• Loading stock data...
Saturday, May 31, 2025

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. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Steve Cohen Taps USTA’s Lew Sherr to Reshape Mets Off Field

The MLB club hires a top executive from the U.S. Tennis Association.

Chiefs, Royals Stadium Plans Hit Political Wall As Both Parties Say No

Both Republicans and Democrats in Missouri oppose public funding for stadiums.
Oct 26, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) injures left shoulder whilte attempt to steal second base in the seventh inning against the New York Yankees during game two of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.

Yankees-Dodgers Clash Draws TV Spotlight, Sky-High Prices

The teams’ lone regular-season series features three nationally aired games.

Former Seton Hall Baseball Player Sues Over Sexualized Hazing

The student says the coach knew about the hazing and failed to act.

Featured Today

PSG and the City of Paris Can Join European Soccer’s Elite

What a maiden Champions League title would mean for the French club.
May 30, 2025

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.
May 25, 2025

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.

MSG Tickets for Potential Pacers-Knicks Game 7 Start at $1,100

The current get-in price for a potential Game 7 is $1,099.
May 29, 2025

Panthers Clinch Stanley Cup Final Appearance, Stir Up Dynasty Talk

The Panthers clinched a third-straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final.
Sha'Carri Richardson
May 29, 2025

Sha’Carri Richardson Enters Track Start-Up Fray With Alexis Ohanian

Richardson headlines a group of “advisor owners” with equity in the league.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
May 29, 2025

NCAA Exploring March Madness Expansion to 76 Teams in 2026

NCAA president Charlie Baker said March Madness discussions are ongoing.
Softball
May 29, 2025

MLB Makes Eight-Figure Investment in New Softball League 

Athletes Unlimited and Major League Baseball announced the deal Thursday morning.
May 25, 2025; MONACO; McLaren's Lando Norris celebrates with a trophy on the podium after winning the Monaco Grand Prix alongside third placed McLaren's Oscar Piastri and McLaren chief executive Zak Brown at Circuit de Monaco.
May 28, 2025

F1’s Monaco GP Draws Third-Largest U.S. Audience Amid Track Criticisms

F1 will race in Monaco until at least 2031.
May 28, 2025

Big 12 Men’s Coaches in Favor of Expanding March Madness

Kansas coach Bill Self said the conference supports the idea.