Madison Square Garden Sports stock jumped over 16% to a record high Wednesday after the company announced board approval to explore separating the New York Knicks and Rangers into different companies. The proposed spinoff would create two separate entities, with the Knicks including their G League affiliate and the Rangers including their AHL team.
NEW YORK – Stock prices for Madison Square Garden Sports climbed over 16% Wednesday, reaching an all-time high after the company announced its board has given unanimous approval to explore splitting the New York Knicks and New York Rangers into separate businesses.
The entertainment company’s stock price closed at $341.76, marking both a record high value and the largest single-day percentage increase in the company’s history.
Under the proposed separation plan, one company would control the Knicks basketball franchise along with their NBA G League affiliate team, the Westchester Knicks.
The second company would oversee the Rangers hockey team, which competes in the National Hockey League, plus their American Hockey League affiliate known as the Hartford Wolf Pack.
Company officials stated the proposed separation received complete board support and would be designed as a tax-free distribution to current stockholders. The company has not announced any specific timeline for completing this potential transaction.
Wall Street analysts covering Madison Square Garden Sports currently give the stock an average “buy” recommendation, with a typical price target of $337 per share, based on LSEG information.
BTIG research analysts noted in their analysis that company leadership has consistently discussed examining different strategies, particularly since the stock sometimes sells for 50% less than what independent analysts believe the teams are worth privately.
“The single largest catalyst investors have been looking for is ways to unlock value from the teams whether that be minority sales, spin-offs, outright sales or some other means to close the public-private valuation gap,” BTIG analysts led by Tyler DiMatteo wrote, while giving Madison Square Garden Sports a “neutral” investment rating.
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