Sphere Entertainment Co. Reports Second Quarter 2025 Results

Business Wire

2 days ago

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR) ('Sphere Entertainment' or the 'Company') today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025.
Second quarter highlights for the Company's Sphere segment included:
In early June, The Sphere Experience featuring Postcard from Earth surpassed four million total tickets sold since opening in October 2023;
Kenny Chesney – the venue's first country act – completed a fifteen-show run during May and June, which followed the continuation of residencies from the Eagles and Dead & Company earlier in the quarter; and
Sphere hosted multiple corporate events, including Hewlett Packard Enterprise for the second consecutive year.
For the three months ended June 30, 2025, the Company reported revenues of $282.7 million, an increase of $9.3 million, or 3%, as compared to the prior year quarter. In addition, the Company reported an operating loss of $50.2 million, an improvement of $21.2 million, and adjusted operating income of $61.5 million, an increase of $35.8 million, both as compared to the prior year quarter. (1)
Executive Chairman and CEO James L. Dolan said, 'We continue to execute our strategic priorities to drive long-term profitable growth for our Sphere business. At the same time, we have been making progress with our expansion plans and remain confident in the global opportunity ahead.'
Segment Results for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 and 2024:
Sphere
For the three months ended June 30, 2025, the Sphere segment generated revenues of $175.6 million, an increase of $24.4 million, or 16%, as compared to the prior year quarter.
Event-related revenues increased $26.7 million as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to an increase in the number of corporate events as well as nine additional concert residency shows held at Sphere in Las Vegas as compared to the prior year quarter. This increase was partially offset by the absence of one marquee sporting event held in the prior year quarter.
Other revenues increased $4.8 million as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to the impact of revenues related to bringing the world's second Sphere to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Revenues related to The Sphere Experience decreased $6.7 million as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to lower average per-show revenues, partially offset by an increase in the number of overall performances as compared to the prior year quarter. In the current year quarter, The Sphere Experience included 215 performances of Postcard from Earth and V-U2 An Immersive Concert Film as compared to 208 performances of Postcard from Earth in the prior year quarter.
Revenues from sponsorship, signage, Exosphere advertising and suite license fees decreased $0.5 million as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to lower Exosphere advertising revenues, partially offset by an increase in sponsorship revenues and suite license fee revenues.
For the three months ended June 30, 2025, the Sphere segment had direct operating expenses of $76.4 million, an increase of $8.5 million, or 12%, as compared to the prior year quarter. Event-related expenses increased $6.4 million, primarily due to an increase in the number of concert residency shows and corporate events as compared to the prior year quarter, partially offset by lower average per-show expenses for concerts. Expenses related to Holoplot increased $1.4 million, reflecting the impact of consolidating the business' results following its acquisition by the Company in April 2024. Expenses associated with The Sphere Experience increased $0.6 million as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to an increase in the number of overall performances.
For the three months ended June 30, 2025, selling, general and administrative expenses of $96.4 million decreased $5.7 million, or 6%, as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to lower employee compensation and related benefits of $8.7 million and lower professional fees of $1.9 million, partially offset by other cost increases.
For the three months ended June 30, 2025, operating loss of $83.4 million improved by $21.1 million, or 20%, and adjusted operating income of $24.9 million increased $30.4 million, both as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily reflecting the increase in revenues and lower selling, general and administrative expenses, partially offset by higher direct operating expenses.
MSG Networks
For the three months ended June 30, 2025, the MSG Networks segment generated total revenues of $107.1 million, a decrease of $15.1 million, or 12%, as compared to the prior year quarter.
Distribution revenue decreased $11.4 million, primarily due to a decrease in total subscribers of approximately 13.0%, partially offset by the impact of higher affiliation rates.
Advertising revenue decreased $3.6 million as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to a lower number of live regular season and postseason professional sports telecasts.
For the three months ended June 30, 2025, direct operating expenses of $55.0 million decreased $26.7 million, or 33%, as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to lower rights fees expense of $25.6 million and lower other programming and production costs of $1.1 million. On June 27, 2025, MSG Networks completed the restructuring of its credit facilities, described below, which included amendments to its media rights agreements for certain professional sports teams. The decrease in rights fees expense primarily reflects reductions in media rights fees as a result of such amendments, including retroactive adjustments for the 2024-25 NBA and NHL seasons recorded during the current year quarter.
For the three months ended June 30, 2025, selling, general and administrative expenses of $16.6 million increased $11.7 million as compared to the prior year quarter. The increase was primarily due to higher advertising and marketing costs of $6.0 million and higher professional fees of $5.5 million, mainly due to the absence of litigation-related insurance recoveries recognized in the prior year quarter.
For the three months ended June 30, 2025, operating income increased by $0.1 million to $33.3 million as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to lower direct operating expenses, mostly offset by the decrease in revenues and higher selling, general and administrative expenses. Adjusted operating income increased by $5.4 million to $36.5 million as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to lower direct operating expenses, partially offset by the decrease in revenues and higher selling, general and administrative expenses.
Other Matters
On June 27, 2025, MSG Networks completed a restructuring of its credit facilities. The restructuring included, among other things: (i) MSG Networks' $804 million term loan being replaced with a new $210 million term loan facility; and (ii) MSG Networks making a cash payment of $80 million to the lenders upon closing, comprised of $65 million from MSG Networks and a $15 million capital contribution from the Company. The new term loan continues to be non-recourse to Sphere Entertainment Co. For the three months ended June 30, 2025, the Company recorded a gain on extinguishment of debt of $346.1 million, reflecting the net impact of the restructuring.
In connection with the restructuring, MSG Networks entered into amendments to the local media rights agreements with the New York Knicks ('Knicks') and the New York Rangers ('Rangers'), which included: (i) 28% and 18% reductions in annual rights fees payable to the Knicks and the Rangers, respectively, effective January 1, 2025; (ii) an elimination of annual rights fee escalators; and (iii) a change to the contract expiration dates to the end of the 2028-29 seasons, subject to a right of first refusal in favor of MSG Networks. Concurrent with the amendments to the Knicks' and Rangers' local media rights agreements, MSG Networks also issued penny warrants to Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. exercisable for 19.9% of the equity interests in MSG Networks.
MSG Networks also entered into amendments with certain other professional sports teams that provide for, among other matters, reductions in the annual rights fees payable to such teams.
The terms and conditions of the restructuring and other related transactions are described more fully in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 27, 2025.
About Sphere Entertainment Co.
Sphere Entertainment Co. is a premier live entertainment and media company. The Company includes Sphere, a next-generation entertainment medium powered by cutting-edge technologies to redefine the future of entertainment. The first Sphere venue opened in Las Vegas in September 2023. In addition, the Company includes MSG Networks, which operates two regional sports and entertainment networks, MSG Network and MSG Sportsnet, as well as a direct-to-consumer and authenticated streaming product, MSG+, delivering a wide range of live sports content and other programming. More information is available at www.sphereentertainmentco.com.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We define adjusted operating income (loss), which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as operating income (loss) before (i) depreciation, amortization and impairments of property and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets, (ii) amortization for capitalized cloud computing arrangement costs, (iii) share-based compensation expense, (iv) restructuring charges or credits, (v) merger, debt work-out and acquisition-related costs, including merger-related litigation expenses, net of insurance recoveries, (vi) gains or losses on sales or dispositions of businesses and associated settlements, (vii) the impact of purchase accounting adjustments related to business acquisitions, and (viii) gains and losses related to the remeasurement of liabilities under the Company's Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. We believe that the exclusion of share-based compensation expense or benefit allows investors to better track the performance of our business without regard to the settlement of an obligation that is not expected to be made in cash. We eliminate merger, debt work-out and acquisition-related costs, including merger related litigation expenses, net of insurance recoveries, 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 Company's Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, provides investors with a clearer picture of the Company's operating performance given that, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ('GAAP'), gains and losses related to the remeasurement of liabilities under the Company's Executive Deferred Compensation Plan are recognized in Operating income (loss) whereas gains and losses related to the remeasurement of the assets under the Company's 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 income (expense), net, which is not reflected in Operating income (loss).
We believe adjusted operating income (loss) is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of our business segments and the Company on a consolidated basis. Adjusted operating income (loss) and similar measures with similar titles are common performance measures used by investors and analysts to analyze our performance. Internally, we use revenues and adjusted operating income (loss) as the most important indicators of our business performance, and evaluate management's effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators. Adjusted operating income (loss) should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for operating income (loss), net income (loss), cash flows from operating activities, and other measures of performance and/or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Since adjusted operating income (loss) is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, this measure may not be comparable to similar measures with similar titles used by other companies. For a reconciliation of operating income (loss) to adjusted operating income (loss), please see page 6 of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results, developments or events may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including financial community perceptions of the Company and its business, operations, financial condition and the industries in which it operates and the factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the sections titled 'Risk Factors' and 'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations' contained therein. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein.
Conference Call Information:
The conference call will be Webcast live today at 10:00 a.m. ET at Conference call dial-in number is 888-800-3155 / Conference ID Number 8089430
Conference call replay number is 800-770-2030 / Conference ID Number 8089430 until August 18, 2025
ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) TO
ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
The following is a description of the adjustments to operating loss in arriving at adjusted operating income as described in this earnings release:
Share-based compensation. This adjustment eliminates the compensation expense relating to restricted stock units, performance stock units and stock options granted under the Sphere Entertainment Employee Stock Plan, MSG Sports Employee Stock Plan, MSG Networks Employee Stock Plan, as amended and assumed by Sphere Entertainment, and Sphere Entertainment Non-Employee Director Plan.
Depreciation and amortization. This adjustment eliminates depreciation and amortization of property and equipment and intangible assets.
Restructuring charges. This adjustment eliminates costs related to termination benefits provided to employees as part of the Company's full-time workforce reductions.
Impairment and other losses (gains), net. This adjustment eliminates non-cash impairment charges and the impact of gains or losses from the disposition of assets or businesses.
Merger, debt work-out, and acquisition-related costs, including merger-related litigation expenses, net of insurance recoveries. This adjustment eliminates costs related to mergers, debt work-outs and acquisitions, including litigation expenses.
Amortization for capitalized cloud computing arrangement costs. This adjustment eliminates amortization of capitalized cloud computing arrangement costs.
Remeasurement of deferred compensation plan liabilities. This adjustment eliminates the impact of gains and losses related to the remeasurement of liabilities under the Company's executive deferred compensation plan.
SEGMENT RESULTS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
BUSINESS SEGMENT RESULTS
Three Months Ended June 30, 2025
Sphere
MSG Networks
Total
Revenues
$
175,587
$
107,090
$
282,677
Direct operating expenses
(76,351
)
(54,967
)
(131,318
)
Selling, general and administrative expenses
(96,389
)
(16,634
)
(113,023
)
Depreciation and amortization
(81,707
)
(2,200
)
(83,907
)
Impairments and other losses, net
(3,641
)
—
(3,641
)
Restructuring charges
(947
)
—
(947
)
Operating (loss) income
$
(83,448
)
$
33,289
$
(50,159
)
Reconciliation to adjusted operating income:
Share-based compensation
17,953
897
18,850
Depreciation and amortization
81,707
2,200
83,907
Restructuring charges
947
—
947
Impairments and other losses, net
3,641
—
3,641
Merger, debt work-out, and acquisition related costs, net of insurance recoveries
2,351
131
2,482
Amortization for capitalized cloud computing arrangement costs
1,579
—
1,579
Remeasurement of deferred compensation plan liabilities
219
—
219
Adjusted operating income
$
24,949
$
36,517
$
61,466
Three Months Ended June 30, 2024
Sphere
MSG Networks
Total
Revenues
$
151,217
$
122,178
$
273,395
Direct operating expenses
(67,870
)
(81,649
)
(149,519
)
Selling, general and administrative expenses
(102,109
)
(4,931
)
(107,040
)
Depreciation and amortization
(80,121
)
(2,216
)
(82,337
)
Impairments and other losses, net
(5,735
)
—
(5,735
)
Restructuring charges
88
(229
)
(141
)
Operating (loss) income
$
(104,530
)
$
33,153
$
(71,377
)
Reconciliation to adjusted operating (loss) income:
Share-based compensation
12,337
984
13,321
Depreciation and amortization
80,121
2,216
82,337
Restructuring charges
(88
)
229
141
Impairments and other losses, net
5,735
—
5,735
Merger, debt work-out, and acquisition related costs, net of insurance recoveries
910
(5,473
)
(4,563
)
Amortization for capitalized cloud computing arrangement costs
—
21
21
Remeasurement of deferred compensation plan liabilities
42
—
42
Adjusted operating (loss) income
$
(5,473
)
$
31,130
$
25,657
Expand
SEGMENT RESULTS (Continued)
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2025
Sphere
MSG Networks
Total
Revenues
$
333,132
$
230,119
$
563,251
Direct operating expenses
(146,887
)
(142,754
)
(289,641
)
Selling, general and administrative expenses
(192,793
)
(34,499
)
(227,292
)
Depreciation and amortization
(163,712
)
(4,424
)
(168,136
)
Impairments and other losses, net
(4,162
)
—
(4,162
)
Restructuring charges
(2,788
)
—
(2,788
)
Operating (loss) income
$
(177,210
)
$
48,442
$
(128,768
)
Reconciliation to adjusted operating income:
Share-based compensation
37,907
2,538
40,445
Depreciation and amortization
163,712
4,424
168,136
Restructuring charges
2,788
—
2,788
Impairments and other losses, net
4,162
—
4,162
Merger, debt work-out, and acquisition related costs, net of insurance recoveries
3,339
3,934
7,273
3,158
—
3,158
240
—
240
Adjusted operating income
$
38,096
$
59,338
$
97,434
Six Months Ended June 30, 2024
Sphere
MSG Networks
Total
Revenues
$
321,581
$
273,144
$
594,725
Direct operating expenses
(130,164
)
(173,395
)
(303,559
)
Selling, general and administrative expenses
(211,085
)
(19,104
)
(230,189
)
Depreciation and amortization
(157,827
)
(4,377
)
(162,204
)
Impairments and other losses, net
(5,735
)
—
(5,735
)
Restructuring charges
(4,798
)
(10
)
(4,808
)
Operating (loss) income
$
(188,028
)
$
76,258
$
(111,770
)
Reconciliation to adjusted operating income:
Share-based compensation
25,610
4,435
30,045
Depreciation and amortization
157,827
4,377
162,204
Restructuring charges
4,798
10
4,808
Impairments and other losses, net
5,735
—
5,735
Merger, debt work-out, and acquisition related costs, net of insurance recoveries
1,326
(5,381
)
(4,055
)
Amortization for capitalized cloud computing costs
—
43
43
Remeasurement of deferred compensation plan liabilities
168
—
168
Adjusted operating income
$
7,436
$
79,742
$
87,178
Expand
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
As of
June 30,
December 31,
2025
2024
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
$
368,927
$
515,633
Accounts receivable, net
151,224
154,624
Related party receivables, current
10,957
25,729
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
64,317
65,007
Total current assets
595,425
760,993
Non-Current Assets:
Investments
41,311
40,396
Property and equipment, net
2,851,978
3,035,730
Right-of-use lease assets
88,765
93,920
Goodwill
410,172
410,172
Intangible assets, net
25,129
28,383
Other non-current assets
186,281
145,706
Total assets
$
4,199,061
$
4,515,300
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable
$
14,775
$
33,606
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
346,925
388,370
Related party payables, current
5,758
9,504
Current portion of long-term debt, net
58,799
829,125
Operating lease liabilities, current
17,455
19,268
Deferred revenue
83,227
91,794
Total current liabilities
526,939
1,371,667
Non-Current Liabilities:
Long-term debt, net
830,535
524,010
Operating lease liabilities, non-current
111,823
116,668
Deferred tax liabilities, net
250,579
148,870
Other non-current liabilities
165,498
152,666
Total liabilities
1,885,374
2,313,881
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
Class A Common Stock (1)
291
290
Class B Common Stock (2)
69
69
Additional paid-in capital
2,463,345
2,428,414
Accumulated deficit
(149,984
)
(219,846
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(34
)
(7,508
)
Total stockholders' equity
2,313,687
2,201,419
Total liabilities and equity
$
4,199,061
$
4,515,300
_________________
(1) Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, 120,000 shares authorized; 29,133 and 28,960 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
(2) Class B Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, 30,000 shares authorized; 6,867 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
Expand
SELECTED CASH FLOW INFORMATION
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30,
2025
2024
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
$
(52,711
)
$
28,570
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
16,441
(46,156
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(111,059
)
(36,242
)
Effect of exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
623
(776
)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
$
(146,706
)
$
(54,604
)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period
515,633
627,827
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period
$
368,927
$
573,223
Expand