would have been $2.0 million, a decrease of $8.1 million, and adjusted operating income would have been $9.4 million, a decrease of $8.9 million, both as compared to the prior year period.

MSG Sports
For the fiscal 2019 first quarter, MSG Sports revenues of $55.4 million decreased 32%, as compared to the prior year period.  This was primarily due to the impact of ASC Topic 606, which impacted the timing of local media rights revenue from MSG Networks Inc. as well as suite rental fee revenue, both as compared to the prior year period. The decreases in these revenues more than offset an increase in revenues from league distributions.

First quarter operating loss of $4.1 million increased by $24.5 million and adjusted operating income of $0.6 million decreased by $25.9 million, both as compared to the prior year period.  This reflects the decrease in revenues, which was primarily due to the impact of ASC Topic 606 as described above, and, to a lesser extent, an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses, partially offset by a decrease in direct operating expenses.  The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily reflects higher employee compensation and related benefits, offset by lower advertising and marketing expenses and lower professional fees.  The decrease in direct operating expenses primarily reflects lower professional sports teams' pre/regular season expenses associated with food, beverage and merchandise sales and lower net provisions for certain team personnel transactions.

Excluding the impact of ASC Topic 606, fiscal 2019 first quarter MSG Sports revenues would have been $90.6 million, an increase of 12% as compared to the prior year period.  In addition, fiscal 2019 first quarter operating income would have been $31.1 million, an increase of $10.7 million, and adjusted operating income would have been $35.8 million, an increase of $9.3 million, both as compared to the prior year period.

Corporate and Other
For the fiscal 2019 first quarter, Corporate and Other’s operating loss of $43.4 million and adjusted operating loss of $19.5 million increased by 9% and 34%, respectively, both as compared with the prior year period.  These increases are primarily a result of expenses related to the proposed spin-off transaction.

Purchase Accounting Adjustments
For the fiscal 2019 first quarter as compared to the prior year period, operating expenses related to purchase accounting adjustments of $5.0 million decreased $0.4 million.

About The Madison Square Garden Company
The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) is a world leader in live sports and entertainment experiences. The company presents or hosts a broad array of premier events in its diverse collection of iconic venues: New York’s Madison Square Garden, The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theatre; the Forum in Inglewood, CA; The Chicago Theatre; and the Wang Theatre in Boston. Other MSG properties include legendary sports franchises: the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL) and the New York Liberty (WNBA); 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, MSG’s NBA 2K League franchise. In addition, the Company features the popular original production - the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes - and through Boston Calling Events, produces New England’s preeminent Boston Calling Music Festival. Also under the MSG umbrella is TAO Group, a world-class hospitality group with globally-recognized entertainment dining and nightlife brands: Tao, Marquee, Lavo, Avenue, The Stanton Social, Beauty & Essex and Vandal. More information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We define adjusted operating income (loss), 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, 3) restructuring charges or credits, 4) gains or losses on sales or dispositions of businesses and 5) 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 the various operating units of our business without regard to the settlement of an obligation that is not expected to be made in cash.  Effective July 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606), the new accounting standard for revenue recognition.  The most significant impact of ASC Topic 606 is a change in the timing of when certain revenue is recognized during the fiscal year.  During fiscal year 2019, while we are presenting transition disclosures related to ASC Topic 606, we also present adjusted operating income (loss) excluding the impact of ASC Topic 606.

We believe adjusted operating income (loss) including and excluding the impact of ASC Topic 606 are appropriate measures for evaluating the operating performance of our business segments and the Company on a consolidated basis.  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, including, during fiscal year 2019, evaluating management's performance with reference to adjusted operating income (loss) excluding the impact of ASC Topic 606. 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. For a reconciliation of adjusted operating income (loss) to adjusted operating income (loss) excluding the impact of ASC Topic 606, please see page 7 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.

Contacts:

     
Kimberly Kerns
Chief Communications Officer
The Madison Square
Garden Company
(212) 465-6442
Ari Danes, CFA
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations
The Madison Square
Garden Company
(212) 465-6072
 
     

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 3187618
Conference call replay number is 855-859-2056 / Conference ID Number 3187618 until November 8, 2018


     
THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
     
    Three Months Ended
    September 30,
    2018   2017
Revenues   $ 218,135     $ 245,215  
Direct operating expenses   123,909     123,480  
Selling, general and administrative expenses   115,321     105,684  
Depreciation and amortization   29,690     30,546  
Operating loss   (50,785 )   (14,495 )
Other income (expense):        
Earnings in equity method investments   10,525     4,725  
Interest income   7,174     4,386  
Interest expense.   (4,033 )   (3,711 )
Miscellaneous income (expense)   3,767     (1,010 )
Loss from operations before income taxes   (33,352 )   (10,105 )
Income tax expense   (696 )   (762 )
Net loss   (34,048 )   (10,867 )
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests   (513 )   900  
Less: Net loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests   (1,323 )   (660 )
Net loss attributable to The Madison Square Garden Company’s stockholders   $ (32,212 )   $ (11,107 )
Basic and diluted loss per common share attributable to The Madison Square Garden Company’s stockholders   $ (1.36 )   $ (0.47 )
Basic and diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding   23,708     23,567  
             

In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2017-07. The adoption of this standard resulted in the non-service cost components of net periodic benefit cost to be presented separately in the income statement from the service cost component and the non-service cost components to no longer be included in the subtotal for operating income. As this standard was applied retrospectively, the Company reclassified $0.3 million and $0.8 million of net periodic benefit cost from direct operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively, to miscellaneous expense within other income (expense) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2017. Furthermore, all prior period amounts presented throughout this release reflect reclassifications made as a result of the adoption of ASU No. 2017-07.

THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY
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:

  • Share-based compensation expense. This adjustment eliminates the compensation expense relating to restricted stock units and stock options granted under our employee stock plan and non-employee director plan in all periods.
  • Depreciation and amortization.  This adjustment eliminates depreciation, amortization and impairments of property and equipment and intangible assets in all periods.
  • Purchase accounting adjustments. This adjustment eliminates the impact of various purchase accounting adjustments related to business acquisitions, primarily favorable / unfavorable lease agreements of the acquiree.
     
    Three Months Ended
    September 30,
    2018   2017
Operating loss   $ (50,785 )   $ (14,495 )
Share-based compensation   10,189     12,904  
Depreciation and amortization (1)   29,690     30,546  
Other purchase accounting adjustments   1,013     1,191  
Adjusted operating income (loss)   $ (9,893 )   $ 30,146  
                 
(1) Includes depreciation and amortization related to purchase accounting adjustments.
                 

THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS DATA
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

REVENUES

         
    Three Months Ended    
    September 30,    
    2018   2017   % Change
MSG Entertainment   $ 162,953     $ 164,281     (1 )%
MSG Sports   55,352     80,934     (32 )%
Inter-segment eliminations   (170 )       NM  
Purchase accounting adjustments           NM  
The Madison Square Garden Company Total   $ 218,135     $ 245,215     (11 )%
                       

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) AND ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

                 
    Operating Income
(Loss)
      Adjusted Operating Income
(Loss)
   
    Three Months Ended
September 30,
      Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
    2018   2017   % Change   2018   2017   % Change
MSG Entertainment   $ 1,717     $ 10,165     (83 )%   $ 9,040     $ 18,227     (50 )%
MSG Sports   (4,126 )   20,324     NM     588     26,466     (98 )%
Corporate and Other   (43,367 )   (39,614 )   (9 )%   (19,521 )   (14,547 )   (34 )%
Purchase accounting adjustments   (5,009 )   (5,370 )   7 %           NM  
The Madison Square Garden Company Total   $ (50,785 )   $ (14,495 )   NM     $ (9,893 )   $ 30,146     NM  
                                             


         
THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY
IMPACT FROM ADOPTION OF ASC TOPIC 606

(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
         
    Three Months Ended September 30, 2018   Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2017, As
Reported
    As Reported
under ASC
Topic 606
  Impact from
the adoption
of
ASC Topic
606
  Amounts
without
adoption
of ASC Topic
606
 
MSG Entertainment:                
Revenues   $ 162,953     $ 5,019     $ 167,972     $ 164,281  
Operating income   1,717     324     2,041     10,165  
Share-based compensation expense   2,841         2,841     3,901  
Depreciation and amortization   4,482         4,482     4,161  
Adjusted operating income   $ 9,040     $ 324     $ 9,364     $ 18,227  
                 
MSG Sports:                
Revenues   $ 55,352     $ 35,279     $ 90,631     $ 80,934  
Operating income (loss)   (4,126 )   35,193     31,067     20,324  
Share-based compensation expense   2,772         2,772     4,236  
Depreciation and amortization   1,942         1,942     1,906  
Adjusted operating income   $ 588     $ 35,193     $ 35,781     $ 26,466  
                 
The Madison Square Garden Company Total:                
Revenues   $ 218,135     $ 40,298     $ 258,433     $ 245,215  
Operating loss   (50,785 )   35,517     (15,268 )   (14,495 )
Share-based compensation expense   10,189         10,189     12,904  
Depreciation and amortization   29,690         29,690     30,546  
Other purchase accounting adjustments   1,013         1,013     1,191  
Adjusted operating income (loss)   $ (9,893 )   $ 35,517     $ 25,624     $ 30,146  
                 

 

         
THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
         
    September 30,
2018
  June 30,
2018
ASSETS        
Current Assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 1,068,883     $ 1,225,638  
Restricted cash   32,330     30,982  
Accounts receivable, net   123,821     100,725  
Net related party receivables   1,602     567  
Prepaid expenses   58,588     28,761  
Other current assets   50,232     28,996  
Total current assets   1,335,456     1,415,669  
Investments and loans to nonconsolidated affiliates   265,525     209,951  
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $736,806 and $713,357 as of September 30, 2018 and June 30, 2018, respectively   1,269,685     1,253,671  
Amortizable intangible assets, net   237,975     243,806  
Indefinite-lived intangible assets   175,985     175,985  
Goodwill   392,513     392,513  
Other assets   51,150     44,578  
Total assets   $ 3,728,289     $ 3,736,173  
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND EQUITY        
Current Liabilities:        
Accounts payable   $ 31,530     $ 28,939  
Net related party payables, current   2,921     13,675  
Current portion of long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs   2,219     4,365  
Accrued liabilities:        
Employee related costs   68,994     123,992  
Other accrued liabilities   178,854     180,272  
Collections due to promoters   78,427     89,513  
Deferred revenue   413,184     324,749  
Total current liabilities   776,129     765,505  
Related party payables, noncurrent   172      
Long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs   100,882     101,335  
Defined benefit and other postretirement obligations   38,639     49,240  
Other employee related costs   52,072     53,501  
Deferred tax liabilities, net   79,651     78,968  
Other liabilities   55,076     56,905  
Total liabilities   1,102,621     1,105,454  
Commitments and contingencies        
Redeemable noncontrolling interests   75,912     76,684  
The Madison Square Garden Company Stockholders’ Equity:        
Class A Common stock, par value $0.01, 120,000 shares authorized; 19,222 and 19,136 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and June 30, 2018, respectively   204     204  
Class B Common stock, par value $0.01, 30,000 shares authorized; 4,530 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and June 30, 2018   45     45  
Preferred stock, par value $0.01, 15,000 shares authorized; none outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and June 30, 2018        
Additional paid-in capital   2,795,544     2,817,873  
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,226 and 1,312 shares as of September 30, 2018 and June 30, 2018, respectively   (208,975 )   (223,662 )
Accumulated deficit   (14,636 )   (11,059 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (41,972 )   (46,918 )
Total The Madison Square Garden Company stockholders’ equity   2,530,210     2,536,483  
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests   19,546     17,552  
Total equity   2,549,756     2,554,035  
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity   $ 3,728,289     $ 3,736,173  
                 


     
THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY
SELECTED CASH FLOW INFORMATION

(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
     
    Three Months Ended
    September 30,
    2018   2017
Net cash used in operating activities   $ (44,672 )   $ (32,100 )
Net cash used in investing activities   (94,503 )   (26,520 )
Net cash used in financing activities   (16,632 )   (15,292 )
Effect of exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   400      
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash   (155,407 )   (73,912 )
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period   1,256,620     1,272,114  
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period   $ 1,101,213     $ 1,198,202  
                 

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Source: The Madison Square Garden Company