Sphere Entertainment Co.
For the period ended Mar 31, 2025. Filed May 8, 2025.
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Mar 31, 2025 · Filed May 8, 2025
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Item 1A. Risk Factors
In addition to the other information set forth below, you should carefully consider the factors discussed under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Form 10-Q and our Form 10-KT and other filings we may make from time to time with the SEC. Any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition, which could cause you to lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we deem immaterial also may affect our business and operations. As such, you should not consider this list to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties.
Risks Related to Our MSG Networks Business
If MSG Networks Is Unable to Refinance its Term Loan Facility, the Company Believes It Is Probable That MSG Networks Inc. and/or Its Subsidiaries Would Seek Bankruptcy Protection, Which May Include Claims Against the Company and Its Directors and Officers, and Which Could Have a Material Negative Effect on the Company’s Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
In September 2019, certain subsidiaries of MSG Networks Inc., including MSGN L.P., entered into the MSGN Credit Agreement providing for the MSG Networks Credit Facilities.
All obligations under the MSGN Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the MSGN Holdings Entities and the MSGN Subsidiary Guarantors. All obligations under the MSGN Credit Agreement, including the guarantees of those obligations, are secured by the MSGN Collateral, consisting of certain assets of MSGN L.P. and each MSGN Guarantor, including, but not limited to, a pledge of the equity interests in MSGN L.P. held directly by the MSGN Holdings Entities and the equity interests in each MSGN Subsidiary Guarantor held directly or indirectly by MSGN L.P.
On October 11, 2024, the outstanding principal amount under the MSGN Term Loan Facility of $829.1 million matured without repayment and an event of default occurred pursuant to the MSGN Credit Agreement due to MSGN L.P.’s failure to make payment on the outstanding principal amount on the Maturity Date. On that date, MSGN L.P., the MSGN Guarantors, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the Supporting Lenders entered into the Forbearance Agreement, pursuant to which the Supporting Lenders agreed, subject to the terms of the Forbearance Agreement, to forbear, during the forbearance period, from exercising certain of their available remedies under the MSGN Credit Agreement, including with respect to or arising out of MSGN L.P.’s failure to make payment on the outstanding principal amount under the MSGN Term Loan Facility on the Maturity Date. The Forbearance Agreement was superseded by the Transaction Support Agreement and the forbearance period expired on April 24, 2025.
On April 24, 2025, MSG Networks Inc., MSGN L.P., certain other subsidiaries of MSG Networks Inc., the Consenting Lenders, the Teams and the Company (together with the Consenting Lenders and the Teams, the “Consenting Stakeholders”) entered into the Transaction Support Agreement with respect to the restructuring the MSGN Term Loan Facility, amendments to the media rights agreements between MSG Networks and the Teams and certain other matters (collectively, the “Proposed Transactions”). Pursuant to the Transaction Support Agreement, the Consenting Stakeholders agreed to support the Proposed Transactions on the terms set forth in the Transaction Support Agreement and to use commercially reasonable efforts and timely take all reasonable actions necessary to support, implement and consummate the Proposed Transactions.
Under the Transaction Support Agreement, the Consenting Lenders have agreed to forbear from exercising certain of their available remedies under the MSGN Credit Agreement with respect to or arising out of (i) MSGN L.P.’s failure to make payment on the outstanding principal amount of the MSGN Term Loan Facility on the Maturity Date, (ii) the failure to deliver the budget of the MSG Networks Inc. and its subsidiaries for the following year by March 31, 2025 (which, if not cured by April 30, 2025, would have resulted in an event of default), (iii) a failure to maintain a total leverage ratio of less than 5.50:1.00 for the MSGN Holdings Entities and MSGN L.P. and its restricted subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and (iv) a failure to maintain an interest coverage ratio of not less than 2.00:1.00 for the MSGN Holdings Entities and MSGN L.P. and its restricted subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, in each case, until the earlier of the date on which the termination of the Transaction Support Agreement is effective with respect to the Consenting Lenders and the date on which the Proposed Transactions are consummated.
If MSG Networks is not able to achieve a refinancing or work-out of its indebtedness (including as contemplated by the Transaction Support Agreement), the Company believes it is probable that MSG Networks Inc. and/or its subsidiaries would seek bankruptcy protection or the lenders would foreclose on the MSGN Collateral. In the event of an MSG Networks bankruptcy, the MSG Networks entities whose operations represent the entirety of our MSG Networks segment would be deconsolidated from our consolidated financial statements effective as of the bankruptcy filing date.
In the event of bankruptcy proceedings, MSG Networks Inc. and/or its subsidiaries (and in certain circumstances, its creditors) may elect to investigate and potentially assert claims against the Company and certain of its directors and officers, including for potential claims related to fraudulent transfers, unlawful distributions and payments, veil piercing, alter ego theories, breaches of contracts and unjust enrichment. If such claims are brought, the claimants could seek, among other relief, avoidance of alleged fraudulent transfers and/or unlawful distributions, and monetary damages. In addition, the Company’s stockholders may elect to assert claims against the Company and its directors and officers for breaches of fiduciary duties relating to the Company’s ownership of MSG Networks Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Further, the Company would incur legal fees and other expenses in connection with defending any claims. The ultimate court-approved structure and organization of MSG Networks post-bankruptcy could also result in adverse tax consequences to the Company, including the loss of NOLs as a result of any debt extinguishment.
These potential consequences, including any claims could materially and adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
Events of Default Exist Under the MSG Networks Credit Agreement; Although MSG Networks Is Pursuing a Work-out of Its Credit Facilities, There Can Be No Assurances That It Will Be Successful; Even if a Refinancing is Successfully Consummated, We Expect It Would Be on Terms Materially Less Favorable to MSG Networks Than the Current Terms.
The outstanding principal amount under the MSGN Term Loan Facility of $829.1 million matured without repayment on October 11, 2024, and an event of default occurred pursuant to the MSGN Credit Agreement due to MSGN L.P.’s failure to make payment on the outstanding principal amount on the Maturity Date. On October 11, 2024, MSGN L.P., the MSGN Guarantors, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and the Supporting Lenders entered into the Forbearance Agreement pursuant to which the Supporting Lenders agreed, subject to the terms of the Forbearance Agreement, to forbear, during the forbearance period, from exercising certain of their available remedies under the MSGN Credit Agreement, including with respect to or arising out of MSGN L.P.’s failure to make payment on the outstanding principal amount under the MSGN Term Loan Facility on the Maturity Date. The Forbearance Agreement was superseded by the Transaction Support Agreement and the forbearance period expired on April 24, 2025.
On April 24, 2025, MSG Networks Inc., MSGN L.P., certain other subsidiaries of MSG Networks Inc. and the Consenting Stakeholders entered into the Transaction Support Agreement with respect to the Proposed Transactions. Pursuant to the Transaction Support Agreement, the Consenting Stakeholders agreed to support the Proposed Transactions on the terms set forth in the Transaction Support Agreement and to use commercially reasonable efforts and timely take all reasonable actions necessary to support, implement and consummate the Proposed Transactions.
If MSG Networks is not able to achieve a refinancing or work-out of its indebtedness (including as contemplated by the Transaction Support Agreement), the Company believes it is probable that MSG Networks Inc. and/or its subsidiaries would seek bankruptcy protection or the lenders would foreclose on the MSGN Collateral.
Even if MSG Networks is able to achieve a refinancing or work-out of its indebtedness, we expect such refinancing would be on terms that are materially less favorable to MSG Networks than the current terms, including providing for covenants for the benefit of existing or new lenders that would materially restrict the business of MSG Networks. A refinancing may also require MSG Networks, Sphere Entertainment Co. and/or their respective subsidiaries to make concessions as a condition to the refinancing, which may have an adverse effect on their respective businesses, operating results and financial condition. In addition, the refinancing contemplated by the Transaction Support Agreement would also result in adverse tax consequences to the Company, including the elimination of approximately half of the Company’s NOLs as a result of the debt extinguishment.
If MSG Networks Is Unable to Achieve a Refinancing or Work-Out of the MSGN Term Loan Facility, the Lenders Could Foreclose Upon the MSG Networks Business.
The outstanding principal amount under the MSGN Term Loan Facility of $829.1 million matured without repayment on October 11, 2024, and an event of default occurred pursuant to the MSGN Credit Agreement due to MSGN L.P.’s failure to make payment on the outstanding principal amount on the Maturity Date. See “—Events of Default Exist Under the MSG Networks Credit Agreement; Although MSG Networks Is Pursuing a Work-out of Its Credit Facilities, There Can Be No Assurances That It Will Be Successful; Even if a Refinancing is Successfully Consummated, We Expect It Would Be on Terms Materially Less Favorable to MSG Networks
Than the Current Terms.”
In the event MSG Networks is unable to successfully refinance or achieve a work-out of the MSGN Term Loan Facility (including as contemplated by the Transaction Support Agreement), the lenders would have the right to exercise their remedies under the MSGN Credit Agreement, which would include, but not be limited to, foreclosing on the MSG Networks business. In the event of an exercise of post-default rights or remedies, the Company believes the lenders would have no remedies or recourse against Sphere Entertainment Co., Sphere Entertainment Group and the subsidiaries of Sphere Entertainment Group (collectively, the “Non-Credit Parties”) pursuant to the terms of the MSG Networks Credit Facilities. If MSG Networks is not able to achieve a refinancing or work-out of its indebtedness (including as contemplated by the Transaction Support Agreement), the Company believes it is probable that MSG Networks Inc. and/or its subsidiaries would seek bankruptcy protection or the lenders would foreclose on the MSGN Collateral. If lenders exercise remedies or foreclose on the MSG Networks business, or if MSG Networks Inc. and/or its subsidiaries decide to seek bankruptcy protection, Sphere Entertainment Co. may no longer be entitled to any value in, or results of operations from, the MSG Networks business.
Our MSG Networks Business Depends on Media Rights Agreements With Professional Sports Teams That Have Varying Durations and Terms and Include Significant Obligations, and Our Inability to Renew Those Agreements on Acceptable Terms, or the Loss of Such Rights for Other Reasons, May Have a Material Negative Effect on Our MSG Networks Business and Results of Operations.
Our MSG Networks business is dependent upon media rights agreements with professional sports teams. Upon expiration, we may seek renewal of these agreements and, if we do, we may be outbid by competing programming networks or others for these agreements or the renewal costs could substantially exceed our costs under the current agreements. In addition, one or more of these teams may seek to establish their own programming offering or join one of our competitor’s offerings and, in certain circumstances, we may not have an opportunity to bid for the media rights. Under the Transaction Support Agreement, each of the Knicks and the Rangers have agreed to support the Proposed Transactions through a proposed reduction in the rights fees payable by MSG Networks, by 28% and 18%, respectively, with no annual rights fee escalators, effective as of January 1, 2025, and in connection therewith, MSG Networks has agreed to reduce the term of those agreements such that they would expire after the 2028-29 NBA and NHL seasons, respectively, subject to a right of first refusal in favor of MSG Networks. In the absence of the consummation of the transactions contemplated under the Transaction Support Agreement, and in the event of bankruptcy proceedings, MSG Networks may seek to discharge one or more of those agreements as part of a bankruptcy proceeding.
Even if we are able to consummate the Proposed Transactions contemplated by the Transaction Support Agreement and renew our media rights agreements, the Company’s results could be adversely affected if our obligations under our media rights agreements prove to be outsized relative to the revenues our MSG Networks segment is able to generate. Our media rights agreements with professional sports teams have varying terms and include significant obligations, which currently increase annually, without regard to the number of subscribers to our programming networks or the level of our affiliation and/or advertising revenues. If we are not able to generate sufficient revenues, including due to a loss of any of our significant Distributors or failure to renew affiliation agreements on terms as attractive as our existing agreements, we may be unable to renew media rights agreements on acceptable terms, or to perform our obligations under our existing media rights agreements, including making payments thereunder, which could lead to a default under those agreements and the potential loss of such media rights, which could materially negatively affect our business and results of operations. In recent years, certain regional sports networks have experienced financial difficulties. For example, Diamond Sports Group, LLC (now Main Street Sports Group, “Diamond”), which licenses and distributes sports content in a number of regional markets, filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code in March 2023 and completed its reorganization in January 2025. In connection with Diamond’s bankruptcy proceedings and reorganization plan, a number of Diamond’s pre-existing media rights agreements with NHL, NBA and MLB teams were either rejected, substantially modified or expired without renewal. As a result, Diamond emerged from its bankruptcy proceedings controlling the media rights to 29 teams (compared to 42 teams prior to its bankruptcy).
Moreover, the value of our media rights agreements may also be affected by various league decisions and/or league agreements that we may not be able to control, including a decision to alter the number of games played during a season or the number of team games that can be selected by national broadcasters (which could reduce the number of games available for exclusive broadcast by our networks). The value of our media rights could also be affected, or we could lose such rights entirely, if a team is liquidated, undergoes reorganization in bankruptcy or relocates to an area where it is not possible or commercially feasible for us to continue to distribute games. Any loss or diminution in the value of rights could impact the extent of the sports coverage offered by us and could materially negatively affect our business and results of operations. In addition, our affiliation agreements generally include certain remedies in the event our networks fail to include a minimum number of professional event telecasts, and, accordingly, any loss of rights could materially negatively affect our business and results of operations.
Risks Related to Our Indebtedness, Financial Condition, and Internal Control
We Have Substantial Indebtedness and Are Highly Leveraged, Which Could Adversely Affect Our Business.
We are highly leveraged with a significant amount of debt and we may continue to incur additional debt in the future. As of March 31, 2025, the principal balance of our consolidated debt outstanding was approximately $1.3 billion, including $804.1 million under the MSGN Term Loan Facility, which matured without repayment on October 11, 2024 and is classified as short-term on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. As a result of our indebtedness, we are required to make interest and principal payments on our indebtedness that are significant in relation to our revenues and cash flows. These payments reduce our earnings and cash available for other potential business purposes. Furthermore, our interest expense 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 (as is the case under the MSGN Term Loan Facility) or to the extent we refinance existing debt with higher cost debt. 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.
In September 2019, certain subsidiaries of MSG Networks Inc., including MSGN L.P., entered into the MSGN Credit Agreement providing for the MSG Networks Credit Facilities, which consist of the MSGN Term Loan Facility and the MSGN Revolving Credit Facility. On October 11, 2024, the outstanding principal amount under the MSGN Term Loan Facility of $829.1 million matured without repayment and an event of default occurred pursuant to the MSGN Credit Agreement. See “—Events of Default Exist Under the MSG Networks Credit Agreement; Although MSG Networks Is Pursuing a Work-out of Its Credit Facilities, There Can Be No Assurances That It Will Be Successful; Even if a Refinancing is Successfully Consummated, We Expect It Would Be on Terms Materially Less Favorable to MSG Networks Than the Current Terms.” The MSG Networks Credit Facilities are the obligations of our indirect subsidiaries MSGN L.P., MSGN Eden, LLC, Regional MSGN Holdings LLC and certain subsidiaries of MSGN L.P., and none of the Non-Credit Parties are party to the MSG Networks Credit Facilities.
On December 22, 2022, MSG LV, entered into a credit agreement providing for the LV Sphere Term Loan Facility, a five-year, $275 million senior secured term loan facility. All obligations under the LV Sphere Term Loan Facility are guaranteed by Sphere Entertainment Group. None of the Company, MSG Networks Inc., MSGN L.P., or any of the subsidiaries of MSGN L.P are parties to the LV Sphere Term Loan Facility.
On December 8, 2023, the Company completed a private unregistered offering of approximately$259 million in aggregate principal amount of its 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes.
Our ability to have sufficient liquidity to fund our operations and refinance our indebtedness is dependent on the ability of Sphere to generate significant positive cash flow. There can be no assurance that guests, artists, promoters, advertisers and marketing partners will continue to embrace this platform and that Sphere will generate revenue and adjusted operating income in line with our expectations. Original immersive productions, such as Postcard From Earth, V-U2 An Immersive Concert Film, The Wizard of Oz at Sphere and From The Edge, have not been previously pursued on the scale of Sphere, which increases the uncertainty of our operating expectations. To the extent that our efforts do not result in viable shows, or to the extent that any such productions do not achieve expected levels of popularity among audiences, we may not generate the cash flows from operations necessary to fund our operations. Our future operating performance, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic conditions, recession, fears of recession, financial, competitive, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. To the extent we do not realize expected cash flows from operations from Sphere, we would have to take several actions to improve our financial flexibility and preserve liquidity, including significant reductions in both labor and non-labor expenses as well as reductions and/or deferrals in capital spending. Therefore, while we currently believe we will have sufficient liquidity from cash and cash equivalents and cash flows from operations (including expected cash flows from operations from Sphere) to fund our operations, no assurance can be provided that our liquidity will be sufficient in the event any of the preceding uncertainties facing Sphere are realized over the next 12 months.
In addition, our ability to make payments on, or repay or refinance, our debt, and to fund our operating and capital expenditures, also depends upon our ability to access the credit markets. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow to service our debt and meet our other commitments, we may need to refinance all or a portion of our debt, sell material assets or operations, or raise additional debt or equity capital, which may be dilutive to our stockholders. We cannot provide assurance that we could effect any of these actions on a timely basis, on commercially reasonable terms or at all, or that these actions would be sufficient to meet our capital requirements. In addition, the terms of our existing or future debt agreements may restrict us from effecting certain or any of these alternatives.
Even if our future operating performance is strong, limitations on our ability to access the capital or credit markets, including as a result of general economic conditions, unfavorable terms or general reductions in liquidity may adversely and materially impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
The failure to make payments when due, satisfy the covenants, including any inability to attain a covenant waiver, and comply with other requirements under each credit agreement could trigger (and, with respect to the MSGN Credit Agreement, has triggered) a default thereunder, which could result in an acceleration of the outstanding debt thereunder and, with respect to the LV Sphere Term Loan Facility, a demand for payment under the guarantee provided by Sphere Entertainment Group. Additionally, the LV Sphere Term Loan Facility restricts MSG LV from making cash contributions to us unless certain financial covenants are met and the Transaction Support Agreement restricts MSGN L.P. from making cash distributions to us. Any failure to make payments when due or satisfy the covenants under the LV Sphere Term Loan Facility and the MSG Networks Credit Facilities (together, the “Credit Facilities”) could negatively impact our liquidity and could have a negative effect on our businesses.
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 March 31, 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 principal balance of indebtedness of the Company’s subsidiaries was $1.079 billion, 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.
As described under “Part I — Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources” in this Form 10-Q, while the conditions with respect to the MSG Networks Credit Facilities raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, for the reasons stated under Note 2. Accounting Policies — Liquidity and Going Concern, to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q, we have concluded that the conditions raising substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern have been effectively alleviated as of the date of this Form 10-Q, and that the Company would be able to continue as a going concern for at least one year beyond the date of issuance of the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q. Management will conduct its review of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern prior to issuing the Company’s financial statements after each quarterly, or annual period. There can be no assurances that we will be able to continue to effectively alleviate the conditions with respect to the Company’s ability to continue to be a going concern in the future.
In addition, we have made investments in, or otherwise extended loans to, one or more businesses that we believe complement, enhance or expand our current business or that might otherwise offer us growth opportunities and may make additional investments in, or otherwise extend loans to, one or more of such parties in the future. For example, we had previously invested in and extended financing to Holoplot in connection with Sphere’s advanced audio system, and on April 25, 2024, we completed the acquisition of the remaining equity interest in Holoplot that we did not previously own. To the extent that such parties do not perform as expected, including with respect to repayment of such loans, it could impair such assets or create losses related to such loans, and, as a result, have a negative effect on our business and results of operations.
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