EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1952073
Filing Year: 2024
Filename: 1952073_10-K_2024_0001952073-24-000022.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business
Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. is a Delaware corporation with its principal executive offices at Two Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY, 10121. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “MSG Entertainment” or the “Company” refer collectively to Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp., a holding company, and its direct and indirect subsidiaries. We conduct substantially all of our business activities discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K through MSG Entertainment Holdings, LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.
The Company was incorporated on September 15, 2022 as a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Sphere Entertainment Co. (“Sphere Entertainment”), formerly known as Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. On March 29, 2023, Sphere Entertainment’s board of directors approved the distribution of approximately 67% of the outstanding common stock of the Company to its stockholders (the “MSGE Distribution”), with Sphere Entertainment retaining approximately 33% of the outstanding common stock of the Company (in the form of our Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Class A common stock”)) (the “MSGE Retained Interest”) immediately following the Distribution, which occurred on April 20, 2023 (the “MSGE Distribution Date”). The Company owns the traditional live entertainment business previously owned and operated by Sphere Entertainment through its Entertainment business segment, excluding the Sphere business (which was retained by Sphere Entertainment after the MSGE Distribution Date). Following the completion of the secondary offering by Sphere Entertainment of the Company’s Class A common stock on September 22, 2023, Sphere Entertainment no longer owns any of the Company’s outstanding common stock.
All financial statement amounts prior to April 21, 2023 are presented on a carve-out basis as the financial information prior to the MSGE Distribution Date was prepared on a standalone basis derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of Sphere Entertainment.
Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to Sphere Entertainment refer to Sphere Entertainment together with its direct and indirect subsidiaries.
The Company reports on a fiscal year basis ending on June 30th. In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the fiscal years ended on June 30, 2024, 2023 and 2022 are referred to as “Fiscal Year 2024,” “Fiscal Year 2023” and “Fiscal Year 2022”, respectively, and the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 is referred to as “Fiscal Year 2025.”
Overview
MSG Entertainment is a leader in live entertainment experiences, comprised of iconic venues and marquee entertainment content. Utilizing the Company’s powerful brands and live entertainment expertise, the Company delivers unique experiences that set the standard for excellence and innovation while forging deep connections with diverse and passionate audiences. As of June 30, 2024, we managed our business through one reportable segment.
Our company includes (i) our portfolio of venues: Madison Square Garden (“The Garden”), The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, and The Chicago Theatre, (ii) the original production, the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes (“Christmas Spectacular”), and (iii) our entertainment and sports bookings business, which showcases a broad array of compelling concerts, family shows and special events, as well as a diverse mix of sporting events, for millions of guests annually.
Our Strengths
•Strong position in live entertainment through:
▪A portfolio of world-renowned venues; and
▪Marquee live entertainment brands and content;
•Significant presence in New York, the leading live entertainment market;
•Deep industry relationships that drive top-tier performers and a wide variety of events to the Company’s venues;
•Proven track record of delivering significant value for partners through innovative sponsorships and premium hospitality;
•Reputation for world-class customer experience driven by decades of expertise in sales and marketing, and venue operations;
•Expertise in utilizing data to drive decisions to maximize revenue and the experience of our guests;
•Long-term agreements to host home games at The Garden for two of the most recognized franchises in professional sports - the New York Knicks (the “Knicks”) of the National Basketball Association (the “NBA”) and the New York Rangers (the “Rangers”) of the National Hockey League (the “NHL”); and
•A strong and seasoned management team.
Our Strategy
Our strategy is to create world-class live experiences for our guests and partners by leveraging (i) our Company’s unique portfolio of live entertainment assets and brands; (ii) our expertise in venue management, bookings and productions, sponsorship, ticketing, marketing and premium hospitality and content development; (iii) our deep relationships across the entertainment and sports industries; and (iv) our strong connection with diverse and passionate audiences. We believe this strategy will enable us to generate long-term value creation for our stockholders.
Key components of our strategy include:
•Enhancing the live entertainment experience for our customers. We use the strength of our venues, expertise and relationships to attract top talent and deliver unforgettable experiences for our guests. We have a track record of designing world-class facilities with top-quality amenities, including our renovations of The Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and the Beacon Theatre. We also continue to explore new ways to use technology to improve the guest experience. From the way our customers buy food, beverage and merchandise, to how we market and process their tickets, to utilizing next-generation audio technology in our venues, we strive to give our customers the best experience in the industry. We believe this approach will enable us to drive improvements in per-event revenue and profitability at our venues and help create a seamless and memorable guest experience that will help drive repeat visitation to our venues.
•Increasing the utilization of our venues. Part of what drives our success is our “artist first” approach. Through dedicated artist areas and top-tier service, our talent-friendly environment not only attracts artists to our venues, but also brings them back for repeat performances. Another part of this approach is how we use our diverse collection of venues. With seating capacities and configurations that range from 2,800 to 21,000, our venue portfolio enables us to shepherd artists through the growth in their careers, helping us develop deeper industry relationships. We will continue to use this “artist first” approach to attract the industry’s top talent with the goal of increasing utilization across all our venues through more multi-night concerts, as well as more marquee special events. We also plan to continue exploring opportunities for new events that would be unique to our venues, including high-profile residencies that would help build our base of events.
•Delivering unrivaled marketing exposure for our partners. Our assets are highly sought after by companies that value the popularity of our venues and entertainment brands. Our value proposition is further strengthened by our sponsorship sales representation agreement with Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (together with its subsidiaries, as applicable, “MSG Sports”) which enables us to deliver broad-based marketing platforms that combine our assets with MSG Sports’ professional sports brands. We plan to continue utilizing this integrated approach to both renew and extend our relationships with existing partners, as well as to form partnerships with leading companies in emerging industries and in industry verticals where we are currently under penetrated. We also offer our partners expanded reach through outdoor signage around the Madison Square Garden Complex (as defined below) and Pennsylvania Station (“Penn Station”), a major commuter hub in Manhattan. We plan to selectively explore additional opportunities to grow our external signage portfolio which could increase our existing marketing partnerships packages as well as attract new partners.
•Offering best-in-class premium hospitality products. The Company offers a wide array of premium corporate hospitality offerings that cater to a variety of audiences. For example, The Garden has a range of suite and club products, including 23 Event Level spaces, consisting of 22 suites and a new event level club, 58 Lexus Level suites, 18 Infosys Level suites, the Madison Club, the Chase Lounge, and the HUB Loft. These suites and clubs - which provide exclusive private spaces, first-class amenities and some of the best seats in The Garden - are primarily licensed to corporate customers with the majority being multi-year agreements with annual escalators. Through our long-term arena license agreements (the “Arena License Agreements”) with MSG Sports, we also offer suite holders access to MSG Sports’ premium live sporting events. We believe the strength of our product and content offerings, along with the continued importance of corporate hospitality to our partners, position us well with regard to ongoing renewal and new sales activity. We also plan to explore enhancing and expanding our premium hospitality offerings, which would create new monetization opportunities for the Company.
•Understanding our customers. We continue to forge direct relationships with customers and fans, with a focus on understanding how consumers interact with every aspect of the Company. A key component of this strategy is our large and growing proprietary database of millions of customers. The data we collect from our venues and digital products provides the Company with significant insights into our customers, including who is utilizing our digital assets and attending events at our venues. In addition to providing value for our marketing partners, these insights are leveraged to help drive revenue and engagement across our assets, providing us with an opportunity to tailor offerings and cross-promote our products and
services, introducing customers to our wide range of assets and brands. We also plan to increasingly use data to proactively identify potential bookings for our venues.
Our Business
Our Company delivers unforgettable live experiences - all in extraordinary settings, with a substantial presence in the New York market. This creates significant demand for our brands by a wide selection of artists, sporting events, premier companies and the public. With a foundation of iconic venues, our Company has a proven ability to leverage the strength of our industry relationships, marketing assets, customer database and live event expertise to create compelling performance, promotion and distribution opportunities for artists, events and productions.
Specifically, the Company produces, presents and hosts a variety of live entertainment events, such as concerts, sporting events, family shows, performing arts events, special events and the wholly-owned Christmas Spectacular production which features the world-famous Radio City Rockettes (the “Rockettes”). In addition, the Company hosts two of the most recognized franchises in professional sports - the NBA’s Knicks and the NHL’s Rangers. These live events are held at the Company’s venues: The Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, and The Chicago Theatre. With seating capacities and configurations that range from 2,800 to 21,000, our diverse collection of venues enables us to showcase a multitude of acts and events that cover a wide spectrum of genres to diverse audiences. In Fiscal Year 2024, we had over 960 events and hosted approximately 6.3 million guests.
Our Bookings Business
Live Entertainment
Our Company is an established industry leader that books a wide variety of live entertainment events in our venues, which perennially include some of the biggest names in music and entertainment. Over the last several years, our venues have been key destinations for artists such as Eagles, U2, Foo Fighters, The Killers, Drake, Bruno Mars, Dua Lipa, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Harry Styles, Dead & Company, Phish, Dave Matthews Band, Kacey Musgraves, Eric Clapton, Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli, John Mayer, Carrie Underwood, P!nk, Chris Stapleton, Post Malone, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Sebastian Maniscalco, Trevor Noah and Dave Chappelle.
In addition, we have successfully developed new ways to increase the utilization of our venues, while creating unique experiences for artists and fans with our various residencies - including The Garden’s first music franchise: Billy Joel at The Garden. This extraordinary residency began in January 2014 and concluded in July 2024, bringing Billy Joel’s lifetime performances at The World’s Most Famous Arena to 150. The Company’s other residencies include Jerry Seinfeld at the Beacon Theatre, who holds the record for the most performances by any comedian at the historic venue. The Company has also in recent years successfully created other unique bookings and residencies across its portfolio of venues, including the multi-year, dual-city residency of Tedeschi Trucks Band at both the Beacon Theatre and The Chicago Theatre, as well as Dave Chappelle at Radio City Music Hall, Phish’s 13-night “Baker’s Dozen” run at The Garden, Ali Wong at the Beacon Theatre, Tina Fey & Amy Poehler at The Beacon, Trey Anastasio’s eight-week virtual residency at the Beacon Theatre - a first for the Company - and Harry Styles’ 15-night run at The Garden.
Our venues also attract family shows and theatrical productions, which have included: ‘Twas the Night Before… by Cirque du Soleil at both The Chicago Theatre and The Theater at Madison Square Garden, and Paw Patrol Live!. Other significant events that have taken place at our venues include the GRAMMY Awards, the Tony Awards, the MTV Video Music Awards, New York Comic Con, Tribeca Festival events and the final season premieres of both HBO’s Game of Thrones and STARZ’s POWER. We have also hosted appearances by luminaries such as His Holiness Pope Francis, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, along with graduations, television upfronts, product launches and film premieres.
Although we primarily license our venues to third-party promoters for a fee, we also promote or co-promote shows. If we serve as promoters or co-promoters of a show, we have economic risk relating to the event.
Sports
MSG Sports’ professional sports teams, the Knicks and the Rangers, are two of the most recognized franchises in sports, with passionate, multigenerational fan bases. The Company has long-term Arena License Agreements with MSG Sports that require the Knicks and the Rangers to play their home games at The Garden, allowing us to continue hosting their long-time fans at The World’s Most Famous Arena.
Our Company also promotes, produces and/or presents a broad array of other live sporting events, including professional boxing, college basketball, college hockey, professional bull riding, mixed martial arts, esports and wrestling. Many of these events are among the most popular in our history and are perennial highlights on our annual calendar, as well as some of The Garden’s longest-running associations.
Professional boxing has a long history with The Garden. The Garden famously hosted Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier’s 1971 “Fight of the Century,” considered among the greatest sporting events in modern history, as well as numerous other boxing greats, including: Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Sugar Ray Robinson, Willie Pep, Emile Griffith, George Foreman, Roberto Duran, Oscar De La Hoya, Sugar Ray Leonard, Lennox Lewis, Roy Jones, Jr., Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Miguel Cotto and Wladimir Klitschko. In recent years, boxing’s top fighters have called The Garden home, including two-division world champion Teofimo Lopez, former three-weight division champion Vasiliy Lomachenko, former unified middleweight champion Gennadiy Golovkin and boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez. In Fiscal Year 2022, for the first-time in The Garden’s history, two women headlined a boxing event when Katie Taylor faced off against Amanda Serrano in front of a sold-out crowd for the undisputed lightweight championship of the world.
Since the return of professional mixed martial arts in New York State in 2016, The Garden regularly hosts top UFC events, including UFC 205 featuring Connor McGregor and Eddie Alvarez, as well as the Professional Fighters League, which has held events at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, including its inaugural World Championships.
College sports have been a mainstay at The Garden for decades, with college basketball being featured at The World’s Most Famous Arena for nearly 90 years. The Garden hosted the annual Big East Tournament in March 2024 for the 42nd straight year. MSG Entertainment and the BIG EAST have been partners since the Tournament was first played at the iconic venue in 1983, and recently extended the partnership through 2032, ensuring the Tournament continues to be college basketball’s longest-running post-season championship held at the same location. In addition, St. John’s University has called The Garden its “home away from home” for decades. The Garden also continues to build its college hockey tradition, with a popular biennial event featuring Cornell University vs. Boston University, as well as recent visits from top national teams such as Boston College, North Dakota, Harvard, Yale, Michigan and Minnesota.
The Madison Square Garden Complex also hosted professional darts via the US Darts Masters and the North American Championship at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in 2022, which also marked the first time a professional darts championship was held in New York City. After the successful inaugural year, the event returned to The Theater at Madison Square Garden in 2023 and 2024.
Other world-class sporting events have included the NBA All-Star Game in 2015, and the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball East Regional Finals, which The Garden hosted in 2014, 2017 and 2023.
Our Productions
One of the Company’s core properties, the Christmas Spectacular - which runs exclusively at Radio City Music Hall and features the world-famous Rockettes - has been performed at Radio City since the show’s inception in 1933. This production has become a tradition for many, creating a holiday touchstone that generations of fans want to return to, time and again. The show’s enduring popularity is driven by the incomparable Rockettes, the longest-running precision dance company in America, admired for their iconic style of dance, talent and athleticism, as well as their unity both on and off the stage.
In Fiscal Year 2024, the production returned for its 90th year - selling over 1 million tickets across 193 performances and serving as a source of joy and inspiration for fans of all ages. The Rockettes perform in nine numbers throughout the 90-minute production - with more technically complex and different styles of dance than ever before.
We acquired the rights to the Christmas Spectacular in 1997, and those rights are separate from, and do not depend on the continuation of, our lease of Radio City Music Hall. We also hold rights to the Rockettes brand in the same manner. We lease Radio City Music Hall pursuant to a long-term lease agreement. See “Our Venues - Radio City Music Hall.”
The Company believes it has a significant and unique asset in the Rockettes and continues to strengthen and broaden the Rockettes brand by targeting the most prominent and effective vehicles that elevate their visibility and underscore their reputation as beloved American cultural icons. We continue to pursue opportunities to generate greater brand awareness, including through television, social media and public appearances and dance education offerings. The Rockettes have appeared or performed at high-profile events and award shows, including Presidential Inaugurations, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks event, “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” Tree Lighting, New Year’s Eve Times Square Ball Drop, Tony Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, World Pride events, and television shows and holiday specials (Saturday Night Live, America’s Got Talent, Project Runway, The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show, Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to All!, The Today Show, Live with Kelly and Mark and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon), among many others. In November 2022, the Rockettes were featured in Hallmark Channel’s movie, “A Holiday Spectacular,” which was shot in part on location at Radio City Music Hall and debuted as part of the network’s Countdown to Christmas programming.
We are also committed to ensuring that the best dancers from all backgrounds, cultures, races, religions and ethnicities can become Rockettes, and are actively strengthening our relationships within the dance community, expanding where we hold scouting sessions, and opening education and training opportunities to more dancers through our dancer development program - including Rockettes Conservatory. Held at Radio City Music Hall each summer, Rockettes Conservatory is a no-fee, invite-only intensive training program providing invited dancers with a well-rounded curriculum that emphasizes the Rockettes precision technique. The program was
designed as an investment in promising dancers’ futures, and in addition to becoming an inclusive talent pipeline for future Rockettes, Rockettes Conservatory is intended to ensure the dance company continues to evolve by attracting the best dancers. The dance company continues to foster relationships with diverse dance organizations, including The Ailey School, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Harlem School of the Arts, International Association of Blacks in Dance and The Chloé and Maud Foundation, to provide program support, introduce staff and students to the unique world of precision dance and actively engage with dancers for our dancer development program.
Our Venues
The Company operates a mix of iconic venues that continue to build on their historic prominence as destinations for unforgettable experiences and events.
We own or operate under long-term leases a total of five venues in New York City and Chicago. These venues are: The Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and the Beacon Theatre in New York City; and The Chicago Theatre.
The Garden
The Garden has been a celebrated center of New York life since it first opened its doors in 1879. Over its 145-year history, there have been four Garden buildings, each known for showcasing the best of the era’s live sports and entertainment offerings. We believe that The Garden has come to epitomize the power and passion of live sports and entertainment to people around the world, with an appearance at The Garden often representing a pinnacle of an athlete’s or performer’s career. Known as The World’s Most Famous Arena, The Garden has been the site of some of the most memorable events in sports and entertainment, and together with The Theater at Madison Square Garden, has hosted hundreds of events and millions of visitors each year. Music industry subscribers to the trade magazine Pollstar have voted The Garden “Arena of the Year” 23 times since the inception of the awards in 1989. The Garden also regularly ranks as the highest-grossing entertainment venue of its size in the world based on Billboard magazine’s mid-year and year-end rankings. The venue was ranked number one worldwide six times in the last seven years for venues with a capacity over 15,001, including in calendar year 2023, according to Billboard’s year-end rankings, and in 2023, for the second consecutive year, was the highest grossing venue in the world, regardless of capacity or structure.
Over The Garden’s history, it has been the setting for countless “big events,” inspired performances and one-of-a-kind moments that have helped define sports, entertainment and culture. Highlights include “The Fight of the Century” between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1971, the 1970 Knicks’ NBA Championship, the Rangers’ 1994 Stanley Cup Championship, three Democratic National Conventions and one Republican National Convention, Marilyn Monroe’s famous birthday serenade to President John F. Kennedy, Frank Sinatra’s “Main Event” concert in 1974, the only U.S. concerts from the reunited Cream, the 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame concerts, the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, and Billy Joel’s record-breaking 150 lifetime performances at The Garden (through July 2024). In September 2015, His Holiness Pope Francis celebrated Mass at The Garden as part of his successful U.S. visit, which marked the first time a current pope has visited The Garden since Pope John Paul II in 1979. The Garden has also hosted four prominent benefit concerts, which galvanized the public to respond to national and global crises, including the first of its kind, “The Concert for Bangladesh” in 1972, as well as “The Concert for New York City,” following the events of 9/11; “From the Big Apple to the Big Easy,” held after Hurricane Katrina in 2005; and “12-12-12, The Concert for Sandy Relief” in 2012. In February 2020, To Kill a Mockingbird became the first-ever Broadway play to perform at The Garden with an entirely free performance for 18,000 New York City public school students. The Garden also continues to be home to two of MSG Sports’ professional sports franchises - the Knicks and Rangers.
The current Madison Square Garden complex, located between 31st and 33rd Streets and Seventh and Eighth Avenues on Manhattan’s West Side (the “Madison Square Garden Complex”), opened on February 11, 1968 with a salute to the United Service Organizations hosted by Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. From a structural standpoint, the construction of the current Garden was considered an engineering wonder for its time, including its famous circular shape and unique, cable supported ceiling, which contributes to its intimate feel. It was the first large structure built over an active railroad track. The builder, R.E. McKee, had a national reputation and was later recognized as a “Master Builder” by the construction industry. Architect Charles Luckman had one of the largest firms in the country and designed such buildings as the Prudential Tower in Boston, NASA’s flight center in Houston and the Forum in Inglewood, CA.
Following a three-year, top-to-bottom renovation, in October 2013, The Garden was fully transformed, featuring improved sightlines, additional entertainment and dining options, new concourses, upgraded hospitality areas, new technology, unique historic exhibits, and a completely transformed interior, where the intimacy of the arena bowl and The Garden’s world-famous ceiling were maintained. Focused on the total fan experience, the renovation was designed to benefit everyone in attendance, whether first-time visitors, season ticket subscribers, athletes, artists, suite holders or marketing partners. The Garden’s transformation ensured that attending an event at “The World’s Most Famous Arena” remained unlike anywhere else.
We own the Madison Square Garden Complex, the platform on which it is built and development rights (including air rights) above our property. Madison Square Garden sits atop Penn Station, a major commuter hub in Manhattan, which is owned by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak). While the development rights we own would permit us to expand in the future, any such use of development rights would require various approvals from the City of New York. The Garden seats up to approximately 21,000 spectators for entertainment and sporting events and, along with The Theater at Madison Square Garden, contains approximately 1,100,000 square feet of floor space over 11 levels.
The Theater at Madison Square Garden
The Theater at Madison Square Garden, which has approximately 5,600 seats, opened as part of the fourth Madison Square Garden Complex in 1968. Since then, some of the biggest names in live entertainment have performed at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, including The Who, Diana Ross, Elton John, James Taylor, Mary J. Blige, Pentatonix, John Legend, Karol G, Ellie Goulding, Chris Rock, Neil Young, Bill Maher, Jerry Seinfeld, Tyler, the Creator, J Balvin, Ricky Gervais, Nicky Jam, Aziz Ansari, Alejandro Sanz, Bert Kreischer and Van Morrison. The Theater at Madison Square Garden has also been the site for several boxing events including the inaugural World Championships of the Professional Fighters League, as well as the NBA and NFL Drafts. In addition, it has hosted various product launches, upfronts, award shows, and other special events such as Wheel of Fortune and audition shows for America’s Got Talent, as well as a variety of theatrical productions and family shows, including ’Twas the Night Before… by Cirque du Soleil, A Christmas Story, Elf The Musical, Paw Patrol Live! and Sesame Street Live!.
Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall has a rich history as a national theatrical and cultural mecca since it was first built by theatrical impresario S.L. “Roxy” Rothafel in 1932. Known as “The Showplace of the Nation,” it was the first building in the Rockefeller Center complex and, at the time, the largest indoor theater in the world. Radio City Music Hall, a venue with approximately 6,000 seats, hosts concerts, family shows and special events, and is home to the Christmas Spectacular. See “- Our Productions.” Over its history, entertainers who have graced the Great Stage include: Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Lady Gaga, Brian Wilson, Harry Styles, Diana Ross, Olivia Rodrigo, Josh Groban, Mariah Carey, Lorde, Nine Inch Nails, Trey Anastasio, Khalid, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, The Weeknd, Hasan Minhaj, Billie Eilish, Sebastian Maniscalco, Jim Gaffigan, David Gilmour and Dave Chappelle. Radio City Music Hall was recognized by Pollstar magazine as Theatre of the Decade for 2009-2019 and regularly ranks as the highest-grossing entertainment venue of its size in the world, based on Billboard magazine’s mid-year and year-end rankings. The venue has ranked number one worldwide eight of the last ten years for venues with capacities of 5,001 to 10,000, including in calendar year 2023, according to Billboard’s year-end rankings.
In 1978, Radio City Music Hall was designated a New York City landmark by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission and a national landmark on the National Register of Historic Places. We acquired the lease in 1997, and in 1999, performed a complete restoration that returned the legendary theater to its original grandeur. The acclaimed restoration touched all aspects of the venue, including burnishing the ceilings of Radio City Music Hall with 720,000 sheets of gold and aluminum leaf, replacing the existing stage curtain with a new 112-foot wide golden silk curtain, and cleaning the three-story tall mural “The Fountain of Youth,” by Ezra Winter, which looms above the grand staircase. State-of-the-art sound systems, lighting and HDTV capabilities were also installed.
We lease Radio City Music Hall, located at Sixth Avenue and 50th Street in Manhattan, pursuant to a long-term lease agreement. In July 2021, the Company extended the term of the lease through August 31, 2038, with an option to renew for an additional 10 years by providing two years’ notice prior to expiration.
Beacon Theatre
In November 2006, we entered into a long-term lease agreement to operate the legendary Beacon Theatre, a venue with approximately 2,800 seats, which sits on the corner of Broadway and 74th Street in Manhattan. The Beacon Theatre was conceived by S. L. “Roxy” Rothafel and is considered the “older sister” to Radio City Music Hall. Designed by Chicago architect Walter Ahlschlager, the Beacon Theatre opened in 1929 as a forum for vaudeville acts, musical productions, drama, opera and movies. The Beacon Theatre was designated a New York City landmark by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1979 and a national landmark on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Over its history, the Beacon Theatre has been a venerable rock and roll room for some of the greatest names in music, including: Steely Dan, Coldplay, Bono, Bonnie Raitt, Crosby Stills & Nash, Elton John, Gov’t Mule, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Eddie Vedder, John Mellencamp, Jackson Browne, Widespread Panic and Bob Dylan, as well as The Allman Brothers Band, which played its 238th show at the Beacon Theatre in October 2014, marking their final concert as a band. In recent years, the venue has become a comedy haven, hosting a Jerry Seinfeld residency and multi-night stands from comedians including Tina Fey & Amy Poehler, Seth Meyers & John Oliver, Ali Wong, Trevor Noah, Chelsea Handler, Eddie Izzard, Nate Bargatze and Russell Peters. The venue has also hosted special events, such as film premieres for Tribeca Festival, along with numerous luminaries such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2009 and 2013, and President Bill Clinton in 2006, when the Rolling Stones played a private concert in honor of his 60th birthday. In Fall 2020, the Company and Trey Anastasio presented The Beacon Jams, the venue’s first-ever virtual residency which included eight weekly shows that were streamed live to hundreds of thousands of fans and raised more than $1 million for charity.
In August 2008, the Beacon Theatre was closed for a seven-month restoration project to return the theater to its original 1929 grandeur. The restoration of the Beacon Theatre focused on all historic, interior public spaces of the building, backstage and back-of-house areas, and was based on extensive historic research, as well as detailed, on-site examination of original, decorative painting techniques that had been covered by decades-old layers of paint. The Beacon Theatre has won several architectural awards recognizing its outstanding restoration. The widely acclaimed, comprehensive restoration was similar to our restoration of Radio City Music Hall and reflects our commitment to New York City. The Beacon Theatre regularly ranks as one of the highest-grossing entertainment venues of its size in the world, including a top five venue in calendar year 2023, based on Billboard magazine’s mid-year and year-end rankings.
In December 2021, the Company extended the term of our lease on the Beacon Theatre through December 31, 2036, with an option to renew for an additional 10 years by providing notice prior to expiration.
The Chicago Theatre
In October 2007, to provide us with an anchor for content and distribution in a key market in the Midwest, we purchased The Chicago Theatre, a legendary venue with approximately 3,600 seats. The Chicago Theatre, which features its famous six-story-high “C-H-I-C-A-G-O” marquee, was built in 1921 and designed in the French Baroque style by architects Cornelius W. Rapp and George L. Rapp. It is the oldest surviving example of this architectural style in Chicago today, and was designated a Chicago landmark building in 1983.
The Chicago Theatre has become a highly attractive destination for concerts, comedy shows and other live events, hosting a wide range of entertainers, including Bob Dylan, Mumford & Sons, David Byrne, Ed Sheeran, Wilco, Neil Young, Diana Ross, Madonna, Jerry Seinfeld, Janet Jackson, Elvis Costello, Bob Weir, Jim Gaffigan, Conan O’Brien, Amy Schumer, Steely Dan and Brett Eldredge. The venue has also hosted theatrical tours such as ’Twas the Night Before… by Cirque du Soleil, A Christmas Story, The Wizard of Oz, Paw Patrol Live! and Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical. The Chicago Theatre regularly ranks as one of the highest-grossing entertainment venues of its size in the world, including a top ten venue in calendar year 2023, based on Billboard magazine’s mid-year and year-end rankings.
Intellectual Property
We create, own and license intellectual property in the countries in which we operate, have operated or intend to operate, and it is our practice to protect our trademarks, brands, copyrights, inventions and other original and acquired works. We have registered many of our trademarks and have filed applications for certain others. Our registrations and applications relate to trademarks and inventions associated with, among other of our brands, Madison Square Garden and the Radio City Rockettes brands. We believe our ability to maintain and monetize our intellectual property rights, including our brand logos, is important to our business, our brand-building efforts and the marketing of our products and services. We cannot predict, however, whether steps taken by us to protect our proprietary rights will be adequate to prevent misappropriation of these rights or protect against vulnerability to oppositions or cancellation actions due to non-use. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors - Risks Related to Cybersecurity and Intellectual Property - We may become subject to infringement or other claims relating to our content or technology” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors - Risks Related to Cybersecurity and Intellectual Property - Theft of our intellectual property may have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.”
Our Community
The Company actively engages with and supports the communities we serve through a variety of important initiatives. The Company’s 2022 Corporate Social Responsibility Report can be found on our website under “Our Community.”
We are proud to play a leadership role organizing extraordinary events such as opening The Garden to the “12-12-12” benefit concert organized post-Superstorm Sandy, which raised more than $50 million for hurricane victims. In February 2020, The Garden opened its doors to 18,000 New York City public school students for an exclusive, free performance of the Broadway production of To Kill a Mockingbird. In addition to these events, the Company provides funding annually to various non-profit organizations across the country, as well as in-kind contributions such as tickets, promotional items and food to schools, charities and community-based organizations in the local area. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company worked with dozens of local restaurants and charities to donate approximately 200,000 meals to families in need.
The Garden of Dreams Foundation
The centerpiece of the Company’s philanthropy is The Garden of Dreams Foundation (“GDF”), a non-profit organization that assists young people in need. Since it was established in 2006, the GDF has donated nearly $81 million in grants and other donations, impacting more than 440,000 young people and their families. GDF focuses on young people facing illness or financial challenges, as well as children of uniformed personnel who have been lost or injured while serving our communities. In partnership with the Company, MSG Sports, and Sphere Entertainment, GDF provides young people in our communities with access to educational and
skills opportunities; mentoring programs and memorable experiences that enhance their lives, help shape their futures and create lasting joy. Each year, as part of its Season of Giving, Garden of Dreams partners with the Radio City Rockettes, and MSG Sports’ Knicks and Rangers, on a wide range of charitable programs. GDF further supports its mission by providing a core group of non-profit partners with critical funding to ensure their long-term success.
Supplier Diversity
We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment across all areas of our business. In partnership with MSG Sports and Sphere Entertainment, our Business and Supplier Diversity Program seeks to provide opportunities to diverse suppliers to do business with each of the three companies. See “-Human Capital Resources - Diversity and Inclusion (“D&I”).”
Regulation
The rules, regulations, policies and procedures affecting our business are subject to change. The following paragraphs describe the existing legal and regulatory requirements that are most significant to our business today; they do not purport to describe all present and proposed laws and regulations affecting our business.
Our business is subject to the general powers of federal, state and local government, as well as foreign governmental authorities, to deal with matters of health and public safety.
Venue Licenses
Our venues, like all public spaces, are subject to building and health codes and fire regulations imposed by the state and local governments in the jurisdictions in which they are located. Our venues are also subject to zoning and outdoor advertising regulations, and, with respect to Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre and The Chicago Theatre, landmark regulations which restrict us from making certain modifications to our facilities as of right or from operating certain types of businesses. Our venues also require a number of licenses to operate, including occupancy permits, exhibition licenses, food and beverage permits, liquor licenses and other authorizations and, with respect to The Garden, a zoning special permit granted by the City of New York. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors - Economic and Operational Risks - We are subject to extensive governmental regulation and our failure to comply with these regulations may have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.” In the jurisdictions in which these venues are located, the operator is subject to statutes that generally provide that serving alcohol to a visibly intoxicated or minor guest is a violation of the law and may provide for strict liability for certain damages arising out of such violations. In addition, our venues are subject to the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (and related state and local statutes), which requires us to maintain certain accessibility features at each of our facilities. We and our venues are also subject to environmental laws and regulations. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors - Economic and Operational Risks - We are subject to extensive governmental regulation and our failure to comply with these regulations may have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.”
Labor
Our business is also subject to regulation regarding working conditions, overtime and minimum wage requirements. See “- Item 1A. Risk Factors - Economic and Operational Risks - Labor matters may have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.”
Ticket Sales
Our business is subject to legislation governing the sale and resale of tickets and consumer protection statutes generally.
Data and Privacy
We are subject to various data privacy and protection laws, regulations, policies and contractual obligations that apply to the collection, transmission, storage, processing and use of personal information or personal data, which among other things, impose certain requirements relating to the privacy and security of personal information. The variety of laws and regulations governing data privacy and protection, and the use of the internet as a commercial medium are rapidly evolving, extensive and complex, and may include provisions and obligations that are inconsistent with one another or uncertain in their scope or application.
The data protection landscape is rapidly evolving in the United States. As our operations and business grow, we may become subject to or affected by new or additional data protections laws and regulations and face increased scrutiny or attention from regulatory authorities. For example, California passed a comprehensive data privacy law, the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (the “CCPA”), and a number of other states, including New Jersey, Virginia, Colorado, Utah and Connecticut have also passed similar laws, and additional states may do so in the near future. Additionally, the California Privacy Rights Act (the “CPRA”) imposes additional data protection obligations on covered businesses, including additional consumer rights procedures and obligations, limitations on data uses, new audit requirements for higher risk data, and constraints on certain uses of sensitive data. The majority of the CPRA provisions went into effect on January 1, 2023, and additional compliance investment and potential business process
changes may be required. Further, there are several legislative proposals in the United States, at both the federal and state level, that could impose new privacy and security obligations.
In addition, governmental authorities and private litigants continue to bring actions against companies for online collection, use, dissemination and security practices that are unfair or deceptive.
Website and Mobile Application Requirements
Our business is also subject to certain regulations applicable to our Internet websites and mobile applications. We maintain various websites and mobile applications that provide information and content regarding our business, offer merchandise and tickets for sale, make available sweepstakes and/or contests and offer hospitality services. The operation of these websites and applications may be subject to third-party requirements, as well as a range of federal, state and local laws including those related to privacy and protection of personal information, accessibility for persons with disabilities and consumer protection regulations. In addition, our websites are subject to the requirements of state privacy laws such as the CCPA.
Competition
Our business competes, in certain respects and to varying degrees, with other live performances, sporting events, movies, home entertainment (including the Internet and online services, social media and social networking platforms, television, video and gaming devices), and the large number of other entertainment and public attraction options available to members of the public. Our business typically represents alternative uses for the public’s entertainment dollars. The primary geographic area in which we operate, New York City, is among the most competitive entertainment markets in the world, with extensive performing arts venues, numerous major professional sports teams, and countless museums, galleries, movie theaters, and other attractions available to the public. Our venues and live offerings outside of New York City similarly compete with other entertainment options in their respective markets and elsewhere. We compete with these other entertainment options on the basis of the quality of our offerings, the public’s interest in our content and the price of our tickets.
We compete for bookings with a large number of other venues both in the cities in which our venues are located and in alternative locations capable of booking the same productions and events. Generally, we compete for bookings on the basis of the size, quality, expense and nature of the venue required for the booking. Some of our competitors may have a larger network of venues and/or greater financial resources.
In addition to competition for bookings and ticket sales, we also compete to varying degrees with other productions and sporting events for sponsorship dollars.
Human Capital Resources
We believe the strength of our workforce is one of the significant contributors to our success. Our key human capital management objectives are to invest in and support our employees in order to attract, develop and retain a high performing and diverse workforce.
Diversity and Inclusion (“D&I”)
We aim to create an employee experience that fosters the Company’s culture of respect and inclusion. By welcoming the diverse perspectives and experiences of our employees, we all share in the creation of a more vibrant, unified, and engaging place to work. Together with Sphere Entertainment and MSG Sports, we have furthered these objectives under our expanded People Development, Diversity and Inclusion function, including:
Workforce: Embedding Diversity and Inclusion through Talent Actions
•Created a common definition of “potential” and an objective potential assessment to de-bias talent review conversations so employees have an opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Through our performance management process, we encourage regular conversations between managers and employees regarding goals, career growth and productivity;
•Integrated D&I best practices into our performance management and learning and development strategies with the goal of driving more equitable outcomes;
•Developed an emerging talent list to expand our talent pool to better identify and provide specific development opportunities for high performing employees, including diverse talent; and
•Required all employees to participate in our “Uncover the Elements of an Effective Interview” training, prior to participation in any interview process to educate employees on various forms of bias in the interview process.
Workplace: Building an Inclusive and Accessible Community
•Expanded our efforts with the MSG D&I enterprise calendar to acknowledge and celebrate culturally relevant days and months of recognition, anchored by our six employee resource groups (“ERGs”): Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), Black, LatinX, PRIDE, Veterans, and Women. Membership in our ERGs is open to all employees, and we increased combined ERG involvement from approximately 1,100 members in Fiscal Year 2023 to approximately 1,700 members in Fiscal Year 2024 (an increase of 54.8%), which includes employees from the Company, Sphere Entertainment and MSG Sports;
•Continued to embed our “Conscious Inclusion Awareness Experience” into an on-boarding experience. This is a required educational module, delivered in two parts, focused on unconscious bias and conscious inclusion within our learning management system;
•Broadened our D&I educational strategy by launching “D&I Learning Moments” to highlight e-learning courses in our learning management system connected to D&I themes, including microagressions and stereotypes. Additionally, our D&I team offers live trainings that are open to the entire company on topics such as Inclusive Leadership, LGBTQ+ Allyship and Generational Differences. Trainings were completed by approximately 500 employees across the Company, Sphere Entertainment and MSG Sports from January 2024 to June 2024;
•Continued our LGBTQ+ inclusivity strategy by hosting live allyship and inclusivity trainings and launching toolkit resources for employees to learn and develop. Together with the PRIDE ERG, we marched in the NYC Pride Parades in 2022, 2023 and 2024; and
•Expanded our community conversations series with a theme this year of “Finding Your Voice.” Panels were held during Hispanic Heritage Month, Veterans Day, Black History Month, Women’s Empowerment Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Pride Month with elected officials and employees across the Company, Sphere Entertainment and MSG Sports.
Community: Bridging the Divide through Expansion to Diverse Stakeholders
•Focused on increasing opportunities to connect with diverse vendors and suppliers by leveraging ERGs and our community. This effort creates revenue generating opportunities for diverse suppliers to promote their businesses and products. In Fiscal Year 2024, we, Sphere Entertainment and MSG Sports expanded our multi-city holiday market event featuring thirty underrepresented businesses in New York City and Burbank;
•Invested in an external facing supplier diversity portal on our website, which launched in Fiscal Year 2023. The portal is intended to expand opportunities for the Company, Sphere Entertainment and MSG Sports to do business with diverse suppliers, including minority-, women-, LGBTQ+- and veteran-owned businesses;
•Strengthened our commitment to higher education institutions to increase campus recruitment pipelines. In partnership with the Knicks and our social impact team, hosted the 3rd Annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities Night at The Garden, highlighting the important contributions of these institutions and awarded a $60,000 scholarship to a New York City high school student; and
•Partnered with MSG Sports to host various theme nights during Knicks and Rangers games throughout the season and invited our ERGs to participate.
Talent
As of June 30, 2024, we had approximately 1,200 full-time union and non-union employees and approximately 5,500 part-time union and non-union employees.
We aim to attract top talent through our prestigious brands and venues, as well as through the many benefits we offer. We aim to retain and develop our talent by emphasizing our competitive rewards, offering opportunities that support employees both personally and professionally, and our commitment to fostering career development in a positive corporate culture.
Our performance management practice includes ongoing feedback and conversations between managers and team members, and talent reviews designed to identify potential future leaders and inform succession plans. We value continuous learning and development opportunities for our employees, which include a career development tool, leadership development programs, a learning platform, and tuition assistance.
Our benefit offerings are designed to meet the range of needs of our diverse workforce and include: domestic partner coverage, an employee assistance program which also provides assistance with child and elder care resources, legal support, pet insurance, wellness programs and financial planning seminars. These resources are intended to support the physical, emotional and financial well-being of our employees.
As of June 30, 2024, approximately 70% of our employees were represented by unions. Approximately 9% of such union employees are subject to collective bargaining agreements (“CBAs”) that expired as of June 30, 2024 and approximately 12% are subject to CBAs that will expire by June 30, 2025 if they are not extended prior thereto. Labor relations can be volatile, though our current relationships with our unions taken as a whole are positive. We have from time to time faced labor action or had to make contingency plans because of threatened or potential labor actions.
Financial Information about Geographic Areas
All revenues and assets of the Company are attributed to or located in the United States. A majority of the Company’s revenues and assets are concentrated in the New York City metropolitan area.
Available Information
Our telephone number is 212-465-6000, our website is http://www.msgentertainment.com and the investor relations section of our website is http://investor.msgentertainment.com. We make available, free of charge through the investor relations section of our website, annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as well as proxy statements, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of these filings are also available on the SEC’s website. References to our website in this report are provided as a convenience and the information contained on, or available through, our website is not part of this or any other report we file with or furnish to the SEC.
Investor Relations can be contacted at Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp., Two Penn Plaza, New York, New York 10121, Attn: Investor Relations, telephone: 212-631-5422, e-mail: investor@msg.com. We use our website (https://www.msgentertainment.com/) and our LinkedIn account (https://www.linkedin.com/company/msg-entertainment/), as well as other social media channels, to disclose public information to investors, the media and others.
Our officers may use similar social media channels to disclose public information. It is possible that certain information we or our officers post on our website and on social media could be deemed material, and we encourage investors, the media and others interested in MSG Entertainment to review the business and financial information we or our officers post on our website and on the social media channels identified above. The information on our website and those social media channels is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Risks Related to Our Business
Our business faces intense and wide-ranging competition that may have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.
Our business competes, in certain respects and to varying degrees, with other leisure-time activities and entertainment options such as television, radio, motion pictures, sporting events, music festivals and other live performances, restaurants and nightlife venues, the Internet, social media and social networking platforms, and online and mobile services, including sites for online content distribution, video on demand and other alternative sources of entertainment and information, in addition to competing for concerts with other event venues, for total entertainment dollars in our marketplace.
The success of our business is largely dependent on the continued success of the Christmas Spectacular, and the availability of, and our venues’ ability to attract concerts, family shows, sporting events and other events, competition for which is intense, and the ability of performers to attract strong attendance at our venues. For example, The Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theatre all compete with other entertainment options in the New York City metropolitan area and elsewhere. The Chicago Theatre faces similar competition from other entertainment options in its market and elsewhere.
In addition, our business is highly sensitive to customer tastes and depends on our ability to attract artists and events. The success of our business depends in part upon our ability to offer live entertainment that is popular with customers. We contract with promoters and others to provide performers and events at our venues. There may be a limited number of popular artists, groups or events that can attract audiences to our venues, and our business would suffer to the extent that we are unable to continue to attract such artists, groups and events to perform at our venues.
In order to maintain the competitive positions of The Garden and our other venues, we must invest on a continuous basis in state-of-the-art technology. In addition, we must maintain a competitive pricing structure for events that may be held in our venues, many of which have alternative venue options available to them in New York and other cities. We invest in our Christmas Spectacular production to continue to attract audiences. We cannot be assured that such investments will generate revenues that are sufficient to justify our investment or even that exceed our expenses.
The success of our business depends on the continued popularity of the Christmas Spectacular production, and the entertainment and sporting events we host at our venues, the decline of which could have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.
The financial results of our business are dependent on the Christmas Spectacular production, for which the 2023 production represented 16% of our revenues in Fiscal Year 2024. Fan and consumer tastes also change frequently and it is a challenge to anticipate what will be successful at any point in time. The popularity of the Christmas Spectacular has in the past declined, for example, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and if it were to decline in the future (including, for example, due to an economic downturn or another pandemic or other public health emergency), our revenues from ticket sales and concession and merchandise sales would likely decline, possibly materially as they did during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we might not be able to replace the lost revenue with revenues from other sources.
As a result of our commercial agreements with MSG Sports, the success of our business is also impacted in part by the popularity of MSG Sports’ Knicks and Rangers franchises with their fan bases and, in varying degrees, the teams achieving on-court and on-ice success, which can generate fan enthusiasm, resulting in additional suite, sponsorship, food and beverage and merchandise sales during the teams’ regular seasons. Furthermore, success in the regular season may qualify the Knicks and Rangers for participation in post-season playoffs, which provides us with additional revenue by increasing the number of games played by the teams at The Garden, potentially helping improve attendance in subsequent seasons and increasing the popularity of our suites and sponsorships.
Our business strategy may, in the future, include the development of new productions, which could require us to make considerable investments for which there can be no guarantee of success.
As part of our business strategy, we may, in the future, explore the development of new productions for our existing venues, which may include expansions or enhancements of our existing productions or the creation of entirely new productions. Expansion or enhancement of productions and/or the development of new productions could require significant upfront expense that may never result in a viable show, as well as investment in sets, staging, creative processes, commissioning and/or licensing of intellectual property, casting and advertising, and may lead to dislocation of other alternative sources of entertainment that may have played in our venues absent these productions. To the extent that any efforts at expanding or enhancing productions or creating new productions do not result in a viable show, or to the extent that any such productions do not achieve expected levels of popularity among audiences, we may not recover the substantial expenses we previously incurred for non-capitalized investments. We have in the past written off, and may in the future write off, all or a portion of capitalized investments. In addition, any delay in launching potential productions or enhancements has in the past resulted and could in the future result in the incurrence of operating costs that are not recouped. For example, we wrote off approximately $75.4 million of deferred production costs across Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017 related to the New York Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes.
We depend on licenses from third parties for the performance of musical works at our venues, the loss of which or renewal of which on less favorable terms may have a negative effect on our business and results of operations.
We are required to obtain public performance licenses from music performing rights organizations, commonly known as “PROs,” in connection with the performance of musical works at concerts and certain other live events held at our venues. In exchange for public performance licenses, PROs are paid a per-event royalty, traditionally calculated either as a percentage of ticket revenue or a per-ticket amount. The PRO royalty obligation of any individual event is generally paid by, or charged to, the promoter of the event.
If we are unable to obtain these licenses, or are unable to obtain them on terms consistent with past practice, it may have a negative effect on our business and results of operations. An increase in the royalty rate and/or the revenue base on which the royalty rate is applied could substantially increase the cost of presenting concerts and certain other live events at our venues. If we are no longer able to pass all or a portion of these royalties on to promoters (or other venue licensees), it may have a negative effect on our business and results of operations.
Our properties are subject to, and benefit from, certain easements, the availability of which may not continue on terms favorable to us or at all.
Our properties are subject to, and benefit from, certain easements. For example, the “breezeway” into the Madison Square Garden Complex from Seventh Avenue in New York City is a significant easement that we share with other property owners. Our ability to continue to utilize this and other easements, including for advertising and promotional purposes, requires us to comply with a number of conditions. Certain adjoining property owners have easements over our property, which we are required to maintain so long as those property owners meet certain conditions. It is possible that we will be unable to continue to access or maintain any easements on terms favorable to us, or at all, which could have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.
A change to or withdrawal of a New York City real estate tax exemption for the Madison Square Garden Complex may have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.
Many arenas, ballparks and stadiums nationally and in New York City have received significant public support, such as tax exempt financing, other tax benefits, direct subsidies and other contributions, including for public infrastructure critical to the facilities such as parking lots and transit improvements. Our Madison Square Garden Complex benefits from a more limited real estate tax exemption pursuant to an agreement with the City of New York, subject to certain conditions, and legislation enacted by the State of New York in
1982. For Fiscal Year 2024, the tax exemption was $42.2 million. From time to time, there have been calls to repeal or amend the tax exemption. For example, in January 2023, a number of elected representatives from New York issued a public letter and, in July 2023, the New York City Independent Budget Office issued a report, in each case noting the tax exemption status should be reexamined. Any repeal of the tax exemption status would require action by the New York State legislature.
We are party to Arena License Agreements with subsidiaries of MSG Sports that require two of MSG Sports’ professional sports teams - the Knicks and Rangers - to play all of their home games at The Garden. Under the Arena License Agreements, which each have a term of 35 years running through 2055, the Knicks and the Rangers pay an annual license fee in connection with their respective use of The Garden. In addition, the Arena License Agreements provide us with additional revenue opportunities. Under the Arena License Agreements, the teams are responsible for 100% of any real property or similar taxes applicable to The Garden.
If the tax exemption is repealed or the teams are otherwise subject to the property tax due to no fault of the teams, the revenue that we generate from team events will be reduced on a percentage basis as set forth in the Arena License Agreements. The value of any such revenue reduction could be significant but is expected to be substantially less than the property tax paid by the teams. There can be no assurance that the tax exemption will not be amended in a manner that imposes property tax or repealed in its entirety, either of which could have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.
Our operations and operating results have been, and may in the future be, materially impacted by a pandemic or other public health emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although the Company saw a return to normal business operations following the COVID-19 pandemic, it is unclear to what extent a resurgence of COVID-19, including variants thereof, or another pandemic or public health emergency, could result in renewed government or league-mandated capacity restrictions or vaccination/mask requirements or impact the use of and/or demand for our venues, demand for our sponsorship and signage assets, deter our employees and vendors from working at our venues (which may lead to difficulties in staffing), result in event bookings being cancelled or postponed, or otherwise materially impact our operations. Governmental regulations enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic or another pandemic or public health emergency have in the past impacted, and could impact in the future, the revenue we derive and/or the expenses we incur from events that we choose to host such that events that were historically profitable would instead result in losses, and could also materially impact the payments we receive under the Arena License Agreements to the extent the Knicks and/or the Rangers are required to play games without an audience during future seasons or to suspend, cancel or otherwise reduce the number of games scheduled in the regular reason or playoffs. See “- Economic and Operational Risks - We are subject to extensive governmental regulation and our failure to comply with these regulations may have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.”
Our business is particularly sensitive to reductions in travel and discretionary consumer spending. A pandemic such as COVID-19, or the fear of a new pandemic or public health emergency, has in the past impeded and could in the future impede economic activity in impacted regions and globally over the long term leading to a decline in discretionary spending on sports and entertainment events and other leisure activities, including declines in domestic and international tourism, which has in the past resulted and could in the future result in long-term effects on our business. To the extent a pandemic or other public health emergency adversely affects our business and financial results, it may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in this “Risk Factors” section, such as those relating to our liquidity, indebtedness and our ability to comply with the covenants contained in the agreements that govern our indebtedness.
Economic and Operational Risks
Our business has been adversely impacted and may, in the future, be materially adversely impacted by an economic downturn, recession, financial instability, inflation or changes in consumer tastes and preferences.
Our business depends upon the ability and willingness of consumers and businesses to purchase tickets at our venues, license suites and club memberships at The Garden, spend on food and beverages and merchandise, and drive continued sponsorship and signage revenues, and these revenues are sensitive to general economic conditions, recession, fears of recession and consumer behavior. For example, following the 2008 financial crisis, we experienced a lower level of event bookings and reduced renewals of certain of our suite licenses, which adversely affected the Company’s results of operations. Further, the industry is often affected by changes in consumer tastes, national, regional and local economic conditions, discretionary spending priorities (including spending on leisure travel), demographic trends, traffic patterns and the type, number and location of competing businesses.
Consumer and corporate spending has in the past declined and may in the future decline at any time for reasons beyond our control. The risks associated with our businesses generally become more acute in periods of a slowing economy or recession, which may be accompanied by reductions in corporate sponsorship and signage and decreases in attendance at live events, among other things, which we have experienced in the past and may experience in the future. In addition, inflation, which has significantly risen, has increased and may continue to increase operational costs, including labor costs, and continued increases in interest rates in response to concerns about inflation may have the effect of further increasing economic uncertainty and heightening these risks. As a result, instability and weakness of the U.S. and global economies, disruptions to financial markets, inflation, recession, high unemployment, geopolitical events, including any prolonged effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic or other similar outbreak or public health emergency, and the resulting negative effects on consumers’ and businesses’ discretionary spending, have in the past materially negatively affected, and may in the future materially negatively affect our business and results of operations. A prolonged period of reduced consumer or corporate spending, including with respect to sponsorship, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, has in the past and could in the
future have an adverse effect on our business and our results of operations. See “- Risks Related to Our Business - Our operations and operating results have been, and may in the future be, materially impacted by a pandemic or other public health emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.”
We do not own all of our venues and our failure to renew our leases on economically attractive terms may have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.
We lease the Beacon Theatre and Radio City Music Hall under long-term leases that expire in 2036 and 2038, respectively. Under each of these leases, we have an option to renew for an additional ten years by providing notice prior to the expiration. If we are unable to renew our lease agreements on economically attractive terms, our business could be materially negatively affected. MSG Entertainment Holdings, the entity that guarantees the lease for Radio City Music Hall, is required to maintain a certain net worth that, if not maintained, would require the entity to post a letter of credit or provide cash collateral. If MSG Entertainment Holdings were to breach or become unable to satisfy this obligation, we could suffer operational difficulties and/or significant losses.
The geographic concentration of our business could subject us to greater risk than our competitors and have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.
The Company primarily operates in New York City and, as a result, is subject to greater degrees of risk than competitors with more operating properties or that operate in more markets. The Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theatre are all located in New York City. Therefore, the Company is particularly vulnerable to adverse events (including acts of terrorism, natural disasters, epidemics, pandemics, weather conditions, labor market disruptions and government actions) and economic conditions in New York City and surrounding areas. For example, our operations and operating results were materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. See “- Risks Related to Our Business - Our operations and operating results have been, and may in the future be, materially impacted by a pandemic or other public health emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Our business could be adversely affected by terrorist activity or the threat of terrorist activity, weather and other conditions that discourage congregation at prominent places of public assembly.
The success of our business is dependent upon the willingness and ability of patrons to attend events at our venues. The venues we operate, like all prominent places of public assembly, could be the target of terrorist activities, including acts of domestic terrorism, or other actions that discourage attendance. Any such activity or threatened activity at or near one of our venues or other similar venues, including those located elsewhere, could result in reduced attendance at our venues and a material negative effect on our business and results of operations. If one or more of our venues were unable to operate for an extended period of time, our business and operations may be materially adversely affected. Similarly, a major epidemic or pandemic, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or the threat or perceived threat of such an event, has in the past adversely affected and could in the future adversely affect attendance at our events and venues by discouraging public assembly at our events and venues. Moreover, the costs of protecting against such incidents, including the costs of implementing additional protective measures for the health and safety of our guests, could reduce the profitability of our operations. See “- Risks Related to Our Business - Our operations and operating results were materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and actions taken in response by governmental authorities and certain professional sports leagues, and a resurgence of the pandemic or another pandemic or other public health emergency could adversely affect our business and results of operations.”
Weather or other conditions, including natural disasters and similar events, in locations where we own or operate venues may affect patron attendance as well as sales of food and beverages and merchandise, among other things. Weather conditions may also require us to cancel or postpone events. Any of these events may have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations, and any such events may harm our ability to obtain or renew insurance coverage on favorable terms or at all.
We may pursue acquisitions and other strategic transactions and/or investments to complement or expand our business that may not be successful.
From time to time, we may explore opportunities to purchase or invest in other businesses, venues or assets that we believe will complement, enhance or expand our current business or that might otherwise offer us growth opportunities, including opportunities that may differ from the Company’s current business. Any transactions that we are able to identify and complete may involve risks, including the commitment of significant capital, the incurrence of indebtedness, the payment of advances, the diversion of management’s attention and resources from our existing business to develop and integrate the acquired or combined business, the inability to successfully integrate such business or assets into our operations, litigation or other claims in connection with acquisitions or against companies we invest in or acquire, our lack of control over certain companies, including joint ventures and other minority investments, the risk of not achieving the intended results and the exposure to losses if the underlying transactions or ventures are not successful. At times, we have had, and we may again in the future have, significant investments in businesses that we account for under the equity method of accounting. Certain of these investments have generated operating losses in the past and certain have required additional investments from us in the form of equity or loans. There can be no assurance that these investments will become profitable individually or in the aggregate or that they will not require material additional funding from us in the future.
We may not control the day-to-day operations of these investments. We have in the past written down and, to the extent that these investments are not successful in the future, we may write down all or a portion of such investments. Additionally, these businesses may be subject to laws, rules and other circumstances, and have risks in their operations, which may be similar to, or different from,
those to which we are subject. Any of the foregoing risks could result in a material negative effect on our business and results of operations or adversely impact the value of our investments.
We are subject to extensive governmental regulation and our failure to comply with these regulations may have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.
Our business is subject to the general powers of federal, state and local governments, as well as foreign governmental authorities. We are also subject to the rules, regulations and decisions of the NBA and NHL to the extent such rules, regulations and decisions impact Knicks and Rangers home games.
•Public Health and Safety. As a result of government mandated assembly limitations and closures implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our venues were unable to host events for the substantial majority of Fiscal Year 2021. There can be no assurance that some or all of these restrictions will not be imposed again in the future due to another pandemic or public health emergency. We are unable to predict what the long-term effects of these events, including renewed government regulations or requirements, will be. For example, future governmental regulations adopted in response to the COVID-19 or another pandemic or public health emergency may impact the revenue we derive and/or the expenses we incur from the events that we choose to host, such that events that were historically profitable would instead result in losses. See “- Risks Related to Our Business - Our operations and operating results have been, and may in the future be, materially impacted by a pandemic or other public health emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.”
•Hospitality-related Permits/Licenses. We hold liquor licenses at each of our venues and are subject to licensing requirements with respect to the sale of alcoholic beverages in the jurisdictions in which we serve those beverages. The New York State Liquor Authority has threatened to revoke certain of the Company’s liquor licenses, alleging that the Company’s policy of temporarily excluding adverse attorneys from entering its venues during the course on ongoing litigation violates New York state beverage laws. Failure to receive or retain, or the suspension of, liquor licenses or permits could interrupt or terminate our ability to serve alcoholic beverages at the applicable venue and could have a material negative effect on our business and our results of operations. Additional regulation relating to liquor licenses may limit our activities in the future or significantly increase the cost of compliance, or both. In the jurisdictions in which our venues are located, we are subject to statutes that generally provide that serving alcohol to a visibly intoxicated or minor patron is a violation of the law and may provide for strict liability for certain damages arising out of such violations. Our liability insurance coverage may not be adequate or available to cover any or all such potential liability.
•Environmental Laws. We and our venues are subject to environmental laws and regulations relating to the use, disposal, storage, emission and release of hazardous and non-hazardous substances, as well as zoning and noise level restrictions which may affect, among other things, the operations of our venues. Compliance with these regulations and the associated costs may be heightened as a result of the purchase, construction or renovation of a venue. Additionally, certain laws and regulations could hold us strictly, jointly and severally responsible for the remediation of hazardous substance contamination at our facilities or at third-party waste disposal sites, as well as for any personal injury or property damage related to any contamination. Our liability insurance coverage may not be adequate or available to cover any or all such potential liability.
•Zoning and Building Regulations. Our venues are subject to zoning and building regulations including permits relating to the operation of The Garden. The Garden requires a zoning special permit, which was originally granted by the New York City Planning Commission in 1963 and renewed in July 2013 for 10 years and again in September 2023 for five years. The Garden sits above Penn Station. Relevant rail agencies are considering proposals to redevelop Penn Station, which proposed redevelopment would impact The Garden (and could impact the Theater at Madison Square Garden, which is part of the Madison Square Garden Complex, depending on the outcome of negotiations between relevant stakeholders, including us). Certain government officials and special interest groups have in the past used, and may in the future use, the renewal process for the zoning special permit to pressure us to make financial contributions to the redevelopment of Penn Station, relocate or transfer all or portions of the Madison Square Garden Complex. For example, in June 2023 the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New Jersey Transit and Amtrak, which operate commuter rail services from Penn Station, issued a compatibility report asserting that The Garden imposes severe constraints on Penn Station that restrict efforts to make its desired improvements. The report also called for the Company to make significant cash contributions and property transfers to facilitate the Penn Station redevelopment. There can be no assurance regarding the future renewal of the special permit or the terms thereof (including requirements for us to make significant capital expenditures as a condition to renewal of the permit), and the failure to obtain such renewal or to do so on favorable terms would have a material negative effect on our business.
•Data Privacy. We are subject to data privacy and protection laws, regulations, policies and contractual obligations that apply to the collection, transmission, storage, processing and use of personal information or personal data, which, among other things, impose certain requirements relating to the privacy and security of personal information. The variety of laws and regulations governing data privacy and protection, and the use of the internet as a commercial medium, are rapidly evolving, extensive and complex, and may include provisions and obligations that are inconsistent with one another or uncertain in their scope or application. The data protection landscape is rapidly evolving in the United States. As our operations and business grow, we may become subject to or affected by new or additional data protection laws and regulations and face
increased scrutiny or attention from regulatory authorities. For example, California has passed a comprehensive data privacy law, the CCPA, and a number of other states, including New Jersey, Virginia, Colorado, Utah and Connecticut have also passed similar laws, and additional states may do so in the near future. Additionally, the CPRA imposes additional data protection obligations on covered businesses, including additional consumer rights procedures and obligations, limitations on data uses, new audit requirements for higher-risk data, and constraints on certain uses of sensitive data. The majority of the CPRA provisions went into effect on January 1, 2023, and additional compliance investment and potential business process changes may be required. Further, there are several legislative proposals in the United States, at both the federal and state level, that could impose new privacy and security obligations. We cannot yet determine the impact that these future laws and regulations may have on our business. As new privacy- and security-related laws and regulations are implemented, the time and resources needed for us to comply with such laws and regulations, as well as our potential liability for non-compliance with such laws and regulations, may increase. In addition, governmental authorities and private litigants continue to bring actions against companies for online collection, use, dissemination and security practices that are unfair or deceptive. We may incur significant legal expenses or reputational damage for data privacy or security claims regardless of whether we are found to be liable.
Our business is, and may in the future be, subject to a variety of other laws and regulations, including licensing, permitting, and historic designation and similar requirements working conditions, labor, immigration and employment laws; health, safety and sanitation requirements and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (and related state and local statutes).
Any changes to the legal and regulatory framework applicable to our business, especially in the rapidly evolving area of data privacy or to a lesser extent public health and safety, could have an adverse impact on our business and our failure to comply with applicable governmental laws and regulations, or to maintain necessary permits or licenses, could result in liability or government actions that could have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.
Our business is subject to seasonal fluctuations, and our operating results and cash flows have in the past varied, and could in the future, vary substantially from period to period.
Our revenues and expenses have been seasonal and we expect they will continue to be seasonal. For example 16% of our revenues in Fiscal Year 2024 were derived from the Christmas Spectacular, (compared to the 2022 production representing 15% of our revenues in Fiscal Year 2023). Our revenues are highest in the second quarter of our fiscal year when these performances primarily occur. As a result of seasonality, our business earns a disproportionate amount of its revenue and operating income in the second quarter of each fiscal year. Therefore, our operating results and cash flows reflect significant variation from period to period and will continue to do so in the future. Consequently, period-to-period comparisons of our operating results or cash flows may not necessarily be meaningful and the operating results or cash flows of one period are not indicative of our financial performance during a full fiscal year. This variability may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Labor matters may have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.
Our business is dependent upon the efforts of unionized workers. As of June 30, 2024, approximately 4,700 full-time and part-time employees, who represent approximately 70% of the Company’s workforce, were subject to CBAs. Approximately 9% of such union employees are subject to CBAs that expired as of June 30, 2024 and approximately 12% are subject to CBAs that will expire by June 30, 2025 if they are not extended prior thereto. Any labor disputes, such as strikes or lockouts, with the unions with which we have CBAs could have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations (including our ability to produce or present concerts, programming, theatrical productions, sporting events and other events).
Additionally, NBA and NHL players are covered by CBAs. Both leagues have experienced labor difficulties in the past and may have labor issues in the future, such as player strikes or management lockouts. If any Knicks or Rangers games are cancelled because of any such labor difficulties, the loss of revenue, including from customers who would have attended home games at The Garden would have a negative impact on our business and results of operations.
As a result of labor market disruptions due to lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and otherwise, we have in the past faced difficulty in maintaining staffing at our venues and retaining talent in our corporate departments. As a result, we have had to scale back hours and days of operations in certain markets and venues. If we are unable to attract and retain qualified people or to do so on reasonable terms, our venues could be short staffed or become more expensive to operate and affect our ability to meet our customers’ demand, any of which could materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.
There is a risk of injuries and accidents in connection with our venues, which could subject us to personal injury or other claims; we are subject to the risk of adverse outcomes or negative publicity in other types of litigation.
There are inherent risks associated with producing and hosting events and operating, maintaining, renovating or constructing our venues. As a result, personal injuries, accidents and other incidents have occurred and may occur from time to time, which have in the past subjected, and could in the future subject, us to claims and liabilities.
These risks may not be covered by insurance or could involve exposures that exceed the limits of any applicable insurance policy. Incidents in connection with events at any of our venues could also reduce attendance at our events and may have a negative impact on our revenue and results of operations. We seek to obtain contractual indemnities for events at our venues that we do not promote, and
under the Arena License Agreements, MSG Sports and the Company have reciprocal indemnity obligations to each other in connection with the home games of the Knicks and Rangers held at The Garden. While we also maintain insurance policies that provide coverage for incidents in the ordinary course of business, there can be no assurance that such indemnities or insurance will be adequate at all times and in all circumstances, or that we will be able to continue to obtain or renew such insurance policies on favorable terms or at all.
From time to time, the Company, its subsidiaries and/or its affiliates are involved in various legal proceedings, including proceedings or lawsuits brought by governmental agencies, stockholders, customers, employees, private parties and other stakeholders. The outcome of litigation is inherently unpredictable and, regardless of the merits of the claims, litigation may be expensive, time-consuming, disruptive to our operations and distracting to management. In addition, publicity from these matters could negatively impact our business or reputation, regardless of the accuracy of such publicity. As a result, we may incur liability from litigation (including in connection with settling such litigation) which could be material and for which we may not have available or adequate insurance coverage, or be subject to other forms of non-monetary relief which may adversely affect the Company. By its nature, the outcome of litigation is difficult to assess and quantify, and its continuing defense is costly. The liabilities and any defense costs we incur in connection with any such litigation could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Risks Related to Indebtedness and Financial Condition
We have substantial indebtedness and are highly leveraged, which could adversely affect our business.
The Company is highly leveraged with a significant amount of debt and may continue to incur additional debt in the future. As of June 30, 2024, our total indebtedness was $626 million, $16 million of which matures before the end of Fiscal Year 2025.
MSG National Properties, LLC (“MSG National Properties”) and certain other subsidiaries are party to a five-year $650 million senior secured term loan facility (the “National Properties Term Loan Facility”) and a five-year $150 million revolving credit facility (the “National Properties Revolving Credit Facility” and, together with the National Properties Term Loan Facility, the “National Properties Facilities”), which are guaranteed by MSG Entertainment Holdings, to fund working capital needs, for general corporate purposes of MSG National Properties and its subsidiaries, and to make distributions to MSG Entertainment Holdings (the “National Properties Credit Agreement”). As of June 30, 2024, outstanding letters of credit were $18.8 million and the remaining balance available under the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility was $131.2 million. The National Properties Facilities will mature on June 30, 2027. The principal obligations under the National Properties Term Loan Facility are to be repaid in quarterly installments beginning with the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2023, in an aggregate amount equal to 2.50% per annum (0.625% per quarter), stepping up to 5.0% per annum (1.25% per quarter) in the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2025, with the balance due at the maturity of the facility. The principal obligations under the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility are due at the maturity of the facility. The National Properties Credit Agreement also includes financial covenants requiring MSG National Properties and its restricted subsidiaries to maintain a specified minimum liquidity level, a specified minimum debt service coverage ratio and specified maximum total leverage ratio.
As a result of this indebtedness, we are required to make interest and principal payments on our borrowings that are significant in relation to our revenues and cash flows. These payments reduce our earnings and cash available for other potential business purposes.
In addition, the ability of MSG National Properties to draw on its revolving credit facility will depend on its ability to meet certain financial covenants and other conditions. This leverage also exposes us to significant risk by limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business (whether through competitive pressure or otherwise), the entertainment and hospitality industries and the economy at large. Although our cash flows could decrease in these scenarios, our required payments in respect of indebtedness would not decrease.
Our ability to make payments on, or repay or refinance, such debt, and to fund our operating and capital expenditures, depends largely upon our future operating performance and our ability to access the credit markets. Our future operating performance, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic conditions, recession, fears of recession, and financial, competitive, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow to service our debt and meet our other commitments, we may need to refinance all or a portion of our debt, or raise additional debt or equity capital. We cannot provide assurance that we could do so on commercially reasonable terms or at all, or that these actions would be sufficient to meet our capital requirements.
Even if our future operating performance is strong, limitations on our ability to access the capital or credit markets, including as a result of general economic conditions, unfavorable terms or general reductions in liquidity may adversely and materially impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The failure to satisfy the covenants, including any inability to attain a covenant waiver, and other requirements under the credit agreement could trigger a default thereunder, acceleration of outstanding debt thereunder and a demand for payment under the guarantee provided by MSG Entertainment Holdings, which would negatively impact our liquidity and could have a negative effect on our business.
Our variable rate indebtedness subjects us to interest rate risk, which has caused, and may continue to cause, our debt service obligations to increase significantly.
As of June 30, 2024, we had $626 million of indebtedness that bore interest at variable rates, which exposes us to interest rate risk. The interest rate on the National Properties Facilities was 7.94% as of June 30, 2024, compared to 7.70% as of June 30, 2023. As a result, increases in market interest rates increase our interest expense and our debt service obligations. For example, our interest expense increased from approximately $51.9 million in Fiscal Year 2023 to approximately $58.0 million in Fiscal Year 2024 despite a reduction in the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the National Properties Facilities. If interest rates were to continue to increase (including in connection with rising inflation), this would further increase the amount of interest expense that we would have to pay in connection with our variable interest rate indebtedness, which could cause our interest expense to be substantial relative to our revenues and cash outflows.
We have in the past incurred substantial operating losses, adjusted operating losses and negative cash flow and there is no assurance we will have operating income, positive adjusted operating income or positive cash flow in the future.
We have in prior periods incurred operating losses, adjusted operating losses and negative cash flow. There is no assurance that we will have operating income, adjusted operating income, or positive cash flow in the future. Significant operating losses may limit our ability to raise necessary financing, or to do so on favorable terms, as such losses could be taken into account by potential investors, lenders and the organizations that issue investment ratings on indebtedness. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Factors Affecting Results of Operations.”
We are required to assess our internal control over financial reporting on an annual basis and Sphere Entertainment’s management identified a material weakness during Fiscal Year 2022, which has now been remediated. If we identify other material weaknesses or adverse findings in the future, our ability to report our financial condition or results of operations accurately or timely may be adversely affected, which may result in a loss of investor confidence in our financial reports, significant expenses to remediate any internal control deficiencies, and ultimately have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.
Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, our management is required to report on, and our independent registered public accounting firm is required to attest to, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. The rules governing the standards that must be met for management to assess our internal control over financial reporting are complex and require significant documentation, testing and possible remediation. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, we will not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. If we fail to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment, we could suffer misstatements in our financial statements and fail to meet our reporting obligations, which would likely cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information. This could result in significant expenses to remediate any internal control deficiencies and lead to a decline in our stock price.
Subsequent to the filing of the Fiscal Year 2021 Form 10-K, Sphere Entertainment management evaluated an immaterial accounting error related to interest costs that should have been capitalized for the Sphere in Las Vegas in Fiscal Years 2021, 2020 and 2019 and in the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2021, as prescribed by Accounting Standards Codification Topic 835-20 (Capitalization of Interest). As a result of the accounting error, Sphere Entertainment re-evaluated the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting and identified a material weakness as of June 30, 2021, September 30, 2021, December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022. Sphere Entertainment undertook certain remediation efforts by implementing additional controls which were operating effectively as of June 30, 2022, and as a result, Sphere Entertainment’s management concluded that the material weakness had been remediated and its internal control over financial reporting was effective as of June 30, 2022. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. In the MSGE Distribution, the internal control structure of Sphere Entertainment was transferred to our company, and we now provide those services under the Transition Services Agreement with Sphere Entertainment.
Our management may be unable to conclude in future periods that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective due to the effects of various factors, which may, in part, include unremediated material weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in those reports is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In addition, we may not be able to identify and remediate other control deficiencies, including material weaknesses, in the future.
Risks Related to Cybersecurity and Intellectual Property
The success of our business and other operations depends, in part, on the integrity of our systems and infrastructure, as well as affiliate and third-party computer systems, computer networks and other communication systems. System interruption and the lack of integration and redundancy in these systems and infrastructure may have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
System interruption and the lack of integration and redundancy in the information systems and infrastructure, both of our own websites and other computer systems and of affiliate and third-party software, computer networks and other communications systems service providers on which we rely with respect to ticket sales, credit card processing, email marketing, point of sale transactions, database, inventory, human resource management and financial systems, may adversely affect our ability to operate websites or apps,
process and fulfill transactions, respond to customer inquiries and generally maintain cost-efficient operations. Such interruptions could occur by virtue of natural disaster, malicious actions, such as hacking or acts of terrorism or war, or human error. With respect to third-party software or systems, certain of these arrangements are not covered by long-term agreements. In addition, the loss of some or all of certain key personnel could require us to expend additional resources to continue to maintain our software and systems and could subject us to systems interruptions.
While we have backup systems and offsite data centers for certain aspects of our operations, disaster recovery planning by its nature cannot be for all eventualities. In addition, we may not have adequate insurance coverage to compensate for any or all losses from a major interruption. If any of these adverse events were to occur, it could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We rely upon cloud computing services to operate certain aspects of our business and any disruption of or interference with our use of these services would impact our operations and our business would be adversely impacted.
Cloud computing services provide a distributed computing infrastructure platform for our business operations. We have established our software and computer systems so as to utilize data processing, storage capabilities and other services provided by third parties. Those third parties’ facilities are vulnerable to damage or interruption from cybersecurity attacks, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, power outages and similar events or acts of misconduct. We have experienced, and we expect that in the future we will experience, interruptions, delays and outages in service and availability from third-party service providers from time to time due to a variety of factors, including infrastructure changes, human or software errors, website hosting disruptions and capacity constraints. Given this, along with the fact that we cannot easily switch our cloud operations to another cloud provider, without significant costs, or at all, any disruption of or interference with our use of cloud providers would impact our operations and our business.
We face continually evolving cybersecurity and similar risks, which could result in loss, disclosure, theft, destruction or misappropriation of, or access to, our confidential information and cause disruption of our business, damage to our brands and reputation, legal exposure and financial losses.
Through our operations, we collect and store, including by electronic means, certain personal, proprietary and other sensitive information, including payment card information, that is provided to us through purchases, registration on our websites, mobile applications, or otherwise in communication or interaction with us. These activities require the use of online services and centralized data storage, including through third-party service providers. Data maintained in electronic form is subject to the risk of security incidents, including breach, compromise, intrusion, tampering, theft, destruction, misappropriation or other malicious activity. The increased use of mobile and cloud technologies heightens these and other operational risks, as do hybrid work arrangements. Our ability to safeguard such personal and other sensitive information, including information regarding the Company and our customers, sponsors, partners and employees, independent contractors and vendors, is important to our business. We take significant steps to protect our stored information, including the implementation of systems and processes to thwart malicious activity. These protections are costly and require ongoing monitoring and updating as technologies change and efforts to overcome security measures become more sophisticated. See “- Economic and Operational Risks - We are subject to extensive governmental regulation and our failure to comply with these regulations may have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.”
Despite our efforts, the risks of a security incident cannot be entirely eliminated and our information technology and other systems that maintain and transmit consumer, sponsor, partner, Company, employee and other confidential and proprietary information may be compromised due to employee error or other circumstances such as malware or ransomware, viruses, hacking and phishing attacks, denial-of-service attacks, business email compromises, or otherwise. A compromise of our or our vendors’ systems could affect the security of information on our network or that of a third-party service provider. Additionally, outside parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees, vendors or users to disclose sensitive, proprietary or confidential information in order to gain access to data and systems. Given the increasing sophistication of bad actors and complexity of the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access or disable systems, a security incident could potentially persist for an extended period of time before being detected. We may not be able to anticipate the incident or respond adequately or timely, and the extent of a particular incident, and the steps that we may need to take to investigate the incident, may not be immediately clear. As a result, our or our customers’ or affiliates’ sensitive, proprietary and/or confidential information may be lost, disclosed, accessed or taken without consent. For example, in November 2016, a payment card issue that affected cards used at merchandise and food and beverage locations at several of our New York venues and The Chicago Theatre was identified and addressed with the assistance of security firms. The issue was promptly fixed and enhanced security measures were implemented.
We also continue to review and enhance our security measures in light of the constantly evolving techniques used to gain unauthorized access to networks, data, software and systems. We have expended, and expect to continue to expend, significant expenses on an ongoing basis in order to review and enhance our security measures and to address any actual or potential security incidents that arise, but these measures may be ineffective and we may be subject to legal or regulatory action, as well as financial losses, and we may not have insurance coverage for any or all of such losses. If we experience an actual or perceived security incident, our ability to conduct business may be interrupted or impaired, we may incur damage to our systems, we may lose profitable opportunities or the value of those opportunities may be diminished and we may lose revenue as a result of unlicensed use of our intellectual property. Unauthorized access to or security breaches of our systems could result in the loss of data, loss of business, severe reputational damage adversely affecting customer or investor confidence, diversion of management’s attention, regulatory investigations and orders, litigation, indemnity obligations, damages for contract breach, penalties for violation of applicable laws or regulations and
significant costs for remediation that may include liability for stolen or lost assets or information and repair of system damage that may have been caused, incentives offered to customers or other business partners in an effort to maintain business relationships after a breach and other liabilities. In addition, in the event of a security incident, changes in legislation may increase the risk of potential litigation. For example, the CCPA, which provides a private right of action (in addition to statutory damages) for California residents whose sensitive personal information is breached as a result of a business’ violation of its duty to reasonably secure such information, took effect on January 1, 2020 and was expanded by the CPRA, which took effect in January 2023. A number of other states have passed similar laws and additional states may do so in the near future. Our insurance coverage may not be adequate to cover the costs of a data breach, indemnification obligations or other liabilities.
We also routinely transmit and receive personal, confidential and proprietary information by email and other electronic means. We have discussed and worked with customers, sponsors, partners, employees, directors, independent contractors and vendors to secure transmission capabilities and protect against cyber incidents, but we do not have, and may be unable to put in place, secure capabilities with all of our customers, sponsors, partners, employees, directors, independent contractors and vendors and we may not be able to ensure that these third parties have appropriate controls in place to protect the confidentiality of the information. An interception, misuse or mishandling of personal, confidential or proprietary information being sent to or received from a client, vendor, service provider, counterparty or other third party could result in legal liability, regulatory action and reputational harm.
In addition, new regulations require us to disclose information about material cybersecurity incidents on a timely basis, including those that may not have been resolved or fully investigated at the time of disclosure, or, in some instances, we may have obligations to notify relevant stakeholders of security breaches. Such mandatory disclosures are costly, could provide information to threat actors, could lead to negative publicity, may cause our customers to lose confidence in the effectiveness of our security measures and may require us to expend significant capital and other resources to respond to or alleviate problems caused by an actual or perceived security breach.
We have in the past and may in the future become subject to infringement or other claims relating to our content or technology.
From time to time, third parties assert against us alleged intellectual property infringement claims (e.g., copyright, trademark and patent) or other claims relating to our productions, venues and brands, technologies, digital content or other content or material, some of which may be important to our business. In addition, our productions could potentially subject us to claims of defamation, violation of rights of privacy or publicity or similar types of allegations. Any such claims, regardless of their merit or outcome, could cause us to incur significant costs that could harm our results of operations. We may not be indemnified against, or have insurance coverage for, claims or costs of these types. In addition, if we are unable to continue the use of certain intellectual property rights, our business and results of operations could be materially negatively impacted.
Theft of our intellectual property may have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.
The success of our business depends in part on our ability to maintain and monetize our intellectual property rights, including our brand logos, our technologies, digital content and other content that is material to our business. Theft of our intellectual property, including content, could have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations because it may reduce the revenue that we are able to receive from the legitimate exploitation of such intellectual property, undermine lawful distribution channels and limit our ability to control the marketing of our content and inhibit our ability to recoup or profit from the costs incurred to create such content. Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights or protect our trade secrets. Any litigation of this nature, regardless of the outcome, could cause us to incur significant costs as well as subject us to the other inherent risks of litigation discussed above under “- Risks Related to Our Business - There is a risk of injuries and accidents in connection with our venues, which could subject us to personal injury or other claims; we are subject to the risk of adverse outcomes or negative publicity in other types of litigation.”
Corporate Governance Risks
We are materially dependent on affiliated entities’ performances under various agreements.
We have entered into various agreements with Sphere Entertainment and MSG Sports that govern our ongoing commercial relationship, including the Arena License Agreements, sponsorship agency agreements in connection with the sale of sponsorships for the Knicks and Rangers, as well as MSG Sports’ other teams, and a trademark license agreement regarding the use of the “MSG” name.
The Company provides Sphere Entertainment and MSG Sports with certain business services pursuant to services agreements, such as information technology, accounts payable, payroll, tax, certain legal functions, human resources, insurance and risk management, government affairs, investor relations, corporate communications, benefit plan administration and reporting, and internal audit functions, as well as certain marketing functions. These services include the collection and storage of certain personal information regarding employees and/or customers as well as information regarding the Company, Sphere Entertainment, MSG Sports and our sponsors and partners. See also “- Risks Related to Cybersecurity and Intellectual Property - We face continually evolving cybersecurity and similar risks, which could result in loss, disclosure, theft, destruction or misappropriation of, or access to, our confidential information and cause disruption of our business, damage to our brands and reputation, legal exposure and financial losses.”
The services agreements and certain of the commercial arrangements are subject to potential termination in the event Sphere Entertainment or MSG Sports and the Company are no longer affiliates, as applicable.
The Company and its affiliated entities each rely on the other to perform its obligations under all of these agreements. If one of the affiliated entities were to breach, be unable to satisfy its material obligations under these agreements, including a failure to satisfy its indemnification or other financial obligations, or these agreements otherwise terminate or expire and we do not enter into replacement agreements, we could suffer operational difficulties and/or significant losses.
We may have a significant indemnity obligation to Sphere Entertainment if the MSGE Distribution is treated as a taxable transaction.
We have entered into a Tax Disaffiliation Agreement with Sphere Entertainment, which sets out each party’s rights and obligations with respect to federal, state, local or foreign taxes for periods before and after the MSGE Distribution and related matters such as the filing of tax returns and the conduct of the Internal Revenue Service and other audits. Pursuant to the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement, we are required to indemnify Sphere Entertainment for losses and taxes of Sphere Entertainment resulting from the breach of certain covenants and for certain taxable gain recognized by Sphere Entertainment, including as a result of certain acquisitions of our stock or assets. If we are required to indemnify Sphere Entertainment under the circumstances set forth in the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement, we may be subject to substantial liabilities, which could materially adversely affect our financial position.
The tax rules applicable to the MSGE Distribution may restrict us from engaging in certain corporate transactions or from raising equity capital beyond certain thresholds for a period of time after the MSGE Distribution.
To preserve the tax-free treatment of the MSGE Distribution to Sphere Entertainment and its stockholders, under the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement with Sphere Entertainment, for the two-year period following the MSGE Distribution, we are subject to restrictions with respect to:
•entering into any transaction pursuant to which 50% or more of our shares or assets would be acquired, whether by merger or otherwise, unless certain tests are met;
•issuing equity securities, if any such issuances would, together with certain other transactions, in the aggregate, constitute 50% or more of the voting power or value of our capital stock;
•certain repurchases of our shares of Class A common stock;
•ceasing to actively conduct our business;
•amendments to our organizational documents (i) affecting the relative voting rights of our stock or (ii) converting one class of our stock to another;
•liquidating or partially liquidating; and
•taking any other action that prevents the MSGE Distribution and certain related transactions from being tax-free.
These restrictions may limit our ability during such period to pursue strategic transactions of a certain magnitude that involve the issuance or acquisition of our stock or engage in new businesses or other transactions that might increase the value of our business. These restrictions may also limit our ability to raise significant amounts of cash through the issuance of stock, especially if our stock price were to suffer substantial declines, or through the sale of certain of our assets.
Certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences might apply to non-U.S. holders that hold our Class A common stock if we are treated as a USRPHC.
We have not made a determination as to whether we are deemed to be a USRPHC, as defined in section 897(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). In general, we would be considered a USRPHC if, on any applicable determination date, the fair market value of our “U.S. real property interests” equals or exceeds 50% of the aggregate fair market value of our worldwide real property interests and our other assets used or held for use in a trade or business (all as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes). However, because the determination of whether we are a USRPHC turns on the relative fair market value of our U.S. real property interests and our other assets, and because the USRPHC rules are complex and the determination of whether we are a USRPHC depends on facts and circumstances that may be beyond our control, we can give no assurance as to our USRPHC status. If we are treated as a USRPHC, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences might apply to non-U.S. holders that hold our Class A common stock. A beneficial owner of our Class A common stock that is a non-U.S. holder should consult its tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences that would be applicable to such holder if we are treated as a USRPHC.
Our historical financial results may not be representative of our results as a separate, standalone company.
Historical financial information we have included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K through April 20, 2023 has been derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of Sphere Entertainment and does not necessarily reflect what our financial position, results of operations or cash flows would have been had we been a separate, standalone company during the periods
presented. Although Sphere Entertainment did account for the Entertainment business (inclusive of the Sphere business) as a separate business segment, we were not operated as a separate, standalone company for the historical periods presented. The historical costs and expenses reflected in our consolidated and combined financial statements include an allocation for certain corporate functions historically provided by Sphere Entertainment, including general corporate expenses and employee benefits and incentives. These allocations were based on what we and Sphere Entertainment considered to be reasonable reflections of the historical utilization levels of these services required in support of our business. The historical information does not necessarily indicate what our results of operations, financial position, cash flows or costs and expenses will be in the future.
We are controlled by the Dolan Family. As a result of their control, the Dolan Family has the ability to prevent or cause a change in control or approve, prevent or influence certain actions by the Company.
We have two classes of common stock:
•Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, which is entitled to one vote per share and is entitled collectively to elect 25% of our Board; and
•Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Class B common stock”), which is entitled to 10 votes per share and is entitled collectively to elect the remaining 75% of our Board.
As of June 30, 2024, the Dolan family, including trusts for the benefit of members of the Dolan family (collectively, the “Dolan Family Group”) collectively owns all of our Class B common stock, approximately 3.9% of our outstanding Class A common stock (inclusive of options exercisable and restricted stock units vesting within 60 days of June 30, 2024) and approximately 63.7% of the total voting power of all our outstanding common stock (in each case, inclusive of exercisable options). The members of the Dolan Family Group holding Class B common stock are parties to a Stockholders Agreement, which has the effect of causing the voting power of the holders of our Class B common stock to be cast as a block with respect to all matters to be voted on by holders of our Class B common stock. Under the Stockholders Agreement, the shares of Class B common stock owned by members of the Dolan Family Group (representing all of the outstanding Class B common stock) are to be voted on all matters in accordance with the determination of the Dolan Family Committee (as defined below), except that the decisions of the Dolan Family Committee are non-binding with respect to the Class B common stock owned by certain Dolan family trusts that collectively own approximately 40.5% of the outstanding Class B common stock (“Excluded Trusts”). The “Dolan Family Committee” consists of Charles F. Dolan and his six children, James L. Dolan, Thomas C. Dolan, Patrick F. Dolan, Kathleen M. Dolan, Marianne Dolan Weber and Deborah A. Dolan-Sweeney. The Dolan Family Committee generally acts by majority vote, except that approval of a going-private transaction must be approved by a two-thirds vote and approval of a change-in-control transaction must be approved by not less than all but one vote. The voting members of the Dolan Family Committee are James L. Dolan, Thomas C. Dolan, Kathleen M. Dolan, Deborah A. Dolan-Sweeney and Marianne Dolan Weber, with each member having one vote other than James L. Dolan, who has two votes. Because James L. Dolan has two votes, he has the ability to block Dolan Family Committee approval of any Company change in control transaction. Shares of Class B common stock owned by Excluded Trusts will on all matters be voted on in accordance with the determination of the Excluded Trusts holding a majority of the Class B common stock held by all Excluded Trusts, except in the case of a vote on a going private transaction or a change in control transaction, in which case a vote of trusts holding two-thirds of the Class B common stock owned by Excluded Trusts is required.
The Dolan Family Group is able to prevent a change in control of our Company and no person interested in acquiring us would be able to do so without obtaining the consent of the Dolan Family Group. The Dolan Family Group, by virtue of its stock ownership, has the power to elect all of our directors subject to election by holders of Class B common stock, and is able collectively to control stockholder decisions on matters on which holders of all classes of our common stock vote together as a single class. These matters could include the amendment of some provisions of our certificate of incorporation and the approval of fundamental corporate transactions.
In addition, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares of the Class B common stock, voting separately as a class, is required to approve:
•the authorization or issuance of any additional shares of Class B common stock, and
•any amendment, alteration or repeal of any of the provisions of our certificate of incorporation that adversely affects the powers, preferences or rights of the Class B common stock.
As a result, the Dolan Family Group has the power to prevent such issuance or amendment.
The Dolan Family Group also controls Sphere Entertainment, MSG Sports and AMC Networks.
We have elected to be a “controlled company” for NYSE purposes, which allows us not to comply with certain of the corporate governance rules of the NYSE.
The members of the Dolan Family Group have entered into a Stockholders Agreement relating, among other things, to the voting of their shares of our Class B common stock. As a result, we are a “controlled company” under the corporate governance rules of the NYSE. As a controlled company, we have the right to elect not to comply with the corporate governance rules of the NYSE requiring: (i) a majority of independent directors on our Board; (ii) an independent corporate governance and nominating committee; and (iii) an
independent compensation committee. Our Board has elected for the Company to be treated as a “controlled company” under NYSE corporate governance rules and not to comply with the NYSE requirement for a majority-independent board of directors and for an independent corporate governance and nominating committee because of our status as a controlled company. Nevertheless, our Board has elected to comply with the NYSE requirement for an independent compensation committee.
Future stock sales, including as a result of the exercise of registration rights by certain of our stockholders, could adversely affect the trading price of our Class A common stock.
All of the shares of our Class A common stock are freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act unless the shares are owned by our “affiliates” as that term is defined in the rules under the Securities Act. Shares held by “affiliates” may be sold in the public market only if registered or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under Rule 144.
Certain parties have registration rights covering a portion of our shares of Class A common stock.
We have entered into registration rights agreements with Charles F. Dolan, members of his family, and certain Dolan family interests that provide them with “demand” and “piggyback” registration rights with respect to approximately 8.5 million shares of Class A common stock (inclusive of exercisable options), including shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class B common stock.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of Class A common stock, including sales pursuant to these registration rights agreements, could adversely affect the market price of the Class A common stock and could impair our future ability to raise capital through an offering of our Class A common stock.
We share certain directors and officers with Sphere Entertainment, MSG Sports and/or AMC Networks, which means those officers will not devote their full time and attention to our affairs and the overlap may give rise to conflicts.
James L. Dolan serves as the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of each of the Company, Sphere Entertainment and MSG Sports. James L. Dolan also currently serves as Non-Executive Chairman of AMC Networks. In addition, Laura Franco serves as the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of both of the Company and Sphere Entertainment, Gregg G. Seibert serves as a Vice Chairman each of the Company, Sphere Entertainment, MSG Sports and AMC Networks and Charles F. Dolan serves as Chairman Emeritus of AMC Networks concurrently with his service on our Board. Furthermore, nine of the members of our Board also serve as directors of Sphere Entertainment, nine serve as directors of MSG Sports and three serve as directors of AMC Networks, including our Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who serves as Non-Executive Chairman of AMC Networks. Further, our Secretary, Mark C. Cresitello, also serves as Secretary of Sphere Entertainment and MSG Sports. We refer to these persons as “Overlap Persons.” The Overlap Persons may have actual or apparent conflicts of interest with respect to matters involving or affecting each company. For example, there will be the potential for a conflict of interest when we, on the one hand, and Sphere Entertainment, MSG Sports, and/or AMC Networks and their respective subsidiaries and successors, on the other hand, look at certain acquisitions and other corporate opportunities that may be suitable for more than one of the companies. Also, conflicts may arise if there are issues or disputes under the commercial arrangements that will exist between an Other Entity and us. In addition, certain of our directors and officers continue to own stock and/or stock options or other equity awards of an Other Entity. These ownership interests could create actual, apparent or potential conflicts of interest when these individuals are faced with decisions that could have different implications for our Company and an Other Entity. See the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions - Certain Relationships and Potential Conflicts of Interest” in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on October 26, 2023 for a discussion of certain procedures we have instituted to help ameliorate such potential conflicts that may arise.
Our overlapping directors and officers with Sphere Entertainment, MSG Sports and/or AMC Networks may result in the diversion of corporate opportunities to Sphere Entertainment, MSG Sports and/or AMC Networks, and other conflicts, and provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may provide us no remedy in that circumstance.
The Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation acknowledges that directors and officers of the Company may also be serving as directors, officers, employees or agents of an Other Entity, and that the Company may engage in material business transactions with such Other Entities. The Company has renounced its rights to certain business opportunities and the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that no Overlap Person will be liable to the Company or its stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty that would otherwise occur by reason of the fact that any such individual directs a corporate opportunity (other than certain limited types of opportunities set forth in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation) to one or more of the Other Entities instead of the Company, or does not refer or communicate information regarding such corporate opportunities to the Company. These provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also expressly validate certain contracts, agreements, arrangements and transactions (and amendments, modifications or terminations thereof) between the Company and the Other Entities and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, provide that the actions of the Overlap Person in connection therewith are not breaches of fiduciary duties owed to the Company, any of its subsidiaries or their respective stockholders. See “Duties of Directors and Officers Regarding Potential Business Opportunities; Renunciation of Interest in Potential Business Opportunities” in Exhibit 3.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties
We own the Madison Square Garden Complex, which includes The Garden (with a maximum capacity of approximately 21,000 seats) and The Theater at Madison Square Garden (with a maximum capacity of approximately 5,600 seats) in New York City, comprising approximately 1,100,000 square feet; and The Chicago Theatre (with a maximum capacity of approximately 3,600 seats) in Chicago comprising approximately 72,600 square feet.
Significant properties that are leased in New York City include approximately 607,000 square feet housing Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.’s administrative and executive offices with approximately 47,000 square feet of space that is subleased to MSG Sports, approximately 577,000 square feet comprising Radio City Music Hall (with a maximum capacity of approximately 6,000 seats) and approximately 57,000 square feet comprising the Beacon Theatre (with a maximum capacity of approximately 2,800 seats). For more information on our venues, see “Item 1. Business - Our Business - Our Venues.”
Our Madison Square Garden Complex is subject to and benefits from various easements, including over the “breezeway” into Madison Square Garden from Seventh Avenue in New York City (which we share with other property owners). Our ability to continue to utilize this and other easements requires us to comply with certain conditions. Moreover, certain adjoining property owners have easements over our property, which we are required to maintain so long as those property owners meet certain conditions.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
The Company is a defendant in various lawsuits. Although the outcome of lawsuits cannot be predicted with certainty (including the extent of available insurance, if any), management does not believe that resolution of these lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on the Company.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Our Class A common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “MSGE.” The Company’s Class A Common Stock began “regular way” trading on the NYSE on April 21, 2023.
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the relative performance of our Class A Common Stock, the Russell 2000 Index and the Bloomberg Americas Entertainment Index. This graph covers the period from April 21, 2023 through June 30, 2024. The comparison assumes an investment of $100 on April 21, 2023 and reinvestment of dividends. The stock price performance included in this graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock performance. The Russell 2000 Index and the Bloomberg Americas Entertainment Index are included for comparative purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect management’s opinion that such indices are an appropriate measure of the relative performance of the stock involved and they are not intended to forecast or be indicative of possible future performance of our common stock.
Base Period 4/21/23 6/30/23 6/30/24
Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. $ 100.00 $ 108.49 $ 110.45
Russell 2000 Index 100.00 105.80 116.44
Bloomberg Americas Entertainment Index 100.00 108.33 109.27
This performance graph shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or incorporated by reference into any of our filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
As of June 30, 2024, there were 662 holders of record of our Class A common stock. There is no public trading market for our Class B common stock. As of June 30, 2024, there were 14 holders of record of our Class B common stock.
We did not pay any dividends on our common stock during Fiscal Year 2024 and do not have any current plans to pay a cash dividend on our common stock for the foreseeable future.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
On March 29, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program to repurchase up to $250 million of the Company’s Class A Common Stock (the “Stock Repurchase Program”). Pursuant to the Stock Repurchase Program, shares of Class A Common Stock may be purchased from time to time in open market or private transactions, block trades or such other manner as the Company may determine in accordance with applicable insider trading and other securities laws and regulations. The timing and amount of purchases will depend on market conditions and other factors. For the three months ended June 30, 2024, the Company did not repurchase any shares of Class A Common Stock. For Fiscal Year 2024, the Company repurchased 3,525,314 shares of Class A Common Stock for approximately $115 million. As of June 30, 2024, the Company had approximately $110 million remaining available for repurchases under the Stock Repurchase Program.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which is expected to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of our fiscal year end.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. [RESERVED]

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this MD&A, there are statements concerning the future operating and future financial performance of MSG Entertainment. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “potential,” “continue,” “intends,” “plans,” and similar words and terms used in the discussion of future operating and future financial performance identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, results or events and involve risks and uncertainties and that actual results or developments may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Factors that may cause such differences to occur include, but are not limited to:
•the level of our expenses, including our corporate expenses;
•the level of our revenues, which depends in part on the popularity of the Christmas Spectacular, the professional sports teams whose games are played at The Garden and other events which are presented in our venues, and our ability to attract such events;
•the on-ice and on-court performance of the professional sports teams whose games we host in our venues;
•the level of our capital expenditures and other investments;
•general economic conditions, especially in the New York City and Chicago metropolitan areas where we have business activities;
•the demand for sponsorship and suite arrangements;
•competition, for example, from other venues and sports and entertainment options, including of new competing venues;
•the effect of any postponements or cancellations by third-parties or the Company of scheduled events, whether as a result of a pandemic or other public health emergency due to operational challenges and other health and safety concerns (such as the partial cancellation of the 2021 production of the Christmas Spectacular) or otherwise;
•the extent to which attendance at our venues may be impacted by government actions, renewed health concerns by potential attendees and reduced tourism;
•the impact on the payments we receive under the Arena License Agreements that require the Knicks of the NBA and the Rangers of the NHL to play their home games at The Garden as a result of government-mandated capacity restrictions, league restrictions and/or social-distancing or vaccination requirements, if any, at Knicks and Rangers games;
•changes in laws, guidelines, bulletins, directives, policies and agreements, and regulations under which we operate;
•any economic, social or political actions, such as boycotts, protests, work stoppages or campaigns by labor organizations, including the unions representing players and officials of the NBA and NHL, or other work stoppage;
•seasonal fluctuations and other variations in our operating results and cash flow from period to period;
•enhancements or changes to existing productions and the investments associated with such enhancements or changes;
•business, reputational and litigation risk if there is a cyber or other security incident resulting in loss, disclosure or misappropriation of stored personal information, or disclosure of confidential information or other breaches of our information security;
•our ability to effectively manage any impacts of a pandemic or other public health emergency (including COVID-19 variants) as well as renewed actions taken in response by governmental authorities or certain professional sports leagues, including ensuring compliance with rules and regulations imposed upon our venues, to the extent applicable;
•activities or other developments (such as a pandemic or other public health emergency) that discourage or may discourage congregation at prominent places of public assembly, including our venues;
•the acquisition or disposition of assets or businesses and/or the impact of, and our ability to successfully pursue, acquisitions or other strategic transactions;
•our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions, new venues or new businesses into our operations;
•our internal control environment and our ability to identify and remedy any future material weaknesses;
•the costs associated with, and the outcome of, litigation, including any negative publicity, and other proceedings to the extent uninsured, including litigation or other claims against companies we invest in or acquire;
•the impact of governmental regulations or laws, changes in how those regulations and laws are interpreted, as well as the continued benefit of certain tax exemptions and the ability to maintain necessary permits or licenses;
•the impact of any government plans to redesign New York City’s Penn Station;
•the impact of sports league rules, regulations and/or agreements and changes thereto;
•the substantial amount of debt incurred, the ability of our subsidiaries to make payments on, or repay or refinance, such debt under the National Properties Credit Agreement and our ability to obtain additional financing, to the extent required;
•financial community perceptions of our business, operations, financial condition and the industries in which we operate;
•the performance by MSG Sports of its obligations under various agreements with the Company and ongoing commercial arrangements, including the Arena License Agreements;
•the tax-free treatment of the MSGE Distribution;
•failure of the Company or Sphere Entertainment to satisfy its obligations under transition services agreements, or other agreements entered into in connection with the MSGE Distribution; and
•the additional factors described under “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We disclaim any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein, except as otherwise required by applicable federal securities laws. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.
All dollar amounts included in the following MD&A are presented in thousands, except as otherwise noted.
Introduction
This MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, the Company’s audited consolidated and combined annual financial statements and footnotes thereto included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K to help provide an understanding of our financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations.
Our MD&A is organized as follows:
MSGE Distribution and Business Overview. This section provides a general description of our business, as well as other matters that we believe are important in understanding our results of operations and financial condition and in anticipating future trends.
Results of Operations. This section provides an analysis of our results of operations for Fiscal Year 2024 and 2023, on a consolidated and combined basis, respectively. Analysis of our results of operations for Fiscal Year 2023, including a comparison of Fiscal Year 2023 to Fiscal Year 2022, is included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal Year 2023 filed on August 18, 2023.
Liquidity and Capital Resources. This section provides a discussion of our financial condition and liquidity, as well as an analysis of our cash flows for Fiscal Year 2024 and Fiscal Year 2023. The discussion of our financial condition and liquidity includes summaries of our primary sources of liquidity, our contractual obligations and off-balance sheet arrangements that existed at June 30, 2024.
Seasonality of Our Business. This section discusses the seasonal performance of our business.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements and Critical Accounting Policies. This section cross-references a discussion of critical accounting policies considered to be important to our financial condition and results of operations and which require significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in their application. Our critical accounting policies and recently issued accounting pronouncements, are discussed included in Item 7 and 8, respectively, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
MSGE Distribution and Business Overview
On the MSGE Distribution Date, Sphere Entertainment distributed approximately 67% of the shares of outstanding common stock of MSG Entertainment to its stockholders, with Sphere Entertainment retaining approximately 33% of the outstanding shares of common stock of MSG Entertainment (in the form of Class A common stock), referred to herein as the MSGE Retained Interest, immediately following the MSGE Distribution. As a result, the Company became an independent publicly traded company on April 21, 2023 through the MSGE Distribution. Following the completion of the secondary offering by Sphere Entertainment of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on September 22, 2023, Sphere Entertainment no longer owns any of the Company’s outstanding common stock.
In the MSGE Distribution, stockholders of Sphere Entertainment received (a) one share of MSG Entertainment’s Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, for every share of Sphere Entertainment’s Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, held of record as of the close of business, New York City time, on April 14, 2023 (the “Record Date”), and (b) one share of MSG Entertainment’s Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, for every share of Sphere Entertainment’s Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, held of record as of the close of business, New York City time, on the Record Date.
The Company is a live entertainment company comprised of iconic venues and marquee entertainment content. Utilizing the Company’s powerful brands and live entertainment expertise, the Company delivers unique experiences that set the standard for excellence and innovation while forging deep connections with diverse and passionate audiences.
We manage our business through one reportable segment. The Company’s portfolio of venues includes: The Garden, the Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Beacon Theatre, and The Chicago Theatre. The Company also includes the original production, the Christmas Spectacular, and our entertainment and sports bookings business, which showcases a broad array of compelling concerts, family shows and special events, as well as a diverse mix of sporting events, for millions of guests annually.
The Company conducts a significant portion of its operations at venues that it either owns or operates under long-term leases. The Company owns The Garden, the Theater at Madison Square Garden and The Chicago Theatre, and leases Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theatre.
All of the Company’s revenues and assets are attributed to or located in the United States and are primarily concentrated in the New York City metropolitan area.
Description of Our Business
The Company produces, presents and hosts live entertainment events, including (i) concerts, (ii) sports events, and (iii) other live events such as family shows, performing arts events and special events, in our diverse collection of venues. The scope of our collection of venues enables us to showcase acts that cover a wide spectrum of genres and popular appeal.
Although we primarily license our venues to third-party promoters for a fee, we also promote or co-promote shows. If we serve as promoter or co-promoter of a show, we have economic risk relating to the event.
The Company also creates, produces and/or presents live productions that are performed in the Company’s venues. This includes the Christmas Spectacular production, which features the world-famous Rockettes and which has been performed at Radio City Music Hall for 90 years.
The Company also historically owned a controlling interest in Boston Calling Events, LLC (“ BCE”), the entertainment production company that owns and operates the Boston Calling Music Festival. The Company disposed of its controlling interest in BCE on December 2, 2022.
Revenue Sources
The Company earns revenue from several primary sources: ticket sales to our audiences for live events that we produce or promote/co-promote, license fees for our venues paid by third-party promoters or licensees in connection with events that we do not produce or promote/co-promote, facility and ticketing fees, concessions, sponsorships and signage, suite license fees at The Garden, merchandising and tours at certain of our venues. The amount of revenue and expense recorded by the Company for a given event depends to a significant extent on whether the Company is promoting or co-promoting the event or is licensing a venue to a third party or MSG Sports. See “- Description of Our Business - Revenue Sources - Venue License Fees” below for further discussion of our venue licensing arrangements with MSG Sports.
Revenues from Entertainment Offerings
Ticket Sales and Suite Licenses
For our productions and for entertainment events in our venues that we promote, we recognize revenues from the sale of tickets to our audiences. We sell tickets to the public through our box office, via our websites and ticketing agencies and through group sales. The
amount of revenue we earn from ticket sales depends on the number of shows and the mix of events that we promote, the capacity of the venue used, the extent to which we can sell to fully utilize the capacity, and ticket prices.
The Garden has 22 Event Level suites, 1 Event Level Club Space, 58 Lexus Level suites, 18 Infosys Level suites, the Madison Club, Chase Lounge and the Hub Loft. Suite licenses at The Garden are generally sold to corporate customers with the majority being multi-year licenses with annual escalators.
Under standard suite licenses, the licensees pay an annual license fee, which varies depending on the location of the suite. The license fee includes, for each seat in the suite, tickets for events at The Garden for which tickets are sold to the general public, subject to certain exceptions. In addition, suite holders separately pay for food and beverage service in their suites at The Garden. Revenues from the sale of suite licenses are shared between the Company and MSG Sports. Revenues for the Company’s suite license arrangements are recorded on a gross basis, as the Company is the principal in such transactions and controls the related goods or services until transfer to the customer. MSG Sports’ share of the Company’s suite license revenue is recognized in the combined statements of operations as a component of direct operating expenses. The revenue sharing expense recognized by the Company for MSG Sports’ share of suite license revenue at The Garden is based on a 67.5% allocation to MSG Sports pursuant to the Arena License Agreements.
Venue License Fees
For entertainment events held at our venues that we do not produce, promote or co-promote, we typically earn revenue from venue license fees charged to the third-party promoter or producer of the event. The amount of license fees we charge varies by venue, as well as by the size of the production and the number of days utilized, among other factors. Our fees typically include both the cost of renting space in our venues and costs for providing event staff, such as front-of-house and back-of-house staff, including stagehands, electricians, laborers, box office staff, ushers and security as well as production services such as staging, lighting and sound.
Pursuant to the Arena License Agreements, the Company receives 30% of revenues, net of taxes and credit card fees, recorded on a net basis (agent), from the sale of MSG Sports teams merchandise sold at The Garden.
Under the Arena License Agreements, the Company shares certain sponsorship and signage revenues with MSG Sports. Pursuant to these agreements, MSG Sports has the rights to sponsorship and signage revenue that is specific to Knicks and Rangers events. The Company and MSG Sports also entered into sponsorship sales representation agreements, under which the Company has the right and obligation to sell and service sponsorships for the sports teams of MSG Sports, in exchange for a commission.
Facility and Ticketing Fees
For all public and ticketed events held in our venues aside from MSG Sports home games, we also earn additional revenues on substantially all tickets sold, whether we promote/co-promote the event or license the venue to a third party. These revenues are earned in the form of certain fees and assessments, including the facility fees we charge, and vary by venue.
Signage and Sponsorship
We earn revenues through the sale of signage space and sponsorship rights in connection with our venues, productions and other live entertainment events. Signage revenues generally involve the sale of advertising space at The Garden during entertainment events and otherwise in our venues. We also earn our revenues through the sale of outdoor signage around the Madison Square Garden complex I.
Sponsorship agreements may require us to use the name, logos and other trademarks of sponsors in our advertising and in promotions for our venues, productions and other live entertainment events. Sponsorship arrangements may be exclusive within a particular sponsorship category or non-exclusive and generally permit a sponsor to use the name, logos and other trademarks of our productions, events and venues in connection with their own advertising and in promotions in our venues or in the community.
Food, Beverage, and Merchandise Revenues
Food and beverage
We sell food and beverages during substantially all events held at our venues. In addition to concession-style sales of food and beverages, which represent the majority of our concession revenues, we also generate revenue from catering for our suites at The Garden. Pursuant to the Arena License Agreements related to the use of The Garden by MSG Sports, the Company shares with MSG Sports revenues and related expenses associated with sales of food and beverages (including suite catering) during Knicks and Rangers games at The Garden.
Revenue generated from in-venue food and beverage sales at MSG Sports’ events is recognized by the Company on a gross basis, with a corresponding revenue sharing expense for MSG Sports’ share of such sales recorded within direct operating expense. The Arena License Agreements require the Company to pay 50% of the net proceeds generated from in-venue food and beverage sales to MSG Sports.
Merchandise
We earn revenues from the sale of merchandise related to our proprietary productions and other live entertainment events that take place at our venues. The majority of our merchandise revenues are generated through on-site sales during performances of our productions and other live events. We also generate revenues from sales of our Christmas Spectacular merchandise, such as ornaments and apparel, through traditional retail channels. Revenues associated with Christmas Spectacular merchandise are generally recorded on gross basis (as principal). Typically, revenues from our merchandise sales at our non-proprietary events relate to sales of merchandise provided by the artist, the producer or promoter of the event and are generally subject to a revenue sharing arrangement and are generally recorded on a net basis (as agent).
Arena License Fees and Other Leasing Revenue
The Company is party to Arena License Agreements with MSG Sports that, among other things, require the Knicks and the Rangers to play their home games at The Garden in exchange for fixed annual license fees scheduled to be paid monthly over the term of the agreement. The Company accounts for these license fees as operating lease revenue given that the Company provides MSG Sports with the right to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the economic benefit from The Garden during Knicks and Rangers home games. Operating lease revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term, adjusted pursuant to the terms of the Arena License Agreements, which is comprised of non-consecutive periods of use when MSG Sports uses The Garden generally for their professional sports teams’ preseason and regular season home games. As such, operating lease revenue is recognized ratably as events occur.
Expenses
Our principal expenses are payments made to performers of our productions, staging costs and day-of-event costs associated with events, and advertising costs. In addition, our expenses include costs associated with the ownership, lease, maintenance and operation of our venues, along with our corporate and other supporting functions.
Performer Payments
Our proprietary productions are performed by talented actors, dancers, singers, musicians and entertainers. In order to attract and retain this talent, we are required to pay our performers an amount that is commensurate with both their abilities and the demand for their services from other entertainment companies. Our productions typically feature ensemble casts (such as the Rockettes), where most of our performers are paid based on a standard “scale,” pursuant to collective bargaining agreements we negotiate with the performers’ unions. Certain performers, however, have individually negotiated contracts.
Staging Costs
Staging costs for our proprietary events as well as other events that we promote include the costs of sets, lighting, display technologies, special effects, sound and all of the other technical aspects involved in presenting a live entertainment event. These costs vary substantially depending on the nature of the particular show, but tend to be highest for large-scale theatrical productions, such as the Christmas Spectacular. For concerts we promote, the performer usually provides a fully produced show. Along with performer salaries, the staging costs associated with a given production are an important factor in the determination of ticket prices.
Day-of-Event Costs
For days in which the Company stages its productions, promotes an event or provides one of our venues to a third-party promoter under a license fee arrangement, the event is charged the variable costs associated with such event, including box office staff, stagehands, ticket takers, ushers, security, and other similar expenses. In situations where we provide our venues to a third-party promoter under a license fee arrangement, day-of-event costs are typically included in the license fees charged to the promoter. Under the Arena License Agreements related to the use of The Garden by MSG Sports, the Company is reimbursed for day-of-event costs (as defined under the Arena License Agreements). The Company records such reimbursements as reductions to direct operating expenses.
Venue Usage
The Company’s consolidated and combined financial statements include expenses associated with the ownership, maintenance and operation of The Garden, which the Company and MSG Sports use in their respective operations.
Revenue Sharing Expenses
As discussed above, MSG Sports’ share of the Company’s suites licenses, venue signage and certain sponsorship and concessions revenue is reflected within direct operating expense as revenue sharing expenses.
Marketing and Advertising Costs
We incur significant costs promoting our productions and other events through various advertising campaigns, including advertising on social and digital platforms, television, outdoor platforms and radio, and in newspapers. In light of the intense competition for
entertainment events, such expenditures are a necessity to drive interest in our productions and encourage members of the public to purchase tickets to our shows.
Other Expenses
The Company’s selling, general and administrative expenses primarily consist of administrative costs, including compensation, professional fees, advertising sales commissions, as well as sales and marketing costs, including non-event related advertising expenses. Operating expenses also include corporate overhead costs and venue operating expenses. Venue operating expenses include the non-event related costs of operating the Company’s venues, and include such costs as rent for the Company’s leased venues, real estate taxes, insurance, utilities, repairs and maintenance, and labor related to the overall management of the venues.
Factors Affecting Results of Operations
In addition to the discussion under the section “Factors Affecting Comparability” below, the operating results of our business are largely dependent on our ability to attract concerts and other events to our venues, revenues under various agreements entered into with MSG Sports, and the continuing popularity of the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. Certain of these factors in turn depend on the popularity and/or performance of the professional sports teams whose games we host at The Garden.
Our Company’s future performance is dependent in part on general economic conditions and the effect of these conditions on our customers. Weak economic conditions may lead to lower demand for suite licenses and tickets to our live productions, concerts, family shows and other events, which would also negatively affect concession and merchandise sales, and lower levels of sponsorship and venue signage. These conditions may also affect the number of concerts, family shows and other events that take place in the future. An economic downturn could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The Company may explore additional opportunities to expand our presence in the entertainment industry. Any new investment may not initially contribute to operating income, but is intended to become operationally profitable over time.
Factors Affecting Comparability
MSGE Distribution
The activities from April 21, 2023 to June 30, 2023 included in the statement of operations for the year ended June 30, 2023 are prepared on a consolidated basis, as the Company became a standalone public company on April 21, 2023. The Company's combined statements of operations for the years ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, as well as the financial information for the period of July 1, 2022 to April 20, 2023 that is included in the results of operations for the year ended June 30, 2023 were prepared on a standalone basis derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of the Company’s former parent, Sphere Entertainment, and are presented as carve-out financial statements as MSG Entertainment was not a standalone public company prior to the MSGE Distribution.
The combined statements of operations for the year ended June 30, 2022, as well as the financial information for the period of July 1, 2022 to April 20, 2023 that is included in the results of operations for the year ended June 30, 2023, include allocations for certain support functions that were provided on a centralized basis and not historically recorded at the business unit level by Sphere Entertainment, such as expenses related to executive management, finance, legal, human resources, government affairs, information technology, and venue operations among others. As part of the MSGE Distribution, certain corporate and operational support functions were transferred to the Company and therefore, charges were reflected in order to burden all business units comprising Sphere Entertainment’s historical operations. These expenses were allocated on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated on a pro-rata basis of combined assets, headcount or other measures of the Company and Sphere Entertainment, which are recorded as a reduction of either direct operating expenses or selling, general and administrative expenses.
Management believes the assumptions underlying the combined financial statements, including the assumptions regarding allocating general corporate expenses, are reasonable. Nevertheless, the combined financial statements do not include all of the actual expenses that would have been incurred by the Company and may not reflect its combined results of operations, financial position and cash flows had it been a separate, standalone company during the periods presented. Actual costs that would have been incurred if the Company had been a separate, standalone company would depend on multiple factors, including organizational structure and strategic decisions made in various areas, including information technology and infrastructure. See Note 1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation to the consolidated and combined financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
Advertising Sales Representation Agreement Termination
Prior to December 31, 2022, the Company was a party to an advertising sales representation agreement (the “Networks Advertising Sales Representation Agreement”) with Sphere Entertainment’s subsidiary, MSGN Holdings, L.P. (“MSG Networks”), pursuant to which the Company had the exclusive right and obligation to sell MSG Networks advertising availabilities for a commission. The Networks Advertising Sales Representation Agreement was terminated effective as of December 31, 2022. For Fiscal Years 2024,
2023, and 2022, the Company recognized $0, $8,802 and $20,878 of revenues, respectively, under the Networks Advertising Sales Representation Agreement.
As a result, after December 31, 2022, the Company no longer recognizes advertising sales commission revenue or the employee costs related to the Networks Advertising Sales Representation Agreement, which has impacted the operating results of the Company and will impact the operating results of the Company on a go forward basis.
Results of Operations
Effective for the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2024, the Company modified its presentation of revenues and direct operating expenses. Total revenue is now presented in three categories consisting of (i) Revenues from entertainment offerings, (ii) Food, beverage, and merchandise revenues, and (iii) Arena license fees and other leasing revenues. In addition, total direct operating expenses is now presented in two categories consisting of (i) Entertainment offerings and leasing direct operating expenses and (ii) food, beverage, and merchandise direct operating expenses. Prior period financial information has been revised to conform with the current period presentation.
Consolidated and Combined Results of Operations
Comparison of Fiscal Year 2024 versus Fiscal Year 2023
The table below sets forth, for the periods presented, certain historical financial information.
Years Ended June 30, Change
2024 2023 Amount Percentage
Revenues
Revenues from entertainment offerings
$ 723,897 $ 643,885 $ 80,012 12 %
Food, beverage, and merchandise revenues 162,092 135,933 26,159 19 %
Arena license fees and other leasing revenue 73,276 71,678 1,598 2 %
Total revenues 959,265 851,496 107,769 13 %
Direct operating expenses
Entertainment offerings, arena license fees, and other leasing direct operating expenses (a)
(475,502) (420,301) (55,201) (13) %
Food, beverage, and merchandise direct operating expenses
(93,334) (79,628) (13,706) (17) %
Total direct operating expenses (568,836) (499,929) (68,907) (14) %
Selling, general and administrative expenses (206,963) (180,216) (26,747) (15) %
Depreciation and amortization (53,876) (60,463) 6,587 11 %
Gains, net on dispositions - 4,361 (4,361) NM
Restructuring charges (17,649) (10,241) (7,408) (72) %
Operating income 111,941 105,008 6,933 7 %
Interest income 2,976 7,244 (4,268) (59) %
Interest expense (57,954) (51,869) (6,085) (12) %
Other (expense) income, net (4,672) 17,389 (22,061) NM
Income from operations before income taxes 52,291 77,772 (25,481) (33) %
Income tax benefit (expense) 92,009 (1,728) 93,737 NM
Net income 144,300 76,044 68,256 90 %
Less: Net loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests - (553) 553 NM
Net income attributable to MSG Entertainment’s stockholders $ 144,300 $ 76,597 $ 67,703 88 %
________________
(a) Venue operations and infrastructure costs are not specifically allocated to each revenue stream, but are instead attributed in their entirety to service revenue which is the Company’s principal revenue stream. Leasing direct operating expenses materially consist of venue operations and infrastructure costs. As a result, the Company combines service and leasing direct operating expenses as “Entertainment offerings, arena license fees, and other leasing direct operating expenses” for presentation purposes.
NM - Absolute percentages greater than 200% and comparisons from positive to negative values or to zero values are considered not meaningful.
Revenues
Revenues for Fiscal Year 2024 increased $107,769 as compared to Fiscal Year 2023.
Revenues from Entertainment Offerings
For Fiscal Year 2024, the increase in revenues from entertainment offerings was primarily due to (i) higher event-related revenues of $51,147, (ii) an increase in revenues subject to the sharing economics with MSG Sports pursuant to the Arena License Agreements of $17,233, (iii) an increase in revenues from the presentation of the Christmas Spectacular production of $15,750, partially offset by (iv) lower revenues of $8,802 due to the termination of the Networks Advertising Sales Representation Agreement.
For Fiscal Year 2024, the increase in event-related revenues primarily reflects higher revenues from concerts of $40,721, due to an increase in the number of concerts at the Company’s venues, and to a lesser extent, higher average per-concert revenue in the current year.
For Fiscal Year 2024, the increase in revenues subject to the sharing of economics with MSG Sports pursuant to the Arena License Agreements primarily reflects higher suite license fee revenue and, to a lesser extent, higher commissions on merchandise sales, both as compared to the prior year.
For Fiscal Year 2024, the increase in revenues from the presentation of the Christmas Spectacular production, as compared to the prior year period, was primarily due to higher ticket-related revenues. This reflected higher per-show revenue and, to a lesser extent, an increase in the number of performances as compared to the prior year. The increase in per-show ticket-related revenues was due to higher average ticket yield and higher average per-show attendance as compared to the prior year.
The Company had 193 Christmas Spectacular performances during Fiscal Year 2024’s holiday season, as compared to 181 performances in the Fiscal Year 2023’s holiday season. For this year’s holiday season, more than 1,000,000 tickets were sold, as compared to more than 930,000 tickets sold in the prior year. The Company had 193 Christmas Spectacular performances during this year’s holiday season, as compared to 181 performances in the prior year’s holiday season.
Food, Beverage, and Merchandise Revenues
For Fiscal Year 2024, the increase in food, beverage and merchandise revenues was primarily due to higher food and beverage sales at concerts held at the Company’s venues, and at Knicks and Rangers games at The Garden, and to a lesser extent, higher food, beverage, and merchandise sales from the presentation of the Christmas Spectacular production.
For Fiscal Year 2024 the increase in food and beverage sales at concerts was due to an increase in the number of concerts held at the Company’s venues and to a lesser extent, higher average per-concert revenues in the current year.
For Fiscal Year 2024 the increase in food and beverage sales at Knicks and Rangers games was due to higher average per-game revenues, and to a lesser extent, an increase in the number of games held at The Garden.
For Fiscal Year 2024 the increase in food and beverage sales at the Christmas Spectacular production was primarily due to higher average per-show revenues, and to a lesser extent, an increase in the number of performances in the current year.
Direct operating expenses
Direct operating expenses for Fiscal Year 2024 increased $68,907 as compared to Fiscal Year 2023.
Direct Operating Expenses Associated with Entertainment Offerings, Arena License Fees and Other Leasing
For Fiscal Year 2024, the increase in direct operating expenses associated with entertainment offerings, arena license fees, and other leasing reflects (i) higher event-related expenses of $30,037, (ii) higher expenses associated with the sharing of economics with MSG Sports pursuant to the Arena License Agreements of $14,818, (iii) higher expenses related to the presentation of the Christmas Spectacular production of $3,279, and (iv) higher venue operating costs of $2,729.
For Fiscal Year 2024, the increase in event-related expenses was primarily due to higher direct operating expenses from concerts of $22,814, which was due to the increase in the number of concerts at the Company’s venues and, to a lesser extent, higher per-concert expenses.
For Fiscal Year 2024, the increase in expenses associated with the sharing of economics with MSG Sports pursuant to the Arena License Agreements primarily reflects direct operating expenses incurred as a result of the increase in suite license fee revenues.
Direct Operating Expenses Associated with Food, Beverage, and Merchandise
For Fiscal Year 2024, the increase in food, beverage and merchandise direct operating expenses was primarily driven by (i) the related increase in food and beverage sales at concerts held at the Company’s venues, (ii) the related increase in food and beverage sales at Knicks and Rangers games and, (iii) the increase in food, beverage, and merchandise sales related to the presentation of the Christmas Spectacular production.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
Selling, general, and administrative expenses for Fiscal Year 2024 increased $26,747, or 15%, to $206,963 as compared to Fiscal Year 2023. Results for Fiscal Year 2024 reflect MSG Entertainment on a fully standalone basis. Results for Fiscal Year 2023 through the April, 20, 2023 spin-off date reflect the allocation of corporate and administrative costs based on the accounting requirements for the preparation of carve-out financial statements. These results do not include all of the expenses that would have been incurred by MSG Entertainment had it been a standalone public company for the prior year. This was the primary driver of the overall increase in
selling, general and administrative expenses, partially offset by the impact of the Company’s transition services agreement with Sphere Entertainment.
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization for Fiscal Year 2024 decreased $6,587, or 11%, to $53,876 as compared to $60,463 in Fiscal Year 2023, primarily due to certain intangible assets being fully amortized and the disposal of a corporate aircraft during Fiscal Year 2023.
Gains, net on dispositions
Gains, net on dispositions for Fiscal Year 2024 was $0 as compared to $4,361 in Fiscal Year 2023. The net gains in Fiscal Year 2023 reflect the gain on sale of the Company’s controlling interest in Boston Calling Events, LLC (the “BCE Disposition”), partially offset by the net loss on the disposal of a corporate aircraft.
Restructuring charges
Restructuring charges for Fiscal Year 2024 increased $7,408, to $17,649 as compared to $10,241 in Fiscal Year 2023. The restructuring charges relate to the termination benefits for certain corporate executives and employees.
Operating income
Operating income for Fiscal Year 2024 improved $6,933 to $111,941 as compared to operating income of $105,008 in Fiscal Year 2023. The improvement in operating income was primarily due to the increase in revenues, partially offset by higher direct operating expenses and selling, general and administration expenses.
Interest income
For Fiscal Year 2024, interest income decreased $4,268 to $2,976 as compared to interest income of $7,244 in Fiscal Year 2023 primarily due to (i) the impact of the MSGE Distribution, which impacted the year-over-year comparability of results since the prior year period included carve-out allocations and (ii) lower average balances in the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, partially offset by higher interest rates.
Interest expense
Interest expense for Fiscal Year 2024 was $57,954 as compared to interest expense of $51,869 in Fiscal Year 2023, an increase of $6,085, primarily due to higher interest rates on borrowings and higher revolver borrowings under the National Properties Facilities.
Other (expense) income, net
For Fiscal Year 2024, other expense, net was $4,672 as compared to other income, net of $17,389 for Fiscal Year 2023, a change of $22,061. The change was primarily due to (i) a change from an unrealized gain to an unrealized loss of $9,235 associated with the investment in Townsquare Media, Inc., (ii) the absence of a $8,406 unrealized gain associated with the investment in DraftKings Inc. recognized in the prior year period, and (iii) higher net periodic benefit costs of $15 associated with the Company’s Pension Plans.
Income taxes
Income tax benefit for Fiscal Year 2024 of $92,009 differs from income tax expense derived from applying the statutory federal rate of 21% to the pretax income primarily due to (i) income tax benefit due to a decrease in the valuation allowance of $108,506 and (ii) income tax benefit of $4,487 related to return to provision adjustments, partially offset by (iii) state income tax expense of $9,039.
Income tax expense for Fiscal Year 2023 of $1,728 differs from income tax expense derived from applying the statutory federal rate of 21% to the pretax income primarily due to (i) income tax benefit due to a decrease in the valuation allowance of $34,147, partially offset by (ii) state income tax expense of $13,033 and (iii) income tax expense of $3,861 related to nondeductible officers’ compensation.
Note 16. Income Taxes to the consolidated and combined financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details on the components of income tax and a reconciliation of the statutory federal rate to the effective tax rate.
Adjusted operating income (loss) (“AOI”)
The Company has amended the definition of adjusted operating income so that the impact of the non-cash portion of operating lease costs related to the Company’s Arena License Agreements with MSG Sports is no longer excluded in all periods presented.
The Company evaluates its performance based on several factors, of which the key financial measure is adjusted operating income, a non-GAAP financial measure. We define adjusted operating income as operating income excluding:
(i) depreciation, amortization and impairments of property and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets,
(ii) share-based compensation expense,
(iii) restructuring charges or credits,
(iv) merger, spin-off, and acquisition-related costs, including merger-related litigation expenses,
(v) gains or losses on sales or dispositions of businesses and associated settlements,
(vi) the impact of purchase accounting adjustments related to business acquisitions,
(vii) gains and losses related to the remeasurement of liabilities under the executive deferred compensation plan, and
(viii) amortization of capitalized cloud computing arrangement costs.
The Company believes that the exclusion of share-based compensation expense or benefit allows investors to better track the performance of the Company’s business without regard to the settlement of an obligation that is not expected to be made in cash. The Company eliminates merger, spin-off, and acquisition-related costs, when applicable, because the Company does not consider such costs to be indicative of the ongoing operating performance of the Company as they result from an event that is of a non-recurring nature, thereby enhancing comparability. In addition, management believes that the exclusion of gains and losses related to the remeasurement of liabilities under the executive deferred compensation plan, provides investors with a clearer picture of the Company’s operating performance given that, in accordance with GAAP, gains and losses related to the remeasurement of liabilities under the executive deferred compensation plan are recognized in Operating income whereas gains and losses related to the remeasurement of the assets under the 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 Other (expense) income, net, which is not reflected in Operating income.
The Company believes AOI is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of the Company on a consolidated and combined basis. AOI and similar measures with similar titles are common performance measures used by investors and analysts to analyze the Company’s performance. The Company uses revenues and AOI measures as the most important indicators of its business performance and evaluates management’s effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators.
AOI should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for operating income, net income, cash flows from operating activities, and other measures of performance and/or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Since AOI 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. The Company has presented the components that reconcile operating income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, to AOI.
The following is a reconciliation of operating income to adjusted operating income for Fiscal Year 2024 as compared to Fiscal Year 2023:
Years Ended June 30, Change
2024 2023 Amount Percentage
Operating income $ 111,941 $ 105,008 $ 6,933 7 %
Share-based compensation expense 24,544 29,521 (4,977) (17) %
Depreciation and amortization 53,876 60,463 (6,587) (11) %
Restructuring charges 17,649 10,241 7,408 72 %
Gains, net on dispositions - (4,361) 4,361 NM
Merger, spin-off, and acquisition costs (a)
2,035 - 2,035 NM
Amortization of capitalized cloud computing arrangement costs 1,008 600 408 68 %
Remeasurement of deferred compensation plan liabilities 452 121 331 NM
Adjusted operating income (b)
$ 211,505 $ 201,593 $ 9,912 5 %
________________
NM (not meaningful) - Absolute percentages greater than 200% and comparisons from positive to negative values or to zero values are considered not meaningful.
(a) This adjustment represents non-recurring costs incurred and paid by the Company for the sale of the MSGE Retained Interest by Sphere Entertainment.
(b) The Company has amended the definition of adjusted operating income so that the impact of the non-cash portion of operating lease revenue related to the Company’s Arena License Agreements with MSG Sports is no longer excluded in all periods presented. Pursuant to GAAP, recognition of operating lease revenue is recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement based upon the value of total future payments under the arrangement. As a result, operating lease revenue is comprised of a contractual cash component plus or minus a non-cash component for each period presented. Adjusted operating income includes operating lease revenue of (i) $42,769 of revenue collected in cash for Fiscal Year 2024 and $41,524 of revenue collected in cash for Fiscal Year 2023 , respectively, and (ii) a non-cash portion $25,299 for Fiscal Year 2024 and $26,545 for Fiscal Year 2023, respectively.
NM - Absolute percentages greater than 200% and comparisons from positive to negative values or to zero values are considered not meaningful.
Net loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests
For Fiscal Year 2024, the Company posted a net loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests of $0 in comparison to a net loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests of $553 for Fiscal Year 2023. These amounts in the prior year period represent the share of net loss of BCE that is not attributable to the Company, prior to the BCE Disposition on December 2, 2022.
Comparison of Fiscal Year 2023 versus the Fiscal Year 2022
Analysis of our results of operations for Fiscal Year 2023, including a comparison of Fiscal Year 2023 to Fiscal Year 2022, is included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, dated August 18, 2023.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Sources and Uses of Liquidity
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash and cash equivalents, cash flows from the operations of our businesses and available borrowing capacity under the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility (as defined below). Our principal uses of cash include working capital-related items (including funding our operations), capital spending, debt service, investments and related loans and advances to affiliates that we may fund from time to time. We may also use cash to continue to repurchase shares of our Class Common A Stock pursuant to the share repurchase program authorized by our Board of Directors on March 29, 2023, of which there was approximately $110,000 remaining as of June 30, 2024. Our decisions as to the use of our available liquidity will be based upon the ongoing review of the funding needs of the business, the optimal allocation of cash resources, and the timing of cash flow generation. To the extent that we desire to access alternative sources of funding through the capital and credit markets, market conditions could adversely impact our ability to do so at that time.
We regularly monitor and assess our ability to meet our net funding and investing requirements. As of June 30, 2024, the Company’s unrestricted cash and cash equivalents balance was $33,255. The principal balance of the Company’s total debt outstanding as of June 30, 2024 was $625,625 and the Company had $131,174 of available borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility. We believe we have sufficient liquidity from cash and cash equivalents, available borrowing capacity under our credit facilities and cash flows from operations to fund our operations, and satisfy any obligations for the foreseeable future. See Note 12. Credit Facilities to the consolidated and combined financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the National Properties Facilities.
Financing Agreements
General. MSG National Properties, MSG Entertainment Holdings and certain subsidiaries of MSG National Properties are party to the National Properties Credit Agreement, providing for a five-year, $650,000 National Properties Term Loan Facility and a five-year, $150,000 National Properties Revolving Credit Facility. Up to $25,000 of the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility is available for the issuance of letters of credit. As of June 30, 2024, outstanding letters of credit were $18,826 and the remaining balance available under the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility was $131,174.
Interest Rates. Borrowings under the current National Properties Facilities bear interest at a floating rate, which at the option of MSG National Properties may be either (a) a base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.50% per annum, determined based on the total leverage ratio of MSG National Properties and its restricted subsidiaries, or (b) adjusted Term SOFR (i.e., Term SOFR plus 0.10%) plus an applicable margin ranging from 2.50% to 3.50% per annum, determined based on the total leverage ratio of MSG National Properties and its restricted subsidiaries. The National Properties Credit Agreement requires MSG National Properties to pay a commitment fee ranging from 0.30% to 0.50% in respect of the daily unused commitments under the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility. MSG National Properties is also required to pay customary letter of credit fees, as well as fronting fees, to banks that issue letters of credit pursuant to the National Properties Credit Agreement. The interest rate on the National Properties Facilities as of June 30, 2024 was 7.94%.
Principal Repayments. Subject to customary notice and minimum amount conditions, the Company may voluntarily repay outstanding loans under the National Properties Facilities or terminate commitments under the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility, at any time, in whole or in part, subject only to customary breakage costs in the case of prepayment of Term SOFR loans. The National Properties Facilities will mature on June 30, 2027. The principal obligations under the National Properties Term Loan Facility are to be repaid in quarterly installments beginning with the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2023, in an aggregate amount equal to 2.50% per annum (0.625% per quarter), stepping up to 5% per annum (1.25% per quarter) in the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2025, with the balance due at the maturity of the facility. Under certain circumstances, MSG National Properties is required to make mandatory prepayments on loans outstanding, including prepayments in an amount equal to the net cash proceeds of certain sales of assets or casualty insurance and/or condemnation recoveries (subject to certain reinvestment, repair or replacement rights), subject to certain exceptions.
Covenants. The National Properties Credit Agreement includes financial covenants requiring MSG National Properties and its restricted subsidiaries to maintain a specified minimum liquidity level, a specified minimum debt service coverage ratio and specified maximum total leverage ratio. The minimum liquidity level is set at $50,000, and is tested based on the level of average daily liquidity, consisting of cash and cash equivalents and available revolving commitments, over the last month of each quarter over the life of the National Properties Facilities. The debt service coverage ratio covenant began testing in the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2022, and is set at a ratio of 2:1 before stepping up to 2.5:1 in the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2024. The leverage ratio covenant began testing in the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2023. It is tested based on the ratio of MSG National Properties and its restricted subsidiaries’ consolidated total indebtedness to adjusted operating income, with an initial maximum ratio of 6:1, which stepped down to 5.5:1 in the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2024 and steps down to 4.5:1 in the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2026. As of June 30, 2024, MSG National Properties and its restricted subsidiaries were in compliance with the covenants of the National Properties Credit Agreement.
In addition to the financial covenants discussed above, the National Properties Credit Agreement and the related security agreement contain certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. The National Properties Credit Agreement contains certain restrictions on the ability of MSG National Properties and its restricted subsidiaries to take certain actions as provided in (and subject to various exceptions and baskets set forth in) the National Properties Credit Agreement, including the following: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) create liens on certain assets; (iii) make investments, loans or advances in or to other persons; (iv) pay dividends and distributions or repurchase capital stock (which will restrict the ability of MSG National Properties to make cash distributions to the Company); (v) repay, redeem or repurchase certain indebtedness; (vi) change its lines of business; (vii) engage in certain transactions with affiliates; (viii) amend their respective organizational documents; (ix) merge or consolidate; and (x) make certain dispositions.
Guarantors and Collateral. All obligations under the National Properties Facilities are guaranteed by MSG Entertainment Holdings and MSG National Properties’ existing and future direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries, other than the subsidiaries that own The Garden and certain other excluded subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”).
All obligations under the National Properties Facilities, including the guarantees of those obligations, are secured by certain of the assets of MSG National Properties and the Subsidiary Guarantors (collectively, “Collateral”) including, but not limited to, a pledge of some or all of the equity interests held directly or indirectly by MSG National Properties in each Subsidiary Guarantor. The Collateral does not include, among other things, any interests in The Garden or the leasehold interests in Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theatre.
See Note 12. Credit Facilities to the consolidated and combined financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding the National Properties Credit Agreement, such as the scheduled repayment requirement of $16,250 in Fiscal Year 2025 and $32,500 in Fiscal Year 2026.
Letters of Credit
The Company uses letters of credit to support its business operations. As of June 30, 2024, the Company had letters of credit outstanding for an aggregate of $18,826 issued under the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility.
Cash Flow Discussion
As of June 30, 2024, cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash totaled $33,555, as compared to $84,355 as of June 30, 2023. The following table summarizes the Company’s cash flow activities for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2023:
Years Ended June 30,
2024 2023
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 111,266 $ 135,694
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (62,371) 30,305
Net cash used in financing activities (99,695) (144,217)
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ (50,800) $ 21,782
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities for Fiscal Year 2024 decreased by $24,428 as compared to Fiscal Year 2023, primarily due to (i) a decrease in Net income adjusted for non-cash items of $5,958, and (ii) a decrease in cash flows from changes in working capital of $18,470. The decrease in cash flows from changes in working capital were driven by a larger decrease in accounts payable, accrued and other current and non-current liabilities; an increase in accounts receivable versus a decrease in the prior year period; a decrease in deferred revenue versus an increase in the prior year period; and a larger increase in prepaid expenses and other current and non-current assets, in each case as compared to Fiscal Year 2023. These decreases in working capital cash flows were partially offset by positive net cash inflows from related party receivables and payables versus net cash outflows in the prior year period; and an increase in net operating lease liabilities in the current year.
Investing Activities
Net cash flows from investing activities for Fiscal Year 2024 decreased by $92,676 as compared to Fiscal Year 2023 primarily due to (i) an increase of $58,300 in loans to related parties related to the DDTL facility, (ii) the absence of $27,904 in proceeds received from the dispositions of BCE and the corporate aircraft recognized in Fiscal Year 2023 and (iii) an increase of $8,993 in capital expenditures in the current year period as compared to Fiscal Year 2023.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities for Fiscal Year 2024 decreased by $44,522 to $99,695 as compared to Fiscal Year 2023 primarily due to (i) the absence in net transfers to Sphere Entertainment and Sphere Entertainment’s subsidiaries under carve-out accounting principles in the current period and (ii) an increase in proceeds received from the National Properties Revolving Credit Facility in Fiscal Year 2024, partially offset by (i) an increase in principal repayments on the National Properties Term Loan Facilities and the
National Properties Revolving Credit Facility, (ii) an increase in stock repurchases, and (iii) taxes paid in lieu of shares for equity based compensation recognized in Fiscal Year 2024.
Contractual Obligations
As of June 30, 2024, the approximate future payments under our contractual obligations were as follows:
Payments Due by Period (c)
Total Year 1 Years 2-3 Years 4-5 More Than
5 Years
Leases (a)
$ 889,726 $ 7,353 84,285 89,853 $ 708,235
Debt repayments (b)
625,625 16,250 609,375 - -
Total future contractual obligation payments $ 1,515,351 $ 23,603 $ 693,660 $ 89,853 $ 708,235
_________________
(a) Includes contractually obligated minimum lease payments for operating leases having an initial noncancellable term in excess of one year for the Company’s venues, including various corporate offices. These commitments are presented exclusive of the imputed interest used to reflect the payment’s present value. See Note 9. Leases to the consolidated and combined financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information.
(b) See Note 12. Credit Facilities to the consolidated and combined financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information regarding the principal repayments required under the National Properties Credit Agreement.
(c) Pension obligations have been excluded from the table above as the timing of the future cash payments is uncertain. See Note 13. Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans to the consolidated and combined financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information on the future funding requirements under our pension obligations.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of June 30, 2024, the Company had the following off balance sheet arrangements:
Commitments
June 30, 2025 June 30, 2026 June 30, 2027 June 30, 2028 June 30, 2029 Thereafter Total
Contractual obligations $ 12,924 $ 5,272 $ 12,701 $ 12,823 $ 12,896 $ 247,735 $ 304,351
Letters of credit 18,827 - - - - - 18,827
Total commitments $ 31,751 $ 5,272 $ 12,701 $ 12,823 $ 12,896 $ 247,735 $ 323,178
Seasonality of Our Business
The revenues the Company earns from the Christmas Spectacular and arena license fees from MSG Sports in connection with the Knicks’ and Rangers’ use of The Garden generally means the Company earns a disproportionate share of its revenues and operating income in the second and third quarters of the Company’s fiscal year, with the first and fourth fiscal quarters being disproportionately lower.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements and Critical Accounting Estimates
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated and combined financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Critical accounting estimates are those that management believes are the most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results and require the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Judgments and uncertainties may result in materially different amounts being reported under different conditions or using different assumptions. In addition to the critical accounting estimates disclosed below, see Note 17. Related Party Transactions to the consolidated and combined financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details on corporate allocations recorded in the consolidated and combined financial statements.
The preparation of the Company’s consolidated and combined financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported, disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Management believes its use of estimates in the consolidated and combined financial statements to be reasonable. The significant accounting policies which we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results include the following:
Revenue Recognition - Arrangements with Multiple Performance Obligations
The Company enters into arrangements with multiple performance obligations, such as multi-year sponsorship agreements, which may derive revenues for the Company, as well as Sphere Entertainment and MSG Sports within a single arrangement. The Company also derives revenue from similar types of arrangements which are entered into by Sphere Entertainment and MSG Sports. Payment terms for such arrangements can vary by contract, but payments are generally due in installments throughout the contractual term. The performance obligations included in each sponsorship agreement vary and may include advertising and other benefits such as, but not limited to, signage at The Garden and the Company’s other venues, digital advertising, and event or property specific advertising, as well as non-advertising benefits such as suite licenses and event tickets. To the extent the Company’s multi-year arrangements provide for performance obligations that are consistent over the multi-year contractual term, such performance obligations generally meet the definition of a series as provided for under the accounting guidance. If performance obligations are concluded to meet the definition of a series, the contractual fees for all years during the contract term are aggregated and the related revenue is recognized proportionately as the underlying performance obligations are satisfied.
The timing of revenue recognition for each performance obligation is dependent upon the facts and circumstances surrounding the Company’s satisfaction of its respective performance obligation. The Company allocates the transaction price for such arrangements to each performance obligation within the arrangement based on the estimated relative standalone selling price of the performance obligation. The Company’s process for determining its estimated standalone selling prices involves management’s judgment and considers multiple factors including company specific and market specific factors that may vary depending upon the unique facts and circumstances related to each performance obligation. Key factors considered by the Company in developing an estimated standalone selling price for its performance obligations include, but are not limited to, prices charged for similar performance obligations, the Company’s ongoing pricing strategy and policies, and consideration of pricing of similar performance obligations sold in other arrangements with multiple performance obligations.
The Company incurs costs such as commissions to obtain its multi-year sponsorship agreements. The Company assesses such costs for capitalization on a contract by contract basis. To the extent costs are capitalized, the Company estimates the useful life of the related contract asset which may be the underlying contract term or the estimated customer life depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding the contract. The contract asset is amortized over the estimated useful life.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Potential Interest Rate Risk Exposure:
The Company, through its subsidiary MSG National Properties, is subject to potential interest rate risk exposure related to borrowings incurred under its credit facilities. Changes in interest rates may increase interest expense payments with respect to any borrowings incurred under these credit facilities. The effect of a hypothetical 200 basis point increase in floating interest rate prevailing as of June 30, 2024 and continuing for a full year would increase the Company’s interest expense on the outstanding amounts under the credit facilities by $12,513.
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans:
The Company utilizes actuarial methods to calculate pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and the related net periodic benefit cost which are based on actuarial assumptions. Key assumptions, the discount rates and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, are important elements of the plans’ expense and liability measurement and we evaluate these key assumptions annually. Other assumptions include demographic factors, such as mortality, retirement age and turnover. The actuarial assumptions used by the Company may differ materially from actual results due to various factors, including, but not limited to, changing economic and market conditions. Differences between actual and expected occurrences could significantly impact the actual amount of net periodic benefit cost and the benefit obligation recorded by the Company. Material changes in the costs of the plans may occur in the future due to changes in these assumptions, changes in the number of the plan participants, changes in the level of benefits provided, changes in asset levels and changes in legislation. Our assumptions reflect our historical experience and our best estimate regarding future expectations.
Accumulated and projected benefit obligations reflect the present value of future cash payments for benefits. We use the Willis Towers Watson U.S. Rate Link: 40-90 Discount Rate Model (which is developed by examining the yields on selected highly rated corporate bonds) to discount these benefit payments on a plan by plan basis, to select a rate at which we believe each plan’s benefits could be effectively settled. Additionally, the Company measures service and interest costs by applying the specific spot rates along that yield curve to the plans’ liability cash flows (“Spot Rate Approach”). The Company believes the Spot Rate Approach provides a more accurate measurement of service and interest costs by improving the correlation between projected benefit cash flows and their corresponding spot rates on the yield curve.
Lower discount rates increase the present value of benefit obligations and will usually increase the subsequent year’s net periodic benefit cost. The weighted-average discount rates used to determine benefit obligations as of June 30, 2024 for the Company’s Pension Plans and Postretirement Plan were 5.55% and 5.40%, respectively. A 25 basis point decrease in each of these assumed discount rates would increase the projected benefit obligations for the Company’s Pension Plans and Postretirement Plan at June 30, 2024 by $3,140 and $30, respectively.
The weighted-average discount rates used to determine service cost, interest cost and the projected benefit obligation components of net periodic benefit cost were 5.44%, 5.37% and 5.34%, respectively, for Fiscal Year 2024 for the Company’s Pension Plans. The weighted-average discount rates used to determine service cost, interest cost and the projected benefit obligation components of net periodic benefit cost were 5.39%, 5.49% and 5.40%, respectively, for Fiscal Year 2024 for the Company’s Postretirement Plan. A 25 basis point decrease in these assumed discount rates would increase the total net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s Pension Plans by $60 and would result in no impact to the net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s Postretirement Plan for Fiscal Year 2024.
The expected long-term return on plan assets is based on a periodic review and modeling of the plans’ asset allocation structures over a long-term horizon. Expectations of returns for each asset class are the most important of the assumptions used in the review and modeling, and are based on comprehensive reviews of historical data, forward-looking economic outlook, and economic/financial market theory. The expected long-term rate of return was selected from within the reasonable range of rates determined by (a) historical real returns, net of inflation, for the asset classes covered by the investment policy, and (b) projections of inflation over the long-term period during which benefits are payable to plan participants. The weighted average expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for the Company’s funded Pension Plans was 6.41% for Fiscal Year 2024.
Performance of the capital markets affects the value of assets that are held in trust to satisfy future obligations under the Company’s funded plans. Adverse market performance in the future could result in lower rates of return for these assets than projected by the Company which could increase the Company’s funding requirements related to these plans, as well as negatively affect the Company’s operating results by increasing the net periodic benefit cost. A 25 basis point decrease in the long-term return on pension plan assets assumption would increase net periodic pension benefit cost by $270 for Fiscal Year 2024.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The Financial Statements required by this Item 8 appear beginning on page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and are incorporated by reference herein.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, our Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2024.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements prepared for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on the results of this evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of June 30, 2024. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2024 has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other Information
None.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Information relating to our directors, executive officers, corporate governance and insider trading policies and procedures will be included in the proxy statement for the 2024 annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders, which is expected to be filed within 120 days of our fiscal year end, and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Information relating to executive compensation will be included in the proxy statement for the 2024 annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders, which is expected to be filed within 120 days of our fiscal year end, and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Information relating to the beneficial ownership of our common stock will be included in the proxy statement for the 2024 annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders, which is expected to be filed within 120 days of our fiscal year end, and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Information relating to certain relationships and related transactions and director independence will be included in the proxy statement for the 2024 annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders, which is expected to be filed within 120 days of our fiscal year end, and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Information relating to principal accountant fees and services will be included in the proxy statement for the 2024 annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders, which is expected to be filed within 120 days of our fiscal year end, and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Page
No.
The following documents are filed as part of this report:
1. The financial statements as indicated in the index set forth on page
2. Financial statement schedule:
Schedule supporting consolidated and combined financial statements:
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Schedules other than that listed above have been omitted, since they are either not applicable, not required or the information is included elsewhere herein.
3. Exhibits:
The following documents are filed as exhibits hereto:
EXHIBIT
NO.
DESCRIPTION
2.1
Distribution Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2023, between Sphere Entertainment Co. (formerly Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) and Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly MSGE Spinco Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (file No. 001-41627) filed on March 30, 2023).
2.2
Contribution Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2023, between Sphere Entertainment Co. (formerly Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.), Sphere Entertainment Group, LLC (formerly MSG Entertainment Group, LLC) and Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly MSGE Spinco Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (file No. 001-41627) filed on March 30, 2023).
3.1
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly MSGE Spinco, Inc.), dated April 20, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2023).
3.2
Amended By-Laws of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly MSGE Spinco, Inc.), dated April 20, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2023).
4.1
Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 31, 2023, by and among Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly MSGE Spinco, Inc.) and The Charles F. Dolan Children Trusts (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2023).
4.2
Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 31, 2023, by and among Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly MSGE Spinco, Inc.) and The Dolan Family Affiliates (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2023).
4.3
Description of Capital Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 filed on August 18, 2023).
10.1
Transition Services Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2023, between Sphere Entertainment Co. (formerly Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) and Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly MSGE Spinco, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (file No. 001-41627) filed on March 30, 2023).
10.2
Tax Disaffiliation Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2023, between Sphere Entertainment Co. (formerly Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) and Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly MSGE Spinco, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (file No. 001-41627) filed on March 30, 2023).
10.3
Employee Matters Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2023, between Sphere Entertainment Co. (formerly Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) and Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly MSGE Spinco, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 (file No. 001-41627) filed on March 30, 2023).
10.4
2023 Employee Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on April 19, 2023). †
10.5
2023 Stock Plan for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on April 19, 2023). †
EXHIBIT
NO.
DESCRIPTION
10.6
Form of Indemnification Agreement between Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly MSGE Spinco, Inc.) and its Directors and Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023).
10.7
Form of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly MSGE Spinco, Inc.) Non-Employee Director Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023). †
10.8
Form of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly MSGE Spinco, Inc.) Restricted Stock Units Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 18, 2023). †
10.9
Form of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly MSGE Spinco, Inc.) Performance Restricted Stock Units Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 18, 2023). †
10.10
Form of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly MSGE Spinco, Inc.) Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 18, 2023). †
10.11
Form of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly MSGE Spinco, Inc.) Performance Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 18, 2023). †
10.12
Form of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly MSGE Spinco, Inc.) Restricted Stock Units Agreement in respect of Sphere Entertainment Co. Restricted Stock Units (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 18, 2023). †
10.13
Form of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly MSGE Spinco, Inc.) Option Agreement in respect of Sphere Entertainment Co. Options (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 18, 2023). †
10.14
Form of Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly MSGE Spinco, Inc.) Performance Restricted Stock Units in respect of Sphere Entertainment Co. Performance Restricted Stock Units (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 18, 2023). †
10.15
Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly MSGE Spinco, Inc.) Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2023). †
10.16
Lease Agreement, between RCPI Trust and Radio City Productions LLC, relating to Radio City Music Hall, dated December 4, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023). *
10.17
First Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated December 4, 1997, between RCPI Trust and Radio City Productions LLC, dated February 19, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023).
10.18
Second Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated December 4, 1997, between RCPI Landmark Properties, L.L.C. and Radio City Productions LLC, dated November 6, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023). *
10.19
Third Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated December 4, 1997, between RCPI Landmark Properties, L.L.C. and Radio City Productions LLC, dated August 14, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023). *
10.20
Fourth Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated December 4, 1997, between RCPI Landmark Properties, L.L.C. and Radio City Productions LLC, dated January 24, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023). *
10.21
Fifth Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated December 4, 1997, between RCPI Landmark Properties, L.L.C. and Radio City Productions LLC, dated July 18, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023).
10.22 Sixth Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated December 4, 1997, between RCPI Landmark Properties, L.L.C. and Radio City Productions LLC, dated July 1, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023). *
10.23
Seventh Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated December 4, 1997, between RCPI Landmark Properties, L.L.C. and Radio City Productions LLC, dated April 18, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2023). *
EXHIBIT
NO.
DESCRIPTION
10.24
First Renewal Option Extension Letter amending Lease Agreement, dated December 4, 1997, by and between RCPI Landmark Properties, L.L.C. and Radio City Productions LLC (as amended), dated February 24, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023).
10.25
Second Renewal Option Extension Letter amending Lease Agreement, dated December 4, 1997, by and between RCPI Landmark Properties, L.L.C. and Radio City Productions LLC (as amended), dated March 25, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023).
10.26
Third Renewal Option Extension Letter amending Lease Agreement, dated December 4, 1997, by and between RCPI Landmark Properties, L.L.C. and Radio City Productions LLC (as amended), dated April 29, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023).
10.27
Guaranty of Lease, dated April 18, 2023, by Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly MSGE Spinco, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2023). *
10.28
Summary of Office Space Arrangement, between MSG Entertainment Group, LLC (formerly MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC) and the Knickerbocker Group LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023).
10.29
Aircraft Support Services Agreement, dated December 17, 2018, between MSG Entertainment Group, LLC (formerly MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC) and the Dolan Family Members (for the DFO G550) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023).
10.30
Amendment No. 1 to Aircraft Support Services Agreement, dated December 17, 2018, between MSG Entertainment Group, LLC (formerly MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC) and the Dolan Family Members (for the DFO G550), effective as of May 10, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023).
10.31
Amendment No. 2 to Aircraft Support Services Agreement, effective as of May 16, 2023, by and between MSG Entertainment Holdings, LLC (as successor-in-interest to MSG Entertainment Group, LLC) and the Dolan Family Members (for the DFO G550) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on June 20, 2023).
10.32
Flight Crew Services Agreement, dated May 6, 2019, between DFO and MSG Entertainment Group, LLC (formerly MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC) (for the Challenger) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023).
10.33
Dry Lease Agreement, dated December 17, 2018, between Sterling2K LLC and MSG Entertainment Group, LLC (formerly MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC) (for the DFO G550) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023).
10.34
Amendment No. 1 to Dry Lease Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2021, between Sterling2K LLC and MSG Entertainment Group, LLC (for the DFO G550) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023).
10.35
Amendment No. 2 to Dry Lease Agreement, dated December 17, 2018, between Sterling2K LLC and MSG Entertainment Group, LLC (formerly MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC) (for the DFO G550), effective as of November 4, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023).
10.36
Dry Lease Agreement, dated May 6, 2019, between Brighid Air, LLC and MSG Entertainment Group, LLC (formerly MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC) (for the Challenger) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023).
10.37
Amendment No. 1 to Dry Lease Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2019, between Brighid Air, LLC and MSG Entertainment Group, LLC (formerly MSG Sports & Entertainment, LLC) (for the Challenger), effective as of August 18, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023).
10.38
Time Sharing Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2021, between MSG Entertainment Group, LLC and Charles F. Dolan (for the New G550) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023).
10.39
Time Sharing Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2021, between Patrick F. Dolan and MSG Entertainment Group, LLC (for the Challenger) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023).
EXHIBIT
NO.
DESCRIPTION
10.40
Form of Time Sharing Agreement between MSG Entertainment Holdings, LLC and Sphere Entertainment Group, LLC (formerly MSG Entertainment Group, LLC) (for the G550) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023).
10.41
Form of Time Sharing Agreement between MSG Entertainment Holdings, LLC and Sphere Entertainment Group, LLC (formerly MSG Entertainment Group, LLC) (for the Challenger) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023).
10.42
Credit Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2022, among MSG National Properties, LLC, MSG Entertainment Group, LLC and certain subsidiaries of MSG National Properties, LLC, as guarantors, the lenders and L/C issuers party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023).
10.43
Security Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2022, among MSG National Properties, LLC, and the other grantors referred to therein, as grantors, and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023).
10.44
Arena License Agreement, dated as of April 15, 2020, between MSG Arena, LLC and New York Knicks, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023). *
10.45
Arena License Agreement, dated as of April 15, 2020, between MSG Arena, LLC and New York Rangers, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023). *
10.46
Sponsorship Sales and Representation Agreement, dated as of April 15, 2020, between New York Rangers, LLC and MSG Entertainment Group, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023).
10.47
Sponsorship Sales and Representation Agreement, dated as of April 15, 2020, between Knicks Holdings, LLC and MSG Entertainment Group, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.46 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023).
10.48
Transaction Agreement, dated as of April 18, 2023, among MSG Arena, LLC, MSG Arena Holdings, LLC, MSG National Properties, LLC, MSG Entertainment Holdings, LLC, Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (formerly MSGE Spinco, Inc.), Sphere Entertainment Co. (formerly Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.), Sphere Entertainment Group, LLC (formerly MSG Entertainment Group, LLC), and the National Basketball Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.49 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on June 20, 2023).
10.49
Employment Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2024, between Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. and James L. Dolan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 21, 2024). †
10.50
Employment Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2024, between Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. and Michael Grau (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 5, 2024). †
10.51
Employment Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2023, between Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. and Laura Franco (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on February 7, 2024). †
10.52
Employment Agreement, dated December 20, 2021, between Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. and David F. Byrnes, as assigned to MSGE Spinco, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.51 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023). †
10.53
Employment Agreement, dated October 26, 2021, between Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. and Jamal Haughton, as assigned to MSGE Spinco, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.50 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023). †
10.54
Employment Agreement, effective April 1, 2023, between Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. and Philip D’Ambrosio (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 2, 2023). †
10.55
Employment Agreement, dated March 23, 2022, between Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. and Courtney Zeppetella, as assigned to MSGE Spinco, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.52 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 30, 2023). †
10.56
Release, dated April 18, 2023, between Sphere Entertainment Co. (formerly Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.) and RCPI Landmark Properties, L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2023).
EXHIBIT
NO.
DESCRIPTION
10.57
Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement and Waiver, dated as of April 18, 2023, among MSG National Properties, LLC, the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2023).
10.58
Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, dated as of May 25, 2023, among MSG National Properties, LLC, the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.59 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on June 20, 2023).
10.59
Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 15, 2023, among MSG National Properties, LLC, the guarantors party thereto, the lender party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 21, 2023).
19.1
Insider Trading Policy
21.1
Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
23.1
Consent of Deloitte and Touche LLP.
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on signature page to this Annual Report on Form 10-K).
31.1
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. **
32.2
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. **
97.1
Clawback Policy
The following materials from Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL): (i) consolidated balance sheets, (ii) consolidated and combined statements of operations, (iii) consolidated and combined statements of comprehensive income (loss), (iv) consolidated and combined statements of cash flows, (v) consolidated and combined statements of equity (deficit), and (vi) notes to consolidated and combined financial statements.
The cover page from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2024 formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101.
_________________
* Certain confidential information, identified by bracketed asterisks “[*****]” has been omitted from this exhibit pursuant to Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K because it is both (i) not material and (ii) would be competitively harmful to the Company if publicly disclosed.
** Furnished herewith. These exhibits shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that Section. Such exhibits shall not be deemed incorporated into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
† This exhibit is a management contract or a compensatory plan or arrangement.