Liberty Media Corporation Reports First Quarter 2022 Financial Results

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Liberty Media Corporation (“Liberty Media” or “Liberty”) (NASDAQ: LSXMA, LSXMB, LSXMK, FWONA, FWONK, BATRA, BATRK) today reported first quarter 2022 results. Headlines include⁽¹⁾:

• Attributed to Liberty SiriusXM Group
  • SiriusXM reported first quarter 2022 financial results
    • Revenue in first quarter 2022 of $2.19 billion; increase of 6% year-over-year
    • First quarter 2022 net income climbed to $309 million; diluted EPS of $0.08
    • Adjusted EBITDA⁽²⁾ of $690 million, increase of 1% year-over-year
    • Year-to-date capital returns to SiriusXM stockholders of $1.3 billion
    • SiriusXM reiterated full-year subscriber and financial guidance on April 28^th
  • Liberty Media’s ownership of SiriusXM was 81.4% as of April 26^th
  • From February 1^st through April 30^th, Liberty repurchased 3.9 million LSXMA/K shares at an average price per share of $47.06 for total cash consideration of $182 million
• Attributed to Formula One Group
  • Announced Las Vegas Grand Prix beginning 2023
    • F1 and Liberty Media will act as promoter for race
  • Announced multiple new sponsorship agreements, including Salesforce, MSC Cruises and Lenovo
  • Secured race promotion contract with Imola until 2025
  • Extended broadcast partnerships with Foxtel Group in Australia and Canal+ in France
  • From February 1^st through April 30^th, Liberty repurchased 348 thousand FWONA shares at an average price per share of $56.14 for total cash consideration of $20 million
• Attributed to Braves Group
  • Completed sale of minor league teams in January 2022, with teams remaining affiliates of the Braves for future player development
  • Announced planned construction of new office building for relocated national headquarters of Truist Securities under 15-year lease
• Authorized committee of Liberty Media’s Board of Directors increased remaining repurchase authorization by $1 billion on May 4^th

“SiriusXM produced robust financial results while navigating well through challenging macroeconomic conditions and supply chain issues. Live Nation continues to experience record-breaking demand which it is matching with compelling live experiences. The powerful allure of Formula 1 continues, and we were excited to announce that the Las Vegas Grand Prix will join the calendar in November 2023,” said Greg Maffei, Liberty Media President and CEO. “We were pleased that a new CBA was reached, and the World Series Champion Atlanta Braves returned to the field in April and expect to play a full 162-game season.”

Discussion of Results

Unless otherwise noted, the following discussion compares financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2022 to the same period in 2021.

LIBERTY SIRIUSXM GROUP – The following table provides the financial results attributed to Liberty SiriusXM Group for the first quarter of 2022. In the first quarter, approximately $9 million of corporate level selling, general and administrative expense (including stock-based compensation expense) was allocated to the Liberty SiriusXM Group.

		1Q21				1Q22				% Change
		amounts in millions
Liberty SiriusXM Group
Revenue
SiriusXM		$	2,058			$	2,186			6	%
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group		$	2,058			$	2,186			6	%
Operating Income (Loss)
SiriusXM			237				493			108	%
Corporate and other			(8	)			(9	)		(13	)%
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group		$	229			$	484			111	%
Adjusted OIBDA(2)
SiriusXM			682				690			1	%
Corporate and other			(5	)			(5	)		—	%
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group		$	677			$	685			1	%

SiriusXM is a separate publicly traded company and additional information about SiriusXM can be obtained through its website and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. SiriusXM reported its stand-alone first quarter results on April 28, 2022. For additional detail on SiriusXM’s financial results for the first quarter, please see SiriusXM’s earnings release posted to its Investor Relations website. For presentation purposes on page one of this release, we include the results of SiriusXM, as reported by SiriusXM, without regard to the purchase accounting adjustments applied by us for purposes of our financial statements. Liberty Media believes the presentation of financial results as reported by SiriusXM is useful to investors as the comparability of those results is best understood in the context of SiriusXM’s historical financial presentation.

The businesses and assets attributed to Liberty SiriusXM Group consist primarily of Liberty Media’s interests in SiriusXM, which includes its subsidiary Pandora, and Live Nation.

FORMULA ONE GROUP – The following table provides the financial results attributed to the Formula One Group for the first quarter of 2022. In the first quarter, the Formula One Group incurred approximately $14 million of corporate level selling, general and administrative expense (including stock-based compensation expense).

“We’ve had a phenomenal start to the 2022 Formula 1 season, building on our momentum from a successful 2021. The new cars and regulations are delivering as we had hoped, enabling closer racing, more overtaking, battles through the field and thrilling results. Our events are attracting growing audiences both in person and across all our platforms,” said Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1 President and CEO. “We were pleased to announce multiple new sponsors around the start of the season, especially in the technology space. We are thrilled to debut the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix this weekend!”

		1Q21				1Q22
		amounts in millions
Formula One Group
Revenue
Formula 1		$	180			$	360
Total Formula One Group		$	180			$	360
Operating Income (Loss)
Formula 1		$	(33	)		$	34
Corporate and other			(14	)			(15	)
Total Formula One Group		$	(47	)		$	19
Adjusted OIBDA
Formula 1		$	66			$	122
Corporate and other			(7	)			(10	)
Total Formula One Group		$	59			$	112

The following table provides the operating results of Formula 1 (“F1”).

F1 Operating Results
		1Q21				1Q22				% Change
		amounts in millions
Primary Formula 1 revenue		$	159			$	287			81	%
Other Formula 1 revenue			21				73			248	%
Total Formula 1 revenue		$	180			$	360			100	%
Operating expenses (excluding stock-based compensation included below):
Team payments			(44	)			(100	)		(127	)%
Other cost of Formula 1 revenue			(40	)			(95	)		(138	)%
Cost of Formula 1 revenue		$	(84	)		$	(195	)		(132	)%
Selling, general and administrative expenses			(30	)			(43	)		(43	)%
Adjusted OIBDA		$	66			$	122			85	%
Stock-based compensation			(3	)			—			NM
Depreciation and Amortization			(96	)			(88	)		8	%
Operating income (loss)		$	(33	)		$	34			NM
Number of races in period			1				2

Primary F1 revenue represents the majority of F1’s revenue and is derived from (i) race promotion revenue, (ii) media rights fees and (iii) sponsorship fees.

There were two races held in the first quarter of 2022, compared to one race held in the first quarter of 2021. Throughout 2021 and particularly in the first half of the season, attendance at races was limited due to the pandemic, and the Paddock Club did not operate in the first half. F1 does not expect its results in 2022 to be impacted by such capacity limitations, though fan attendance continues to be assessed by relevant government authorities on a race-by-race basis. There are currently 22 events scheduled in 2022 following the cancellation of the Russian Grand Prix and F1 is actively evaluating alternatives.

Primary F1 revenue increased in the first quarter with growth across race promotion, media rights and sponsorship. All three primary F1 revenue streams grew due to the higher recognition of race specific and season-based income with two races held in the first quarter of 2022 compared to one race in the prior year period. Media rights also increased due to growth in F1 TV subscription revenue and fees under new and renewed contractual agreements. Race promotion revenue in the first quarter of 2021 included proceeds from a one-time settlement related to the cancellation of a race originally scheduled to commence in 2020. Sponsorship revenue also increased in the first quarter due to the recognition of revenue from new sponsors.

Other F1 revenue increased in the first quarter primarily due to the impact of one additional race held in the current year and a greater scope of activities able to be undertaken compared to the pandemic-affected first quarter of 2021. The increase was also driven by higher hospitality revenue generated from the Paddock Club, which operated at both races in the first quarter of 2022 but was unable to operate in the prior year period.

Operating income and adjusted OIBDA increased in the first quarter. Cost of F1 revenue increased compared to the prior year due to the impact of the pro rata recognition of team payments across the race season with one additional race held. Other cost of F1 revenue is largely variable in nature and mostly relates to revenue opportunities. These costs increased in the first quarter driven by the costs associated with two races having taken place compared to one in the prior year period combined with higher freight costs. Selling, general and administrative expense increased in the first quarter due to higher personnel and IT costs and increased legal and other advisory fees.

The Liberty SiriusXM Group holds an approximate 2.2% intergroup interest (5.3 million notional shares) in the Formula One Group as of April 30, 2022. These shares are not included in the outstanding share count of Formula One Group in Liberty Media’s most recent Form 10-Q. Assuming the issuance of the shares underlying this intergroup interest, the Formula One Group outstanding share count as of April 30, 2022 would have been 237 million.

The businesses and assets attributed to the Formula One Group consist of Liberty Media’s subsidiary F1, its interest in Liberty Media Acquisition Corporation, other minority investments and an inter-group interest in the Braves Group.

BRAVES GROUP – The following table provides the financial results attributed to the Braves Group for the first quarter of 2022. In the first quarter, approximately $3 million of corporate level selling, general and administrative expense (including stock-based compensation expense) was allocated to the Braves Group.

		1Q21				1Q22
		amounts in millions
Braves Group
Revenue
Corporate and other		$	16			$	23
Operating Income (Loss)
Corporate and other		$	(40	)		$	(40	)
Adjusted OIBDA
Corporate and other		$	(22	)		$	(19	)

The following table provides the operating results of Braves Holdings, LLC (“Braves”).

		1Q21				1Q22				% Change
		amounts in millions
Baseball revenue		$	7			$	11			57	%
Development revenue			9				12			33	%
Total revenue			16				23			44	%
Operating expenses (excluding stock-based compensation included below):
Other operating expenses			(20	)			(23	)		(15	)%
Selling, general and administrative expenses			(16	)			(17	)		(6	)%
Adjusted OIBDA		$	(20	)		$	(17	)		(15	)%
Stock-based compensation			(2	)			(2	)		—	%
Depreciation and Amortization			(15	)			(18	)		(20	)%
Operating income (loss)		$	(37	)		$	(37	)		—	%
Number of home games in period			—				—

Baseball revenue is comprised of (i) ballpark operations (ticket sales, concessions, corporate sales, retail, suites, premium seat fees and postseason), (ii) local broadcast rights and (iii) shared Major League Baseball revenue streams, including national broadcast rights and licensing. Development revenue is derived from the Battery Atlanta mixed-use facilities and primarily includes rental income.

In December 2021, the Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”), which requires MLB clubs to sign players using a uniform contract, expired and MLB commenced a lockout of the Major League players. As a result of the lockout, the start of the 2022 regular season was delayed and the number of spring training games played was reduced. A new five-year Collective Bargaining Agreement was signed in March 2022 and the regular season began in April. Despite the delayed start of the 2022 season, a full 162-game schedule is expected to be played.

There were no home games played in the first quarter of 2022 or the prior year period. The first Braves game of the 2022 regular season was played on April 7^th at full capacity. The 2021 regular season began with fans in attendance at 33% capacity for the first home game beginning April 9^th, which increased to 50% capacity beginning April 23^rd and further expanded to full capacity beginning May 7^th.

Baseball revenue increased in the first quarter due to increased capacity at spring training games, additional special events held at the ballpark, World Series related retail revenue and an increase in licensing revenue. Development revenue increased during the first quarter due to a reduction in deferred payment arrangements and increases in rental income from various new lease commencements.

Operating loss was flat and adjusted OIBDA loss improved in the first quarter. Revenue growth more than offset increased operating costs due to more normalized levels of facility and spring training game day expenses. Selling, general and administrative expense increased primarily due to increased personnel costs, including commissions for ticket sales due to higher demand.

The Formula One Group holds an approximate 11.0% intergroup interest (6.8 million notional shares) and the Liberty SiriusXM Group holds an approximate 3.7% intergroup interest (2.3 million notional shares) in the Braves Group as of April 30, 2022. These shares are not included in the outstanding share count of the Braves Group in Liberty Media’s most recent Form 10-Q. Assuming the issuance of the shares underlying these intergroup interests, the Braves Group outstanding share count as of April 30, 2022 would have been 62 million.

The businesses and assets attributed to the Braves Group consist primarily of Liberty Media’s subsidiary the Braves, which indirectly owns the Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball Club and certain assets and liabilities associated with the Braves’ ballpark and mixed-use development project.

Share Repurchases

From February 1, 2022 through April 30, 2022, Liberty SiriusXM Group repurchased approximately 1.7 million Series C Liberty SiriusXM shares (Nasdaq: LSXMK) at an average cost per share of $46.89 for total cash consideration of $81 million and repurchased approximately 2.1 million Series A Liberty SiriusXM shares (Nasdaq: LSXMA) at an average cost per share of $47.20 for total cash consideration of $101 million.

From February 1, 2022 through April 30, 2022, Formula One Group repurchased approximately 348 thousand Series A Liberty Formula One shares (Nasdaq: FWONA) at an average cost per share of $56.14 for total cash consideration of $20 million.

On May 4, 2022, a duly authorized committee of Liberty Media’s Board of Directors increased the remaining repurchase authorization by $1 billion. The total remaining repurchase authorization for Liberty Media as of May 4, 2022 is $1.2 billion and can be applied to repurchases of Series A and Series C shares of any of the Liberty Media Corporation tracking stocks.

FOOTNOTES

1)		Liberty Media will discuss these headlines and other matters on Liberty Media’s earnings conference call that will begin at 10:00 a.m. (E.D.T.) on May 6, 2022. For information regarding how to access the call, please see “Important Notice” later in this document.
2)		For definitions of Adjusted OIBDA (as defined by Liberty Media) and adjusted EBITDA (as defined by SiriusXM) and applicable reconciliations see the accompanying schedules.

NOTES

The following financial information with respect to Liberty Media’s equity affiliates and available for sale securities is intended to supplement Liberty Media’s condensed consolidated balance sheet and statement of operations to be included in its Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2022.

Fair Value of Corporate Public Holdings
(amounts in millions)		12/31/2021				3/31/2022
Liberty SiriusXM Group
Live Nation Investment(a)		$	8,336			$	8,193
Other Monetizable Public Holdings(b)			50				—
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group		$	8,386			$	8,193
Formula One Group
Other Monetizable Public Holdings(b)			167				162
Total Formula One Group		$	167			$	162
Braves Group			N/A				N/A
Total Liberty Media		$	8,553			$	8,355

____________________
a)		Represents the fair value of the equity investment in Live Nation. In accordance with GAAP, Liberty Media accounts for its investment in the equity of Live Nation using the equity method of accounting and includes it in its condensed consolidated balance sheet at $89 million and $72 million as of December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, respectively.
b)		Represents the carrying value of other public holdings that are accounted for at fair value. Excludes intergroup interests.

Fair Value of Intergroup Assets and Liabilities

The intergroup interests represent quasi-equity interests which are not represented by outstanding shares of common stock; rather, the Formula One Group and Liberty SiriusXM Group have attributed interests in the Braves Group, which are generally stated in terms of a number of shares of Liberty Braves common stock, and the Liberty SiriusXM Group also has an attributed interest in the Formula One Group, which is generally stated in terms of a number of shares of Liberty Formula One common stock. Each reporting period, the notional shares representing the intergroup interests are marked to fair value. The changes in fair value are recorded in the unrealized gain (loss) on the intergroup interest line item in the unaudited attributed condensed consolidated statements of operations. The intergroup interests will remain outstanding until the redemption of the outstanding interests, at the discretion of Liberty Media’s Board of Directors, through transfer of securities, cash and/or other assets from the Braves Group or Formula One Group, respectively, to the respective tracking stock group.

		Attributed
		as of March 31, 2022
		Liberty														Formula
		SiriusXM							Braves							One
		Group							Group							Group
(amounts in millions)		Notional Shares				Value			Notional Shares				Value			Notional Shares				Value
Braves Group intergroup interests		2.3			$	67			(9.1	)		$	(256	)		6.8			$	189
Formula One Group intergroup interest		5.3			$	332										(5.3	)		$	(332	)

Cash and Debt

The following presentation is provided to separately identify cash and debt information.

(amounts in millions)		12/31/2021				3/31/2022
Cash and Cash Equivalents Attributable to:
Liberty SiriusXM Group(a)		$	598			$	710
Formula One Group(b)			2,074				2,265
Braves Group(c)			142				311
Total Consolidated Cash and Cash Equivalents (GAAP)		$	2,814			$	3,286
Debt:
SiriusXM senior notes(d)		$	8,750			$	8,750
Pandora convertible senior notes			193				193
1.375% cash convertible notes due 2023(e)			1,000				1,000
2.125% SiriusXM exchangeable senior debentures due 2048(e)			400				388
2.25% Live Nation exchangeable senior debentures due 2048(e)			385				—
2.75% SiriusXM exchangeable senior debentures due 2049(e)			604				586
0.5% Live Nation exchangeable senior debentures due 2050(e)			920				920
SiriusXM margin loan			875				875
Live Nation margin loan			—				250
Other subsidiary debt(f)			—				981
Total Attributed Liberty SiriusXM Group Debt		$	13,127			$	13,943
Unamortized discount, fair market value adjustment and deferred loan costs			1,135				738
Total Attributed Liberty SiriusXM Group Debt (GAAP)		$	14,262			$	14,681
1% cash convertible notes due 2023(e)			386				386
Formula 1 term loan and revolving credit facility			2,902				2,902
Other corporate level debt			69				68
Total Attributed Formula One Group Debt		$	3,357			$	3,356
Fair market value adjustment			274				339
Total Attributed Formula One Group Debt (GAAP)		$	3,631			$	3,695
Formula 1 leverage(g)			4.4x				3.7x
Atlanta Braves debt			700				678
Total Attributed Braves Group Debt		$	700			$	678
Deferred loan costs			(3	)			(3	)
Total Attributed Braves Group Debt (GAAP)		$	697			$	675
Total Liberty Media Corporation Debt (GAAP)		$	18,590			$	19,051

____________________
a)		Includes $191 million and $76 million of cash held at SiriusXM as of December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, respectively.
b)		Includes $709 million and $835 million of cash held at Formula 1 as of December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, respectively.
c)		Excludes restricted cash held in reserves pursuant to the terms of various financial obligations of $102 million and $26 million as of December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2022, respectively.
d)		Outstanding principal amount of Senior Notes with no reduction for the net unamortized discount.
e)		Face amount of the cash convertible notes and exchangeable debentures with no fair market value adjustment.
f)		Includes SiriusXM revolving credit facility.
g)		Net debt to covenant OIBDA ratio of F1 operating business as defined in F1’s credit facilities for covenant calculations.

Liberty Media, SiriusXM, Formula 1 and Braves Holdings are in compliance with their debt covenants as of March 31, 2022.

Total cash and cash equivalents attributed to Liberty SiriusXM Group increased $112 million in the first quarter as cash from operations, net borrowings at SiriusXM and the disposition of marketable securities more than offset return of capital at both SiriusXM and Liberty SiriusXM Group and net debt repayment at Liberty SiriusXM. Included in the cash and cash equivalents balance attributed to Liberty SiriusXM Group at March 31, 2022 is $76 million held at SiriusXM. Although SiriusXM is a consolidated subsidiary, it is a separate public company with a non-controlling interest, therefore Liberty Media does not have ready access to SiriusXM’s cash balance.

On February 1, 2022, SiriusXM announced they would pay a special cash dividend of $0.25 per share for an aggregate dividend of approximately $1 billion. The payment date of the special cash dividend was February 25, 2022, and Liberty SiriusXM received approximately $770 million of proceeds, net of extraordinary cash distributions of approximately $12 million paid to holders of its 2.125% SiriusXM exchangeable senior debentures due 2048 and approximately $18 million paid to holders of its 2.75% SiriusXM exchangeable senior debentures due 2049. Liberty SiriusXM Group received a total of $872 million in gross dividends from SiriusXM during the first quarter, including $70 million of proceeds from the regular quarterly dividend as well as the special cash dividend received in February.

Total debt attributed to Liberty SiriusXM Group increased $816 million during the quarter due to SiriusXM borrowing under its revolving credit facility, partially offset by net debt repayment at Liberty SiriusXM.

In October 2021, Liberty Media issued a notice of redemption in full for the 2.25% Live Nation exchangeable senior debentures due 2048 on or before December 1, 2021. All holders exercised their right to exchange the debentures in the fourth quarter. On January 21, 2022, the exchanges of debentures were settled in cash for $664 million funded with cash on hand and incremental borrowing under Liberty’s margin loan facilities.

Total cash and cash equivalents attributed to the Formula One Group increased $191 million during the quarter due to cash from operations at F1 and short-term marketable securities which matured during the quarter and are now reflected in cash equivalents. Total debt at Formula One Group was flat in the first quarter.

Total cash and cash equivalents attributed to the Braves Group increased $169 million during the quarter as net debt repayment was more than offset by proceeds from the minor league sale and cash from operations, including the release of restricted cash held in reserves pursuant to the terms of various financial obligations.

Contacts

Courtnee Chun, (720) 875-5420

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