Separation Of Basketball and Ice Hockey Businesses<\/p>\n
The New York Knicks company would include the NBA franchise, which has won two championships, and the Westchester Knicks, a developmental league team affiliated with the National Basketball Association (NBA).<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the New York Rangers company would include the four-time Stanley Cup-winning National Hockey League (NHL) franchise and the Hartford Wolf Pack, a member of the primary developmental hockey league.<\/p>\n
Madison Square Garden Sports said there is no assurance that the spin-off will proceed and did not provide a timeline for a final decision. However, if completed, the transaction is expected to be structured as a tax-free spin-off, with shareholders receiving a pro-rata distribution of shares in the newly created company.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are exploring the opportunity to further create value for our shareholders by separating our two professional sports franchises into distinct companies. We believe this proposed transaction would provide each company with enhanced strategic flexibility, its own defined business focus, and clear characteristics for investors,\u201d said Jim Dolan, Executive Chairman and CEO.<\/p>\n
Knicks More Than Twice As Valuable As Rangers<\/p>\n
According to a Sportico\u00a0report<\/a> from October 2025, the New York Knicks are the third most valuable franchise in the NBA at $9.85 billion, behind the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers. Meanwhile, the New York Rangers were\u00a0valued<\/a> at $3.65 billion, the second most valuable franchise in the NHL.<\/p>\n Earlier this month, the company posted a 13% increase in second-quarter revenue at $403.4 million. The growth was driven largely by stronger ticket sales, increased league distributions, higher suite income, expanded sponsorship and signage deals, and higher food, beverage, and merchandise purchases. These gains were partly offset by a decline in local media rights fees.<\/p>\n How Did Stocktwits Users React?<\/p>\n Retail sentiment on Stocktwits changed to \u2018bullish\u2019 from \u2018neutral\u2019 a day earlier, amid \u2018high\u2019 message volumes.<\/p>\n One user highlighted that the spinoff could take a long time to happen.<\/p>\n Year-to-date, the stock has gained more than 32%.<\/p>\n Read also: Exclusive: Infleqtion CEO Matthew Kinsella Outlines Post-IPO Playbook \u2014 Scale Quantum Sensing Portfolio, Deliver Commercially Viable Quantum Computers By 2028<\/a><\/p>\n For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.<\/p>\n![\"MSGS.jpg\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/MSGS_jpg_7078d2bfc0.webp.jpeg\")
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