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Opening Bell: July 11, 2025
CNBC Television· 2025-07-11 14:26
in any ways gonna bow out here though. No. No.What I love he's a pretty strong little guy. One of my one of my I talk about what could really go wrong in the market for my speech today for the club is having the president named the second chair while he's shadowed chairman. I you know what I don't like I mean look I think that we're all you know we're TV people but we're also people.Uh, at what point uh does someone have no shame. I I I think those charges, you'll look back and you'll say, "Boy, I wish I ha ...
Lingerie Fighting Championships Announces Bitcoin Strategy In Advance of First UK Shows
Globenewswire· 2025-06-26 17:46
Core Insights - Lingerie Fighting Championships, Inc. (LFC) plans to add $230,000 worth of Bitcoin to its treasury within the next 30 days and aims to increase this amount to $2,000,000 over the next six months [4] - The company is set to host its first events in the UK, with LFC43: Sindependence Day 2 on July 4 in London and LFC44: Underground Knockouts on July 6 in Cardiff [5][11] - The events are expected to feature popular fighters from the US and UK, including current champions and top contenders [5][6] Financial Strategy - The addition of Bitcoin to the treasury indicates a strategic move towards cryptocurrency, potentially enhancing the company's financial flexibility and investment opportunities [4] - The planned increase in Bitcoin holdings reflects a commitment to diversifying assets and adapting to modern financial trends [4] Event Details - LFC43 is already sold out, with options for fans to watch live via pay-per-view on multiple platforms [5] - LFC44 will include several local UK fighters, showcasing the company's effort to engage with the local audience and expand its market presence [6][7] - The previous European event, LFC24, attracted nearly 5,000 fans, indicating a growing interest in LFC's unique blend of MMA and wrestling [7] Company Overview - Lingerie Fighting Championships Inc. focuses on producing mixed martial arts events featuring female fighters, targeting both live audiences and television viewers [9] - The company aims to create a distinctive sports entertainment experience, leveraging the appeal of its unique format to attract a diverse audience [9]
Topgolf Callaway stock jumps 11% after director scoops up more than $2 million worth of shares
CNBC· 2025-06-09 16:56
Core Insights - Topgolf Callaway Brands' stock experienced a surge following a significant share purchase by corporate director Adebayo Ogunlesi, who bought approximately $2.5 million worth of shares [1] - Ogunlesi's purchase is perceived as a vote of confidence in the company, especially given his notable background in the finance sector [1][2] - The stock has faced challenges, with a decline of 9% in 2025 and over 50% in the past year, indicating a negative return since the acquisition announcement in October 2020 [3] Company Background - Adebayo Ogunlesi is the founding partner and CEO of Global Infrastructure Partners, which was acquired by BlackRock in a $12 billion deal last year [2] - Following the acquisition, Ogunlesi joined BlackRock's board and also became a member of the OpenAI board in January [2] Stock Performance - Ogunlesi's recent purchase marks his first acquisition of Topgolf Callaway stock since June 2023, during which shares have dropped about 60% [3] - The overall performance of Topgolf Callaway's stock has been negative since the announcement of its acquisition by Callaway [3]
TKO (TKO) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-05-08 22:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company generated revenue of $1,269 million in Q1 2025, an increase of 4% compared to the previous year [21] - Adjusted EBITDA was $417 million, reflecting a 23% increase, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 33%, up from 28% in the prior year [21] - The UFC segment reported revenue of $360 million, a 15% increase, and adjusted EBITDA of $227 million, a 17% increase, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 63%, up from 62% [22] - The WWE segment generated revenue of $392 million, a 24% increase, and adjusted EBITDA of $194 million, a 38% increase, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 50%, up from 44% [25] - The IMG segment reported revenue of $476 million, a decrease of 13%, and adjusted EBITDA of $74 million, a decrease of 10% [29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - UFC's Live Events and Hospitality revenue increased by 66% to $59 million, driven by higher site fee revenue and ticket sales [23] - WWE's Live Events and Hospitality revenue increased by 52% to $76 million, primarily due to increased ticket sales [25] - Partnerships and marketing revenue for UFC increased by 32% to $64 million, while WWE's partnerships and marketing revenue surged by 86% to $26 million [23][27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - UFC set new records for live events, including the highest grossing Fight Night in company history in London and the highest grossing indoor arena event in Australia [6] - WWE's WrestleMania 41 became the most successful event ever, breaking records in gate, premium hospitality, viewership, sponsorship, merchandise, and social engagement [10] - WWE's international footprint on Netflix expanded, with significant engagement increases in markets like Mexico, the UK, Australia, and Brazil [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on integrating newly acquired assets IMG, On Location, and PBR to drive top-line growth and cost synergies [5] - A strategic partnership with Meta aims to enhance UFC content through innovative experiences [7] - The company is committed to a robust capital return program while maintaining a strong balance sheet and exploring new opportunities in boxing [36] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted no signs of a slowdown in consumer behavior, with strong performance expected to continue across live events and partnerships [20] - The company raised its full-year guidance, targeting revenue of $4,490 million to $4,560 million and adjusted EBITDA of $1,490 million to $1,530 million [38] - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding the UFC media rights negotiations, emphasizing a flexible approach to maximize long-term brand growth [65] Other Important Information - The company generated $136 million of free cash flow in Q1 2025, with a free cash flow conversion rate of 32% [32] - The company ended the quarter with $2,776 million in debt and $471 million in cash and cash equivalents [35] - The company plans to commence a $2,000 million share repurchase program in the second or third quarter of 2025, subject to market conditions [35] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on UFC rights renewal and free cash flow for 2025 - Management is in discussions with various third parties regarding UFC rights, with ESPN still included in the mix [48] - Free cash flow conversion rate is expected to be over 60%, excluding nonrecurring amounts [50] Question: Economics of the Canelo announcement and boxing strategy - The new boxing organization plans to host an average of 12 fights per year, with separate media rights deals and global partnerships [58] Question: Outperformance in UFC and WWE - Outperformance in Q1 was driven by strong live event and global partnership performance, with confidence in continued momentum [72] Question: Capital returns and share repurchase program - The share repurchase program will be market-driven and opportunistic, with a focus on maintaining cash reserves [78] Question: Growth modeling for the IMG segment - The company intends to provide more transparency and KPIs for the IMG segment, anticipating growth in both revenue and margins [84]
From Wall Street to the Pit Lane: Lottery.com and Sports.com Sponsor Rising INDY NXT Driver Sebastian Murray, Competing with Andretti Cape
Globenewswire· 2025-05-02 15:19
Core Insights - Lottery.com has announced a sponsorship deal with rising motorsport talent Sebastian Murray, who will compete in the 2025 INDY NXT series with the Andretti Cape team [1][5][6] Group 1: Sponsorship Details - The sponsorship includes branding rights, digital content, and fan engagement activations through Murray's participation [5] - The No. 2 Andretti Cape INDY NXT car will feature Lottery.com and Sports.com branding during the Grand Prix of Alabama from May 2-4, 2025, and throughout the rest of the season [3][10] - The sponsorship aims to enhance visibility and access for Lottery.com and Sports.com within the motorsport community [6][10] Group 2: Company Vision and Strategy - The sponsorship reflects Lottery.com's strategic vision to invest in emerging talent and engage a new generation of fans [6][5] - Matthew McGahan, CEO of Lottery.com, emphasized the importance of this partnership in aligning the brand with the journey of a promising young driver [6] - Warren Macal, a board member at Lottery.com, highlighted the potential benefits of visibility and access that come with competing in the Andretti Cape environment [5][6] Group 3: Additional Initiatives - This announcement follows Lottery.com's recent sponsorship of the Donate to Win's™ Miami Sweepstakes, which aimed to elevate brand exposure and engage fans [6]
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN SPORTS CORP. REPORTS FISCAL 2025 THIRD QUARTER RESULTS
Prnewswire· 2025-05-02 11:30
Core Viewpoint - Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. reported a decrease in revenues and operating income for the fiscal third quarter ended March 31, 2025, primarily due to lower local media rights fees and fewer games played compared to the previous year [4][7][15]. Financial Performance - For the fiscal 2025 third quarter, the company generated revenues of $424.2 million, a decrease of $5.8 million, or 1%, compared to the prior year period [4][7]. - Operating income was reported at $32.3 million, a decrease of $47.4 million, or 59%, while adjusted operating income was $36.9 million, down $51.8 million, or 58% [4][15]. - The nine-month period ended March 31, 2025, saw revenues increase to $835.3 million, up $35.4 million, or 4%, compared to the same period in the previous year [5]. Revenue Breakdown - Local media rights fees decreased by $18.6 million due to proposed amendments to the Knicks' and Rangers' local media rights agreements [8]. - Food, beverage, and merchandise sales fell by $2.5 million, attributed to lower average per-game revenue and fewer games played [9]. - Sponsorship and signage revenues increased by $8.9 million, driven by higher net sales of existing inventory [10]. - Suite revenues rose by $3.4 million, and revenues from league distributions increased by $2.4 million due to higher national media rights fees [11]. Expense Analysis - Direct operating expenses increased by $43.3 million, or 16%, primarily due to higher league revenue sharing expenses and team personnel compensation [13]. - Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased by $1.7 million, or 2%, mainly due to lower employee compensation [14]. Other Developments - The company launched its 2025-26 Knicks and Rangers season ticket renewal initiative, which has seen strong demand [3]. - A Transaction Support Agreement was entered into to support proposed transactions aimed at reducing MSG Networks' debt, which includes amendments to local media rights agreements [16].