BATRA - Atlanta Braves Holdings Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2023 Financial Results

February, 28 2024 08:15 AM Liberty Media Corporation Series A Liberty Braves Common Stock

Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc. (“ABH”) (Nasdaq: BATRA, BATRK) today reported fourth quarter and year end 2023 results.

Headlines include ⁽¹⁾ :

Total revenue grew 9% to $641 million in 2023
- Baseball revenue up 9% to $582 million
- Mixed-use development revenue up 10% to $59 million
Mixed-use development generated $39 million of Adjusted OIBDA ⁽²⁾ in 2023
Extended Alex Anthopoulos as President of Baseball Operations and General Manager through 2031 season

“The Braves are a unique and valuable sports property with leading on-field and off-field business performance. Congrats to the team on capping off the 2023 season with their sixth consecutive NL East title and unprecedented player accolades,” said Greg Maffei, Chairman and CEO of ABH. “Strong on-field performance yielded robust revenue growth for the full year, and early indicators for the 2024 season show increased demand.”

“We are thrilled with both the team and financial performance at the Braves in 2023,” said Terry McGuirk, Chairman and CEO of Braves Holdings, LLC. “Our management continues to focus on optimizing the ballpark, with upgrades planned for 2024 to drive more commercial opportunities and an improved fan experience. Season tickets, including premium seats, are already sold out in anticipation of another exciting season. The Battery benefitted from increased foot traffic and strong sales across the development and we expect another strong year ahead.”

Corporate Updates

On July 18, 2023, Liberty Media Corporation (“Liberty Media”) completed the split-off of the Braves and its associated mixed-use development (the “Split-Off”) into the separate public company ABH. The businesses and assets at ABH consist of Braves Holdings, LLC, the owner and operator of the Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball Club, and certain assets and liabilities associated with the Braves’ ballpark and mixed-use development, called The Battery Atlanta, which were previously attributed to the Braves Group tracking stock of Liberty Media. For purposes of this presentation, ABH standalone results, assets and liabilities represent the combination of the historical financial information of the Braves Group until the date of the Split-Off. Although ABH was reported as a combined company until the date of the Split-Off, it is now a consolidated company and all periods reported in this presentation are referred to as consolidated.

Discussion of Results



Three months ended




Twelve months ended




December 31,




December 31,





2022



2023


% Change



2022



2023


% Change


amounts in thousands




amounts in thousands


Baseball revenue

$
56,947


$
52,909


(7
)%


$
534,984


$
581,671


9
%
Mixed-use development revenue


14,312



14,839


4
%



53,577



58,996


10
%
Total revenue


71,259



67,748


(5
)%



588,561



640,667


9
%
Operating costs and expenses:













Baseball operating costs


(37,805
)


(51,967
)

(37
)%



(427,832
)


(482,391
)

(13
)%
Mixed-use development costs


(2,275
)


(2,383
)

(5
)%



(8,674
)


(8,834
)

(2
)%
Selling, general and administrative, excluding stock-based compensation


(19,760
)


(26,431
)

(34
)%



(93,279
)


(111,117
)

(19
)%
Adjusted OIBDA

$
11,419


$
(13,033
)

NM



$
58,776


$
38,325


(35
)%














Operating income (loss)

$
(7,210
)

$
(32,366
)

(349
)%


$
(30,581
)

$
(46,440
)

(52
)%














Regular season home games in period


2



1






81



81



Postseason home games in period


2



2






2



2



Baseball revenue per home game

$
14,237


$
17,636


24
%


$
6,446


$
7,008


9
%

Baseball revenue is derived from two primary sources on an annual basis: (i) baseball event revenue (ticket sales, concessions, advertising sponsorships, suites and premium seat fees) and (ii) broadcasting revenue (national and local broadcast rights). Mixed-use development revenue is derived from the Battery Atlanta mixed-use facilities and primarily includes rental income.

The following table disaggregates revenue by segment and by source:



Three months ended




Twelve months ended




December 31,




December 31,





2022


2023

% Change



2022


2023

% Change


amounts in thousands




amounts in thousands


Baseball:













Baseball event

$
17,220

$
15,205

(12
)%


$
298,364

$
339,485

14
%
Broadcasting


23,539


22,158

(6
)%



154,185


160,944

4
%
Retail and licensing


8,592


6,507

(24
)%



47,792


51,533

8
%
Other


7,596


9,039

19
%



34,643


29,709

(14
)%
Baseball revenue


56,947


52,909

(7
)%



534,984


581,671

9
%
Mixed-use development


14,312


14,839

4
%



53,577


58,996

10
%
Total revenue

$
71,259

$
67,748

(5
)%


$
588,561

$
640,667

9
%

There were 83 and 3 home games (including postseason) played in the full year and fourth quarter of 2023, respectively, compared to 83 and 4 home games played in the comparable prior year periods.

Baseball revenue increased 9% for the full year. Baseball event and retail and licensing revenue grew primarily due to increased ticket demand and attendance at regular season home games. Baseball event revenue also increased due to new advertising sponsorships and contractual rate increases from existing sponsors. Broadcasting revenue increased due to contractual rate increases. Retail and licensing revenue also benefited from demand for City Connect apparel, partially offset by a reduction in demand for World Series Champions apparel compared to the prior season. Other revenue declined due to fewer concerts at the ballpark compared to the prior year period and a reduction in World Series trophy tour revenue, partially offset by higher spring training revenue with six additional spring training games compared to the prior year period and revenue from special events held at the ballpark. Baseball revenue decreased 7% in the fourth quarter primarily driven by fewer home games played, partially offset by stronger postseason revenue and more concerts held at the ballpark compared to the prior year period.

Mixed-use development revenue increased 10% for the full year and 4% in the fourth quarter due to increases in rental income related to tenant recoveries and various new lease agreements, as well as higher sponsorship revenue.

Operating income and Adjusted OIBDA decreased in the full year and fourth quarter. Baseball operating costs increased primarily due to higher player salaries, including offseason trade activity in the fourth quarter, as well as increases under MLB’s revenue sharing plan. These costs also increased for the full year due to higher minor league team and player expenses, variable concession and retail operating costs attributable to increased attendance and spring training related expenses. Selling, general and administrative expense increased in the full year primarily driven by costs related to the Split-Off and increased in the fourth quarter primarily driven by higher personnel costs.

FOOTNOTES

ABH will be available to answer questions related to these headlines and other matters on Liberty Media’s earnings conference call that will begin at 10:00 a.m. (E.T.) on February 28, 2024. For information regarding how to access the call, please see “Important Notice” later in this document.

For a definition of Adjusted OIBDA (as defined by ABH) and the applicable reconciliation, see the accompanying schedule.

Important Notice: Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: BATRA, BATRK) will be available to answer questions on Liberty Media’s earnings conference call which will begin at 10:00 a.m. (E.T.) on February 28, 2024. The call can be accessed by dialing (877) 704-2829 or (215) 268-9864, passcode 13742815 at least 10 minutes prior to the start time. The call will also be broadcast live across the Internet and archived on our website. To access the webcast go to https://www.bravesholdings.com/investors/news-events/ir-calendar . Links to this press release will also be available on the ABH website.

This press release includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about business strategies, product and marketing strategies, future financial performance and prospects, expectations regarding the 2024 season and mixed-use development upgrades, and other matters that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including, without limitation, ABH’s historical financial information not being representative of its future financial position, results of operations, or cash flows, ABH’s ability to recognize anticipated benefits from the Split-Off, possible changes in the regulatory and competitive environment in which ABH operates (including an expansion of MLB), the unfavorable outcome of pending or future litigation, operational risks of ABH and its business affiliates, including operations outside of the U.S., ABH’s indebtedness and its ability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms and cash in amounts sufficient to service debt and other financial obligations, tax matters, ABH’s ability to use net operating loss and disallowed business interest carryforwards, compliance with government regulations and potential adverse outcomes of regulatory proceedings, changes in the nature of key strategic relationships with broadcasters, partners, vendors and joint venturers, the impact of organized labor, the performance and management of the mixed-use development, disruptions in ABH’s information systems and information system security, ABH’s use and protection of personal data and the impact of inflation and weak economic conditions on consumer demand. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and ABH expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in ABH’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Please refer to the publicly filed documents of ABH, including the most recently filed Form 10-K, for additional information about ABH and about the risks and uncertainties related to ABH’s business which may affect the statements made in this press release.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES AND SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES

SCHEDULE 1: Reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to Operating Income (Loss)

To provide investors with additional information regarding our financial results, this press release includes a presentation of Adjusted OIBDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, for ABH together with reconciliations to operating income, as determined under GAAP. ABH defines Adjusted OIBDA as operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, separately reported litigation settlements, restructuring, acquisition and impairment charges.

ABH believes Adjusted OIBDA is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of its businesses by identifying those items that are not directly a reflection of each business’ performance or indicative of ongoing business trends. In addition, this measure allows management to view operating results and perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking between businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. Because Adjusted OIBDA is used as a measure of operating performance, ABH views operating income as the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Adjusted OIBDA is not meant to replace or supersede operating income or any other GAAP measure, but rather to supplement such GAAP measures in order to present investors with the same information that ABH management considers in assessing the results of operations and performance of its assets.

The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA for ABH to operating income (loss) calculated in accordance with GAAP for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2023.



Three months ended

Twelve months ended


December 31,

December 31,
(amounts in thousands)


2022



2023



2022



2023

Operating income (loss)

$
(7,210
)

$
(32,366
)

$
(30,581
)

$
(46,440
)
Impairment of long-lived assets and other related costs


616



—



5,427



564

Stock-based compensation


3,045



3,568



12,233



13,221

Depreciation and amortization


14,968



15,765



71,697



70,980

Adjusted OIBDA

$
11,419


$
(13,033
)

$
58,776


$
38,325

Baseball

$
4,606


$
(17,571
)

$
33,259


$
21,225

Mixed-use development


9,340



9,519



35,433



39,499

Corporate and other


(2,527
)


(4,981
)


(9,916
)


(22,399
)

SCHEDULE 2: Cash and Debt

The following presentation is provided to separately identify cash and debt information. ABH cash increased $18 million during the fourth quarter as net borrowing and cash from operations primarily due to working capital changes more than offset capital expenditures. ABH debt increased $14 million in the fourth quarter primarily due to borrowing on the mixed-use development term debt to support current capital projects.

(amounts in thousands)

September 30, 2023

December 31, 2023
ABH Cash (GAAP) ^(a)

$
106,715


$
125,148






Debt:




Baseball




League wide credit facility

$
—


$
—

MLB facility fund - term


30,000



30,000

MLB facility fund - revolver


41,400



41,400

TeamCo revolver


10,000



—

Term debt


165,370



165,370

Mixed-use development


312,399



336,177

Total ABH Debt

$
559,169


$
572,947

Deferred financing costs


(3,898
)


(3,678
)
Total ABH Debt (GAAP)

$
555,271


$
569,269

_________________________

Excludes restricted cash held in reserves pursuant to the terms of various financial obligations of $20 million and $13 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2023, respectively.






ATLANTA BRAVES HOLDINGS CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION December 31, 2023 (unaudited)







December 31,

December 31,



2023


2022



amounts in thousands


except share amounts
Assets




Current assets:




Cash and cash equivalents

$
125,148


150,664

Restricted cash


12,569


22,149

Accounts receivable and contract assets, net of allowance for credit losses


62,922


70,234

Other current assets


17,380


24,331

Total current assets


218,019


267,378






Property and equipment, at cost


1,091,943


1,007,776

Accumulated depreciation


(325,196
)

(277,979
)



766,747


729,797






Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method


99,213


94,564

Intangible assets not subject to amortization:




Goodwill


175,764


175,764

Franchise rights


123,703


123,703




299,467


299,467






Other assets, net


120,884


99,455

Total assets

$
1,504,330


1,490,661






Liabilities and Equity




Current liabilities:




Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

$
73,096


54,748

Deferred revenue and refundable tickets


111,985


104,996

Current portion of debt


42,153


74,806

Other current liabilities


6,439


6,361

Total current liabilities


233,673


240,911






Long-term debt


527,116


467,160

Redeemable intergroup interests


—


278,103

Finance lease liabilities


103,586


107,220

Deferred income tax liabilities


50,415


54,099

Pension liability


15,222


15,405

Other noncurrent liabilities


33,676


28,253

Total liabilities


963,688


1,191,151

Equity:




Preferred stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 50,000,000 shares; zero shares issued at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022


—


—

Series A common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 200,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 10,318,197 and zero at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively


103


—

Series B common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 7,500,000 shares; issued and outstanding 977,776 and zero at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively


10


—

Series C common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 200,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 50,577,776 and zero at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively


506


—

Additional paid-in capital


1,089,625


—

Former parent’s investment


—


732,350

Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes


(7,271
)

(3,758
)
Retained earnings (deficit)


(554,376
)

(429,082
)
Total stockholders' equity/former parent's investment


528,597


299,510

Noncontrolling interests in equity of subsidiaries


12,045


—

Total equity


540,642


299,510

Commitments and contingencies




Total liabilities and equity

$
1,504,330


1,490,661










ATLANTA BRAVES HOLDINGS CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS INFORMATION December 31, 2023 (unaudited)











Three months ended

Year ended


December 31,

December 31,



2023


2022



2023


2022



amounts in thousands, except per share amounts
Revenue:








Baseball revenue

$
52,909


56,947


$
581,671


534,984

Mixed-use development revenue


14,839


14,312



58,996


53,577

Total revenue


67,748


71,259



640,667


588,561

Operating costs and expenses:








Baseball operating costs


51,967


37,805



482,391


427,832

Mixed-use development costs


2,383


2,275



8,834


8,674

Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based compensation


29,999


22,805



124,338


105,512

Impairment of long-lived assets and other related costs


—


616



564


5,427

Depreciation and amortization


15,765


14,968



70,980


71,697




100,114


78,469



687,107


619,142

Operating income (loss)


(32,366
)

(7,210
)


(46,440
)

(30,581
)
Other income (expense):








Interest expense


(9,656
)

(9,054
)


(37,673
)

(29,582
)
Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net


3,601


6,809



26,985


28,927

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on intergroup interests, net


—


(40,317
)


(83,178
)

(35,154
)
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net


(3,329
)

829



2,343


13,067

Gains (losses) on dispositions, net


(209
)

(151
)


2,309


20,132

Other, net


3,633


1,345



6,496


1,674

Earnings (loss) before income taxes


(38,326
)

(47,749
)


(129,158
)

(31,517
)
Income tax benefit (expense)


5,968


2,810



3,864


(2,655
)
Net earnings (loss)

$
(32,358
)

(44,939
)

$
(125,294
)

(34,172
)
Basic net earnings (loss) attributable to Series A, Series B and Series C Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc. shareholders per common share

$
(0.52
)

(0.73
)

$
(2.03
)

(0.55
)
Diluted net earnings (loss) attributable to Series A, Series B and Series C Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc. shareholders per common share

$
(0.52
)

(0.73
)

$
(2.03
)

(0.55
)






ATLANTA BRAVES HOLDINGS CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION December 31, 2023 (unaudited)







Years ended


December 31,



2023


2022



amounts in thousands
Cash flows from operating activities:




Net earnings (loss)

$
(125,294
)

(34,172
)
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:




Depreciation and amortization


70,980


71,697

Stock-based compensation


13,221


12,233

Impairment of long-lived assets


—


4,811

Share of (earnings) losses of affiliates, net


(26,985
)

(28,927
)
Realized and unrealized (gains) losses on intergroup interests, net


83,178


35,154

Realized and unrealized (gains) losses on financial instruments, net


(2,343
)

(13,067
)
(Gains) losses on dispositions, net


(2,309
)

(20,132
)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)


(7,872
)

(10,413
)
Cash receipts from returns on equity method investments


22,450


21,700

Net cash received (paid) for interest rate swaps


5,104


(1,194
)
Other charges (credits), net


1,218


2,329

Net change in operating assets and liabilities:




Current and other assets


(42,802
)

9,912

Payables and other liabilities


13,080


3,418

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities


1,626


53,349

Cash flows from investing activities:




Capital expended for property and equipment


(69,036
)

(17,669
)
Cash proceeds from dispositions


—


48,008

Investments in equity method affiliates and equity securities


(125
)

(5,273
)
Other investing activities, net


110


27,500

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities


(69,051
)

52,566

Cash flows from financing activities:




Borrowings of debt


83,033


154,753

Repayments of debt


(56,187
)

(309,612
)
Payments to settle intergroup interests


—


(13,828
)
Contribution from noncontrolling interest


12,045


—

Other financing activities, net


(6,562
)

(8,528
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities


32,329


(177,215
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash


(35,096
)

(71,300
)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period


172,813


244,113

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

$
137,717


172,813

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240227265576/en/

Shane Kleinstein
(720) 875-5432

Company Name:	Liberty Media Corporation Series A Liberty Braves Common Stock
Stock Symbol:	BATRA
Market:	NASDAQ
Website:	libertymedia.com

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