Monday, April 20, 2026

Braves Report Strong Quarter, but Still Face Media Uncertainty

One of baseball’s top clubs on and off the field has another strong quarter, but potential issues loom.

May 19, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A detailed view of the chain and jersey of Atlanta Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia (11) against the San Diego Padres in the seventh inning at Truist Park.
Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Braves posted yet another solid financial quarter and have reached the postseason for seven straight years, reaffirming their status as one of MLB’s top-performing clubs on and off the field. Team officials, however, warned Wednesday that turbulence in their local media situation could bring serious future impacts.

Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc. reported third-quarter earnings that included a 7% increase in total revenue to $290.7 million, beating analyst expectations, and $6.4 million in operating income, down 59% from the comparable quarter in 2023. The figures continued a run of high-level performance since the franchise spun off from Liberty Media in July 2023

The Braves are just one of two MLB teams currently assured of staying with FanDuel Sports Network parent company Diamond Sports Group in 2025, with the other being the Marlins. The regional sports network operator is attempting to complete a reorganization process, and it has a confirmation hearing scheduled for Nov. 14. DSG, however, is looking to renegotiate many of its baseball rights deals

“While the pending bankruptcy proceeding of Diamond Sports Group has not previously had a material unfavorable impact on the company’s revenue, and the company has received scheduled payments to date, we cannot currently predict whether such bankruptcy proceedings are reasonably likely to have a material unfavorable impact on our revenue in the future,” said Braves president and CEO Derek Schiller in an earnings call with analysts.

At a bankruptcy court hearing last month to confirm a naming rights deal with FanDuel, MLB said it would be opposing DSG’s assumption of its Braves broadcast deal. While acknowledging the broader media industry uncertainty, Schiller said the club’s strong run of on-field success and its expansive market territory provide some insulating effects. 

“We’re not just waiting for bankruptcy to be defining what might happen, but we’re also studying the potential opportunities for us,” Schiller said. “No matter what happens, we think we are in a very enviable position. … We think we have an opportunity to capitalize further on that [market] territory should those rights come back to us.”

Inside the Numbers

The sharp drop in the Braves’ operating income owes in part to increased baseball costs, such as player payroll that rose in 2024 to $236.4 million and MLB revenue-sharing obligations. Team attendance in 2024 declined 6% to 3.01 million after setting a Truist Park record in 2023, but still ranked fifth in the league, trailing only the Dodgers, Phillies, Padres, and Yankees, in that order. 

Within the club’s overall revenue, the Braves generated $17.4 million in quarterly revenue from their mixed-use development, The Battery, up from 12% from last year’s third quarter. The Braves also are actively preparing to host MLB’s 2025 All-Star Game at Truist Park

The Braves are the only publicly traded MLB club, something that chairman Terry McGuirk said Thursday “we do not take lightly.” The club, meanwhile, also recently was ranked as the league’s top franchise in overall guest experience, concessions, and non-game entertainment. 

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 4, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Lane Thomas (15) celebrates in the dugout after scoring during the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Kauffman Stadium.

Kansas City Okays $600M for New Royals Stadium

The MLB club must still complete the rest of its stadium financing plan.

Padres Sale Set to Break MLB Record With $3.9B Deal

The buyer is the cofounder of investment giant Clearlake.
Jan 10, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (0) scores a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half of an NFC Wild Card Round game at Soldier Field.

Efforts to Fight Sports Streaming Fragmentation Ramp Up in D.C.

“It’s not only confusing, it’s also damn expensive.”
Apr 11, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies infielder Alec Bohm (28) throws to first against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second inning at Citizens Bank Park.

Alec Bohm’s Family Feud Heats Up As Parents Push Back

The third baseman claims his parents took advantage of him.

Featured Today

The Lawyer Steering the NIL Era

In the new era of college sports, Darren Heitner is everywhere.
blake griffin
April 14, 2026

Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video

The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.
Matthew Schaefer/Front Office Sports
April 10, 2026

Matthew Schaefer Has the Hockey World in His Thrall

The teenage Islanders defenseman cannon-balled into the NHL.
April 9, 2026

College Athletes Are Ignoring NCAA Gambling Bans

“We were going to bet regardless,” says one former D-I athlete.

LIV Golf Moves On to Trump D.C. Event After Rocky Week in Mexico

Jon Rahm won the $4 million first-place check at LIV Mexico City.
April 19, 2026

NFL Draft Shake-Up: 6 Teams Now With Multiple First-Round Picks

The Giants acquired the 10th pick from the Bengals over the weekend.
April 19, 2026

Caitlin Clark Prioritizes Health As WNBA Banks on Her Availability

The Indiana Fever star played in just 13 games last season.
Sponsored

From Gold Medalist to Business Founder

Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco (16) heads for the locker room after the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 14 game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. The Bills overcame a halftime deficit to win 39-34.
April 17, 2026

Joe Flacco Sounds Alarm on 18-Game Schedule

The veteran QB warns such expansion could hurt the playoffs.
Apr 15, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (4) clears the puck from the goal with Dallas Stars left wing Adam Erne (73) in pursuit in the third period at KeyBank Center.
April 17, 2026

New-Look NHL Playoffs Set As League Rides Attendance Wave

This year’s playoff field includes several upstarts and fresh storylines.
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 4, 2026; Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA; Byeong Hun An in action during the first round of play at LIV Golf Riyadh at the Riyadh Golf Club.
April 17, 2026

LIV Golf CEO: League Looking for New Investors

Scott O’Neil admitted LIV will need to raise money moving forward.
April 16, 2026

Grand Slam Track’s Contentious Bankruptcy Is Over. Now What?

With bankruptcy over, Grand Slam is cleared to try a comeback.