MSG Sports Eyes Spin-Off: Knicks and Rangers to Become Separate Public Companies?

February 18, 2026
MSG Sports Eyes Spin-Off: Knicks and Rangers to Become Separate Public Companies?
  • Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. has won unanimous board support to explore a potential spin-off that would separate the Knicks and Rangers into two distinct publicly traded companies, possibly via a tax-free distribution to shareholders.

  • If the plan proceeds, the Knicks would include the Westchester Knicks (NBA G League) and the Rangers would include the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) as affiliated minor teams.

  • The Dolan family has held minority stakes since 1994 and gained majority control soon after; while there is openness to selling minority stakes, no imminent deals are planned.

  • Investors greeted the news with roughly a 15% stock price uptick, though true value may come from private-market dynamics where one-of-a-kind asset deals attract attention.

  • Momentum indicators show MSGS trading with strong price momentum yet weak valuation signals, highlighting a split as a potential path to clearer standalone value.

  • Market context notes the stock is near a 52-week high, with caveats and a disclaimer about investment decisions.

  • Analyst coverage currently shows a single buy with no sells; price targets include roughly $337 from Citi and $305 from JP Morgan, with a median target around $305 among surveyed views.

  • Analysts present a mixed view: some see upside potential from a split, with higher targets cited by Citi and others, and JP Morgan labeling overweight with a $305 target.

  • The plan remains exploratory with no timetable or guarantees, and stakeholders are watching for developments.

  • Industry experts suggest sports teams can be treated as stores of value rather than traditional cash-flow bets, explaining divergences between private valuations and public-market metrics.

  • The move is part of ongoing efforts to unlock value, with options discussed including minority sales, outright sales, or spin-offs to narrow valuation gaps.

  • MSG Sports holds meaningful weights in several ETFs, implying potential ETF-flow-driven buying or selling pressure.

Summary based on 35 sources


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