Knicks' Playoff Success Drives MSG Stock Surge
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 08 2026
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Stock Surge: Madison Square Garden Sports (MSGS) shares have soared 49.3% year-to-date and 15.3% over the past month, reflecting strong investor confidence and excitement as the New York Knicks advance in the playoffs.
- Playoff Progress: The Knicks have defeated the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Cleveland Cavaliers to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, currently leading 2-0 against the San Antonio Spurs, boosting morale for both the team and shareholders.
- Increased Betting Activity: The Knicks' championship run has heightened activity in the sports betting industry, with operators like DraftKings and Flutter Entertainment poised to benefit from increased wagering volume, showcasing the positive impact of sports events on related sectors.
- Market Attention: Hosting the Finals at Madison Square Garden with President Trump expected to attend draws national attention, enhancing the commercial value and brand exposure of the event, potentially driving merchandise sales and sponsorship activities.
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Analyst Views on MSGS
Wall Street analysts forecast MSGS stock price to fall
5 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 361.780
Low
220.00
Averages
250.00
High
290.00
Current: 361.780
Low
220.00
Averages
250.00
High
290.00
About MSGS
Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. is a professional sports company, with a collection of assets that includes the New York Knicks (National Basketball Association) and the New York Rangers (National Hockey League), as well as two development league teams-the Westchester Knicks (NBA G League) and the Hartford Wolf Pack (American Hockey League). The Westchester Knicks serve as the exclusive NBA G League affiliate of the Knicks. The Hartford Wolf Pack, a minor-league hockey team in the American Hockey League, is the affiliate team for the Rangers. It also operates a professional sports team performance center-the Madison Square Garden Training Center in Greenburgh, New York. The Company also has an established presence in the world of esports through Knicks Gaming, an NBA 2K League franchise. In addition to its teams, the Company operates a state-of-the-art performance center. The Rangers hockey club is one of the Original Six franchises of the NHL.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Knicks Championship Impacts Investment Strategies
- Championship Effect: The Knicks' NBA championship after 53 years enhances the team's global brand value, expected to increase fan engagement and merchandise sales, thereby boosting attractiveness to sponsors and media partners.
- Investment Choices: While both MSGE and MSGS have risen about 40% due to the championship effect, MSGS, owning the Knicks, may be the more direct investment choice, especially considering its close ties to the team's value.
- Financial Performance: According to Zacks estimates, MSGE's sales are expected to rise 9% this year, reaching $1.1 billion by fiscal 2027, while MSGS is projected to grow 5% in FY26 but contract 4% in FY27.
- Valuation Comparison: MSGE's price-to-sales ratio stands at 3x with a stock price around $70, indicating a more attractive valuation, while MSGS trades over $370 with an 8x ratio, although much of the future growth potential may already be priced in.
See More
Investors Should Consider MSG Sports Stock
- Stock Performance: MSG Sports shares surged 22.5% from early April to June 11, reaching a record high following the Knicks' championship parade, although they recently pulled back 6% as investors took profits.
- Valuation Discrepancy: Cramer highlighted that MSG Sports' market capitalization is less than the combined value of its franchises, with the Knicks valued at approximately $10.1 billion and the Rangers at $3.8 billion, totaling nearly $14 billion, while MSG Sports' enterprise value is under $10 billion.
- Potential Spin-off: MSG Sports is exploring a spin-off of the Rangers into a standalone business, which could help unlock hidden value for investors, drawing parallels to its successful entertainment venue spin-off in 2020.
- Investment Appeal: While Cramer cautioned that MSG Sports remains a unique investment due to Chairman James Dolan's control over voting rights, he believes the current setup is attractive following the stock's recent pullback.
See More
Surge in Options Trading Volume for MSG and CNM
- Active Options Trading for MSG: Madison Square Garden Sports Corp (MSGS) saw options trading volume of 1,820 contracts today, representing approximately 182,000 shares, which is about 73.8% of its average daily trading volume of 246,540 shares over the past month, indicating strong market interest in its future performance.
- High Strike Call Options: Within MSGS, the $390 strike call option has seen 492 contracts traded today, equating to approximately 49,200 shares, reflecting investor expectations for the stock's upward movement before the June 18, 2026 expiration.
- Surge in CNM Options Trading: Core & Main Inc (CNM) experienced an options trading volume of 16,608 contracts today, representing around 1.7 million shares, or approximately 72.6% of its average daily trading volume of 2.3 million shares over the past month, showcasing strong market interest in its stock.
- Concentration in Call Options: For CNM, the $52.50 strike call option has seen 8,464 contracts traded today, representing about 846,400 shares, indicating a strong bullish sentiment among investors for the stock ahead of the June 18, 2026 expiration.
See More
Knicks' NBA Finals Push Sparks Stock Surge for MSGS
- Stock Surge: Following the New York Knicks' dramatic comeback victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Madison Square Garden Sports (MSGS) shares have surged to $384.60, marking a 48.7% increase in 2026, with a notable 14.8% rise in the past month, driven by investor enthusiasm for the team's championship prospects.
- Market Impact: The Knicks' deep playoff run is positively influencing not only the team's stock price but also the sports betting and live entertainment sectors, with companies like DraftKings and MGM Resorts benefiting from increased fan engagement and significantly higher betting volumes.
- Ticket Demand Surge: The skyrocketing demand for NBA Finals tickets has led to prices at Madison Square Garden reaching thousands of dollars, particularly for premium courtside seats that command six-figure sums, providing substantial revenue boosts for companies linked to live events such as StubHub and Live Nation.
- Increased ETF Interest: As MSGS shares rise, ETFs holding the stock, such as GOLS and PSCU, are gaining investor attention, reflecting a growing optimism in the sports and entertainment sectors and further fueling investment interest in related markets.
See More
Knicks Playoff Success Boosts MSG Stock Surge
- Stock Surge: Since the Knicks secured a playoff spot in late March, shares of Madison Square Garden Sports (MSGS) have surged over 20%, reflecting strong investor confidence in the team's performance.
- Outstanding Market Performance: Over the past year, MSGS's stock has more than doubled, outperforming many market benchmarks, indicating robust growth potential in the sports and entertainment sectors.
- High-End Ticket Demand: As consumers increasingly prioritize live events, particularly higher-income groups willing to pay premium prices for live sports and concerts, MSGS has gained significant pricing power, driving revenue growth.
- Spin-Off Proposal Incentive: The proposal to spin off the Knicks and Rangers into separately traded entities is expected to unlock further value, with MSGS currently valued at $8 billion against a combined team valuation of $14 billion, showcasing positive market sentiment towards this initiative.
See More
OpenAI Files Confidential IPO Amid Market Surge
- IPO Announcement: OpenAI has confidentially filed for an IPO, which is expected to be one of the largest listings in history, marking a significant milestone in the AI industry, with a potential launch in Q4 2025 that could further fuel market enthusiasm.
- Increased Market Competition: OpenAI's move to go public alongside competitors Anthropic and SpaceX highlights the intensifying competition in the AI sector, likely attracting more investor interest in this rapidly evolving industry.
- Valuation Surge: With a current valuation exceeding $850 billion, OpenAI's IPO could enhance its market position and fundraising capabilities, providing essential capital for future technological innovations.
- Tech Stock Rebound: Following the IPO news from OpenAI and others, tech stocks have rebounded, with the Nasdaq Composite rising 0.86%, reflecting strong investor interest and confidence in AI-related equities.
See More
Knicks Championship Impacts Investment Strategies
- Championship Effect: The Knicks' NBA championship after 53 years enhances the team's global brand value, expected to increase fan engagement and merchandise sales, thereby boosting attractiveness to sponsors and media partners.
- Investment Choices: While both MSGE and MSGS have risen about 40% due to the championship effect, MSGS, owning the Knicks, may be the more direct investment choice, especially considering its close ties to the team's value.
- Financial Performance: According to Zacks estimates, MSGE's sales are expected to rise 9% this year, reaching $1.1 billion by fiscal 2027, while MSGS is projected to grow 5% in FY26 but contract 4% in FY27.
- Valuation Comparison: MSGE's price-to-sales ratio stands at 3x with a stock price around $70, indicating a more attractive valuation, while MSGS trades over $370 with an 8x ratio, although much of the future growth potential may already be priced in.
See More
Investors Should Consider MSG Sports Stock
- Stock Performance: MSG Sports shares surged 22.5% from early April to June 11, reaching a record high following the Knicks' championship parade, although they recently pulled back 6% as investors took profits.
- Valuation Discrepancy: Cramer highlighted that MSG Sports' market capitalization is less than the combined value of its franchises, with the Knicks valued at approximately $10.1 billion and the Rangers at $3.8 billion, totaling nearly $14 billion, while MSG Sports' enterprise value is under $10 billion.
- Potential Spin-off: MSG Sports is exploring a spin-off of the Rangers into a standalone business, which could help unlock hidden value for investors, drawing parallels to its successful entertainment venue spin-off in 2020.
- Investment Appeal: While Cramer cautioned that MSG Sports remains a unique investment due to Chairman James Dolan's control over voting rights, he believes the current setup is attractive following the stock's recent pullback.
See More
Surge in Options Trading Volume for MSG and CNM
- Active Options Trading for MSG: Madison Square Garden Sports Corp (MSGS) saw options trading volume of 1,820 contracts today, representing approximately 182,000 shares, which is about 73.8% of its average daily trading volume of 246,540 shares over the past month, indicating strong market interest in its future performance.
- High Strike Call Options: Within MSGS, the $390 strike call option has seen 492 contracts traded today, equating to approximately 49,200 shares, reflecting investor expectations for the stock's upward movement before the June 18, 2026 expiration.
- Surge in CNM Options Trading: Core & Main Inc (CNM) experienced an options trading volume of 16,608 contracts today, representing around 1.7 million shares, or approximately 72.6% of its average daily trading volume of 2.3 million shares over the past month, showcasing strong market interest in its stock.
- Concentration in Call Options: For CNM, the $52.50 strike call option has seen 8,464 contracts traded today, representing about 846,400 shares, indicating a strong bullish sentiment among investors for the stock ahead of the June 18, 2026 expiration.
See More
Knicks' NBA Finals Push Sparks Stock Surge for MSGS
- Stock Surge: Following the New York Knicks' dramatic comeback victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, Madison Square Garden Sports (MSGS) shares have surged to $384.60, marking a 48.7% increase in 2026, with a notable 14.8% rise in the past month, driven by investor enthusiasm for the team's championship prospects.
- Market Impact: The Knicks' deep playoff run is positively influencing not only the team's stock price but also the sports betting and live entertainment sectors, with companies like DraftKings and MGM Resorts benefiting from increased fan engagement and significantly higher betting volumes.
- Ticket Demand Surge: The skyrocketing demand for NBA Finals tickets has led to prices at Madison Square Garden reaching thousands of dollars, particularly for premium courtside seats that command six-figure sums, providing substantial revenue boosts for companies linked to live events such as StubHub and Live Nation.
- Increased ETF Interest: As MSGS shares rise, ETFs holding the stock, such as GOLS and PSCU, are gaining investor attention, reflecting a growing optimism in the sports and entertainment sectors and further fueling investment interest in related markets.
See More
Knicks Playoff Success Boosts MSG Stock Surge
- Stock Surge: Since the Knicks secured a playoff spot in late March, shares of Madison Square Garden Sports (MSGS) have surged over 20%, reflecting strong investor confidence in the team's performance.
- Outstanding Market Performance: Over the past year, MSGS's stock has more than doubled, outperforming many market benchmarks, indicating robust growth potential in the sports and entertainment sectors.
- High-End Ticket Demand: As consumers increasingly prioritize live events, particularly higher-income groups willing to pay premium prices for live sports and concerts, MSGS has gained significant pricing power, driving revenue growth.
- Spin-Off Proposal Incentive: The proposal to spin off the Knicks and Rangers into separately traded entities is expected to unlock further value, with MSGS currently valued at $8 billion against a combined team valuation of $14 billion, showcasing positive market sentiment towards this initiative.
See More
OpenAI Files Confidential IPO Amid Market Surge
- IPO Announcement: OpenAI has confidentially filed for an IPO, which is expected to be one of the largest listings in history, marking a significant milestone in the AI industry, with a potential launch in Q4 2025 that could further fuel market enthusiasm.
- Increased Market Competition: OpenAI's move to go public alongside competitors Anthropic and SpaceX highlights the intensifying competition in the AI sector, likely attracting more investor interest in this rapidly evolving industry.
- Valuation Surge: With a current valuation exceeding $850 billion, OpenAI's IPO could enhance its market position and fundraising capabilities, providing essential capital for future technological innovations.
- Tech Stock Rebound: Following the IPO news from OpenAI and others, tech stocks have rebounded, with the Nasdaq Composite rising 0.86%, reflecting strong investor interest and confidence in AI-related equities.
See More
