BATRA

Atlanta Braves Holdings ($BATRA) Chairman John Malone Accumulates $2.85 Million in Shares Amid Market Plunge

04/10/2025 20:08

As U.S. markets tumbled following President Trump's tariff policy announcement, Atlanta Braves Holdings Inc ($BATRA) major shareholder John C. Malone has drawn investor attention with his substantial stock purchases. Malone acquired a total of 70,636 shares worth approximately $2.85 million during April 8-9, 2025. What's particularly noteworthy is that these purchases coincided with a significant market downturn, when the Dow Jones dropped 350 points and the S&P 500 approached bear market territory following Trump's import tariff announcement. This recent buying activity continues Malone's consistent accumulation pattern in 2025. Between January 22-29, he purchased 80,530 shares (approximately $3.34 million), and added another 4,618 shares (about $190,000) in mid-March. This sequential buying behavior suggests strong confidence in the company's long-term value proposition. $BATRA owns and operates the Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball team along with Truist Park stadium and The Battery Atlanta mixed-use development complex. On April 2, 2025, the company announced the acquisition of the Pennant Park office complex adjacent to The Battery Atlanta, signaling business expansion efforts. The company's stock price fell approximately 8% from $43.32 on April 4 to $39.85 on April 8 following Trump's tariff policy announcement, before rebounding 6.7% to $42.51 on April 9 when Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs. Malone's substantial purchases were concentrated during this price dip and just before the recovery, making them particularly notable. The Atlanta Braves also maintains the distinction of being the only MLB team to preserve its broadcasting contract with Diamond Sports Group, which filed for bankruptcy protection last year and terminated agreements with most other MLB teams. This ensures stable media revenue for the franchise. However, $BATRA's financial situation presents some concerns. While trailing twelve-month revenue reached $662.75 million, the company reported a net loss of $31.27 million, indicating profitability challenges. Additionally, its $730.25 million debt load and 136.19% debt-to-equity ratio raise questions about financial stability. On the positive side, high institutional ownership (75.24%) and consistent "buy" recommendations from market analysts provide encouraging signals. Analysts have set a 12-month price target of $59 for $BATRA, suggesting significant upside potential from current levels. Interestingly, on December 12, 2024, multiple Executive Vice Presidents including Gregory Heller, Michael Plant, and Jill Robinson collectively sold over 70,000 shares worth approximately $2.9 million. This collective selling by senior executives contrasts sharply with the major shareholder's recent large purchases. $BATRA's business model combines American baseball operations with mixed-use development, seeking growth through both sports business and real estate development. The Battery Atlanta and the recently acquired Pennant Park represent strategic efforts to secure steady revenue streams independent of the baseball season. Malone's consecutive large stock purchases can be interpreted as a strong vote of confidence in $BATRA's long-term growth potential despite market uncertainties. However, improvements in profitability and debt management will likely be crucial factors for future stock appreciation.

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