The Braves brought in revenue of $176M in Q2, a 34% increase from $131M "in the same period last year," according to a Liberty Media financial report cited by Tim Tucker of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. Expenses also were "up sharply," but the Braves' operating profit before depreciation and amortization rose to $27M for the quarter, compared with $12M "in the same period last year." Liberty Media yesterday said, "The increase in Braves revenue in the quarter was primarily attributable to ... the Braves' move to their new ballpark, SunTrust Park, and improved on-field performance." Tucker notes the revenue increase "would have been larger if not for a scheduling disparity." The Braves had 40 home games in the April-through-June period this season, versus 44 "in the same period last year at Turner Field." Liberty President & CEO Greg Maffei said that the team's average home attendance "had increased" 36% through Monday, compared with the same point last season. But Tucker notes after depreciation and amortization, the Braves "showed a loss" of $3M for Q2. Liberty Media CFO Mark Carleton yesterday said that the Braves "carried debt" of $511M as of June 30. Liberty Media said the team's debt increased by $91M in Q2 "primarily as a result of additional borrowings for funding the ballpark and mixed use development" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 8/10).
