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Arena Group Holdings, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2022 June (Form 10-Q)

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2022

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from __________ to __________

 

Commission file number 1-12471

 

THE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   68-0232575

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

     

200 Vesey Street, 24th Floor

New York, New York

  10281
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(212) 321-5002

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value   AREN   NYSE American

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YesNo

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). YesNo

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Large accelerated filer ☐   Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer   Smaller reporting company
    Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicated by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes or No

 

As of August 9, 2022, the Registrant had 17,844,379 shares of common stock outstanding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page

Number

   
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION 4
   
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 4
   
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 30
   
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 41
   
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 41
   
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION 42
   
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 42
   
Item 1A. Risk Factors 42
   
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 42
   
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 42
   
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 42
   
Item 5. Other Information 42
   
Item 6. Exhibits 43
   
SIGNATURES 44

 

2

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Quarterly Report”) of The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us”) contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and include, without limitation, statements concerning our business strategy, future revenues, market growth, capital requirements, product introductions, and expansion plans and the adequacy of our funding. Other statements contained in this Quarterly Report that are not historical facts are also forward-looking statements. We have tried, wherever possible, to identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” and other stylistic variants denoting forward-looking statements.

 

We caution investors that any forward-looking statements presented in this Quarterly Report, or that we may make orally or in writing from time to time, are based on information currently available, as well as our beliefs and assumptions. The actual outcome related to forward-looking statements will be affected by known and unknown risks, trends, uncertainties, and factors that are beyond our control or ability to predict. Although we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, they are not guarantees of future performance, and some will inevitably prove to be incorrect. As a result, our actual future results can be expected to differ from our expectations, and those differences may be material. Accordingly, investors should use caution in relying on forward-looking statements, which are based only on known results and trends at the time they are made, to anticipate future results or trends. We detail other risks in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including in Item 1A., Risk Factors, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. The discussion in this Quarterly Report should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

This Quarterly Report and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Quarterly Report except as may be required by law.

 

3

 

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

THE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Index to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

  PAGE
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - June 30, 2022 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2021 5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 6
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficiency (Unaudited) - Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 7
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 9
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 10

 

4

 

 

THE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

           
  

June 30, 2022

(unaudited)

   December 31,
2021
 
   ($ in thousands, except share data) 
Assets          
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $14,839   $9,349 
Restricted cash   502    502 
Accounts receivable, net   34,450    21,660 
Subscription acquisition costs, current portion   28,603    30,162 
Royalty fees   3,750    11,250 
Prepayments and other current assets   4,863    4,748 
Total current assets   87,007    77,671 
Property and equipment, net   832    636 
Operating lease right-of-use assets   455    528 
Platform development, net   10,240    9,299 
Subscription acquisition costs, net of current portion   7,651    8,235 
Acquired and other intangible assets, net   56,221    57,356 
Other long-term assets   626    639 
Goodwill   23,416    19,619 
Total assets  $186,448   $173,983 
Liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders’ deficiency          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $19,733   $11,982 
Accrued expenses and other   18,579    24,011 
Line of credit   7,808    11,988 
Unearned revenue   60,907    54,030 
Subscription refund liability   2,394    3,087 
Operating lease liabilities   400    374 
Liquidated damages payable   5,497    5,197 
Current portion of long-term debt   5,873    5,744 
Total current liabilities   121,191    116,413 
Unearned revenue, net of current portion   12,591    15,277 
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion   579    785 
Liquidating damages payable, net of current portion   -    7,008 
Other long-term liabilities   7,108    7,556 
Deferred tax liabilities   389    362 
Long-term debt   65,179    64,373 
Total liabilities   207,037    211,774 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)   -      
Mezzanine equity:          
Series G redeemable and convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, $1,000 per share liquidation value and 1,800 shares designated; aggregate liquidation value: $168; Series G shares issued and outstanding: 168; common shares issuable upon conversion: 8,582 at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021   168    168 
Series H convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, $1,000 per share liquidation value and 23,000 shares designated; aggregate liquidation value: $14,556 and $15,066; Series H shares issued and outstanding: 14,556 and 15,066; common shares issuable upon conversion: 2,008,728 and 2,075,200 at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively   13,207    13,718 
Total mezzanine equity   13,375    13,886 
Stockholders’ deficiency:          
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 17,827,526 and 12,632,947 shares at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively   178    126 
Common stock to be issued   -    - 
Additional paid-in capital   258,727    200,410 
Accumulated deficit   (292,869)   (252,213)
Total stockholders’ deficiency   (33,964)   (51,677)
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders’ deficiency  $186,448   $173,983 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

5

 

 

THE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited)

 

                     
  

Three Months Ended
June 30,

  

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 
   2022   2021   2022   2021 
   ($ in thousands, except share data) 
Revenue  $65,075   $34,746   $113,318   $68,361 
Cost of revenue (includes amortization of developed technology and platform development for three months ended 2022 and 2021 of $2,375 and $2,157, respectively and for the six months ended 2022 and 2021 of $4,686 and $4,324, respectively)   46,729    25,307    75,226    51,049 
Gross profit   18,346    9,439    38,092    17,312 
Operating expenses                    
Selling and marketing   19,307    16,202    36,523    31,340 
General and administrative   15,964    12,535    29,478    23,030 
Depreciation and amortization   4,444    3,964    8,646    7,927 
Loss on impairment of assets   -    -    257    - 
Total operating expenses   39,715    32,701    74,904    62,297 
Loss from operations   (21,369)   (23,262)   (36,812)   (44,985)
Other (expense) income                    
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities   -    360    -    (305)
Interest expense, net   (2,506)   (2,363)   (5,326)   (5,183)
Liquidated damages   (128)   (1,109)   (300)   (1,364)
Gain upon debt extinguishment   -    5,717    -    5,717 
Total other (expense) income   (2,634)   2,605    (5,626)   (1,135)
Loss before income taxes   (24,003)   (20,657)   (42,438)   (46,120)
Income taxes   1,796    -    1,782    - 
Net loss  $(22,207)  $(20,657)  $(40,656)  $(46,120)
Basic and diluted net loss per common share  $(1.22)  $(1.88)  $(2.41)  $(4.30)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted   18,258,890    11,012,866    16,847,920    10,737,555 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

6

 

 

THE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY
(unaudited)

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2022

 

                             
   Common Stock   Common Stock to be Issued   Additional Paid-in   Accumulated   Total Stockholders’ 
   Shares   Par Value   Shares   Par Value   Capital   Deficit   Deficiency 
   ($ in thousands, except share data) 
Balance at January 1, 2022   12,632,947   $             126    49,134   $                   -   $200,410   $(252,213)  $(51,677)
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of series H preferred stock   70,380    1    -    -    510    -    511 
Issuance of common stock for restricted stock units in connection with an acquisition   16,760    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Issuance of common stock in connection with professional services   14,617    -    -    -    184    -    184 
Issuance of common stock in connection with settlement of liquidated damages   505,671    5    -    -    6,680    -    6,685 
Gain upon issuance of common stock in connection with settlement of liquidated damages   -    -    -    -    323    -    323 
Issuance of common stock for restricted stock units   155,211    2    -    -    (2)   -    - 
Common stock withheld for taxes upon issuance of underlying shares for restricted stock units   (67,023)   (1)   -    -    (555)   -    (556)
Repurchase restricted stock classified as liabilities   (8,064)   -    -    -    -    -    - 
Issuance of common stock in connection with public offering   4,181,603    42    -    -    30,448    -    30,490 
Stock-based compensation   -    -    -    -    8,054    -    8,054 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    -    (18,449)   (18,449)
Balance at March 31, 2022   17,502,102    175    49,134    -    246,052    (270,662)   (24,435)
Issuance of common stock in connection with the acquisition of Athlon   314,103    3    -    -    3,138    -    3,141 
Issuance of common stock for restricted stock units   21,600    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Repurchase of restricted stock classified as liabilities   (18,150)   -    -    -    -    -    - 
Issuance of common stock in connection with Say Media merger   7,851    -    (7,851)   -    -    -    - 
Issuance of common stock upon cashless exercise of stock option   20    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Stock-based compensation   -    -    -    -    9,537    -    9,537 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    -    (22,207)   (22,207)
Balance at June 30, 2022   17,827,526   $178    41,283   $-   $258,727   $(292,869)  $(33,964)

 

7

 

 

THE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY

(unaudited)

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

 

   Common Stock   Common Stock to be Issued   Additional Paid-in   Accumulated   Total
Stockholders’
 
   Shares   Par Value   Shares   Par Value   Capital   Deficit   Deficiency 
   ($ in thousands, except share data) 
Balance at January 1, 2021   10,412,963   $             104    49,134   $                   -   $141,856   $(162,273)  $              (20,313)
Issuance of restricted stock awards to the board of directors   36,599    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Repurchase restricted stock classified as liabilities   (6,049)   -    -    -    -    -    - 
Issuance of common stock for restricted stock units in connection with an acquisition   11,667    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Issuance of common stock in connection with professional services   14,205    -    -    -    125    -    125 
Stock-based compensation   -    -    -    -    5,408    -    5,408 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    -    (25,463)   (25,463)
Balance at March 31, 2021   10,469,385   $104    49,134    -   $147,389   $(187,736)  $(40,243)
Issuance of restricted stock in connection with the acquisition of The Spun   194,806    2    -    -    (2)   -    - 
Issuance of restricted stock awards to the board of directors   3,735    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Cashless exercise of common stock   3,859    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Common stock withheld for taxes   (2,226)   -    -    -    (41)   -    (41)
Repurchase of restricted stock classified as liabilities   (6,049)   -    -    -    -    -    - 
Issuance of common stock in connection with private placement   1,299,027    13    -    -    19,825    -    19,838 
Stock-based compensation   -    -    -    -    8,666    -    8,666 
Net loss   -    -    -    -    -    (20,657)   (20,657)
Balance June 30, 2021   11,962,537   $119    49,134   $-   $175,837   $(208,393)  $(32,437)

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

8

 

 

THE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

 

           
   Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   2022   2021 
   ($ in thousands) 
Cash flows from operating activities          
Net loss  $(40,656)  $(46,120)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:          
Depreciation of property and equipment   245    220 
Amortization of platform development and intangible assets   13,087    12,031 
Gain upon debt extinguishment   -    (5,717)
Amortization of debt discounts   934    1,001 
Loss on impairments of assets   257    - 
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities   -    305 
Noncash and accrued interest   69    3,632 
Liquidated damages   300    1,364 
Stock-based compensation   16,466    13,215 
Deferred income taxes   (1,782)   - 
Other   469    (759)
Change in operating assets and liabilities net of effect of business combination:          
Accounts receivable   5    4,375 
Subscription acquisition costs   2,143    (13,784)
Royalty fees   7,500    7,500 
Prepayments and other current assets   264    (4,060)
Other long-term assets   13    (121)
Accounts payable   335    4 
Accrued expenses and other   (7,131)   1,714 
Unearned revenue   945    14,934 
Subscription refund liability   (693)   737 
Operating lease liabilities   (107)   (404)
Other long-term liabilities   (128)   - 
Net cash used in operating activities   (7,465)   (9,933)
Cash flows from investing activities          
Purchases of property and equipment   (379)   (182)
Capitalized platform development   (2,784)   (1,971)
Proceeds from sale of equity investment   2,450    - 
Payments for acquisition of business, net of cash acquired   (9,481)   (7,057)
Net cash used in investing activities   (10,194)   (9,210)
Cash flows from financing activities          
Borrowings (repayments) under line of credit   (4,180)   (2,249)
Proceeds from common stock public offering, net of offering costs   32,058    - 
Payments of issuance costs from common stock public offering   (1,568)   - 
Payment of The Spun deferred cash payment   (453)   - 
Proceeds from common stock private placement   -    20,005 
Payments of issuance costs from common stock private placement   -    (167)
Payment for taxes related to repurchase of restricted common stock   (556)   (41)
Payment of restricted stock liabilities   (2,152)   (716)
Net cash provided by financing activities   23,149    16,832 
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash   5,490    (2,311)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash – beginning of period   9,851    9,535 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash – end of period  $15,341   $7,224 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash          
Cash and cash equivalents  $14,839   $6,723 
Restricted cash   502    501 
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash  $15,341   $7,224 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information          
Cash paid for interest  $4,323   $289 
Cash paid for income taxes   -    - 
Noncash investing and financing activities          
Reclassification of stock-based compensation to platform development  $1,125   $859 
Issuance of common stock in connection with settlement of liquidated damages   7,008    - 
Issuance of common stock in connection with professional services   -    125 
Common stock issued in connection with acquisition of Athlon   3,141    - 
Deferred cash payments in connection with acquisition of Athlon   1,889    - 
Assumption of liabilities in connection with acquisition of Athlon   12,642    - 
Deferred cash payments in connection with acquisition of The Spun   -    1,639 
Assumption of liabilities in connection with acquisition of The Spun   -    2 
Conversion of Series H convertible preferred stock into common stock   511    - 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

9

 

 

THE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

($ in thousands, unless otherwise stated)

 

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. (formerly known as TheMaven, Inc.) and its wholly owned subsidiaries (“The Arena Group” or the “Company”), after eliminating all significant intercompany balances and transactions. The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements. The Company changed its corporate name to The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. from TheMaven, Inc. on February 8, 2022.

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for complete audited financial statements. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements, which are included in The Arena Group’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC as of April 1, 2022.

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2022, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, are unaudited but, in management’s opinion, include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of interim periods. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021, was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year.

 

The novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic impacted the Company less during the second quarter of 2022 than it did in 2021. During the initial onset of COVID-19, the Company faced significant change in its advertisers’ buying behavior. Since May 2020, however, there has been a steady recovery in the advertising market in both pricing and volume. This coupled with the return of professional and college sports yielded steady growth in revenues. Given that the Sports Illustrated media business relies on sporting events to generate content and comprises a material portion of the Company’s revenues, the cash flows and results of operations are susceptible to a widespread cancellation of sporting events or a general limitation of societal activity akin to what is widely known to have occurred in the Unites States and elsewhere during the 2020 calendar year and, to a lesser extent, during the 2021 calendar year. Future widespread shutdowns of in-person economic activity could have a material impact on the Company’s business. As a result of the Company’s advertising revenue declining in early 2021 caused by the widespread cancellations of sporting events, the Company is vulnerable to a risk of loss in the near term and it is at least reasonably possible that events or circumstances may occur that could cause an impact in the near term, depending on the actions taken to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

 

The Company operates in one reportable segment.

 

Reverse Stock Split

 

The Company effected a 1-for-22 reverse stock split as of February 9, 2022. The condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto give effect to such reverse stock split for all periods presented. The shares of common stock retained a par value of $0.01 per share. Accordingly, stockholders’ deficiency reflects the reverse stock split by reclassifying from “common stock” to “additional paid-in capital” in an amount equal to the par value of the decreased shares resulting from the reverse stock split. Any fractional shares that would otherwise be issued as a result of the reverse stock split were rounded up to the nearest whole share.

 

10

 

 

Use of Estimates

 

Preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to the allowance for credit losses, fair values of financial instruments, capitalization of platform development, intangible assets and goodwill, useful lives of intangible assets and property and equipment, income taxes, fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the business acquisitions, determination of the fair value of stock-based compensation and valuation of derivatives liabilities and contingent liabilities, among others. The Company bases its estimates on assumptions, both historical and forward looking, that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

 

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt – Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40), which updates various codification topics to simplify the accounting guidance for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, with a specific focus on convertible instruments and the derivative scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity and amends the diluted earnings per share computation for these instruments. On January 1, 2022, the Company adopted ASU 2020-06 with no material impact to its condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In May 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-04, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Debt-Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic 470-50), Compensation (Topic 718), and Derivatives and Hedging-Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Issuer’s Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options, a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF), to provide explicit guidance on accounting by issuers for modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options that remain equity classified after the modification or exchange. On January 1, 2022, the Company adopted ASU 2021-04 with no material impact to its condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures.

 

In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805), Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers, which requires an acquirer to account for revenue contracts acquired in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606 as if it had originated the contracts. The acquirer may assess how the acquiree applied Topic 606 to determine what to record for the acquired contracts. This update should lead to recognition and measurement consistent with what’s reported in the acquiree’s financial statements, provided that the acquiree prepared financial statements in accordance with GAAP. The new standard marks a change from current GAAP, under which assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination, including contract assets and contract liabilities arising from revenue contracts, are generally recognized at fair value at the acquisition date. On January 1, 2022, the Company adopted ASU 2021-08 with no material impact to its condensed financial position, results of operations or cash flows. This new accounting standard will be applied prospectively to business combinations.

 

11

 

 

Loss per Common Share

 

Basic loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and excludes any dilutive effects of common stock equivalent shares, such as stock options, restricted stock, and warrants. All restricted stock awards are considered outstanding but are included in the computation of basic loss per common share only when the restrictions expire, the shares are no longer forfeitable, and are thus vested. Restricted stock units are included in the computation of basic loss per common share only when the restrictions expire, the shares are no longer forfeitable, and are thus vested. Contingently issuable shares are included in basic loss per common share only when there are no circumstances under which those shares would not be issued. Diluted loss per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and common stock equivalent shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method.

 

The Company excluded the outstanding securities summarized below (capitalized terms are described herein), which entitle the holders thereof to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock, from its calculation of net loss per common share, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive. Common stock equivalent shares are excluded from the diluted calculations when a net loss is incurred as they would be anti-dilutive.

 

           
   As of June 30, 
   2022   2021 
Series G convertible preferred stock   8,582    8,582 
Series H Preferred Stock   2,008,728    2,699,312 
Restricted Stock Awards   97,402    202,003 
Financing Warrants   116,118    131,003 
ABG Warrants   999,540    999,540 
AllHipHop warrants   5,682    5,682 
Publisher Partner Warrants   16,174    35,889 
Equity Plans   7,890,027    7,601,168 
Outside Options   138,644    138,644 
Total   11,280,897    11,821,823 

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain prior quarter amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. These reclassifications were immaterial, both individually and in the aggregate. These changes did not impact previously reported loss from operations or net loss.

 

2. Acquisitions

 

2022 Acquisitions

 

Athlon Holdings, Inc. – On April 1, 2022, the Company acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Athlon Holdings, Inc., a Tennessee corporation (“Athlon”), for a preliminary purchase price of $17,115, as adjusted for the estimated working capital adjustment as of the closing date of the transaction. The purchase price is pending finalization of a working capital adjustment and deferred taxes and could be subject to further revision if additional information related to the fair value of the identifiable net assets become available. As a part of the closing consideration, the Company also acquired cash of $1,840, that was further adjusted post-closing for the working capital adjustment. The preliminary purchase price of $17,115, as discounted, is comprised of (i) a cash portion of $14,181, with $11,840 paid at closing and $2,341 estimated to be paid post-closing (as further described below) and (ii) the issuance of 314,103 shares of the Company’s common stock with a fair market value of $3,141. The number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued was determined based on a $3,000 value using the common stock trading price for the 10 trading days preceding the April 1, 2022 closing date. Certain of Athlon’s key employees entered into either advisory agreements or employment agreements with the Company. Athlon operates in the United States.

 

The amount estimated to be paid post-closing of $2,341 will be paid as follows: (i) $2,096 will be paid on the nine-month anniversary of the closing date, or January 1, 2023 (consisting of $3,000 for the deferred cash payments, as discounted, less a $904 cash adjustment); and (ii) $245 will be paid within two business days from the date the Company receives proceeds from the sale of all or a portion of the equity interest in Just Like Falling Off a Bike, LLC that was held by Athlon as of the closing date (this was paid on April 7, 2022).

 

12

 

 

The composition of the preliminary purchase price is as follows:

 

      
Cash  $12,085 
Common stock   3,141 
Deferred cash payments, as discounted   1,889 
Total purchase consideration  $17,115 

 

The Company incurred $200 in transaction costs related to the acquisition, which primarily consisted of legal and accounting expenses. The acquisition related expenses were recorded within general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

 

The preliminary purchase price allocation resulted in the following amounts being allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the closing date of the acquisition based upon their respective fair values as summarized below:

 

      
Cash  $2,604 
Accounts receivable   13,033 
Other current assets   379 
Equity investment   2,450 
Fixed assets   62 
Advertiser relationships   6,630 
Trade names   2,611 
Goodwill   3,797 
Accounts payable   (7,416)
Accrued expenses and other   (1,483)
Unearned revenue   (3,200)
Other long-term liabilities   (543)
Deferred tax liabilities   (1,809)
Net assets acquired  $17,115 

 

The Company utilized an independent appraisal firm to assist in the determination of the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, which required certain significant management assumptions and estimates. The fair values of the advertiser relationships were determined by projecting the acquired entity’s cash flows, deducting notional contributory asset charges on supporting assets (working capital, tangible assets, trade names, and the assembled workforce) to compute the excess cash flows associated with the advertiser relationships. The fair values of the trade names were determined by projecting revenue associated with each trade name and applying a royalty rate to compute the amount of the royalty payments the company is relieved from paying due to its ownership of the trade names. The estimated weighted average useful lives of the advertiser relationships are eight point seventy-five years (8.75 years) and trade names are fourteen point six years (14.60 years).

 

The excess of purchase price over the fair value amounts assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed represents goodwill from the acquisition. Goodwill is recorded as a non-current asset that is not amortized but is subject to an annual review for impairment. No portion of the goodwill will be deductible for tax purposes.

 

2021 Acquisitions

 

College Spun Media Incorporated – On June 4, 2021, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of College Spun Media Incorporated, a New Jersey corporation (“The Spun”), for an aggregate of $11,830 in cash and the issuance of an aggregate of 194,806 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, with one-half of the shares vesting on the first anniversary of the closing date and the remaining one-half of the shares vesting on the second anniversary of the closing date, subject to a customary working capital adjustment based on cash and accounts receivable as of the closing date. The cash payment consists of: (i) $10,830 paid at closing (of the cash paid at closing, $830 represents adjusted cash pursuant to the working capital adjustments), and (ii) $500 to be paid on the first anniversary of the closing and $500 to be paid on the second anniversary date of the closing. The vesting of shares of the Company’s common stock is subject to the continued employment of certain selling employees. The Spun operates in the United States.

 

13

 

 

The composition of the purchase price is as follows:

 

      
Cash  $10,830 
Deferred cash payments, as discounted   905 
Total purchase consideration  $11,735 

 

The Company incurred $128 in transaction costs related to the acquisition, which primarily consisted of legal and accounting expenses. The acquisition related expenses were recorded in general and administrative expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

After the June 30, 2021 condensed consolidated financial statements were issued, the Company received a final valuation report from a third-party valuation firm. After considering the results of that valuation report, the Company estimated the fair values for the brand name of $5,175, along with a decrease for working capital accounts of $1,932 (consisting of adjusted amounts for cash, accounts receivable, accrued expenses and deferred tax liabilities) resulting in a corresponding decrease to goodwill of $3,977.

 

The purchase price allocation resulted in the following amounts being allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the closing date of the acquisition based upon their respective fair values as summarized below:

 

      
Cash  $3,214 
Accounts receivable   1,772 
Other current assets   5 
Brand name   5,175 
Goodwill   3,479 
Accrued expenses and other   (85)
Deferred tax liabilities   (1,825)
Net assets acquired  $11,735 

 

The Company utilized an independent appraisal firm to assist in the determination of the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, which required certain significant management assumptions and estimates. The fair value of the brand name was determined by projecting the acquired entity’s cash flows, deducting notional contributory asset charges on supporting assets (working capital and the assembled workforce) to compute the excess cash flows associated with the brand with a useful life of ten years (10.0 years).

 

The excess of purchase price over the fair value amounts assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed represents goodwill from the acquisition. Goodwill is recorded as a non-current asset that is not amortized but is subject to an annual review for impairment. No portion of the goodwill will be deductible for tax purposes.

 

14

 

 

3. Balance Sheet Components

 

The components of certain balance sheet amounts are as follows:

 

Accounts Receivable – Accounts receivable are presented net of allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was $1,862 and $1,578, respectively.

 

Subscription Acquisition Costs – Subscription acquisition costs include the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer, paid to external parties, if it expects to recover those costs. The current portion of the subscription acquisition costs as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was $28,603 and $30,162, respectively. The noncurrent portion of the subscription acquisition costs as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was $7,651 and $8,235, respectively. Subscription acquisition costs as of June 30, 2022 presented as current assets of $28,603 are expected to be amortized over a one year period, or through June 30, 2023 and $7,651 presented as long-term assets are expected to be amortized after the one year period ending June 30, 2023.

 

Property and Equipment – Property and equipment are summarized as follows:

 

           
   As of 
   June 30, 2022   December 31, 2021 
Office equipment and computers  $1,724   $1,345 
Furniture and fixtures   63    1 
 Property and equipment, gross   1,787    1,346 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization   (955)   (710)
Net property and equipment  $832   $636 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 was $131 and $110, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 was $245 and $220, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense is included in selling and marketing expenses and general and administrative expenses, as appropriate, on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

Platform Development – Platform development costs are summarized as follows:

 

         
   As of 
   June 30, 2022   December 31, 2021 
Platform development  $18,339   $21,997 
Less accumulated amortization   (8,099)   (12,698)
Net platform development  $10,240   $9,299 

 

Amortization expense for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, was $1,413 and $1,060, respectively. Amortization expense for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, was $2,757 and $2,129, respectively.

 

A summary of platform development activity for the six months ended June 30, 2022 is as follows:

 

      
Platform development beginning of year  $21,997 
Payroll-based costs capitalized during the period   2,784 
Less dispositions   (7,356)
Total capitalized costs   17,425 
Stock-based compensation   1,125 
Impairments   (211)
Platform development end of period  $18,339 

 

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, impairment charges of $0 and $211, respectively, have been record for platform development. No impairment charges have been recorded for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021.

 

15

 

 

Intangible Assets – Intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following:

 

   As of June 30, 2022   As of December 31, 2021 
   Carrying Amount   Accumulated Amortization   Net Carrying
Amount
   Carrying Amount   Accumulated Amortization   Net Carrying
Amount
 
Developed technology  $17,333   $(13,167)  $4,166   $17,579   $(11,465)  $6,114 
Trade name   5,939    (966)   4,973    3,328    (782)   2,546 
Brand name   5,175    (556)   4,619    5,175    (298)   4,877 
Subscriber relationships   73,459    (39,881)   33,578    73,459    (32,623)   40,836 
Advertiser relationships   8,870    (879)   7,991    2,240    (570)   1,670 
Database   2,397    (1,503)   894    2,397    (1,104)   1,293 
Subtotal amortizable intangible assets   113,173    (56,952)   56,221    104,178    (46,842)   57,336 
Website domain name   -    -    -    20    -    20 
Total intangible assets  $113,173   $(56,952)  $56,221   $104,198   $(46,842)  $57,356 

 

Amortization expense for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 was $5,275 and $4,951, respectively. Amortization expense for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 was $10,330 and $9,902, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, impairment charges of $0 and $46, respectively, have been recorded for the intangible assets. No impairment charges have been recorded for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021.

 

4. Leases

 

The Company’s real estate lease for the use of office space was subleased during the year ended December 31, 2021 (as further described below). The Company’s current lease is a long-term operating lease with a remaining fixed payment term of 2.26 years.

 

The table below presents supplemental information related to operating leases:

 

   Six Months Ended   Year Ended 
   June 30, 2022   December 31, 2021 
Operating lease costs during the period (1)  $453   $2,718 
Cash payments included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities during the period  $234   $2,787 
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years) as of period-end   2.26    2.75 
Weighted-average discount rate during the period   9.90%   9.90%

 

(1) Operating lease costs is presented net of sublease income that is not material.

 

The Company generally utilizes its incremental borrowing rate based on information available at the commencement of the lease in determining the present value of future payments since the implicit rate for the Company’s leases is not readily determinable.

 

Variable lease expense includes rental increases that are not fixed, such as those based on amounts paid to the lessor based on cost or consumption, including maintenance and utilities.

 

16

 

 

The components of operating lease costs were as follows:

 

                 
  

Three Months Ended

June 30,

  

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 
   2022   2021   2022   2021 
Operating lease costs:                    
Cost of revenue  $-   $630   $-   $1,261 
Selling and marketing   -    181    -    362 
General and administrative   328    148    562    297 
Total operating lease costs (1)   328    959    562    1,920 
Sublease income   (54)   -    (109)   - 
Total  $274   $959   $453   $1,920 

 

(1)Includes certain costs associated with a business membership agreement (see below) that permits access to certain office space for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 of $170 and $340, respectively, and month-to-month lease arrangements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 of $96 and $96, respectively.

 

Maturities of the operating lease liability as of June 30, 2022 are summarized as follows:

 

Years Ending December 31,    
2022 (remaining six months of the year)  $238 
2023   486 
2024   373 
Minimum lease payments   1,097 
Less imputed interest   (118)
Present value of operating lease liability  $979 
Current portion of operating lease liability  $400 
Long-term portion of operating lease liability   579 
Total operating lease liability  $979 

 

Sublease Agreement – In November 2021, the Company entered into an agreement to sublease its leased office space for the duration of its operating lease through September 2024. As of June 30, 2022, the Company is entitled to receive total sublease income of $567.

 

Business Membership – Effective October 1, 2021, the Company entered into a business membership agreement with York Factory LLC, doing business as SaksWorks, that permits access to certain office space with furnishings, referred to as SaksWorks Memberships (each membership provides a certain number of accounts that equate to the use of the space granted). The term of the agreement was for 27 months, with 18 months remaining at $57 per month for 110 accounts.

 

5. Line of Credit

 

On December 6, 2021, the Company entered into an amendment to its financing and security agreement for its line of credit with FPP Finance LLC (“FastPay”) that was originally entered into on February 27, 2020, pursuant to which (i) the maximum amount of advances available was increased to $25,000 from $15,000 (subject to eighty-five (85%) of eligible accounts receivable), (ii) the interest rate on the facility applicable margin was decreased to 6.0% per annum from 8.5% per annum (the facility bears interest at the LIBOR rate plus the applicable margin), and (iii) the maturity date was extended to February 28, 2024 from February 6, 2022. The line of credit is for working capital purposes and is secured by a first lien on all the Company’s cash and accounts receivable and a second lien on all other assets. As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the balance outstanding under the FastPay line of credit was $7,808 and $11,988, respectively.

 

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6. Restricted Stock Liabilities

 

On December 15, 2020, the Company entered into an amendment for certain restricted stock awards and units that were previously issued to certain employees in connection with a previous merger (the “HubPages merger”). Pursuant to the amendment, the Company committed to repurchase 48,389 vested restricted stock awards as of December 31, 2020 at a price of $88.00 per share in 24 equal monthly installments on the second business day of each calendar month beginning January 4, 2021, subject to certain conditions.

 

The following table presents the components of the restricted stock liabilities:

 

         
   As of 
   June 30, 2022   December 31, 2021 
Restricted stock liabilities (before imputed interest)  $2,307   $3,801 
Less imputed interest   (155)   (177)
Present value of restricted stock liabilities   2,152    3,624 
Less principal payments during the period   (2,152)   (1,472)
Restricted stock liabilities at end of period (reflected in accrued expenses and other)  $-   $2,152 

 

The Company recorded the repurchase of 26,214 (8,064 during the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 18,150 during the six months ended June 30, 2022) and 6,049 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock during the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, on the condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency. Effective April 4, 2022, there are no longer any shares of the Company’s common stock subject to repurchase. During the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company paid $2,307 in cash for the repurchase, including interest of $155.

 

7. Liquidated Damages Payable

 

Liquidated damages were recorded as a result of the following: (i) certain registration rights agreements provide for damages if the Company does not register certain shares of the Company’s common stock within the requisite time frame (the “Registration Rights Damages”); and (ii) certain securities purchase agreements provide for damages if the Company does not maintain its periodic filings with the SEC within the requisite time frame (the “Public Information Failure Damages”).

 

Obligations with respect to the liquidated damages payable are summarized as follows:

 

   As of June 30, 2022 
  

Registration

Rights

Damages

  

Public

Information

Failure

Damages

  

Accrued

Interest

   Balance 
MDB common stock to be issued (1)  $15   $-   $-   $15 
Series H convertible preferred stock   618    625    494    1,737 
Convertible debentures   -    704    237    941 
Series J convertible preferred stock   932    932    412    2,276 
Series K convertible preferred stock   95    379    54    528 
Total  $1,660   $2,640   $1,197   $5,497 

 

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   As of December 31, 2021 
  

Registration

Rights

Damages

  

Public

Information

Failure

Damages

  

Accrued

Interest

   Balance 
MDB common stock to be issued (1)  $15   $-   $-   $15 
Series H convertible preferred stock   1,164    1,172    792    3,128 
Convertible debentures   -    873    242    1,115 
Series I convertible preferred stock   1,386    1,386    613    3,385 
Series J convertible preferred stock   1,560    1,560    490    3,610 
Series K convertible preferred stock   180    722    50    952 
Total  $4,305   $5,713   $2,187   $12,205 

 

(1) Consists of shares of common stock issuable to MDB Capital Group, LLC (“MDB”).

 

As of June 30, 2022, the short-term and long-term liquidated damages payable were $5,497 and $0, respectively. The Company will continue to accrue interest on the liquidated damages balance at 1.0% per month based on the balance outstanding as of June 30, 2022 until paid. There is no scheduled date when the unpaid liquidated damages become due.

 

As of December 31, 2021, the short-term and long-term liquidated damages payable were $5,197 and $7,008, respectively. The long-term portion was converted into shares of the Company’s common stock on January 24, 2022, as further described below.

 

On January 24, 2022, the Company entered into several stock purchase agreements with several investors, where the Company was liable to for liquidated damages, pursuant to which the Company issued an aggregate of 505,671 shares of its common stock at a price equal to $13.86 per share (determined based on the volume-weighted average price of the Company’s common stock at the close of trading on the sixty (60) previous trading days), to the investors in lieu of an aggregate of $7,008 owed in liquidated damages. In connection with the stock purchase agreements, the Company filed a registration statement covering the resale of the 505,671 shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company recorded $6,685 in connection with the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock and recognized a gain of $323 on the settlement of the liquidated damages, which was recorded within additional paid-in capital on the condensed consolidated statement of stockholders’ deficiency.

 

8. Fair Value Measurements

 

The Company estimates the fair value of financial instruments using available market information and valuation methodologies the Company believes to be appropriate for these purposes. Considerable judgment and a high degree of subjectivity are involved in developing these estimates and, accordingly, they are not necessarily indicative of amounts the Company would realize upon disposition.

 

The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value, which are described below:

 

Level 1. Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2. Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable; and

Level 3. Assets or liabilities for which fair value is based on valuation models with significant unobservable pricing inputs and which result in the use of management estimates.

 

The Company accounted for certain warrants (as described under the heading Common Stock Warrants in Note 10) as derivative liabilities, which required the Company to carry such amounts on its condensed consolidated balance sheets as a liability at fair value, as adjusted at each reporting period-end. As of December 31, 2021, the Strome Warrants and B. Riley Warrants (as described in Note 11) were classified within equity.

 

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For the three months ended June 30, 2021, the change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities of $360 was recognized as other income on the condensed consolidated statement of operations. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities of $305 was recognized as other expense on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

 

9. Long-term Debt

 

Senior Secured Note

 

As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company’s outstanding obligation under its senior secured note with BRF Finance Co., LLC, an affiliated entity of B. Riley Financial, Inc. (“B. Riley”), in its capacity as agent for the purchasers and as purchaser, is summarized as follows:

 

  On March 24, 2020, the Company entered into a second amended and restated note when the principal balance outstanding under its note issued on June 19, 2019 was $51,336 (including accrued interest), due on June 14, 2022 (as further amended). The terms of the note also permitted the Company to enter into a Delayed Draw Term Note (as described below), in the aggregate principal amount of $12,000;
     
  On October 23, 2020, the Company entered into a first amendment to second amended and restated note issued on March 24, 2020 (“Amendment 1”), where the maturity date was changed to December 31, 2022 (as further amended) from June 14, 2022, subject to certain acceleration conditions and interest payable on the note on September 30, 2020, December 31, 2020, March 31, 2021, June 30, 2021, September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2021 will be payable in-kind in arrears on the last day of such fiscal quarter. Alternatively, at the option of the holder, such interest amounts originally could have been paid in shares of previously designated Series K convertible preferred stock (the “Series K Preferred Stock”); however, after December 18, 2020, the date the Series K Preferred Stock converted into shares of the Company’s common stock, such interest amounts can be converted into shares of the Company’s common stock based upon the conversion rate specified in the Certificate of Designation for the Series K Preferred Stock, subject to certain adjustments;
     
  On May 19, 2021, the Company entered into a second amendment to the second amended and restated note issued March 24, 2020 (“Amendment 2”), pursuant to which: (i) the interest rate on the Senior Secured Note, as defined below, decreased from a rate of 12.0% per annum to a rate of 10.0% per annum; and (ii) the Company agreed that within one (1) business day after receipt of cash proceeds from any issuance of equity interests, it will prepay the certain obligations in an amount equal to such cash proceeds, net of underwriting discounts and commissions; provided, that, this mandatory prepayment obligation does not apply to any proceeds that the Company received from shares of the Company’s common stock issued pursuant to a certain securities purchase agreement during the 90-day period commencing on May 20, 2021;
     
  On December 6, 2021, the Company entered into a third amendment to the second amended and restated note issued March 24, 2020 (“Amendment 3”), where the Company was permitted to increase the FastPay line of credit in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $25,000; and
     
  On January 23, 2022, the Company entered into a fourth amendment to the second amended and restated note issued March 24, 2020 (“Amendment 4”), where the maturity date on the note was extended to (i) December 31, 2023 from December 31, 2022 upon the consummation of the equity financing on February 15, 2022 (further details are provided below), or (ii) the date accelerated pursuant to certain terms of Amendment 4.

 

Collectively, the second amended and restated note and Amendment 1, Amendment 2, Amendment 3 and Amendment 4 thereto are referred to as the “Senior Secured Note,” with all borrowings collateralized by substantially all assets of the Company.

 

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After the date of Amendment 4, interest on the note will be payable, at the agent’s sole discretion, either (a) in cash quarterly in arrears on the last day of each fiscal quarter or (b) by continuing to add such interest due on such payment dates to the principal amount of the note. Interest on the Senior Secured Note will accrue for each calendar quarter on the outstanding principal amount of the note at an aggregate rate of 10.0% per annum, subject to adjustment in the event of default. Further, interest that was payable during fiscal years 2020 and 2021 and added to the principal amount under the note remains subject to the conversion election under Amendment 1.

 

Delayed Draw Term Note

 

As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company’s outstanding obligation under its delayed draw term note with B. Riley is summarized as follows:

 

  On March 24, 2020, the Company entered into a delayed draw term note (the “Delayed Draw Term Note”) with an interest rate of 15.0% per annum, pursuant to the second amended and restated note purchase agreement, in the aggregate principal amount of $12,000. The terms of the note provided that up to $8,000 in principal amount was due on March 31, 2021;
     
  On March 24, 2020, the Company drew down $6,914 under the Delayed Draw Term Note, with interest payable in-kind in arrears on the last day of each fiscal quarter;
     
  On October 23, 2020, pursuant to the terms of Amendment 1, the maturity date of the Delayed Draw Term Note was changed to March 31, 2022 (as further amended) from March 31, 2021. Amendment 1 also provided that the holder, could originally elect, in lieu of receipt of cash for payment of all or any portion of the interest due or cash payments up to a certain conversion portion of the Delayed Draw Term Note, to receive shares of Series K Preferred Stock; however, after December 18, 2020, the date the Series K Preferred Stock converted into shares of the Company’s common stock, the holder may elect, in lieu of receipt of cash for such amounts, shares of the Company’s common stock at the price the Company last sold shares of the Company’s common stock;
     
  On October 23, 2020, $3,367, including principal and accrued interest of the Delayed Draw Term Note, converted into shares of the Company’s Series K Preferred Stock, which shares were further converted into shares of the Company’s common stock;
     
  On May 19, 2021, pursuant to Amendment 2, the interest rate on the Delayed Draw Term Note decreased to a rate of 10.0% per annum from a rate of 15.0% per annum;
     
  On December 28, 2021, the Company drew down $5,086 under the Delayed Draw Term Note, and after payment of commitment and funding fees paid of $509, the Company received net proceeds of $4,578; and
     
  On February 15, 2023, pursuant to Amendment 4, the maturity date on the Delayed Draw Term Note was extended to (i) December 31, 2022 from March 31, 2022 for $5,925 of principal due and (ii) December 31, 2023 from March 31, 2022 for $4,000 of principal due, subject to certain acceleration terms.

 

Amendment 4 also provided that interest will be payable, at the agent’s sole discretion, either (a) in cash quarterly in arrears on the last day of each fiscal quarter or (b) in kind quarterly in arrears on the last day of each fiscal quarter, and will accrue for each fiscal quarter on the principal amount outstanding under the note at an aggregate rate of 10.0% per annum, subject to adjustment in the event of default.

 

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The following table summarizes the long-term debt:

 

   As of June 30, 2022   As of December 31, 2021 
   Principal
Balance
(including
accrued
interest)
   Unamortized
Discount and
Debt Issuance
Costs
   Carrying
Value
   Principal
Balance
(including
accrued
interest)
   Unamortized
Discount and
Debt Issuance
Costs
   Carrying
Value
 
Senior Secured Note, as amended, matures December 31, 2023  $62,691   $(1,360)  $61,331   $62,691   $(1,935)  $60,756 
Delayed Draw Term Note, as amended, matures December 31, 2023   9,928    (207)   9,721    9,928    (567)   9,361 
Total  $72,619   $(1,567)  $71,052   $72,619   $(2,502)  $70,117 
Carrying value                              
Current portion            $5,873             $5,744 
Long-term portion             65,179              64,373 
Total            $71,052             $70,117 

 

As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company’s Delayed Draw Term Note, as amended, carrying value of $9,721 and $9,361, respectively, was as follows: (1) $5,873 and $5,744 for the first draw (including accrued interest and less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $52 and $180), respectively; and (2) $3,848 and $3,617 for the second draw (including accrued interest and less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $155 and $387), respectively. As of June 30, 2022, the effective interest of the Senior Secured Note, Delayed Draw Term Note first draw and second draw was 11.4%, 11.7% and 12.5%, respectively.

 

The following table summarizes principal maturities of long-term debt:

 

      
Years Ending December 31,    
2022  $5,924 
2023   66,695 
Total  $72,619 

 

10. Preferred Stock

 

The Company has the authority to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, which as of June 30, 2022 has been designated and issued as follows:

 

  1,800 authorized shares designated as “Series G Convertible Preferred Stock”, of which 168 shares are outstanding.
     
  23,000 authorized shares designated as “Series H Convertible Preferred Stock” (as further described below), of which 14,556 shares are outstanding.

 

Series H Preferred Stock

 

The Company recorded the issuance of 70,380 shares of the Company’s common stock upon conversion of 510 shares of the Company’s series H convertible preferred stock (the “Series H Preferred Stock”) during the six months ended June 30, 2022, as reflected on the condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.

 

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Series L Preferred Stock

 

On May 4, 2021, a special committee of the Board declared a dividend of one preferred stock purchase right to be paid to the stockholders of record at the close of business on May 14, 2021 for (i) each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock and (ii) each share of the Company’s common stock issuable upon conversion of each share of the Company’s Series H Preferred Stock. Each preferred stock purchase right entitles the registered holder to purchase, subject to a rights agreement (the “Rights Agreement”), from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of the Company’s then-newly created Series L Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series L Preferred Stock”), at a price of $4.00, subject to certain adjustments. The Series L Preferred Stock was entitled, when, as and if declared, to a preferential per share quarterly dividend payment equal to the greater of (i) $1.00 per share or (ii) 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions paid to the holders of the Company’s common stock. The Series L Preferred Stock was entitled to 1,000 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company. In the event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which shares of the Company’s common stock are converted or exchanged, the Series L Preferred Stock was entitled to receive 1,000 times the amount received per one share of the Company’s common stock.

 

The Rights Agreement was set to expire on May 3, 2022; however, on May 2, 2022, the Board elected to extend the expiration date by an amended and restated rights agreement (the “Extended Rights Agreement”), which was ratified by the Company’s stockholders on June 2, 2022.

 

Further details subsequent to the date of these condensed consolidated financial statements are provided under the heading Series L Preferred Stock in Note 17.

 

11. Stockholders’ Equity

 

Common Stock

 

The Company has the authority to issue 1,000,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share.

 

On February 15, 2022 and March 11, 2022, the Company raised gross proceeds of $34,498 pursuant to a firm commitment underwritten public offering of 4,181,603 shares of the Company’s common stock (on February 15, 2022 the Company issued 3,636,364 shares and on March 11, 2022 the Company issued 545,239 shares pursuant to the underwriter’s overallotment that was exercised on March 10, 2022), at a public offering price of $8.25 per share. The Company received net proceeds of $32,058, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering costs payable by the Company. In addition, the Company directly incurred offering costs of $1,568 and recorded $30,490 upon the issuance of its common stock, as reflected on the condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.

 

On April 27, 2022, the Company issued 7,851 shares of the Company’s common stock in connection with a previous merger with Say Media, Inc. (the “Say Media merger”). These shares were previously classified as common stock to be issued on the condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.

 

On May 20, 2021 and May 25, 2021, the Company entered into securities purchase agreements with several accredited investors, pursuant to which the Company sold an aggregate of 974,351 shares of the Company’s common stock, at a per share price of $15.40 for aggregate gross proceeds of $15,005 in a private placement. On June 2, 2021, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with an accredited investor, pursuant to which the Company sold an aggregate of 324,676 shares of the Company’s common stock, at a per share price of $15.40 for gross proceeds of $5,000 in a private placement that was in addition to the closings that occurred on May 20, 2021 and May 25, 2021. After payment of legal fees and expenses the investors of $167, of which $100,000 was paid in cash to B. Riley, the Company received net proceeds of $19,838. The Company used the proceeds for general corporate purposes.

 

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Common Stock Warrants

 

The Company issued warrants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock to MDB Capital Group, LLC (the “MDB Warrants”), L2 Capital, LLC (the “L2 Warrants”), Strome Mezzanine Fund LP (the “Strome Warrants”), and B. Riley Financial, Inc. (the “B. Riley Warrants”) in connection with various financing transactions (collectively, the “Financing Warrants”).

 

The Financing Warrants outstanding and exercisable as of June 30, 2022 are summarized as follows:

  

   Exercise
Price
   Expiration Date  Total
Outstanding and
Exercisable
Shares
 
Strome Warrants  $11.00   June 15, 2023   68,182 
B. Riley Warrants   7.26   October 18, 2025   39,773 
MDB Warrants   25.30   October 19, 2022   5,435 
MDB Warrants   55.00   October 19, 2022   2,728 
Total           116,118 

 

The intrinsic value of exercisable but unexercised in-the-money stock warrants as of June 30, 2022 was $69, based on a fair market value of the Company’s common stock of $9.00 per share on June 30, 2022.

 

12. Compensation Plans

 

The Company provides stock-based compensation in the form of (a) restricted stock awards to certain employees (referred to as the “Restricted Stock Awards”), (b) stock option grants to employees, directors and consultants under the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”), (c) stock option awards, restricted stock awards and units, unrestricted stock awards, and stock appreciation rights to employees, directors and consultants under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”), (d) stock option awards, restricted stock awards and units, unrestricted stock awards, and stock appreciation rights to employees, directors and consultants under the Equity Incentive Plan (the “2022 Plan”) (collectively, the 2016 Plan, 2019 Plan and 2022 Plan are referred to as the “Equity Plans”), (e) stock option awards outside of the 2016 Plan, 2019 Plan and 2022 Plan to certain officers, directors and employees (referred to as the “Outside Options”), (f) common stock warrants to the Company’s publisher partners (referred to as the “Publisher Partner Warrants”), and (g) common stock warrants to ABG-SI, LLC (referred to as the “ABG Warrants”). Effective with the adoption of the 2022 Plan, the Company will not issue new awards under the 2016 Plan and 2019 Plan.

 

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Stock-based compensation and equity-based expense charged to operations or capitalized during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 are summarized as follows:

  

   Restricted                 
   Stock   Equity   Outside   ABG     
   Awards   Plans   Options   Warrants   Totals 
During the Three Months Ended June 30, 2022                         
Cost of revenue  $404   $2,269   $-   $-   $2,673 
Selling and marketing   -    739    -    -    739 
General and administrative   -    5,207    -    480    5,687 
Total costs charged to operations   404    8,215    -    480    9,099 
Capitalized platform development   -    438    -    -    438 
Total stock-based compensation  $404   $8,653   $-   $480   $9,537 
                          
During the Three Months Ended June 30, 2021                         
Cost of revenue  $25   $1,728   $1   $-   $1,754 
Selling and marketing   -    1,513    74    -    1,587 
General and administrative   142    4,237    -    396    4,775 
Total costs charged to operations   167    7,478    75    396    8,116 
Capitalized platform development   4    544    2    -    550 
Total stock-based compensation  $171   $8,022   $77   $396   $8,666 

 

   Restricted                 
   Stock   Equity   Outside   ABG     
   Awards   Plans   Options   Warrants   Totals 
During the Six Months Ended June 30, 2022                         
Cost of revenue  $834   $3,996   $-   $-   $4,830 
Selling and marketing   -    1,339    -    -    1,339 
General and administrative   -    9,196    105    996    10,297 
Total costs charged to operations   834    14,531    105    996    16,466 
Capitalized platform development   -    1,125    -    -    1,125 
Total stock-based compensation  $834   $15,656   $105   $996   $17,591 
                          
During the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021                         
Cost of revenue  $49   $3,146   $3   $-   $3,198 
Selling and marketing   -    2,489    149    -    2,638 
General and administrative   145    6,481    -    753    7,379 
Total costs charged to operations   194    12,116    152    753    13,215 
Capitalized platform development   9    846    4    -    859 
Total stock-based compensation  $203   $12,962   $156   $753   $14,074 

 

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Unrecognized compensation expense and expected weighted-average period to be recognized related to the stock-based compensation awards and equity-based awards as of June 30, 2022 was as follows:

  

   Restricted                 
   Stock   Equity   Outside   ABG     
   Awards   Plans   Options   Warrants   Totals 
Unrecognized compensation cost  $1,521   $43,337   $-   $1,508   $46,366 
Expected weighted-average period expected to be recognized (in years)   0.93    1.89    -    1.50    1.85 

 

Further details as of the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued are provided under the heading Compensation Plans in Note 17.

 

Stock Option Repricing

 

On March 18, 2022, the Company approved a repricing of certain outstanding stock options (the “Stock Option Repricing”) granted under the Company’s 2016 Plan and the 2019 Plan that had an exercise price above $8.82 per share, including certain outstanding stock options held by senior management of the Company. The Stock Option Repricing also included certain outstanding stock options granted outside of the 2016 Plan and 2019 Plan. The Stock Options Repricing was approved by the Board and stockholders. As a result of the Stock Option Repricing, the exercise prices were set to $8.82 per share, which was the closing sale price of the Company’s common stock as listed on the NYSE American exchange on March 18, 2022. Except for the repricing of the stock options under the 2019 Plan, all terms and conditions of each stock option remains in full force and effect. For the repricing of the stock options under the 2019 Plan, the Company (i) modified the exercise price; (ii) will allow cashless exercise as a method of paying the exercise price, and (iii) will waive a lock-up provision in the stock option agreements. All other term and conditions of each of the stock options under the 2019 Plan remains in full force and effect.

 

The Stock Option Repricing of 4,343,017 stock option grants (for 340 employees) that were issued to employees of the Company, including senior management, resulted in incremental cost of $6,061, of which $143 was recognized at the time of the Stock Option Repricing for the fully vested awards and included in the condensed consolidated statement of operations, and $5,918 will be recognized over the remaining vesting term of the original award at the repricing date.

 

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13. Revenue Recognition

 

Disaggregation of Revenue

 

The following table provides information about disaggregated revenue by product line, geographical market and timing of revenue recognition:

  

   2022   2021   2022   2021 
  

Three Months Ended

June 30,

  

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 
   2022   2021   2022   2021 
Revenue by category:                    
Digital revenue                    
Digital advertising  $24,693   $11,532   $46,339   $21,072 
Digital subscriptions   5,490    7,690    11,951    14,775 
Other revenue   4,880    867    8,345    1,613 
Total digital revenue   35,063    20,089    66,635    37,460 
Print revenue                    
Print advertising   13,788    2,015    15,156    3,548 
Print subscriptions   16,224    12,642    31,527    27,353 
Total print revenue   30,012    14,657    46,683    30,901 
Total  $65,075   $34,746   $113,318   $68,361 
Revenue by geographical market:                    
United States  $63,172   $33,360   $110,493   $65,888 
Other   1,903    1,386    2,825    2,473 
Total  $65,075   $34,746   $113,318   $68,361 
Revenue by timing of recognition:                    
At point in time  $59,585   $27,056   $101,367   $53,586 
Over time   5,490    7,690    11,951    14,775 
Total  $65,075   $34,746   $113,318   $68,361 

 

Contract Balances

 

The timing of the Company’s performance under its various contracts often differs from the timing of the customer’s payment, which results in the recognition of a contract asset or a contract liability. A contract asset is recognized when a good or service is transferred to a customer and the Company does not have the contractual right to bill for the related performance obligations. A contract liability is recognized when consideration is received from the customer prior to the transfer of goods or services.

 

The following table provides information about contract balances:

  

   June 30, 2022   December 31, 2021 
   As of 
   June 30, 2022   December 31, 2021 
Unearned revenue (short-term contract liabilities):          
Digital subscriptions  $22,469   $14,693 
Print revenue   38,438    39,337 
Total unearned revenue (short-term contract liabilities)  $60,907   $54,030 
Unearned revenue (long-term contract liabilities):          
Digital subscriptions  $1,058   $1,446 
Print revenue   11,533    13,831 
Total unearned revenue (long-term contract liabilities)  $12,591   $15,277 

 

Unearned Revenue – Unearned revenue, also referred to as contract liabilities, include payments received in advance of performance under the contracts and are recognized as revenue over time. The Company records contract liabilities as unearned revenue on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

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14. Income Taxes

 

The provision for income taxes in interim periods is determined using an estimate of the Company’s annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items, if any, that arise during the period. Each quarter, the Company updates its estimate of its annual effective tax rate, and if the estimated annual effective tax rate changes, the Company makes a cumulative adjustment in such period. The quarterly provision for income taxes, and estimate of the Company’s annual effective tax rate, are subject to variation due to several factors, including variability in pre-tax income (or loss), the mix of jurisdictions to which such income relates, changes in how the Company conducts business, and tax law developments.

 

The effective tax rate benefit for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 was 4.3% and 0.0%, respectively. The deferred income tax benefit for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was primarily due to discrete items.

 

The realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon a variety of factors, including the generation of future taxable income, the reversal of deferred tax liabilities, and tax planning strategies. Based upon the Company’s historical operating losses and the uncertainty of future taxable income, the Company has provided a valuation allowance against most of the deferred tax assets as of June 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

15. Related Party

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company had several transactions with B. Riley, a principal stockholder, where it paid fees associated with the common stock public offering totaling approximately $2,440 and $0, respectively.

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company paid in cash or accrued interest that was added to the principal on the Senior Secured Note and Delayed Draw Term Note due to B. Riley, a principal stockholder, of $1,836 (paid in cash) and $1,763 (accrued interest that was added to the principal), respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company paid in cash or accrued interest that was added to the principal on the Senior Secured Note and Delayed Draw Term Note due to B. Riley, a principal stockholder, of $3,651 (paid in cash) and $3,618 (accrued interest that was added to the principal), respectively.

 

Consulting and Service Contracts

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company paid James C. Heckman, its former Chief Executive Officer, consulting fees of $99 and $52, respectively, in connection with a consulting agreement, as amended from time to time. For the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company paid James C. Heckman, its former Chief Executive Officer, consulting fees of $264 and $104, respectively, in connection with a consulting agreement, as amended from time to time. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company paid an entity affiliated with Mr. Heckman, Roundtable Media, L.L.C., a net revenue share amount of $52 and $82, respectively, in connection with a partner agreement.

 

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Repurchases of Restricted Stock

 

On December 15, 2020, the Company entered into an amendment for certain restricted stock awards and units that were previously issued to certain employees in connection with the HubPages merger (as further described in Note 6), pursuant to which the Company agreed to repurchase from certain key personnel of HubPages, including Paul Edmondson, one of the Company’s officers, and his spouse, an aggregate of 16,802 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $88.00 per share each month for a period of 24 months, for aggregate proceeds to Mr. Edmondson and his spouse of $67,000 per month. For the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company repurchased 9,927 shares of the Company’s common stock for $874.

 

16. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Contingent Liability

 

In connection with the Company’s underwritten public offering in February 2022, the Company may have a contingent liability arising out of possible violations of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) in connection with an investor presentation, which the Company publicly filed. Specifically, the furnishing of the investor presentation publicly may have constituted an “offer to sell” as described in Section 5(b)(1) of the Securities Act and the investor presentation may be deemed to be a prospectus that did not meet the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act, resulting in a potential violation of Section 5(b)(1) of the Securities Act. Any liability would depend upon the number of shares purchased by investors who reviewed and relied upon the investor presentation. If a claim were brought by any such investor and a court were to conclude that the public disclosure of such investor presentation constituted a violation of the Securities Act, the Company could be required to repurchase the shares sold to the investors at the original purchase price, plus statutory interest. The Company could also incur considerable expense in contesting any such claims. As of the issuance date of these consolidated financial statements, no legal proceedings or claims have been made or threatened by any investors. The likelihood and magnitude of this contingent liability, if any, is not determinable at this time.

 

Claims and Litigation

 

From time to time, the Company may be subject to claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company is not currently a party to any pending or threatened legal proceedings that it believes would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

17. Subsequent Events

 

The Company performed an evaluation of subsequent events through the date of filing of these condensed consolidated financial statements with the SEC. Other than the below described subsequent events, there were no material subsequent events which affected, or could affect, the amounts or disclosures on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Series L Preferred Stock

 

As of July 18, 2022, the Company eliminated the Series L Preferred Stock.

 

As disclosed in Note 10, the Company entered into an Extended Rights Agreement, which extended the term of the Rights Agreement originally adopted on May 4, 2021. Even though the stockholders ratified the Extended Rights Agreement, the Board determined that the Rights Agreement was no longer necessary or in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders. The Board thus determined to terminate the Rights Agreement by accelerating its expiration date from May 3, 2024 to July 15, 2022 pursuant to an amendment to the Extended Rights Agreement. The amendment effectively terminated all preferred share purchase rights under the Rights Agreement such that they are no longer issued or outstanding.

 

Compensation Plans

 

From July 1, 2022 through the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued, the Company granted common stock options and restricted stock units totaling 125,701 (120,000 are subject to Board consent) all which remain outstanding.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 should be read together with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report and in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2021 included in the Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 1, 2022. The following discussion contains “forward-looking statements” that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. Our actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated and expressed in such forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those set forth above. We caution that assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions or beliefs about future events may, and often do, vary from actual results and the differences can be material. Please see the section above under the heading “Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

All dollar figures are presented in thousands unless otherwise stated.

 

Overview

 

We are a tech-powered media company that focuses on building deep content verticals powered by a best-in-class digital media platform (the “Platform”) empowering premium publishers who impact, inform, educate, and entertain. Our strategy is to focus on key verticals where audiences are passionate about a topic category (e.g., sports and finance), and where we can leverage the strength of our core brands to grow our audience and increase monetization both within our core brands as well as our media publishers (each, a “Publisher Partner”). Our focus is on leveraging our Platform and iconic brands in targeted verticals to maximize audience reach, improve engagement, and optimize monetization of digital publishing assets for the benefit of our users, our advertiser clients, and our 40 owned and operated properties as well as properties we run on behalf of independent Publisher Partners. We operate the media businesses for Sports Illustrated (“Sports Illustrated”), own and operate TheStreet, Inc. (“TheStreet”), College Spun Media Incorporated (“The Spun”), and Athlon Holdings, Inc. (“Athlon”), and power more than 200 independent Publisher Partners, including Biography, History, and the many sports team sites that comprise FanNation, among others. Each Publisher Partner joins the Platform by invitation-only and is drawn from premium media brands and independent publishing businesses with the objective of augmenting our position in key verticals and optimizing the performance of the Publisher Partner. Publisher Partners incur the costs in content creation on their respective channels and receive a share of the revenue associated with their content. Because of the state-of-the-art technology and large scale of the Platform and our expertise in search engine optimization (SEO), social media, subscription marketing and ad monetization, Publisher Partners continually benefit from our ongoing technological advances and bespoke audience development expertise. Additionally, we believe the lead brand within each vertical creates a halo benefit for all Publisher Partners in the vertical while each of them adds to the breadth and quality of content. While they benefit from these critical performance improvements they also may save substantially in costs of technology, infrastructure, advertising sales, and member marketing and management.

 

Our growth strategy is to continue to expand by adding new premium publishers with high quality brands and content either as independent Publisher Partners or by acquiring publishers as owned and operated entities.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash and Working Capital Facility

 

As of June 30, 2022, our principal sources of liquidity consisted of cash of $14,839. In addition, as of June 30, 2022, available for additional use was $17,192, subject to eligible accounts receivable, we had the use of additional proceeds from our working capital facility with FPP Finance LLC (“FastPay”). As of June 30, 2022, the outstanding balance of the FastPay working capital facility was $7,808. We also had accounts receivable, net of our advances from FastPay of $26,642 as of June 30, 2022. Our cash balance as of the issuance date of our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements is $16,224.

 

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Material Contractual Obligations

 

We have material contractual obligations that arise in the normal course of business primarily consisting of employment contracts, consulting agreements, leases, liquidated damages, debt and related interest payments. Purchase obligations consist of contracts primarily related to merchandise, equipment, and third-party services, the majority of which are due in the next 12 months. See Notes 4, 7 and 9 in our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for amounts outstanding as of June 30, 2022, related to leases, liquidated damages and long-term debt, respectively. There have been no material changes from the disclosures in our Form 10-K.

 

Contingent Liability

 

We may have a contingent liability arising out of possible violations of the Securities Act in connection with an investor presentation, which we furnished as Exhibit 99.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K and Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on January 31, 2022 and February 1, 2022, respectively. Specifically, the furnishing of the investor presentation publicly may have constituted an “offer to sell” as described in Section 5(b)(1) of the Securities Act and the investor presentation may be deemed to be a prospectus that does not meet the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act, resulting in a potential violation of Section 5(b)(1) of the Securities Act. Any liability would depend upon the number of shares purchased by investors who reviewed and relied upon such investor presentation that may have constituted a potential violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act. If a claim were brought by any such ‘recipients’ of such investor presentation and a court were to conclude that the public disclosure of such investor presentation constituted a violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act, we could be required to repurchase the shares sold to the investors who reviewed such investor presentation at the original purchase price, plus statutory interest. We could also incur considerable expense in contesting any such claims. As of the date of the filing of this Quarterly Report, no legal proceedings or claims have been made or threatened by any investors in our offering. Such payments and expenses, if required, could significantly reduce the amount of working capital we have available for our operations and business plan, delay or prevent us from completing our plan of operations, or force us to raise additional funding, which funding may not be available on favorable terms, if at all.

 

Working Capital

 

We have financed our working capital requirements since inception through issuances of equity securities and various debt financings. Our working capital deficit as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was as follows:

 

   As of 
   June 30, 2022   December 31, 2021 
Current assets  $87,007   $77,671 
Current liabilities   (121,191)   (116,413)
Working capital deficit   (34,184)   (38,742)

 

As of June 30, 2022, we had a working capital deficit of $34,184, as compared to $38,742 as of December 31, 2021, consisting of $87,007 in total current assets and $121,191 in total current liabilities. As of December 31, 2021, our working capital deficit consisted of $77,671 in total current assets and $116,413 in total current liabilities.

 

Our cash flows during the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 consisted of the following:

 

   Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   2022   2021 
Net cash used in operating activities  $(7,465)  $(9,933)
Net cash used in investing activities   (10,194)   (9,210)
Net cash provided by financing activities   23,149    16,832 
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash  $5,490   $(2,311)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period  $15,341   $7,224 

 

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For the six months ended June 30, 2022, net cash used in operating activities was $7,465, consisting primarily of $119,144 of cash paid to employees, Publisher Partners, expert contributors, suppliers, and vendors, and for revenue share arrangements, advance of royalty fees and professional services; and $4,323 of cash paid for interest, offset by $116,002 of cash received from customers. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, net cash used in operating activities was $9,933, consisting primarily of $84,267 of cash paid to employees, Publisher Partners, expert contributors, suppliers, and vendors, and for revenue share arrangements, advance of royalty fees and professional services; and $289 of cash paid for interest, offset by $74,623 of cash received from customers.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, net cash used in investing activities was $10,194, consisting primarily of $9,481 for the acquisition of a business; $2,784 for capitalized costs for our Platform; and $379 for property and equipment, offset by $2,450 from the sale of an equity investment. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, net cash used in investing activities was $9,210 consisting primarily of $7,057 for the acquisition of businesses; $1,971 for capitalized costs for our Platform; and $182 for property and equipment.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, net cash provided by financing activities was $23,149, consisting primarily of $30,490 (net of issuance costs paid of $1,568) in net proceeds from the public offering of common stock; less $4,180 from repayments of our FastPay line of credit; $2,152 related to payments of restricted stock liabilities; offset by a $453 payment for The Spun deferred cash payment and $556 for tax payments relating to the withholding of shares of common stock for certain employees. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, net cash provided by financing activities was $16,832 consisting primarily of $19,838 (net of issuance cost paid of $167) in net proceeds from the private placement of common stock; offset by $2,249 from repayments of our FastPay line of credit, $716 related to payments of restricted stock liabilities and $41 for tax payments relating to the withholding of shares of common stock for certain employees.

 

Results of Operations

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2022 and 2021

 

   Three Months Ended June 30,   2022 versus 2021 
   2022   2021   $ Change   % Change 
Revenue  $65,075   $34,746   $30,329    87.3%
Cost of revenue   46,729    25,307    21,422    84.6%
Gross profit   18,346    9,439    8,907    94.4%
Operating expenses                    
Selling and marketing   19,307    16,202    3,105    19.2%
General and administrative   15,964    12,535    3,429    27.4%
Depreciation and amortization   4,444    3,964    480    12.1%
Total operating expenses   39,715    32,701    7,014    21.4%
Loss from operations   (21,369)   (23,262)   1,893    -8.1%
Total other (expense) income   (2,634)   2,605    (5,239)   -201.1%
Loss before income taxes   (24,003)   (20,657)   (3,346)   16.2%
Income taxes   1,796    -    1,796    100.0%
Net loss  $(22,207)  $(20,657)  $(1,550)   7.5%
Basic and diluted net loss per common share  $(1.22)  $(1.88)  $0.66    -35.1%
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted   18,258,890    11,012,866    7,246,024    65.8%

 

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Net Loss

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2022, as referenced in the above table, net loss was $22,207, as compared to $20,657 for the three months ended June 30, 2021, which represents an increase of $1,550. The primary driver for the increase in net loss, despite an increase of $30,329 in revenue, was an increase in operating expenses of $7,014 during the three months ended June 30, 2022.

 

Revenue

 

The following table sets forth revenue by product line and the corresponding percent of total revenue:

 

    Three Months Ended June 30,     2022 versus 2021  
    2022     2021     $ Change     % Change  
Digital revenue                                
Digital advertising   $ 24,693     $ 11,532     $ 13,161       114.1 %
Digital subscriptions     5,490       7,690       (2,200)       -28.6 %
Other revenue     4,880       867       4,013       462.9 %
Total digital revenue     35,063       20,089       14,974       74.5 %
Print revenue                                
Print advertising     13,788       2,015       11,773       584.3 %
Print subscriptions     16,224       12,642       3,582       28.3 %
Total print revenue     30,012       14,657       15,355       104.8 %
Total revenue   $ 65,075     $ 34,746     $ 30,329       87.3 %

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2022, as referenced in the above table, total revenue increased $30,329 or 87.3% from $34,746 to $65,075. Total digital revenue increased $14,974 and 74.5% primarily due to an increase in digital advertising revenue of $13,161 and 114.1%. The increase in digital advertising revenue was mainly due to additional revenue of $4,493 generated as a result of The Spun, which was acquired during the second quarter of 2021; $2,545 generated as a result of Athlon, which was acquired during the second quarter of 2022; $1,550 generated as a result of The Street; $872 generated as a result of the Sports Illustrated media business; and $1,844 in revenue generated from our legacy business. Other revenue increased by $4,013 primarily related to licensing revenue primarily from Sports Illustrated Swim magazine (“SI Swim”) and the Sports Illustrated media business. Total print revenue increased $15,355 a 104.8% increase from $14,657 to $30,012 primarily related to $14,968 from Athlon magazine circulations, which we acquired during the second quarter of 2022; and $387 from the Sports Illustrated media business.

 

Cost of Revenue

 

The following table sets forth cost of revenue by category:

 

   Three Months Ended June 30,   2022 versus 2021 
   2022   2021   $ Change   % Change 
Publisher Partner revenue share payments  $4,729   $5,596   $(867)   -15.5%
Technology, Platform and software licensing fees   4,536    2,404    2,132    88.7%
Royalty fees   3,750    3,750    -    0.0%
Content and editorial expenses   15,855    7,154    8,701    121.6%
Printing, distribution and fulfillment costs   12,687    2,391    10,296    430.6%
Amortization of developed technology and platform development   2,375    2,157    218    10.1%
Stock-based compensation   2,673    1,754    919    52.4%
Other cost of revenue   124    101    23    22.8%
Total cost of revenue  $46,729   $25,307   $21,422    84.6%

 

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For the three months ended June 30, 2022, as referenced in the above table, we recognized cost of revenue of $46,729, as compared to $25,307 for the three months ended June 30, 2021, which represents an increase of $21,422 or 84.6%. Cost of revenue for the second quarter of 2022, was impacted by increases in printing, distribution, and fulfillment costs of $10,296, primarily due to the Athlon acquisition, which was acquired in the second quarter of 2022 and the SI Swim magazine that was issued in June 2022 versus July 2021 of the prior year; content and editorial expenses of $8,701, partially generated as a result of the Athlon acquisition and SI Swim; technology, Platform and software licensing fees of $2,132; stock-based compensation of $919; amortization of developed technology and platform development of $218; partially offset by a decrease in Publisher Partner revenue share payments of $867.

 

The improvement in gross profit percentage was driven by our strategic shift to eliminate most Publisher Partner guarantees near the end of fiscal 2020 as well as growth in our owned and operated digital properties. As a result, our Publisher Partner revenue share payments represent 19.2% of digital advertising revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2022, as compared to 48.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2021. In addition, we continue to experience high contributions from our digital advertising.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Selling and Marketing

 

The following table sets forth selling and marketing by category:

 

   Three Months Ended June 30,   2022 versus 2021 
   2022   2021   $ Change   % Change 
Payroll and employee benefits of selling and marketing account management support teams  $4,970   $2,748   $2,222    80.9%
Stock-based compensation   739    1,587    (848)   -53.4%
Professional marketing services   1,223    642    581    90.5%
Circulation costs   1,022    828    194    23.4%
Subscription acquisition costs   8,962    7,764    1,198    15.4%
Advertising costs   1,807    1,795    12    0.7%
Other selling and marketing expenses   584    838    (254)   -30.3%
Total selling and marketing  $19,307   $16,202   $3,105    19.2%

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2022, as referenced in the above table, we incurred selling and marketing costs of $19,307 as compared to $16,202 for the three months ended June 30, 2021, an increase of $3,105 or 19.2%. The increase in selling and marketing costs of $3,105 is primarily due to payroll and employee benefits of selling and marketing account management support teams of $2,222; subscription acquisition costs of $1,198; and professional and marketing service costs of $581; partially offset by a decrease in stock-based compensation of $848.

 

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General and Administrative

 

The following table sets forth general and administrative by category:

 

   Three Months Ended June 30,   2022 versus 2021 
   2022   2021   $ Change   % Change 
Payroll and related expenses for executive and administrative personnel  $4,954   $3,721   $1,233    33.1%
Stock-based compensation   5,687    4,775    912    19.1%
Professional services, including accounting, legal and insurance   3,239    2,849    390    13.7%
Other general and administrative expenses   2,084    1,190    894    75.1%
Total general and administrative  $15,964   $12,535   $3,429    27.4%

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2022, as referenced in the above table, we incurred general and administrative costs of $15,964 as compared to $12,535, an increase of $3,429 or 27.4%. The increase is primarily related to payroll and related expenses of $1,233; stock-based compensation of $912; professional services of $390; and other general and administrative expenses of $894.

 

Other (Expenses) Income

 

The following table sets forth other (expense) income:

 

   Three Months Ended
June 30,
   2022 versus 2021 
   2022   2021   $ Change   % Change 
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities  $-   $360   $360    -100.0%
Interest expense   (2,506)   (2,363)   (143)   6.1%
Liquidated damages   (128)   (1,109)   981    -88.5%
Gain upon debt extinguishment   -    5,717    (5,717)   -100.0%
Total other (expenses) income  $(2,634)  $2,605   $(5,239)   -201.1%

 

Change in Valuation of Warrant Derivative Liabilities. The change of $360 in the valuation of warrant derivative liabilities for the three months ended June 30, 2021 was the result no longer having any warrant derivative liabilities as of June 30, 2022.

 

Interest Expense. We incurred interest expense of $2,506 for the three months ended June 30, 2022, as compared to $2,363 for the three months ended June 30, 2021. The increase in interest expense of $143 is primarily from $1,873 increase in cash interest paid; less a decrease of $1,697 from accrued interest.

 

Liquidated Damages. We recorded liquidated damages of $128 for the three months ended June 30, 2022, as compared to $1,109 for the three months ended June 30, 2021. The decrease of $981 is primarily from no further liquidated damages assessed under the corresponding agreements and only recording interest expense related to the previous liquidated damages assessed.

 

Gain Upon Debt Extinguishment. We recorded a gain upon debt extinguishment of $5,717 (including accrued interest) pursuant to the forgiveness of the Paycheck Protection Program Loan for the six months ended June 30, 2021.

 

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Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 and 2021

 

   Six Months Ended
June 30,
   2022 versus 2021 
   2022   2021   $ Change   % Change 
Revenue  $113,318   $68,361   $44,957    65.8%
Cost of revenue   75,226    51,049    24,177    47.4%
Gross profit   38,092    17,312    20,780    120.0%
Operating expenses                    
Selling and marketing   36,523    31,340    5,183    16.5%
General and administrative   29,478    23,030    6,448    28.0%
Depreciation and amortization   8,646    7,927    719    9.1%
Loss on impairment of assets   257    -    257    100.0%
Total operating expenses   74,904    62,297    12,607    20.2%
Loss from operations   (36,812)   (44,985)   8,173    -18.2%
Total other (expense)   (5,626)   (1,135)   (4,491)   395.7%
Loss before income taxes   (42,438)   (46,120)   3,682    -8.0%
Income taxes   1,782    -    1,782    100.0%
Net loss  $(40,656)  $(46,120)  $5,464    -11.8%
Basic and diluted net loss per common share  $(2.41)  $(4.30)  $1.89    -44.0%
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted   16,847,920    10,737,555    6,110,365    56.9%

 

Net loss

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, as referenced in the above table, net loss was $40,656, as compared to $46,120 for the six months ended June 30, 2021, which represents an improvement of $5,464. The primary driver for the improvement in net loss is due to an $44,957 increase in revenue, which was partially offset by an increase in operating expenses of $12,607 during the six months ended June 30, 2022.

 

Revenue

 

The following table sets forth revenue by product line and the corresponding percent of total revenue:

 

   Six Months Ended June 30,   2022 versus 2021 
   2022   2021   $ Change   % Change 
Digital revenue                    
Digital advertising  $46,339   $21,072   $25,267    119.9%
Digital subscriptions   11,951    14,775    (2,824)   -19.1%
Other revenue   8,345    1,613    6,732    417.4%
Total digital revenue   66,635    37,460    29,175    77.9%
Print revenue                    
Print advertising   15,156    3,548    11,608    327.2%
Print subscriptions   31,527    27,353    4,174    15.3%
Total print revenue   46,683    30,901    15,782    51.1%
Total revenue  $113,318   $68,361   $44,957    65.8%

 

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For the six months ended June 30, 2022, as referenced in the above table, total revenue increased $44,957 or 65.8% from $68,361 to $113,318. Total digital revenue increased $29,175 and 77.9% primarily due to an increase in digital advertising revenue of $25,267 and 119.9%. The increase in digital advertising revenue was mainly due to additional revenue of $10,511 generated as a result of The Spun, which was acquired during the second quarter of 2021; $2,545 generated as a result of Athlon, which was acquired during the second quarter of 2022; $2,541 generated as a result of the Sports Illustrated media business; $2,387 generated as a result of The Street; and $3,203 in revenue generated from our legacy business. Other revenue increased by $6,732 primarily related to licensing revenue primarily from SI Swim and the Sports Illustrated media business. Total print revenue increased $15,782 a 51.1% increase from $30,901 to $46,683 primarily related to $14,968 from Athlon magazine circulations, which was acquired during the second quarter of 2022; and $814 from the Sports Illustrated media business.

 

Cost of Revenue

 

The following table sets forth cost of revenue by category:

 

   Six Months Ended June 30,   2022 versus 2021 
   2022   2021   $ Change   % Change 
Publisher Partner revenue share payments  $9,771   $10,846   $(1,075)   -9.9%
Technology, Platform and software licensing fees   7,710    5,216    2,494    47.8%
Royalty fees   7,500    7,500    -    0.0%
Content and editorial expenses   25,047    13,921    11,126    79.9%
Printing, distribution and fulfillment costs   15,544    5,931    9,613    162.1%
Amortization of developed technology and platform development   4,686    4,324    362    8.4%
Stock-based compensation   4,830    3,198    1,632    51.0%
Other cost of revenue   138    113    25    22.1%
Total cost of revenue  $75,226   $51,049   $24,177    47.4%

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, as referenced in the above table, we recognized cost of revenue of $75,226, as compared to $51,049 for the six months ended June 30, 2021, which represents an increase of $24,177 or 47.4%. Cost of revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was impacted by increases in content and editorial expenses of $11,126, primarily due to the Athlon acquisition, which was acquired in the second quarter of 2022 and the SI Swim magazine that was issued in June 2022 versus July 2021 of the prior year; printing, distribution and fulfillment costs of $9,613, partially generated as a result of the Athlon acquisition and SI Swim; technology, Platform and software licensing fees of $2,494; stock-based compensation of $1,632; and amortization of developed technology and platform development of $362; partially offset by a decrease in Publisher Partner revenue share payments of $1,075.

 

The improvement in gross profit percentage was driven by our strategic shift to eliminate most Publisher Partner guarantees near the end of fiscal 2020 as well as growth in our owned and operated digital properties. As a result, our Publisher Partner revenue share payments represent 21.1% of digital advertising revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2022, as compared to 51.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2021. In addition, we continue to experience high contributions from our digital advertising.

 

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Operating Expenses

 

Selling and Marketing

 

The following table sets forth selling and marketing by category:

 

   Six Months Ended June 30,   2022 versus 2021 
   2022   2021   $ Change   % Change 
Payroll and employee benefits of selling and marketing account management support teams  $8,251   $5,514   $2,737    49.6%
Stock-based compensation   1,339    2,638    (1,299)   -49.2%
Professional marketing services   1,840    1,013    827    81.6%
Circulation costs   1,805    1,775    30    1.7%
Subscription acquisition costs   18,685    15,526    3,159    20.3%
Advertising costs   3,117    3,159    (42)   -1.3%
Other selling and marketing expenses   1,486    1,715    (229)   -13.4%
Total selling and marketing  $36,523   $31,340   $5,183    16.5%

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, as referenced in the above table, we incurred selling and marketing costs of $36,523, as compared to $31,340 for the six months ended June 30, 2021, an increase of $5,183 or 16.5%. The increase in selling and marketing costs of $5,183 is primarily related to subscription acquisition costs of $3,159; payroll of selling and marketing account management support teams of $2,737; and professional and marketing services of $827; partially offset by a decrease in stock-based compensation of $1,299.

 

General and Administrative

 

The following table sets forth general and administrative by category:

 

   Six Months Ended June 30,   2022 versus 2021 
   2022   2021   $ Change   % Change 
Payroll and related expenses for executive, sales and administrative personnel  $8,928   $7,432   $1,496    20.1%
Stock-based compensation   10,297    7,379    2,918    39.5%
Professional services, including accounting, legal and insurance   6,877    6,035    842    14.0%
Other general and administrative expenses   3,376    2,184    1,192    54.6%
Total general and administrative  $29,478   $23,030   $6,448    28.0%

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, as referenced in the above table, we incurred general and administrative costs of $29,478, as compared to $23,030 for the six months ended June 30, 2021, an increase of $6,448 or 28.0%. The increase is primarily related to stock-based compensation of $2,918; payroll and related expenses for executive and administrative personnel of $1,496; professional services, including accounting, legal and insurance of $842; and other general and administrative expenses of $1,192.

 

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Other (Expenses) Income

 

The following table sets forth other (expense) income:

 

   Six Months Ended
June 30,
   2022 versus 2021 
   2022   2021   $ Change   % Change 
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities  $-   $(305)  $305    -100.0%
Interest expense   (5,326)   (5,183)   (143)   2.8%
Liquidated damages   (300)   (1,364)   1,064    -78.00%
Gain upon debt extinguishment   -    5,717    (5,717)   -100.0%
Total other expenses  $(5,626)  $(1,135)  $(4,491)   395.7%

 

Change in Valuation of Warrant Derivative Liabilities. The change of $305 in the valuation of warrant derivative liabilities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was the result no longer having any warrant derivative liabilities as of June 30, 2022.

 

Interest Expense. We incurred interest expense of $5,326 for the six months ended June 30, 2022, as compared to $5,183 for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The increase in interest expense of $143 is primarily from $3,773 increase in cash interest paid; less a decrease of $3,563 from accrued interest.

 

Liquidated Damages. We recorded liquidated damages of $300 for the six months ended June 30, 2022, as compared to $1,364 for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The decrease of $1,064 is primarily from no further liquidated damages assessed under the corresponding agreements and only recording interest expense related to the previous liquidated damages assessed.

 

Gain Upon Debt Extinguishment. We recorded a gain upon debt extinguishment of $5,717 (including accrued interest) pursuant to the forgiveness of the Paycheck Protection Program Loan for the six months ended June 30, 2021.

 

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

We report our financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”); however, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide users of our financial information with useful supplemental information that enables a better comparison of our performance across periods. We believe Adjusted EBITDA provides visibility to the underlying continuing operating performance by excluding the impact of certain items that are noncash in nature or not related to our core business operations. We calculate Adjusted EBITDA as net loss, adjusted for (i) interest expense, (ii) income taxes, (iii) depreciation and amortization, (iv) stock-based compensation, (v) change in derivative valuations, (vi) liquidated damages, (vii) gain upon extinguishment of debt, (viii) loss on impairment of assets, (ix) professional and vendor fees, and (x) employee restructuring payments.

 

Our non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure used by other companies, has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our operating results as reported under GAAP. Additionally, we do not consider our non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA as superior to, or a substitute for, the equivalent measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Some of the limitations is that Adjusted EBITDA:

 

  does not reflect interest expense, or the cash required to service our debt, which reduces cash available to us;
  does not reflect deferred income taxes, which is a noncash expense;
  does not reflect depreciation and amortization expense and, although this is a noncash expense, the assets being depreciated may have to be replaced in the future, increasing our cash requirements;
  does not reflect stock-based compensation and, therefore, does not include all of our compensation costs;
  does not reflect the change in derivative valuations and, although this is a noncash expense, the change in the valuations each reporting period are not impacted by our actual business operations but is instead strongly tied to the change in the market value of our common stock;
  does not reflect liquidated damages and, therefore, does not include future cash requirements if we repay the liquidated damages in cash instead of shares of our common stock (which the investor would need to agree to);

 

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  does not reflect any gains upon debt extinguishment, which we do not consider in our evaluation of our business operations
  does not reflect any losses from the impairment of assets, which is a noncash operating expense;
  does not reflect the professional and vendor fees incurred by us for services provided by consultants, accountants, lawyers, and other vendors, which services were related to certain types of events that are not reflective of our business operations; and
  does not reflect payments related to employee restructuring charges for the former Chief Financial Officer of Athlon and our former Chief Executive Officer.

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure, for the periods indicated:

 

  

Three Months Ended

June 30,

  

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 
   2022   2021   2022   2021 
Net loss  $(22,207)  $(20,657)  $(40,656)  $(46,120)
Add:                    
Interest expense (1)   2,506    2,363    5,326    5,183 
Deferred income taxes   (1,796)   -    (1,782)   - 
Depreciation and amortization (2)   6,819    6,121    13,332    12,251 
Stock-based compensation (3)   9,099    8,116    16,466    13,215 
Change in derivative valuations   -    (360)   -    305 
Liquidated damages (4)   128    1,109    300    1,364 
Gain upon debt extinguishment (5)   -    (5,717)   -    (5,717)
Loss on impairment of assets (6)   -    -    257    - 
Professional and vendor fees (7)   -    1,719    -    2,124 
Employee restructuring payments (8)   505    66    679    241 
Adjusted EBITDA  $(4,946)  $(7,240)  $(6,078)  $(17,154)

 

  (1) Represents interest expense (net of interest income) of $2,506 and $2,363, for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and interest expense (net of interest income) of $5,326 and $5,183, for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Interest expense is related to our capital structure. Interest expense varies over time due to a variety of financing transactions. Interest expense includes $274 and $307 for amortization of debt discounts for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $934 and $1,001 for amortization of debt discounts for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, as presented in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, which are a noncash item. Investors should note that interest expense will recur in future periods.
  (2) Represents depreciation and amortization related to our developed technology and Platform included within cost of revenues of $2,375 and $2,157, for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and depreciation and amortization included within operating expenses of $4,444 and $3,964 for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Represents depreciation and amortization related to our developed technology and Platform included within cost of revenues of $4,686 and $4,324, for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and depreciation and amortization included within operating expenses of $8,646 and $7,927 for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. We believe (i) the amount of depreciation and amortization expense in any specific period may not directly correlate to the underlying performance of our business operations and (ii) such expenses can vary significantly between periods as a result of new acquisitions and full amortization of previously acquired tangible and intangible assets. Investors should note that the use of tangible and intangible assets contributed to revenue in the periods presented and will contribute to future revenue generation and should also note that such expense will recur in future periods.
  (3) Represents noncash costs arising from the grant of stock-based awards to employees, consultants and directors. We believe that excluding the effect of stock-based compensation from Adjusted EBITDA assists management and investors in making period-to-period comparisons in our operating performance because (i) the amount of such expenses in any specific period may not directly correlate to the underlying performance of our business operations, and (ii) such expenses can vary significantly between periods as a result of the timing of grants of new stock-based awards, including grants in connection with acquisitions. Additionally, we believe that excluding stock-based compensation from Adjusted EBITDA assists management and investors in making meaningful comparisons between our operating performance and the operating performance of other companies that may use different forms of employee compensation or different valuation methodologies for their stock-based compensation. Investors should note that stock-based compensation is a key incentive offered to employees whose efforts contributed to the operating results in the periods presented and are expected to contribute to operating results in future periods. Investors should also note that such expenses will recur in the future.

 

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  (4) Represents damages (or interest expense related to accrued liquidated damages) we owe to certain of our investors in private placements offerings conducted in fiscal years 2018 through 2020, pursuant to which we agreed to certain covenants in the respective securities purchase agreements and registration rights agreements, including the filing of resale registration statements and becoming current in our reporting obligations, which we were not able to timely meet.
  (5) Represents a gain upon extinguishment of the Paycheck Protection Program Loan.
  (6) Represents our impairment of certain assets that no longer are useful.
  (7) Represents professional and vendor fees recorded in connection with services provided by consultants, accountants, lawyers, and other vendors related to the preparation of periodic reports in order for us to become current in our reporting obligations (“Delinquent Reporting Obligations Services”). With respect to the Delinquent Reporting Obligations Services, we incurred professional and vendor fees in the first quarter of 2021 related to the preparation of our annual reports for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (which contained the financial information for the quarterly periods during fiscal 2019), and our quarterly reports fiscal 2020. The amount of fees incurred in connection with the Delinquent Reporting Obligations Services is adjusted based on our best estimate of the amount we expect we would ordinarily incur to meet our reporting obligations pursuant to the Exchange Act.
  (8) Represents severance payments to the former Chief Financial Officer of Athlon and our former Chief Executive Officer for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Not applicable to a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of SEC Regulation S-K.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that is designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive officer(s) and principal financial officer(s), or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

In accordance with Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15, an evaluation was completed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. Based on that evaluation, conducted in accordance with SEC’s guidance in Release No. 34-55929, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

In connection with our continued monitoring and maintenance of our controls procedures as part of the implementation of Section 404 of the Sarbanes, we continue to review, test, and improve the effectiveness of our internal controls. There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the six months ended June 30, 2022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

From time to time, we may be subject to claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. We are not currently subject to any pending or threatened legal proceedings that we believe would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

There are numerous factors that affect our business and operating results, many of which are beyond our control. The risk factors described in Part I, “Item IA. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2021, should be carefully considered, together with the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report and in our other filings with SEC in connection with evaluating us, our business and the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report. Additional risks and uncertainties not known to us at present, or that we currently deem immaterial, may affect us. The occurrence of any of these known or unknown risks could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2022, we issued or repurchased unregistered securities to the extent identified in this Item 2.

 

Unregistered Issuances

 

On April 1, 2022, we issued 314,103 restricted shares of our common stock in connection with our acquisition of Athlon Holdings, Inc. Such issuance comprised $3,141 of the purchase price. The number of restricted shares issued was based on the corresponding merger agreement, which called for the price per share to be determined based on our common stock price on each of 10 trading days preceding the April 1, 2022 closing date. The issuance was exempt from registration as a transaction not involving a public offering.

 

On April 27, 2022, we issued 7,851 shares of our common stock in connection with the Say Media merger. These shares were previously classified as common stock to be issued on the condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency. The issuance was exempt from registration as a transaction not involving a public offering.

 

On May 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022, we issued 18,000 and 3,600, respectively, shares of our common stock in connection with the vesting of restricted stock units as payment for services rendered. The issuance was exempt from registration as a transaction not involving a public offering.

 

Repurchases

 

Period  Total number of shares (or units) purchased (1)  Average price paid per share (or unit)  Total number of shares (or units) purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs  Maximum number of shares (or units) that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs
April 1 – 30, 2022    18,150   $88.00        -       - 
May 1 – 31, 2022    -   $    -    - 
June 1 – 30, 2022    -   $    -    - 
Total    18,150   $    -    - 

 

(1) The shares disclosed in this column were not repurchased in connection with a publicly announced plan or program, and no such plan or program has been announced. Such repurchases were made in connection with the HubPages merger as consideration for an amendment to a true-up provision. There are no remaining shares to be repurchased.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

The following documents are filed as part of this Quarterly Report:

 

Exhibit

Number

  Description of Document
     
3.1   Certificate of Designation of Series L Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company, which was filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 4, 2021.
     
3.2*   Certificate of Elimination of Series L Convertible Preferred Stock, as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on July 18, 2022.
     
4.1   Rights Agreement, dated as of May 4, 2021, between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent, which includes the Form of Certificate of Designations, the Form of Right Certificate, and the Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares attached thereto as Exhibits A, B, and C, respectively, which was filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 4, 2021.
     
10.1   Amendment No. 2 to Second Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 19, 2021, by and among the Company, Maven Coalition, Inc., TheStreet, Inc., Maven Media Brands, LLC, and the Agent, and the Purchaser, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on May 25, 2021.
     
10.2   Form of Securities Purchase Agreement among the Company and each of the several purchasers signatory thereto, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on May 25, 2021.
     
10.3   Form of Registration Rights Agreement among the Company and each of the several purchasers signatory thereto, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on May 25, 2021.
     
10.4   Stock Purchase Agreement, dated June 4, 2021, by and among the Company, Maven Media Brands, LLC, College Spun Media Incorporated, Matthew Lombardi, Alyson Shontell Lombardi, Timothy Ray, Andrew Holleran, and the Representative, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 7, 2021.
     
31.1*   Chief Executive Officer’s Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
31.2*   Chief Financial Officer’s Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.1*   Chief Executive Officer’s Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
32.2*   Chief Financial Officer’s Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
101.INS**   Inline XBRL Instance Document
     
101.SCH**   Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
     
101.CAL**   Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
     
101.LAB**   Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
     
101.PRE**   Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
     
101.DEF**   Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
     
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

* Filed herewith.

** In accordance with Regulation S-T, the XBRL related information on Exhibit No. 101 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q shall be deemed “furnished” herewith but not “filed”.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

  The Arena Group Holdings, Inc.
   
   
Date: August 9, 2022 By: /s/ ROSS LEVINSOHN
    Ross Levinsohn
    Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer)
     
Date: August 9, 2022 By: /s/ SPIROS CHRISTOFORATOS
    Spiros Christoforatos
    Chief Accounting Officer
    (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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