Knicks Historic Playoff Journey Boosts Per-Game Earnings to All-Time High

Published: Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 10:28 am

Knicks' Playoff Run Fuels Record Revenue, Despite Stock Dip

The New York Knicks' impressive playoff performance this spring has translated into significant financial gains for Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (MSG Sports), the team's owner. According to Chief Operating Officer Jamaal Lesane, the Knicks generated a record $12.8 million in revenue per home game during the playoffs, fueled by strong fan support reminiscent of the team's successful era in the 1990s. In-arena merchandise sales also hit all-time highs during the Eastern Conference Finals.

While the Knicks' playoff run ended in the Eastern Conference Finals, the financial impact is expected to be felt across the business in fiscal year 2026. The company reported direct operating expenses of approximately $5.8 million per game during the postseason, along with additional marketing and administrative costs. The team's social media presence also saw a boost, with nearly half of the 775,000 new followers added during the playoffs. This is expected to further boost revenue through premium hospitality sales and marketing partnerships.

MSG Sports is responding to the increased demand by raising ticket prices for Knicks games next season. The company is also seeing strong season ticket renewal rates for both the Knicks and the Rangers, with approximately 90% of season ticket holders renewing their seats.

Despite the positive financial performance, MSG Sports Corp.'s stock experienced a dip, closing at $195.40 on Tuesday, down 3.5% from the previous day and 13.4% year-to-date. The company's market capitalization is $4.69 billion, while Forbes values the Knicks at $7.5 billion and the Rangers at $3.5 billion.

Looking ahead, MSG Sports is poised to benefit from the NBA's new $76 billion media rights deal, which represents a significant increase in revenue for all 30 franchises. The salary cap for the upcoming season is also increasing for both the NBA and NHL. While local media rights revenue for the Knicks and Rangers will decrease due to a debt restructuring plan, the company anticipates an overall increase in media rights revenue due to the new national deal.

BNN's Perspective: The Knicks' playoff success is a clear win for the franchise and its owners, generating substantial revenue and boosting fan engagement. While the stock dip is concerning, the long-term outlook appears positive, driven by the new media rights deal and the team's on-court performance. The company's ability to capitalize on this momentum will be key to sustaining its financial success.

Keywords: New York Knicks, NBA Playoffs, Revenue, MSG Sports Corp., Ticket Prices, Media Rights, Salary Cap, Madison Square Garden, Finance, Sports Business

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