NBA Board Approves Exploration of Expansion Teams in Las Vegas and Seattle
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 6 days ago
0mins
Should l Buy MSGS?
Shams Charania, ESPN's Senior NBA Insider, stated on X: "The NBA's Board of Governors has approved a vote for the league to explore bids and applicants for expansion teams exclusively in Las Vegas and Seattle, sources tell ESPN. A bidding process is expected to generate offers in the $7-10 billion range for each team." In February, MSG Sports (MSGS) announced that its board of directors has unanimously approved a plan to explore a possible spin-off that would separate its New York Knicks business from its New York Rangers business, creating two distinct publicly traded companies. Other publicly traded owners of sports franchises include the Liberty Braves Group (BATRA) and Manchester United (MANU).
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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: 312.730
Low
220.00
Averages
250.00
High
290.00
Current: 312.730
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 approximately 114,000 square-foot facility features two basketball courts and one National Hockey League regulation-sized hockey rink, and is equipped with well-appointed private areas and office space and exercise and training rooms with dedicated equipment for each team, and other first-class amenities.
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.
Tabor Asset Management Increases MSG Stake
- Stake Increase Details: On February 17, 2026, Tabor Asset Management disclosed in an SEC filing that it increased its stake in Madison Square Garden Sports (MSGS) by 29,985 shares, bringing its total holdings to 43,778 shares valued at $11.32 million, representing 4.57% of its assets under management.
- Quarter-End Value Growth: This transaction resulted in an $8.19 million increase in Tabor's quarter-end position value, reflecting both the new purchases and stock price appreciation, indicating the firm's proactive strategy in sports investments.
- Strong Market Performance: As of February 13, 2026, MSGS shares were priced at $291.48, up 38.1% over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500 by 26.36 percentage points, highlighting its robust market performance and investment appeal.
- Strategic Advantage Analysis: Madison Square Garden Sports owns prestigious franchises like the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, leveraging brand influence and a loyal fan base to generate recurring revenue from media rights, sponsorships, and merchandising, showcasing its competitive edge in the sports and entertainment sector.
See More
Tabor Asset Management Increases Stake in Madison Square Garden Sports
- Stake Increase: Tabor Asset Management disclosed in a February 17, 2026 SEC filing that it purchased an additional 29,985 shares of Madison Square Garden Sports, raising its total holdings to 43,778 shares, reflecting confidence in the company's future growth.
- Value Growth: This acquisition increased Tabor's position value by $8.19 million, demonstrating the firm's ability to achieve asset appreciation amid market fluctuations, thereby enhancing its significance within the investment portfolio.
- Stock Performance: As of February 13, 2026, Madison Square Garden Sports shares were priced at $291.48, up 38.1% over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500 by 26.36 percentage points, indicating strong market performance.
- Investment Appeal: Owning prominent franchises like the New York Knicks and New York Rangers positions Madison Square Garden Sports as a valuable long-term asset, particularly as media rights and sponsorship opportunities continue to expand, attracting investor interest.
See More
Barron’s Stock Recommendations: Current Status of S&P Global, Boeing, and MSG Sports.
- Revisiting Stock Picks: Analyzing past stock recommendations can uncover new investment opportunities rather than just assessing their historical performance.
- Investment Insights: Old stock calls may provide valuable insights into current market trends and potential future gains.
- Strategic Analysis: Investors can benefit from a strategic review of previous picks to inform their current investment strategies.
- Market Dynamics: Understanding how past selections performed can help investors navigate changing market conditions effectively.
See More
MSG Sports Plans Spin-Off of Knicks and Rangers Franchises
- Stock Surge: Shares of Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. surged over 15% in morning trading after the announcement of plans to spin off the Knicks and Rangers, marking the largest intra-day gain since September 2015, indicating strong market enthusiasm for the initiative.
- Spin-Off Details: The proposed separation will encompass the NBA's Knicks and the developmental Westchester Knicks, along with the NHL's Rangers and Hartford Wolf Pack; while no timeline was provided for a final decision, the spin-off is expected to be structured as a tax-free transaction.
- Strong Financial Performance: MSG Sports reported a 13% increase in second-quarter revenue to $403.4 million, driven by higher ticket sales, sponsorships, and food and beverage income, showcasing robust performance in the sports market despite some declines in local media rights fees.
- Market Sentiment Shift: Retail sentiment on Stocktwits shifted from neutral to bullish, although some users cautioned that the spin-off could take considerable time, reflecting an optimistic outlook on MSG's future developments.
See More
MSG Sports Considers Separating New York Knicks and Rangers
Investor Expectations: Investors are anticipating a shareholder-friendly action from Madison Square Garden Sports to address the disparity between the company's market value and the worth of its sports teams, the New York Knicks and New York Rangers.
Market Value Concerns: There is a significant gap between the market value of Madison Square Garden Sports and the estimated value of its two major sports franchises, raising concerns among investors.
See More
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN SPORTS STOCK RISES 12% FOLLOWING COUNCIL'S APPROVAL OF SPIN-OFF EXPLORATION PLAN
- Stock Performance: Madison Square Garden Sports shares increased by 12% following the approval of a plan to explore potential spin-off opportunities.
- Strategic Move: The decision to consider a spin-off indicates a strategic shift aimed at enhancing shareholder value and operational focus.
See More
Tabor Asset Management Increases MSG Stake
- Stake Increase Details: On February 17, 2026, Tabor Asset Management disclosed in an SEC filing that it increased its stake in Madison Square Garden Sports (MSGS) by 29,985 shares, bringing its total holdings to 43,778 shares valued at $11.32 million, representing 4.57% of its assets under management.
- Quarter-End Value Growth: This transaction resulted in an $8.19 million increase in Tabor's quarter-end position value, reflecting both the new purchases and stock price appreciation, indicating the firm's proactive strategy in sports investments.
- Strong Market Performance: As of February 13, 2026, MSGS shares were priced at $291.48, up 38.1% over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500 by 26.36 percentage points, highlighting its robust market performance and investment appeal.
- Strategic Advantage Analysis: Madison Square Garden Sports owns prestigious franchises like the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, leveraging brand influence and a loyal fan base to generate recurring revenue from media rights, sponsorships, and merchandising, showcasing its competitive edge in the sports and entertainment sector.
See More
Tabor Asset Management Increases Stake in Madison Square Garden Sports
- Stake Increase: Tabor Asset Management disclosed in a February 17, 2026 SEC filing that it purchased an additional 29,985 shares of Madison Square Garden Sports, raising its total holdings to 43,778 shares, reflecting confidence in the company's future growth.
- Value Growth: This acquisition increased Tabor's position value by $8.19 million, demonstrating the firm's ability to achieve asset appreciation amid market fluctuations, thereby enhancing its significance within the investment portfolio.
- Stock Performance: As of February 13, 2026, Madison Square Garden Sports shares were priced at $291.48, up 38.1% over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500 by 26.36 percentage points, indicating strong market performance.
- Investment Appeal: Owning prominent franchises like the New York Knicks and New York Rangers positions Madison Square Garden Sports as a valuable long-term asset, particularly as media rights and sponsorship opportunities continue to expand, attracting investor interest.
See More
Barron’s Stock Recommendations: Current Status of S&P Global, Boeing, and MSG Sports.
- Revisiting Stock Picks: Analyzing past stock recommendations can uncover new investment opportunities rather than just assessing their historical performance.
- Investment Insights: Old stock calls may provide valuable insights into current market trends and potential future gains.
- Strategic Analysis: Investors can benefit from a strategic review of previous picks to inform their current investment strategies.
- Market Dynamics: Understanding how past selections performed can help investors navigate changing market conditions effectively.
See More
MSG Sports Plans Spin-Off of Knicks and Rangers Franchises
- Stock Surge: Shares of Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. surged over 15% in morning trading after the announcement of plans to spin off the Knicks and Rangers, marking the largest intra-day gain since September 2015, indicating strong market enthusiasm for the initiative.
- Spin-Off Details: The proposed separation will encompass the NBA's Knicks and the developmental Westchester Knicks, along with the NHL's Rangers and Hartford Wolf Pack; while no timeline was provided for a final decision, the spin-off is expected to be structured as a tax-free transaction.
- Strong Financial Performance: MSG Sports reported a 13% increase in second-quarter revenue to $403.4 million, driven by higher ticket sales, sponsorships, and food and beverage income, showcasing robust performance in the sports market despite some declines in local media rights fees.
- Market Sentiment Shift: Retail sentiment on Stocktwits shifted from neutral to bullish, although some users cautioned that the spin-off could take considerable time, reflecting an optimistic outlook on MSG's future developments.
See More
MSG Sports Considers Separating New York Knicks and Rangers
Investor Expectations: Investors are anticipating a shareholder-friendly action from Madison Square Garden Sports to address the disparity between the company's market value and the worth of its sports teams, the New York Knicks and New York Rangers.
Market Value Concerns: There is a significant gap between the market value of Madison Square Garden Sports and the estimated value of its two major sports franchises, raising concerns among investors.
See More
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN SPORTS STOCK RISES 12% FOLLOWING COUNCIL'S APPROVAL OF SPIN-OFF EXPLORATION PLAN
- Stock Performance: Madison Square Garden Sports shares increased by 12% following the approval of a plan to explore potential spin-off opportunities.
- Strategic Move: The decision to consider a spin-off indicates a strategic shift aimed at enhancing shareholder value and operational focus.
See More
