Own the Stage, Not the Show
Tara Baumgarten
@taralifbaum
−2.0%
since Sep 30
The idea
I believe live experiences are the last thing people reliably leave the house for, so the money flows to whoever owns the stage, not the show. This basket holds the venues themselves, the leagues and teams whose rights keep getting scarcer, the betting and data layer that grows with every crowd, and the companies that build and feed those rooms, spread across many names rather than betting on one. I keep a small cash reserve to add on dips and plan to hold this for a decade, only rethinking it if people start spending less on going out.
What it owns
- Venue owners collect from every event that passes through, regardless of who performs or competes, turning scarcity of iconic locations into durable revenue. · Madison Square Garden EntertainmentOwns Madison Square Garden and sister venues, collecting revenue from every event that sells out, with returns tied only to attendance and per-event pricing., VICI PropertiesHolds long-term real estate leases on major entertainment destinations like Caesars Palace, collecting rising rent as travel for live experiences expands., Ryman Hospitality PropertiesOwns the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium and surrounding hotels, capturing revenue from tickets, rooms and events as country music tourism stays strong., Sphere EntertainmentOperates a distinctive venue where the building itself is the attraction, with returns driven by seating capacity, residency bookings and geographic expansion., Churchill DownsOwns the Kentucky Derby and regional gaming venues, collecting revenue from an irreplaceable annual event and growing gaming operations.31%
- Major leagues and franchises cannot be replicated and grow more valuable as media rights reprice higher and live attendance remains the largest audience draw. · TKO Group HoldingsOperates UFC and WWE as global touring live events while media rights fees reprice higher, capturing both attendance and broadcasting value., Liberty Media Formula OneOwns Formula One, where cities pay hosting fees for races, generating value from scarce live spectacles as attendance and media rights grow., Madison Square Garden SportsOwns the Knicks and Rangers, franchises that cannot be relocated and fill venues regardless of sport, benefiting from rising ticket demand in a major market., Atlanta Braves HoldingsOwns the Atlanta Braves and The Battery mixed-use district, earning from both game attendance and rising foot traffic and rent in the surrounding development., Manchester UnitedA globally recognized football club with scarce asset status, generating value from matchday attendance, commercial deals and global brand reach.31%
- Sports data and betting operators earn more revenue each time larger crowds attend live events, creating a direct link between attendance and their earnings. · Flutter EntertainmentOperates FanDuel, the largest US sportsbook, earning more revenue as live sports attendance grows and betting volume expands., DraftKingsRuns a major US sportsbook with earnings tied to growing customer acquisition and profitability as more states legalize sports betting., Sportradar GroupSupplies live data to betting and broadcasting platforms, earning a share of every live game that draws viewers and bettors., Genius SportsHolds official data rights with major leagues, converting live attendance into recurring fees that grow with betting volume and rights renewals.16%
- Companies that design stadiums, serve food and install displays benefit as venues expand and upgrade to keep the live experience superior to watching remotely. · AramarkOperates food and beverage inside hundreds of stadiums and arenas, earning more as attendance rises and venue contracts expand., AECOMDesigns and builds stadiums and arenas, with backlog and project flow dependent on continued venue construction and renovation spending., DaktronicsManufactures scoreboards and video displays installed in upgraded venues, with order flow dependent on ongoing spending to enhance the live experience.14%
- Cash8%