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Risk Overview Q2, 2026
Risk Distribution
28% Legal & Regulatory
26% Finance & Corporate
15% Production
10% Tech & Innovation
10% Ability to Sell
10% Macro & Political
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
This chart displays the stock's most recent risk distribution according to category. TipRanks has identified 6 major categories: Finance & corporate, legal & regulatory, macro & political, production, tech & innovation, and ability to sell.
Risk Change Over Time
S&P500 Average
Sector Average
Risks removed
Risks added
Risks changed
Madison Square Garden Sports Risk Factors
New Risk (0)
Risk Changed (0)
Risk Removed (0)
No changes from previous report
The chart shows the number of risks a company has disclosed. You can compare this to the sector average or S&P 500 average.
The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.
The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.
Risk Highlights Q2, 2026
Main Risk Category
Legal & Regulatory
With 11 Risks
Legal & Regulatory
With 11 Risks
Number of Disclosed Risks
39
+7
From last reportS&P 500 Average: 31
39
+7
From last reportS&P 500 Average: 31
Recent Changes
7Risks added
0Risks removed
7Risks changed
Since Jun 2026
7Risks added
0Risks removed
7Risks changed
Since Jun 2026
Number of Risk Changed
7
+7
From last reportS&P 500 Average: 1
7
+7
From last reportS&P 500 Average: 1
See the risk highlights of Madison Square Garden Sports in the last period.
Risk Word Cloud
The most common phrases about risk factors from the most recent report. Larger texts indicate more widely used phrases.
Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 39
Legal & Regulatory
Total Risks: 11/39 (28%)Above Sector Average
Regulation4 | 10.3%
Regulation - Risk 1
The Actions of the NBA and NHL May Have a Material Negative Effect on Our Business and Results of Operations.Regulation - Risk 2
We Do Not Own The Garden and Our Failure to Renew the Arena License Agreements or MSG Entertainment's Failure to Operate The Garden in Compliance with the Arena License Agreements or Extensive Governmental Regulations May Have a Material Negative Effect on Our Business and Results of Operations.The Knicks and the Rangers play their home games at The Garden pursuant to the Arena License Agreements with MSG Entertainment, which owns and operates The Garden. Our Arena License Agreements for The Garden expire in 2055. If we are unable to renew the Arena License Agreements on economically attractive terms, our business could be materially negatively affected. The Arena License Agreements require that MSG Entertainment must operate The Garden in a first-class manner. If
MSG Entertainment were to breach or become unable to satisfy this obligation under the Arena License Agreements, we could suffer operational difficulties and/or significant losses. See "- We Rely on Affiliated Entities' Performance, Including Performance of Financial Obligations, Under Various Agreements."
In addition, MSG Entertainment is subject to federal, state and local regulations relating to the operation of The Garden. For example, The Garden holds a liquor license to sell alcoholic beverages at concession stands in The Garden. Failure by MSG Entertainment to retain, or the suspension of, the liquor license could interrupt or terminate the ability to serve alcoholic beverages at The Garden and may have a negative effect on our business and our results of operations.
The Garden is subject to zoning and building regulations, including a zoning special permit. The original permit was 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. The federal government, Amtrak and other relevant rail agencies are advancing a proposed redevelopment of Penn Station, which proposed redevelopment could affect The Garden and may require coordination with, or concessions from, MSG Entertainment. 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 MSG Entertainment to make financial contributions or other concessions in connection with the redevelopment of Penn Station, relocate The Garden or sell or transfer all or portions of The Garden complex. For example, in connection with the 2023 renewal process, 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 the rail agencies' desired improvements. In June 2026, MSG Entertainment announced that it had entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the Amtrak-selected master developer related to the proposed redevelopment of Penn Station that, among other things, acknowledged that The Garden must remain fully operational at all times during the redevelopment as required by MSG Entertainment and contemplated the transfer of the Infosys Theater at MSG, subject to further negotiation, definitive documentation and other agreements. There can be no assurance regarding the future renewal of the permit or the terms thereof, or regarding the timing, scope, terms or completion of any Penn Station redevelopment or related arrangements, and the failure to obtain such renewal or to do so on favorable terms or the effects of any such redevelopment or arrangements could have a material negative effect on our business.
In addition, The Garden is, and will in the future continue to be, subject to a variety of other laws and regulations, including environmental, working conditions, labor, immigration and employment laws, and health, safety and sanitation requirements. For example, governmental regulations adopted in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the permitted occupancy of The Garden for games of the Knicks and the Rangers and the manner in which we use or maintain The Garden on game days during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, which impacted the revenue we derived from games and the expenses that we incurred on game days.
MSG Entertainment's failure to comply with governmental laws and regulations applicable to the operation of The Garden, or to maintain necessary permits or licenses, could have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.
Regulation - Risk 3
Transfers and Ownership of Our Common Stock Are Subject to Restrictions Under Rules of the NBA and NHL and Our Articles of Incorporation Provide Us with Remedies Against Holders Who Do Not Comply with Those Restrictions.The Company is the owner of professional sports franchises in the NBA and NHL. As a result, transfers and ownership of our common stock are subject to certain restrictions under the constituent documents of the NBA and NHL as well as the Company's consent and other agreements with the NBA and NHL in connection with their approval of the MSGS Distribution and the Sphere Distribution. These restrictions are described under "Description of Capital Stock - Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock - Transfer Restrictions" in Exhibit 4.5 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In order to protect the Company and its NBA and NHL franchises from sanctions that might be imposed by the NBA or NHL as a result of violations of these restrictions, our articles of incorporation provide that, if a transfer of shares of our common stock to a person or the ownership of shares of our common stock by a person requires approval or other action by a league and such approval or other action was not obtained or taken as required, the Company shall have the right by written notice to the holder to require the holder to dispose of the shares of common stock which triggered the need for such approval. If a holder fails to comply with such a notice, in addition to any other remedies that may be available, the Company may redeem the shares at 85% of the fair market value of those shares.
Regulation - Risk 4
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 NYSE.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 New York Stock Exchange (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 of Directors, (ii) an independent corporate governance and nominating committee and (iii) an independent compensation committee. Our Board of Directors 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 of Directors has elected to comply with the NYSE requirement for an independent compensation committee.
Litigation & Legal Liabilities1 | 2.6%
Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 1
There Is a Risk of Personal Injuries and Accidents at The Garden, 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.Taxation & Government Incentives5 | 12.8%
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 1
A Change to or Withdrawal of a New York City Real Estate Tax Exemption May Have a Material Negative Effect on Our Business and Results of Operations.Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 2
We Are Subject to Governmental Regulation, Including Tax Laws and Regulations, Which Can Change, and Any Failure to Comply With These Regulations May Have a Material Negative Effect on Our Business and Results of Operations.Changed
Our business is subject to a variety of laws and regulations, including working conditions, labor, immigration and employment laws, health, safety and sanitation requirements, and laws relating to ticketing practices and tax regulations. In addition, our business may be subject to future laws and regulations in these and other areas, which may create incremental and new compliance obligations. We are unable to predict the outcome or effects of any potential legislative or regulatory proposals on our businesses. Any changes to the legal and regulatory framework applicable to our businesses could have an adverse impact on our business and results of operations.
Changes in tax laws and regulations have limited and in the future could further limit the availability of tax benefits or deductions that the Company expects to claim or otherwise increase the taxes imposed on the Company's operations. For example, Section 162(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") generally limits a publicly held corporation's deduction for compensation paid to each "covered employee" to $1 million per year. Effective for our tax year beginning July 1, 2027, Section 162(m) expands the definition of "covered employee" to include the five highest compensated employees for the taxable year other than our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and three highest compensated executive officers. This expanded provision will apply to players on our sports teams and would cause a significant amount of compensation expense to be nondeductible in fiscal year 2028 and beyond. Based on compensation arrangements currently in place for the 2027-28 season and other assumptions, we estimate that the expansion will result in approximately $59 million of additional income tax expense in fiscal year 2028 and a corresponding reduction in our net income
Our failure to comply with applicable governmental laws and regulations, or to maintain necessary permits or licenses, could result in liability that could have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.
Our business was also materially impacted by government actions taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and could be materially impacted by government actions in response to a pandemic or other public health emergency in the future. See " - Our Operations and Operating Results Have Been, and May in the Future Be, Materially Impacted by a Pandemic or Other Public Health Emergency."
In addition, changes in international trade policies and practices, including tariffs and trade barriers, and the economic impacts, volatility and uncertainty resulting therefrom, could have an adverse impact on our business and results of operations.
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 3
The Rangers Distribution Could Result in Significant Tax Liability.Added
We expect to obtain an opinion from Sullivan & Cromwell LLP substantially to the effect that, among other things, the Rangers Distribution will qualify as a tax-free distribution under the Code. The opinion will not be binding on the IRS or the courts. Certain transactions related to the Rangers Distribution that are not expected to be addressed by the opinion could result in the recognition of income or gain by us. The opinion will rely on factual representations and reasonable assumptions, which, if incorrect or inaccurate, may jeopardize the ability to rely on such opinion. We do not intend to request a ruling from the IRS as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Rangers Distribution.
If the Rangers Distribution does not qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then, in general, we would recognize taxable gain in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of Spinco common stock distributed in the Rangers Distribution over our tax basis therein (i.e., as if we had sold such Spinco stock in a taxable sale for its fair market value). In addition, the receipt by our stockholders of common stock of Spinco would be a taxable distribution, and each U.S. holder that received Spinco common stock in the Rangers Distribution would be treated as if the U.S. holder had received a distribution equal to the fair market value of Spinco common stock that was distributed to it, which generally would be treated first as a taxable dividend to the extent of such holder's pro rata share of our earnings and profits, then as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the holder's tax basis in our common stock, and thereafter as capital gain with respect to any remaining value. It is expected that the amount of any such taxes to us and our stockholders would be substantial. See "- We May Have a Significant Indemnity Obligation to Spinco if the Rangers Distribution Is Treated as a Taxable Transaction."
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 4
We May Have a Significant Indemnity Obligation to Spinco if the Rangers Distribution Is Treated as a Taxable Transaction.Added
We expect to enter into a tax disaffiliation agreement with Spinco, which will set out each party's rights and obligations with respect to federal, state, local or foreign taxes for periods before and after the Rangers Distribution and related matters such as the filing of tax returns and the conduct of IRS and other audits. Pursuant to the tax disaffiliation agreement, we expect to be required to indemnify Spinco for losses and taxes of Spinco resulting from the breach of certain covenants and for certain taxable gains recognized by Spinco, including as a result of certain acquisitions of our stock or assets. If we are required to indemnify Spinco 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.
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 5
The Tax Rules Applicable to the Rangers Distribution, if Consummated, May Restrict us From Engaging in Certain Corporate Transactions or From Raising Equity Capital Beyond Certain Thresholds for a Period of Time After the Rangers Distribution.Added
To preserve the tax-free treatment of the Rangers Distribution to our and Spinco's stockholders, under a tax disaffiliation agreement that would be entered into between the Company and Spinco, for the two-year period following the Rangers Distribution, we will be subject to restrictions with respect to our activities, including restrictions relating to certain issuances or repurchases of our common stock, asset sales, mergers and liquidations.
These restrictions may limit our ability during that two-year 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.
Environmental / Social1 | 2.6%
Environmental / Social - Risk 1
We Are Subject to Data Privacy, Data Protection and Data Security Regulations and Laws and Could Face Substantial Penalties if We Fail to Comply With Such Regulations and Laws.Finance & Corporate
Total Risks: 10/39 (26%)Below Sector Average
Share Price & Shareholder Rights3 | 7.7%
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1
If the Rangers Distribution Occurs, the Combined Post-Distribution Value of MSG Sports and Spinco Shares May Not Equal or Exceed the Pre-Distribution Value of MSG Sports Shares.Added
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2
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 ("Class A Common Stock"), which is entitled to one vote per share and is entitled collectively to elect a number of directors constituting at least 25% of our Board of Directors; and - Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Class B Common Stock"), which is generally entitled to ten votes per share and is entitled collectively to elect the remainder of our Board of Directors.
As of June 30, 2026, certain members of the Dolan family, including certain trusts for the benefit of members of the Dolan family (collectively, the "Dolan Family Group"), collectively own all of our Class B Common Stock, approximately 3.0% of our outstanding Class A Common Stock and approximately 70.8% of the total voting power of all our outstanding common stock (in each case, inclusive of options exercisable and RSUs vesting within 60 days of June 30, 2026) in matters other than the election of directors. Of that amount, certain Dolan family trusts (the "Excluded Trusts") collectively own 80.4% of the outstanding Class B Common Stock. The trustees of the Excluded Trusts are members of the Dolan family. The members of the Dolan Family Group holding Class B Common Stock have executed a stockholders agreement (the "Stockholders Agreement") that has the effect of causing the voting power of holders of our Class B Common Stock (other than the Excluded Trusts) to be cast as a block with respect to all matters to be voted on by such holders of Class B Common Stock.
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.
Under the Stockholders Agreement, the shares of Class B Common Stock owned by members of the Dolan Family Group (other than the Excluded Trusts) are to be voted on all matters in accordance with the determination of the Dolan Family Committee. The "Dolan Family Committee" consists of 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, Marianne Dolan Weber and Deborah A. Dolan-Sweeney, 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.
The Dolan Family Group, by virtue of their stock ownership, have the ability to determine all matters requiring approval by stockholders (other than the election of the Class A Directors and any matters requiring a separate vote by the holders of the Class A Common Stock) and are able collectively to control stockholder decisions on matters on which holders of our Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock vote together as a single class (including, but not limited to, a change-in-control and the amendment of our articles of incorporation), and to elect up to 75% of the Company's Board of Directors. The Company's capital structure and the disparate voting rights of the Company's Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock may have antitakeover effects, including that the Dolan Family Group is able to prevent a change in control of the Company or other fundamental corporate transaction that our stockholders might consider in their best interest. No person interested in acquiring us would be able to do so without obtaining the consent of the Dolan Family Group, which includes the Excluded Trusts.
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 articles of incorporation that adversely affects the powers, preferences or rights of the Class B Common Stock.
As a result, the Dolan Family Group, which includes the Excluded Trusts, also has the power to prevent such issuance or amendment.
The Dolan Family Group also controls MSG Entertainment, Sphere Entertainment and AMC Global Media Inc. (formerly known as AMC Networks Inc., "AMC Global Media").
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3
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.Certain parties have registration rights covering a portion of our shares. We have entered into registration rights agreements with members of the Dolan Family Group, certain Dolan family interests, and the Dolan Family Foundation that provide them with "demand" and "piggyback" registration rights with respect to approximately 5.1 million shares of Class A Common Stock, including shares issuable upon conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock.
We also may issue additional shares of Class B Common Stock and may provide registration rights with respect to those shares. Any new shares of Class B Common Stock issued generally will be entitled to ten votes per share. Future issuances of Class B Common Stock would be dilutive to the voting power of Class A Common Stock on matters where both classes of the Company's common stock vote together as a single class. In addition, sales of a substantial number of shares of Class A Common Stock, including sales pursuant to the registration rights agreements described above, 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 equity securities. It is possible that the Rangers Distribution, whether or not consummated, could lead to increased sales of our Class A Common Stock.
Accounting & Financial Operations1 | 2.6%
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 1
We Have in the Past Incurred Substantial Net Losses, Operating Losses, Adjusted Operating Losses and Negative Cash Flow and There Can Be No Assurance We Will Not Incur Net Losses, Operating Losses, Adjusted Operating Losses or Negative Cash Flow Again in the Future.Debt & Financing2 | 5.1%
Debt & Financing - Risk 1
Certain of Our Subsidiaries Have Incurred Substantial Indebtedness, and the Occurrence of an Event of Default Under Our Subsidiaries' Credit Facilities or Our Inability to Repay Such Indebtedness When Due Could Substantially Impair the Assets of Those Subsidiaries and Have a Negative Effect on Our Business.Debt & Financing - Risk 2
We May Require Additional Financing to Fund Our Ongoing Operations, the Availability of Which is Highly Uncertain.Changed
We may require additional financing to fund our ongoing operations or otherwise engage in transactions that depend on our ability to obtain financing. The public and private capital and credit markets can experience volatility and disruption. Such markets can exert extreme downward pressure on stock prices and upward pressure on the cost of new debt capital and can severely restrict credit availability for most issuers. For example, the global economy, including credit and financial markets, has in recent years experienced extreme volatility and disruptions, including diminished liquidity and credit availability, rising interest and inflation rates, declines in consumer confidence, declines in economic growth, increases in unemployment rates and uncertainty about economic stability.
Depending upon conditions in the financial markets and/or the Company's financial performance, we may not be able to raise additional capital on favorable terms, or at all. In addition, as described above, the leagues in which our sports teams compete may have, under certain circumstances, approval rights over certain financing transactions, and in connection with those rights, could affect our ability to obtain such financing.
Corporate Activity and Growth4 | 10.3%
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 1
Our Basketball and Hockey Decisions, Especially Those Concerning Player and Coach Selection and Salaries, May Have a Material Negative Effect on Our Business and Results of Operations.Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 2
We May not Enjoy all the Benefits of Scale that We Achieved Prior to the Rangers Distribution, if Consummated.Added
If the Rangers Distribution is consummated, following the Rangers Distribution we will no longer share with Spinco the benefits of scope and scale in administrative and other overhead costs and expenses resulting from various factors, including financial reporting, costs associated with complying with federal securities laws (including compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002), tax administration, legal and human resources related functions. While we expect to enter into agreements with Spinco that govern a number of our commercial and other relationships after the Rangers Distribution, those arrangements will not fully capture the benefits we currently enjoy as a result of the common ownership of the Knicks and Rangers businesses.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 3
We May Not Complete the Rangers Distribution on the Expected Terms or at All, and Our Pursuit of the Transaction Could Adversely Affect Our Business and Results of Operations.Added
The Rangers Distribution remains subject to various conditions and approvals, and there can be no assurance that it will be consummated on the expected terms, on the anticipated timeline or at all. The process of pursuing the Rangers Distribution may require significant management time and incremental costs, create uncertainty among employees, business partners, fans and lenders and affect our ability to execute our business plans. If the Rangers Distribution is not completed, we may not realize the anticipated benefits of the transaction and may have incurred significant costs in connection with the proposed transaction.
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 4
We May Pursue Acquisitions and Other Strategic Transactions to Complement or Expand Our Business that May Not Be Successful.We may explore opportunities to purchase or invest in other businesses or assets that we believe will complement, enhance or expand our current business or that might otherwise offer us growth opportunities. 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, litigation or other claims in connection with acquisitions or against companies we invest in or acquire, our lack of control over certain joint venture companies and other minority investments, the inability to successfully integrate such business into our operations or even if successfully integrated, the risk of not achieving the intended results and the exposure to losses if the underlying transactions or ventures are not successful.
Production
Total Risks: 6/39 (15%)Above Sector Average
Employment / Personnel4 | 10.3%
Employment / Personnel - Risk 1
Labor Matters May Have a Material Negative Effect on Our Business and Results of Operations.Employment / Personnel - Risk 2
Injuries to, and Illness of, Players on Our Sports Teams Could Hinder Our Success.To the degree that our financial results are dependent on our sports teams' popularity and/or on-court and on-ice success, the likelihood of achieving such popularity or competitive success may be substantially impacted by serious and/or untimely injuries to, or illness of, our players. Even if we take health and safety precautions, our players may nevertheless contract serious illnesses or suffer serious injuries, and, as a result, our ability to participate in games may be substantially impacted. Nearly all of our Knicks and Rangers players, including those with multi-year contracts, have partially or fully guaranteed contracts, meaning that in some cases (subject to the terms of the applicable player contract and CBA), a player or his estate may be entitled to receive his salary even if the player is unable to play as a result of injury or death. These salaries represent significant financial commitments for our sports teams. We maintain insurance policies to mitigate some of the risk of paying certain player salaries in the event of a player's death or disability. In the event of injuries sustained resulting in lost services (as defined in the applicable insurance policies), generally the insurance policies provide for payment to us of a portion of the player's salary for the remaining term of the contract or until the player can resume play, in each case following a deductible number of missed games. In no event do the insurance policies provide for payment of lost revenues from any impacts of reduced popularity or competitive success as a result of player injuries. Such insurance may not be available in every circumstance, may not be available on terms that are commercially feasible, or may contain significant dollar limits and/or exclusions from coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. We may choose not to obtain (or may not be able to obtain) such insurance in some cases and we may change coverage levels (or be unable to change coverage levels) in the future.
In the absence of disability insurance, we have in the past been obligated to pay and may in the future be obligated to pay all of an injured player's salary. In addition, player disability insurance policies do not cover any NBA luxury tax that we may be required to pay under the NBA CBA. For purposes of determining NBA luxury tax under the NBA CBA, salary payable to an injured player is included in team salary for at least one year and until other conditions are satisfied. Replacement of an injured player may result in an increase in our salary and NBA luxury tax expenses.
Employment / Personnel - Risk 3
We Share Certain Directors, Officers and Employees with MSG Entertainment, Sphere Entertainment and/or AMC Global Media, Which Means Those Officers and Directors Do Not Devote Their Full Time and Attention to Our Affairs and the Overlap May Give Rise to Conflicts.Changed
Our Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, James L. Dolan, also serves as the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MSG Entertainment and Sphere Entertainment and as Non-Executive Chairman of AMC Global Media, and our Executive Vice President, David Granville-Smith, also serves as the Executive Vice President of Sphere Entertainment and AMC Global Media. Furthermore, eight members of our Board of Directors (including James L. Dolan) are also directors of MSG Entertainment, nine members of our Board of Directors (including James L. Dolan) are also directors of Sphere Entertainment and four members of our Board of Directors (including James L. Dolan) are also directors of AMC Global Media. Our Vice Chairman, Gregg G. Seibert, also serves as the Vice Chairman of MSG Entertainment, Sphere Entertainment and AMC Global Media. Further, our Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Secretary, Mark C. Cresitello, also serves as Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Secretary of MSG Entertainment and Sphere Entertainment. We refer to these persons as "Overlap Persons." As a result, these Overlap Persons do not devote their full time and attention to the Company's affairs. The Overlap Persons may have actual or apparent conflicts of interest with respect to matters involving or affecting each company. For example, the potential for a conflict of interest exists when we on the one hand, and MSG Entertainment, Sphere Entertainment and/or AMC Global Media 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 exist between MSG Entertainment, Sphere Entertainment or AMC Global Media (each of the foregoing, including its subsidiaries and successors, an "Other Entity") and us. In addition, certain of our directors, officers and employees hold 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 the Company and an Other Entity. See "Certain Relationships and Potential Conflicts of Interest" in the Company's most recent Definitive Annual Meeting Proxy Statement for a discussion of certain procedures we instituted to help ameliorate such potential conflicts with MSG Entertainment, Sphere Entertainment and/or AMC Global Media that may arise.
We also expect to have overlapping executive officers and directors with Spinco following the Rangers Distribution, if consummated. James L. Dolan will serve as the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of both the Company and Spinco, Jamaal Lesane will serve as the Chief Operating Officer of both the Company and Spinco, David Granville-Smith will serve as Executive Vice President of both the Company and Spinco, Paul DiCicco will serve as the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of both the Company and Spinco and Bryan Warner will serve as the Senior Vice President, Head of Legal of both the Company and Spinco. In addition, three of the members of our Board of Directors (including James L. Dolan) are expected to serve as directors of Spinco.
Employment / Personnel - Risk 4
Our Overlapping Directors and Executive Officers with MSG Entertainment, Sphere Entertainment and/or AMC Global Media May Result in the Diversion of Corporate Opportunities to MSG Entertainment, Sphere Entertainment and/or AMC Global Media and Other Conflicts, and Provisions in Our Articles of Incorporation May Provide Us No Remedy in That Circumstance.Changed
The Company's articles of incorporation acknowledge 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 articles of incorporation provide 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 articles 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 articles 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 our Articles of Incorporation, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information.
Supply Chain2 | 5.1%
Supply Chain - Risk 1
We Rely on Affiliated Entities' Performance, Including Performance of Financial Obligations, Under Various Agreements.Supply Chain - Risk 2
The Interruption or Unavailability of Third Party Facilities, Systems and/or Software Upon Which We Rely May Have a Material Negative Effect on Our Business, Financial Condition and Results of Operations.We rely upon various internal and third-party software and systems in the operation of our business, including, with respect to ticket sales, credit card processing, email marketing, point of sale transactions, database, inventory, human resource management and financial systems. With respect to third-party software or systems, certain of these arrangements are not covered by long-term agreements. 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, apps and other communications systems service providers on which we rely may adversely affect our ability to operate websites, process and fulfill transactions, respond to customer inquiries and generally maintain cost-efficient operations. Such interruptions could occur as a result of a number of factors, including design defects, the age of the technology, network failures, technology modernization initiatives, malfunctions in maintenance updates or security patches, natural disasters, malicious actions, such as hacking or acts of terrorism or war, or human error. Any such damage or disruption could also compromise the security of our information systems and networks. See also "We Face Continually Evolving Cybersecurity and Other Technology-Related Risks, Which Could Result in Loss, Disclosure, Theft, Destruction or Misappropriation of, or Access to, Our Confidential Information and Cause Disruption to Our Business, Damage to Our Brands and Reputation, Legal Exposure and Financial Losses" and "- Economic and Business Relationship Risks - We Rely on Affiliated Entities' Performance, Including Performance of Financial Obligations, Under Various Agreements" for a discussion of services MSG Entertainment performs on our behalf.
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.
Tech & Innovation
Total Risks: 4/39 (10%)Below Sector Average
Trade Secrets2 | 5.1%
Trade Secrets - Risk 1
We Have in the Past and May In the Future Become Subject to Infringement or Other Claims Relating to Our Content or Technology.Trade Secrets - Risk 2
Local Media Rights Are a Significant Revenue Stream for Our Business. Decreases in Local Media Rights Revenue Have Had an Adverse Effect on our Business and Results of Operations, and the Effect of Future Reductions, Including from a Bankruptcy of MSG Networks, Could be Material.Local media rights represent a significant revenue stream for the Company. In fiscal year 2026, we recorded $125.7 million of local media rights revenues, which represented 11% of our total revenues in fiscal year 2026, compared to $157.4 million in fiscal year 2025, which represented 15% of our total revenues.
Business conditions impacting our broadcasting partner, MSG Networks, including the work-out of MSG Networks (as discussed below) and/or actions by the NBA or NHL or their national broadcast partners, have in the past adversely affected and could in the future materially adversely affect the revenue that can be derived from these media rights.
In October 2015, the Knicks and the Rangers entered into 20-year local telecast rights agreements with MSG Networks, a regional sports network and wholly-owned subsidiary of Sphere Entertainment to provide MSG Networks with exclusive local linear and digital rights to home and away games of the Knicks and the Rangers, as well as other team-related programming.
In recent years, regional sports networks, including MSG Networks, have experienced significant financial difficulties.
MSG Networks was not able to refinance its credit facilities prior to their maturity in October 2024. After a series of forbearances from its lenders, on June 27, 2025, MSG Networks restructured its indebtedness, with MSG Networks' lenders writing off approximately $510 million of indebtedness. As part of MSG Networks' debt restructuring process, the local telecast rights agreements between subsidiaries of MSG Networks, on the one hand, and the Knicks and the Rangers, on the other hand, were amended to effect fee reductions of 28% for the Knicks and 18% for the Rangers, both effective as of January 1, 2025, with no annual rights fee escalators. In addition, the term of the local telecast rights agreements was reduced to end after the 2028-29 seasons. In connection with the expiration of each of the rights agreements, MSG Networks has the right to make a firm offer for an additional term of not less than three seasons and the right to match a third party offer that provides for rights fees that are not at least 110% of the rights fees for the first three years of the term specified in the firm offer. As a result of the amendments and other terms of the local telecast rights agreements, media rights fees for the Knicks and the Rangers were approximately $17.9 million lower for fiscal year 2025, compared to the prior fiscal year, and approximately $31.6 million lower for fiscal year 2026, compared to fiscal year 2025. See "Part II - Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Matters Affecting Comparability - Amendments to Media Rights Agreements" for more information regarding the amendments to the local telecast rights agreements.
Although MSG Networks completed the workout of its indebtedness on June 27, 2025, MSG Networks could in the future default on its obligations under the local telecast rights agreements or seek bankruptcy protection, including as a result of loss of carriage of its programming by its distributors through non-renewal of affiliation agreements, loss of subscribers or transition of MSG Networks to a more limited tier of service.
If MSG Networks were to default on its local telecast rights agreements with us or discharge its local telecast rights agreements with us as part of a bankruptcy proceeding or otherwise, or if we do not renew the agreements upon their expiration, we would lose a significant recurring revenue stream, and would also lose the exposure provided by the MSG Networks broadcasting related to the Knicks and the Rangers, any of which could have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations. Although we would pursue alternative sources of distribution for home and away games of the Knicks and the Rangers, as well as other team-related programming, there can be no assurances as to the timing or success of such alternative sources of distribution, all of which would be subject to the approval of the applicable league.
Cyber Security1 | 2.6%
Cyber Security - Risk 1
We Face Continually Evolving Cybersecurity and Other Technology-Related Risks, Which Could Result in Loss, Disclosure, Theft, Destruction or Misappropriation of, or Access to, Our Confidential Information and Cause Disruption to Our Business, Damage to Our Brands and Reputation, Legal Exposure and Financial Losses.Technology1 | 2.6%
Technology - Risk 1
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 Could Be Adversely Impacted.Changed
Ability to Sell
Total Risks: 4/39 (10%)Below Sector Average
Competition2 | 5.1%
Competition - Risk 1
Our Business Faces Intense and Wide-Ranging Competition, Which May Have a Material Negative Effect on Our Business and Results of Operations.Competition - Risk 2
Our Business Is Substantially Dependent on the Continued Popularity and/or Competitive Success of the Knicks and the Rangers, Including the Significant Additional Revenue Generated by Advancing in the Playoffs, Which Cannot Be Assured.Changed
Our financial results are substantially dependent on, and are expected to continue to substantially depend in large part on, the Knicks and the Rangers remaining popular with our fan bases and, in varying degrees, on the teams achieving on-court and on-ice success, which have a direct effect on ticket sales for the teams' home games, a large source of revenue for our sports teams. In addition, the popularity of our sports teams can generate fan enthusiasm, resulting in sustained premium seating, suite, sponsorship, food and beverage and merchandise sales during the season. In addition, the popularity of our sports teams impacts television ratings, which could affect the long-term value of the media rights for the Knicks and/or the Rangers. Furthermore, success in the regular season may qualify one or both of our sports teams for participation in post-season playoffs, which provides us with a significant source of additional revenue, operating income and adjusted operating income. The increased revenue is generated by the additional number of home games played by our sports teams and, importantly, the increased excitement and interest in our sports teams can help drive a number of our revenue streams, including by improving attendance and sponsorships, in subsequent seasons. The Knicks last qualified for the post-season during the 2025-26 NBA season and the Rangers last qualified for the post-season during the 2023-24 NHL season. In addition, league, team and/or player actions or inactions, including protests, may impact the popularity of the Knicks, the Rangers or the leagues in which they play. There can be no assurance that any of our sports teams, including the Knicks and the Rangers, will maintain continued popularity or compete in post-season play in the future.
Demand1 | 2.6%
Demand - Risk 1
Our Business is Subject to Seasonal Fluctuations and our Operating Results and Cash Flows Can Vary Substantially from Period to Period.Sales & Marketing1 | 2.6%
Sales & Marketing - Risk 1
If the Rangers Distribution Occurs, We Will Rely on Spinco's Performance Under Various Agreements.Added
Macro & Political
Total Risks: 4/39 (10%)Above Sector Average
Economy & Political Environment1 | 2.6%
Economy & Political Environment - Risk 1
Our Business Has Been Adversely Impacted and May, in the Future, Be Materially Adversely Impacted by an Economic Downturn, Recession, Financial Instability or Inflation.Natural and Human Disruptions3 | 7.7%
Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 1
Our Business Could Be Adversely Affected by Terrorist Activity or the Threat of Terrorist Activity and Other Developments That Discourage Congregation at Prominent Places of Public Assembly.Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 2
Weather or Other Conditions May Impact Our Games, Which May Have a Material Negative Effect on Our Business and Results of Operations.Weather or other conditions, including natural disasters and similar events, in the New York metropolitan area may affect patron attendance at Knicks or Rangers games as well as sales of food and beverages and merchandise, among other things. Weather conditions may also require us to cancel or postpone games. Any of these events may have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations.
Natural and Human Disruptions - Risk 3
Our Operations and Operating Results Have Been, and May in the Future Be, Materially Impacted by a Pandemic or Other Public Health Emergency.Changed
A major epidemic or pandemic, or the threat of such an event, has in the past materially affected, and could in the future materially adversely affect, attendance at our games or, depending on its severity, halt our operations entirely. Although the Company saw a return to normal business operations and schedules for the Knicks and the Rangers 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 governmental and/or league restrictions on attendance or otherwise impact attendance of games at The Garden, demand for our sponsorship, tickets and other premium inventory or otherwise impact the Company's operations and operating results. If, due to a resurgence of COVID-19 or another pandemic or public health emergency, the NBA and the NHL do not play a minimum number of games required under the league-wide media rights agreements or the Knicks or the Rangers do not make available to MSG Networks the number of games during the season required under the local telecast rights agreements, the amounts of revenues we earn could be substantially reduced depending upon the number of games not played or not made available to MSG Networks and an event of default may occur under the Knicks and the Rangers credit agreements.
Our business is also particularly sensitive to discretionary business and 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 or globally over the long term, leading to a decline in discretionary spending on sporting 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. See "- Economic and Business Relationship Risks - Certain of Our Subsidiaries Have Incurred Substantial Indebtedness, and the Occurrence of an Event of Default Under Our Subsidiaries' Credit Facilities or Our Inability to Repay Such Indebtedness When Due Could Substantially Impair the Assets of Those Subsidiaries and Have a Negative Effect on Our Business" and "- Economic and Business Relationship Risks - We Do Not Own The Garden and Our Failure to Renew the Arena License Agreements or MSG Entertainment's Failure to Operate The Garden in Compliance with the Arena License Agreements or Extensive Governmental Regulations May Have a Material Negative Effect on Our Business and Results of Operations."
See a full breakdown of risk according to category and subcategory. The list starts with the category with the most risk. Click on subcategories to read relevant extracts from the most recent report.
FAQ
What are “Risk Factors”?
Risk factors are any situations or occurrences that could make investing in a company risky.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that publicly traded companies disclose their most significant risk factors. This is so that potential investors can consider any risks before they make an investment.
They also offer companies protection, as a company can use risk factors as liability protection. This could happen if a company underperforms and investors take legal action as a result.
It is worth noting that smaller companies, that is those with a public float of under $75 million on the last business day, do not have to include risk factors in their 10-K and 10-Q forms, although some may choose to do so.
How do companies disclose their risk factors?
Publicly traded companies initially disclose their risk factors to the SEC through their S-1 filings as part of the IPO process.
Additionally, companies must provide a complete list of risk factors in their Annual Reports (Form 10-K) or (Form 20-F) for “foreign private issuers”.
Quarterly Reports also include a section on risk factors (Form 10-Q) where companies are only required to update any changes since the previous report.
According to the SEC, risk factors should be reported concisely, logically and in “plain English” so investors can understand them.
How can I use TipRanks risk factors in my stock research?
Use the Risk Factors tab to get data about the risk factors of any company in which you are considering investing.
You can easily see the most significant risks a company is facing. Additionally, you can find out which risk factors a company has added, removed or adjusted since its previous disclosure. You can also see how a company’s risk factors compare to others in its sector.
Without reading company reports or participating in conference calls, you would most likely not have access to this sort of information, which is usually not included in press releases or other public announcements.
A simplified analysis of risk factors is unique to TipRanks.
What are all the risk factor categories?
TipRanks has identified 6 major categories of risk factors and a number of subcategories for each. You can see how these categories are broken down in the list below.
1. Financial & Corporate
- Accounting & Financial Operations - risks related to accounting loss, value of intangible assets, financial statements, value of intangible assets, financial reporting, estimates, guidance, company profitability, dividends, fluctuating results.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights – risks related to things that impact share prices and the rights of shareholders, including analyst ratings, major shareholder activity, trade volatility, liquidity of shares, anti-takeover provisions, international listing, dual listing.
- Debt & Financing – risks related to debt, funding, financing and interest rates, financial investments.
- Corporate Activity and Growth – risks related to restructuring, M&As, joint ventures, execution of corporate strategy, strategic alliances.
2. Legal & Regulatory
- Litigation and Legal Liabilities – risks related to litigation/ lawsuits against the company.
- Regulation – risks related to compliance, GDPR, and new legislation.
- Environmental / Social – risks related to environmental regulation and to data privacy.
- Taxation & Government Incentives – risks related to taxation and changes in government incentives.
3. Production
- Costs – risks related to costs of production including commodity prices, future contracts, inventory.
- Supply Chain – risks related to the company’s suppliers.
- Manufacturing – risks related to the company’s manufacturing process including product quality and product recalls.
- Human Capital – risks related to recruitment, training and retention of key employees, employee relationships & unions labor disputes, pension, and post retirement benefits, medical, health and welfare benefits, employee misconduct, employee litigation.
4. Technology & Innovation
- Innovation / R&D – risks related to innovation and new product development.
- Technology – risks related to the company’s reliance on technology.
- Cyber Security – risks related to securing the company’s digital assets and from cyber attacks.
- Trade Secrets & Patents – risks related to the company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and to infringement claims against the company as well as piracy and unlicensed copying.
5. Ability to Sell
- Demand – risks related to the demand of the company’s goods and services including seasonality, reliance on key customers.
- Competition – risks related to the company’s competition including substitutes.
- Sales & Marketing – risks related to sales, marketing, and distribution channels, pricing, and market penetration.
- Brand & Reputation – risks related to the company’s brand and reputation.
6. Macro & Political
- Economy & Political Environment – risks related to changes in economic and political conditions.
- Natural and Human Disruptions – risks related to catastrophes, floods, storms, terror, earthquakes, coronavirus pandemic/COVID-19.
- International Operations – risks related to the global nature of the company.
- Capital Markets – risks related to exchange rates and trade, cryptocurrency.