Sphere Entertainment Co.
For the period ended Sep 30, 2025. Filed Nov 4, 2025.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Sep 30, 2025 · Filed Nov 4, 2025
SPHR$120.02+6.8%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026
What changed in Risk Factors?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-Q
Period ended 2025-06-30; filed 2025-08-11.
0001628280-25-039390
Item 1A. Risk FactorsCurrent report: 10-Q
Period ended 2025-09-30; filed 2025-11-04.
0001628280-25-049008
Item 1A. Risk FactorsThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 23 previous paragraphs and 27 current paragraphs.
20 unchanged; 3 reworded; 4 added; 0 removed; 0 previous and 0 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 0 previous and 0 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (4)
Current report
Material Impairments in The Value of Our Long-Lived Assets and Goodwill Could Negatively Affect Our Business and Results of Operations.
Current report
We regularly review our long-lived assets and goodwill for potential impairment. Long-lived assets, including property and equipment, right-of-use lease assets and intangible assets that are amortized, are reviewed when there is an indication of potential impairment. We currently test goodwill annually for impairment as of August 31st and at any time upon the occurrence of certain events or substantive changes in circumstances. We perform our goodwill impairment tests at the level of our two reporting units, Sphere and MSG Networks. In assessing the carrying value of our long-lived assets and goodwill, we make estimates and assumptions regarding a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, projected future cash flows, discount rates, cost-based assumptions and appropriate market comparables. These estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant information, are subjective in nature and involve significant uncertainties and judgments and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and management’s judgment in applying these factors, and, if these estimates or related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record impairment charges related to our long-lived assets. For example, in connection with the performance of the Company’s annual goodwill impairment test as of August 31, 2025, the Company recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $65.4 million for the MSG Networks reporting unit as a result of the projected declines in the reporting unit’s business. See “Part I — Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements and Critical Accounting Estimates — Impairment of Goodwill.”
Current report
In addition, changes to our business, unexpected significant declines in our operating results, further deterioration in the business environment for regional sports networks or the outlook for our regional sports networks or changes in our strategic goals or business direction could require us to evaluate the recoverability of our goodwill or our long-lived and indefinite lived-assets prior to our next annual assessment. These types of events have in the past resulted, and could again in the future result, in impairment charges, which have in the past negatively affected, and could in the future negatively affect, our results of operations. For example, on December 31, 2024, MSG Networks’ affiliation agreement with Altice, one of its major Distributors, expired, subsequent to which, the Company’s networks were no longer being carried by Altice. The Company and Altice entered into a multi-year renewal of the MSG Networks affiliation agreement on February 22, 2025. In connection with the preparation of the financial statements included in the Form 10-KT, and in light of changes affecting the MSG Networks reporting unit and the programming industry, the Company concluded that a triggering event had occurred for the reporting unit as of December 31, 2024, and performed an interim quantitative impairment test. As a result, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $61.2 million as of December 31, 2024 within the MSG Networks reporting unit.
Current report
The Company continues to closely monitor the performance and fair value of its MSG Networks reporting unit. A significant adverse change in market factors or the business outlook for the MSG Networks reporting unit could further negatively impact the fair value of our MSG Networks reporting unit and result in a goodwill impairment at that time. During the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2024, we recorded an impairment charge of $116.5 million in connection with our decision in November 2023 to no longer pursue the development of a Sphere in the United Kingdom. Impairments could be an indicator of significant declines in the expected performance of our reporting units and could negatively affect our business. For more information on the valuation of long-lived and goodwill, see “Part I — Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements and Critical Accounting Estimates — Impairment of Goodwill.”
Reworded paragraphs (3)
Previous wording
On June 27, 2025, MSG Networks and certain of its subsidiaries, including MSGN L.P., as borrower, entered into the A&R MSGN Credit Agreement providing for the MSGN Term Loan Facility, which matures on December 31, 2029. See “Part I — Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Recent Developments — MSG Networks Debt Restructuring.” As of June 30, 2025, the principal balance outstanding under the MSGN Term Loan Facility was $210 million. Under the terms of the MSGN Term Loan Facility, amortization payments of $10 million are due each quarter commencing on September 30, 2025.
Current wording
On June 27, 2025, MSG Networks and certain of its subsidiaries, including MSGN L.P., as borrower, entered into the A&R MSGN Credit Agreement providing for the MSGN Term Loan Facility, which matures on December 31, 2029. See “Part I — Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Recent Developments — MSG Networks Debt Restructuring.” As of September 30, 2025, the principal balance outstanding under the MSGN Term Loan Facility was $200 million, which was further reduced to $169 million in October 2025 following a $31 million mandatory cash sweep payment based on excess cash as of September 30, 2025. Under the terms of the MSGN Term Loan Facility, amortization payments of $10 million are due each quarter commencing on September 30, 2025.
Previous wording
We are highly leveraged with a significant amount of debt and we may continue to incur additional debt in the future. As of June 30, 2025, the balance of our consolidated debt outstanding was approximately $889.3 million. As a result of our indebtedness, we are required to make interest and principal payments on our indebtedness, including mandatory quarterly amortization payments pursuant to the terms of the A&R MSGN Credit Agreement, that are significant in relation to our revenues and cash flows. See “—Risks Related to Our MSG Networks Business —If MSG Networks Is Unable to Generate Sufficient Operating Cash Flows to Repay Outstanding Borrowings Under its Term Loan Facility When They Become Due, it is Expected That the Outstanding Debt Thereunder Would Be Accelerated and the Lenders Could Foreclose Upon the MSG Networks Business.” These payments reduce our earnings and cash available for other potential business purposes. Furthermore, our average borrowing rate has increased and could in the future increase if interest rates increase because our indebtedness bears interest at floating rates, if we are in default and have to pay a higher rate or to the extent we refinance existing debt with higher cost debt, which occurred in connection with the refinancing of MSG Networks’ indebtedness. 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 video programming 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.
Current wording
We are highly leveraged with a significant amount of debt and we may continue to incur additional debt in the future. As of September 30, 2025, the balance of our consolidated debt outstanding was approximately $874.9 million. As a result of our indebtedness, we are required to make interest and principal payments on our indebtedness, including mandatory quarterly amortization payments pursuant to the terms of the A&R MSGN Credit Agreement, that are significant in relation to our revenues and cash flows. See “—Risks Related to Our MSG Networks Business —If MSG Networks Is Unable to Generate Sufficient Operating Cash Flows to Repay Outstanding Borrowings Under its Term Loan Facility When They Become Due, it is Expected That the Outstanding Debt Thereunder Would Be Accelerated and the Lenders Could Foreclose Upon the MSG Networks Business.” These payments reduce our earnings and cash available for other potential business purposes. Furthermore, our average borrowing rate has increased and could in the future increase if interest rates increase because our indebtedness bears interest at floating rates, if we are in default and have to pay a higher rate or to the extent we refinance existing debt with higher cost debt, which occurred in connection with the refinancing of MSG Networks’ indebtedness. 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 video programming 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.
Previous wording
The terms of the indenture governing the 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes (the “Indenture”) do not restrict us from incurring additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness. As of June 30, 2025, (i) the principal balance of the Company’s indebtedness (excluding subsidiaries) was approximately $258.8 million under the 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes and (ii) the balance of indebtedness of the Company’s subsidiaries was $639.0 million , all of which is senior secured indebtedness. If we incur secured indebtedness and such secured indebtedness is either accelerated or becomes subject to a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization, our assets would be used to satisfy obligations with respect to the indebtedness secured thereby before any payment could be made on the 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes that are not similarly secured. The Indenture also does not restrict our subsidiaries from incurring additional debt, which would be structurally senior to the 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes. If new debt or other liabilities are added to our current debt levels, the related risks that we now face could intensify. Our Credit Facilities restrict the ability of our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness, but if the facilities mature or are repaid, our subsidiaries may not be subject to such restrictions under the terms of any subsequent indebtedness.
Current wording
The terms of the indenture governing the 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes (the “Indenture”) do not restrict us from incurring additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness. As of September 30, 2025, (i) the principal balance of the Company’s indebtedness (excluding subsidiaries) was approximately $258.8 million under the 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes and (ii) the balance of indebtedness of the Company’s subsidiaries was $623.8 million, all of which is senior secured indebtedness. If we incur secured indebtedness and such secured indebtedness is either accelerated or becomes subject to a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization, our assets would be used to satisfy obligations with respect to the indebtedness secured thereby before any payment could be made on the 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes that are not similarly secured. The Indenture also does not restrict our subsidiaries from incurring additional debt, which would be structurally senior to the 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes. If new debt or other liabilities are added to our current debt levels, the related risks that we now face could intensify. Our Credit Facilities restrict the ability of our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness, but if the facilities mature or are repaid, our subsidiaries may not be subject to such restrictions under the terms of any subsequent indebtedness.