UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

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

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20212022

 

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

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 1-12471001-12471

 

THE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INCINC..

(formerly known as theMaven, 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

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Preferred Stock Purchase RightsNone

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No

 

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. Yes ☒ No ☐

 

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). Yes ☒ No ☐

 

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. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

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

 

If 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(b)13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements.

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐

 

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 June 30, 2021,2022, which was the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter for fiscal 2021,2022, the aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates was $59,889,20790,417,933. This calculation is based upon the closing price of the common stock of $17.16$9.00 per share on that date, as reported by the OTC Markets Group Inc.NYSE American.

 

As of March 21, 2022,2023, the Registrant had 17,417,49018,820,926 shares of common stock outstanding.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE


Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for its 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, or Proxy Statement, to be filed within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, are incorporated by reference in Part III. Except with respect to information specifically incorporated by reference in this Annual Report, the Proxy Statement shall not be deemed to be filed as part hereof.

 

 

 

Form 10-K

 

Table of Contents

 

  Page
   
Part I. 47
   
Item 1.Business47
   
Item 1A.Risk Factors1115
   
Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments2330
   
Item 2.Properties2330
   
Item 3.Legal Proceedings2330
   
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosure2330
   
Part II. 2330
   
Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities2330
   
Item 6.Selected Financial Data[Reserved]2631
   
Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations2631
   
Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk4147
   
Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data4147
   
Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure4147
   
Item 9A.Controls and Procedures4147
   
Item 9B.Other Information4248
   
Part III.Item 9C.Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections4248
  
Part III.48
 
Item 10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance4248
   
Item 11.Executive Compensation4248
   
Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters4348
   
Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence43
Item 14.Principal Accounting Fees and Services43
Part IV.43
Item 15.Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules43
 
Item 16.Form 10-K Summary50
  
Item 14.Principal Accounting Fees and Services50
Part IV.50
Item 15.Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules50
Item 16.Form 10-K Summary55
 
Signatures5156

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

All statements of shares and per-share information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Annual Report”) reflect a one-for-twenty-two (1-for-22) reverse stock split of our outstanding common stock, par value $0.01 per share (our “common stock”), effective at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 8, 2022, and implemented at the beginning of trading on the NYSE American on February 9, 2022 (the “Reverse Stock Split”).

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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

 

Certain statements and information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may constitute “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 (“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 Annual Report on Form 10-K 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 comparable terminology.

 

Forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for example, statements about:

our ability to achieve and maintain profitability in the future;
our ability to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting;
our ability to attract new subscribers and to persuade existing subscribers to renew their subscriptions;
the success of strategic relationships with third parties;
our ability to recruit and retain qualified personnel;
our ability to manage our growth effectively, including through strategic acquisitions;
our ability to attract, develop, and retain capable Publisher Partners and expert contributors;
our ability to attract new advertisers and to persuade existing advertisers to continue to advertise on the Platform;
our ability to grow market share in our existing markets or any new markets we may enter;
our ability to respond to general economic conditions;
the impact of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic;
our ability to continue to satisfy NYSE American listing rules;
our estimates of the sufficiency of our existing capital resources combined with future anticipated cash flows to finance our operating requirements; and
other factors detailed under the section entitled “Risk Factors.”

We caution investors that any forward-looking statements presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, or that we may make orally or in writing from time to time, are based on the beliefs of, assumptions made by, and information currently available to, us. Such statements are based on assumptions, and the actual outcome 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.

Certain risks are discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and also from time to time in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC” or “Commission”).

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K 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 Annual Report.Report on Form 10-K.

 

3

Risk Factor Summary

The following is a summary of the principal risks to which our business is subject. This summary is not complete, and the risks summarized below are not the only risks we face. You should review and carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described in more detail in the section titled “Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which includes a more complete discussion of the risks summarized below as well as a discussion of other risks related to our business and an investment in our common stock.

Risks Related to Our Business

If we fail to retain current users or add new users, or if our users decrease their level of engagement with the Platform, our business would be seriously harmed.
 
The market in which we participate is intensely competitive, and if we do not compete effectively, our operating results could be harmed.
The sales and payment cycle for online advertising is long, and such sales may not occur when anticipated or at all, all of which could adversely affect our business.
We are dependent on the continued services and on the performance of key third party content contributors, the loss of which could adversely affect our business.
Our revenues could decrease if the Platform does not continue to operate as intended.
The growing percentage of users whose computers, tablets, or phones that do not support identification through third-party cookies, mobile identifiers, or other tracking technologies could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial conditions.
Our Publisher Partners may engage in intentional or negligent misconduct or other improper activities on the Platform or otherwise misuse the Platform, which may damage our brand image, our business and our results of operations.
The Platform and our technology systems contain open source software, which may pose particular risk to our proprietary software and Platform features and functionalities in a manner that negatively affect our business.

Economic and Operational Risks

We may have difficulty managing our growth.
The strategic relationships that we may be able to develop and on which we may come to rely may not be successful.
A significant portion of our revenues is derived from a single customer. If we were to lose this customer, our revenues could decrease significantly.
Interruptions or performance problems associated with our technology and infrastructure may adversely affect our business and operating results.
We operate our exclusive coalition of professional-managed online media channels on third party cloud platforms and data center hosting facilities.
Real or perceived errors, failures, or bugs in the Platform could adversely affect our operating results and growth prospects.

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Malware, viruses, hacking attacks, and improper or illegal use of the Platform could harm our business and results of operations.

If we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights, our business could suffer.
We could be required to cease certain activities or incur substantial costs as a result of any claim of infringement of another party’s intellectual property rights.
We are subject to a variety of laws and regulations in the United States and abroad that are constantly evolving and involve matters central to our business, including privacy, data protection, and personal information, rights of publicity, content, intellectual property, advertising, marketing, distribution, data security, data retention and deletion, personal information, electronic contracts and other communications, competition, protection of minors, consumer protection, telecommunications, employee classification, product liability, taxation, economic or other trade prohibitions or sanctions, securities law compliance, and online payment services, and the related compliance costs and our failure to comply with these laws and regulations could adversely affect our business.
Our services involve the storage and transmission of digital information; therefore, cybersecurity incidents, including those caused by unintentional errors and those intentionally caused by third parties, may expose us to a risk of loss, unauthorized disclosure or other misuse of this information, litigation liability, regulatory exposure, reputational harm and increased security costs.
Existing or future strategic alliances, long-term investments and acquisitions may have a material and adverse effect on our business, reputation and results of operations.
Our products may require availability of components or known technology from third parties and their non-availability can impede our growth.
Our business is subject to the risk of catastrophic events such as pandemics, earthquakes, flooding, fire, and power outages, and to interruption by man-made problems such as acts of war and terrorism.
Compliance with the reporting obligations under the United States securities laws and Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (“Sarbanes”) will require expenditure of capital and other resources and may divert management’s attention. If we fail to comply with these reporting obligations or to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting, our business, financial condition, and results of operations, and investors’ confidence in us, could be materially and adversely affected.
Unfavorable economic and market conditions could adversely affect our business, reputation and results of operations.

Risks Related to Our Indebtedness, Financial Condition, and Internal Control

As the general economic and market conditions present uncertainty as to our ability to secure additional capital, there can be no assurances that we will be able to secure additional financing on acceptable terms, or at all, as and when necessary to continue to conduct operations.
We have a history of losses.
Our results of operations may fluctuate significantly and may not meet our expectations or those of securities analysts and investors.
Any future litigation against us could be costly and time-consuming to defend.
Our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards may be limited.

5

 

Risks Related To Governance

We are dependent on the continued services and on the performance of our key executive officers, management team, and other key personnel, the loss of which could adversely affect our business.
The elimination of monetary liability against our directors, officers, and employees under Delaware law and the existence of indemnification rights for our obligations to our directors, officers, and employees may result in substantial expenditures by us and may discourage lawsuits against our directors, officers, and employees.
Because we are a “smaller reporting company,” we will not be required to comply with certain disclosure requirements that are applicable to other public companies, and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies will make our common stock less attractive to investors.
Provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and Delaware law may discourage a takeover attempt even if a takeover might be beneficial to our stockholders and limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers and employees.
Claims for indemnification by our directors and officers may reduce our available funds to satisfy successful third-party claims against us and may reduce the amount of money available to us.

Risks Related to Investment in Our Securities

The trading price of the shares of our common stock has been and may continue to be volatile and could subject us to litigation.
Our Board is authorized to issue additional shares of our common stock that would dilute existing stockholders and sales, distribution or issuance of substantial amounts of our common stock could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.
We may issue additional securities with rights superior to those of our common stock, which could materially limit the ownership rights of our stockholders.

We may issue additional securities with rights superior to those of our common stock, which could materially limit the ownership rights of our stockholders.

6

Part I

 

Item 1. Business

 

The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. (the “Company,” “Arena Group,” “we,” “our,” or “us”), is a data-driventech-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 publisherspublisher partners (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 35greater than 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”) and College Spun Media Incorporated (“The Spun”), Parade Media (“Parade”), Men’s Journal and power more than 200225 independent Publisher Partners, including Biography, History, and the many sports team sites that comprise FanNation, among others.FanNation. Each Publisher Partner joins the Platform by invitation-onlyinvitation 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, ad monetization and 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 theythe Publisher Partners benefit from these critical performance improvements they also may save substantially in costs of technology, infrastructure, advertising sales, and member marketing and management.

 

Corporate History

We were originally incorporated in Delaware as Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc. (“Integrated”) in 1990. On October 11, 2016, Integrated and TheMaven Network, Inc. (“Maven Network”) entered into a share exchange agreement (the “Share Exchange Agreement”), whereby the stockholders of Maven Network agreed to exchange all of the then-issued and outstanding shares of common stock for shares of common stock of Integrated. On November 4, 2016, the parties consummated a recapitalization pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement and, as a result, Maven Network became a wholly owned subsidiary of Integrated. Integrated changed its name to theMaven, Inc. on December 2, 2016.

In 2018, we acquired HubPages, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“HubPages”), and Say Media, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Say Media”). Say Media changed its name on January 6, 2020 to Maven Coalition, Inc. and then again on February 18, 2022 to The Arena Platform, Inc. (“Arena Platform”). In 2019, we acquired TheStreet. Also, in 2019, we entered into a licensing agreement, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated September 1, 2019, Amendment No. 2 dated April 1, 2020, Amendment No. 3 dated July 28, 2020, Amendment No. 4 dated June 4, 2021, and side letter dated June 4, 2021 (collectively, the “Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement”) with ABG-SI LLC (“ABG”), pursuant to which we have the exclusive right and license in the United States, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand to operate the Sports Illustrated media business (in the English and Spanish languages), including to (i) operate the digital and print editions of Sports Illustrated (including all special interest issues and the swimsuit issue) and Sports Illustrated for Kids, (ii) develop new digital media channels under the Sports Illustrated brands, and (iii) operate certain related businesses, including without limitation, special interest publications, video channels, bookazines, and the licensing and/or syndication of certain products and content under the Sports Illustrated brand.

In 2020, we acquired substantially all the assets of Petametrics Inc., doing business as LiftIgniter, a Delaware corporation (“LiftIgniter”). In 2021, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of The Spun.

4

On September 20, 2021, we re-branded to “The Arena Group.” Effective at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 8, 2022, we changed our formal corporate name to The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. in conjunction with our filing a Certificate of Amendment and Certificate of Corrections with the State of Delaware and obtaining approval from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). On February 9, 2022, our common stock began trading on the NYSE American.

The Platform

 

We developed the Platform, a proprietary online publishing platform that provides our owned and operated media businesses, Publisher Partners who(who are third parties producing and publishing content on their own domains,domains), and individual creators contributing content to our owned and operated sites (“Expert Contributors”), the ability to produce and manage editorially focused content through tools and services provided by us. We have also developed proprietary advertising technology, techniques and relationships that allow us, our Publisher Partners and Expert Contributors to monetize online, editorially focused content through various display and video advertisements and tools and services for driving a subscription or membership based business and other monetization services (the “Monetization Solutions” and, together with the Platform, the “Platform Services”). Our Platform offers audiences bespoke content with optimized design and page construction.

 

The Platform comprises state-of-the-art publishing tools, video platforms, social distribution channels, newsletter technology, machine learning content recommendations, notifications, and other technology that deliver a complete set of features to drive a digital media business in an entirely cloud-based suite of services. Our software engineering and product development teams are experienced at delivering these services at scale. We continue to develop the Platform software by combining proprietary code with components from the open-source community, plus select commercial services as well as identifying, acquiring, and integrating other platform technologies, where we see unique long-term benefits to us.

 

The Platform Services include:

 

Content management, machine learning driven content recommendations, traffic redistribution, hosting and bandwidth;
   
Video publishing, hosting, and player solution via an integrated set of third-party providers;
   
Dashboards for our Publisher Partners as well as integration with leading analytics services like Google Analytics;

7
Digital subscriptions and membership with paywalls, exclusive member access, and metering, credit card processing and reporting;

User account management;
   
User account migration to platform, including emails and membership data;
   
Technical support team to train and support our Publisher Partners and staff (if applicable) on the Platform;
   
Advertising serving, trafficking/insertion orders, yield management, and reporting and collection;
   
Dedicated customer service and sales centerVarious integrations to assist our Publisher Partners with customer support, sign-ups, cancellations, and “saves;”
Services for maintaining evergreenenable the syndication of content to Expert Contributors;
Various syndication integrations (e.g., Apple News, Facebook Instant Articles, Google AMP, Google news and RSS feeds);
Structured data objects (i.e., structured elements such as recipes or products); and
   
Other features, as they may be added to the Platform from time to time.

 

5

Our Platform partnersPublisher Partners use the Platform Services to produce, manage, host and monetize their content in accordance with the terms and conditions of partner agreements between each of our Publisher Partners and us (the “Partner Agreements”). Our Publisher Partners incur the costs with respect to creating their content; thus, not requiring capital expenditures by us. Pursuant to the Partner Agreements, we and our Publisher Partners split revenue generated from the Platform Services used in connection with the Publisher Partner’s content based on certain metricscriteria such as whether the revenue was from direct or programmatic advertising sales, was generated by our Publisher Partner or us, was generated in connection with a subscription or a membership, was based on standalonegenerated from syndicating or bundled subscriptionslicensing the content to third-parties, or whether the revenue was derived from affiliate links.

 

Subject to the terms and conditions of each Partner Agreement and in exchange for the Platform Services, our Publisher Partners grant us, for so long as our Publisher Partner’s assets are hosted on the Platform, (i) the right to use, host, store, cache, reproduce, publish, publicly display, distribute, transmit, modify, adapt and create derivative works of the content provided by the Publisher Partner to provide, maintain and improve the Platform Services; (ii) use, publicly display, distribute and transmit the name, logo, and trademarks of the Publisher Partner to identify them as users of the Platform Services; (iii) exclusive control of ads.txt with respect to our Publisher Partner’s domains and (ii)(iv) the exclusive right to include our Publisher Partner’s website domains and related URLs in our coalition in a consolidated listing assembled by third party measurement companies such as comScore, Nielsen or other similar measuring services selected by us. As such, the Platform serves as the primary digital media and social platform with respect to each of our Publisher Partners’ website domains during the applicable term of each Partner Agreement.

 

Our Brands and Growth Strategy

 

Our business model is to grow our Platform audience while striving to diversify revenue and drive gross margin through traditional media brands as well as new digital-first brands. We believe our vertical model allows us and our partners to leverage audience growth, technological efficiencies and cost savings across all of our brands. Our vertical model consists of (i) acquiring or partnering with powerful brands that can offer our audience bespoke content and domain authority, (ii) forming key strategic partnerships with like-minded partners of high-quality content, (iii) partnering with entrepreneurial publishers to drive local content at variable cost tied to performance, and (iv) growing our Publisher Partners on our network to expand our content offerings and add scale to the ecosystem. In late 2021, both Sports Illustrated and TheStreet increased its focus on producing data-driven breaking and trending news packaged specifically for Facebook News.

 

Our growth strategy is to continue to expand the coalition by adding new Publisher Partners in key verticals that management believes will expand the scale of unique users interacting on the Platform. In each vertical, we seek to build around a leading brand, such as Sports Illustrated (for sports) and, TheStreet (for finance) and Parade and Men’s Journal (for lifestyle), surround it with subcategory specialists, and further enhance coverage with individual Expert Contributors. The primary means of expansion is adding independent Publisher Partners or acquiring publishers that have premium branded content and can broaden the reach and impact of the Platform. As our digital revenue and gross margin grows, we believe we can further accelerate our growth. Specifically, our 20222023 growth initiatives include: (i) increasing syndication of the content on our Platform through the re-publishing the content on third-party websites, (ii) offering of podcasts and e-commerce through our Platform, (iii) growing Sports Illustrated sportsbook (“SI Sportsbook”), (iv) acquiring or developing new verticals for our users, and (v) continuing to identify and partner with new Publisher Partners.

 

The Arena Group

We operate a best-in-class digital media platform empowering premium publishers who impact, inform, educate, and entertain. We operate the media businesses for Sports Illustrated and TheStreet, and power more than 200 independent brands, including Biography, History, and the many team sports sites that comprise FanNation, among others. These brands range from niche media businesses to world-leading independent publishers, operating on the Platform, a shared digital publishing, monetization, and distribution platform.

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Sports Illustrated

 

We assumed managementIn 2019, we entered into a licensing agreement, as amended (the “Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement”) with ABG-SI LLC (“ABG”), pursuant to which we have the exclusive right and license in the United States, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Republic of certainIreland, Australia, and New Zealand to operate the Sports Illustrated media assets (pursuantbusiness (in the English and Spanish languages), including to (i) operate the digital and print editions of Sports Illustrated (including all special interest issues and the swimsuit issue) and Sports Illustrated for Kids, (ii) develop new digital media channels under the Sports Illustrated License Agreement) on October 4, 2019.brands, and (iii) operate certain related businesses, including without limitation, special interest publications, video channels, bookazines, and the licensing and/or syndication of certain products and content under the Sports Illustrated brand. ABG is owned by ABG, a brand development, marketing, and entertainment company.

Since assuming management of the Sports Illustrated media assets in October 2019, we have implemented significant changes to rebuild the historic brand and beacon of sports journalism, to evolve and expand the business, and to position it for growth and continued success going forward.

 

With respect to Sports Illustrated Swim (“SI Swim”), we have transitioned to a female-focused lifestyle brand, with the annual content release in May 2022. Our fan-facing event to celebrate the 2022 annual content release and ongoing digital sponsorships was held over several nights in May 2022 and we partnered with Hard Rock, Maybelline, Celsius, Frida Mom and others.

SI Sportsbook, an online sports betting app, was launched in 2021 in Colorado. WeColorado and has expanded to several states through the end of fiscal 2022. Pursuant to a licensing agreement, we provide the content for SI Sportsbook and our partner, 888 Holdings PLC, one of the world’s leading online betting and gaming companies, provides the gambling engine. The SI Sportsbook covers the NFL, CFB, NCAAMB, MLB, NBA, NHA, PGA, Horse Racing, UCF, Boxing. The content we provide includes: (i) Sports Illustrated winners club newsletter, live NFL pre-game show and twitter spaces, (ii) NFL and CFB game betting previews and player props, (iii) five new betting articles series, and (iv) four new video on-demand betting series. SI Sportsbook intendsengine, which it makes available to expand into additional markets by the end of 2023.

With respect to Sports Illustrated Swim (“SI Swim”), we have continued to transitionusers in certain states in which it to a female-focused lifestyle brand, with the annual content release in July 2021. With respect to our fan-facing event to celebrate our annual content release and ongoing digital sponsorships, we partnered with Hard Rock, Diageo, and Vita Coco.is registered.

In addition, we partnered with iHeartMedia, Inc. to co-produce original podcasts. The iHeartPodcast Network will distribute the podcasts as well as distribute Sports Illustrated’s existing podcasts across iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are heard.

 

TheStreet

 

TheStreet is a leading financial news and information provider to investors and institutions worldwide and has producedproduces business news and market analysis for individual investors. TheStreet brings itshas a strong editorial tradition, strongrobust subscription platform, and valuable membership base to us, and benefits from our mobile-friendly CMS, social, video, and monetization technology. As we previously disclosed, our agreement with Jim Cramer expired in September 2021 and we have refocused our efforts to broaden our targeted user base to a more diverse demographic profile.

HubPages

We acquired HubPages to enhance the user’s experience by increasing content, including from individual creators contributing content to our owned and operated sites. HubPages operates a network of premium content channels that act as an open community for writers, explorers, knowledge seekers, and conversation starters to connect in an interactive and informative online space. HubPages operates in the United States.

Arena Platform

We acquired Arena Platform to enhance the user’s experience by increasing content. Now fully integrated into the Platform, Arena Platform’s technology provides a comprehensive online media publishing platform and enables brand advertisers to engage today’s social media consumer through rich advertising experiences across its network of web properties. Arena Platform operates in the United States.

LiftIgniter

LiftIgniter provides a distribution and recommendation engine for premium publishers. The LiftIgniter platform connects users efficiently to hundreds of professional content creators, with custom recommendations of content aligned with users’ personal passions. Aided by machine-learning technology, publishers can identify and target those interested in their content. LiftIgniter activates the value of hosting hundreds of premium journalists on a single platform by interconnecting them through unified content distribution.

 

The Spun

 

The Spun, (thespun.com), founded in September 2012, and acquired by us in June 2021, is an online independent sports publication that brings readers the most interesting athletic stories of the day. The Spun focuses on the social media aspect of the industry. The former Chief Executive Officer of The Spun is now serving as our Senior Vice President of Growth, for Sports, a role we believe will continue to assist us in growing our sports vertical business.

 

Parade

We acquired Parade, a premium-branded company in April 2022 which helped to expand our digital audience reach. Parade has become the anchor of our new lifestyle vertical, and Athlon Sports, one of Parade’s premium-brands, has expanded our sports vertical. In the fourth quarter of 2022, we discontinued the Parade print business. See Note 3, Discontinued Operations in our accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Men’s Journal

We acquired the digital assets of Men’s Journal from Weider Publications, a subsidiary of A360 Media, LLC in December 2022 to supplement our growing lifestyle vertical. This suite of digital assets provides our audience with access to premium active lifestyle brands including Men’s Journal, Men’s Fitness, Surfer, Powder, Bike, SKATEboarding, Snowboarder and NewSchoolers.

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Other Publisher PartnersHubPages

 

HubPages enhances the user’s experience by including content from individual creators to the HubPages network of premium content channels that are owned and operated by Arena. These channels, such as PetHelpful, dengarden and Fashionista, act as an open community for writers, explorers, knowledge seekers, and conversation starters to connect in an interactive and informative online space.

Corporate History

We have multiple team specificwere originally incorporated in Delaware as Integrated Surgical Systems, Inc. (“Integrated”) in 1990. On October 11, 2016, Integrated and niche sports sites underTheMaven Network, Inc. (“Maven Network”) entered into a share exchange agreement (the “Share Exchange Agreement”), whereby the brand FanNation. Additionally, Fadeaway World which isstockholders of Maven Network agreed to exchange all of the then-issued and outstanding shares of common stock for shares of common stock of Integrated. On November 4, 2016, the parties consummated a sports-oriented Publisher Partner, joined our Platform in May 2021,recapitalization pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement and, isas a fast-growing online basketball media brand focusedresult, Maven Network became a wholly owned subsidiary of Integrated. Integrated changed its name to theMaven, Inc. on breaking news and commentary.December 2, 2016.

On September 20, 2021, we re-branded to “The Arena Group.” Effective on February 8, 2022, we changed our legal name to The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. in conjunction with filing a Certificate of Amendment and Certificate of Corrections with the State of Delaware and on February 9, 2022, our common stock began trading on the NYSE American.

 

Intellectual Property

 

We have sevenuse proprietary technology to operate our business, and our success depends, in part, on our ability to protect our technology and intellectual property. We rely on a combination of patent, registrationscopyright, trademark and trade secret laws, as well as contractual restrictions, to establish and protect our intellectual property. We maintain a policy requiring our employees, contractors, consultants and other third parties to enter into confidentiality and proprietary rights agreements to control access to our proprietary information. These laws, procedures and restrictions provide only limited protection and any of our intellectual property rights may be challenged, invalidated, circumvented, infringed or misappropriated. Further, the laws of certain countries do not protect proprietary rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States and, therefore, in certain jurisdictions, we may be unable to protect our proprietary technology.

As of December 31, 2022, we had 7 issued patents in the United States, in connection with our technology. The patents expire at various times throughall expiring by 2033. All of our patent registrations are owned by our wholly-owned subsidiary, Arena Platform.

 

MavenAs of December 31, 2022, we also owned approximately 1,300 U.S. copyright registrations and Key Design

We currently havehad unregistered copyrights in our software documentation, software code, marketing materials, and website content that we develop, and owned over 1,600 registered domain names. As of December 31, 2022, we also owned 165 U.S. trademark registrations, directed to our key design logo15 pending U.S. trademark applications, and the MAVEN name88 issued foreign trademark registrations and 20 pending foreign trademark applications in the United States, Australia, China, the European Union (the “EU”), the United Kingdom, India, Japan, and New Zealand, as well as international Madrid Protocol registrations. We have a trademark application directed to our key design logo pending in Canada,over 30 countries, and a trademark registration for the MAVEN name in Canada.

Moreover,number of unregistered marks that we have a United States trademark registration for the word mark MAVEN COALITION, trademark registrations in the EU and the United Kingdom for the word mark THEMAVEN, and a United States trademark registration for the word mark A MAVEN CHANNEL. We have trademark registrations for the work mark A MAVEN CHANNEL in Australia, New Zealand, the EU, and the United Kingdom, and applications for the word mark A MAVEN CHANNEL pending in Canada and Mexico, as well as an international Madrid Protocol registration.

The above trademark registrations are subject to renewals at various times through 2031.

Other Marks

We have trademark registrations for the word marks ACTION ALERTS PLUS, ALPHA RISING, BANKING MY WAY, BULL MARKET FANTASY, INCOME SEEKER, LIFTIGNITOR, MAIN ST. (logo), REAL MONEY, REALMONEY, STREETLIGHTNING, THE SPUN, TEMPEST, THESTREET, THESTREET.COM, and THE STREET (logo)use in the United States and a pending application for the word mark THESTREET SMARTS in the United States. other countries to promote our brands.

Our registered trademarks are all subject to renewal at various times through 2033.

We also have trademark applications for the marks ACTION ALERTS PLUS, BULL MARKET FANTASY, REAL MONEY, and THESTREET pending in Canada.

We have trademark applications for the marks THE ARENA, THE ARENA GROUP, and THE ARENA GROUP (logo) pending in the United States. We also have Madrid Protocol applications pending for the word mark THE ARENA GROUP and for THE ARENA GROUP logo mark, each seeking registration of the marks in Australia, Canada, China, EU, Mexico, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

We have a United States trademark registration for the word mark HUBPAGES, and trademark registrations for the HUBPAGES mark in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, the EU, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, as well as an international Madrid Protocol registration.

Wewill continue to file updated trademark applications in the United States and abroad to reflect our branding evolution and intend to continue strengthening our trademark portfolio as financial resources permit. From time to time we also expect to file additional patents and copyrights.

 

The above trademark registrations are subject to renewals at various times through 2032.

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Our Publisher Partners and Licensing

 

In connection with our Partner Agreements and any other applicable agreements between us and our Publisher Partners, (i) we and our affiliates own and retain (a) all right, title, and interest in and to the Platform, other monetization services (“Monetization Solutions”)Solutions and data collected by us, and (b) we and our licensors’ trademarks and branding and all software and technology we use to provide and operate the Platform and Monetization Solutions, and (ii) each Publisher Partner owns and retains (a) all right, title, and interest in and to the Publisher Partner’s assets, content, and data collected by Publisher Partner and (b) each Publisher Partner’s trademarks and branding.

 

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Seasonality

 

We do experience typical media companyseasonality during the year, as a result of advertising seasonality and membership sales seasonality, which is strongsports seasons and major sporting events. Advertising typically peaks in the fiscal fourth quarter of our fiscal year as advertisers concentrate their budgets during the holiday season. This trend is magnified as it also includes the professional sports and slower incollege football seasons, which account for a significant portion of our advertising revenue during that period of the fiscal first quarter.year. Other sporting events such as the Super Bowl, Winter and Summer Olympics, soccer’s World Cup, and major golf, tennis and cycling events create increased traffic surrounding the respective events.

 

Competition

 

Currently, we believe that there are many competitors delivering niche media content in the verticals that we serve on the web and on mobile devices and an even broader array of general media companies and major media brands. All those competitors use mobile alerts, invest heavily in video,brands that compete for the attention of users and the advertisers who desire to reach them. We have developed a playbook that leverages our state-of-the-art platform to optimize the performance of both our owned and operated and our Publisher Partners’ properties. The playbook is a set of processes, procedures and tactics that help improve the consumer experience, develop a greater organic audience reach, apply data management and artificial intelligence tools, optimize monetization and leverage social media. We believe that we have developed distribution, production,content through syndication and technology tactics that are superior becauseimproved distribution. This all happens within our management team’s tactics invertical structure, which leverages the past with prior companies have proveniconic brands leading each vertical to bedeliver a highly engaging and effective experience for our particular model, which organizes channels into interest groups, led by key brands, such as Sports Illustrated in the sports verticalusers, advertisers and TheStreet in the finance vertical.subscribers.

 

The web provides unlimited access to the market by niche or general media companies, so there are a large number and variety of direct competitors of ours competing for audience and ad and membership dollars. The general business of online media, combined with some level or method of leveraging community attracts many potential entrants, and in the future, there may be strong competitors that will compete with us in general or in selected markets. These and other companies may be better financed and be able to develop their markets more quickly and penetrate those marketmarkets more effectively. The following is a list of possible competitors and their respective categories:

 

Vice, Buzzfeed, Business Insider, et al. – niche content, leverages social, mobile, and video, and competes for ad dollars;
Fortune, CNN, ESPN, Yahoo!, Google, et al. – general content, major media companies, and competes for ad dollars;
WordPress, Medium, RebelMouse, Arc – content management software, open to all including experts and professionals, and competes for publishers;
Leaf Group Ltd. and Future PLC – competes for partners and ad dollars;
YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Reddit – social platforms open to all including experts and professionals; and
Affiliate networks such as Liberty Alliance – competes for ad dollars.

 

In addition, even though do not compete in the same market, we view Nexstar Media Group, Inc. and Ziff Davis as peer companies for purposes of comparing our performance.

 

We believe that we compete on the basis of our technology, substantial scale in traffic, ease of use, recognized lead media brands, and platform evolution through a continuing development and acquisition program. We believe that our scale, methods, technology, and experience enable us to compete for a material amount of market share of media dollars and membership revenue.

 

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Government Regulations

 

Our operations are subject to a number of United States federal and state laws and regulations that involve data privacy, data protection, rights of publicity, data protection, content regulation, intellectual property, or other subjects. Many of these laws and regulations are still evolving and being tested in courts and could be interpreted in ways that could harm our business. In addition, the application and interpretation of these laws and regulations often are uncertain, particularly in the new and rapidly evolving industry in which we operate. We continue to monitor existing and pending laws and regulations. and the impact of regulatory changes cannot be predicted with certainty.

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Several government authorities, both in the United States and abroad, and private parties are increasing their focus on privacy issues and the use of personal information. All U.S. states have enacted some form of data privacysecurity legislation, including data security and breach notification laws. There are a number of federal laws in all 50governing data privacy, and a growing number of U.S. states and some form of regulationhave enacted laws regarding the collection, use and disclosure of personal information at the federal level and in several states.information. California has been the most active in consumer privacy legislation, including passing a comprehensive law requiring transparency, access, and choice known as the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (the “CCPA”), which was amended in November 2020 by a ballot measure known as the California Privacy Rights Act (the “CPRA”). The CCPA which went into effect January 1, 2020, with enforcement having begunbeginning in June 2020. The CPRA goes into effect over time, with enforcement2023. In addition to begin July 2023. OtherCalifornia, certain states are also consideringhave already enacted (e.g. VA, CO, CT, and UT) comprehensive consumer privacy legislation and numerous others have introduced or are considering similar legislation. Certain states, such as Massachusetts, have also enacted legislation requiring that companies have written information security programs to protect certain encryption technologies for the storage and transmission of personally identifiable information, including credit card information,personal data, and more states are considering laws for or have enacted laws about information security, which may require the adoption of written information security policies that are consistent with state laws if businesses have personal information of residents of those states.

Data privacy and information security legislation is also being considered at the federal level, concerning the privacy of individuals and use of internet and marketing information.level. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and state attorneys general in several states have oversight of business operations concerning the use of personal information and breaches of the privacy laws under existing consumer protection laws. In particular, an attorney general or the FTC may examine privacy policies to ensure that a company discloses all material practices and fully complies with representations in the policies regarding the manner in which the information provided by consumers and other visitors to a website is used and disclosed, by it, and the failure to do so could give rise to a complaintpenalties under state or federal unfair competition or consumer protection laws. The California Attorney General has begun aggressively investigating companies, especially those with websites, with respect to CCPA compliance, and these investigations reportedly include inquiries into issues for which there has not yet been clear guidance issued by the state, such as regarding third party cookies that collect personal information from users when they visit our and other websites.

 

We review our privacy policies and overall operations on a regular basis to ensure compliance with applicable United States federal and state laws, and to the extent applicable, any foreign laws. We launched a CCPA compliance program in January 2020, and at the end of 2020 reviewedhave expedited it to cover CPRA as well. On an annual basis we review the program and adjustedadjust our privacy notice and compliance program practices to account for our evolving practices and the new CCPACCPA/CPRA regulations, which were first promulgated in July 2020 and continue to be subject to ongoing rulemaking. We believe the position we take regarding various CCPA issues, including third party cookies, is based on sound and good faith interpretations of the law based on consultation with legal counsel. However, thereThere are conflicting interpretations of the law that have been adopted by various parties in the digital media industry, and given the lack of guidance to date on many of these issues, our compliance posture on some issues might not be accepted by the State of California.

 

In addition to the laws of the United States, we may be subject to foreign laws regulating web sites and online services, and the laws in some jurisdictions outside of the United States are stricter than the laws in the United States. For instance, in May 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”) went into effect in the EU and European Economic Area and Switzerland. The GDPR includes operational requirements for companies that receive or process personal data of residents of the EU that include significant penalties for non-compliance. In addition, some EU countries are considering or have passed legislation implementing additional data protection requirements or requiring local storage and processing of personal data or similar requirements that could increase the cost and complexity of delivering our services. The GDPR also includes certain requirements regarding the security of personal data and notification of data processing obligations or security incidents to appropriate data protection authorities or data subjects, as well as requirements for establishing a lawful basis on which personal data can be processed. How the GDPR will be fully applied to online services, including cookies and digital advertising, is still being determined through ongoing rulemaking and evolving interpretation by applicable authorities. We operate a GDPR compliance program that we believe, based on our good faith interpretationOn June 16, 2020, the Court of Justice of the GDPR in consultation with counsel,European Union (“CJEU), declared the E.U.-U.S. Privacy Shield framework (“Privacy Shield”) to be invalid. As a result, Privacy Shield is consistent with our obligations under that law. The highest court inno longer a valid mechanism for transferring personal data from the EU recently ruled thatE.E.A. to the United States/EU Privacy Shield was inadequate under GDPR and questioned the viability or legality of any EU to United States personal data transfer methods.States. We are working to addressaddressing this issue, for instance, by including standard contractual clauses as part of our Data Processing Agreements,Agreements; however, it is uncertain whether the standard contractual clauses will also be invalidated by the European courts or legislature, which seems possible given the rationale behind the CJEU’s concerns about U.S. law and we continuepractice on government surveillance. GDPR also convers a private right of action on data subjects and consumer associations to monitorlodge complaints with supervisory authorities, seek judicial remedies and obtain compensation for damages resulting from violations of the developmentGDPR. GDPR imposes substantial fines for breaches and violations (up to the greater of EU to United States personal data transfer methods and the law relating thereto.€20 million or 4% of our consolidated annual worldwide gross revenue).

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Social networking websites are also under increasing scrutiny. Legislation has been introduced on the state and federal level that could regulate social networking websites. Some rules call for more stringent age-verification techniques, attempt to mandate data retention or data destruction by Internet providers, and impose civil or criminal penalties on owners or operators of social networking websites.

 

The FTC regularly considers issues relating to online behavioral advertising (a/k/a interest-based advertising), which is a significant revenue source for us, and Congress and state legislatures are frequently asked to regulate this type of advertising, including requiring consumers to provide express consent for tracking purposes, so that advertisers may know their interests and are, therefore, able to serve them more relevant, targeted ads. Targeted ads generate higher per impression fees than non-targeted ads. New laws, or new interpretations of existing laws, could potentially place restrictions on our ability to utilize our database and other marketing data (e.g., from third parties) on our own behalf and on behalf of our advertising clients, which may adversely affect our business.

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Legislation concerning the above-described online activities has either been enacted or is in various stages of development and implementation in other countries around the world and could affect our ability to make our websites available in those countries as future legislation is made effective. It is possible that state and foreign governments might also attempt to regulate our transmissions of content on our website or prosecute us for violations of their laws. United States law offers limited safe harbors and immunities to publishers for certain liability arising out of user-posted content, but other countries do not. Further, there are a number of legislative proposals in the United States and internationally, that could impose new obligations in areas affecting our business, such as liability for copyright infringement by third parties and liability for defamation or other claims arising out of user-posted content. Our business could be negatively impacted if applicable laws subject us to greater regulation or risk of liability.

 

Our business could also be adversely affected if regulatory enforcement authorities, such as the California Attorney General or EU/EEA data protection authorities, take issue with any of our approaches to compliance, or if new laws, regulations or decisions regarding the collection, storage, transmission, use or disclosure of personal information are implemented in such ways that impose new or additional technologytechnological requirements on us, limit our ability to collect, transmit, store and use or disclose the information, or if government authorities or private parties challenge our data privacy or security practices that result in liability to, or restrictions on us, or we experience a significant data or information breach which would require public disclosure under existing notification laws and for which we may be liable for damages or penalties.

 

Furthermore, governments of applicable jurisdictions might attempt to regulate our transmissions or levy sales or other taxes relating to our activities even though we do not have a physical presence or operate in those jurisdictions. As our platforms, products and advertisementadvertising activities are available over the Internet anywhere in the world, multiple jurisdictions may claim that we are required to qualify to do business as a foreign corporation in each of those jurisdictions and pay various taxes in those jurisdictions. We address state and local jurisdictions where we believe we have nexus, however, there can be no assurance that we have complied with all jurisdictions that may assert that we owe taxes.

 

ConcentrationCurrently, we carry cybersecurity and business interruption coverage to mitigate certain potential losses, but this insurance is limited in amount and may not be sufficient in type or amount to cover us against claims related to a cybersecurity breach and related business and system disruptions. We cannot be certain that such potential losses will not exceed our policy limits, insurance will continue to be available to us on economically reasonable terms, or at all, or any insurer will not deny coverage as to any future claim. In addition, we may be subject to changes in our insurance policies, including premium increases or the imposition of Customer Risklarge deductible or co-insurance requirements.

In fiscal 2021, we had sales to one customer that comprised approximately 11.3% of our total revenue. In fiscal 2020, we did not have any customers that comprised a significant portion of our revenue.

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EmployeesHuman Capital Resources

 

Our total number of employees as of December 31, 2021, was 364,400, of which 333391 were full-time employees and 219 were part-time employees. Roughly 26%23% of our workforce, or 9692 employees, is represented by a union named The NewsGuild of New York, CWA Local 31003 (the “Guild”) pursuant to a binding Memorandum of Agreement executed by and between the Guild and The Arena Media Brands, LLC (“Arena Media”) on December 31, 2021 (the “MOA”), which covers Sports Illustrated editorial staff. The MOA is intended to be finalized in the form of a collective bargaining agreement in the second quarter ofduring fiscal 2022.2023. The MOA comprehensively addresses the terms of employment for covered employees and non-employees regarding, among other things, wages, raises, bonuses, severances, benefits, discipline and the like. We have incorporated the terms of the MOA into our fiscal 2022 employment practices.

 

Corporate Culture

We like to say that The Arena Group is where the action is - where passion drives each of us. The things we love are what keep us coming back to read, watch and experience the best in sports, finance, and entertainment – brought to you by the iconic brands you admire most. We are building out the pathways to passion – your ticket to continuous excitement.

We are working to build and sustain a company culture that enables our employees to show up as their best, whole selves; to communicate, collaborate, and innovate with their colleagues, no matter where they are located; and to learn, grow, and belong.

DEI Initiatives

We believe that a workforce rich in diversity of thought, background, and experience helps us build a company and community where we can all succeed. This year, we launched our first company-wide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”) Council – comprised of 18 employees with a variety of identities and backgrounds that also represented as wide a selection as possible across brands, functions, and tenures at Arena, and most importantly, represented a clear commitment to diversity and inclusion at our company. The Council meets monthly, and meets with and advises senior leadership on how to direct an annual DEI budget.

We expect to launch our first company-wide engagement survey in 2023, alongside multi-faceted efforts to build and sustain an inclusive culture of feedback and engagement. The feedback from this survey will help us prioritize our best next steps in continued improvement of our workplace community.

Available Information

We file our annual, periodic and current reports, and other required information, electronically with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information that we file with the SEC electronically. We also make available on our website at www.thearenagroup.net, free of charge, copies of these reports and other information as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.

We use our website, blog, press releases, public conference calls and public webcasts as means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. The information disclosed by the foregoing channels could be deemed to be material information. As such, we encourage investors, the media, and others to follow the channels listed above and to review the information disclosed through such channels. The contents of the websites referred to above are not incorporated into this filing.

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Listed below is a summary of the principal risks that could adversely affect our business, operations and financial results. There are numerous factors that affect our business, operations and operatingfinancial results, many of which are beyond our control. The following is a description of significant factors that might cause our future results to differ materially from those currently expected. The risks described below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business operations. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, or our ability to pay our debts and other liabilities could suffer. As a result, the trading price and liquidity of our securities could decline, perhaps significantly, and you could lose all or part of your investment. The risks discussed below also include forward-looking statements and our actual results may differ substantially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. See the section entitled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” All dollar figures are presented in thousands unless otherwise stated.

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RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION

Our business operations may be materially and adversely affected by the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and continues to have, a significant impact around the world, prompting governments and businesses to take unprecedented measures in response. Such measures have included restrictions on travel and business operations, temporary closures of businesses, quarantine and shelter-in-place orders, and postponement or cancellation of in-person events, including sporting events. The COVID-19 pandemic has, at times, significantly curtailed global economic activity and caused significant volatility and disruption in global financial markets. The COVID-19 pandemic has had less of an impact during fiscal year 2021 on our business and results of operations than the prior fiscal year due to sporting events and society generally being less restricted and impacted by the pandemic. That does not, however, provide assurance that future variants of COVID-19, or other diseases, will not emerge. If that happens, it is possible that the sporting events will again be postponed or canceled. Given that Sports Illustrated, which relies on sporting events to generate content for the Sports Illustrated media business, comprises a material portion of our revenues, our 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. Future widespread shutdowns of in-person economic activity could have a materially detrimental impact on our business. We continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate actions in accordance with the recommendations and requirements of relevant authorities.

As market conditions present uncertainty as to our ability to secure additional capital, there can be no assurances that we will be able to secure additional financing on acceptable terms, or at all, as and when necessary to continue to conduct operations. Our future liquidity and capital requirements will depend upon numerous factors, including the success of our offerings and competing technological and market developments. We may need to raise funds through public or private financings, strategic relationships, or other arrangements. There can be no assurance that such funding, will be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all. Furthermore, any equity financing will be dilutive to existing stockholders, and debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants that may limit our operating flexibility with respect to certain business matters. Strategic arrangements may require us to relinquish our rights or grant licenses to some or substantial parts of our intellectual property. If funds are raised through the issuance of equity securities, the percentage ownership of our stockholders will be reduced, stockholders may experience additional dilution in net book value per share, and such equity securities may have rights, preferences, or privileges senior to those of the holders of our existing capital stock. If adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms, we may not be able to continue operating, develop or enhance products, take advantage of future opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition.

We have a history of losses.In fiscal 2021, we had net loss of approximately $89.9 million, compared to approximately $89.2 million in fiscal 2020. Our accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2021 was approximately $252.2 million. We may continue to incur losses in the future if we do not achieve sufficient revenue to achieve and maintain profitability. There is no assurance that our operations will generate sufficient cash flows to support our continued operations in the future without needing to seek additional capital funding or borrowings. We can provide no assurance that if we need to seek such additional outside capital that it will be available on favorable terms or at all. Any failure to achieve and maintain profitability could have a materially adverse effect on our ability to implement our business plan, our results and operations, and our financial condition.

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If we fail to comply with the reporting obligations of the Exchange Act and Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (“Sarbanes”), or if we fail to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting, our business, financial condition, and results of operations, and investors’ confidence in us, could be materially and adversely affected. As a public company, we are required to comply with the periodic reporting obligations of the Exchange Act, including preparing annual reports, quarterly reports, and current reports. Our failure to prepare and disclose this information in a timely manner and meet our reporting obligations in their entirety could subject us to penalties under federal securities laws and regulations of the NYSE American, expose us to lawsuits, and restrict our ability to access financing on favorable terms, or at all. In addition, pursuant to Section 404 of Sarbanes, we are required to evaluate and provide a management report of our systems of internal control over financial reporting. During the evaluation and testing process of our internal controls, if we identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we will be unable to certify that our internal control over financial reporting is effective. We cannot assure you that there will not be material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting in the future. Any failure to maintain internal control over financial reporting could severely inhibit our ability to accurately report our financial condition or results of operations. If we are unable to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm determines we have a material weakness or significant deficiency in our internal control over financial reporting, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, the market price of our common stock could decline, and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the SEC or other regulatory authorities. Failure to remedy any material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, or to implement or maintain other effective control systems required of public companies, could also restrict our future access to the capital markets.

If we fail to retain current users or add new users, or if our users decrease their level of engagement with the Platform, our business would be seriously harmed.

The success of our business heavily depends on the size of our user base and the level of engagement of our users. Thus, our business performance will also become increasingly dependent on our ability to increase levels of user engagement in existing and new markets. We are continuously subject to a highly competitive market in order to attract and retain our users’ attention. A number of factors could negatively affect user retention, growth, and engagement, including if:

 

 our users increasingly engage with competing platforms instead of ours;
 we fail to introduce new and exciting products and services, or such products and services do not achieve a high level of market acceptance;
 we fail to accurately anticipate consumeruser needs, or we fail to innovate and develop new software and products that meet these needs;
 we fail to price our products competitively;
 we do not provide a compelling user experience because of the decisions we make regarding the type and frequency of advertisements that we display;
 we are unable to combat spam, bugs, malwares, viruses, hacking, or other hostile or inappropriate usage onof our products;products or the Platform;
 there are changes in user sentiment about the quality or usefulness of our existing products in the short-term, long-term, or both;
 there are increased user concerns related to privacy and information sharing, safety, or security;security on the Platform;
 there are adverse changes in our products or services that are mandated by legislation, regulatory authorities, or legal proceedings;
 technical or other problems frustrate the user experience, particularly if those problems prevent us from delivering our products in a fast and reliable manner;
 we, our Publisher Partners, or other companies in our industry are the subject of adverse media reports or other negative publicity, some of which may be inaccurate or include confidential information that we are unable to correct or retract; or
 we fail to maintain our brand image or our reputation is damaged.

 

Any decrease in user retention, growth, or engagement could render our products and the Platform less attractive to users, advertisers, or our Publisher Partners, thereby reducing our revenues from them, which may have a material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In addition, there can be no assurance that we will succeed in developing products and services that will eventually become widely accepted, that we will be able to timely release products and services that are commercially viable, or that we will establish ourselves as a successful player in aany new business area.area we decide to enter in the future. Our inability to do so would have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

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The market in which we participate is intensely competitive, and if we do not compete effectively, our operating results could be harmed.

The digital media industry is fragmented and highly competitive. There are many players in the digital media market, many with greater name recognition and financial resources, which may give them a competitive advantage. Some of our current and potential competitors have substantially greater financial, technical, marketing, distribution, and other resources than we do. Our competitors may be able to respond more quickly and effectively than we can to new or changing opportunities, technologies, standards, customer, and user requirements and trends. In addition, our customers and strategic partners may become competitors in the future. Certain of our competitors may be able to negotiate alliances with strategic partners on more favorable terms than we are able to negotiate. Pricing pressures and increased competition generally could result in reduced sales, reduced margins, losses, or the failure of the Platform to achieve or maintain more widespread market acceptance, any of which could adversely affect our revenues and operating results. With the introduction of new technologies, the evolution of the Platform, and new market entrants, we expect competition to intensify in the future.

The sales and payment cycle for online advertising is long, and such sales may not occur when anticipated or at all, all of which could adversely affect our business.

The decision process is typically lengthy for brand advertisers and sponsors to commit to online campaigns. Some of their budgets are planned a full year in advance. The decision process for such purchases, even in normal business situations, is subject to delays and aspects that are beyond our control. In addition, some advertisers and sponsors take months after the campaign runs to pay, and some may not pay at all, or require partial “make-goods” based on performance.

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We are dependent on the continued services and on the performance of key third party content contributors, the loss of which could adversely affect our business.

We rely on content contributed by third party providers, which has in turn attracted users that drive advertising and subscription revenue. The loss of the services of any of such key contributors could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition. Although we have service agreements with some of our key contributors, many are short term in nature or have cancelation clauses in the agreements. We also depend on our ability to identify, attract, and retain, other highly skilled third-party content contributors. Competition for such contributors is intense, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully attract, assimilate, or retain them. The loss or limitation of the services of any of our key third party contributors, or our inability to attract and retain additional qualified key contributors, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

Our revenues could decrease if the Platform does not continue to operate as intended.

The Platform performs complex functions and is vulnerable to undetected errors or unforeseen defects that could result in a failure to operate or inefficiency. There can be no assurance that errors and defects will not be found in current or new products or, if discovered, that we will be able to successfully correct them in a timely manner or at all. The occurrence of errors and defects could result in loss of or delay in revenue, loss of market share, increased development costs, diversion of development resources and injury to our reputation or damage to our efforts to expand brand awareness.

The growing percentage of users whose computers, tablets, or phones that do not support identification through third-party cookies, mobile identifiers, or other tracking technologies could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial conditions.

We use “cookies,” or small text files placed on user devices when an Internet browser is used, as well as mobile device identifiers, to connect users’ computers anonymously to information that we gather, enabling the Platform to demonstrate to advertisers its efficacy. Our cookies and mobile device identifiers do not identify users directly, but provide an anonymized identifier that connects users to our records on what that user views or clicks on, as well as other information provided by the user’s device.

More and more devices have offered functionalities that block such anonymized identifiers or provided the ability for the users to proactively block such anonymized identifiers, which could reduce the ability of the Platform to discover which users are most relevant to a message or to measure the effectiveness of such messages. Some prominent technology companies, including Google, have also announced intentions to discontinue the use of cookies, and to develop alternative methods and mechanisms for tracking users. As companies replace cookies, it is possible that such companies may rely on proprietary algorithms or statistical methods to track users without cookies, or may utilize log-in credentials entered by users into other web properties owned by these companies, such as their email services, to track web usage, including usage across multiple devices, which could come into conflict with local regulations in various jurisdictions.

Although we believe the Platform is well-positioned to continue to provide key data insights to advertisers without cookies, actions by advertisers to buy advertising based on alternative identifiers could lead to changes in purchase behavior of such advertisers, thereby possibly impacting our operations, and our financial condition could be adversely affected.

Our Publisher Partners may engage in intentional or negligent misconduct or other improper activities on the Platform or otherwise misuse the Platform, which may damage our brand image, our business and our results of operations.

The Platform provides our owned and operated media businesses, Publisher Partners, and individual creators contributing content to our owned and operated sites the ability to produce and manage editorially focused content through tools and services provided by us. We might not be able to monitor or edit a significant portion of the content, such as advertising content, that appears on the Platform. We use a mix of automated and human controls to detect and manage editorial content produced by Publisher Partners and individual creators that could cause damage to our brands.

If Publisher Partner misconduct and misuse of the Platform for inappropriate or illegal purposes occurs, user experience on the Platform may suffer, and claims may be brought against us. Our business and public perception of our brands may be materially and adversely affected if we face any related lawsuits or other liabilities.

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The Platform and our technology systems contain open source software, which may pose particular risk to our proprietary software and Platform features and functionalities in a manner that negatively affect our business.

We use open source software in the Platform and our technology systems and will continue to use open source software in the future. To handle risks in this regard, we have set up an internal system to monitor the open source software we use in our operation and to manage the risk it poses to our business. Despite these risk management efforts, open source software licenses could be construed in a manner that imposes unanticipated conditions or restrictions on our ability to provide our services through the various features and functionalities of the Platform. Additionally, we may face claims from third parties claiming ownership of, or demanding release of, the open source software or derivative works that we developed using such software. These claims could result in litigation and could require us to make our software source code freely available, purchase a costly license or cease offering the implicated services unless and until we can re-engineer them to avoid infringement. This re-engineering process could require significant additional technology and development resources, and we may not be able to complete it successfully.

ECONOMIC AND OPERATIONAL RISKS

We may have difficulty managing our growth.

We have added, and expect to continue to add, publisher partnerPublisher Partner and end-user support capabilities, to continue software development activities, and to expand our administrative operations. In the past two years, we have entered into multiple strategic transactions. These strategic transactions, which have significantly expanded our business, have and are expected to place a significant strain on our managerial, operational, and financial resources. To manage any further growth, we will be required to improve existing, and implement new, operational, customer service, and financial systems, procedures and controls and expand, train, and manage our growing employee base. We also will be required to expand our finance, administrative, technical, and operations staff. There can be no assurance that our current and planned personnel, systems, procedures, and controls will be adequate to support our anticipated growth, that management will be able to hire, train, retain, motivate, and manage required personnel or that our management will be able to successfully identify, manage and exploit existing and potential market opportunities. If we are unable to manage growth effectively, our business could be harmed.

The strategic relationships that we may be able to develop and on which we may come to rely may not be successful.

We will seek to develop strategic relationships with advertising, media, technology, and other companies to enhance the efforts of our market penetration, business development, and advertising sales revenues. These relationships are expected to, but may not, succeed. There can be no assurance that these relationships will develop and mature, or that potential competitors will not develop more substantial relationships with attractive partners. Our inability to successfully implement our strategy of building valuable strategic relationships could harm our business.

 

We rely heavily on our ability to collect and disclose data and metrics in order to attract new advertisers and retain existing advertisers. Any restriction, whether by law, regulation, policy, or other reason, on our ability to collect and disclose data that our advertisers find useful would impede our ability to attract and retain advertisers. Our advertising revenue could be seriously harmed by many other factors, including:

 

 a decrease in the number of active users of the Platform;
 our inability to create new products that sustain or increase the value of our advertisements;
 our inability to increase the relevance of targeted advertisements shown to users;
 adverse legal developments relating to advertising, including changes mandated by legislation, regulation, or litigation; and
 difficulty and frustration from advertisers who may need to reformat or change their advertisements to comply with our guidelines.

The occurrence of any of these or other factors could result in a reduction in demand for advertisements, which may reduce the prices we receive for our advertisements or cause advertisers to stop advertising with us altogether, either of which would negatively affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

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The sales and payment cycle for online advertisingA significant portion of our revenues is long, and such sales may not occur when anticipated or at all.derived from a single customer. If we were to lose this customer, our revenues could decrease significantly. The decision process is typically lengthy for brand advertisers and sponsors to commit to online campaigns. Some of their budgets are planned a full year in advance. The decision process for such purchases, even in normal business situations, is subject to delays and aspects that are beyond our control. In addition, some advertisers and sponsors take months after the campaign runs to pay, and some may not pay at all, or require partial “make-goods” based on performance.

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We

In fiscal 2022, we had revenues from one customer that comprised approximately 13.9% of our annual revenue. Therefore, we are highly dependent on the continued services and on the performancea single customer to generate a material percentage of our key executive officers, management team, and other key personnel, theannual revenue. The loss of whichthis customer, or a significant reduction in sales to such customer, could adversely affect our business. Our future success largely depends upon the continued services of our key executive officers, management team,financial condition and other key personnel. The loss of the services of any of such key personnel could have a material adverse effect onoperating results. We attempt to diversify our business operating results, and financial condition. We depend on the continued services of our key personnel as they work closely with both our employees and our Publisher Partners. Such key personnel are also responsible for our day-to-day operations. Although we have employment agreements with some of our key personnel, these are at-will employment agreements, albeit with non-competition and confidentiality provisions and other rights typically associated with employment agreements. We do not believe thatin order to minimize any of our executive officers are planning to leave or retire in the near term; however, we cannot assure that our executive officers or members of our management team will remain with us. We also depend on our ability to identify, attract, hire, train, retain, and motivate other highly skilled technical, managerial, sales, operational, business development, and customer service personnel. Competition for such personnel is intense, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully attract, assimilate, or retain sufficiently qualified personnel. The loss or limitation of the services of any of our executive officers, members of our management team, or key personnel, including our regional and country managers, or the inability to attract and retain additional qualified key personnel, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

revenue concentration risk.

We are dependent on the continued services and on the performance of key third party content contributors, the loss of which could adversely affect our business. We rely on content contributed by third party providers, which has in turn attracted users that drive advertising and subscription revenue. The loss of the services of any of such key contributors could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition. Although we have service agreements with some of our key contributors, many are short term in nature or have cancelation clauses in the agreements. We also depend on our ability to identify, attract, and retain, other highly skilled third-party content contributors. Competition for such contributors is intense, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully attract, assimilate, or retain them. The loss or limitation of the services of any of our key third party contributors, or the inability to attract and retain additional qualified key contributors, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

Our revenues could decrease if the Platform does not continue to operate as intended. The Platform performs complex functions and is vulnerable to undetected errors or unforeseen defects that could result in a failure to operate or inefficiency. There can be no assurance that errors and defects will not be found in current or new products or, if discovered, that we will be able to successfully correct them in a timely manner or at all. The occurrence of errors and defects could result in loss of or delay in revenue, loss of market share, increased development costs, diversion of development resources and injury to our reputation or damage to our efforts to expand brand awareness.

Interruptions or performance problems associated with our technology and infrastructure may adversely affect our business and operating results.

Our growth will depend in part on the ability of our users, customers and Publisher Partners to access the Platform at any time and within an acceptable amount of time. We believe that the Platform is proprietary, and we rely on the expertise of members of our engineering, operations, and software development teams for their continued performance. It is possible that the Platform may experience performance problems due to a variety of factors, including infrastructure changes, introductions of new functionality, human or software errors, capacity constraints due to an overwhelming number of users accessing the Platform software simultaneously, denial of service attacks, or other security related incidents. We may not be able to identify the cause or causes of any performance problems within an acceptable period of time. It may be that it will be difficult to maintain or improve our performance, especially during peak usage times and as the Platform becomes more complex and our user traffic increases. If the Platform software is unavailable or if our users are unable to access it within a reasonable amount of time or at all, our business would be negatively affected. Therefore, in the event of any of the factors described above, or certain other failures of our infrastructure, partner or user data may be permanently lost. Moreover, the Partner Agreements with our Publisher Partners include service level standards that obligate us to provide credits or termination rights in the event of a significant disruption in the Platform. To the extent that we do not effectively address capacity constraints, upgrade our systems as needed, and continually develop our technology and network architecture to accommodate actual and anticipated changes in technology, our business and operating results may be adversely affected.

 

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We operate our exclusive coalition of professional-managed online media channels on third party cloud platforms and data center hosting facilities.

We rely on software and services licensed from, and cloud platforms provided by, third parties in order to offer our digital media services. Any errors or defects in third-party software or cloud platforms could result in errors in, or a failure of, our digital media services, which could harm our business. Any damage to, or failure of, these third-party systems generally could result in interruptions in the availability of our digital media services. As a result of this third-party reliance, we may experience the aforementioned issues, which could cause us to render credits or pay penalties, could cause our Publisher Partners to terminate their contractual arrangements with us, and could adversely affect our ability to grow our audience of unique visitors, all of which could reduce our ability to generate revenue. Our business would also be harmed if our users and potential users believe our product and services offerings are unreliable. In the event of damage to, or failure of, these third-party systems, we would need to identify alternative channels for the offering of our digital media services, which would consume substantial resources and may not be effective. We are also subject to certain standard terms and conditions with Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud related to data storage purposes. These providers have broad discretion to change their terms of service and other policies with respect to us, and those changes may be unfavorable to us. Therefore, we believe that maintaining successful partnerships with Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and other third-party suppliers is critical to our success.

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Real or perceived errors, failures, or bugs in the Platform could adversely affect our operating results and growth prospects.

Because the Platform is complex, undetected errors, failures, vulnerabilities, or bugs may occur, especially when updates are deployed. Despite testing by us, errors, failures, vulnerabilities, or bugs may not be found in the Platform until after they are deployed to our customers.users. We expect from time to time to discover software errors, failures, vulnerabilities, and bugs in the Platform and anticipate that certain of these errors, failures, vulnerabilities, and bugs will only be discovered and remediated after deployment to our Publisher Partners and used by subscribers.our users. Real or perceived errors, failures, or bugs in our software could result in negative publicity, loss of or delay in market acceptance of the Platform, loss of competitive position, or claims by our Publisher Partners or subscribersour users for losses sustained by them. In such an event, we may be required, or may choose, for customer relations or other reasons, to expend additional resources in order to help correct the problem.

 

Malware, viruses, hacking attacks, and improper or illegal use of the Platform could harm our business and results of operations.

Malware, viruses, and hacking attacks have become more prevalent in our industry and may occurhave occurred on our systems and may occur in the future. Any security breach caused by hacking, which involves efforts to gain unauthorized access to information or systems, or to cause intentional malfunctions or loss or corruption of data, software, hardware, or other computer equipment, and the inadvertent transmission of computer viruses could harm our business, financial condition and operating results. Any failure to detect such attack and maintain performance, reliability, security and availability of products and technical infrastructure to the satisfaction of our users may also seriously harm our reputation and our ability to retain existing users and attract new users.

 

Our information technology systems are susceptible to a growing and evolving threat of cybersecurity risk. Any substantial compromise of our data security, whether externally or internally, or misuse of agent, customer, or employee data, could cause considerable damage to our reputation, cause the public disclosure of confidential information, and result in lost sales, significant costs, and litigation, which would negatively affect our financial position and results of operations. Although we maintain policies and processes surrounding the protection of sensitive data, which we believe to be adequate, there can be no assurances that we will not be subject to such claims in the future.

If we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights, our business could suffer.

Our success significantly depends on our proprietary technology. We rely on a combination of copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, employee and third-party non-disclosure and invention assignment agreements and other methods to protect our proprietary technology. However, these only afford limited protection, and unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of the Platform’s features and functionality, or to use information that we consider proprietary or confidential. There can be no assurance that the Platform will be protectable by patents, but if they are,it is, any efforts to obtain patent protection that is not successful may harm our business in that others will be able to use our technologies. For example, previous disclosures or activities unknown at present may be uncovered in the future and adversely impact any patent rights that we may obtain. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect proprietary rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. There can be no assurance that the steps taken by us to protect our proprietary rights will be adequate or that third parties will not infringe or misappropriate our trademarks, copyrights, and similar proprietary rights. If we resort to legal proceedings to enforce our intellectual property rights, those proceedings could be expensive and time-consuming and could distract our management from our business operations. Our business, profitability and growth prospects could be adversely affected if we fail to receive adequate protection of our proprietary rights.

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We could be required to cease certain activities or incur substantial costs as a result of any claim of infringement of another party’s intellectual property rights.

Some of our competitors, and other third parties, may own technology patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and website content, which they may use to assert claims against us. We cannot assure you that we will not become subject to claims that we have misappropriated or misused other parties’ intellectual property rights. Any claim or litigation alleging that we have infringed or otherwise violated intellectual property or other rights of third parties, with or without merit, and whether or not settled out of court or determined in our favor, could be time-consuming and costly to address and resolve, and could divert the time and attention of our management and technical personnel.

 

The results of any intellectual property litigation to which we might become a party may require us to do one or more of the following:

 

 cease making, selling, offering, or using technologies or products that incorporate the challenged intellectual property;
 make substantial payments for legal fees, settlement payments, or other costs or damages;
 obtain a license, which may not be available on reasonable terms, to sell or use the relevant technology; or
 redesign technology to avoid infringement.

 

If we are required to make substantial payments or undertake any of the other actions noted above as a result of any intellectual property infringement claims against us, such payments or costsactions could have a material adverse effect upon our business and financial results.

 

We are subject to a variety of laws and regulations in the United States and abroad that are constantly evolving and involve matters central to our business, including privacy, data protection, and personal information, rights of publicity, content, intellectual property, advertising, marketing, distribution, data security, data retention and deletion, personal information, electronic contracts and other communications, competition, protection of minors, consumer protection, telecommunications, employee classification, product liability, taxation, economic or other trade prohibitions or sanctions, securities law compliance, and online payment services.services, and the related compliance costs and our failure to comply with these laws and regulations could adversely affect our business.

We must comply with regulations in the United States as well as any other regulations adopted by other countries where we may do business. The introduction of new products, expansion of our activities in certain jurisdictions, or other actions that we may take may subject us to additional laws, regulations, monetary penalties or other government scrutiny. In addition, foreign data protection, privacy, competition, and other laws and regulations can impose different and/or conflicting obligations or be more restrictive than those in the United States. ManyThese United States federal and state and foreign laws and regulations, which in some cases can be enforced by private parties in addition to government entities, are constantly evolving and can be subject to significant change, which could adversely affect our business. As a result, the application, interpretation, and enforcement of these laws and regulations are stilloften uncertain, particularly in the new and rapidly evolving industry in which we operate and couldmay be interpreted orand applied in ways that could limit or harminconsistently from country to country and inconsistently with our business, require us to make certain fundamentalcurrent policies and potentially detrimental changes to the products and services we offer, or subject us to claims.practices. For example, laws relating to the liability of providers of online services for activities of their users and other third-parties are currently being tested by a number of claims, including actions based on invasion of privacy and other torts, unfair competition, copyright, and trademark infringement, and other theories based on the nature and content of the materials searched, the ads posted, or the content provided by users. In addition, there have been calls by members of Congress, from both parties, to limit the scope of the current immunities and safe harbors afforded online publishers with regard to user content and communications under the federal Digital Millennium Copyright Act and the federal Communications Decency Act. Any material reduction of those protections would make us more vulnerable to third party claims arising out of user content published by our online services.

 

These

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In particular, the adoption or modification of laws or regulations relating to online media, communities, commerce, security and privacy could harm our business, operating results and financial condition by increasing our compliance costs and administrative burdens. It may take years to determine whether and how existing laws such as those governing intellectual property, privacy, security, libel, consumer protection, and taxation apply. Laws and regulations directly applicable to Internet activities are becoming more diverse and prevalent in all global markets. The growth and development of Internet content, commerce and communities may prompt calls for more stringent consumer protection laws, privacy laws and data protection laws, both in the United States federal and state and foreignabroad, as well as new laws and regulations, which in some cases can be enforced by private parties in addition to government entities, are constantly evolving and can be subject to significant change, which could adversely affect our business. As a result,governing the application, interpretation, and enforcementtaxation of these activities. Compliance with any newly adopted laws and regulations are often uncertain, particularly in the new and rapidly evolving industry in which we operatemay prove difficult for us and may be interpretedharm our business, operating results, and applied inconsistently from country to country and inconsistently with our current policies and practices. Any change in legislation and regulations could affect our business.financial condition. For example, regulatory or legislative actions affecting the manner in which we display content to our users or obtain consent to various practices could adversely affect user growth and engagement. Such actions could affect the manner in which we provide our services or adversely affect our financial results.

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Furthermore, significant penalties could be imposed on us for failure to comply with various statutes or regulations. Violations may result from:

 

 ambiguity in statutes;
 regulations and related court decisions;
 the discretion afforded to regulatory authorities and courts interpreting and enforcing laws;
 new regulations affecting our business; and
 changes to, or interpretations of, existing regulations affecting our business.

 

While we prioritize ensuring that our business and compensation model are compliant, and that any product or income related claims are truthful and non-deceptive, we cannot be certain that the FTC or similar regulatory body in another country will not modify or otherwise amend its guidance, laws, or regulations or interpret in a way that would render our current practices inconsistent with the same.

 

Our services involve the storage and transmission of digital information; therefore, cybersecurity incidents, including those caused by unintentional errors and those intentionally caused by third parties, may expose us to a risk of loss, unauthorized disclosure or other misuse of this information, litigation liability, and regulatory exposure, reputational harm and increased security costs.

We and our third-party service providers experience cyber-attacks of varying degrees on a regular basis.basis, one of which infiltrated our systems and accessed a limited amount of our non-financial and encrypted data. We expect to incur significant, increasing costs in ongoing efforts to detect and prevent cybersecurity-related incidents and these costs may increase in the event of an actual or perceived data breach or other cybersecurity incident.incidents. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased opportunities for cyber-criminals and the risk of potential cybersecurity incidents, as more companies and individuals work online. We cannot ensure that our efforts to prevent cybersecurity incidents will succeed. An actual or perceived breach of our cybersecurity could impact the market perception of the effectiveness of our cybersecurity controls. If ourOur users or business partners, including our Publisher Partners, are harmed by such an incident, they could lose trust and confidence in us, decrease their use of our services or stop using them in entirely. We could also incur significant legal and financial exposure, including legal claims, higher transaction fees and regulatory fines and penalties, which in turn could have a material and adverse effect on our business, reputation and operating results. While our insurance policies include liability coverage for certain of these types of matters, a significant cybersecurity incident could subject us to liability or other damages that exceed our insurance coverage.coverage, increase the cost of our insurance policy going forward, and preclude us from obtaining adequate insurance levels in the future.

 

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Prior employersExisting or future strategic alliances, long-term investments and acquisitions may have a material and adverse effect on our business, reputation and results of operations.

We may enter into strategic alliances with various third parties to further our business purpose from time to time. These alliances could subject us to a number of risks, including risks associated with sharing proprietary information, non-performance by the third party and increased expenses in establishing new strategic alliances, any of which may materially and adversely affect our business. We may have limited ability to monitor or control the actions of these third parties and, to the extent any of these strategic third parties suffers negative publicity or harm to their reputation from events relating to their business, we may also suffer negative publicity or harm to our reputation by virtue of our employeesassociation with any such third party. In addition, if appropriate opportunities arise, we may assert violations of past employment arrangements. Our employeesacquire additional assets, products, technologies or businesses that are highly experienced, having worked in our industry for many years. Prior employers may try to assert that our employees are breaching restrictive covenants and other limitations imposed by past employment arrangements. We believe that all of our employees are free to work for us in their various capacities and have not breached past employment arrangements. Notwithstanding our care in our employment practices, a prior employer may assert a claim. Such claims will be costly to contest, highly disruptivecomplementary to our work environment,existing business. Future acquisitions and the subsequent integration of new assets and businesses into our own would require significant attention from our management and could result in a diversion of resources from our existing business, which in turn could have an adverse effect on our business operations. Acquisitions may not achieve our goals and could be viewed negatively by users, business partners or investors. Acquisitions could result in the use of substantial amounts of cash, potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, the occurrence of significant goodwill impairment charges, amortization expenses for other intangible assets and exposure to potential unknown liabilities of the acquired business. Moreover, the costs of identifying and consummating acquisitions may be detrimentalsignificant. In addition to our operations.possible shareholders’ approval, we may also have to obtain approvals and licenses from relevant authorities for the acquisitions, which could result in increased delay and costs.

Our products may require availability of components or known technology from third parties and their non-availability can impede our growth.

We license/buy certain technology integral to our products from third parties, including open-source and commercially available software. Our inability to acquire and maintain any third-party product licenses or integrate the related third-party products into our products in compliance with license arrangements, could result in delays in product development until equivalent products can be identified, licensed, and integrated. We also expect to require new licenses in the future as our business grows and technology evolves. We cannot provide assurance that these licenses will continue to be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.

Our business is subject to the risk of catastrophic events such as pandemics, earthquakes, flooding, fire, and power outages, and to interruption by man-made problems such as acts of war and terrorism.

Our business is vulnerable to damage or interruption from pandemics, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, earthquakes, flooding, fire, power outages, telecommunications failures, terrorist attacks, acts of war, human errors, break-ins, and similar events. A significant natural disaster could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition, and our insurance coverage may be insufficient to compensate us for losses that may occur. Furthermore, acts of terrorism, which may be targeted at metropolitan areas that have higher population density than rural areas, could cause disruptions in our or our Publisher Partners’ businesses or the economy as a whole. Our technology infrastructure may also be vulnerable to computer viruses, break-ins, denial-of-service attacks, and similar disruptions from unauthorized tampering with our computer systems, which could lead to interruptions, delays, loss of critical data. We may not have sufficient protection or recovery plans in some circumstances, such as natural disasters affecting New York and other states where we have properties. As we rely heavily on our computer and communications systems and the Internet to conduct our business and provide high-quality user and customer service, these disruptions could negatively impact our ability to run our business and either directly or indirectly disrupt our Publisher Partners’ businesses, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

 

1822
 

 

GovernmentCompliance with the reporting obligations under the United States securities laws and Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (“Sarbanes”) require expenditure of capital and other resources and may divert management’s attention. If we fail to comply with these reporting obligations or to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting, our business, financial condition, and results of operations, and investors’ confidence in us, could be materially and adversely affected.

As a public company, we are required to comply with the periodic reporting obligations of the Exchange Act, Sarbanes and other applicable securities rules and regulations, including the preparation of annual reports, quarterly reports, and current reports. Complying with these rules and regulations have caused us and will continue to cause us to incur additional legal and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, be time-consuming or costly, and continue to increase demand on our systems and resources. Further, by complying with public disclosure requirements, our business and financial condition are more visible, which we believe may increaseresult in the likelihood of increased threatened or actual litigation, including by competitors and other third parties. Compliance with these additional requirements may also divert management’s attention from operating our business. Any of these results may adversely affect our operating results.

If we fail to timely meet our reporting obligations under the Exchange Act, Sarbanes and other applicable securities rules and regulations in their entirety, we could be subject to penalties under federal securities laws and regulations of the NYSE American and face lawsuits, and our ability to access financing on favorable terms could be restricted severely. We will also not be able to obtain independent accountant certifications required for public companies under Sarbanes if we fail to or are unable to comply with Sarbanes. In addition, pursuant to Section 404 of Sarbanes, we are required to evaluate and provide a management report of our systems of internal control over financial reporting and our independent registered public accounting firm is required to annually audit the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting commencing with the year ended December 31, 2022, which has, and will continue to, require increased costs, expenses and management resources.

As discussed in Item 9A of doing business.this Annual Report on Form 10-K, in the course of preparing our financial statements, we identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting related to (i) controls over segregation of duties consistent with control objectives related to our information technology general controls specifically as relates to change management and (ii) insufficient validation of non-Google impression data provided by certain third-party service providers. As a result of the identified material weaknesses, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2022. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weaknesses identified in Item 9A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K did not result in any misstatement of our financial statements. Our management is currently evaluating remedial actions to address the material weaknesses identified as of December 31, 2022. However, our remediation efforts may be inadequate, or we may in the future discover material weaknesses in other areas of our internal control over financial reporting that require remediation.

We cannot assure you that the measures we have taken to date, and actions we may take in the future, will be sufficient to remediate the control deficiencies that led to the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting or that they will prevent or avoid potential future material weaknesses. Any failure to maintain internal control over financial reporting could severely inhibit our ability to accurately report our financial condition or results of operations. If we are unable to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm determines we have a material weakness or significant deficiency in our internal control over financial reporting, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, the market price of our common stock could decline, and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the SEC or other regulatory authorities. Failure to remedy any material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, or to implement or maintain other effective control systems required of public companies, could also restrict our future access to the capital markets.

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If we fail to timely meet our reporting obligations under the Exchange Act, Sarbanes and other applicable securities rules and regulations in their entirety, we could be subject to penalties under federal securities laws and regulations of the NYSE American and face lawsuits, and our ability to access financing on favorable terms could be restricted severely. We will also not be able to obtain independent accountant certifications required for public companies under Sarbanes if we fail to or are unable to comply with Sarbanes. In addition, pursuant to Section 404 of Sarbanes, we are required to evaluate and provide a management report of our systems of internal control over financial reporting and our independent registered public accounting firm is required to annually audit the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting commencing with the year ended December 31, 2022, which has, and will continue to, require increased costs, expenses and management resources. During the evaluation and testing process of our internal controls, if we identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we will be unable to certify that our internal control over financial reporting is effective. We cannot assure you that there will not be material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting in the future. Any failure to maintain internal control over financial reporting could severely inhibit our ability to accurately report our financial condition or results of operations. If we are unable to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm determines we have a material weakness or significant deficiency in our internal control over financial reporting, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, the market price of our common stock could decline, and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the SEC or other regulatory authorities. Failure to remedy any material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, or to implement or maintain other effective control systems required of public companies, could also restrict our future access to the capital markets.

The adoption or modification

Unfavorable economic and market conditions could adversely affect our business, reputation and results of operations.

Our services, products and properties are may be adversely impacted by uncertain economic conditions, including the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; the Ukraine – Russia conflict; adverse changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, tax laws or regulations relatingtax rates; inflation; a recession; contraction in the availability of credit in the marketplace due to online media, communities, commerce, securitylegislation or other economic conditions, which may potentially impair our ability to access the capital markets on terms acceptable to us or at all; and privacythe effects of government initiatives to manage economic conditions. Moreover, we cannot predict how future economic conditions will affect our users and Publisher Partners and any negative impact on our users or Publisher Partners may also have an adverse impact on our results of operations or financial condition. A severe or prolonged economic downturn, as result of a global pandemic such as the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise, could result in a variety of risks to our business, including weakened demand for our products and services and our ability to raise additional capital when needed on favorable terms, if at all. Any of the foregoing could harm our business operating resultsand we cannot anticipate all of the ways in which the current economic climate and financial condition by increasingmarket conditions could adversely impact our costsbusiness.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR INDEBTEDNESS, FINANCIAL CONDITION, AND INTERNAL CONTROL

As the general economic and administrative burdens. Itmarket conditions present uncertainty as to our ability to secure additional capital, there can be no assurances that we will be able to secure additional financing on acceptable terms, or at all, as and when necessary to continue to conduct operations.

Our future liquidity and capital requirements will depend upon numerous factors, including the success of the Platform, our offerings, competing technological developments, and general economic and market conditions, which have presented substantial uncertainty in recent months. We may take yearsneed to determine whetherraise funds through public or private financings, strategic relationships, or other arrangements. There can be no assurance that such funding will be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all. Furthermore, any equity financing will be dilutive to existing stockholders, and howdebt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants that may limit our operating flexibility with respect to certain business matters. Strategic arrangements may require us to relinquish our rights or grant licenses to some or substantial parts of our intellectual property. If funds are raised through the issuance of equity securities, the percentage ownership of our stockholders will be reduced, stockholders may experience additional dilution in net book value per share, and such equity securities may have rights, preferences, or privileges senior to those of the holders of our existing laws such as those governing intellectual property, privacy, security, libel, consumer protection, and taxation apply. Laws and regulations directly applicable to Internet activitiescapital stock. If adequate funds are becoming more diverse and prevalent in all global markets. We must comply with regulations in the United States, as well as any other regulations adopted by other countries wherenot available on acceptable terms, we may do business. The growth and developmentnot be able to continue operating, develop or enhance products, take advantage of Internet content, commerce and communities may prompt calls for more stringent consumer protection laws, privacy laws and data protection laws, both in the United States and abroad, as well as new laws governing the taxationfuture opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of these activities. Compliance with any newly adopted laws may prove difficult for us and may harmwhich could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition.

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We have a history of losses.

In fiscal 2022, we had net loss of approximately $70,858 compared to approximately $89,940 in fiscal 2021. Our accumulated deficit as of December 31, 2022 was approximately $323,071. We may face lawsuits orcontinue to incur liabilitieslosses in the future if we do not achieve sufficient revenue to achieve and maintain profitability. There is no assurance that our operations will generate sufficient cash flows to support our continued operations in the future without needing to seek additional capital funding or borrowings. We can provide no assurance that if we need to seek such additional outside capital that it will be available on favorable terms or at all. Any failure to achieve and maintain profitability could have a materially adverse effect on our ability to implement our business plan, our results and operations, and our financial condition.

Our results of operations may fluctuate significantly and may not meet our expectations or those of securities analysts and investors.

We operate in an evolving industry, and as a result, our business has evolved over time such that our operating history makes it difficult to evaluate our business and future prospects. Our results of operations have fluctuated in the past, and future results of operations are likely to fluctuate as well. Although we have experienced substantial revenue growth, we may not be able to sustain this growth rate or current revenue levels or achieve profitability. In addition, because our business is evolving, our historical results of operations may be of limited utility in assessing our future prospects. We expect to face challenges, risks, and difficulties frequently experienced by growing companies in rapidly developing industries, including those relating to:

changes in demand and pricing for our products, services and the Platform;
developing, maintaining, and expanding relationships with Publisher Partners and advertisers;
innovating and developing new solutions that are adopted by and meet the needs of Publisher Partners and advertisers;
competing against companies with a larger user and customer base or greater financial or technical resources;
changes in the pricing policies of Publisher Partners, advertisers and competitors;
changes in our access to valuable user data;
costs to develop and upgrade the Platform to incorporate new technologies;
costs related to the acquisition of businesses, talent, technologies, or intellectual property, including potentially significant amortization costs and possible write-downs;
seasonality in our business;
the length and complexity of our sales cycles;
the timing of stock-based compensation expense;
potential costs to attract, onboard, retain and motivate qualified personnel;
responding to evolving industry standards and government regulations that impact our business, particularly in the areas of data protection and consumer privacy;
changes in demand as a result of changes in the macroeconomic environment, as a result of inflation, changes in interest rates or foreign exchange rates, or otherwise; and
further expanding our business in other markets.

Any one or more of the factors above may result in significant fluctuations in our results of operations. You should not rely on our past results as an indicator of our future performance.

Because many of our expenses are based upon forecast demand and may be difficult to reduce in the short term, volatility in quarterly revenue could cause significant variations in quarterly results of operations. We may not forecast our revenue or expenses accurately, which may cause our results of operations to diverge from our estimates or the expectations of securities analysts, and investors. If we fail to meet or exceed such expectations for these or any other reasons, the trading price of our common stock could fall, and we could face costly litigation, including securities class action lawsuits.

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Any future litigation against us could be costly and time-consuming to defend.

We have in the past and may in the future become subject to legal proceedings and claims or regulatory inquiries or proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business, such as claims brought by our customers and partners in connection with commercial disputes, employment claims made by our businesses. In the future, we may face lawsuitscurrent or incur liabilities in connection with our businesses.former employees, or claims for reimbursement following misappropriation of customer data. For example, we could face claims relating to information that is published or made available on the Platform. In particular, the nature of our business exposes us to claims related to defamation, intellectual property rights and rights of publicity and privacy. We might not be able to monitor or edit a significant portion of the content that appears on the Platform. This risk is enhanced in certain jurisdictions outside the United States where our protection from liability for third-party actions may be unclear and where we may be less protected under local laws than we are in the United States. We could also face fines or orders restricting or blocking our services in particular geographies as a result of content hosted on our services. If any of these events occur, our business could be seriously harmed.

Further, our employees are highly experienced, having worked in our industry for many years and. Prior employers may try to assert that our employees are breaching restrictive covenants and other limitations imposed by past employment arrangements. We believe that all of our employees are free to work for us in their various capacities and have not breached past employment arrangements. Notwithstanding our care in our employment practices, a prior employer may assert a claim. Such claims will be costly to contest, highly disruptive to our work environment, and may be detrimental to our operations.

 

Moreover, insurance might not cover any such claims that rise in the ordinary course of business, might not provide sufficient payments to cover all the costs to resolve one or more such claims, and might not continue to be available on terms acceptable to us. A claim brought against us that is uninsured or underinsured could result in unanticipated costs, thereby reducing our results of operations and leading analysts or potential investors to reduce their expectations of our performance, which could reduce the trading price of our common stock. Litigation might result in substantial costs and may divert management’s attention and resources, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.

Our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards may be limited.

As of December 31, 2021,2022, we had federal net operating loss carryforwards, or NOLs, due to prior period losses of approximately $155.9 million,$190,070, and the NOLs could expire before we generate sufficient taxable income to make use of our NOLs. Subject to certain limitations, NOLs can be used to offset taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, may limit the NOLs we may use in any year for U.S. federal income tax purposes in the event of certain changes in ownership of our Company. If an “ownership change” occurs, Section 382 would impose an annual limit on the amount of pre-ownership change NOLs and other tax attributes we can use to reduce our taxable income, potentially increasing and accelerating our liability for income taxes, and also potentially causing those tax attributes to expire unused. In addition, our ability to use our net operating losses is dependent on our ability to generate taxable income, and the net operating losses could expire before we generate sufficient taxable income to make use of our net operating losses.

A significant portion of our revenues are derived from a single customer. If we were to lose this customer, our revenues could decrease significantly.  In fiscal 2021, we had revenues from one customer that comprised approximately 11.3% of our annual revenue. Therefore, we are highly dependent on a single customer to generate a material percentage of our annual revenue. The loss of this customer, or a significant reduction in sales to such customer, could adversely affect our financial condition and operating results. We attempt to diversify our business in order to minimize any revenue concentration risk.

RISKS RELATED TO AN INVESTMENT IN OUR SECURITIESGOVERNANCE

We may have contingent liability arising out of a possible violation ofare dependent on the Securities Act, in connection with a PowerPoint we furnished as Exhibit 99.2 to our Current Reportcontinued services and on Form 8-K, and the Current Report on Form 8-K/A, filed with the SEC on January 31, 2022, and February 1, 2022, respectively (the “Original PowerPoint”). On January 31, 2022, and February 1, 2022, we furnished, as Exhibit 99.2 to a Current Report on Form 8-K, and a Form 8-K/A, respectively, a copy of the Original PowerPoint. The furnishing of the Original PowerPoint publicly may have constituted the communication of an “offer to sell” as described in Section 5(b)(1) of the Securities Act and the Original PowerPoint 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.

If the Original PowerPoint is proven to be a violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act because it is deemed to be a prospectus that does not meet the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act, we could have a contingent liability arising out of such violation. Any liability would depend upon the number of shares purchased by the “recipients” of the Original PowerPoint that may have constituted a violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act. If a claim were brought by any such recipients of the Original PowerPoint and a court were to conclude that the public dissemination of such Original PowerPoint constituted a violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act, we could be required to repurchase the shares sold to investors who reviewed such Original PowerPoint, at the original purchase price, plus statutory interest from the date of purchase, for claims brought during a period of one year from the date of their purchaseperformance of our common stock. Wekey executive officers, management team, and other key personnel, the loss of which could also incur considerable expense in contesting any such claims. Further, ifadversely affect our use of the Original PowerPoint is deemed to be a violation of Section 5 of the Securities Act, the Commission or relevant state regulators could impose monetary fines or other sanctions under relevant federal and state securities laws. Such payments, expenses and fines, 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. Additionally, the value of our securities will likely decline in value in the event we are deemed to have liability, or are required to make payments, pay expenses or face sanctions in connection with the potential claim described above.business.

 

We are subject toOur future success largely depends upon the reporting requirementscontinued services of our key executive officers, management team, and other key personnel. The loss of the United States securities laws, which will require expenditureservices of capitalany of such key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition. We depend on the continued services of our key personnel as they work closely with both our employees and our Publisher Partners. Such key personnel are also responsible for our day-to-day operations. Although we have employment agreements with some of our key personnel, these are at-will employment agreements, albeit with non-competition and confidentiality provisions and other resources, and may divert management’s attention.rights typically associated with employment agreements. We do not believe that any of our executive officers are a public reporting company subjectplanning to leave or retire in the information and reporting requirementsnear term; however, we cannot ensure that our executive officers or members of the Exchange Act, Sarbanes and other applicable securities rules and regulations. Complyingour management team will remain with these rules and regulations have caused us and will continue to cause us to incur additional legal and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, be time-consuming or costly, and continue to increase demandus. We also depend on our systemsability to identify, attract, hire, train, retain, and resources. The Exchange Act requires, amongmotivate other things, that we file annual, quarterlyhighly skilled technical, managerial, sales, operational, business development, and current reports with respect to our businesscustomer service personnel. Competition for such personnel is intense, and operating results. If we fail to or are unable to comply with Sarbanes, we will notthere can be able to obtain independent accountant certifications that Sarbanes requires publicly traded companies to obtain. Further, by complying with public disclosure requirements, our business and financial condition are more visible, which we believe may result in the likelihood of increased threatened or actual litigation, including by competitors and other third parties. Compliance with these additional requirements may also divert management’s attention from operating our business. Any of these may adversely affect our operating results.

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There is no assurance that we will be able to maintain compliance with the NYSE American’s continued listing standards. Our common stock is listed on NYSE American. There is no assurance that we will be able to maintain our listing. In order to maintain such listing, we must satisfy minimum financial and other continued listing standards, including those regarding director independence and independent committee requirements, minimum stockholders’ equity, minimum share price, and certain corporate governance requirements. There can be no assurances that we will be able to comply with such applicable continued listing standards. Failure to remain in compliance may occur due to our actssuccessfully attract, assimilate, or omissions, as well as due to circumstancesretain sufficiently qualified personnel. The loss or events that are not within our control. Our failure to meet the NYSE American’s continue listing requirements may result in our common stock being delisted from the NYSE American, or another national securities exchange.

The Reverse Stock Split may decrease the liquiditylimitation of the sharesservices of any of our common stock. The liquidity of the sharesexecutive officers, members of our common stock may be affected adversely bymanagement team, or key personnel, including our regional and country managers, or the Reverse Stock Split given the reduced numberinability to attract and retain additional qualified key personnel, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of shares that are outstanding following the Reverse Stock Split. In addition, the Reverse Stock Split may increase the number of stockholders who own odd lots (less than 100 shares) of our common stock, creating the potential for such stockholders to experience an increase in the cost of selling their shares and greater difficulty effecting such sales.operations.

 

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Our Board is authorized to issue additional shares of our common stock that would dilute existing stockholders. Our Board has the power to issue any or all authorized but unissued shares of our common stock at any price and, in respect of our Preferred Stock (defined below), at any price and with any attributes our Board considers sufficient, without stockholder approval. The issuance of additional shares of our common stock in the future will reduce the proportionate ownership and voting power of current stockholders and may negatively impact the market price of our common stock. We are authorized to issue up to 1,000,000,000 shares of our common stock and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (our “Preferred Stock”) of which 17,417,490 shares of our common stock and 15,234 shares of our Preferred Stock, consisting of 15,066 shares of Series H convertible preferred stock (“Series H Preferred Stock”) and approximately 168 shares of Series G convertible preferred stock (“Series G Preferred Stock”) are issued and outstanding as of March 21, 2022. The number of shares of our common stock issued and outstanding as of March 21, 2022 excludes 5,572,077 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding option awards, 1,870,868 shares of our common stock either (i) that are vested and to be issued or (ii) issuable upon vesting of restricted stock units, 1,148,251 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants, 2,075,200 shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of Series H Preferred Stock, 8,582 shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of Series G Preferred Stock, 151,714 shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”), 1,281,948 shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”), and 49,134 shares of our common stock held in reserve to be issued pursuant to completion of documentation related to transactions from 2018. We expect to seek additional financing in order to provide working capital to our business in the future.

We may issue additional securities with rights superior to those of our common stock, which could materially limit the ownership rights of our stockholders. We may offer additional debt or equity securities in private or public offerings in order to raise working capital or to refinance our debt. Our Board has the right to determine the terms and rights of any debt securities and Preferred Stock without obtaining the approval of our stockholders. It is possible that any debt securities or Preferred Stock that we sell would have terms and rights superior to those of our common stock and may be convertible into shares of our common stock. Any sale of securities could adversely affect the interests or voting rights of the holders of our common stock, result in substantial dilution to existing stockholders, or adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

The elimination of monetary liability against our directors, officers, and employees under Delaware law and the existence of indemnification rights for our obligations to our directors, officers, and employees may result in substantial expenditures by us and may discourage lawsuits against our directors, officers, and employees.

Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (our “Certificate of Incorporation”), and our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws (our “Bylaws”) contain provisions permitting us to eliminate the personal liability of our directors and officers to us and our stockholders for damages for the breach of a fiduciary duty as a director or officer to the extent provided by Delaware law. We may also have contractual indemnification obligations under any future employment agreements with our officers. The foregoing indemnification obligations could result in us incurring substantial expenditures to cover the cost of settlement or damage awards against directors and officers, which we may be unable to recoup. These provisions and the resulting costs may also discourage us from bringing a lawsuit against directors and officers for breaches of their fiduciary duties, and may similarly discourage the filing of derivative litigation by our stockholders against our directors and officers even through such actions, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders.

 

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Because we are a “smaller reporting company,” we will not be required to comply with certain disclosure requirements that are applicable to other public companies, and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies will make our common stock less attractive to investors.

We are a “smaller reporting company,” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. As a smaller reporting company, we are eligible for exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies that are not smaller reporting companies, including, but not limited to:

reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports, proxy statements, and registration statements;
not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; and
reduced disclosure obligations for our annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements, and registration statements.

to reduced disclosure obligations, including with respect to executive compensation, in our periodic reports, proxy statements, and registration statements. We will remaincontinue to be a smaller reporting company untilif either (i) the endmarket value of the fiscal year in which (1) we have a public common equity float of moreour stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250 million as of the prior June 30, or (2) we have(ii) our annual revenues forrevenue is less than $100 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and the market value of more than $100 million plus we have any public common equity float or public float of moreour stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700 million.million as of the prior June 30. We also would not be eligible for status as smaller reporting companycannot predict if we become an investment company, an asset-backed issuer, or a majority-owned subsidiary of a parent company that is not a smaller reporting company.

Sales by our stockholders of a substantial number of shares ofinvestors will find our common stock in the public market could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. A substantial portion of the total outstanding shares ofless attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be sold into thea less active trading market at any time. Some of these shares are owned by our executive officers and directors, and we believe that such holders have no current intention to sell a significant number of shares of our stock. If all of the major stockholders were to decide to sell large amounts of stock over a short period of time, such sales could cause the market price offor our common stock to drop significantly, even ifand our businesses were doing well.stock price may be more volatile.

 

Provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and Delaware law may discourage a takeover attempt even if a takeover might be beneficial to our stockholders.stockholders and limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers and employees.

Provisions contained in our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us. Provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws impose various procedural and other requirements, which could make it more difficult for stockholders to effectaffect certain corporate actions. For example, our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes our Board to determine the rights, preferences, privileges, and restrictions of unissued series of our Preferred Stock without any vote or action by our stockholders. Thus, our Board can authorize and issue shares of our Preferred Stock with voting or conversion rights that could dilute the voting power of holders of other series of our capital stock. These rights may have the effect of delaying or deterring a change of control of us. Additionally, our Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws establish limitations on the removal of directors and include advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our Board and for proposing matters that can be acted upon at stockholder meetings.

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In addition, our Certificate of Incorporation provides that a state or federal court located within the state of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for: any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty; any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the DGCL, our Certificate of Incorporation, or our Bylaws; any action to interpret, apply, enforce, or determine the validity of our Certificate of Incorporation or our Bylaws; or any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, or other employees, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm our business, operating results, and financial condition.

 

Moreover, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”), which prohibits an “interested stockholder” owning in excess of 15% of our outstanding voting stock from merging or combining with us for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which such stockholder acquired in excess of 15% of our outstanding voting stock, unless the merger or combination is approved in a prescribed manner. These provisions could limit the price that certain investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.

 

21

The terms of our Rights Agreement, dated May 4, 2021 (the “Rights Agreement”) and Series L Junior Participating Preferred Stock may discourage a takeover attempt even if a takeover might be beneficial to our stockholders. Features of our Rights Agreement will make it difficult for a party to acquire control of our Company in a transaction not approved by our Board. On May 4, 2021, we adopted a Rights Agreement, which provided for a dividend distribution of a right to purchase from us one-thousandth of a share of our Series L Junior Participating Preferred Stock for: (i) each outstanding share of our common stock and (ii) each share of our common stock issuable upon conversion of each share of our Series H Preferred Stock. The description of such rights is set forth in the Rights Agreement, between America Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Rights Agent, and us. The Rights Agreement is set to expire on May 3, 2022; however, our Board elected to extend the termination date, which extension is subject to ratification by our stockholders. This Rights Agreement could limit the price that certain investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.

Claims for indemnification by our directors and officers may reduce our available funds to satisfy successful third-party claims against us and may reduce the amount of money available to us.

Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that we will indemnify our directors and officers, in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. In addition, Section 145 of the DGCL or our Certificate of Incorporation provides that:

 

We will indemnify our directors and officers for serving us in those capacities or for serving other business enterprises at our request, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Delaware law provides that a corporation may indemnify such person if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful.
We may, in our discretion, indemnify employees and agents in those circumstances where indemnification is permitted by applicable law.
We are required to advance expenses, as incurred, to our directors and officers in connection with defending a proceeding, except that such directors or officers shall undertake to repay such advances if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to indemnification.
The rights conferred in our Certificate of Incorporation are not exclusive, and we are authorized to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors, officers, employees, and agents and to obtain insurance to indemnify such persons.
We may not retroactively amend our Certificate of Incorporation or indemnification agreement, if any, to reduce our indemnification obligations to directors, officers, employees, and agents.

The trading price of the shares of our common stock has been and may continue to be volatile and could subject us to litigation.

Stocks of companies in the media and technology industries have historically experienced high levels of volatility. The trading price of our common stock has fluctuated substantially and may continue to do so. These fluctuations could cause you to incur substantial losses, including all of your investment in our common stock. Factors that could cause fluctuations in the trading price of our common stock, some of which are beyond our control and may not be related to our operational or financial performance, include, among others, the following:

price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market from time to time;
announcements of new products, solutions or technologies, commercial relationships, acquisitions, or other events by us or our competitors;
the public’s reaction to our press releases, other public announcements, and filings with the SEC;

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fluctuations in the trading volume of our shares or the size of our public float, including in connection with an acquisition;
sales of large blocks of our common stock;
actual or anticipated changes or fluctuations in our results of operations or financial projections;
failure of securities analysts to initiate or maintain coverage of us, changes in financial estimates by any securities analysts who follow our company, or our failure to meet these estimates or the expectations of investors;
recruitment or departures of key personnel;
governmental or regulatory developments or actions, or litigation involving us, our industry, or both
general economic conditions and trends, including inflation and fluctuating interest rates;
general political conditions and trends, political instability and acts of war or terrorism, including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine;
public health crises and related measures to protect the public health (such as the COVID-19 pandemic);
major catastrophic events in our domestic and foreign markets;
changes in accounting standards, policies, guidelines, interpretations, or principles; and
“flash crashes,” “freeze flashes,” or other glitches that disrupt trading on the securities exchange on which we are listed.

In addition, if the market for stock of media and technology companies or the stock market, in general, experiences a loss of investor confidence, the trading price of our common stock could decline for reasons unrelated to our business, results of operations, or financial condition. The trading price of our common stock might also decline in reaction to events that affect other companies in the media and technology industries even if these events do not directly affect us. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been brought against that company. If litigation is instituted against us, it could subject us to substantial costs, divert management’s attention and resources, and adversely affect our business.

Our Board is authorized to issue additional shares of our common stock that would dilute existing stockholders and sales, distribution or issuance of substantial amounts of our common stock could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.

Our Board has the power to issue any or all authorized but unissued shares of our common stock at any price and, in respect of our preferred stock, at any price and with any attributes our Board considers sufficient, without stockholder approval. The issuance of additional shares of our common stock in the future will reduce the proportionate ownership and voting power of current stockholders and may negatively impact the market price of our common stock. Moreover, the sale or distribution of a substantial number of shares of our common stock, particularly sales by us or our directors, executive officers, and principal stockholders, or the perception that these sales or distributions might occur in large quantities, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. In addition, shares subject to outstanding warrants as well as the shares of common stock subject to outstanding options and restricted stock unit awards under our equity incentive plans, and the shares reserved for future issuance under our equity incentive plans, will become eligible for sale in the public market upon issuance, subject to compliance with applicable securities laws. Further, we also may issue our capital stock or securities convertible into our capital stock, from time to time in connection with financing, an acquisition, investments, or otherwise. Any of the aforementioned activity, could result in substantial dilution to our existing stockholders and cause the market price of common stock to decline.

We may issue additional securities with rights superior to those of our common stock, which could materially limit the ownership rights of our stockholders.

We may offer additional debt or equity securities in private or public offerings in order to raise working capital or to refinance our debt. Our Board has the right to determine the terms and rights of any debt securities and preferred stock without obtaining the approval of our stockholders. It is possible that any debt securities or preferred stock that we sell would have terms and rights superior to those of our common stock and may be convertible into shares of our common stock. Any sale of securities could adversely affect the interests or voting rights of the holders of our common stock, result in substantial dilution to existing stockholders, or adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

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Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 2. Properties

 

During fiscal 2021, we begun to re-evaluate our property leases and, to the extent feasible and in our best interests, either surrendered leased properties to the landlord prior to the expiration of such leases, subleased the property, or decided to not renew certain leases. As of the end of fiscal 2021,2022, we did not have any leases pursuant toin New Jersey and California. The space in Hoboken, New Jersey is occupied by The Spun. In Santa Monica, California we have a leased space which we occupiedsublet and a physical property. Instead,lease for office space that we intend to encourage our work force to work remotely, provided, that it continues to be feasible to do sonot occupy in the future.Carlsbad, California. To the extent we need to lease physical properties in the future, we believe we would be able to find suitable properties at market rates.

 

Item 3. 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 4. Mine Safety Disclosure

 

Not applicable.

 

Part II.

 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Market Information

Our common stock began to be tradedtrading on the NYSE American on February 9, 2022 under the symbol “AREN.” Before then, from September 21, 2021 until February 8, 2022, our common stock was quoted on the OTCM’s OTCQX trading under the symbol “MVEN.”

The following table sets forth the high and low bid prices during the periods indicated, as reported by the OTCM. Such prices reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions. Prices in the table below have been presented to reflect the Reverse Stock Split of our outstanding shares of common stock.

  Common Stock 
  (AREN) 
  High  Low 
2022      
First Quarter (1) $15.40  $7.50 
2021        
First Quarter $66.00  $9.24 
Second Quarter $22.88  $12.32 
Third Quarter $17.82  $6.60 
Fourth Quarter $17.60  $6.82 
2020        
First Quarter $21.78  $6.82 
Second Quarter $17.60  $6.60 
Third Quarter $24.64  $11.00 
Fourth Quarter $19.80  $11.00 

(1)As of March 21, 2022.

23

 

Holders

 

As of March 21, 2022,2023, there were approximately 190186 holders of record of our common stock. We believe that there are additional holdersSince many of our shares of common stock who have their stock in “street name” with their brokers. Currently,are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders, we cannot determineare unable to estimate the approximatetotal number of those street namestockholders represented by these record holders. As of such date, 17,417,490 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding.

 

Dividends

 

We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock, and our present policy is to retain any future earnings to support our operations and finance the growth and development of our business. We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. Any future determination related to our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our Board.

 

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

 

On December 15, 2020, we entered into the Fourth Amendment to the Agreement and Plan of Merger with HubPages (the “Fourth Amendment”), pursuant to which we agreed to repurchase from certain key personnel of HubPages, including Paul Edmondson, one of our officers, and his spouse, an aggregate of approximately 2,017 shares of our common stock at a price of $88.00 per share each month for a period of 24 months. The details of these repurchases are as follows:

None.

 

Period 

(a)

Total number of shares (or units) purchased

  

(b)

Average price paid per share (or unit)

  

(c)

Total number of shares (or units) purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs

  

(d)

Maximum number (or approximate dollar value) of shares (or units) that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs

 
December 30, 2020  2,017  $88.00   -   46,372 
January 29, 2021  2,017  $88.00   -   44,355 
March 1, 2021  2,017  $88.00   -   42,338 
June 1, 2021 (1)  6,051  $88.00   -   36,287 
July 1, 2021  2,017  $88.00   -   34,270 
July 30, 2021  2,017  $88.00   -   32,253 
September 2, 2021  2,017  $88.00   -   30,236 
October 1, 2021  2,017  $88.00   -   28,219 
November 1, 2021  2,017  $88.00   -   26,202 
January 7, 2022  2,017  $88.00   -   24,185 
February 4, 2022  2,017  $88.00   -   22,168 
February 17, 2022  2,017  $88.00   -   20,151 
March 1, 2022  

2,017

  

$

88.00

   

-

   

18,134

 

(1)Pursuant to the terms of the Fourth Amendment, we have the discretion to determine on a monthly basis whether to make a repurchase for such month. For the months of April and May 2021, we did not make any repurchases pursuant to the Fourth Amendment. Accordingly, in June 2021, we repurchased 6,051shares, comprised of the 2,017 shares for April 2021, 2,017 shares for May 2021, and 2,017 shares for June 2021.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

During fiscal 2021 (and the subsequent interim period) we have made sales of the unregistered securities described in this section.

None.

2430

Those salesUse of unregistered securities that were previously disclosed in either Current Reports on Form 8-K or Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q are not included.

Between January 1, 2021 and December 21, 2021, we granted stock options exercisable for an aggregate of up to 2,330,818 shares of our common stock to participants under the 2019 Plan as payment for services. The exercise prices per share ranged from $7.92 to $21.34. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.Proceeds

 

On January 11, 2021, we issued 14,205 shares to Whisper Advisors, LLC as payment for services provided pursuant to that certain Services Agreement dated December 22, 2020. The shares had an aggregate fair market value of approximately $125,000. The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.None.

 

Between February 18, 2021 and September 20, 2021, we granted restricted stock units representing 1,677,680 shares of our common stock to participants under the 2019 Plan as payment for services. The fair values per share ranged from $10.34 to $19.80. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

On August 17, 2021, we issued 6,888 shares of our common stock upon the conversion of Series H Preferred Stock. The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof and Regulation D promulgated thereunder as transactions not involving a public offering.

On August 18, 2021, we issued 34,091 shares of our common stock in connection with a payment owed as additional consideration under an asset purchase agreement. The per share fair value on the issuance date was $14.74, and the aggregate fair value was approximately $500,000. The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

On October 7, 2021, we issued 8,523 shares of our common stock as restricted stock awards to four directors subject to continued service with us. The one-third of the awards vests over a three-month period from the grant date. The per share fair value on the grant date was $8.80, and the aggregate value was approximately $75,000. The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

Between November 22, 2021 and December 21, 2021, we issued 617,222 shares of our common stock upon the conversion of Series H Preferred Stock. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof and Regulation D promulgated thereunder as transactions not involving a public offering.

25

On January 24, 2022, we entered into several Stock Purchase Agreements, pursuant to which we agreed to issue an aggregate of 505,671 shares at a price equal to $13.86 per share, or the volume-weighted average price of our common stock at the close of trading on the sixty (60) previous trading days, to such stockholders in lieu of an aggregate of approximately $9.87 million owed in liquidated damages, which includes accrued but unpaid interest, for our failure to meet certain covenants in prior Registration Rights Agreements and related Securities Purchase Agreements with such stockholders. We also granted registration rights to these stockholders with respect to the shares of our common stock issued in lieu of these liquidated damages. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as transactions not involving a public offering.

Between January 1, 2022 and January 26, 2022, we granted stock options exercisable for an aggregate of up to 79,760 shares of our common stock to participants under the 2019 Plan as payment for services. The exercise prices per share ranged from $14.08 to $14.96. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

On January 1, 2022, we granted restricted stock units representing 68,182 shares of our common stock to a participant under the 2019 Plan as payment for services. The fair value per share was $14.08, and the aggregate value was approximately $960,000. The issuances were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

On January 12, 2022, we entered into a Stock Issuance Agreement with Borden Media Consulting, LLC, pursuant to which we agreed to issue an aggregate of 1,134 shares for services rendered. The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as transactions not involving a public offering.

On or about January 26, 2022, we agreed to issue 13,483 shares for services rendered pursuant to a Services Agreement with Whisper Advisors, LLC. The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as transactions not involving a public offering.

On March 4, 2022, we issued 155,211 shares of our common stock, upon vesting of previously granted restricted stock units to a participant under the 2019 Plan as payment for services. The fair value per share was $8.28, and the aggregate value was approximately $1.3 million. Of the shares issued, 67,023 shares were withheld by us to satisfy tax withholding obligations.  The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof as a transaction not involving a public offering.

Item 6. [Reserved]

 

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements that are included elsewhere in this Annual Report. Our discussion includes forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, such as our plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors. We use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. All dollar figures are presented in thousands unless otherwise stated.

 

Overview

 

For an overview of the Company, see the information above presented under the section labeled “Item 1. Business,” which is a portionin “Part I” of this Annual Report’s “Part I.”Report.

Key Operating Metrics

We monitor and review the key operating metrics described below as we believe that these metrics are relevant for our industry and specifically to us and to understanding our business. Moreover, they form the basis for trends informing certain predictions related to our financial condition. Our key operating metrics focus primarily on our digital advertising revenue, which has experienced significant growth in recent periods as indicated in the Results of Operations section below. Management monitors and reviews these metrics because such metrics are readily measurable in real time and can provide valuable insight into the performance of and trends related to our digital advertising revenue and our overall business. We consider only those key operating metrics described here to be material to our financial condition, results of operations and future prospects.

Our key operating metrics are identified below:

Revenue per page view (“RPM”) – represents the advertising revenue earned per 1,000 pageviews. It is calculated as our advertising revenue during a period divided by our total page views during that period and multiplied by $1,000; and
Monthly average pageviews – represents the total number of pageviews in a given month or the average of each month’s pageviews in a fiscal quarter or year, which is calculated as the total number of page views recorded in a quarter or year divided by three months or 12 months, respectively.

For pricing indicators, we focus on RPM as it is the pricing metric most closely aligned with monthly average pageviews. RPM is an indicator of yield and pricing driven by both advertising density and demand from our advertisers.

Monthly average pageviews are measured across all properties hosted on the Platform and provide us with insight into volume, engagement and effective page management and are therefore our primary measure of traffic. We utilize a third-party source, Google Analytics, to confirm this traffic data.

As described above, these key operating metrics are critical for management as they provide insights into our digital advertising revenue generation and overall business performance. This information also provides feedback on the content on our website and its ability to attract and engage users, which allows us to make strategic business decisions designed to drive more users to read or view more of our content and generate higher advertising revenue across all properties hosted on the Platform.

For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 our RPM was $17.24 and $15.24, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 our monthly average pageviews were 516,129,297 and 350,761,233, respectively.

 

2631

Impact of Current Global Economic Conditions

Uncertainty in the global economy presents significant risks to our business. We are subject to continuing risks and uncertainties in connection with the current macroeconomic environment, including inflation, rising interest rates and contraction in the availability of credit in the market place, geopolitical factors, including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the responses thereto, and the remaining effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are closely monitoring the impact of these factors on all aspects of our business, including the impacts on our users, customers, employees, Publishers Partners, vendors and business partners.

In particular, with the initial onset of COVID-19, we faced significant change in our advertisers’ buying behavior. Since May 2020, there has been a steady recovery in the advertising market in both pricing and volume, which coupled with the return of professional and college sports yielded steady growth in revenues. However, given that our sports vertical business relies on sporting events to generate content and comprises a material portion of our revenues, our 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 occurred in the United States and elsewhere during 2020. Future widespread shutdowns of in-person economic activity could have a material impact on our business. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has also caused supply chain inefficiencies, negatively impacting our production and distribution costs in our print operations.

The ultimate extent of the impact of global economic conditions on our business remains highly uncertain and will depend on future developments and factors that continue to evolve. Most of these developments and factors are outside of our control and could exist for an extended period of time. As a result, we are subject to continuing risks and uncertainties and continue to closely monitor the impact of the current conditions on our business. For more information regarding these risks and uncertainties, see the section titled “Risk Factors” in Part 1, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash and Working Capital Facility

 

As of December 31, 2021,2022, our principal sources of liquidity consisted of cash of approximately $9.3 million.$13,871. In addition, as of December 31, 2021,2022, we had the$25,908 available for additional use, of additional proceeds from our working capital facility with FPP Finance LLC (“FastPay”) in the amount of approximately $13.0 million, subject to eligible accounts receivable.receivable, under our working capital line of credit with SLR Digital Finance LLC (formerly FPP Finance LLC) (“SLR”). As of December 31, 2021,2022, the outstanding balance of the FastPaySLR working capital facilityline of credit was approximately $12.0 million.$14,092. We also had accounts receivable, net of our advances from FastPaySLR of approximately $9.7 million$19,858 as of December 31, 2021.2022. Our cash balance as of the issuance date of our accompanying consolidated financial statements is approximately $23.0 million.

$8,203.

 

Our accompanying consolidated financial statements have been presented on the basis that we are a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. We had revenues of approximately $189.1 million$220,935 during fiscal 20212022 and have experienced recurring net losses from operations and negative operating cash flows. Consequently, we were dependent upon continued access to funding and capital resources from both new investors and related parties. If continued funding and capital resources are unavailable at reasonable terms, we may not be able to implement our growth plan and plan of operations. These financings may include terms that may be highly dilutive to existing stockholders.

 

We continue to be focused on growing our existing operations and seeking accretive and complementary strategic acquisitions as part of our growth strategy. We believe, that with additional sources of liquidity and the ability to raise additional capital or incur additional indebtedness to supplement our internal projections, we will be able to execute our growth plan and finance our working capital requirements both in the short-term and long-term.

32

Going Concern

Management performed an annual reporting period going concern assessment. We are required to assess our ability to continue as a going concern. Our accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. Our accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if we are unable to continue as a going concern.

 

Historically,Most recently, for the year ended December 31, 2022, we have recorded recurring lossesincurred a net loss from continuing operations of $67,388, had cash on hand of $13,871 and a working capital deficit of $137,669. Our net loss from continuing operations and working capital deficit have operated with a net capital deficiency. We considered these factorsbeen evaluated by management to determine if the significance of those conditions or events would limit our ability to meet our obligations when due. Most recently, operating losses realized in prior years had been impactedFurthermore, since our Bridge Notes of $36,000, Senior Secured Notes of $62,691 and Delayed Draw Term Notes of $4,000, totaling $102,691  (collectively “our current debt”) are due by the COVID-19 pandemicDecember 31, 2023 (see Note 19, Bridge Notes, and the related shut down of most professional and collegiate sports, which reduced user traffic and advertising revenue. As we entered fiscal 2021, and the impact of COVID-19 on our operations began to dissipate, we invested heavily in marketing, customer growth, and people and technology as we expanded our operations, specifically related to TheStreet and the Sports Illustrated media business.

As reflectedNote 20, Long-term Debt, in our accompanying consolidated financial statements,statements), unless we recorded revenues of approximately $189.1 million and incurred a net loss attributableare able to common stockholders of approximately $89.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. We have historically financedrefinance or extend our working capital requirements since inception through the issuance ofcurrent debt and equity securities.

Management has evaluated whether relevant conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The factors considered include, but are not limited to, our financial condition, liquidity sources, obligations due within one year after the issuance date of our accompanying consolidated financial statements, and the funds necessary to maintain operations, including negative financial trends or other indicators of possible financial difficulty. Substantial doubt exists when conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, indicate it is probable that a company willbeyond its current maturity, we may not be able to meet itsour obligations as they become due within one year after the issuance date of its financial statements.

27

Management’s assessment is based on the relevant conditions that are known or reasonably knowable as of the date our accompanying consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021 were issued. In particular, management evaluated our: (1) 2022 cash flow forecast, which considered the use of our working capital line with FastPay (as described below) to fund changes in working capital, under which we have available credit of approximately $17.7 million, subject to eligible account receivables, as of the issuance date of our accompanying consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021, as well as the additional capital we raised in a firm commitment underwritten public offering of $31.5 million after fees and expenses, which was completed subsequent to December 31, 2021; and (2) our 2022 operating budget, which considers that (i) more than half of our total revenue is derived from recurring digital and print subscriptions, which are generally paid in advance, and (ii) overall digital revenue, representing 53.4% of our total revenue, grew approximately 49.1% in fiscal 2021, which we believe demonstrates the strength of our brands.when due.

 

In addition, our firm commitment underwritten public offering, as described above, demonstrates our ability to access capital markets. Finally,evaluation, management also considered our ability to implement additional measures, if required, related to potential revenue and earnings declines from continued COVID-19-related challenges.

Management’s assessment of our ability to meet our future obligationsdetermined there is inherently judgmental, subjective and susceptible to change. As a result of these considerations and as a part of the quantitative and qualitative factors that are known or reasonably knowable as of the date our accompanying consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021 were issued, we concluded that conditions and events considered in the aggregate, do not raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern for a one-year period following the financial statement issuance date.

Equity Financings

In January 2022,date, unless we filed a registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-262111), whichare able to refinance or extend the SEC declared effective on February 10, 2022. In February 2022, we closed a firm commitment underwritten public offeringmaturities of our common stock and received total net proceeds of approximately $31.5 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, which includes the underwriter’s overallotment option that was partially exercised in March 2022.

current debt.

 

We plan to refinance or extend the maturities of our current debt to alleviate the conditions that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

33

Debt Financings and Obligations

 

Net proceeds from our debt financings (see Note 14,15, Line of Credit, Note 19, Bridge Notesand Note 19,20, Long-term Debt, in our accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information) consisted of the following:

 

FastPaySLR Credit Facility. We are party to a financing and security agreement with FastPay,SLR, pursuant to which FastPaySLR extended a $15.0 million$25,000 line of credit for working capital purposes secured by a first lien on all our cash and accounts receivable and a second lien on all other assets. TheOn December 15, 2022, pursuant to an amendment, the line of credit was increased to $25.0 million during fiscal 2021.$40,000. Borrowings under the facility bear interest at the LIBOR Rateprime rate plus 6.00%4% per annum of the amount advanced and have a final maturity date of February 28, 2024.December 31, 2024; provided that the maturity date will be December 31, 2023 if we have not refinanced, repaid or extended all of our Senior Secured Notes (as defined below) due December 31, 2023 by August 31, 2023, and provided further, that SLR will be entitled to accelerate the obligations if we have not refinanced, repaid or extended all of our Senior Secured Notes due December 31, 2023 by September 30, 2023. In the event that our line of credit is accelerated, we will be obligated to pay SLR a termination fee of $900. The amendment also permitted us to enter into the Bridge Notes (as defined below). The aggregate principal amount outstanding, plus accrued and unpaid interest as of the issuance date of our accompanying consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 20212022 was approximately $7.3 million.$14,092.

 

Senior Secured NoteBridge Notes. We are partyOn December 15, 2022, we issued $36,000 aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes (the “Bridge Notes”) pursuant to a second amended and restated note purchase agreement, as subsequently amended by Amendment No. 1, Amendment No. 2, Amendment No. 3, and Amendment No. 4 (collectively, the “SecondThird A&R NPA”),NPA with one accredited investor, BRF Finance Co., LLC (“BRF Finance”), an affiliated entity of B. Riley Financial, Inc. (“B. Riley”), in its capacity as agent for the purchasers and as purchaser. We received net proceeds of $34,728, after the payment of $1,000 to B. Riley for an advisory fee and $272 for other legal costs, from the issuance of the Bridge Notes. Interest on the Bridge Notes is payable in cash at a rate of 12% per annum quarterly in arrears on March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023, September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2023; provided that, on March 1, 2023, May 1, 2023 and July 1, 2023, the interest rate on the Bridge Notes will increase by 1.5% per annum, with maturity on December 31, 2023. The Bridge Notes are subject to certain mandatory prepayment requirements, including, but not limited to, a requirement that we apply the net proceeds from certain debt incurrences or equity offerings to repay the Bridge Notes. We may elect to prepay the Bridge Notes, at any time, at our option at 100% of the principal amount. The Bridge Notes are secured by liens on the same collateral that secures indebtedness under our outstanding Senior Secured Notes (as defined below) and are guaranteed by our subsidiaries that guarantee the Third A&R NPA. The Note Purchase Agreement contains covenants and events of default substantially similar to those contained in the note purchase agreement that governed the Third A&R NPA. The proceeds received were used for the acquisition of Men’s Journal and to repay $5,928 of our existing Delayed Draw Term Notes (as defined below). The aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Bridge Notes as of December 31, 2022 was $36,000.

Senior Secured Notes. We are party to a third amended and restated note purchase agreement (the “Third A&R NPA”), with one accredited investor, BRF Finance, an affiliated entity of B. Riley. The senior secured notenotes bears interest at a rate of 10% per annum. Interest payments are payable at BRF Finance’s discretion either in cash quarterly in arrears on the last day of each quarter or by adding the interest to the outstanding principal amount. The senior secured notenotes has a final maturity date of December 31, 2023, at which time the outstanding principal and all accrued but unpaid interest will be due. The balance outstanding under our senior secured notenotes as of the issuance date of our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 20212022 was approximately $64.3 million,$62,691, which included outstanding principal of approximately $48.8 million,$48,791 and payment of in-kind interest of approximately $13.9 million$13,900 that we were permitted to add to the aggregate outstanding principal balance, and unpaid accrued interest of approximately $1.6 million.balance.

 

28

Delayed Draw Term NoteNotes. Pursuant to the SecondThird A&R NPA, we agreed to issue, at BRF Finance’s option, a delayed draw term notenotes (the “Delayed Draw Term Note”Notes”), in the aggregate principal amount of $12.0 million to BRF Finance. On March 24, 2020, we drew down approximately $6.9 million under the Delayed Draw Term Note, and after payment of commitment and funding fees paid$12,000 to BRF Finance, in the amount of approximately $0.7 million, and other of its legal fees and expenses that we incurred, we received net proceeds of $6.0 million.which $9,928 was outstanding on December 31, 2021. The Delayed Draw Term Note bearsNotes bear interest at a rate of 10% per annum. Interest payments are payable, at BRF Finance’s discretion, either in cash quarterly in arrears on the last day of each fiscal quarter or in kind in arrears on the last day of each fiscal quarter. The Delayed Draw Term Note hasNotes have a final maturity date of December 31, 2023, at which time the outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due. There is approximately $5.4 million ofWe paid $5,928 in principal paymentthat was due on the Delayed Draw Term Note on December 31, 2022, with the remaining principal balance due on December 31, 2023. The aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Delayed Draw Term NoteBridge Notes as of the issuance date of our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 20212022 was approximately $10.2 million, which included outstanding principal of approximately $8.7 million, and payment of in-kind interest of approximately $1.2 million that the Company was permitted to add to the aggregate outstanding principal balance, and unpaid accrued interest of approximately $0.3 million.$4,000.

34

 

Proposed Acquisition

 

WeOn January 11, 2023, we entered into a non-binding letter of intentan asset purchase agreement with Teneology, Inc., pursuant to acquire 100%which we acquired certain assets (consisting of the issuedRoadFood media business, including digital and outstanding equity interests of Athlon Holdings, Inc. (“Athlon”)television assets; the Moveable Feast media business, including digital and television assets; the Fexy-branded content studio business; and the MonkeySee YouTube Channel media business), for an anticipateda purchase price of $16.0 million, comprised$2,956. The purchase price consisted of (i) athe following: (1) $500 cash portion of $13.0 million, with $10.0 million to be paid at closing; (2) $75 cash payments due in three equal installments of $25 on March 1, 2023, April 1, 2023 and May 1, 2023; (3) $200 deferred cash payment due on the first anniversary of the closing date, subject to certain indemnity provisions; and $3.0 million to be paid post-closing and (ii) an equity portion(4) the issuance of $3.0 million to be paid in274,692 shares of our common stock. The acquisition isstock, subject to certain lock-up provisions, on the preparation and negotiationclosing date with a fair value of definitive documents, completion$2,181 (fair value was determined based on our common stock trading price of due diligence, and$7.94 per share on the agreement of a certainclosing date). The number of key employeesshares of Athlon to remain as employees post-closing, among other items.our common stock issued was determined based on a $2,225 value using our common stock trading price on the day immediately preceding the January 11, 2023 closing date.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 31, 2022, pursuant to our line of credit with SLR, as disclosed above, in the event that our line of credit is accelerated, we will be obligated to pay SLR a termination fee of $900.

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 Note 8, Leases, Note 16, Liquidated Damages Payable, Note 19 , Bridge Notes 7, 15, and 19Note 20, Long-term Debt, in our accompanying consolidated financial statements for amounts outstanding as of December 31, 2021,2022, related to leases, liquidated damages, bridge financing and long-term debt.

 

During 2022, we assumed the lease from Men’s Journal for office space in Carlsbad, California, that expires in March 2025, and we remain responsible for $3,189 over the lease term. The lease provides for fixed payments of $89 for three months, $92 for twelve months and $94 for twelve months, with an estimate of common expenses per month of $25 through the end of the lease term.

With respect to leases, we subleased our office space in Santa Monica, California in November 2021 and remain responsible to the original lessor for approximately $1.3 million$948 through SeptemberOctober 2024. Pursuant to the sublease, the sublessee will pay us an aggregate of approximately $0.6 million$477 through SeptemberOctober 2024.

 

During 2021, we entered into a termination agreement of our sublease agreement for a property located in New York, New York and remain responsible for approximately $9.0 million$8,000 in cash payments to the sublandlord through October 2024.

Contingent Liability

Finally, we may have a contingent liability arising out of possible violations of the Securities Act in connection with the Original PowerPoint, 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 Original PowerPoint publicly may have constituted an “offer to sell” as described in Section 5(b)(1) of the Securities Act and the Original PowerPoint 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 Original PowerPoint 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 Original PowerPoint and a court were to conclude that the public disclosure of such PowerPoint 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 Original PowerPoint at the original purchase price, plus statutory interest. We could also incur considerable expense in contesting any such claims. As of the date of this Annual 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. See also the “Risk Factor” entitled “We may have contingent liability arising out of a possible violation of the Securities Act, in connection with the Original PowerPoint which we furnished as Exhibit 99.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K, and the Current Report on Form 8-K/A, filed with the SEC on January 31, 2022, and February 1, 2022, respectively” herein.

29

 

Working Capital Deficit

 

We have financed our working capital requirements since inception through issuances of equity securities and various debt financings. Our working capital deficit as of December 31, 20212022 and 20202021 was as follows:

  

As of December 31,

 
  2022  2021 
Current assets $78,695  $77,671 
Current liabilities  (216,364)  (116,413)
Working capital deficit  (137,669)  (38,742)

  As of December 31, 
  2021  2020 
Current assets $77,671,018  $73,846,465 
Current liabilities  (116,412,415)  (107,562,825)
Working capital deficit  (38,741,397)  (33,716,360)

As of December 31, 2021,2022, we had a working capital deficit of approximately $38.7 million,$137,669, as compared to approximately $33.7 million$38,742 as of December 31, 2020,2021, consisting of approximately $77.7 million$78,695 in total current assets and approximately $116.4 million$216,364 in total current liabilities. Included in current assets asAs of December 31, 2021, was approximately $0.5 million of restricted cash, leaving a working capital deficit that requires cash payments of approximately $39.2 million. As of December 31, 2020, our working capital deficit consisted of approximately $73.8 million$77,671 in total current assets and approximately $107.6 million$116,413 in total current liabilities.

35

 

Our cash flows during the years ended December 31, 20212022 and 20202021 consisted of the following:

 

 Years Ended December 31,  

Years Ended December 31,

 
 2021  2020  2022  2021 
Net cash used in operating activities $(14,729,389) $(32,294,587) $(11,304) $(14,729)
Net cash used in investing activities  (13,145,958)  (4,927,833)  (38,590)  (13,146)
Net cash provided by financing activities  28,191,466   37,284,011   54,416   28,191 
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $316,119  $61,591  $4,522  $316 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of year $9,850,800  $9,534,681  $14,373  $9,851 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2022, net cash used in operating activities was $11,304, consisting primarily of $219,282 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 $9,528 of cash paid for interest, offset by $219,407 of cash received from customers. For the year ended December 31, 2021, net cash used in operating activities was approximately $14.7 million,$14,729, consisting primarily of approximately $172.6 million$184,932 of cash received from customers (including payments received in advance of performance obligations) less (a) approximately $185.9 million of cash paid (i) to employees, Publisher Partners, Expert Contributors,expert contributors, suppliers, and vendors, and (ii) for revenue share arrangements and professional services; and (b) approximately $1.4 million of cash paid for interest. For the year ended December 31, 2020, net cash used in operating activities was approximately $32.3 million, consisting primarily of: approximately $116.0 million of cash received from customers (including payments received in advance of performance obligations) less (a) approximately $148.3 million of cash paid (i) to employees, Publisher Partners, suppliers, and vendors, and (ii) for revenue share arrangements, advance of royalty fees and professional services; and (b) approximately $0.6 million$1,393 of cash paid for interest.interest, offset by $171,596 of cash received from customers.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2022, net cash used in investing activities was $38,590, consisting primarily of $35,331 for the acquisition of a business; $5,179 for capitalized costs for our Platform; and $530 for property and equipment, offset by $2,450 from the sale of an equity investment. For the year ended December 31, 2021, net cash used in investing activities was approximately $13.1 million,$13,146, consisting primarily of: (i) approximately $8.0 million used to acquire a business; (ii) approximately $0.4 millionof $7,950 for property and equipment; and (iii) approximately $4.8 millionthe acquisition of businesses; $4,819 for capitalized costs for our Platform. Platform; and $377 for property and equipment.

For the year ended December 31, 2020,2022, net cash used in investingprovided by financing activities was approximately $4.9 million$54,416, consisting primarily of: (i) approximately $0.3 million usedof $30,490 (net of issuance costs paid of $1,568) in net proceeds from a public offering of common stock; $28,800 (net of issuance costs paid of $1,272 and payments of $5,928) in proceeds from long term-debt; $2,104 from advancements of our SLR line of credit; and $95 from exercises of common stock options, offset by $4,468 for tax payments relating to the acquisitionwithholding of a business; (ii) approximately $1.2 millionshares of common stock for propertycertain employees; $2,152 related to payments of restricted stock liabilities; and equipment; (iii) approximately $0.4 million from proceeds$453 payment for the sale of intangible assets; and (iv) approximately $3.8 million for capitalized costs for our Platform.

30

The Spun deferred cash payment. For the year ended December 31, 2021, net cash usedprovided by financing activities was approximately $28.2 million,$28,191 consisting primarily of: (i) approximately $19.8 millionof $19,838 (net of issuance cost paid of $167) in net proceeds from thea private placement issuance of common stock; (ii) approximately $5.1 million$5,086 in net proceeds from the Delayed Draw Term Note; (iii) approximately $4.8 millionlong term-debt; $4,809 from borrowing underadvancements of our FastPaySLR line of credit; less (iv) approximately $1.5 million incredit, offset by $1,472 related to payments of restricted stock liabilities; and (v) approximately $0.1 million in$70 for tax payments for taxes relating to repurchase of restricted shares. For the year ended December 31, 2020, where net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $37.3 million, consisting primarily of: (i) approximately $20.8 million in net proceeds from the issuance of Series H Preferred Stock (the “Series H Preferred Stock”) and Series J Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series J Preferred Stock”) and Series K Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series K Preferred Stock”); (ii) approximately $11.1 million in net proceeds from the Delayed Draw Term Note and the Payroll Protection Program Loan; and (iii) approximately $7.2 million in borrowings of our FastPay line of credit; less (iv) approximately $0.5 million in payments for taxes relating to the withholding of shares upon the repurchase of restricted shares of our common stock; and (v) approximately $1.1 million in repayments under the 12% senior secured subordinated convertible debentures (referred to herein as the “12% convertible debentures”).stock for certain employees.

36

 

Results of Operations

 

Comparison of Fiscal 20212022 to Fiscal 20202021

  Years Ended December 31,  2021 versus 2020 
  2021  2020  $ Change  % Change 
Revenue $189,140,334  $128,032,397  $61,107,937   47.7%
Cost of revenue  110,977,736   103,063,445   7,914,291   7.7%
Gross profit  78,162,598   24,968,952   53,193,646   213.0%
Operating expenses                
Selling and marketing  82,691,061   43,589,239   39,101,822   89.7%
General and administrative  54,400,720   36,007,238   18,393,482   51.1%
Depreciation and amortization  16,347,274   16,280,475   66,799   0.4%
Loss on disposition of assets  1,192,310   279,133   913,177   327.1%
Loss on impairment of lease  466,356   -   466,356   100.0%
Loss on termination of lease  7,344,655   -   7,344,655   100.0%
Total operating expenses  162,442,376   96,156,085   66,286,291   68.9%
Loss from operations  (84,279,778)  (71,187,133)  (13,092,645)  18.4%
Total other expenses  (7,334,309)  (17,833,998)  (10,499,689)  -58.9%
Loss before income taxes  (91,614,087)  (89,021,131)  (2,592,956)  2.9%
Income tax benefit (provision)  1,674,434   (210,832)  1,885,266   -894.2%
Net loss  (89,939,653)  (89,231,963)  (707,690)  0.8%
Deemed dividend on convertible preferred stock  -   (15,642,595)  15,642,595   0.0%
Net loss attributable to common stockholders $(89,939,653) $(104,874,558) $(14,934,905)  -14.2%
Basic and diluted net loss per common share $(7.87) $(50.18) $42.31   -84.3%
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic and diluted  11,429,740   2,090,047   9,339,683   446.9%

 

  Years Ended December 31,  2022 versus 2021 
  2022  2021  $ Change  % Change 
Revenue $220,935  $189,140  $31,795   16.8%
Cost of revenue  132,923   110,530   22,393   20.3%
Gross profit  88,012   78,610   9,402   12.0%
Operating expenses                
Selling and marketing  72,489   81,929   (9,440)  -11.5%
General and administrative  53,499   55,612   (2,113)  -3.8%
Depreciation and amortization  17,650   16,345   1,305   8.0%
Loss on disposition of assets  257   1,192   (935)  -78.4%
Loss on impairment of lease  -   466   (466)  -100.0%
Loss on termination of lease  -   7,345   (7,345)  -100.0%
Total operating expenses  143,895   162,889   (18,994)  -11.7%
Loss from operations  (55,883)  (84,279)  28,396   -33.7%
Total other expenses  (12,568)  (7,335)  (5,233)  71.3%
Loss before income taxes  (68,451)  (91,614)  23,163   -25.3%
Income tax benefit  1,063   1,674   (611)  -36.5%
Net loss from continuing operations  (67,388)  (89,940)  22,552   -25.1%
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax  (3,470)  -   (3,470)  100.0%
Net loss $(70,858) $(89,940) $19,082   -21.2%
Basic and diluted net loss per common share:                
Continued operations $(3.82) $(7.87) $4.05   -51.5%
Discontinued operations  (0.20)  -   (0.20)  100.0%
Basic and diluted net loss per common share $(4.02) $(7.87) $3.85   -48.9%
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic and diluted  17,625,619   11,429,740      

31

For the year ended December 31, 2021,2022, the net loss attributable to common stockholders was approximately $89.9 million,$70,858, as compared to $104.9 million$89,940 in the prior year which represents an improvement of $14.9 million.$19,082 or 21.2%. The primary reasonreasons for the improvement in net loss attributable to common stockholders isare a result of$9,402 improvement in gross profit and a $61.1 million$18,994 reduction in operating expenses. The increase in revenuegross profit reflected a $31,795 increase in total revenues, which was offsetprincipally driven by a combined increasethe continuing growth of our digital advertising business which grew $46,452 or 73.9% in cost of revenue and operating expenses of $71.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. Operating expenses included a charge of $7.8 million related2022 as compared to a lease termination and the loss on a lease impairment and an increase in stock-based compensation of approximately $15.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. The increase in revenues was attributable to management’s decision to make a strategic shift to focus on premium content providers and reduced reliance on Partner Publisher guarantees in September 2020 as well as the addition of the results of The Spun, which was acquired in June 2021.prior year.

Revenue

 

The following table sets forth revenue, cost of revenue, and gross profit:profit from continuing operations:

 

 Years Ended December 31,  2021 versus 2020  Years Ended December 31,  2022 versus 2021 
 2021 2020 $ Change % Change  2022  2021  $ Change  % Change 
Revenue $189,140,334  $128,032,397  $61,107,937   47.7% $220,935  $189,140  $31,795   16.8%
Cost of revenue  110,977,736   103,063,445   7,914,291   7.7%  132,923   110,530   22,393   20.3%
Gross profit $78,162,598  $24,968,952  $53,193,646   213.0% $88,012  $78,610  $9,402   12.0%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021,2022, we had gross profit of approximately $78.2 million,$88,012, as compared to gross profit of approximately $25.0 million$78,610 for year ended December 31, 2020.2021.

37

The following table sets forth revenue from continuing operations by category:

 

 Years Ended December 31,    2021 versus 2020  Years Ended December 31,  2022 versus 2021 
 2021 2020 $ Change % Change  2022  2021  $ Change  % Change 
Digital revenue                
Digital revenue:                
Digital advertising $62,864,924  $34,648,945  $28,215,979   81.4% $109,317  $62,865  $46,452   73.9%
Digital subscriptions  29,628,355   28,495,676   1,132,679   4.0%  21,156   29,629   (8,473)  -28.6%
Other revenue  8,515,655   4,596,686   3,918,969   85.3%
Licensing and syndication revenue  18,173   8,471   9,702   114.5%
Other digital revenue  1,166   43   1,123   2611.6%
Total digital revenue  101,008,934   67,741,307   33,267,627   49.1%  149,812   101,008   48,804   48.3%
Print revenue                
Print revenue:                
Print advertising  9,050,671   9,710,877   (600,206)  -6.8%  10,214   9,051   1,163   12.8%
Print subscriptions  79,080,729   50,580,213   28,500,516   56.3%  60,909   79,081   (18,172)  -23.0%
Total print revenue  88,131,400   60,291,090   27,840,310   46.2%  71,123   88,132   (17,009)  -19.3%
Total revenue $189,140,334  $128,032,397  $61,107,937  47.7% $220,935  $189,140  $31,795   16.8%

 

For the year ended December 31, 2022 we recognized revenue from continuing operations of $220,935, as compared to $189,140 for the year ended December 31, 2021, the primary sourceswhich represents an increase of revenue were as follows: (i) digital advertising of approximately $62.9 million; (ii) digital subscriptions of approximately $29.6 million; (iii) other digital revenue of approximately $8.5 million; (iv) print advertising of approximately $9.1 million and (iv) print subscriptions of approximately $79.1 million.$31,795 or 16.8%. Our digital advertising revenue increased by approximately $28.2 million,$46,452 or 73.9%, primarily due to additionala 47.1% increase in monthly average pageviews and a 13.1% increase in RPM for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to the prior year with 76.0% of the total increase driven by organic growth. Licensing and syndication revenue of approximately $14.1 million generatedincreased by $9,702 or 114.5% as a result of The Spun business, which was acquiredwe added new relationships during the second quarter of 2021, $9.9 million from Sports Illustrated dueyear and expanded existing ones to an increase in advertising sponsorships, approximately $5.8 million generated from other business, all of which was partially offset by a $1.5 million decrease in revenue from TheStreet. Our digital subscriptionsleverage our content with increased by approximately $1.1 million. Our othermonetization. Other digital revenue, primarily consisting of licensinge-commerce and e-commercesponsorship revenue, increased by approximately $3.9 million due$1,123 largely attributable to additional revenue for certain licensing agreementsthe expansion of our e-commerce business. Our print subscriptions decreased by $18,172 or 23.0% principally related to SI Swim and otherour Sports Illustrated media businesses. Our print advertising decreased by approximately $0.7 million. Our print subscriptions increased by approximately $28.5business which reflected our planned rate base reduction of 29.0% from 1.7 million reflecting a drivefiscal 2021 to increase subscribers1.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 and the diminishing effect of acquisition accounting adjustmentsfiscal 2022 to focus on the subscribers that existed when we began operating the Sports Illustrated media business.more profitable subscriptions.

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Cost of Revenue

The following table sets forth cost of revenue from continuing operations by category:

 

  Years Ended December 31,  2022 versus 2021 
  2022  2021  $ Change  % Change 
Publisher Partner revenue share payments $20,108  $21,568  $(1,460)  -6.8%
Technology, Platform and software licensing fees  18,294   9,970   8,324   83.5%
Royalty fees  15,000   15,000   -   0.0%
Content and editorial expenses  44,669   32,850   11,819   36.0%
Printing, distribution and fulfillment costs  14,835   14,757   78   0.5%
Amortization of developed technology and platform development  9,459   8,829   630   7.1%
Stock-based compensation  10,235   7,478   2,757   36.9%
Other cost of revenue  323   78   245   314.1%
Total cost of revenue $132,923  $110,530  $22,393   20.3%

  Years Ended December 31,  2021 versus 2020 
  2021  2020  $ Change  % Change 
Publisher Partner revenue share payments $21,566,904  $19,427,196  $2,139,708   11.0%
Hosting, bandwidth, and software licensing fees  2,163,417   2,419,143   (255,726)  -10.6%
Fees paid for data analytics and to other outside services providers  3,083,405   3,222,869   (139,464)  -4.3%
Royalty fees  15,000,000   15,000,000   -   0.0%
Content and editorial expenses  32,016,000   29,080,353   2,935,647   10.1%
Printing, distribution and fulfillment costs  14,203,907   15,706,519   (1,502,612)  -9.6%
Amortization of developed technology and platform development  8,829,025   8,550,952   278,073   3.3%
Stock-based compensation  7,477,905   4,339,916   3,137,989   72.3%
Other cost of revenue  6,637,173   5,316,497   1,320,676   24.8%
Total cost of revenue $110,977,736  $103,063,445  $7,914,291   7.7%

For the year ended December 31, 2021,2022, as referenced in the above table, we recognized cost of revenue from continuing operations of approximately $111.0 million, which represented a 41.3% gross profit percentage,$132,923, as compared to approximately $103.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2020, representing a 19.5% gross profit percentage. The increase in the cost of revenue of approximately $7.9 million during$110,530 for the year ended December 31, 2021, is primarilywhich represents an increase of $22,393 or 20.3% from the prior period. Cost of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022 was impacted by increases in: (i)in content and editorial expenses of $11,819; technology, Platform and software licensing fees of $8,324, consisting of costs incurred for the Parade acquisition and other investments made to our Platform; and stock-based compensation of approximately $3.1 million; (ii) content and editorial expense of approximately $2.9 million; (iii) our$2,757; partially offset by a decrease in Publisher Partner revenue share payments of approximately $2.1 million; (iv) other costs of revenue related to SI Swim of approximately $1.3 million; less (v) printing, distribution,$1,460. The increase in content and fulfillment costs of approximately $1.5 million. The improvement in gross profit percentageeditorial expense was primarily due to a decreasesignificant investments made in the second half of fiscal 2021 to expand our audience development and social media capabilities, in addition to the acquisition of Parade which occurred in the second quarter of 2022. Publisher Partner revenue shares from 56% ofshare payments have decreased despite a growth in our digital advertising revenue due primarily to a favorable change in fiscal 2020the terms of certain of our Publisher Partner agreements. This resulted in a more favorable revenue share structure for us, especially as we continue to 34% in fiscal 2021grow our premium programmatic and direct advertising revenue as a resultpercentage of total digital revenue. In addition, the decrease was also in part due to the expiration of our strategic shift to eliminate most Publisher Partner guarantees near the end of fiscal 2020 and the high contribution margin of digital advertising.

For the year ended December 31, 2021, we capitalized costs related to our Platform of approximately $6.9 million, as compared to approximately $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the capitalization of our Platform consisted of: (i) approximately $4.8 millionagreement with Jim Cramer in payroll and related expenses, including taxes and benefits; and (ii) approximately $2.0 million in stock-based compensation for related personnel.September 2021.

 

38

Operating Expenses

 

Selling and Marketing

The following table sets forth operating expenses:

selling and marketing expenses from continuing operations by category:

 

  Years Ended December 31,  2021 versus 2020 
  2021  2020  $ Change  % Change 
Selling and marketing $82,691,061  $43,589,239  $39,101,822   89.7%
General and administrative  54,400,720   36,007,238   18,393,482   51.1%
Depreciation and amortization  16,347,274   16,280,475   66,799   0.4%
Loss on disposition of assets  1,192,310   279,133   913,177   327.1%
Loss on impairment of lease  466,356   -   466,356   

0.0

%
Loss on termination of lease  7,344,655   -   7,344,655   

0.0

%
Total operating expenses $162,442,376  $96,156,085  $66,286,291   68.9%
  Years Ended December 31,  2022 versus 2021 
  2022  2021  $ Change  % Change 
Payroll and employee benefits of selling and marketing account management support teams $14,467  $12,746  $1,721   13.5%
Stock-based compensation  2,772   5,376   (2,604)  -48.4%
Professional marketing services  4,528   3,100   1,428   46.1%
Circulation costs  5,006   4,144   862   20.8%
Subscription acquisition costs  37,190   46,264   (9,074)  -19.6%
Advertising costs  5,987   6,962   (975)  -14.0%
Other selling and marketing expenses  2,539   3,337   (798)  -23.9%
Total selling and marketing $72,489  $81,929  $(9,440)  -11.5%

 

33

Selling and Marketing. For the year ended December 31, 2021,2022, as referenced in the above table, we incurred selling and marketing costsexpenses from continuing operations of approximately $82.7 million,$72,489 as compared to approximately $43.6 million$81,929 for the year ended December 31, 2020.2021, a decrease of $9,440 or 11.5% from the prior period. The increasedecrease in selling and marketing expenses of $9,440 was primarily due to decreases in subscription acquisition costs of approximately $39.1 million is primarily from an increase in circulation costs$9,074 and stock-based compensation of approximately $31.6 million;$2,604. Partially offsetting these decreases, payroll and employee benefits of selling and marketing account management support teams along withincreased $1,721 and circulation costs grew by $862, both of which were a result of the related benefits and stock-based compensationaddition of approximately $4.8 million; an increasethe Parade properties, which were acquired in advertising coststhe second quarter of approximately $2.4 million; an increase in professional and marketing service costs of approximately $2.0 million; less a2022. The decrease in office, travel, conferences and occupancysubscription acquisition costs of approximately $0.5 million and other selling and marketing related costs of approximately $1.2 million.was due to the previously mentioned 29.0% decrease in the Sports Illustrated rate base.

 

General and Administrative.

The following table sets forth general and administrative expenses from continuing operations by category:

  Years Ended December 31,  2022 versus 2021 
  2022  2021  $ Change  % Change 
Payroll and related expenses for executive and administrative personnel $15,800  $17,521  $(1,721)  -9.8%
Stock-based compensation  18,338   17,639   699   4.0%
Professional services, including accounting, legal and insurance  13,364   13,548   (184)  -1.4%
Other general and administrative expenses  5,997   6,904   (907)  -13.1%
Total general and administrative $53,499  $55,612  $(2,113)  -3.8%

For the year ended December 31, 2021,2022, as referenced in the above table, we incurred general and administrative costsexpenses from continuing operations of approximately $54.4 million from payroll and related expenses, professional services, occupancy costs, stock-based compensation of related personnel, depreciation and amortization, and other corporate expense,$53,499 as compared to approximately $36.0 million$55,612 for the year ended December 31, 2020.2021, a decrease of $2,113 or 3.8% from the prior period. The increase in general and administrative expenses of approximately $18.4 milliondecrease is primarily from an increaserelated to $1,721 of payroll and related expenses which reflected a decrease in our payroll, along withcertain personnel costs offset by the related benefits and stock-compensationacquisition of approximately $15.8 million; an increaseParade which occurred in professional services, including accounting, legal and insurancethe second quarter of approximately $1.7 million; and an increase in other general corporate expenses of approximately $0.9 million.2022.

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Other (Expenses) Income

 

The following table sets forth other (expenses) income:

 

  Years Ended December 31,  2021 versus 2020 
  2021  2020  $ Change  % Change 
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities $34,492  $496,305  $(461,813)  2.6%
Change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities  -   2,571,004   (2,571,004)  14.4%
Loss on conversion of convertible debentures  -   (3,297,539)  3,297,539   -18.5%
Interest expense  (10,454,618)  (16,497,217)  6,042,599   -33.9%
Interest income  6,484   381,026   (374,542)  2.1%
Liquidated damages  (2,637,364)  (1,487,577)  (1,149,787)  6.4%
Gain upon debt extinguishment  5,716,697   -   5,716,697   -32.1%
Total other expenses $(7,334,309) $(17,833,998) $10,499,689   -58.9%

Change in Valuation of Warrant Derivative Liabilities. The change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2021 was the result of the decrease in the fair value of the warrant derivative liabilities as of December 31, 2021, as compared to the change in the valuation for the year ended December 31, 2020. The change in the valuation is not impacted by our actual business operations but is instead strongly tied to the change in the market value of our common stock.

Change in Valuation of Embedded Derivative Liabilities. The change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2021 was the result of the decrease in the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities as of December 31, 2021, as compared to the change in the valuation for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Loss on Conversion of Convertible Debentures. We recognized a loss on conversion of approximately $3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 as the result of the conversion of accrued interest due and payable under the 12% convertible debentures into shares of our common stock.

  Years Ended December 31,  2022 versus 2021 
  2022  2021  $ Change  % Change 
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities $-  $34  $(34)  -100.0%
Interest expense, net  (11,428)  (10,449)  (979)  9.4%
Liquidated damages  (1,140)  (2,637)  1,497   -56.8%
Gain upon debt extinguishment  -   5,717   (5,717)  -100.0%
Total other expenses $(12,568) $(7,335) $(5,233)  71.3%

 

Interest Expense. We incurred interest expense, net of approximately $10.5 million$11,428 for the year ended December 31, 2021,2022, as compared to approximately $16.5 million$10,449 for the year ended December 31, 2020.2021. The decreaseincrease in interest expense of approximately $6.0 million is$979 was primarily due to an increase infrom additional cash paid for interest of approximately $0.7 million offset by a $4.5 million decrease in amortization of debt discount on notes payable and a $2.3 million decrease in accrued interest.

from our debt.

 

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Liquidated Damages. We recorded approximately $2.6 million of liquidated damages including the accrued interest thereon, duringof $1,140 for the year ended December 31, 20212022, as compared to $2,637 for the year ended December 31, 2021. The liquidated damages recorded of $1,140 for the year ended December 31, 2022 primarily resulted from the issuanceadditional liquidated damages assessed under certain agreements as a result of our 12% convertible debentures, Series H Preferred Stock, Series I Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series I Preferred Stock”), Series J Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series J Preferred Stock”) and Series K Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series K Preferred Stock”) in fiscal 2020 since we determined that: (i) thefiling a registration statements registering for resale the shares of our common stock issuable upon conversionstatement outside of the 12% convertible debentures, Series I Preferred Stock, Series J Preferred Stockagreed upon filing deadline and Series K Preferred Stock would not be declared effective withinrecording interest expense on the requisite time frame; and (ii)balance that we would not be able to become current in our periodic filing obligations with the SEC in order to satisfy the public information requirements under the applicable securities purchase agreements. We recorded liquidated damages, including the accrued interest thereon, of approximately $1.5 million in fiscal 2020 primarily from issuance of our 12% convertible debentures, Series H Preferred Stock, Series I Preferred Stock and Series J Preferred Stock, which liquidated damages were based upon the reasons set forth above.

remains outstanding.

 

Gain Upon Debt Extinguishment. We recorded a gain upon debt extinguishment (including accrued interest) of approximately $5.7 million$5,717 for the year ended December 31, 2021 pursuant to the forgiveness of the Payroll Protection Program Loan.

Income Tax Benefit (Provision)

 

Income Tax Benefit (Provision). For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company2022, we recorded a deferred income tax benefit of approximately $1.7 million$1,063 primarily related to itsour acquired deferred tax liabilities from an acquisition during the acquisition of The Spunyear and change in valuation allowance as of year- endyear-end that was, in part, offset by the book to tax basis differences related to goodwill from certain prior year acquisitions. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company2021, we recorded a deferred income tax provisionbenefit of approximately $0.2 million$1,674 primarily related to account forour acquired deferred tax liabilities from an acquisition during the year and change in valuation allowance as of year-end that was, in part, offset by the book to tax basis differences related to goodwill from certain prior year acquisitions.

 

For further details refer to Note 24, 25, Income Taxes, in our accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Deemed Dividend on Convertible Preferred Stock

Series H Preferred Stock. During fiscal 2020, in connection with the issuance of 108 shares (issued on August 19, 2020) and 389 shares (issued on October 31, 2020) of our Series H Preferred Stock, we recorded a beneficial conversion feature of approximately $0.1 million and approximately $0.4 million, respectively (totaling approximately $0.7 million), for the underlying shares of our common stock since the nondetachable conversion feature was in-the-money (the per-share conversion price of $7.26 was lower than our per-share common stock trading price of $18.92 and $16.94 at the issuance dates of August 19, 2020 and October 31, 2020, respectively). The beneficial conversion feature was recognized as a deemed dividend.

Series I Preferred Stock. On December 18, 2020, all of the shares of our Series I Preferred Stock converted automatically into shares of our common stock as a result of the increase in the number of authorized shares of our common stock. Upon conversion, we recognized a beneficial conversion feature for the underlying shares of our common stock since the nondetachable conversion feature was in-the-money (the per-share conversion price of $11.00 was lower than our per-share common stock trading price of $13.42 at the conversion date). The beneficial conversion feature was recognized as a deemed dividend.

Series J Preferred Stock. On December 18, 2020, all of the shares of our Series J Preferred Stock converted automatically into shares of our common stock as a result of the increase in the number of authorized shares of our common stock. Upon conversion, we recognized a beneficial conversion feature for the underlying shares of our common stock since the nondetachable conversion feature was in-the-money (the effective per-share conversion price of $8.80 for the issuance of our Series J Preferred Stock on September 4, 2020 (these shares were issued at a discount) was lower than our per-share common stock trading price of $13.42 at the conversion date). The beneficial conversion feature was recognized as a deemed dividend.

Series K Preferred Stock. On December 18, 2020, all of the shares of our Series K Preferred Stock converted automatically into shares of our common stock as a result of the increase in the number of authorized shares of our common stock. Upon conversion, we recognized a beneficial conversion feature for the underlying shares of our common stock since the nondetachable conversion feature was in-the-money (the per-share conversion price of $8.80 was lower than our common stock trading price of $13.42 at the conversion date). The beneficial conversion feature was recognized as a deemed dividend.

 

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 as adjusted for loss from discontinued operations, with additional adjustments for (i) interest expense (net), (ii) income taxes, (iii) depreciation and amortization, (iv) stock-based compensation, (v) change in derivative valuations, (vi) liquidated damages, (vii) gain upon debt extinguishment, (viii) loss on dispositionimpairment of assets, (viii)assets; (x) loss on impairment of lease, (ix) loss on lease termination, (x) gain upon debt extinguishment, (xi) professional and vendor fees, and (xii) employee restructuring payments.

3540

 

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 and financing fees, or the cash required to service our debt, which reduces cash available to us;
does not reflect stock-based compensation and, therefore, does not include all of our compensation costs;deferred income tax benefit or provision, which is a noncash income or 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 interest expensestock-based compensation and, financing fees, or the cash required to service our debt, which reduces cash available to us;
therefore, does not reflect deferred income tax benefit or provision, which is a noncash income or expense;include all of our compensation costs;
does not reflect the change in derivative valuations and, although this is a noncash income or 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);
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 dispositionimpairment of assets, which is a noncash operating expense;
does not reflect any losses on impairment of leases, which is a noncash operating expense;
does not reflect any losses on termination of our leases, which is a noncash operating expense;
does not reflect any gains upon debt extinguishment, which we do not consider in our evaluation of our business operations;
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 changes in fiscal 2020 and 2021 related to COVID-19 workforce reductions, leadership changes, and settlement and severance, payments, which were a significant cash expense but are not reflective of our business operations.

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

  Years Ended December 31, 
  2021  2020 
Net loss $(89,939,653) $(89,231,963)
Add (deduct):        
Interest expense, net (1)  10,448,134   16,116,191 
Income tax (benefit) provision  (1,674,434)  210,832 
Depreciation and amortization (2)  25,176,299   24,831,427 
Stock-based compensation (3)  30,493,521   14,641,181 
Change in derivative valuations  (34,492)  (3,067,309)
Liquidated damages (4)  2,637,364   1,487,577 
Loss on disposition of assets (5)  1,192,310   279,133 
Loss on impairment of lease (6)  466,356   - 
Loss on termination of lease (7)  7,344,655   - 
Loss on conversion of convertible debt  -   3,297,539 
Gain upon debt extinguishment (8)  (5,716,697)  - 
Professional and vendor fees (9)  6,900,778   5,704,606 
Employee restructuring payments (10)  645,200   2,536,989 
Adjusted EBITDA $(12,060,659) $(23,193,797)

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  Years Ended December 31, 
  2022  2021 
Net loss $(70,858) $(89,940)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax  3,470   - 
Loss from continuing operations  (67,388)  (89,940)
Add (deduct):        
Interest expense, net (1)  11,428   10,449 
Income tax benefit  (1,063)  (1,674)
Depreciation and amortization (2)  27,109   25,174 
Stock-based compensation (3)  31,345   30,493 
Change in derivative valuations  -   (34)
Liquidated damages (4)  1,140   2,637 
Gain upon debt extinguishment (5)  -   (5,717)
Loss on impairment of assets (6)  257   1,192 
Loss on impairment of lease (7)  -   466 
Loss on lease termination (8)  -   7,345 
Professional and vendor fees (9)  -   6,901 
Employee restructuring payments (10)  273   645 
Adjusted EBITDA $3,101  $(12,063)

 

(1)Represents interest expense of approximately $10.5 million and approximately $16.5 million, less interest income of none and approximately $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Interest expense is related to our capital structure.  Interest expensestructure and varies over time due to a variety of financing transactions. Interest expense includes $1,581 and $2,106 for amortization of debt discounts for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, 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.

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(2)Represents depreciation and amortization related to our developed technology and Platform included within cost of revenues of approximately $8.9 million$9,459 and approximately $8.6 million$8,829, for the years ending December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and depreciation and amortization included within operating expenses of approximately $16.3 million$17,650 and approximately $16.3 million$16,345 for the years endedending December 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, 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.
(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 our dispositiona gain upon extinguishment of certain assets related to the decision to no longer lease office space and other related disposition of assets that no longer are useful.Paycheck Protection Program Loan.
 (6)Represents our impairment of certain assets that are no longer useful.
(6)(7)Represents the net loss for our right-of-use asset related to our lease in Santa Monica and related subleaseimpairment of the office space based on our decision tocertain leased property that is no longer lease office space.being used.
(7)(8)Represents our loss related to the surrender and termination of our lease of office space located in New York based on our decision to no longer lease office space.
(8)Represents a gain upon extinguishment of the Payroll Protection Program Loan.
(9)Represents one-time, non-recurring third party professional and vendor fees recorded in connection with services provided by consultants, accountants, lawyers, and other vendors (these fees are collectively referred to as “Professional Fees”) related to (i) the preparation of periodic reports in order for us to become current inon our Exchange Act reporting obligations, (“Delinquent Reporting Obligations Services”), (ii) up-list to a national securities exchange, (iii) contemplated and completed acquisitions, (iv) public and private offerings of our securities and other financings, and (v) stockholder disputes and the implementation of our Rights Agreement. With respect to the Delinquent Reporting Obligations Services, we incurred professional and vendor feesAgreement (the Rights Agreement is further described in fiscal 2021 and 2020 related to the preparation of (x)Note 21, Preferred Stock, in our annual reports for fiscal years 2018, 2019 (which contained theaccompanying consolidated financial information for the quarterly periods during fiscal 2019), and 2020, (y) our quarterly reports for the third quarter in fiscal 2018, the quarters in fiscal 2020, and the first and second quarters in fiscal 2021, and (z) our current reports with respect to certain acquisitions, all of which reports were filed during fiscal 2020 and 2021. 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.statements).

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The table below summarizes the costs defined above that we incurred during fiscal 2022 and 2021:

   Years Ended December 31, 
Category 2022  2021 
(i)Catch-up periodic reports $-  $4,096 
(ii)Up-list  -   231 
(iii)Mergers and acquisitions  -   1,034 
(iv)Public and private offerings and other financings  -   444 
(v)Stockholder disputes and Rights Agreement  -   1,096 
Totals $     -  $6,901 

(10)Represents (i) severance payments paid in connection with COVID-19 workforce reductions in fiscal 2020 and (ii) severance and other settlement payments paid in connection with employee and leadership changes in fiscal 2020to our former Chief Executive Officer for the years ending December 31, 2022 and 2021.

37

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported periods. The more critical accounting estimates include estimates related to revenue recognition, platform development, impairment of long-lived assets, and stock-based compensation. We also have other key accounting policies, which involve the use of estimates, judgments and assumptions that are significant to understanding our results, which are described in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in our accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

Our discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Revenue

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services are transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services. We generate all of itsour revenue from contracts with customers. We account for revenue on a gross basis, as compared to a net basis, in itsour statement of operations. We have made this determination based on it takingour control of the credit risk in its revenue-generating transactionsadvertising inventory and itthe ability to monetize the advertising inventory or publications before transfer to the customer and because we are also being the primary obligor responsible for providing the services to the customer. Cost of revenues is presented as a separate line item in the statement of operations.

 

The following is a description of the principal activities from which we generate revenue:

 

Advertising Revenue

 

Digital Advertising. We recognize revenue from digital advertisements at the point when each ad is viewed. The quantity of advertisements, the impression bid prices, and revenue are reported on a real-time basis. We enter into contracts with advertising networks to serve display or video advertisements on the digital media pages associated with its various channels. Although reported advertising transactions are subject to adjustment by the advertising network partners, any such adjustments are known within a few days of month end. We owe our independent Publisher Partners a revenue share of the advertising revenue earned, which is recorded as service costs in the same period in which the associated advertising revenue is recognized.

 

Advertising revenue that is comprised of fees charged for the placement of advertising on the websites that we own and operate, is recognized as the advertising or sponsorship is displayed, provided that collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.

 

Print Advertising. Advertising related revenues for print advertisements are recognized when advertisements are published (defined as an issue’s on-sale date), net of provisions for estimated rebates, rate adjustments, and discounts.

43

 

Subscription Revenue

 

Digital Subscriptions. We enter into contracts with internet users that subscribe to premium content on our owned and operated media channels and facilitate such contracts between internet users and our Publisher Partners. These contracts provide internet users with a membership subscription to access the premium content. For subscription revenue generated by our independent Publisher Partners’ content, we owe our Publisher Partners a revenue share of the membership subscription revenue earned, which is initially deferred and recorded as deferred contract costs. We recognize deferred contract costs over the membership subscription term in the same pattern that the associated membership subscription revenue is recognized.

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Digital subscription revenue generated from our websites that we own and operate are charged to customers’ credit cards or are directly billed to corporate subscribers, and are generally billed in advance on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. We calculate net subscription revenue by deducting from gross revenue an estimate of potential refunds from cancelled subscriptions as well as chargebacks of disputed credit card charges. Net subscription revenue is recognized ratably over the subscription periods. Unearned revenue relates to payments for subscription fees for which revenue has not been recognized because services have not yet been provided.

 

Print Revenue

 

Print revenue includes magazine subscriptions and single copy sales at newsstands.

 

Print Subscriptions. Revenue from magazine subscriptions is deferred and recognized proportionately as products are distributed to subscribers.

 

Newsstand. Single copy revenue is recognized on the publication’s on-sale date, net of provisions for estimated returns. We base our estimates for returns on historical experience and current marketplace conditions.

 

Licensing and Syndication Revenue

 

Content licensing-based revenues and syndication revenues are accrued generally monthly or quarterly based on the specific mechanisms of each contract. Generally, revenues are accrued based on estimated sales and adjusted as actual sales are reported by partners. These adjustments are typically recorded within three months of the initial estimates and have not been material. Any minimum guarantees are typically earned evenly over the fiscal year.

 

Contract Modifications

 

We occasionally enter into amendments to previously executed contracts that constitute contract modifications. We assess each of these contract modifications to determine:

 

 if the additional services and goods are distinct from the services and goods in the original arrangement; and
   
 if the amount of consideration expected for the added services or goods reflects the stand-alone selling price of those services and goods.

 

A contract modification meeting both criteria is accounted for as a separate contract. A contract modification not meeting both criteria is considered a change to the original contract and is accounted for on either a prospective basis as a termination of the existing contract and the creation of a new contract, or a cumulative catch-up basis.

 

44

Platform Development

 

For the years presented, substantially all of our technology expenses are development costs for our Platform that were capitalized as intangible costs. Technology costs are expensed as incurred or capitalized into property and equipment in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. ASC Topic 350 requires that costs incurred in the preliminary project and post-implementation stages of an internal use software project be expensed as incurred and that certain costs incurred in the application development stage of a project be capitalized.

 

We capitalize internal labor costs, including compensation, benefits and payroll taxes, incurred for certain capitalized platform development projects. Our policy with respect to capitalized internal labor stipulates that labor costs for employees working on eligible internal use capital projects are capitalized as part of the historical cost of the project when the impact, as compared to expensing such labor costs, is material. Our Platform development capitalized during the application development stage of a project include:

 

payroll and related expenses for personnel; and
stock-based compensation of related personnel.

Business Combinations

 

We account for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquisition method of accounting requires that the purchase price, including the fair value of contingent consideration, of the acquisition be allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed using the estimated fair values determined by management as of the acquisition date. Goodwill is measured as the excess of consideration transferred and the net fair values of the assets acquired, and the liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition. While we use best estimates and assumptions as part of the purchase price allocation process to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, our estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, we record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill to the extent we identified adjustments to the preliminary purchase price allocation. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to the consolidated statements of operations. Additionally, we identify acquisition-related contingent payments and determine their respective fair values as of the acquisition date, which are recorded as accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Subsequent changes in fair value of contingent payments are recorded on the consolidated statements of operations. We expense transaction costs related to the acquisition as incurred.

39

Goodwill

 

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets of businesses acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized but rather is tested for impairment at least annually on December 31, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill may not be recoverable. We adopted ASU 2017-04 (as further described in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in our accompanying consolidated financial statements) during the first quarter of 2020 which eliminated Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. We operate as one reporting unit, therefore, the impairment test is performed at the consolidated entity level by comparing the estimated fair value of the Company to its carrying value. We have elected to first assess the qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of itsour single reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis of determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. If we determine that it is more likely than not that itsour fair value is less than its carrying amount, then the quantitative goodwill impairment test will be performed. The quantitative goodwill impairment test identifies goodwill impairment and measures the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recognized by comparing the fair value of our single reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the fair value exceeds the carrying amount, no further analysis is required; otherwise, any excess of the goodwill carrying amount over the implied fair value is recognized as an impairment loss, and the carrying value of goodwill is written down to fair value.

 

45

Stock-Based Compensation

 

We provide stock-based compensation in the form of (a) stock awards to employees and directors, comprised of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, (b) stock option grants to employees, directors and consultants, (c) common stock warrants to Publisher Partners (no warrants were issued during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 or 2020) (as further described in Note 22,23, Stock-Based Compensation, in our accompanying consolidated financial statements), and (d) common stock warrants to ABG (as further described in Note 22,23, Stock-Based Compensation, in our accompanying consolidated financial statements).

 

We accountaccounts for stock awards and stock option grants to employees, directors and consultants, and non-employee awards to certain directors and consultants by measuring the cost of services received in exchange for the stock-based payments as compensation expense in our consolidated financial statements. Stock awards and stock option grants to employees and non-employees which are time-vested, are measured at fair value on the grant date, and charged to operations ratably over the vesting period. Stock awards and stock option grants to employees and non-employees which are performance-vested, are measured at fair value on the grant date and charged to operations when the performance condition is satisfied or over the service.service period.

 

The fair value measurement of equity awards and grants used for stock-based compensation is as follows: (1) restricted stock awards and restricted stock units which are time-vested, are determined using the quoted market price of the our common stock at the grant date; (2) stock option grants which are time-vested and performance-vested, are determined utilizing the Black-Scholes option-pricing model at the grant date; (3) restricted stock units and stock option grants which provide for market-based vesting with a time-vesting overlay, are determined through consultants with our independent valuation firm using the Monte Carlo model at the grant date; (4) Publisher Partner warrantsWarrants are determined utilizing the Black-Scholes option-pricing model; and (5) ABG warrants are determined utilizing the Monte Carlo model (as further described in Note 22,23, Stock-Based Compensation, in our accompanying consolidated financial statements).

 

Fair value determined under the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and Monte Carlo model is affected by several variables, the most significant of which are the life of the equity award, the exercise price of the stock option or warrants, as compared to the fair market value of the common stock on the grant date, and the estimated volatility of the common stock over the term of the equity award. Estimated volatility, isprior to the Up-List (as described below), was based on the historical volatility of our common stock and is evaluated based upon market comparisons.comparisons, thereafter, by evaluating the average historical volatility of a group of peer companies that are publicly traded. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The fair market value of common stock is determined by reference to the quoted market price of our common stock.

 

40

The fairFair value of the stock options granted are probability weighteddetermined under the Black-Scholes option-pricing model orand Monte Carlo model is affected by several variables, the most significant of which are the life of the stock award, the exercise price of the stock option or warrants, as determined through consultants with our independent valuation firm sincecompared to the fair market value of the common stock options, among other things, depend on the grant date, and the estimated volatility of the underlying shares of our common stock over the term of the stock award. Estimated volatility was determined under the following two scenarios: (1) “Probability Weighted Scenarios” where one scenario one assumes that our common stock will be up-listed on a national stock exchange (the “Exchange”) on a certain listing date (the “Up-list”); where the estimated volatility was based on evaluating the average historical volatility of a group of peer companies that are publicly traded and (2)the second scenario two assumes that our common stock is not up-listed on the Exchange prior to the final vesting date of the grants (the “No Up-list”), collectively referred where the historical volatility of our common stock was evaluated based upon market comparisons; and the (2) “Up-list Scenario” where our estimated volatility is based on evaluating the average historical volatility of a group of peer companies that are publicly traded after we up-listed to as the “Probability Weighted Scenarios”.NYSE American. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The fair market value of common stock is determined by reference to the quoted market price of our common stock.

 

We have elected to recognize forfeitures as they occur and to recognize stock-based compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the total requisite service period for awards with graded vesting. We classify stock-based compensation cost on our consolidated statements of operations in the same manner in which the award recipient’s cash compensation cost is classified.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in our accompanying consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report includes Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements.

 

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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Not applicable toWe are a “smallersmaller reporting company”company as defined in Item 10(f)(1)by Rule 12b-2 of SEC Regulation S-K.the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information otherwise required under this item.

 

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

All information required by this item is listed in the Index to Financial Statements in Part IV, Item 15(a)(1) of this Annual Report.

 

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

None.

 

Item 9A. 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 and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. This evaluation commenced2022. In light of the material weaknesses described below, we performed additional analyses, reconciliations, and other post-closing procedures to determine whether our consolidated financial statements are prepared in 2021 and continued until the filing of this Annual Report. accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Based on that evaluation, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective 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.

 

In addition, as permitted by SEC guidance, management excluded from its assessment the operations of Parade, which was acquired on April 1, 2022 and accounted for approximately 13.1% of our consolidated total assets as of December 31, 2022 and approximately 6.0% of our consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022, and Men’s Journal which was acquired on December 15, 2022 and accounted for approximately 12.3% of our consolidated total assets as of December 31, 2022 and approximately 0.2% of our consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022.

41

 

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Internal control over financial reporting is a process, including policies and procedures, designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Our management assessed our internal control over financial reporting based on the Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013 Framework) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Our system of internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.

 

Because of its inherent limitations,Based on our evaluation under the framework in COSO, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting maywas not preventeffective as of December 31, 2022 due to the material weaknesses described below.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determineda combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. We have identified the following control deficiencies that constitute material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022:(i) we had inadequate segregation of duties consistent with control objectives related to be effective can provide only reasonable assuranceour information technology general controls (“ITGCs”), specifically as it relates to change management; and (ii) there was insufficient validation of achieving their control objectives.non-Google impression data provided by certain third-party service providers. These material weaknesses continue and have not been remediated as of the date of filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

47

Management is currently evaluating remedial actions to address the material weaknesses identified as of December 31, 2022. The material weaknesses identified did not result in any misstatement of our financial statements.

 

Auditor’s Report on Internal Control Over Financing Reporting

 

This Annual Report does not include an attestation reportThe effectiveness of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to the rules of the SEC that permit us to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report.

Remediation of Material Weakness

As disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, we previously identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting primarily as a result of (i) the lack of monitoring over the completeness and accuracy of our underlyingDecember 31, 2022 has been audited by Marcum LLP, an independent registered public accounting records and ineffective controls over our period end financial disclosure and reporting processes and information technology systems; (ii) inadequate segregation of duties consistent with control objectives; and (iii) a history of untimely filed periodic reports.

As of the datefirm, as stated in their report included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report management believes that it has implemented specific measures sufficient to fully remediate each of the deficiencies that had resulted in the material weakness. Specific remedial actions undertaken by management have included, without limitation:

assessing and identifying risks for significant accounts and disclosures based on the most recent financial statements and performing a financial statement risk assessment;
mapping all of our entity-level controls to the framework established by the COSO Internal Control – 2013 Integrated Framework;
developing process documentation of procedures and controls for significant financial processes, reflective of an enhanced control environment;
hiring a Chief Accounting Officer;
identifying and assessing management review controls;
performing an information technology process risk and controls assessment which details management’s controls over user access reviews of significant systems;
reviewing system and organizational controls reports for all in-scope systems;
implementing procedures to ensure the segregation of duties and hiring additional resources to ensure appropriate review and oversight;
evaluating segregation of duties within key process and controls to determine whether segregation of duties existed as part of the existing control or if compensating controls were in place to assist in mitigating any segregation of duties risks; and
becoming current in our Exchange Act filing obligations.

As a result of these remediation activities and, based on the result of the operating effectiveness testing we performed for the new and modified controls, management concluded that the previously disclose material weakness no longer existed as of December 31, 2021. We will continue to monitor the effectiveness of these and other processes, procedures, and controls and will make any further changes that management determines to be appropriate.

Form 10-K.

 

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. Except for the changes in connection with our implementation of the remediation actions discussed above, under “Remediation of Material Weakness” thereThere 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) that occurred during the during the fourthlast fiscal quarter and since the year ended December 31, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Inherent Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls

The effectiveness of any system of internal control over financial reporting, including ours, is subject to inherent limitations, including the exercise of judgment in designing, implementing, operating, and evaluating the controls and procedures, and the inability to eliminate misconduct completely. Accordingly, in designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any system of internal control over financial reporting, including ours, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable, not absolute assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and that management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. We intend to continue to monitor and upgrade our internal controls as necessary or appropriate for our business but cannot assure you that such improvements will be sufficient to provide us with effective internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information

 

None.

Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections

Not applicable.

 

Part III

 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Current Officers and Directors

The information required under this item is incorporated herein by reference to our proxy statement for our fiscal 20222023 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of fiscal 2021.December 31, 2022.

 

Item 11. Executive Compensation

 

The information required under this item is incorporated herein by reference to our proxy statement for our fiscal 20222023 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of fiscal 2021.December 31, 2022.

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Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

The information required under this item is incorporated herein by reference to our proxy statement for our fiscal 20222023 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of fiscal 2021,December 31, 2022, with the exception of those items listed below.

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Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

A summary of our securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans as of December 31, 20212022 is as follows:

 

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

Plan Category 

(a)

Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights

  

(b)

Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding
Options, Warrants and Rights

  

(c)

Number of Securities Remaining Available
for Future Issuance
Under Equity Compensation Plans
(Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a))

 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders  5,397,743  $15.37   3,376,672 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders  1,173,769   13.89   55,316 
Total  6,571,512  $15.11   3,431,988 

Plan Category 

(a)

Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights

  

(b)

Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding
Options, Warrants and Rights

  

(c)

Number of Securities Remaining Available
for Future Issuance
Under Equity Compensation Plans
(Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a))

 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders  6,060,877  $9.77   504,782 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders  1,142,338   11.25   119,756 
Total  7,203,215  $10.01   624,538 

 

Plans Adopted Without Approval of Security Holders

 

Publisher Partner Warrant Program

 

On December 19, 2016, as amended on August 23, 2017, and August 23, 2018,May 20, 2020, our Board approved the Channel Partner Warrant Program (the “Publisher Partner Warrant Program”) to be administered by management that authorized us to grant to certain of the Publisher Partners, Publisher Partner Warrants (the “Publisher Partner Warrants”) to purchase up to 90,910 shares of our common stock pursuant to the Publisher Partner Warrant Program. Thethird Publisher Partner Warrant Program, was intended to provide equity incentive towhich superseded the Publisher Partners to motivate and reward them for their services to us and to align the interests of the Publisher Partners with those of our stockholders. The Publisher Partner Warrants had certain performance conditions. Pursuant to the terms of the Publisher Partner Warrants, we would notify the respective Publisher Partner of the number of shares earned, with one-third of the earned shares vesting on the notice date, one-third of the earned shares vesting on the first anniversary of the notice date, and the remaining one-third of the earned shares vesting on the second anniversary of the notice date. The Publisher Partner Warrants had a term of five years from issuance and could also be exercised on a cashless basis. Performance conditions are generally based on the average of number of unique visitors on the channel operation by the Publisher Partner generated during the six-month period from the launch of the Publisher Partner’s operations on our platform or the revenue generated during the period from the issuance date through a specified end date.

On March 10, 2019, our Board terminated the initial Publisher Partner Warrant Program and approved the “second” Publisher Partner Warrant Program, that authorized us to grant Publisher Partner Warrants to purchase up to 227,273 shares of our common stock. Such Publisher Partner Warrants were to be issued with the same terms as the first Publisher Partner Warrant Program, except that the shares of our common stock underlying these Publisher Partner Warrants are earned and vest over three years and have a five-term.

On May 20, 2020, our Board terminated the second Publisher Partner Warrant Program, and approved the “third” Publisher Partner Warrant Program, that authorized us to grant Publisher Partner Warrants to purchase up to 227,27390,910 shares of our common stock. Such Publisher Partner Warrants granted under the third Publisher Partner Warrant Program were to be issued with the same terms as under the second Publisher Partner Warrant Program that was terminated on March 10, 219, except that any Publisher Partner Warrants issued under the third Publisher Partner Warrant Program are no longer subject to performance conditions. Warrants issued under the second Publisher Partner Warrant Program were to be issued with the same terms as under the first Publisher Partner Program, except that the shares of our common stock underlying the Publisher Partner Warrants under the second Publisher Partner Warrant Program were to be earned and vest over three-years. Warrants issued prior to the third and second Publisher Partner Warrant Programs, or under the first Publisher Partner Warrant Program that was approved by our Board on December 19, 2016, were exercisable over a three-year vesting period once earned based on certain performance conditions within six-months issuance, on a cashless basis with a five-year term. The issuance of the Publisher Partner Warrants is administered by management and approved by our Board. We have not granted any Publisher Partner Warrants under any such program since fiscal 2018.

On November 2, 2022, our Board approved a plan (the “Warrant Incentive Program”) to grant warrants to certain publishers (the “New Publisher Partner Warrants”), that authorized us to grant New Publisher Partner Warrants to purchase up to 33,000 shares of our common stock. The New Publisher Partner Warrants granted under the Warrant Incentive Program will have the following terms: (i) one-third will become exercisable and vest on the one-year anniversary of the issuance; (ii) the remaining warrants will become exercisable and vest in a series of twenty-four (24) successive equal monthly installments following the first anniversary of the issuance; and (iii) the New Publisher Partner Warrants will have a five-year term. Ross Levinsohn, our Chief Executive Officer, has the authority granted by our Board, to issue up to 400 warrants at his discretion under the Warrant Incentive Program to each Publisher Partner.

 

Outside Options

 

During fiscal 2018, our Board approved the granting of options outside of the 2016 Plan (the “Outside Options”) to certain officers, directors, and employees to provide equity incentive in exchange for consideration in the form of services to us. The Outside Options are exercisable for shares of our common stock. The Outside Options either vest upon the passage of time or are tied to the achievement of certain performance targets. On January 8, 2021, our Board approved an amendment to the Outside Option award grants, which eliminated the performance targets, therefore, the awards continue to vest solely on the time vesting conditions. Our Board approved a repricing of our Outside Options for a certain employee on March 18, 2022 and our stockholders approved the repricing on June 2, 2022.

 

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Warrants

On June 14, 2019, our Board approved the grant of thewe issued 999,540 warrants to acquire up to 21,989,844 shares our common stock to ABG in connection with the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement.Agreement, expiring in ten years. Half the warrants have an exercise price of $0.42$9.24 per share (the “Forty-Two Cents“$9.24 Warrants”). The other half of the warrants have an exercise price of $0.84$18.48 per share (the “Eighty-Four Cents“$18.48 Warrants”). The warrants provide for the following: (1) 40% of the Forty-Two Cents$9.24 Warrants and 40% of the Eighty-Four Cents$18.48 Warrants will vest in equal monthly increments over a period of two years beginning on the one-yearone year anniversary of the date of issuance of the warrants (any unvested portion of such warrants to be forfeited by ABG upon certain terminations by us of the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement) (the “Time-Based Warrants”); (2) 60% of the Forty-Two Cents$9.24 Warrants and 60% of the Eighty-Four Cents$18.48 Warrants will vest based on the achievement of certain performance goals for the Sports Illustrated licensed brands in calendar years 2020, 2021, 2022, or 2023; (3) under certain circumstances we may require ABG to exercise all (and not less than all) of the warrants, in which case all of the warrants will be vested; (4) all of the warrants will automatically vest upon certain terminations of the licensing agreementLicensing Agreement by ABG or upon a change of control of us;the Company (the “Performance-Based Warrants”); and (5) ABG will havehas the right to participate, on a pro-rata basis (including vested and unvested warrants, exercised or unexercised), in any of our future equity issuancesissuance (subject to customary exceptions). In June 2021, the exercise price of fifty percent (50%) of the Eighty-Four Cents$18.48 Warrants was changed to $0.42$9.24 per share in exchange for additional benefits under the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement.

On October 26, 2020, we issued 5,681 warrants to AllHipHop, LLC (the “AllHipHop Warrants”) to acquire our common stock in exchange for the surrender and termination of 6,819 previously issued Publisher Partner Warrants, with an exercise price of $14.30.

 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 

The information required under this item is incorporated herein by reference to our proxy statement for our fiscal 20222023 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of fiscal 2021.December 31, 2022.

 

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

The information required under this item is incorporated herein by reference to our proxy statement for our fiscal 20222023 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the end of fiscal 2021.December 31, 2022.

 

Part IV

 

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

 (a)The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report:

 

1. Index to Consolidated Financial Statements. Our consolidated financial statements and the Report of Marcum LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms are included in Part IV of this Annual Report on the pages indicated:

 

 Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmF-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 20212022 and 20202021F-5F-4
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 20212022 and 20202021F-6F-5
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficiency for the Years Ended December 31, 20212022 and 20202021F-7F-6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 20212022 and 20202021F-8
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsF-9

 

2. Financial Statement Schedules. Reference is made to the Financial Statements filed under Item 8, Part II of this Annual Report.

 

4350

 

ExhibitDescription
  
2.1Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 13, 2018, by and among the Company, HP Acquisition Co., Inc., HubPages, Inc., and Paul Edmondson as the securityholder representative, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 19, 2018.
2.2Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 25, 2018, by and among TheMaven, Inc., HP Acquisition Co., Inc., HubPages, Inc., and Paul Edmondson as the securityholder representative, which was filed as Exhibit 2.2 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on January 8, 2021.
2.3Second Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 1, 2018, by and among TheMaven, Inc., HP Acquisition Co., Inc., HubPages, Inc., and Paul Edmondson as the securityholder representative, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on June 4, 2018.
2.4Third Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 31, 2019, by and among TheMaven, Inc., HP Acquisition Co., Inc., HubPages, Inc., and Paul Edmondson as the securityholder representative, which was filed as Exhibit 2.4 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on January 8, 2021.
2.5Fourth Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 15, 2020, by and among TheMaven, Inc., HP Acquisition Co., Inc., HubPages, Inc., and Paul Edmondson as the securityholder representative, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 21, 2020.
2.6Amended and Restated Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2018, by and among the Company, Maven Coalition, Inc., and Say Media, Inc., which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 9, 2018.
2.7Amendment to Amended and Restated Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2018, by and among the Company, Maven Coalition, Inc., and Say Media, Inc., which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 29, 2018.
2.8Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 12, 2018, by and among the Company, SM Acquisition Co., Inc., Say Media, Inc., and Matt Sanchez as the Securityholder Representative, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 17, 2018.
2.9Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 17, 2018, by and among the Company, SM Acquisition Co., Inc., Say Media, Inc., and Matt Sanchez as the Securityholder Representative, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 17, 2018.
2.10Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 11, 2019, by and among the Company, TST Acquisition Co., Inc., and TheStreet, Inc., which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 12, 2019.
2.11Asset Purchase Agreement, dated December 7, 2022, by and among The Arena Media Brands, LLC, Weider Publications, LLC and A360 Media, LLC, which was filed as Exhibit 2.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 20, 2022.
3.1Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, which was filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 13, 2021.
3.2Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, which was filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 13, 2021.
3.3Certificate of Elimination of Series F Convertible Preferred Stock as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on September 7, 2021, which was filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 13, 2021.
3.4Certificate of Elimination of Series I Convertible Preferred Stock as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on September 7, 2021, which was filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 13, 2021.
3.5Certificate of Elimination of Series J Convertible Preferred Stock as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on September 7, 2021, which was filed as Exhibit 3.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 13, 2021.
3.6Certificate of Elimination of Series K Convertible Preferred Stock as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on September 7, 2021, which was filed as Exhibit 3.4 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 13, 2021.
3.7Certificate of Amendment as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on January 20, 2022, which was filed Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 26, 2022.
3.8Certificate of Correction of the Certificate of Amendment of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 26, 2022, which was filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 26, 2022.

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3.9Certificate of Correction of the Certificate of Amendment of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 3, 2022, which was filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 9, 2022.
4.1Specimen Common Stock Certificate, which was filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form SB-2/A (Registration No. 333-48040) on September 23, 1996.
4.2Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued on June 6, 2018 to L2 Capital, LLC, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 12, 2018.
4.3Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued on June 15, 2018 to Strome Mezzanine Fund LP, which was filed as Exhibit 10.4 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 21, 2018.
4.4Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued on October 18, 2018, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 24, 2018.
4.5Form of Warrant for Channel Partners Program, which was filed as Exhibit 4.3 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.
4.6Form of MDB Warrant issued in connection with the Share Exchange Agreement, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on November 7, 2016.
4.7Common Stock Purchase Warrant (exercise price $0.42 per share), dated June 14, 2019, issued to ABG-SI LLC, which was filed as Exhibit 4.16 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on August 16, 2021.
4.8Common Stock Purchase Warrant (exercise price $0.84 per share), dated June 14, 2019, issued to ABG-SI LLC, which was filed as Exhibit 4.17 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on January 8, 2021.
4.9Form of 2019 Warrant for Channel Partners Program, which was filed as Exhibit 4.18 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
4.10Form of 2020 Warrant for Channel Partners Program, which was filed as Exhibit 4.19 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
4.18Rights 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,Bridge Notes. which was filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 4, 2021.December 20, 2022.
4.19*Description of Securities.
10.1Securities Purchase Agreement, dated January 4, 2018, by and between the Company and certain investors named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 5, 2018.
10.2Registration Rights Agreement, dated January 4, 2018, by and between the Company and certain investors named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 5, 2018.
10.3Securities Purchase Agreement, dated March 30, 2018, by and among the Company and certain investors named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.11 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on January 8, 2021.
10.4Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 30, 2018, by and among the Company and certain investors named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.12 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on January 8, 2021.
10.5Securities Purchase Agreement, dated June 15, 2018, between the Company and each purchaser named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 21, 2018.
10.6Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 15, 2018, by and between the Company and each purchaser named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 21, 2018.
10.7Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2018, by and between the Company and each purchaser named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 10, 2018.
10.8Form of Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2018, by and between the Company and each purchaser named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 10, 2018.
10.9Securities Purchase Agreement, dated October 18, 2018, by and between the Company and each investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 24, 2018.

10.10Securities Purchase Agreement, dated December 12, 2018, by and between the Company and each investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 13, 2018.
10.11Registration Rights Agreement, dated December 12, 2018, by and between the Company and each investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 13, 2018.
10.12Securities Purchase Agreement, dated March 18, 2019, by and between the Company and each investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 22, 2019.
10.13Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 18, 2019, by and between the Company and each investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 22, 2019.
10.14Securities Purchase Agreement, dated March 27, 2019, by and between the Company and each investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2019.

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10.15Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 27, 2019, by and between the Company and each investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2019.
10.16Securities Purchase Agreement, dated April 8, 2019, by and between the Company and each investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 12, 2019.
10.17Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 8, 2019, by and between the Company and each investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 12, 2019.
10.18Pledge and Security Agreement, dated June 10, 2019, by and among the Company, Maven Coalition, Inc., HubPages, Inc., Say Media, Inc., TST Acquisition Co., Inc., and the investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.5 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 12, 2019.
10.19Confirmation and Ratification Agreement, dated June 14, 2019, by and among the Company, Maven Coalition, Inc., HubPages, Inc., Say Media, Inc., TST Acquisition Co., Inc., and the investor named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 19, 2019.
10.20Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2019, by and among the Company and each of the several purchasers named thereto, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 3, 2019.
10.21Form of Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2019, by and among the Company and each of the several purchasers named thereto, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 3, 2019.
10.22Form of Second Amended and Restated Promissory Note due June 14, 2022, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 3, 2019.
10.23Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 7, 2019, by and among the Company and each of the several purchasers named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 11, 2019.
10.24Form of Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 7, 2019, by and among the Company and each of the several purchasers named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 11, 2019.
10.25SecondThird Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 24, 2020,December 15, 2022, by and among the Company, Maven Coalition, Inc.the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, BRF Finance Co., TheStreet, Inc. Maven Media Brands, LLC, theas agent and purchaser, and the purchaser,other purchasers from time to time party thereto, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 30, 2020.December 20, 2022.
10.26Sixth Amendment to Financing and Security Agreement, dated December 15, 2022, by and among the Company, the subsidiaries of the Company party thereto and SLR Digital Finance LLC, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 20, 2022.
10.27Form of 15% Delayed Draw Term Note, issued on March 24, 2020, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 30, 2020.
10.27  10.28Form of Series H Securities Purchase Agreement, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 20, 2020.
10.28  Form of Series J Securities Purchase Agreement, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 9, 2020.
10.29Form of Series J Registration Rights Agreement, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 9, 2020.
10.30 Form of Series K Securities Purchase Agreement by and among the Company and each of the several purchasers named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 28, 2020.
10.31  Form of Series K Registration Rights Agreement by and among the Company and each of the several purchasers named therein, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 28, 2020.

10.32  Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement, dated October 23, 2020, among the Company, the guarantors from time to time party thereto, each of the purchasers named therein, and BRF Financial Co., LLC, in its capacity as agent for the purchasers, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 28, 2020.
10.33  Sublease, dated January 14, 2020, by and between Saks & Company LLC and Maven Coalition, Inc., which was filed as Exhibit 10.51 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.34  10.30Office Lease Agreement, dated October 25, 2019, by and between Street Retail West I, LP and the Company, which was filed as Exhibit 10.54 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.35  10.31Asset Purchase Agreement, dated March 9, 2020, by and among Maven Coalition, Inc., Petametrics Inc., doing business as LiftIgniter, and the Company, which was filed as Exhibit 10.59 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.36+  10.32+Consulting Agreement, dated August 26, 2020, by and between Maven Coalition, Inc. and James C. Heckman, Jr., which was filed as Exhibit 10.62 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on January 8, 2021.
10.37+ Separation Agreement, effective as of September 2, 2020, by and between the Company and James C. Heckman, Jr., which was filed as Exhibit 10.61 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.38+  Form of Stock Option Award Agreement – 2016 Stock Incentive Plan, which was filed as Exhibit 10.62 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.39+  10.33+Form of Stock Option Award Agreement – 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, which was filed as Exhibit 10.63 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.40+  10.34+Independent Director Agreement, effective as of September 3, 2018, by and between the Company and Todd D. Sims, which was filed as Exhibit 10.71 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.41+  10.35+First Amendment to the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan, which was filed as Exhibit 10.80 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.42+  10.36+Second Amendment to the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan, which was filed as Exhibit 10.81 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.43+  10.37+Form of Restricted Equity Award Grant Notice – 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, which was filed as Exhibit 10.82 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.44+  10.38+Form of Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice – 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, which was filed as Exhibit 10.83 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.

53

10.45+  10.39+Stock Option Award Agreement, dated March 11, 2019, by and between the Company and Douglas B. Smith, which was filed as Exhibit 10.84 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.46+  10.40+Stock Option Award Agreement, dated March 11, 2019, by and between the Company and Douglas B. Smith, which was filed as Exhibit 10.85 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.
10.47  10.41Channel Partners Warrant Program adopted on May 20, 2020, which was filed as Exhibit 10.112 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
10.48+  10.42+2020 Outside Director Compensation Policy, adopted as of January 1, 2020, which was filed as Exhibit 10.113 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.

10.49+ Amendment to 2020 Outside Director Compensation Policy, dated May 27, 2020, which was filed as Exhibit 10.114 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
10.50+  Stock Option Award Agreement, dated January 16, 2019, by and between the Company and Andrew Q. Kraft, which was filed as Exhibit 10.119 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
10.51+  10.43+Stock Award Agreement, dated January 16, 2019, by and between the Company and Andrew Q. Kraft, which was filed as Exhibit 10.120 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
10.52+  10.44+Maven Executive Bonus Plan, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 14, 2021.
10.53  10.45Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated July 12, 2019, by and among the Company, TheStreet, Inc., and TST Acquisition Co., Inc., which was filed as Exhibit 10.122 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
10.54+  10.46+Executive Employment Agreement, effective January 1, 2021, by and between the Company and Paul Edmondson, which was filed as Exhibit 10.4 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on February 23, 2021.
10.55+  10.47+Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, effective January 1, 2021, by and between the Company and Douglas B. Smith, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on February 23, 2021.
10.56+  10.48+Stock Option Grant Notice, dated April 10, 2019, by and between the Company and Paul Edmondson, which was filed as Exhibit 10.127 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
10.57+  10.49+Stock Option Grant Notice, dated April 10, 2019, by and between the Company and James Heckman, which was filed as Exhibit 10.128 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
10.58+ Stock Option Grant Notice, dated April 10, 2019, by and between the Company B. Rinku Sen, which was filed as Exhibit 10.129 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
10.59+  Stock Option Grant Notice, dated April 10, 2019, by and between the Company and Douglas Smith, which was filed as Exhibit 10.130 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
10.60+  10.50+Form of Amendment to Stock Option Award Agreement, by and between the Company and certain grantees awarded stock options on April 10, 2019, which was filed as Exhibit 10.131 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
10.61+  10.51+Executive Employment Agreement, effective as of January 1, 2021, by and between the Company and Jill Marchisotto, which was filed as Exhibit 10.5 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on February 23, 2021.
10.62+ Executive Employment Agreement, effective as of February 18, 2021, by and between the Company and Robertson Barrett, which was filed as Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on February 23, 2021.
10.63  10.52Services Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2020, by and between the Company and Whisper Advisors, LLC, which was filed as Exhibit 10.134 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K on April 9, 2021.
10.64+  10.53+Stock Option Award Agreement, dated September 14, 2018, by and between the Company and Paul Edmondson, which was filed as Exhibit 10.135 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K on April 9, 2021.
10.65+  10.54+Stock Option Award Agreement, dated September 14, 2018, by and between the Company and James Heckman, which was filed as Exhibit 10.136 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K on April 9, 2021.
10.66+ Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, effective January 1, 2021, by and between the Company and Andrew Kraft, which was filed as Exhibit 10.6 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on February 23, 2021.
10.67+  10.55+Second Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, effective January 1, 2021, by and between the Company and Avi Zimak, which was filed as Exhibit 10.7 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on February 23, 2021.
10.68+  10.56+Second Amendment to theMaven, Inc.’s 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, dated February 18, 2021, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on February 24, 2021.
10.69+  10.57+First Amendment to theMaven, Inc.’s 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, dated March 16, 2020, which was filed as Exhibit 10.141 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K on April 9, 2021.
10.70+  10.58+2019 Equity Incentive Plan, which was filed as Exhibit 10.142 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K on April 9, 2021.
10.71  10.592016 Stock Incentive Plan, which was filed as Exhibit 4.4 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.
10.72  10.60Financing and Security Agreement, dated February 2020, by and among Maven Coalition, Inc., theMaven, Inc., Maven Media Brands, LLC, TheStreet, Inc., and FPP Finance LLC, which was filed as Exhibit 10.8 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on May 7, 2021.
10.73  10.61First Amendment to Financing and Security Agreement, dated March 24, 2020, by and among Maven Coalition, Inc., theMaven, Inc., Maven Media Brands, LLC, TheStreet, Inc., and FPP Financing LLC, which was filed as Exhibit 10.9 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on May 7, 2021.

10.74  10.62Intercreditor Agreement, dated February 24, 2020, by and between FPP Finance LLC and BRF Finance Co., LLC, which was filed as Exhibit 10.10 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on May 7, 2021.

54

10.75  10.63Amendment No. 1 to Intercreditor Agreement, dated March 24, 2020, by and between FPP Finance LLC and BRF Finance Co., LLC, which was filed as Exhibit 10.11 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on May 7, 2021.
10.76  10.64Amendment 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.
10.77 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.
10.78  10.65Form 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.
10.79  10.66Stock 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.
10.80  10.67Amended Consulting Agreement, dated June 3, 2021, by and between the Company, Maven Coalition, Inc., and James C. Heckman Jr., which was filed as Exhibit 10.103 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 29, 2021.
10.81 General Release and Continuing Obligations Agreement, dated June 3, 2021, by and between the Company, Maven Coalition, Inc., Maven Media Brands, LLC, TheStreet Inc., Heckman Media, LLC, and James C. Heckman Jr., which was filed as Exhibit 10.104 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 29, 2021.
10.82+  Amendment to 2016 Stock Incentive Plan Option Agreement, dated June 3, 2021, by and between the Company and James C. Heckman Jr., which was filed as Exhibit 10.105 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 29, 2021.
10.83+  Amendment to 2019 Equity Incentive Plan Option Agreement, dated June 3, 2021, by and between the Company and James C. Heckman Jr., which was filed as Exhibit 10.106 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 29, 2021.
10.84+  Executive Employment Agreement by and between the Company and Spiros Christoforatos, dated October 4, 2021, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 18, 2021.
10.85  Second Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, effective August 26, 2020, by and between the Company and Ross Levinsohn, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on February 23, 2021.
10.86  10.68Third Amendment to Financing and Security Agreement, dated as of December 6, 2021, by and among theMaven, Inc., Maven Coalition, Inc., Maven Media Brands, LLC, TheStreet, Inc., College Spun Media Incorporated, and Fast Pay Partners LLC, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 10, 2021.
10.87  10.69+Amendment No. 3 to Second Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 6, 2021, by and among theMaven, Inc., Maven Coalition, Inc., TheStreet, Inc., Maven Media Brands, LLC, College Spun Media Incorporated, and BRF Finance Co., LLC, as Agent and Purchaser, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 10, 2021.
10.88+ Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended & Restated Executive Employment Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2021, by and between the Company and Ross Levinsohn, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 10, 2022.
10.89+  10.70Bonus Letter, dated as of October 6, 2021, by and between the Company and Ross Levinsohn, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 10, 2022.
10.90 Form of Stock Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and certain investors, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 28, 2022.
10.91  Amendment No. 4 to Second Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement, dated January 23, 2022, by and between theMaven, Inc., Maven Coalition, Inc., TheStreet, Inc., Maven Media Brands, LLC, College Spun Media Incorporated, and BRF Finance Co., LLC, as Agent and Purchaser, which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 28, 2022.

10.92Exchange Agreement, dated October 31, 2020, by and between the Company and James C. Heckman, which was filed as Exhibit 10.125 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on April 9, 2021.
10.93+Letter Agreement between the Company and Joshua Jacobs, effective as of March 9, 2021, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K on March 12, 2021.
10.94+Restricted Stock Award Grant Notice, effective March 9, 2021, by and between the Company and Eric Semler, which was filed as Exhibit 10.144 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K on April 9, 2021.
10.95Underwriting Agreement, dated February 10, 2022, between The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. and B. Riley Securities, Inc., as representative of the several underwriters, which was filed as Exhibit 1.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 11, 2022.
10.9610.71 Asset Purchase Agreement between the Company and Fulltime Fantasy Sports, LLC, dated July 15, 2021, which was filed as Exhibit 10.5 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on November 15, 2021.
14.110.72^ Amended Licensing Agreement by and Restated Business Code of Ethicsbetween the Company and Conduct,ABG-SI LLC, which was filed as Exhibit 14.110.1 to our AnnualCurrent Report on Form 10-K8-K/A filed on August 16, 2021.November 29, 2022.
14.210.73*^ Code of Ethics for Financial Officers, which was filed as Exhibit 14.2Amendment No. 5 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on August 16, 2021.Licensing Agreement by and between the Company and ABG-SI LLC.
21.1*Subsidiaries of the Arena Group Holdings, Inc.
23.1*Subsidiaries.Consent of Marcum LLP, independent registered accounting firm.
24.1*Power of Attorney (included in the signature pages hereto)
31.1*Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
31.2*Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
32.1*Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 1350 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2*Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 1350 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.DEF Inline XBRL*Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB Inline XBRL*Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE Inline XBRL*Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document.
104*Cover Page Interactive Data (embedded within the Inline XBRL document and contained in Exhibit 101)

 

*Filed HerewithHerewith.
^Registrant has omitted portions of the exhibit as permitted under Item 601(b)(10) of Regulations S-K.
+

Employment AgreementIndicates a management or compensatory plan or arrangement in which directors or executive officers are eligible to participate.

The certifications furnished in Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 hereto are deemed to accompany this Annual Report on Form 10-K and are not deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall they be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of the Exchange Act.

 

 (b)Exhibits. See Item 15(a) above.

 

Item 16. Form 10–K Summary

None.

 

5055

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has caused this reportAnnual Report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc.
   
Dated: March 31, 20222023By:/s/ ROSS LEVINSOHN
  

Ross Levinsohn

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

  (Principal Executive Officer)
   
 By:/s/ DOUGLAS B. SMITH
  

Douglas B. Smith

Chief Financial Officer

  (Principal Financial Officer)
   
 By:/s/ SPIROS CHRISTOFORATOS
  Spiros Christoforatos
  Chief Accounting Officer
  (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

Power of Attorney

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Ross Levinsohn and Douglas B. Smith, jointly and severally, as his or her attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature Title
   
/s/ ROSS LEVINSOHN Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
Ross Levinsohn (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: March 31, 20222023  
   
/s/ DOUGLAS B. SMITH Chief Financial Officer
Douglas B. Smith (Principal Financial Officer)
Date: March 31, 20222023  
   
/s/ SPIROS CHRISTOFORATOS

Chief Accounting Officer

Spiros Christoforatos(Principal Accounting Officer)
Date: March 31, 20222023
/s/ H. HUNT ALLRED Director
Daniel Shribman

H. Hunt Allred

  
Date: March 31, 20222023  
   
/s/ CARLO ZOLA Director
Carlo Zola  
Date: March 31, 20222023  
   
/s/ CHRISTOPHER PETZEL Director
Christopher Petzel  
Date: March 31, 20222023  
   
/s/ LAURA LEE Director
B. Laura Lee  
Date: March 31, 20222023  
   
/s/ DANIEL SHRIBMAN Director
Daniel Shribman  
Date: March 31, 20222023  
   
/s/ TODD D. SIMS Director
Todd D. Sims  
Date: March 31, 20222023  

56

 

The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 PAGE
  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID NO: 688)F-2
  
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 20212022 and 20202021F-4
  
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 20212022 and 20202021F-5
  
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficiency for the Years Ended December 31, 20212022 and 20202021F-6
  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 20212022 and 20202021F-7F-8
  
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsF-8F-9

 

F-1

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the StockholderStockholders and Board of Directors of

The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries (formerly known as theMaven, Inc.)

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Arena Group Holdings, Inc.Inc and Subsidiaries (formerly known as theMaven, Inc.) the(the “Company”) as of December 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ deficiency and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2021,2022, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 20212022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 20212022, and 2020,2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB"), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in 2013 and our report dated March 31, 2023, expressed an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting because of the existence of material weaknesses.

Explanatory Paragraph – Going Concern

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As more fully described in Note 1, the Company has a significant working capital deficiency, has incurred significant losses and needs to raise additional funds to meet its obligations and sustain its operations. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’sCompany's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’sCompany's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”)PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

Critical Audit Matters

 

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

 

F-2

Evaluation of the Contract Modification to Certain Subscription Contacts

As described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company modified certain digital and magazine subscription contracts in January 2020, February 2020 and December 2021 to reflect changes in the number of copies of future magazines to be published on a yearly basis. The Company determined that these subscription contract modifications are distinct from the original contract which in effect establishes a new contract with each individual subscriber. The Company accounted for the subscription contract modification on a prospective basis.

We evaluated the impact of the subscription contract modification as a critical audit matter as there is significant judgment by management in determining the revenues to be recognized in future periods. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recognized $2.8 million of revenues resulting from the subscription contract modifications.

To address this matter required performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. The primary procedures included, amongst others, (i) testing the future earnings to be recognized on a prospective basis (ii) confirming the number of future unserved subscription copies at the subscription contract modification dates and (iii) testing management’s analysis  of the financial impact of the contract modification to current period earnings.

Evaluation of acquisition-date fair value of the brand nameacquired intangible assetassets

As discussed in Note 34 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company acquired College Spun Media IncorporatedAthlon Holdings, Inc. (“The Spun”Parade”) on June 4, 2021April 1, 2022 for a purchase price of $11.8$15.9 million and A360 Media, LLC (“Men’s Journal”) on December 15, 2022 for a purchase price of $25.0 million. In connection with the transaction,these business combinations, the Company recorded an intangible assetassets related to the acquiredadvertiser relationships and trade names for $8.5 million and related to advertiser relationships and brand namenames for $5.2 million.$13.0 million, respectively.

We identified and evaluated the acquisition-date fair value of the brand nameintangible assets acquired in the transactiontransactions as a critical audit matter. Thismatters. These critical audit mattermatters required a degree of subjectivity in calculating its fair value. A discounted cash flow model included internally-developed assumptions with limited observable market information was used to calculate the value and was sensitive to possible changes to key assumptions, including: (i) forecasted revenue growth rates, (ii) forecasted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) margins and (iii) weighted-average cost of capital (WACC), including the discount rate.

 

The primary procedures we performed to address thisthese critical audit mattermatters included evaluating the Company’s forecasted revenue growth rates by comparing the forecasted growthfor each acquisition to The Spun’stheir respective historical and actual results to assess The Spun’sParade’s and Men’s Journal’s ability to accurately forecast. In addition, we involved a valuation specialist to assist with (i) evaluating the valuation approach used by the Company to calculate the fair value of the brand nameintangible assets and (ii) assessing the Company’s WACC calculation, by comparing it against an independently estimated WACC.

 

/s/ Marcum llp 
Marcum LLP 

 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2019.

 

Los Angeles, California

March 31, 2023

F-2

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of

The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Adverse Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited The Arena Group Holdings, Inc.’s (the "Company") internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, because of the effect of the material weaknesses described in the following paragraph on the achievement of the objectives of the control criteria, the Company has not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

A material weakness is a control deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company's annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The following material weaknesses have been identified and included in “Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting”:

The Company had inadequate segregation of duties consistent with control objectives related to our information technology general controls (“ITGCs”), specifically as relates to change management; and there was insufficient validation of non-Google impression data provided by certain third-party service providers. These material weaknesses continue and have not been remediated as of the date of filing this Annual Report.

These material weaknesses were considered in determining the nature, timing and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the fiscal 2022 consolidated financial statements, and this report does not affect our report dated March 31, 2023 on those financial statements.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2022 and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ deficiency, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2022 of the Company and our report dated March 31, 2023 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

Explanatory Paragraph – Excluded Subsidiaries

As described in “Management Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting”, management has excluded its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Athlon Holdings, Inc. (“Parade”) and A360 Media LLC (“Men’s Journal”), from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022 because these entities were acquired by the Company in purchase business combinations during 2022. We have also excluded Parade and Men’s Journal from our audit of internal control over financial reporting. These subsidiaries’ combined total assets and total revenues represent approximately 25.4% and 6.2%, respectively, of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Basis for Opinion

The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying "Management Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting". Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Marcum llp
Marcum LLP

Los Angeles, CA
March 31, 2023

 

F-3

 

THE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

  2021  2020 
  As of December 31, 
  2021  2020 
Assets      
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents $9,349,020  $9,033,872 
Restricted cash  501,780   500,809 
Accounts receivable, net  21,659,847   16,497,626 
Subscription acquisition costs, current portion  30,162,524   28,146,895 
Royalty fees, current portion  11,250,000   15,000,000 
Prepayments and other current assets  4,747,847   4,667,263 
Total current assets  77,671,018   73,846,465 
Property and equipment, net  635,768   1,129,438 
Operating lease right-of-use assets  528,431   18,292,196 
Platform development, net  9,298,795   7,355,608 
Royalty fees, net of current portion  -   11,250,000 
Subscription acquisition costs, net of current portion  8,234,553   13,358,585 
Acquired and other intangible assets, net  57,356,497   71,501,835 
Other long-term assets  639,151   1,330,812 
Goodwill  19,618,667   16,139,377 
Total assets $173,982,880  $214,204,316 
Liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders’ deficiency        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $11,981,852  $8,228,977 
Accrued expenses and other  24,010,569   14,718,193 
Line of credit  11,988,194   7,178,791 
Unearned revenue  54,029,657   61,625,676 
Subscription refund liability  3,086,799   4,035,531 
Operating lease liabilities  373,859   1,059,671 
Liquidated damages payable  5,197,182   9,568,091 
Current portion of long-term debt  5,744,303   - 
Embedded derivative liabilities  -   1,147,895 
Total current liabilities  116,412,415   107,562,825 
Unearned revenue, net of current portion  15,275,892   23,498,597 
Restricted stock liabilities, net of current portion  -   1,995,810 
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion  785,320   19,886,083 
Liquidating damages payable, net of current portion  7,008,273   - 
Other long-term liabilities  7,556,265   753,365 
Deferred tax liabilities  362,118   210,832 
Long-term debt, net of current portion  64,372,511   62,194,272 
Total liabilities  211,772,794   216,101,784 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 27)  -     
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: $168,496; Series G shares issued and outstanding: 168.496; common shares issuable upon conversion: 8,582 at December 31, 2021 and 2020  168,496   168,496 
Series H convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, $1,000 per share liquidation value and 23,000 shares designated; aggregate liquidation value: $15,066,000 and $19,596,000; Series H shares issued and outstanding: 15,066 and 19,596; common shares issuable upon conversion: 2,075,200 and 2,699,312 at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively  13,717,496   18,247,496 
Total mezzanine equity  13,885,992   18,415,992 
Stockholders’ deficiency:        
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 1,000,000,000 shares: issued and outstanding; 12,632,947 and 10,412,965 shares December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively  126,329   104,129 
Common stock to be issued  491   491 
Additional paid-in capital  200,410,213   141,855,206 
Accumulated deficit  (252,212,939)  (162,273,286)
Total stockholders’ deficiency  (51,675,906)  (20,313,460)
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders’ deficiency $173,982,880  $214,204,316 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-4

THE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

  2021  2020 
  Years Ended December 31, 
  2021  2020 
Revenue $189,140,334  $128,032,397 
Cost of revenue (includes amortization for developed technology and platform development for 2021 and 2020 of $8,829,025 and $8,550,952, respectively)  110,977,736   103,063,445 
Gross profit  78,162,598   24,968,952 
Operating expenses        
Selling and marketing  82,691,061   43,589,239 
General and administrative  54,400,720   36,007,238 
Depreciation and amortization  16,347,274   16,280,475 
Loss on disposition of assets  1,192,310   279,133 
Loss on impairment of lease  466,356   - 
Loss on termination of lease  7,344,655   - 
Total operating expenses  162,442,376   96,156,085 
Loss from operations  (84,279,778)  (71,187,133)
Other (expenses) income        
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities  34,492   496,305 
Change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities  -   2,571,004 
Loss on conversion of convertible debt  -   (3,297,539)
Interest expense  (10,454,618)  (16,497,217)
Interest income  6,484   381,026 
Liquidated damages  (2,637,364)  (1,487,577)
Gain upon debt extinguishment  5,716,697   - 
Total other expenses  (7,334,309)  (17,833,998)
Loss before income taxes  (91,614,087)  (89,021,131)
Income tax benefit (provision)  1,674,434   (210,832)
Net loss  (89,939,653)  (89,231,963)
Deemed dividend on convertible preferred stock  -   (15,642,595)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders $(89,939,653) $(104,874,558)
Basic and diluted net loss per common share $(7.87) $(50.18)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted  11,429,740   2,090,047 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-5

THE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY

 

Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

                      
  Common Stock  

Common Stock to

be Issued

  Additional    Total 
  Shares  

Par

Value

  Shares  

Par

Value

  

Paid-in

Capital

  

Accumulated

Deficit

  

Stockholders’

Deficiency

 
Balance at January 1, 2020  1,687,233  $16,872   179,014  $1,790  $35,954,677  $(73,041,323) $  (37,067,984)
Issuance of restricted stock units in connection with the acquisition of LiftIgniter  -   -   -   -   500,000   -   500,000 
Issuance of common stock in connection with the merger of Say Media  129,880   1,299   (129,880)  (1,299)  -   -   - 
Forfeiture of restricted stock  (18,182)  (182)  -   -   182   -   - 
Issuance of restricted stock awards to the board of directors  25,569   256   -   -   (256)  -   - 
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of 12% convertible debentures  2,449,431   24,494   -   -   21,377,994   -   21,402,488 
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of related embedded derivative liabilities of 12% convertible debentures  -   -   -   -   10,929,996   -   10,929,996 
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of Series H convertible preferred stock  41,323   413   -   -   299,587   -   300,000 
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of Series I convertible preferred stock  2,100,000   21,000   -   -   24,760,742   -   24,781,742 
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of Series J convertible preferred stock  1,981,114   19,811   -   -   24,306,730   -   24,326,541 
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of Series K convertible preferred stock  2,050,228   20,502   -   -   26,933,048   -   26,953,550 
Reclassification of restricted stock awards and units from equity to liability classified upon modification  -   -   -   -   (3,800,734)  -   (3,800,734)
Common stock withheld for taxes  (33,947)  (339)  -   -   (520,105)  -   (520,444)
Exercise of common stock options  316   3   -   -   3,764   -   3,767 
Deemed dividend on Series I convertible preferred stock  -   -   -   -   (5,082,000)  -   (5,082,000)
Deemed dividend on Series J convertible preferred stock  -   -   -   -   (586,545)  -   (586,545)
Deemed dividend on Series K convertible preferred stock  -   -   -   -   (9,472,050)  -   (9,472,050)
Beneficial conversion feature on Series H convertible preferred stock  -   -   -   -   502,000   -   502,000 
Deemed dividend on Series H convertible preferred stock  -   -   -   -   (502,000)  -   (502,000)
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   16,250,176   -   16,250,176 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (89,231,963)  (89,231,963)
Balance at December 31, 2020  10,412,965   104,129   49,134   491   141,855,206   (162,273,286)  (20,313,460)
Issuance of restricted stock awards to the board of directors  48,856   489   -   -   (489)  -   - 
Repurchase restricted stock classified as liabilities  (22,178)  (222)  -   -   222   -   - 
Issuance of common stock for restricted stock units in connection with the acquisition of LiftIgniter  11,667   117   -   -   (117)  -   - 
Issuance of common stock in connection with professional services  14,205   142   -   -   124,858   -   125,000 
Issuance of restricted stock in connection with the acquisition of The Spun  194,806   1,948   -   -   (1,948)  -   - 
Net exercise of common stock options with exchange of common stock  3,858   39   -   -   (39)  -   - 
Common stock withheld for taxes  (4,355)  (44)  -   -   (70,194)  -   (70,238)
Issuance of common stock in connection with private placement  1,299,027   12,990   -   -   19,824,767   -   19,837,757 
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of Series H convertible preferred stock  624,111   6,241   -   -   4,523,759   -   4,530,000 
Issuance of restricted stock in connection with the acquisition of Fulltime Fantasy  34,092   341   -   -   502,159   -   502,500 
Issuance of common stock upon vesting of restricted stock units  22,728   227   -   -   (227)  -   - 
Forfeiture of unvested restricted stock awards  (6,835)  (68)  -   -   68   -   - 
Reclassification of warrants to equity  -   -   -   -   1,113,403   -   1,113,403 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   32,538,785   -   32,538,785 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (89,939,653)  (89,939,653)
Balance at December 31, 2021  12,632,947  $126,329   49,134  $491  $  200,410,213  $  (252,212,939) $(51,675,906)

  2022  2021 
  As of December 31, 
  2022  2021 
  ($ in thousands, except share data) 
Assets        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents $13,871  $9,349 
Restricted cash  502   502 
Accounts receivable, net  33,950   21,660 
Subscription acquisition costs, current portion  25,931   30,162 
Royalty fees  -   11,250 
Prepayments and other current assets  4,441   4,748 
Total current assets  78,695   77,671 
Property and equipment, net  735   636 
Operating lease right-of-use assets  372   528 
Platform development, net  10,330   9,299 
Subscription acquisition costs, net of current portion  14,133   8,235 
Acquired and other intangible assets, net  58,970   57,356 
Other long-term assets  1,140   639 
Goodwill  39,344   19,619 
Total assets $203,719  $173,983 
Liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders’ deficiency        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $12,863  $11,982 
Accrued expenses and other  23,102   24,011 
Line of credit  14,092   11,988 
Unearned revenue  58,703   54,030 
Subscription refund liability  845   3,087 
Operating lease liabilities  427   374 
Liquidated damages payable  5,843   5,197 
Bridge notes  34,805   - 
Current portion of long-term debt  65,684   5,744 
Total current liabilities  216,364   116,413 
Unearned revenue, net of current portion  19,701   15,277 
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion  358   785 
Liquidating damages payable, net of current portion  494   7,008 
Other long-term liabilities  5,307   7,556 
Deferred tax liabilities  465   362 
Long-term debt, net of current portion  -   64,373 
Total liabilities  242,689   211,774 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 28)  -   - 
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 December 31, 2022 and 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: $14,356 and $15,066; Series H shares issued and outstanding: 14,356 and 15,066; common shares issuable upon conversion: 1,981,128 and 2,075,200 at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively  13,008   13,718 
Total mezzanine equity  13,176   13,886 
Stockholders’ deficiency:        
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 1,000,000,000 shares: issued and outstanding; 18,303,193 and 12,635,591 shares December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively  182   126 
Common stock to be issued  -   - 
Additional paid-in capital  270,743   200,410 
Accumulated deficit  (323,071)  (252,213)
Total stockholders’ deficiency  (52,146)  (51,677)
Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders’ deficiency $203,719  $173,983 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-6

THE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

  2021  2020 
  Years Ended December 31, 
  2021  2020 
Cash flows from operating activities        
Net loss $(89,939,653) $(89,231,963)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:        
Depreciation of property and equipment  443,422   638,796 
Amortization of platform development and intangible assets  24,732,877   24,192,631 
Loss on disposition of assets  1,192,310   279,133 
Loss on impairment of lease  466,356   - 
Loss on termination of lease  7,344,655   - 
Gain upon debt extinguishment  (5,716,697)  - 
Amortization of debt discounts  2,105,536   6,607,212 
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities  (34,492)  (496,305)
Change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities  -   (2,571,004)
Loss on conversion of 12% convertible debentures  -   3,297,539 
Accrued and noncash converted interest  6,956,182   9,244,324 
Liquidated damages  2,637,364   1,487,577 
Stock-based compensation  30,493,521   14,641,181 
Deferred income taxes  (1,674,434)  210,832 
Other  (499,196)  (524,418)
Change in operating assets and liabilities net of effect of business combinations:        
Accounts receivable  (2,891,000)  362,460 
Subscription acquisition costs  3,108,403   (34,945,422)
Royalty fees  15,000,000   15,000,000 
Prepayments and other current assets  48,983   (356,528)
Other long-term assets  691,661   (245,525)
Accounts payable  3,752,875   (1,404,703)
Accrued expenses and other  7,474,423   (3,392,507)
Unearned revenue  (15,818,724)  21,695,088 
Subscription refund liability  (948,732)  891,359 
Operating lease liabilities  (2,489,166)  1,814,601 
Other long-term liabilities  (1,165,863)  511,055 
Net cash used in operating activities  (14,729,389)  (32,294,587)
Cash flows from investing activities        
Purchases of property and equipment  (376,635)  (1,212,003)
Capitalized platform development  (4,818,866)  (3,750,541)
Proceeds from sale of intangible asset  -   350,000 
Payments for acquisition of businesses, net of cash  (7,950,457)  (315,289)
Net cash used in investing activities  (13,145,958)  (4,927,833)
Cash flows from financing activities        
Proceeds from long-term debt  5,086,135   11,702,725 
Proceeds, net of repayments, under line of credit  4,809,403   7,178,791 
Proceeds from common stock private placement  20,005,000   - 
Payment of debt issuance costs on long-term debt  -   (560,500)
Proceeds from issuance of Series H convertible preferred stock  -   113,000 
Repayments of convertible debt  -   (1,130,903)
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options  -   3,767 
Proceeds from issuance of Series J convertible preferred stock  -   6,000,000 
Proceeds from issuance of Series K convertible preferred stock  -   14,675,000 
Payments of issuance costs from common stock private placement  (167,243)  - 
Payment for taxes related to repurchase of restricted common stock  (70,238)  (520,444)
Payment of restricted stock liabilities  (1,471,591)  (177,425)
Net cash provided by financing activities  28,191,466   37,284,011 
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash  316,119   61,591 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash – beginning of year  9,534,681   9,473,090 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash – end of year $9,850,800  $9,534,681 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information        
Cash paid for interest $1,392,900  $645,681 
Cash paid for income taxes  -   - 
Noncash investing and financing activities        
Reclassification of stock-based compensation to platform development $2,045,264  $1,608,995 
Issuance of common stock in connection with professional services  125,000   - 
Deferred cash payments in connection with acquisition of The Spun  905,109   - 
Assumption of liabilities in connection with acquisition of The Spun  84,732   - 
Commitment fee on delayed draw term note in accrued expenses and other  508,614   - 
Reclassification of warrants to equity  1,113,403   - 
Net exercise of common stock options with exchange of common stock  39   - 
Debt discount on long-term debt  -   913,865 
Restricted common stock units issued in connection with acquisition of LiftIgniter  -   500,000 
Assumption of liabilities in connection with acquisition of LiftIgniter  -   140,381 
Restricted stock issued in connection with acquisition of Fulltime Fantasy  502,500   - 
Deferred cash payments in connection with acquisition of Fulltime Fantasy  419,387   - 
Conversion of convertible debt into common stock  -   21,402,488 
Conversion of embedded derivative liabilities into common stock  -   10,929,996 
Conversion of Series I convertible preferred stock into common stock  -   19,699,742 
Conversion of Series J convertible preferred stock into common stock  -   23,739,996 
Conversion of Series K convertible preferred stock into common stock  -   17,481,500 
Deemed dividend on Series H convertible preferred stock  -   502,000 
Deemed dividend on Series I convertible preferred stock  -   5,082,000 
Deemed dividend on Series J convertible preferred stock  -   586,545 
Deemed dividend on Series K convertible preferred stock  -   9,472,050 
Payment of long-term debt for issuance of Series K convertible preferred stock  -   3,367,000 
Payment of promissory note for issuance for Series H convertible preferred stock  -   389,000 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-7F-4

THE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

  2022  2021 
  Years Ended December 31, 
  2022  2021 
  ($ in thousands, except share data) 
Revenue $220,935  $189,140 
Cost of revenue (includes amortization for developed technology and platform development for 2022 and 2021 of $9,459 and $8,829, respectively)  132,923   110,530 
Gross profit  88,012   78,610 
Operating expenses        
Selling and marketing  72,489   81,929 
General and administrative  53,499   55,612 
Depreciation and amortization  17,650   16,345 
Loss on impairment of assets  257   1,192 
Loss on impairment of lease  -   466 
Loss on termination of lease  -   7,345 
Total operating expenses  143,895   162,889 
Loss from operations  (55,883)  (84,279)
Other (expenses) income        
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities  -   34 
Interest expense, net  (11,428)  (10,449)
Liquidated damages  (1,140)  (2,637)
Gain upon debt extinguishment  -   5,717 
Total other expenses  (12,568)  (7,335)
Loss before income taxes  (68,451)  (91,614)
Income tax benefit  1,063   1,674 
Loss from continuing operations  (67,388)  (89,940)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax  (3,470)  - 
Net loss $(70,858) $(89,940)
Basic and diluted net loss per common share:        
Continuing operations $(3.82) $(7.87)
Discontinued operations  (0.20)  - 
Basic and diluted net loss per common share $(4.02) $(7.87)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted  17,625,619   11,429,740 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-5

THE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY

Year Ended December 31, 2022

  Shares  Par
Value
  Shares  Par
Value
  

Paid-in

Capital

  

Accumulated

Deficit

  

Stockholders’

Deficiency

 
  Common Stock  

Common Stock to

be Issued

  

Additional

    Total 
  Shares  Par
Value
  Shares  Par
Value
  

Paid-in

Capital

  

Accumulated

Deficit

  

Stockholders’

Deficiency

 
  ($ in thousands, except share data) 
Balance at January 1, 2022  12,635,591  $126   49,134  $          -  $200,410  $(252,213) $(51,677)
Beginning balance, value  12,635,591  $126   49,134  $          -  $200,410  $(252,213) $(51,677)
Issuance of common stock for restricted stock units  832,233   8   -   -   (8)  -   - 
Common stock withheld for taxes  (373,394)  (4)  -   -   (4,464)  -   (4,468)
Repurchase of restricted stock awards classified as liabilities  (26,214)  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Issuance of common stock in connection with acquisitions  330,863   3   -   -   3,138   -   3,141 
Issuance of common stock in connection with merger 7,851   -   (7,851)  -   -   -   - 
Issuance of common stock in connection with professional services  14,617   -   -   -   184   -   184 
Issuance of common stock in connection with settlement of liquidated damages  505,655   5   -   -   6,680   -   6,685 
Gain upon issuance of common stock in connection with settlement of liquidated damages  -   -   -   -   323   -   323 
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of Series H convertible preferred stock  97,980   1   -   -   709   -   710 
Issuance of common stock in connection with public offering  4,181,603   42   -   -   30,448   -   30,490 
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options  96,408   1   -   -   94   -   95 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   33,229   -   33,229 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (70,858)  (70,858)
Ending balance, value  18,303,193  $182   41,283  $-  $270,743  $(323,071) $(52,146)
Balance at December 31, 2022  18,303,193  $182   41,283  $-  $270,743  $(323,071) $(52,146)

F-6

Year Ended December 31, 2021

  Common Stock  Common Stock to be Issued  

Additional

    Total 
  Shares  Par
Value
  Shares  Par
Value
  

Paid-in

Capital

  

Accumulated

Deficit

  

Stockholders’

Deficiency

 
 ($ in thousands, except share data) 
Balance at January 1, 2021  10,415,618  $104   49,134  $-  $141,856  $(162,273) $(20,313)
Beginning balance, value  10,415,618  $104   49,134  $-  $141,856  $(162,273) $(20,313)
Issuance of restricted stock awards to the board of directors  48,856   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Forfeiture of unvested restricted stock awards  (6,844)  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Issuance of common stock for restricted stock units  34,395   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Repurchase of restricted stock awards classified as liabilities  (22,178)  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Reclassification of warrants to equity  -   -   -   -   1,113   -   1,113 
Issuance of common stock in connection with professional services  14,205   -   -   -   125   -   125 
Issuance of restricted stock in connection with an acquisition  228,898   2   -   -   500   -   502 
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options  3,858   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Common stock withheld for taxes  (4,355)  -   -   -   (70)  -   (70)
Issuance of common stock in connection with private placement  1,299,027   13   -   -   19,825   -   19,838 
Issuance of common stock upon conversion of Series H convertible preferred stock  624,111   7   -   -   4,523   -   4,530 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   32,538   -   32,538 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (89,940)  (89,940)
Balance at December 31, 2021  12,635,591  $126   49,134  $-  $200,410  $(252,213) $(51,677)
Ending balance, value  12,635,591  $126   49,134  $-  $200,410  $(252,213) $(51,677)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-7

THE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

  2022  2021 
  Years Ended December 31, 
  2022  2021 
  ($ in thousands) 
Cash flows from operating activities        
Net loss $(70,858) $(89,940)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:        
Depreciation of property and equipment  539   443 
Amortization of platform development and intangible assets  26,570   24,731 
Amortization of debt costs  1,581   2,106 
Loss on impairment of assets  466   1,192 
Loss on impairment of lease  -   466 
Loss on termination of lease  -   7,345 
Change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities  -   (34)
Liquidated damages  1,140   2,637 
Gain upon debt extinguishment  -   (5,717)
Accrued and noncash converted interest  320   6,956 
Stock-based compensation  31,345   30,493 
Deferred income taxes  (1,200)  (1,674)
Bad debt expense  658   499 
Other  184   - 
Change in operating assets and liabilities net of effect of acquisitions:        
Accounts receivable  (2,038)  (3,884)
Subscription acquisition costs  (1,667)  3,108 
Royalty fees  11,250   15,000 
Prepayments and other current assets  2,280   49 
Other long-term assets  (285)  692 
Accounts payable  (6,535)  3,752 
Accrued expenses and other  (2,996)  7,474 
Unearned revenue  3,898   (15,819)
Subscription refund liability  (2,379)  (949)
Operating lease liabilities  (218)  (2,489)
Other long-term liabilities  (3,359)  (1,166)
Net cash used in operating activities  (11,304)  (14,729)
Cash flows from investing activities        
Purchases of property and equipment  (530)  (377)
Capitalized platform development  (5,179)  (4,819)
Proceeds from sale of equity investment  2,450   - 
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash  (35,331)  (7,950)
Net cash used in investing activities  (38,590)  (13,146)
Cash flows from financing activities        
Proceeds from bridge notes, net of debt costs  34,728   - 
Proceeds from long-term debt  -   5,086 
Payments of long-term debt  (5,928)  - 
Proceeds, net of repayments, under line of credit  2,104   4,809 
Proceeds from common stock public offering, net of offering costs  32,058   - 
Payments of issuance costs from common stock public offering  (1,568)  - 
Proceeds from common stock private placement  -   20,005 
Payments of issuance costs from common stock private placement  -   (167)
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options  95   - 
Payment of deferred cash payment  (453)  - 
Payment for taxes related to common stock withheld for taxes  (4,468)  (70)
Payment of restricted stock liabilities  (2,152)  (1,472)
Net cash provided by financing activities  54,416   28,191 
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash  4,522   316 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash – beginning of year  9,851   9,535 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash – end of year $14,373  $9,851 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash        
Cash and cash equivalents $13,871  $9,349 
Restricted cash  502   502 
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $14,373  $9,851 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information        
Cash paid for interest $9,528  $1,393 
Cash paid for income taxes  -   - 
Noncash investing and financing activities        
Reclassification of stock-based compensation to platform development $1,884  $2,045 
Issuance of common stock in connection with professional services  -   125 
Restricted stock issued in connection with an acquisition  -   502 
Debt costs recorded in accrued expenses and other and in other long-term liabilities  441   509 
Reclassification of warrants to equity  -   1,113 
Issuance of common stock in connection with settlement of liquidated damages  7,008   - 
Issuance of common stock in connection with an acquisition  3,141   - 
Deferred cash payments recorded in connection with acquisitions  628   1,324 
Assumption of liabilities in connection with acquisitions  17,100   85 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-8

THE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Years Ended December 31, 2021 and 2020($ in thousands, unless otherwise stated)

1. Organization and Basis of Presentation

Organization

 

The Arena Holdings Group, Inc. (formerly known as TheMaven, Inc.) (“The Arena Group” or the “Company”), was incorporated in Delaware on October 1, 1990. On October 11, 2016, the predecessor entity now known as The Arena Group exchanged its shares with another entity that was incorporated in Delaware on July 22, 2016. On November 4, 2016, these entities consummated a recapitalization. This resulted in The Arena Group becoming the parent entity, and the other Delaware entity becoming the wholly owned subsidiary. On December 19, 2019, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries The Arena Platform, Inc. (formerly known as Maven Coalition, Inc.), and HubPages, Inc. (“HubPages”), a Delaware corporation that was acquired by the Company in a merger during 2018, were merged into another of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Say Media, Inc. (“Say Media”), a Delaware corporation that was acquired by the Company in a merger during 2018, with Say Media as the surviving corporation. On January 6, 2020, Say Media changed its name to The Arena Platform, Inc. (“Arena Platform”). As of December 31, 2021,2022, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries consist of The Arena Platform, The Arena Media Brands, LLC (“Arena Media”) (formerly known as Maven Media Brands, LLC) formed during 2019 as a wholly owned subsidiary of The Arena Group), TheStreet, Inc. (“TheStreet” acquired by the Company in a merger during 2019) and, College Spun Media Incorporated (“The Spun” acquired by the Company in a merger during 2021 as further described in Note 3)4) and Athlon Holdings, Inc. (“Parade” acquired by the Company in a merger during 2022 as further described in Note 4).

 

The Company changed its corporatelegal name to The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. from TheMaven, Inc. to on February 8, 2022. The Company’s subsidiaries changed their corporate names to The Arena Platform, Inc. from Maven Coalition, Inc. and to The Arena Media Brands, LLC from Maven Media Brands, LLC on February 18, 2022.

 

Unless the context indicates otherwise, The Arena Group, The Arena Platform, TheStreet, and The Spun and Parade, are together hereinafter referred to as the “Company.”

 

Reverse Stock Split

 

On November 18, 2020,February 8, 2022, the Company’s stockholders holding more than a majority of the voting power of the Company approved the amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation on November 24, 2020, to effect a reverse split of the common stock at a ratio to be determined by the board of directors (the “Board”) within certain parameters, and without reducing the authorized number of shares of common stock.

On February 8, 2022, the Company’s Board approved a one-for-twenty-two (1-for-22) reverse stock split of its outstanding shares of common stock that was effective at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 8, 2022 and2022. The Company’s common stock began trading on the NYSE American (the “NYSE American”) on February 9, 2022 (as further described below). At the effective time, every twenty-two shares of issued and outstanding common stock were automatically combined into one issued and outstanding share of common stock, without any change in the number of authorized shares. No fractional shares were issued as a result of the reverse stock split. Any fractional shares that would otherwise have resulted from the reverse stock split were rounded up to the next whole number.

 

F-9

The accompanying financial statements and notes to the financial statements give effect to the reverse stock split for all periods presented. The shares of common stock retained a par value of $0.01per 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. In addition, any fractional shares that would otherwise be issued as a result of the reverse stock split were rounded up to the nearest whole share. In connection with the reverse stock split, proportionate adjustments were made to increase the per share exercise prices and decrease the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of common stock options and warrants whereby approximately the same aggregate price is required to be paid for such securities upon exercise as had been payable immediately preceding the reverse stock split. In addition, anyAny fractional shares that would otherwise be issued as a result of the reverse stock split were rounded up to the nearest whole share.

 

F-8

On February 9, 2022, in connection with the Company’s legal name change and reverse stock split, the Company up-listed its common stock to the NYSE American, which began trading on February 9, 2022 under the symbol “AREN.” A notice of corporate action was filed with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), requesting approval to change the Company’s corporate name and trading symbol, and to effect the reverse stock split. The Company’s common stock, prior to the up-list, was quoted on the OTC Markets Group Inc.’s (“OTCM”) OTCQX® Best Market (the “OTCQX”) under the symbol “MVEN.”

 

Business Operations

The Company is a data-driventech-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. The Company’s strategy is to focus on key verticals where audiences are passionate about a topic category (e.g., sports and finance), and where it can leverage the strength of its core brands to grow ourits audience and increase monetization both within its core brands as well as its media publishers (each, a “Publisher Partner”). The Company’s focus is on leveraging theits Platform and iconic brands in targeted verticals to maximize the audience reach, improve engagement, and optimize monetization of digital publishing assets for the benefit of ourits users, ourits advertiser clients, and our 35its greater than 40 owned and operated properties as well as properties we runit runs on behalf of independent Publisher Partners. The Company operates the media businesses for Sports Illustrated (as defined below)(“Sports Illustrated”), ownowns and operateoperates TheStreet and The Spun, (collectively, Sports Illustrated, TheStreetParade, and The Spun are hereinafter referred to as the Company’s “OwnedMen’s Journal and Operated Businesses”), and powerpowers more than 200225 independent Publisher Partners, including Biography, History, and the many sports team sports sites that comprise FanNation, among others. Each Publisher Partner joins the Platform by invitation-onlyinvitation only and is drawn from premium media brands and independent publishing businesses with the objective of augmenting the Company’s 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 the Company’s expertise in search engine optimization, (SEO), social media, ad monetization and subscription marketing and ad monetization, Publisher Partners continually benefit from itsthe Company’s ongoing technological advances and bespoke audience development expertise. Additionally, the Company believes the lead brand within each vertical creates a halo benefit for all Publisher Partners in the vertical on bothwhile each of them adds to the contentbreadth and technology sides.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 costs. In addition, they benefit from recirculation across the Company’s Platform, as well as syndication to more than 25 third-party sites.management.

 

The Company’s growth strategy is to continue to expand the coalition by adding new Publisher Partners in key verticals that management believes will expand the scale of unique users interacting on the Platform. In each vertical, the Company seeks to build around a leading brand, suchpremium publishers with high quality brands and content either as Sports Illustrated (for sports) and TheStreet (for finance), surround it with subcategory specialists, and further enhance coverage with individual expert contributors. The primary means of expansion is adding independent Publisher Partners and/or by acquiring publishers that have premium branded contentas owned and can broaden the reach and impact of the Platform. As the Company’s digital revenue and gross margin grows, the Company believes it can further accelerate its growth.operated entities.

 

The Company assumed management of certain Sports Illustrated media assets (pursuant toentered into a licensing agreement, with Sports Illustrated, including various amendments, or a collectively referred to herein as theamended, (the “Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement”) on October 4, 2019. Sports Illustrated is owned bywith ABG-SI LLC (“ABG”), a brand development, marketing, and entertainment company.company, in October 2019. Since assuming management of the Sports Illustrated media assets, the Company has implemented significant changes to rebuild the historic brand and beacon of sports journalism, to evolve and expand the business, and to position it for growth and continued success going forward.

 

With respect to Sports Illustrated Swim (“SI Swim”), the Company has transitioned to a female-focused lifestyle brand, with the annual content release in May 2022. The Company’s fan-facing event to celebrate the 2022 annual content release and ongoing digital sponsorships was held over several nights in May 2022 and the Company partnered with Hard Rock, Maybelline, Celsius, Frida Mom and others.

F-10

SI Sportsbook was launched in 2021 in Colorado.Colorado and has expanded to several state through the end of fiscal 2022. The Company provides the content for SI Sportsbook and itsSportsbook. Its partner, 888 Holdings PCC, one of the world’s leading online betting and gaming companies, provides the gambling engine. SI Sportsbook covers the NFL, CFB, NCAAMB, MLB, NBA, NHA, PGA, Horse Racing, UCF, Boxing. The content the Company provides includes: (i) Sports Illustrated winners club newsletter, live NFL pre-game show and twitter spaces, (ii) 50,000 NFL and CFB game betting previews and player props, (iii) five new betting articles series, and (iv) four new video on-demand betting series.

F-9

 

TheStreet is a leading financial news and information provider to investors and institutions worldwide and has produced business news and market analysis for individual investors. TheStreet brings its editorial tradition, strong subscription platform, and valuable membership base to the Company, and benefits from its mobile-friendly CMS, social, video, and monetization technology.

 

The Spun, (thespun.com), founded in September 2012, and acquired by the Company in June 2021, is an online independent sports publication that brings readers the most interesting athletic stories of the day. Currently, The Spun produces more than 30,000 annual content pieces. The Spun reaches approximately 35 million unique readers per month and focuses on the social media aspect of the industry. The former chief executive officer of The Spun is now serving as the Company’s Senior Vice President of Growth.

The Company acquired Parade, a premium-branded company in April 2022, which helped to expand its digital audience reach. Parade has become the anchor of the Company’s new lifestyle vertical and Athlon Sports, one of Parade’s premium brands, has expanded the Company’s sports vertical. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, the Company discontinued the Parade print business (as further described in Note 3).

The Company acquired the digital assets of Men’s Journal from Weider Publications, a subsidiary of A360 Media, LLC in December 2022 to supplement its growing lifestyle vertical. This suite of digital assets provides its audience with access to premium active lifestyle brands including Men’s Journal, Men’s Fitness, Surfer, Powder, Bike, SKATEboarding, Snowboarder and NewSchoolers.

HubPages enhances the user’s experience by including content from individual creators to the HubPages network of premium content channels that are owned and operated by the Company. These channels, such as PetHelpful, dengarden and Fashionista, act as an open community for writers, explorers, knowledge seekers, and conversation starters to connect in an interactive and informative online space.

 

Seasonality

 

The Company experiences typical media companydoes experience seasonality during the year, as a result of advertising seasonality and membership sales seasonality, which is strongsports seasons and major sporting events. Advertising typically peaks in the fiscal fourth quarter of the Company’s fiscal year as advertisers concentrate their budgets during the holiday season. This trend is magnified as it also includes the professional sports and slower incollege football seasons, which account for a significant portion of the fiscal first quarter.Company’s advertising revenue during that period of the year. Other sporting events such as the Super Bowl, Winter and Summer Olympics, soccer’s World Cup, and major golf, tennis and cycling events create increased traffic surrounding the respective events.

 

Going Concern

The Company performed an annual reporting period going concern assessment. Management is required to assess the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company’s consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if it is unable to continue as a going concern.

 

F-11

Historically,

Most recently, for the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company has recorded recurring lossesincurred a net loss from continuing operations of $67,388, had cash on hand of $13,871 and a working capital deficit of $137,669. The Company’s net loss from continuing operations and has operated with a networking capital deficiency. The Company considered these factorsdeficit have been evaluated by management to determine if the significance of those conditions or events would limit its ability to meet itsour obligations when due. Most recently, operating losses realized in prior years had been impactedFurthermore, since the Company’s Bridge Notes of $36,000, Senior Secured Notes of $62,691 and Delayed Draw Term Notes of $4,000, totaling $102,691 (collectively “its current debt”) are due by the COVID-19 pandemicDecember 31, 2023 (see Note 19, and the related shut down of most professional and collegiate sports, which reduced user traffic and advertising revenue. AsNote 20), unless the Company entered fiscal 2021, and the impact of COVID-19 onis able to refinance or extend its operations began to dissipate, the Company invested heavily in marketing, customer growth, and people and technology ascurrent debt beyond its current maturity, it expanded its operations, specifically related to TheStreet and the Sports Illustrated media business.

As reflected in these consolidated financial statements, the Company recorded revenues of approximately $189.1 million and incurred a net loss attributable to common stockholders of approximately $89.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company has historically financed its working capital requirements since inception through the issuance of debt and equity securities.

Management has evaluated whether relevant conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The factors considered include, but are not limited to, the Company’s financial condition, liquidity sources, obligations due within one year after the issuance date of its accompanying consolidated financial statements, and the funds necessary to maintain operations, including negative financial trends or other indicators of possible financial difficulty. Substantial doubt exists when conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, indicate it is probable that a company willmay not be able to meet its obligations as they become due within one year after the issuance date ofwhen due.

In its financial statements.

evaluation, management determined

F-10

Management’s assessmentthere is based on the relevant conditions that are known or reasonably knowable as of the date these consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021 were issued. In particular, the Company evaluated: (1) 2022 cash flow forecast, which considered the use of its working capital line with FastPay (as described in Note 14) to fund changes in working capital, under which it has available credit of approximately $17.7 million, subject to eligible account receivables, as of the issuance date of these consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021, as well as the additional capital the Company raised in a firm commitment underwritten public offering of $31.5 million after fees and expenses, which was completed subsequent to December 31, 2021; and (2) its 2022 operating budget, which considers that (i) more than half of the Company’s total revenue is derived from recurring digital and print subscriptions, which are generally paid in advance, and (ii) overall digital revenue, representing 53.4% of the Company’s total revenue, grew approximately 49.1% in fiscal 2021, which the Company believes demonstrates the strength of its brands.

In addition, the Company’s firm commitment underwritten public offering, as described above, demonstrates its ability to access capital markets. Finally, the Company also considered its implementation of additional measures, if required, related to potential revenue and earnings declines from continued COVID-19-related challenges.

Management’s assessment of the Company’s ability to meet its future obligations is inherently judgmental, subjective and susceptible to change. As a result of these considerations and as a part of the quantitative and qualitative factors that are known or reasonably knowable as of the date these consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021 were issued, the Company concluded that conditions and events considered in the aggregate, do not raise substantial doubt about itsthe Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a one-year period following the financial statement issuance date.date, unless it is able to refinance or extend the maturities of its current debt.

The Company plans to refinance or extend the maturities of its current debt to alleviate the conditions that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain prior year 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.

 

F-12

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the financial statements of The Arena Group and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Arena Media, Arena Platform, TheStreet, The Spun and The Spun.Parade. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Foreign Currency

 

The functional currency of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is the local currencies (Canadian dollar), as it is the monetary unit of account of the principal economic environment in which the Company’s foreign subsidiaries operate. All assets and liabilities of the foreign subsidiaries are translated at the current exchange rate as of the end of the period, and revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates in effect during the period. The gain or loss resulting from the process of translating foreign currencies financial statements into U.S. dollars was immaterial for the yearyears ended December 31, 2020,2022 and 2021, and therefore, a foreign currency cumulative translation adjustment was not reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and the unrealized foreign exchange gain or loss was omitted from the consolidated statements of cash flows. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses, if any, resulting from or expected to result from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are recognized in other income net on the consolidated statements of operations.

F-11

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities atas of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amountsresults of revenues and expensesoperations during the reporting period. Significant estimates include those related to the selection of useful lives of property and equipment, intangible assets,include: reserves for bad debt; capitalization of platform development and associated useful lives; goodwill and other acquired intangible assets and associated useful lives; assumptions used in accruals for potential liabilities; fair valuerevenue recognition and estimates of assets acquiredstandalone selling price of performance obligations for revenue contracts with multiple performance obligations; stock-based compensation and liabilities assumed in the business acquisitions, the fair value of the Company’s goodwill and the assessment of acquired goodwill, other intangible assets and long-lived assets for impairment; determination of the fair value of stock-based compensationvalue; valuation allowances for deferred tax assets and valuation of derivatives liabilities;uncertain tax positions; accounting for business combinations; and the assumptions used to calculate contingent liabilities, and realizationliabilities. These estimates are based on information available as of deferred tax assets. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, and makes adjustments when facts and circumstances dictate. Actualdate of the consolidated financial statements; therefore, actual results could differ from thesemanagement’s estimates.

 

Risks and Uncertainties

 

The Company’s business and operations are sensitive to general business and economic conditions in the U.S.United States and worldwide. These conditions include short-term and long-term interest rates, inflation, fluctuations in debt and equity capital markets and the general condition of the U.S.United States and world economy. A host of factors beyond the Company’s control could cause fluctuations in these conditions. Adverse developments in these general business and economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and the results of its operations.

 

In addition, the Company will compete with many companies that currently have extensive and well-funded projects, marketing and sales operations as well as extensive human capital. The Company may be unable to compete successfully against these companies. The Company’s industry is characterized by rapid changes in technology and market demands. As a result, the Company’s products, services, or expertise may become obsolete or unmarketable. The Company’s future success will depend on its ability to adapt to technological advances, anticipate customer and market demands, and enhance its current technology under development.

 

F-13

The Companies services, products and properties may be adversely impacted by uncertain economic conditions, including the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; the Ukraine – Russia conflict; adverse changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, tax laws or tax rates; inflation; a recession; contraction in the availability of credit in the marketplace due to legislation or other economic conditions, which may potentially impair its ability to access the capital markets on terms acceptable to it or at all; and the effects of government initiatives to manage economic conditions. The Company cannot also predict how future economic conditions will affect its users and Publisher Partners and any negative impact on its users or Publisher Partners may also have an adverse impact its results of operations or financial condition. A severe or prolonged economic downturn, as result of a global pandemic such as the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise, could result in a variety of risks to the Company’s business, including weakened demand for its products and services and its ability to raise additional capital when needed on favorable terms, if at all.

With the initial onset of COVID-19 pandemic, the Company faced significant change in its advertisers’ buying behavior. Since May 2020, there has been a steady recovery in the advertising market in both pricing and volume, which coupled with the return of professional and college sports yielded steady growth in revenues. Given that the Sports Illustrated media businessCompany’s sports vertical relies on sporting events to generate content and comprises a material portion of the Company’sits 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 haveuncertain economic conditions, such as COVID-19 pandemic, that occurred in the Unites States and elsewhere during the 2020 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 2020 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 that depend on the actions taken to prevent the further spreadas a result of COVID-19.uncertain economic conditions.

 

Since August 2018, B. Riley FBR, Inc. (“B. Riley FBR”), a registered broker-dealer owned by B. Riley Financial, Inc., a diversified publicly-tradedpublicly traded financial services company (“B. Riley”), has been instrumental in providing investment banking services to the Company and in raising debt and equity capital for the Company. These services have included raising of equity capital to support the stock acquisition of College Spun Media IncorporatedParade (as described in Note 3)4) and acquisition of certain assets of Men’s Journal (as described in Note 4). B. Riley has also assisted in the raising of debt and equity capital for various acquisitions, refinancing and working capital purposes including the 12% Convertible Debentures (as described in Note 18), Senior Secured Note and Delayed Draw Term NoteBridge Notes (as described in Note 19), Senior Secured Notes and Delayed Draw Term Notes (as described in Note 20), Series H Series I, Series J and Series K Preferred Stock (as described in Note 20)21), and Common Stock Public Offering and Common Stock Private Placement (as described in Note 21) and the Public Offering (as described in Note 28)22).

F-12

Segment Reporting

 

The Company operates in one reportable segment which focuses on a publishing platform. The Company’s business offerings have similar operating characteristics and similar long-term operating performance, including the types of customers, nature of product or services, distribution methods and regulatory environment. The chief operating decision maker (the “CODM”) of the Company reviews specific financial and operational specific data and other key metrics to make resource allocation decisions and assesses performance by review of profit and loss information on a consolidated basis. The CODM does not review specific financial or operational data on a disaggregated basis or by aggregating operating segments into one reportable segment. The consolidated financial statements reflect the financial results of the Company’s one reportable segment.

 

Revenue Recognition

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services are transferred to the Company’s customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The Company generates all of its revenue from contracts with customers. The Company accounts for revenue on a gross basis, as compared to a net basis, inon its statementstatements of operations. The Company has made this determination based on its control of the advertising inventory and the ability to monetize the advertising inventory or publications before transfer to the customer and because it is also the primary obligor responsible for providing the services to the customer. Cost of revenues is presented as a separate line item inon the statementstatements of operations. The Company has made this determination based on it taking the credit risk in its revenue-generating transactions and it also being the primary obligor responsible for providing the services to the customer.

F-14

 

The following is a description of the principal activities from which the Company generates revenue:

 

Advertising Revenue

 

Digital Advertising – The Company recognizes revenue from digital advertisements at the point when each ad is viewed. The quantity of advertisements, the impression bid prices and revenue are reported on a real-time basis. The Company enters into contracts with advertising networks to serve display or video advertisements on the digital media pages associated with its various channels. Although reported advertising transactions are subject to adjustment by the advertising network partners, any such adjustments are known within a few days of month end. The Company owes its independent Publisher Partners a revenue share of the advertising revenue earned, which is recorded as service costs in the same period in which the associated advertising revenue is recognized.

 

Advertising revenue that is comprised of fees charged for the placement of advertising, on the Company’s flagship website, TheStreet.com, is recognized as the advertising or sponsorship is displayed, if collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.

 

Print Advertising – Advertising related revenues for print advertisements are recognized when advertisements are published (defined as an issue’s on-sale date), net of provisions for estimated rebates, rate adjustments, and discounts.

 

F-13

Subscription Revenue

 

Digital Subscriptions – The Company enters into contracts with internet users that subscribe to premium content on the owned and operated media channels and facilitate such contracts between internet users and ourits Publisher Partners. These contracts provide internet users with a membership subscription to access the premium content. The Company owes its independent Publisher Partners a revenue share of the membership subscription revenue earned, which is initially deferred and recorded as deferred contract costs. The Company recognizes deferred contract costs over the membership subscription term in the same pattern that the associated membership subscription revenue is recognized.

 

Subscription revenue generated from the Company’s flagship website TheStreet.com from institutional and retail customers is comprised of subscriptions and license fees for access to securities investment information, stock market commentary, director and officer profiles, relationship capital management services, and transactional information pertaining to mergers and acquisitions and other changes in the corporate control environment. Subscriptions are charged to customers’ credit cards or are directly billed to corporate subscribers, and are generally billed in advance on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. The Company calculates net subscription revenue by deducting from gross revenue an estimate of potential refunds from cancelled subscriptions as well as chargebacks of disputed credit card charges. Net subscription revenue is recognized ratably over the subscription periods. Unearned revenue relates to payments for subscription fees for which revenue has not been recognized because services have not yet been provided.

 

Print Revenue

 

Print revenue includes magazine subscriptions and single copy sales at newsstands.

 

Print Subscriptions – Revenue from magazine subscriptions is deferred and recognized proportionately as products are distributed to subscribers.

 

Newsstand – Single copy revenue is recognized on the publication’s on-sale date, net of provisions for estimated returns. The Company bases its estimates for returns on historical experience and current marketplace conditions.

 

Licensing and Syndication Revenue

 

Content licensing-based revenues and syndication revenues are accrued generally monthly or quarterly based on the specific mechanisms of each contract. Generally, revenues are accrued based on estimated sales and adjusted as actual sales are reported by partners. These adjustments are typically recorded within three months of the initial estimates and have not been material. Any minimum guarantees are typically earned evenly over the fiscal year.

 

F-15

Nature of Performance Obligations

 

At contract inception, the Company assesses the obligations promised in its contracts with customers and identifies a performance obligation for each promise to transfer a good or service or bundle that is distinct. To identify the performance obligations, the Company considers all the promises in the contract, whether explicitly stated or implied based on customary business practices. For a contract that has more than one performance obligation, the Company allocates the total contract consideration to each distinct performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis. Revenue is recognized when, or as, the performance obligations are satisfied, and control is transferred to the customer.

F-14

 

Digital Advertising – The Company sells digital advertising inventory on its websites directly to advertisers or through advertising agencies. The Company’s performance obligations related to digital advertising are generally satisfied when the advertisement is run on the Company’s platform. The price for direct digital advertising is determined in contracts with the advertisers. Revenue from the sale of direct digital advertising is recognized when the advertisements are delivered based on the contract. The customer is invoiced the agreed-upon price in the month following the month that the advertisements are delivered with normal trade terms. The agreed upon price is adjusted for estimated provisions for rebates, rate adjustments, and discounts. As part of the Company’s customary business practices, digital advertising contracts may include a guaranteed number of impressions and sales incentives to its customers including volume discounts, rebates, value added impressions, etc. For all such contracts that include these types of variable consideration, the Company estimates the variable consideration and factors in such an estimate when determining the transaction price.

 

Print Advertising The Company provides advertisement placements in print media directly to advertisers or through advertising agencies. The Company’s performance obligations related to print advertising are satisfied when the magazine in which an advertisement appears is published, which is defined as an issue’s on-sale date. The customer is invoiced the agreed-upon price when the advertisements are published under normal industry trade terms. The agreed upon price is adjusted for estimated provisions for rebates, rate adjustments, and discounts. As part of the Company’s customary business practices, print advertising contracts include guaranteed circulation levels of magazines, referred to as rate base, and a number of sales incentives to its customers including volume discounts, rebates, bonus pages, etc. For all such contracts that include these types of variable consideration, the Company estimates such when determining the transaction price.

 

Digital Subscriptions – The Company recognizes revenue from each membership subscription to access the premium content over time based on a daily calculation of revenue during the reporting period, which is generally one year. Subscriber payments are initially recorded as unearned revenue on the balance sheets. As the Company provides access to the premium content over the membership subscription term, the Company recognizes revenue and proportionately reduces the unearned revenue balance.

 

Print Subscriptions – The Company sells magazines to consumers through subscriptions. Each copy of a magazine is determined to be a distinct performance obligation that is satisfied when the publication is sent to the customer. The majority of the Company’s subscription sales are prepaid at the time of order. Subscriptions may be canceled at any time for a refund of the price paid for remaining issues. As the contract may be canceled at any time for a full refund of the unserved copies, the contract term is determined to be on an issue-to-issue basis as these contracts do not have substantive termination penalties. Revenues from subscriptions are deferred and recognized proportionately as subscribers are served. Some magazine subscription offers contain more than one magazine title in a bundle. The Company allocates the total contract consideration to each distinct performance obligation, or magazine title, based on a standalone-selling price basis.

 

Newsstand – The Company sells single copy magazines, or bundles of single copy magazines, to wholesalers for ultimate resale on newsstands primarily at major retailers and grocery/drug stores, and in digital form on tablets and other electronic devices. Publications sold to magazine wholesalers are sold with the right to receive credit from the Company for magazines returned to the wholesaler by retailers. Revenue is recognized on the issue’s on-sale date as the date aligns most closely with the date that control is transferred to the customer. The Company bases its estimates for returns on historical experience and current marketplace conditions.

 

Licensing and SyndicationThe Company has entered into various licensing and syndication agreements that provide third-party partners with the right to utilize the Company’s content. Functional licenses in national media consist of content licensing.

 

F-15F-16

 

Timing of Satisfaction of Performance Obligations

 

Point-in-Time Performance Obligations – For performance obligations related to certain digital advertising space and sales of print advertisements, the Company determines that the customer can direct the use of and obtain substantially all the benefits from the advertising products as the digital impressions are served or on the issue’s on-sale date. For performance obligations related to sales of magazines through subscriptions, the customer obtains control when each magazine issue is mailed to the customer on or before the issue’s on-sale date. For sales of single copy magazines on newsstands, revenue is recognized on the issue’s on-sale date as the date aligns most closely with the date that control is transferred to the customer. Revenues from functional licenses and syndication arrangements are recognized at a point-in-time when access to the completed content is granted to the partner.

 

Over-Time Performance Obligations For performance obligations related to sales of certain digital advertising space, the Company transfers control and recognizes revenue over time by measuring progress towards complete satisfaction using the most appropriate method.

 

For performance obligations related to digital advertising, the Company satisfies its performance obligations on some flat-fee digital advertising placements over time using a time-elapsed output method.

 

Determining a measure of progress requires management to make judgments that affect the timing of revenue recognized. The Company has determined that the above method provides a faithful depiction of the transfer of goods or services to the customer. For performance obligations recognized using a time-elapsed output method, the Company’s efforts are expended evenly throughout the period.

 

Performance obligations related to subscriptions to premium content on the digital media channels provides access for a given period of time, which is generally one year. The Company recognizes revenue from each membership subscription over time based on a daily calculation of revenue during the reporting period.

 

Transaction Price and Amounts Allocated to Performance Obligations

 

Determining the Transaction Price – Certain advertising contracts contain variable components of the transaction price, such as volume discounts and rebates. The Company has sufficient historical data and has established processes to reliably estimate these variable components of the transaction price.

 

Subscription revenue generated from the flagship website TheStreet.com is subject to estimation and variability due to the fact that, in the normal course of business, subscribers may for various reasons contact the Company or their credit card companies to request a refund or other adjustment for a previously purchased subscription. With respect to many of the Company’s annual newsletter subscription products, the Company offers the ability to receive a refund during the first 30 days but none thereafter. Accordingly, the Company maintains a provision for estimated future revenue reductions resulting from expected refunds and chargebacks related to subscriptions for which revenue was recognized in a prior period. The calculation of this provision is based upon historical trends and is reevaluated each quarter.

 

The Company typically does not offer any type of variable consideration in standard magazine subscription contracts. For these contracts, the transaction price is fixed upon establishment of the contract that contains the final terms of the sale including description, quantity and price of each subscription purchased. Therefore, the Company does not estimate variable consideration or perform a constraint analysis for these contracts.

 

A right of return exists for newsstand contracts. The Company has sufficient historical data to estimate the final amount of returns and reduces the transaction price at contract inception for the expected return reserve.

 

F-16

There is no variable consideration related to functional licenses.

 

F-17

Estimating Standalone-Selling Prices For contracts that contain multiple performance obligations, the Company allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation on a relative standalone-selling price basis. The standalone-selling price is the price at which the Company would sell a promised good or service separately to the customer. In situations in which an obligation is bundled with other obligations and the total amount of consideration does not reflect the sum of individual observable prices, the Company allocates the discount to (1) a single obligation if the discount is attributable to that obligation or (2) prorates across all obligations if the discount relates to the bundle. When standalone-selling price is not directly observable, the Company estimates and considers all the information that is reasonably available to the Company, including market conditions, entity specific factors, customer information, etc. The Company maximizes the use of observable inputs and applies estimation methods consistently in similar circumstances.

 

Measuring Obligations for Returns and Refunds – The Company accepts product returns in some cases. The Company establishes provisions for estimated returns concurrently with the recognition of revenue. The provisions are established based upon consideration of a variety of factors, including, among other things, recent and historical return rates for both specific products and distributors and the impact of any new product releases and projected economic conditions.

 

As of December 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, a subscription refund liability of $3,086,799845 and $4,035,5313,087, respectively, was recorded for the provision for the estimated returns and refunds on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

Contract Modifications

 

The Company occasionally enters into amendments to previously executed contracts that constitute contract modifications. The Company assesses each of these contract modifications to determine:

 

 if the additional services and goods are distinct from the services and goods in the original arrangement; and
 if the amount of consideration expected for the added services or goods reflects the stand-alone selling price of those services and goods.

 

A contract modification meeting both criteria is accounted for as a separate contract. A contract modification not meeting both criteria is considered a change to the original contract and is accounted for on either a prospective basis as a termination of the existing contract and the creation of a new contract, or a cumulative catch-up basis (further details are provided under the headings Contract Balances and Subscription Acquisition Costs).

 

F-17F-18

Disaggregation of Revenue

 

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

 Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue

 2021 2020  2022 2021 
 Years Ended December 31,  Years Ended December 31, 
 2021 2020  2022 2021 
Revenue by category:                
Digital revenue                
Digital advertising $62,864,924  $34,648,945  $109,317  $62,865 
Digital subscriptions  29,628,355   28,495,676   21,156   29,629 
Other revenue  8,515,655   4,596,686 
Licensing and syndication revenue  18,173   8,471 
Other digital revenue  1,166   43 
Total digital revenue  101,008,934   67,741,307   149,812   101,008 
Print revenue                
Print advertising  9,050,671   9,710,877   10,214   9,051 
Print subscriptions  79,080,729   50,580,213   60,909   79,081 
Total print revenue  88,131,400   60,291,090   71,123   88,132 
Total $189,140,334  $128,032,397 
Total revenue $220,935  $189,140 
Revenue by geographical market:                
United States $182,706,557  $122,570,712  $212,270  $182,706 
Other  6,433,777   5,461,685   8,665   6,434 
Total $189,140,334  $128,032,397 
Total revenue $220,935  $189,140 
Revenue by timing of recognition:                
At point in time $159,511,979  $99,536,721  $138,870  $159,512 
Over time  29,628,355   28,495,676   82,065   29,628 
Total $189,140,334  $128,032,397 
Total revenue $220,935  $189,140 

Cost of Revenue

 

Cost of revenue represents the cost of providing the Company’s digital media channels and advertising and membership services. The cost of revenue that the Company has incurred in the periods presented primarily include: Publisher Partner guarantees and revenue share payments; amortization of developed technology and platform development; royalty fees; hosting and bandwidth and software license fees; printing and distribution costs; payroll and related expenses for customer support, technology maintenance, and occupancy costs of related personnel;maintenance; fees paid for data analytics and to other outside service providers; and stock-based compensation of related personnel and stock-based compensation related to Publisher Partner Warrants (as described in Note 22)23).

F-18

 

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. An asset is recognized when certain costs incurred to obtain a contract meet the capitalization criteria.criteria (further details are provided under the heading Subscription Acquisition Costs). A contract liability is recognized when consideration is received from the customer prior to the transfer of goods or services.

 

F-19

The following table provides information about contract balances:

 Schedule of Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability

  2022  2021 
  As of December 31, 
  2022  2021 
Unearned revenue (short-term contract liabilities):      
Digital revenue $18,571  $14,693 
Print revenue  40,132   39,337 
Total short-term contract liabilities $58,703  $54,030 
Unearned revenue (long-term contract liabilities):        
Digital revenue $1,118  $1,446 
Print revenue  18,583   13,831 
Total long-term contract liabilities $19,701  $15,277 

  2021  2020 
  As of December 31, 
  2021  2020 
Unearned revenue (short-term contract liabilities):        
Digital revenue $14,692,479  $15,039,331 
Print revenue  39,337,178   46,586,345 
Total short-term contract liabilities $54,029,657  $61,625,676 
Unearned revenue (long-term contract liabilities):        
Digital revenue $1,444,440  $785,636 
Print revenue  13,831,452   22,712,961 
Total long-term contract liabilities $15,275,892  $23,498,597 

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 consolidated balance sheets. Digital subscription and print subscription revenue of $56,368,308$50,813 was recognized during the year ended December 31, 20212022 from unearned revenue at the beginning of the year.

 

During January of 2020, February of 2020 and December of 2021, the Company modified certain digital and print subscription contracts that prospectively changed the frequency of the related issues (or magazines) required to be delivered on a yearly basis (the “Contract Modifications”). The Company determined that the remaining digital content and magazines to be delivered are distinct from the digital content or magazines already provided under the original contract. As a result, the Company in effect established a new contract that included only the remaining digital content or magazines. Accordingly, the Company allocated the remaining performance obligations in the contracts as consideration from the original contract that has not yet been recognized as revenue. For the years ended December 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, the Company recognized revenue of $2,821,1552,986 and $9,341,9462,821, respectively, resulting from the Contract Modifications.

 

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

 

The Company maintains cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at banks where amounts on deposit may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limit during the year. Cash and cash equivalents represent cash and highly liquid investments with an original contractual maturity at the date of purchase of three months. As of December 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of checking, savings deposits and money market accounts. These deposits exceeded federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to significant credit risk regarding its cash and cash equivalents.

 

The following table reconciles total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash:

 Schedule of Cash and Restricted Cash

 2021 2020  2022 2021 
 As of December 31,  As of December 31, 
 2021 2020  2022 2021 
Cash and cash equivalents $9,349,020  $9,033,872  $13,871  $9,349 
Restricted cash  501,780   500,809   502   502 
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash $9,850,800  $9,534,681  $14,373  $9,851 

As of December 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, the Company had restricted cash of $501,780502 and $500,809, respectively, which serves as collateral for certain credit card merchant accounts with a bank.

 

F-19F-20

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company receives payments from advertising customers based upon contractual payment terms; accounts receivable is recorded when the right to consideration becomes unconditional and are generally collected within 90 days. The Company generally receives payments from digital and print subscription customers at the time of sign up for each subscription; accounts receivable from merchant credit card processors are recorded when the right to consideration becomes unconditional and are generally collected weekly. Accounts receivable are written off when deemed uncollectible and collection of the receivable is no longer being actively pursued. Accounts receivable as of December 31, 20212022 and 20202021 of $21,659,84733,950 and $16,497,62621,660, respectively, are presented net of allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $1,578,3572,236 and $892,3521,578, respectively.respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets.

Subscription Acquisition Costs

Subscription acquisition costs include the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer, paid to external parties, if itthe Company expects to recover those costs. The Company has determined that sales commissions paid on all third-party agent sales of subscriptions are direct and incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer and, therefore, meet the capitalization criteria. The Company has elected to apply the practical expedient to amortize these costs at the portfolio level. The sales commissions paid to third-party agents are amortized as the magazines are sent to the subscriber on an issue-by-issue basis. The Company determined that commissions paid for subscriber renewal contracts to all third-party agents are not from a specifically anticipated future contract, therefore, the commissions paid on renewals are amortized as the magazines are sent to the subscriber over the renewal term on an issue-by-issue basis. Direct mail costs alsofor renewal subscriptions are expensed as incurred since they do not meet the requirements to be capitalized as assets if they are proven to be recoverable. The incremental costscapitalization criteria.

Amortization of obtaining a contract are amortized as revenue is recognized or over the term of the agreement. The Company had no asset impairment charges related to the subscription acquisition costs duringof $37,190 and $46,264 for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, are included within selling and 2020.marketing expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. No impairment losses have been recognized for subscription acquisition costs for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.

The Contract Modifications resulted in subscription acquisition costs to be recognized on a prospective basis in the same proportion as the revenue that has not yet been recognized.

 

As of December 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, subscription acquisition costs were $38,397,07740,064 (short-term of $30,162,52425,931 and long-term of $8,234,55314,133) and $41,505,48038,397 (short-term of $28,146,89530,162 and long-term of $13,358,5858,235), respectively.respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets. Subscription acquisition cost as of December 31, 20212022 presented as current assets of $30,162,52425,931 are expected to be amortized during the year ending December 31, 20212023 and $8,234,55314,133 presented as long-term assets are expected to be amortized after the year ending December 31, 2021.2024.

 

Concentrations

 

Significant Customers – Concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited to customers to whom the Company makes significant sales. While a reserve for the potential write-off of accounts receivable is maintained, the Company has not written off any significant accounts to date. To control credit risk, the Company performs regular credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition.

 

Revenue from a significant customercustomers as a percentage of the Company’s total revenue representsrepresent 13.9% and 11.3% and NaNfrom a customer for the years ended December 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively.

 

A significantSignificant accounts receivable balancebalances as a percentage of the Company’s total accounts receivable representsrepresent 0.0% and 10.7% and NaNfrom a customer for the years ended December 31, 20212022, and 2020,2021, respectively.

 

Significant Vendors – Concentrations of risk with respect to third party vendors who provide products and services to the Company are limited. If not limited, such concentrations could impact profitability if a vendor failed to fulfill their obligations or if a significant vendor was unable to renew an existing contract and the Company was not able to replace the related product or service at the same cost.

 

A significantSignificant accounts payable balancebalances as a percentage of the Company’s total accounts payable representsrepresent 14.1%, and 10.5% and NaNfrom a vendor for the years ended December 31, 20212022, and 2020,2021, respectively.

 

F-20F-21

 

Leases

 

The Company has lease arrangements for certain equipment and its offices. Leases are recorded as an operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. At inception, the Company determines whether an arrangement that provides control over the use of an asset is a lease. When it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise the renewal period, the Company includes the impact of the renewal in the lease term for purposes of determining total future lease payments. Rent expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Major improvements are capitalized, while maintenanceMaintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Gains and losses from disposition of property and equipment are included inon the statementstatements of operations when realized. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:

 Schedule of Depreciation and Amortization, Useful Lives of Assets

Office equipment and computers13 years
Furniture and fixtures15 years
Leasehold improvementsShorter of remaining lease term or estimated useful life

 

Platform Development

 

The Company capitalizes platform development costs for internal use when planning and design efforts are successfully completed, and development is ready to commence. The Company places capitalized platform development assets into service and commences amortization when the applicable project or asset is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Once placed into service, the Company capitalizes qualifying costs of specified upgrades or enhancements to capitalized platform development assets when the upgrade or enhancement will result in new or additional functionality.

 

The Company capitalizes internal labor costs, including payroll-based and stock-based compensation, benefits and payroll taxes, that are incurred for certain capitalized platform development projects related to the Company’s technology platform. The Company’s policy with respect to capitalized internal labor stipulates that labor costs for employees working on eligible internal use capital projects are capitalized as part of the historical cost of the project when the impact, as compared to expensing such labor costs, is material.

 

Platform development costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over three years, which is the estimated useful life of the related asset and is recorded in cost of revenues on the consolidated statements of operations.

F-21

 

Business Combinations

 

The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquisition method of accounting requires that the purchase price, including the fair value of contingent consideration, of the acquisition be allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed using the estimated fair values determined by management as of the acquisition date. Goodwill is measured as the excess of consideration transferred and the net fair values of the assets acquired, and the liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition. While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions as part of the purchase price allocation process to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, the Company’s estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, the Company records adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill to the extent the Company identifies adjustments to the preliminary purchase price allocation. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to the consolidated statements of operations. Additionally, the Company identifies acquisition-related contingent payments and determines their respective fair values as of the acquisition date, which are recorded as accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Subsequent changes in fair value of contingent payments are recorded on the consolidated statements of operations. The Company expenses transaction costs related to the acquisition as incurred.

 

F-22

Intangible Assets

 

IntangiblesIntangible assets with finite lives, consisting of developed technology and trade names, are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated economic lives of the assets. A finite lived intangible asset is tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. IntangiblesIntangible assets with an indefinite useful life are not being amortized.

 

Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company periodically evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used when events or circumstances warrant such a review. The carrying value of a long-lived asset to be held and used is considered impaired when the anticipated separately identifiable undiscounted cash flows from such an asset are less than the carrying value of the asset. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the long-lived asset. Fair value is determined primarily by reference to the anticipated cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved.

 

Goodwill

 

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets of businesses acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized but rather is tested for impairment at least annually on December 31, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill may not be recoverable. The Company operates as one reporting unit, therefore, the impairment test is performed at the consolidated entity level. Recoverability of goodwill is determined by comparing the fair value of Company’s reporting unit to the carrying value of the underlying net assets in the reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit is determined to be less than the carrying value of its net assets, goodwill is deemed impaired, and an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the difference between the fair value of the reporting unit and the fair value of its other assets and liabilities. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, management determined there were no indications of impairment.

F-22

 

Deferred Financing Costs and Discounts on Debt Obligations

Debt Costs

Debt Deferred financing costs consist of cash and noncash consideration paid to lenders and third parties with respect to convertible debt and other financing transactions, including legal fees and placement agent fees. Such costs are deferred and amortized over the term of the related debt. Upon the settlement of debt or conversion of convertible debt into common stock, under certain circumstances, the pro rata portion of any related unamortized deferred financingdebt costs are charged to operations.

 

Additional consideration in the form of warrants and other derivative financial instruments issued to lenders isare accounted for at fair value utilizing information determined by consultants with the Company’s independent valuation firm. The fair value of warrants and derivatives are recorded as a reduction to the carrying amount of the related debt and are being amortized to interest expense over the term of such debt, with the initial offsetting entries recorded as a liability on the balance sheet. Upon the settlement or conversion of convertiblethe debt into common stock, under certain circumstances, the pro rata portion of any related unamortized discount on debt cost is charged to operations.

 

Liquidated Damages

 

Liquidated damages are provided asincurred when: (i) a result of the following: (i) certain registration rights agreements provideagreement provides for damages if the Company does not register certainthe shares of the Company’s common stock within the requisite time frame (the “Registration Rights Damages”);, which, in general, provides for a cash payment equal to 1.0% per month of the amount invested, on a daily pro rata basis for any portion of a month, as partial liquidated damages per month, upon the occurrence of certain events, up to a maximum amount of 6.0% of the aggregate amount invested, subject to interest at the rate of 1.0% per month until paid in full; and (ii) certaina securities purchase agreements provideagreement provides for damages if the Company does not maintain its periodic filingsfails for any reason to satisfy a public information requirement within the requisite time frame with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) within the requisite time frame (the “Public Information Failure Damages”), which, in general, provides for a cash payment equal to 1.0% of the aggregate amount invested for each 30-day period, or pro rata portion thereof, as partial liquidated damages per month, up to a maximum of 6 months, subject to interest at the rate of 1.0% per month until paid in full. Obligations with respect toCollectively, the Registration Rights Damages and the Public Information Failure Damages (collectively,are referred to as the “Liquidated Damages”) are accounted for as contingent obligations when it is deemed probable the obligations would not be satisfied at the time a financing is completed and are subsequently reviewed at each quarter-end reporting date thereafter. When such quarterly review indicates that it is probable that the Liquidated Damages will be incurred, the Company records an estimate of each such obligation at the balance sheet date based on the amount due of such obligation.consolidated balance sheets.

F-23

 

Selling and Marketing

 

Selling and marketing expenses consist of compensation, employee benefits and stock-based compensation of selling and marketing, account management support teams, as well as commissions, travel, trade show sponsorships and events, conferences and advertising costs. The Company’s advertising expenses relate to direct-mail costs for magazine subscription acquisition efforts, and print and digital advertising. Advertising costsadvertising that are not capitalized are expensed the first time the advertisingwhen an advertisement takes place. During the years ended December 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, the Company incurred advertising expenses of $5,942,759 5,987and $3,583,1166,962, respectively, which are included within selling and marketing on the consolidated statements of operations.

 

General and Administrative

 

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of payroll for executive personnel, technology personnel incurred in developing conceptual formulation and determination of existence of needed technology, and administrative personnel along with any related payroll costs; professional services, including accounting, legal and insurance; facilities costs; conferences; other general corporate expenses; and stock-based compensation of related personnel.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company accountsaccounted for freestanding contracts that arewere settled in the Company’s equity securities, including common stock warrants, to be designated as an equity instrument, and generally as a liability. A contract so designated iswas carried at fair value on a company’sthe consolidated balance sheet,sheets, with any changes in fair value recorded as a gain or loss in a company’s resultson the consolidated statements of operations.

 

F-23

The Company recordsrecorded all derivatives on the consolidated balance sheetsheets at fair value, adjusted at the end of each reporting period to reflect any material changes in fair value, with any such changes classified as changes in derivatives valuation in the statementconsolidated statements of operations. The calculation of the fair value of derivatives utilizesutilized highly subjective and theoretical assumptions that cancould have materially affectaffected fair values from period to period. The recognition of these derivative amounts doesdid not have any impact on cash flows.

 

At the date of exercisesettlement of any of the warrants,a freestanding equity contract or the conversion of any convertible debt or preferred stock into common stock warrants, the pro rata fair value of the related warrant liability and any embedded derivative liability iswas transferred to additional paid-in capital.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The authoritative guidance with respect to fair value established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels and requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of three categories, as presented below. Disclosure as to transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2, and activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, is also required.

 

Level 1. Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for an identical asset or liability that the Company has the ability to access as of the measurement date. Financial assets and liabilities utilizing Level 1 inputs include active-exchange traded securities and exchange-based derivatives.

 

F-24

Level 2. Inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, which are directly observable for the asset or liability or indirectly observable through corroboration with observable market data. Financial assets and liabilities utilizing Level 2 inputs include fixed income securities, non-exchange-based derivatives, mutual funds, and fair-value hedges.

 

Level 3. Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data for the asset or liability which requires the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions. Financial assets and liabilities utilizing Level 3 inputs include infrequently traded non-exchange-based derivatives and commingled investment funds and are measured using present value pricing models.

 

The Company determines the level in the fair value hierarchy within which each fair value measurement falls in its entirety, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. In determining the appropriate levels, the Company performs an analysis of the assets and liabilities at each reporting period end.

 

The carrying amount of the Company’s financial instruments comprising of cash, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Preferred stock (the “Preferred Stock”) (as described in Note 20)21) is reported as a mezzanine obligation between liabilities and stockholders’ deficiency. If it becomes probable that the Preferred Stock will become redeemable, the Company will re-measure the Preferred Stock by adjusting the carrying value to the redemption value of the Preferred Stock assuming each balance sheet date is a redemption date.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company provides stock-based compensation in the form of (a) stock awards to employees and directors, comprised of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, (b) stock option grants to employees, directors and consultants, (c) common stock warrants to Publisher Partners (no warrants were issued during the years ended December 31, 20212022 or 2020)2021) (further details are provided under the headingheadings Publisher Partner Warrants and New Publisher Partner Warrants in Note 22)23), and (d) common stock warrants to ABG (further details are provided under the heading ABG Warrants in Note 22)23).

F-24

 

The Company accounts for stock awards and stock option grants to employees, directors and consultants, and non-employee awards to certain directors and consultants by measuring the cost of services received in exchange for the stock-based payments as compensation expense in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Stock awards and stock option grants to employees and non-employees which are time-vested, are measured at fair value on the grant date, and charged to operations ratably over the vesting period. Stock awards and stock option grants to employees and non-employees which are performance-vested, are measured at fair value on the grant date and charged to operations when the performance condition is satisfied or over the service.

 

The fair value measurement of equitystock awards and grants used for stock-based compensation is as follows: (1) restricted stock awards and restricted stock units which are time-vested, are determined using the quoted market price of the Company’s common stock at the grant date; (2) stock option grants which are time-vested and performance-vested, are determined utilizing the Black-Scholes option-pricing model at the grant date; (3) restricted stock units and stock option grants which provide for market-based vesting with a time-vesting overlay, are determined through consultants with the Company’s independent valuation firm using the Monte Carlo model at the grant date; (4) Publisher Partner Warrants arewere determined utilizing the Black-Scholes option-pricing model; and (5) ABG warrants are determined utilizing the Monte Carlo model (further details are provided in Note 22)23).

 

Fair value determined under the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and Monte Carlo model is affected by several variables, the most significant of which are the life of the equitystock award, the exercise price of the stock option or warrants, as compared to the fair market value of the common stock on the grant date, and the estimated volatility of the common stock over the term of the equitystock award. Estimated volatility iswas determined under the (1) “Probability Weighted Scenarios” where one scenario assumes that the Company’s common stock will be up-listed on a national stock exchange (the “Exchange”) on a certain listing date (the “Up-list”) where the estimated volatility was based on evaluating the average historical volatility of a group of peer companies that are publicly traded and the second scenario assumes that the Company’s common stock is not up-listed on the Exchange prior to the final vesting date of the grants (the “No Up-list”) where the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock and iswas evaluated based upon market comparisons.comparisons; and the (2) “Up-list Scenario” where the Company estimated volatility based on evaluating the average historical volatility of a group of peer companies that are publicly traded after the Company up-listed to the NYSE American. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The fair market value of common stock is determined by reference to the quoted market price of the Company’s common stock.

 

The fair value of the stock options granted are probability weighted under the Black-Scholes option-pricing model or Monte Carlo model as determined through consultants with the Company’s independent valuation firm since the value of the stock options, among other things, depend on the volatility of the underlying shares of the Company’s common stock, under the following two scenarios: (1) scenario one assumes that the Company’s common stock will be up-listed on a national stock exchange (the “Exchange”) on a certain listing date (the “Up-list”); and (2) scenario two assumes that the Company’s common stock is not up-listed on the Exchange prior to the final vesting date of the grants (the “No Up-list”), collectively referred to as the “Probability Weighted Scenarios”.

F-25

 

The Company has elected to recognize forfeitures as they occur and to recognize stock-based compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the total requisite service period for awards with graded vesting. The Company classifies stock-based compensation cost on its consolidated statements of operations in the same manner in which the award recipient’s cash compensation cost is classified.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to operating loss carryforwards and temporary differences between financial statement bases of existing assets and liabilities and their respective income tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted income tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in the income tax rates on deferred tax asset and liability balances is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date of such rate change. A valuation allowance is recorded for loss carryforwards and other deferred tax assets when it is determined that it is more likely than not that such loss carryforwards and deferred tax assets will not be realized.

 

The Company follows accounting guidance that sets forth a threshold for financial statement recognition, measurement, and disclosure of a tax position taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. Such guidance requires the Company to determine whether a tax position of the Company is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on technical merits of the position.

 

F-25

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 underlying restrictions expire, the shares are no longer forfeitable, and are thus vested. All restrictedRestricted stock units are included in the computation of basic loss per common share only when the underlying 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. Common stock equivalent shares are excluded from the computation if their effect is anti-dilutive.

 

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 income 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.

 

F-26

Schedule of Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

 As of December 31,  As of December 31, 
 2021 2020  2022 2021 
Series G Preferred Stock  8,582   8,582   8,582   8,582 
Series H Preferred Stock  2,075,200   2,699,312   1,981,128   2,075,200 
Restricted Stock Awards  194,806   14,394 
Financing Warrants  116,118   131,003   107,956   116,118 
ABG Warrants  999,540   999,540   999,540   999,540 
AllHipHop Warrants  5,681   5,681   5,681   5,681 
Publisher Partner Warrants  35,607   35,888   4,154   35,607 
Common Stock Awards  293,341   313,742 
Common Equity Awards  6,907,454   3,730,106 
Outside Options  138,637   138,728 
Restricted stock awards  97,403   194,806 
Restricted stock units  994,766   1,636,111 
Common stock options  6,199,521   5,525,395 
Total  10,774,966   8,076,976   10,398,731   10,597,040 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In August 2018,2020, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13,2020-06, Technical CorrectionsDebt – Debt with Conversion and Improvements to Financial InstrumentsOther Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and HedgingOverallContracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities815-40), which changesupdates various codification topics to simplify the fair value measurement disclosure requirements. The update removes, modifies,accounting guidance for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and adds certain additional disclosures.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, 2021,2022, the Company adopted ASU 2018-13 with no material impact to its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which removes certain exceptions related to the approach for intra-period tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period, and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. This guidance also clarifies and simplifies other areas of ASC 740. Certain amendments in this update must be applied on a prospective basis, certain amendments must be applied on a retrospective basis, and certain amendments must be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings/(deficit) in the period of adoption. On January 1, 2021, the Company adopted ASU 2019-122020-06 with no material impact to its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In October 2020,May 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2020-08,2021-04, Codification Improvements Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Debt-Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic470-50), 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 Subtopic 310-20 – Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs, which clarifiesprovide explicit guidance on accounting by issuers for modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options that a reporting entity should assess whether a callable debt security purchased at a premium is withinremain equity classified after the scope of ASC 310-20-35-33 each reporting period, which impacts the amortization period for nonrefundable fees and other costs.modification or exchange. On January 1, 2021,2022, the Company adopted ASU 2020-082021-04 with no material impact to its consolidated financial statements.position, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures.

F-26

 

In October 2020,2021, the FASB issued ASU 2020-10,2021-08, Codification ImprovementsBusiness Combinations (Topic 805), Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers, which updates various codification topics by clarifying or improving disclosure requirementsrequires an acquirer to alignaccount for revenue contracts acquired in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606 as if it had originated the SEC’s regulations.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, 2021,2022, the Company adopted ASU 2020-102021-08 with no material impact to its consolidated financial statements.position, results of operations or cash flows. This new accounting standard will be applied prospectively to business combinations.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

In August 2020,March 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06,2022-02, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt – Debt with ConversionRestructurings and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40)Vintage Disclosures, , which updates various codification topics to simplifyaddressing areas identified by the FASB as part of its post-implementation review of its previously issued credit losses standard (ASU 2016-13) that introduced the current expected credit losses (CECL) model. ASU 2022-02 eliminates the accounting guidance for troubled debt restructurings by creditors that have adopted the CECL model and enhances disclosure requirements for certain loan refinancings and restructurings made with borrowers experiencing financial instruments with characteristicsdifficulty. This update requires an entity to disclose current-period gross write-offs for financing receivables and net investment in leases by year of liabilities and equity, with a specific focus on convertible instruments andorigination in the derivative scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity and amendsvintage disclosures. As the diluted EPS computation for these instruments.Company has already adopted ASU 2020-062016-13, the new guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periodsthe fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, with early2022 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption permitted for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company will adopt ASU 2020-06 as of the reporting period beginning January 1, 2022.is permitted. The adoption of this updateASU 2022-02 is not expected to have a material effectimpact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

F-27

In May 2021,June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2021-04,2022-03, Earnings Per ShareFair Value Measurement (Topic 260)820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions, 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 Exchangeswhich clarifies that a contractual restriction on the sale of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options, a consensusan equity security is not considered part of the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF), to provide explicit guidance on accounting by issuers for modifications or exchangesunit of freestanding equity-classified written call options that remainaccount of the equity classified after the modification or exchange. ASU 2021-04security and, therefore, is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2021. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this update will have on its consolidated financial statements.

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 acquirednot considered 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.measuring fair value. This update should leadalso clarifies that an entity cannot, as a separate unit of account, recognize and measure a contractual sale restriction and requires certain disclosures for equity securities subject 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 U.S. GAAP. The new standard marks a change from current U.S. 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.contractual sale restrictions. ASU 2021-082022-03 is effective for the Company in the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2022, including2023, and interim periods within the fiscal year, and should be applied prospectively to business combinations on or after the effective date of the amendment.year. Early adoption is permitted including adoption in anfor both interim period. The Company will adopt ASU 2021-08 as of the reporting period beginning January 1, 2022.and annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adoptingthe adoption of this new accounting standard wouldwill have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, authoritative guidance, if currently adopted, would have a material impact on the Company’s financial statement presentation or disclosures.

 

3. Discontinued Operations

The Company, upon Board approval on September 15, 2022, discontinued (i.e., the “discontinued operations”) the Parade print business (“Parade Print”) that was acquired on April 1, 2022 (as part of the Parade acquisition, as further described below in Note 4), on November 13, 2022 (the last date of any obligation to deliver issues of Parade Print).

The table below sets forth the loss from discontinued operations for the period from April 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022:

Schedule of Discontinued Operations

     
Revenue $26,817 
Cost of revenue  23,015 
Gross profit  3,802 
Operating expense    
Selling and marketing  5,396 
General and administrative  1,722 
Loss on impairment of assets  209 
Total operating expenses  7,327 
Loss from discontinued operations  (3,525)
Income tax benefit  55 
Net loss from discontinued operations $(3,470)

The discontinued operations of Parade Print also included Relish and Spry Living print products that were acquired as part of the Parade acquisition. An existing purchase commitment for paper used in the production of Parade Print has been recognized as part of the discontinued operations. During the year ended December 31, 2022, as part of the discontinued operations, the Company recognized $750 of severance and related commissions for certain employees, where it identified a number of Parade employees who were primarily focused on Parade Print that departed in a one-time restructuring.

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded depreciation and amortization of $0; and operating and investing noncash items of $209 and $0, respectively, as part of the discontinued operations.

F-28

4.Acquisitions

The Company uses the acquisition method of accounting, which is based on ASC, Business Combinations (Topic 805), and uses the fair value concepts which requires, among other things, that most assets acquired, and liabilities assumed be recognized at their fair values as of the acquisition date.

2022 Acquisitions

Athlon Holdings, Inc. - On April 1, 2022, the Company acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Athlon Holdings, Inc. (or Parade), a Tennessee corporation, for a purchase price of $15,854, as adjusted for the working capital adjustment as of the closing date of the transaction. The working capital adjustment is pending acceptance by the sellers (further details are provided in Note 28). 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 purchase price of $15,854, as discounted, is comprised of (i) a cash portion of $12,827, with $11,840 paid at closing and $987 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 Parade’s key employees entered into either advisory agreements or employment agreements with the Company. Parade operates in the United States.

The amount estimated to be paid post-closing of $987 will be or was paid as follows: (i) $742 is expected to be paid upon receipts of certain tax refunds due to the sellers (consisting of $3,000 for the deferred cash payments, as discounted, less a $2,258 cash adjustment); and (ii) $245 was paid within two business days from the date the Company received proceeds from the sale of the equity interest in Just Like Falling Off a Bike, LLC that was held by Parade as of the closing date (paid on April 7, 2022).

The Company received a final valuation report from a third-party valuation firm after the preliminary purchase price was adjusted during the quarterly period ended September 30, 2022. After considering the results of the final valuation report, the Company estimated that the purchase consideration decreased by $321. The decrease in the purchase price was related to an increase in identifiable assets of $54, an increase in deferred tax liabilities of $27, with a decrease in the working capital adjustment of $321, resulting in a decrease in goodwill of $348.

The composition of the purchase price is as follows:

Schedule of Preliminary Purchase Price

     
Cash $12,085 
Common stock  3,141 
Deferred cash payments, as discounted  628 
Total purchase consideration $15,854 

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.

F-27F-29

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:

Summary of Price Allocation for Acquisition

     
Cash $2,604 
Accounts receivable  10,855 
Other current assets  1,337 
Equity investment  2,450 
Fixed assets  108 
Digital content  355 
Advertiser relationships  6,202 
Trade names  2,261 
Goodwill  2,587 
Accounts payable  (7,416)
Accrued expenses and other  (2,440)
Unearned revenue  (1,203)
Other long-term liabilities  (543)
Deferred tax liabilities  (1,303)
Net assets acquired $15,854 

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 digital content was determined using a cost approach. 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 life is two years (2.00 years) for digital content, eight point seventy-five years (8.75 years) for advertiser relationships, and fourteen point five years (14.50 years) for trade names.

The excess 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 related to the acquisition will be deductible for tax purposes.

F-30

Supplemental Pro forma Information

The following table summarizes the results of continuing operations of the Parade acquisition from the acquisition date included in the consolidated results of continuing operations and the unaudited pro forma results of continuing operations of the combined entity had the date of the acquisition been January 1, 2021:

Schedule of Supplemental Proforma Information

  2022  2021 
  Years Ended December 31, 
  2022  2021 
Parade continuing operations from acquisition date of April 1, 2022 (unaudited):        
Revenue $13,253  $- 
Net loss  1,086   - 
Combined entity continuing operations supplemental pro forma information had the acquisition date been January 1, 2021 (unaudited):        
Revenue:        
Parade $17,522  $19,522 
Arena  207,682   189,140 
Total continuing operations supplemental pro forma revenue $225,204  $208,662 
Net income (loss):        
Parade $1,222  $2,872 
Arena  (68,474)  (89,940)
Adjustments  (1,967)  (49)
Total continuing operations supplemental pro forma net loss $(69,219) $(87,117)

The information presented above is for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of results that would have been achieved if the acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of the Company’s reporting period.

The adjustments for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 of ($1,967) and ($49), respectively, represents adjustments: (1) to record depreciation and amortization expense related to the fixed and intangible assets acquired from the acquisition of ($864) and ($1,152); (2) to record (reverse) the nonrecurring transaction cost related to the acquisition of $200 and ($200); and (3) to record the deferred tax (benefit) provision related to the acquisition of ($1,303) and $1,303, respectively.

Buffalo Groupe, LLC – On September 27, 2022, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Buffalo Groupe, LLC, doing business as Morning Read, where it purchased certain intellectual properties, certain assumed contracts, and other certain rights related to the intellectual properties (collectively, the “Morning Read Purchased Assets”) and assumed certain liabilities related to the Morning Read Purchased Assets. The purchase consideration consisted of a cash payment of $850 at closing.

The Company accounted for the acquisition as an asset acquisition in accordance with ASC 805-50, as substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired by the Company is concentrated in a group of similar identifiable assets.

The purchase consideration totaled $850, which was assigned to the brand name acquired on the closing date of the acquisition. The useful life for the brand name is ten years (10.0 years).

A360 Media, LLC – On December 15, 2022 (the closing date), pursuant to an asset purchase agreement entered into December 7, 2022, the Company acquired certain assets and liabilities from Weider Publications, a subsidiary of A360 Media, LLC (or Men’s Journal) related to the digital media operations of Men’s Journal and other men’s active lifestyle brands. The Company paid $25,000 in cash for the acquisition consisting of: (i) $23,000 paid at closing; (ii) $1,000 deposited into an escrow account to be released in accordance with the terms of the agreement, subject to adjustments for any indemnification payments; and (iii) $1,000 paid in November 2022. The Company also assumed certain liabilities consisting of: (i) $1,430 an assumed lease obligation, as discounted (representing $3,189 in deferred payments over twenty-seven months (27) for the assumption of a lease obligation); and (ii) $4,078 in deferred revenue obligations to deliver certain publications to the subscribers of Men’s Journal ($3,941 in unearned revenue after consideration of an estimated subscription refund liability of $137). In accordance with the practical expedients under ASU 2021-08, the Company has elected to apply (i) the practical expedient to the modification of the subscriber contracts at the acquisition date to determine the performance obligations and transaction price; and (ii) to use the estimated selling price of a subscriber contract as the standalone selling price of the replacement magazine based on the number of magazines expected to be delivered to the Men’s Journal subscribers to satisfy the performance obligations. The agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants. Men’s Journal operates in the United States.

F-31

The Company accounted for the asset acquisition as a business combination in accordance with ASC 805 since the acquisition met the definition of a business under the applicable guidance.

The Company incurred $283 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:

Schedule of Preliminary Price Allocation

     
Lease deposit receivable $420 
Advertiser relationships  6,860 
Brand names  6,090 
Goodwill  17,138 
Unearned revenue  (3,941)
Subscription refund liability  (137)
Assumed lease obligation  (1,430)
Net assets acquired $25,000 

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 advertiser relationships were determined by applying the multi-period earnings method of the income approach and the fair values of the brand names were determined by applying the relief-from-royalty method. The estimated weighted average useful life is twelve and one-half years (12.5 years) for the advertiser relationships and eleven years (11.0 years) for the brand names.

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. A portion of the goodwill will be deductible for tax purposes.

Supplemental Pro forma Information

The pro forma disclosures have been deemed impracticable for this acquisition since after making reasonable efforts the Company is unable to accept assumptions made by Men’s Journal. The Company has determined, based on the information provided by Men’s Journal and made available to the Company, that the earnings from the prior periods could not be verified since the acquisition only included certain activities of Men’s Journal and financial statements were not available. In this regard, the Company: (1) made reasonable effort to obtain certain financial results of the certain activities but Men’s Journal was unable to apply the requirement; and (2) the presentation of the pro forma results and the assumptions made by management were unable be independently substantiated.

 

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 (“(or The Spun”)Spun), for an aggregate of $11,829,893 11,830in cash and the issuance of an aggregate of 194,806restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, with one-half of the shares vesting on the first anniversary of the closing date(vested on June 4, 2022) 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.closing. The cash payment consists of: (i) $10,829,893 10,830paid at closing (of the cash paid at closing, $829,893 830represents adjusted cash pursuant to the working capital adjustments), and (ii) $500,000 500to be paid on the first anniversary of the closing ($500 paid on June 4, 2022 consisted of principal of $453 and imputed interest of $47) and $500,000 500to be paid on the second anniversary date of the closing. The vesting of one-half of the shares of the Company’s common stock isremain subject to the continued employment of certain selling employees. The Spun operates in the United States.

 

F-32

The composition of the purchase price is as follows:

Schedule of Preliminary Purchase Price

    
Cash $10,829,893  $10,830 
Deferred cash payments, as discounted  905,109   905 
Total purchase consideration $11,735,002  $11,735 

 

The Company incurred $128,076128 in transaction costs related to the acquisition, which primarily consisted of legal and accounting. The acquisition relatedacquisition-related expenses were recorded within general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company received a final valuation report from a third-party valuation firm after the preliminary purchase price was recorded for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2021. After considering the results of that valuation report, the Company estimated the fair value 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:

Summary of Price Allocation for Acquisition

    
Cash $3,214,436  $3,214 
Accounts receivable  1,772,025   1,772 
Other current assets  4,567   5 
Brand name  5,175,136   5,175 
Goodwill  3,479,290   3,479 
Accrued expenses  (84,732)  (85)
Deferred tax liabilities  (1,825,720)  (1,825)
Net assets acquired $11,735,002  $11,735 

 

The Company utilized an independent appraisal 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 (1010.0.0 years).

 

The excess ofexcess-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.

F-28

Fulltime Fantasy Sports, LLC – On July 15, 2021, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Fulltime Fantasy Sports, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Fulltime Fantasy”), where it purchased certain intellectual property, (including databases, documents and certain rights related to the intellectual property), subscriber and customer records, and other certain rights related to the intellectual property (collectively the “Purchased“Fulltime Fantasy Purchased Assets”) and assumed certain liabilities related to the Fulltime Fantasy Purchased Assets. The purchase price consisted of: (1)(i) a cash payment of $335,000 335(paid (paid in advance), including transaction related costs of $35,00035, (2)(ii) the issuance of 34,092shares the Company’s restricted common stock (subject to certain vesting earn-out provisions and certain buy-back rights), with 11,364shares of the Company’srestricted common stock which vested at closing, and (3)(iii) a cash earn-out payment of $225,000450 (paid($225 paid in January 2022)2022 and $225 paid June 2022) and 11,364 22,728shares of the Company’srestricted common stock (vested(11,364 vested on December 31, 2021). The remaining consideration of a cash earn-out payment of $2021 and 225,000 11,364is due vested on June 30, 2022 and the vesting of 11,364 shares of the Company’s common stock, which vests on June 30, 2022, is subject to certain terms and conditions and the material breach of certain agreements and acceleration provisions.2022).

 

The Company accounted for the acquisition as an asset acquisition in accordance with ASC 805-50, as substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired by the Company is concentrated in a group of similar identifiable assets. All direct acquisition relatedacquisition-related costs of $35,00035 are assigned to the assets in relation to the relative fair value of the acquired assets and recorded as part of the consideration transferred.

 

F-33

The composition of the purchase price is as follows:

Schedule of Preliminary Purchase Price 

 $335,000     
Cash (including $35,000 of transaction related costs) $335,000 
Cash (including $35 of transaction related costs) $335 
Restricted stock  167,500   168 
Deferred cash payments  419,387   419 
Deferred restricted stock  335,000   335 
Total purchase consideration $1,256,887  $1,257 

 

The purchase price resulted in $1,256,8871,257 (including $35,00035 of transaction related costs) being assigned to a database acquired at the closing date of the acquisition. The useful life for the database is three years (33.0.0 years).

 

5.

2020 Acquisitions

Petametrics Inc. – On March 9, 2020, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Petametrics Inc., doing business as LiftIgniter, a Delaware corporation (“LiftIgniter”), where it purchased substantially all the assets, including the intellectual propertyPrepayments and excluding certain accounts receivable, and assumed certain liabilities. The purchase price consisted of: (1) a cash payment of $184,087 Other Current Assetson February 19, 2020, in connection with the repayment of all outstanding indebtedness, (2) at closing, a cash payment of $131,202, (3) collections of certain accounts receivable, (4) on the first anniversary date of the closing, the issuance of restricted stock for an aggregate of up to 14,205 shares of the Company’s common stock (of which 11,667 shares of the Company’s common stock were issued during the year ended December 31, 2021 with 2,539 shares to be issued), and (5) on the second anniversary date of the closing, the issuance of restricted stock for an aggregate of up to 14,205 shares (subject to certain indemnifications) of the Company’s common stock.

 

The composition of the purchase price is as follows:

Schedule of Preliminary Purchase Price

Cash $315,289 
Indemnity restricted stock units for shares of common stock  500,000 
Total purchase consideration $815,289 

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:

Summary of Price Allocation for Acquisition

Accounts receivable $37,908 
Developed technology  917,762 
Accounts payable  (53,494)
Unearned revenue  (86,887)
Net assets acquired $815,289 

The useful life for the developed technology is three years (3.0 years).

F-29

4.Prepayments and Other Current Assets

Prepayments and other current assets are summarized as follows:

Schedule of Prepayments and Other Current Assets

 2021 2020  2022 2021 
 As of December 31,  As of December 31, 
 2021 2020  2022 2021 
Prepaid expenses $3,467,075  $3,400,080  $2,321  $2,978 
Prepaid supplies  927   487 
Prepaid software license  128,525   378,488   -   129 
Refundable income and franchise taxes  744,642   733,553   957   745 
Security deposits  -   92,494 
Unamortized debt costs  216   - 
Other receivables  407,605   62,648   20   409 
Prepayments and other current assets $4,747,847  $4,667,263 
Total prepayments and other current assets $4,441  $4,748 

 

5.6. Royalty Fees

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, $11,250,000 and $26,250,000, respectively, of royaltyRoyalty fees were unamortized from the $45,000,000 guaranteed minimum annualrepresent royalties that was prepaiddue to ABG in connection with the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement. The Company’s guaranteed minimum annual royalties are being recognized over$15,000, subject to certain provisions, with payment to be made in advance on a period of three-years starting October 4, 2019.quarterly basis. The royalty fee payments are amortized monthly. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the current portion of $11,250,000 0 and $was11,250, respectively, were paid in advance and reflected within royalty fees, current portion on the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2020, the current portion of $15,000,000 was reflected within royalty fees, current portion on the consolidated balance sheets and the long-term portion of $11,250,000 was reflected within royalty fees, net of current portionassets on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

6.

7.Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are summarized as follows:

Schedule of Property and Equipment

 2022 2021 
 As of December 31,  As of December 31, 
 2021 2020  2022 2021 
Office equipment and computers $1,344,532  $1,341,292  $1,744  $1,345 
Furniture and fixtures  1,005   19,997   240   1 
Leasehold improvements  -   345,516 
  1,345,537   1,706,805 
Property and equipment, Gross  1,984   1,346 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization  (709,769)  (577,367)  (1,249)  (710)
Net property and equipment $635,768  $1,129,438  $735  $636 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 20212022 and 20202021 was $443,422539 and $638,796443, respectively. DepreciationImpairment charges for property and amortization expense is included in sellingequipment for the years ended December 31, 2022 and marketing expenses2021 of $0 and general and administrative expenses, as appropriate,$425, respectively, have been recorded on the consolidated statements of operations. No impairment charges have been recorded in the periods presented.

 

7.8. Leases

The Company’s real estate lease for the use of office space was subleased during the year ended December 31, 2021.2022. The Company determines whether an arrangement contains a lease at inception. Lease assets and liabilities are recognized upon commencement of the lease based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The lease term includes options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. The Company’s current lease is a long-term operating lease with a remaining fixed payment term of 2.75 1.75years.

 

F-30F-34

 

The table below presents supplemental information related to operating leases:

 Schedule of Supplemental Information Related to Operating Leases

 Years Ended December 31,  As of December 31, 
 2021 2020  2022 2021 
Operating lease costs during the year (1) $2,718,499  $4,054,423  $969  $2,500 
Cash payments included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities during the year $2,787,266  $3,188,986   469   2,787 
Operating lease liabilities arising from obtaining lease right-of-use assets during the year $-  $16,617,790   -   - 
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years) as of year-end  2.75   11.25   1.75   2.75 
Weighted-average discount rate during the year  9.90%  13.57%  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 most of 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, such as maintenance and utilities.

 

The components of operating lease costs were follows:

 Schedule of Operating Lease Costs

      2022 2021 
 Years Ended December 31,  As of December 31, 
 2021 2020  2022 2021 
Operating lease costs:                
Cost of revenue $1,797,327  $2,380,002  $-  $1,797 
Selling and marketing  515,868   523,323   -   516 
General and administrative  405,304   1,151,098   1,187   405 
Total operating lease costs (1) $2,718,499  $4,054,423 
Total operating costs (1)  1,187   2,718 
Less sublease income  (218)  (218)
Total operating lease costs $969  $2,500 

 

(1)Includes certain costs associated with a business membership agreement (see below) that permits access to certain office space for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 of $75,000170 and $612, see below.respectively, and month-to-month lease arrangements for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 of $95 and $320, respectively.

 

Maturities of the operating lease liability as of December 31, 20212022 are summarized as follows:

 Summary of Maturity of Lease Liabilitieslease liabilities

Years Ending December 31,      
2022 $472,084 
2023  486,247  $486 
2024  372,829   373 
Minimum lease payments  1,131,160   859 
Less imputed interest  (171,981)  (74)
Present value of operating lease liability $1,159,179  $785 
Current portion of operating lease liability $373,859  $427 
Long-term portion of operating lease liability  785,320   358 
Total operating lease liability $1,159,179  $785 

 

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, where it is entitled to receive sublease income of $637,000637. In connection with the sublease agreement, the Company: (1) reduced the value of its right-of-use asset and lease liability by $1,001,511 1,002based on a remeasurement of its existing operating lease to exclude any renewal options in its lease liability; and (2) recognized a loss on impairment of the lease for the year ended December 31, 2021 of $466,356 466as reflected on the consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2022, the Company is entitled to receive total sublease income of $477.

F-31F-35

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 (eachMemberships. This membership provides a certain number of accounts that equate to the use of the space granted)granted. Effective June 1, 2022, the SaksWorks membership agreement was amended and assigned to Convene SW MSA Holdings, LLC (“Convene”). The term of the agreement with Convene is for twenty-seven months from the initial effective date of October 1, 2021 with an initial period of three months atSaksWorks. The annual membership fee with Convene is $25,000 500per month for 30 accounts and secondary period for the remaining twenty-four months at $56,617 per month for 110 accounts. payable in equal monthly installments. The agreement also provides for: (1) additional accounts at predetermined pricing; (2) an early termination date of June 30, 2023, providing the Company gives notice by December 31, 2022; and (3) the(2) renewal of the agreement at the end on the term for a twelve-month period at the then-current market price and pricing structure on such renewal date. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had $500 of remaining payments under the agreement with Convene.

 

Lease Termination – Effective September 30, 2021, the Company terminated a certain lease arrangement for office space and as a result, relinquished the space and derecognized a right-of-use asset of $15,673,47415,673, a lease liability of $17,934,94017,935 and recorded a penalty upon termination of $9,606,1219,606 (as discounted since the amount of the liability and timing of the Cash Payments, as defined below, are fixed), resulting in a net loss upon termination for the year ended December 31, 2021 of $7,345(or loss on termination of lease), of $7,344,655upon lease termination), which has been reflected on the consolidated statements of operations. In connection with the termination, the Company agreed to pay the landlord cash of $10,000,00010,000 (the “Cash Payments”) and $1,475,0001,475 in market rate advertising. The Cash Payments arewere paid or remain due as follows: $1,000,0001,000 on December 1, 2021 (paidpaid in December 2021);2021; $1,000,0001,000 onpaid in October 1, 2022; $4,000,0004,000 due on October 1, 2023; and $4,000,0004,000 due on October 1, 2024.

 

8.9. Platform Development

Platform development costs are summarized as follows:

 Summary of Platform Development Costs

      2022 2021 
 As of December 31,  As of December 31, 
 2021 2020  2022 2021 
Platform development $21,997,102  $16,027,428  $21,493  $21,997 
Less accumulated amortization  (12,698,307)  (8,671,820)  (11,163)  (12,698)
Net platform development $9,298,795  $7,355,608  $10,330  $9,299 

 

A summary of platform development activity is as follows:

Summary of Platform Development Cost Activity

 

As of and for the Years Ended

December 31,

  As of December 31, 
 2021 2020  2022 2021 
Platform development beginning of year $16,027,428  $10,678,692  $21,997  $16,029 
Payroll-based costs capitalized during the year  4,818,866   3,750,541 
Total capitalized costs  20,846,294   14,429,233 
Payroll-based costs capitalized  5,179   4,819 
Less dispositions  (7,357)  (460)
Total capitalized payroll-based costs  19,819   20,388 
Stock-based compensation  2,045,264   1,608,995   1,884   2,045 
Dispositions during the year  (894,456)  (10,800)
Impairments  (210)  (436)
Platform development end of year $21,997,102  $16,027,428  $21,493  $21,997 

 

Amortization expense for platform development for the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 was $5,822 and $4,485, respectively. Amortization expense for platform development is included in cost of revenues on the consolidated statements of operations. Impairment charges for platform development for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 and 2020, wasof $4,485,384210 and $3,890,966436, respectively, is included within cost of revenueshave been recorded on the consolidated statements of operations.

 

F-32F-36

 

9.10. Intangible Assets

Intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following:

 

Schedule of Intangible Assets SubjectsSubject to Amortization

 

Weighted

Average

 As of December 31, 2021  As of December 31, 2020  Weighted Average  As of December 31, 2022  As of December 31, 2021 
 

Useful

Life (in

years)

 

Carrying

Amount

 

Accumulated

Amortization

 

Net

Carrying

Amount

 

Carrying

Amount

 

Accumulated

Amortization

 

Net

Carrying

Amount

  

Useful Life

(in years)

 Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount 
Developed technology 4.80  $17,579,477  $(11,465,869) $6,113,608  $19,070,857  $(8,283,740) $10,787,117   5.0  $17,333  $(14,883) $2,450  $17,579  $(11,465) $6,114 
Noncompete agreement -   480,000   (480,000)  -   480,000   (480,000)  - 
Trade name 11.95   3,328,000   (781,942)  2,546,058   3,328,000   (503,342)  2,824,658   16.0   5,380   (1,180)  4,200   3,328   (782)  2,546 
Brand name 10.00   5,175,136   (297,584)  4,877,552   -   -   -   9.5   12,115   (908)  11,207   5,175   (298)  4,877 
Subscriber relationships 5.06   73,458,799   (32,622,245)  40,836,554   73,458,799   (18,105,041)  55,353,758   5.1   73,459   (47,146)  26,313   73,459   (32,623)  40,836 
Advertiser relationships 9.42   2,240,000   (570,391)  1,669,609   2,240,000   (332,515)  1,907,485   9.8   15,302   (1,368)  13,934   2,240   (570)  1,670 
Database 3.70   2,396,887   (1,103,771)  1,293,116   1,140,000   (531,183)  608,817   3.0   2,397   (1,753)  644   2,397   (1,104)  1,293 
Digital content  2.0   355   (133)  222   -   -   - 
Subtotal amortizable intangible assets     104,658,299   (47,321,802)  57,336,497   99,717,656   (28,235,821)  71,481,835      126,341   (67,371)  58,970   104,178   (46,842)  57,336 
Website domain name -   20,000   -   20,000   20,000   -   20,000      -   -   -   20   -   20 
Total intangible assets    $  104,678,299  $(47,321,802) $  57,356,497  $ 99,737,656  $(28,235,821) $  71,501,835     $126,341  $(67,371) $58,970  $104,198  $(46,842) $57,356 

 

Developed technology, noncompete agreement, trade name, brand name, subscriber relationships, advertiser relationships, and database intangible assets subject to amortization were recorded as part of the Company’s business acquisitions. The website domain name has an infinite life and iswas not being amortized.amortized and was impaired during the year ended December 31, 2022. Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 20212022 and 20202021 was $20,247,49320,748 and $20,301,66520,246, respectively. Amortization expenseImpairment charges for developed technology and platform development of $4,343,641 and $4,659,986intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 of $47and 2020,$331, respectively, are included within cost of revenueswere recorded on the consolidated statements of operations. No impairment charges have been recorded during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020.

 

Estimated total amortization expense for the next five years and thereafter related to the Company’s intangible assets subject to amortization as of December 31, 20212022 is as follows:

 Schedule of Future Estimated Amortization Expenses forexpense For Intangible Assets

Years Ending December 31,   
2022 $19,862,367 
2023  18,396,551 
2024  12,141,759 
2025  1,139,834 
2026  1,139,834 
Thereafter  4,656,152 
Intangible assets, net $57,336,497 

     
Years Ending December 31,   
2023 $20,959 
2024  14,472 
2025  3,394 
2026  3,240 
2027  3,240 
Thereafter  13,665 
Intangible assets ,net $58,970 

 

10.11. Other Assets

 

Other assets are summarized as follows:

 Summary of Other Assets

       
  As of December 31, 
  2021  2020 
Security deposit $110,418  $110,418 
Other deposits  -   15,400 
Prepaid expenses  528,733   732,309 
Prepaid supplies  -   472,685 
Other assets $639,151  $1,330,812 
  2022  2021 
  As of December 31, 
  2022  2021 
Security deposit $420  $110 
Prepaid insurance  504   529 
Unamortized debt cost  216   - 
Total other assets $1,140  $639 

 

F-33F-37

 

11.12. Goodwill

The changes in carrying value of goodwill are as follows:

Schedule of Changes in Carrying Value of GoodwillGoodwill

 2022 2021 
 As of December 31,  As of December 31, 
 2021 2020  2022 2021 
Carrying value at beginning of year $16,139,377  $16,139,377  $19,619  $16,140 
Goodwill acquired in acquisition of The Spun  3,479,290   -   -   3,479 
Goodwill acquired in acquisition of Parade  2,587   - 
Goodwill acquired in acquisition of Men’s Journal  17,138   - 
Carrying value at end of year $19,618,667  $16,139,377  $39,344  $19,619 

 

The Company performs its annual impairment test at the reporting unit level, which is the operating segment or one level below the operating segment. Management determined that the Company would be aggregated into a single reporting unit for purposes of performing the impairment test for goodwill.

 

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, theThe Company, as part of its annual evaluations utilizedimpairment evaluation of goodwill of its one reporting unit, performs the goodwill impairment test in accordance with applicable guidance. The guidance provides an entity with the option to first assessperform a qualitative factorsassessment to determine whether it was necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment assessment. As part of this assessment, the Company reviews qualitative factors which include, but are not limited to, economic, market and industry conditions, as well as the financial performance of its reporting unit. In accordance with applicable guidance, an entity is not required to calculate the fair value of its reporting unit if, after assessing these qualitative factors, the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If an entity determines that this is the case, it is required to perform the goodwill impairment test to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recognized for that reporting unit, if any. If an entity determines that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its respective carrying amount.amount, the goodwill impairment test is not required. The annual impairment test was performed on December 31, 2020.2022. NaNNo impairment of goodwill has been identified during the years ended December 31, 20212022 and 2020.2021.

 

12.13. 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 the HubPages merger. Pursuant to the amendment:

the restricted stock awards ceased to vest and all unvested shares were deemed unvested and forfeited, leaving an aggregate of 48,389 shares vested;
the restricted stock units were modified to vest on December 31, 2020, and as of the close of business on December 31, 2020, each restricted stock unit was terminated and deemed forfeited, with no shares vesting thereunder; and
subject to certain conditions,amendment, the Company agreed to purchase the vested restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, at a price of $88.00 per share in 24 equal monthly installments on the second business day of each calendar month beginning on January 4, 2021.

As a result of the modification of the equity-based awards, the Company recognized $334,328 of incremental stock-based compensation costs at the time of the modification and recorded $3,800,734 as a reclassification of restricted stock awards, and units from equity to liability classified upon modification, as reflected within additional paid-in capitalat a price of $88.00 per share in 24 equal monthly installments on the consolidated statementssecond business day of stockholders’ deficiency.each calendar month beginning on January 4, 2021, subject to certain conditions.

 

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

 Schedule of Components of Restricted Stock liabilities

 2022 2021 
 As of December 31,  

As of and for the Years Ended

December 31,

 
 2021 2020  2022 2021 
Restricted stock liabilities (before imputed interest) $3,800,734  $4,258,196  $2,307  $3,801 
Less imputed interest  (177,425)  (457,462)  (155)  (177)
Present value of restricted stock liabilities  3,623,309   3,800,734   2,152   3,624 
Less payments during the years  (1,471,591)  (177,425)  (2,152)  (1,472)
Restricted stock liabilities at end of year $2,151,718  $3,623,309 
Current portion of restricted stock liabilities (reflected in accrued expenses and other) $2,151,718  $1,627,499 
Long-term portion of restricted stock liabilities  -   1,995,810 
Total restricted stock liabilities at end of year $2,151,718  $3,623,309 
Restricted stock liabilities at end of year (reflected in accrued expenses and other) $-  $2,152 

 

TheDuring the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company recorded the repurchase of restricted stock26,214 and 22,178 shares of the Company’s commonrestricted stock 22,178 during the years ended December 31, 2021awards, respectively, on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency. Effective April 4, 2022, there were no longer any shares of the Company’s common stock subject to repurchase. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company paid $2,307 and $1,419 in cash for the repurchase, including interest of $155 and $254, respectively.

 

F-34F-38

 

13.14. Accrued Expenses and OtherOther

Accrued expenses and other are summarized as follows:

 Schedule of Accrued Expenses

          
 As of December 31,  As of December 31, 
 2021 2020  2022 2021 
General accrued expenses $4,491,283  $4,116,875  $6,339  $4,491 
Accrued payroll and related taxes  7,124,180   2,519,903   5,221   7,124 
Accrued publisher expenses  6,319,068   3,956,114   4,911   6,319 
Deferred cash payments in connection with acquisitions  655,928   - 
Deferred cash payments  1,123   656 
Sales tax liability  778,774   1,063,515   645   779 
Restricted stock liabilities  2,151,718   1,627,499   -   2,152 
Lease termination liability  1,845,981   -   4,753   1,846 
Other  643,637   1,434,287 
Total accrued expenses $24,010,569  $14,718,193 
Other accrued expenses  110   644 
Total accrued expenses and other $23,102  $24,011 

 

14.15. Line of Credit

FastPaySLR Credit Facility – On December 6, 2021,15, 2022, the Company entered into an amendment to its financing and security agreement for its line of credit with SLR Digital Finance LLC (formerly FPP Finance LLCLLC) (“FastPay”SLR”), that was originally entered intopreviously amended on February 27, 2020,December 6, 2021, pursuant to which (i) the maximum amount of advances available was increased to $25,000,000 40,000 (subject to certain limits and eighty-five (85%from $15,000,000,) of eligible accounts receivable ), (ii) the interest rate on the facility applicable marginline of credit was decreasedamended to 6.00%be the prime rate plus 4.0% per annum from 8.50% per annum (the facility bears interestof the amount advanced (subject to minimum utilization of at least 10% of the LIBORmaximum amount of advances available) (as of December 31, 2022 the rate plus the applicable margin)was 11.5%), and (iii) the maturity dateof the line of credit was extended to December 31, 2024; provided that the maturity date will be December 31, 2023 if the Company has not refinanced, repaid or extended all of its Senior Secured Notes (as defined below) due December 31, 2023 by August 31, 2023, and provided further, that SLR will be entitled to accelerate the obligations if the Company has not refinanced, repaid or extended all of its Senior Secured Notes due December 31, 2023 by September 30, 2023. In the event that the line of credit is accelerated, the Company will be obligated to pay SLR a termination fee of $February 28, 2024900. The amendment also permitted the Company to enter into the Bridge Notes (as defined below). 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. In connection with the line of credit, the Company incurred debt costs of $441 that are being amortized over the life of the line of credit with the unamortized balance reflected in prepayment and other current assets of $216 and other long-term assets of $216, as of December 31, 2022, respectively. As of December 31, 2022, the effective interest rate on the line of credit was 12.7%. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the balance outstanding under the FastPay line of credit was $11,988,19414,092.

SallyPort Credit Facility – As of January 1, 2020, Sallyport collected accounts receivable in excess of the balance outstanding under the note, therefore, the Company was due and $626,53211,988 from Sallyport which was reflected within accounts receivable on the consolidated balance sheets. Effective January 30, 2020, the Company’s factoring facility with Sallyport was closed and funds were no longer available for advance., respectively.

 

15.16. Liquidated Damages Payable

Liquidated Damages payable are summarized as follows:follows (capitalized terms are described herein):

Summary of Liquidated Damages

  As of December 31, 2021 
  

Registration

Rights

Damages

  

Public

Information

Failure

Damages

  

Accrued

Interest

  Balance 
MDB Common Stock to be Issued (1) $15,001  $-  $-  $15,001 
Series H Preferred Stock  1,163,955   1,171,809   792,365   3,128,129 
12% Convertible Debentures  -   873,092   242,325   1,115,417 
Series I Preferred Stock  1,386,000   1,386,000   612,877   3,384,877 
Series J Preferred Stock  1,560,000   1,560,000   489,797   3,609,797 
Series K Preferred Stock  180,420   721,680   50,134   952,234 
Total $4,305,376  $5,712,581  $2,187,498  $12,205,455 

F-35
  As of December 31, 2022 
  

Registration

Rights

Damages

  

Public

Information

Failure

Damages

  Accrued Interest  Balance 
MDB common stock to be issued (1) $15  $-  $-  $15 
Series H Preferred Stock  618   626   570   1,814 
Convertible debentures  -   704   280   984 
Series J Preferred Stock  932   932   525   2,389 
Series K Preferred Stock  437   478   220   1,135 
Total $2,002  $2,740  $1,595  $6,337 

 

  As of December 31, 2020 
  

Registration

Rights

Damages

  

Public

Information

Failure

Damages

  

Accrued

Interest

  Balance 
MDB Common Stock to be Issued (1) $15,001  $-  $-  $15,001 
Series H Preferred Stock  1,163,955   1,163,955   481,017   2,808,927 
12% Convertible Debentures  -   905,490   134,466   1,039,956 
Series I Preferred Stock  1,386,000   1,386,000   332,185   3,104,185 
Series J Preferred Stock  1,200,000   1,200,000   200,022   2,600,022 
Total $3,764,956  $4,655,445  $1,147,690  $9,568,091 

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

 

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, liquidated damages payables were $12,205,455 (short-term of $5,197,182 and long-term of $7,008,273) and $9,568,091 (short-term of $9,568,091 and long-term of none), respectively.

F-39

 

As of December 31, 2022, the short-term and long-term liquidated damages payable were $5,843 and $494, respectively, totaling $6,337. The long-term portion was converted into shares of the Company’s common stock (see Note 29 under the heading of Liquidated Damages). The Company will continue to accrue interest on the Liquidated Damages balance at 1%1% per month based on the balance outstanding until paid. There is no scheduled date when the unpaid Liquidated Damages become due. The Series K Preferred Stock (as defined below) remains subject to Registration Rights Damages and Public Information Failure Damages, which will accrue in certain circumstances, limited to 6% of the aggregate amount invested (see Note 16).

  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 Preferred Stock  1,164   1,172   792   3,128 
Convertible debentures  -   873   242   1,115 
Series I Preferred Stock  1,386   1,386   613   3,385 
Series J Preferred Stock  1,560   1,560   490   3,610 
Series K Preferred Stock  180   722   50   952 
Total $4,305  $5,713  $2,187  $12,205 

(1)Shares of common stock issuable to MDB.

As of December 31, 2021, the short-term and long-term liquidated damages payable were $5,197 and $7,008, respectively, totaling $12,205. The long-term portion was converted into shares of the Company’s common stock on January 24, 2022 (see Note 22, under the heading Common Stock for Liquidated Damages).

 

Information with respect to the Liquidated Damages recognized on the consolidated statements of operations is provided in Note 23.24.

 

16.17. Other Long-term Liabilities

 

Other long-term liabilities consisted of the following:

 Schedule of Other long-termlong- term liabilities

      2022 2021 
 As of December 31,  As of December 31, 
 2021 2020  2022 2021 
Lease termination liability $6,928,053  $541,381  $3,621  $6,928 
Other lease liability  1,486   - 
Deferred cash payment liabilities  410,037   -   -   410 
Other  218,175   211,984   200   218 
Other long-term liabilities $7,556,265  $753,365 
Total other long-term liabilities Other long -Term liabilities $5,307  $7,556 

F-40

 

17.18. Fair Value MeasurementsMeasurement

The Company’s financial instruments consist of Levellevel 1, Level 2 and Levellevel 3 assets as of December 31, 20212022 and 2020.2021. As of December 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents of $9,349,02013,871 and $9,033,8729,349, respectively, were Level 1 assets and included savings deposits, overnight investments, and other liquid funds with financial institutions.

Financial instruments measured at fair value during the year consisted of the following:

Schedule of Fair Value of Financial Instruments

  As of December 31, 2021 
  Fair Value  

Quoted Prices

in Active

Markets for

Identical

Assets

(Level 1)

  

Significant

Other

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)

  

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

 
Senior Secured Note $60,756,285  $-  $60,756,285  $        - 

 

F-36

  As of December 31, 2022 
  Fair Value  

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets

(Level 1)

  

Significant Other Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

  

Significant Unobservable Inputs

(Level 3)

 
Senior Secured Notes $61,787  $    -  $61,787  $       - 

 

  As of December 31, 2020 
  Fair Value  

Quoted Prices

in Active

Markets for

Identical

Assets

(Level 1)

  

Significant

Other

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)

  

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

 
Senior Secured Note $52,556,401  $-  $52,556,401  $- 
Warrant derivative liabilities:                
Strome Warrants $704,707  $-  $-  $704,707 
B. Riley Warrants  443,188   -   -   443,188 
Total warrant derivative liabilities $1,147,895  $-  $-  $1,147,895 
  As of December 31, 2021 
  Fair Value  

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets

(Level 1)

  

Significant Other Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

  

Significant Unobservable Inputs

(Level 3)

 
Senior Secured Notes $60,756  $    -  $60,756  $       - 

 

Senior Secured NoteNotes – The carrying value of the Senior Secured NoteNotes (as defined below) approximates fair value based on current market interest rates for debt instruments of similar credit standing and, consequently, their fair values are based on Level 2 inputs.

 

The quantitative information utilized in the fair value calculation of the Level 3 liabilities are as follows:

 

Unearned Revenue – The fair value of unearned revenue remaining in connection with the 2019 acquisitionacquisitions of Sports Illustrated media business,Licensed Brands, was determined with the following inputs: (1) projection of when unearned revenue will be earned; (2) expense necessary to fulfill the subscriptions; (3) gross up of the fulfillment costs to include a market participant level of profitability; (4) slight premium to the fulfillment-costs plus a reasonable profit metric; and (5) reduce projected future cash flows to present value using an appropriate discount rate. The unearned revenue remaining from the acquisitionacquisitions as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 was $4,855,167 1,154and $14,071,0654,855, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets.respectively.

The changes in unearned revenue with inputs classified as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are reflected within revenue on the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Warrant Derivative Liabilities – The Company accounted for certain warrants of the 12% Convertible Debentures (as describedissued in Note 18)connection with previously issued convertible debentures, as derivative liabilities, which required the Company carry such amounts on its consolidated balance sheets as a liability at fair value, as adjusted at each reporting period-end.period end.

 

The Company determined the fair value of the Strome Warrants and B. Riley Warrants (all as(as described in Note 21)22) utilizing the Black-Scholes valuation model as further described below. These warrants were classified as Level 3 within the fair-value hierarchy.hierarchy prior to reclassification to equity (as described below). Inputs to the valuation model include the Company’s publicly quoted stock price, the stock volatility, the risk-free interest rate, the remaining life of the warrants, the exercise price or conversion price, and the dividend rate. The Company uses the closing stock price of its common stock over an appropriate period of time to compute stock volatility.

 

These assumptions are summarized as follows:

 

Strome Warrants – 2021 assumptions upon reclassification to equity: Black-Scholes option-pricing; expected life: 1.54 years; risk-free interest rate: 0.600.60%%; volatility factor: 146.68146.68%%; dividend rate: 0.00.0%%; transaction date closing market price: $0.62; exercise price: $0.50; and 2020 assumptions: Black-Scholes option-pricing; expected life: 2.45; risk-free interest rate: 0.13%; volatility factor: 150.55%; dividend rate: 0.0%; transaction date closing market price: $0.60; exercise price: $0.50.

 

B. Riley Warrants – 2021 assumptions upon reclassification to equity: Black-Scholes option-pricing; expected life: 3.88 years; risk-free interest rate: 1.141.14%%; volatility factor: 144.61144.61%%; dividend rate: 0.00.0%%; transaction date closing market price: $0.62; exercise price: $0.33; and 2020 assumptions: Black-Scholes option-pricing; expected life: 4.79 years; risk-free interest rate: 0.36%; volatility factor: 140.95%; dividend rate: 0.0%; transaction date closing market price: $0.60; exercise price: $0.33.

 

F-37F-41

 

The following table represents the carrying amounts, and change in valuation for the Company’s warrants accounted for as a derivative liability and classified within Level 3 of the fair-value hierarchy and fair value recorded upon reclassification to equity as of and forduring the yearsyear ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:2021:

 

Schedule of Valuation Activity for Warrants Accounted for Derivativethe Embedded Conversion Feature Liability

 As of and for the Years Ended December 31, 
 2021 2020 
 

Carrying

Amount at

Beginning

of Year

 

Change

in

Valuation

 

Reclassification

to Equity

 

Carrying

Amount at

End of Year

 

Carrying

Amount at

Beginning

of Year

 

Change

in

Valuation

 

Carrying

Amount

at End of

Year

  Carrying Amount at Beginning of Year Change in Valuation Reclassification to Equity Carrying Amount at End of Year 
Strome Warrants $704,707  $(75,179) $(629,528) $-  $1,036,687  $(331,980) $704,707  $    704  $      (75) $(629) $      - 
B. Riley Warrants  443,188   40,687   (483,875)  -   607,513   (164,325)  443,188   443   41   (484)  - 
Total $1,147,895  $(34,492) $(1,113,403) $-  $1,644,200  $(496,305) $  1,147,895  $1,147  $(34) $(1,113) $- 

 

For the yearsyear ended December 31, 2021, and 2020, the change in valuation of warrant derivative liabilities recognized within other (expense) income on the consolidated statements of operations as described in the above table ofwas $34,492 34and $496,305, respectively.. The Strome Warrants and B. Riley Warrants were reclassified to equity upon filing an effective registration statement during the year ended December 31, 2021, resulting in a $1,113,403 1,113offset within additional paid-in capital on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.

 

The following table represents the carrying amounts and changes in valuation for the Company’s conversion option features, buy-in features, and default remedy features, as deemed appropriate for each instrument (collectively the embedded derivative liabilities), for the 12% Convertible Debentures (refer to Note 18) accounted for as embedded derivative liabilities and classified within Level 3 of the fair-value hierarchy as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020:

Schedule of Valuation Activity for the Embedded Conversion Feature Liability

  As of and for the Year Ended December 31, 2020 
  

Carrying

Amount at

Beginning of

Year

  

Change in

Valuation

  

Fair Value

Recorded

within Equity

Upon

Conversion

  

Carrying

Amount at End

of Year

 
12% Convertible Debentures $13,501,000  $(2,571,004) $(10,929,996) $- 

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the change in valuation of embedded derivative liabilities as described in the above table of $2,571,004 was recognized as other expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

As a result of the conversion of certain 12% Convertible Debentures into shares of the Company’s common stock, the Company recorded the fair value of the embedded derivative liabilities of the conversion option features, buy-in features, and default remedy features of $10,929,996 within additional paid-in capital on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency (as further described in Note 18).

As of December 31, 2020, there was no longer any principal or accrued but unpaid interest outstanding under the 12% Convertible Debentures since certain holders converted the debt into shares of the Company’s common stock and certain holders were paid in cash.

18.19. Convertible DebtBridge Notes

The Company had various financings through the issuance of 12% senior subordinated convertible debentures during 2018 and 2019 that were due and payable on December 31, 2020 (the “12% Convertible Debentures”). In connection with the issuance of the 12% Convertible Debentures the Company recognized certain embedded derivative liabilities that were bifurcated from the note instruments, consisting of a: (i) conversion option; (ii) buy-in feature; and (iii) default remedy feature, which required the Company to carry such amounts on its consolidated financial statements as a liability at fair value, as adjusted at each period-end. The Company also incurred debt issuance cost. The embedded derivative liabilities and debt issuance cost were treated as a debt discount and amortized over the term of the debt.

F-38

The Company entered into a registration rights agreements in connection with the securities purchase agreements, where the Company agreed to register the shares issuable upon conversion of the 12% Convertible Debentures for resale by the holders within a certain timeframe and subject to certain conditions. The registration rights agreement provides for a cash payment equal to 1.0% per month of the amount invested as partial liquidated damages upon the occurrence of certain events, on each monthly anniversary, up to a maximum amount of 6.0% of the aggregate amount invested, subject to interest at 12.0% per annum, accruing daily, until paid in full. The registration rights agreements provide for Registration Rights Damages (further details are provided in Note 15).

The securities purchase agreements also included a provision that requires the Company to maintain its periodic filings with the SEC in order to satisfy the public information requirements under Rule 144(c) of the Securities Act. If the Company fails for any reason to satisfy the current public information requirement after 6 months of the closing date, then the Company will be obligated to pay to each holder a cash payment equal to 1.0% of the aggregate amount invested for each 30-day period, or pro rata portion thereof, as partial liquidated damages per month, up to a maximum of 6 months, subject to interest at the rate of 1.0% per month until paid in full. The securities purchase agreements provide for Public Information Failure Damages (further details are provided in Note 15).

The Company recognized a portion of the Public Information Failure Damages pursuant to the securities purchase agreements in connection with the 12% Convertible Debentures at the time of issuance as it was deemed probable the obligations would not be satisfied when the financings were completed (see Note 15).

 

On December 31, 2020, certain holders converted15, 2022, the 12% Convertible Debentures representing anCompany issued $36,000 aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes (the “Bridge Notes”) pursuant to a third amended and restated note purchase agreement (as described below) with B. Riley, in its capacity as agent for the purchasers and as purchaser. The Company received net proceeds of $18,104,94934,728 from the issuance of the then-outstanding principalBridge Notes. Interest on the Bridge Notes is payable in cash at a rate of 12% per annum quarterly in arrears on March 31, 2023, June 30, 2023, September 30, 2023, and accruedDecember 31, 2023; provided that, on March 1, 2023, May 1, 2023, and July 1, 2023, the interest rate on the Bridge Notes will increase by 1.5% per annum, with maturity on December 31, 2023. The Bridge Notes are subject to certain mandatory prepayment requirements, including, but unpaid interest into not limited to, a requirement that the Company apply the net proceeds from certain debt incurrences or equity offerings to repay the Bridge Notes. The Company may elect to prepay the Bridge Notes, at any time, in whole or in part with no premium or penalty. The Bridge Notes are secured by liens on the same collateral that secures indebtedness under the Company’s outstanding Senior Secured Notes (as defined below) and are guaranteed by the Company’s subsidiaries that guarantee the Senior Secured Notes. The Bridge Notes provide for certain covenants and event of default provisions similar to those contained in the Senior Secured Notes. In connection with the Bridge Notes, the Company incurred debt costs of $2,449,4311,272 sharesthat are being amortized over the expected life of the Company’s common stock atdebt. As of December 31, 2022, the effective conversion per-share prices ranging frominterest rate was 19.0%. As of December 31, 2022, the balance outstanding under the Bridge Notes was $7.2634,805 to $($8.8036,000. Further, the Company repaid an aggregate principal balance less unamortized debt costs of $1,130,9031,195 of the 12% Convertible Debentures, including the then-outstanding principal and accrued interest, in cash. With respect to the conversion of the accrued interest into shares of the Company’s common stock, the Company recognized a loss on conversion of $3,297,539 at the time of conversion on the consolidated statements of operations. Upon conversion of the 12% Convertible Debentures, the Company recorded the aggregate outstanding principal and loss on conversion of the accrued interest of $21,402,488 within additional paid-in capital on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.).

 

F-39

The following table represents the various components of the 12% Convertible Debentures as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020:

Schedule of 12% Convertible Debentures

  Issuance Date  Total 12% 
  

December 12,

2018

  

March 18,

2019

  

March 27,

2019

  

April 8,

2019

  

Convertible

Debentures

 
Principal amount of debt: $9,540,000  $1,696,000  $318,000  $100,000  $11,654,000 
Less: issuance costs  (590,000)  (96,000)  (18,000)  -   (704,000)
Net cash proceeds received $8,950,000  $1,600,000  $300,000  $100,000  $10,950,000 
Principal amount of debt (excluding original issue discount) $9,540,000  $1,696,000  $318,000  $100,000  $11,654,000 
Add: conversion of debt from convertible debentures  3,551,528   -   -   -   3,551,528 
Add: accrued interest  3,540,899   393,989   72,738   22,698   4,030,324 
Principal amount of debt including accrued interest  16,632,427   2,089,989   390,738   122,698   19,235,852 
Less: conversion in connection with issuance of common stock  (15,870,143)  (2,089,989)  (22,119)  (122,698)  (18,104,949)
Less: repayments in cash  (762,284)  -   (368,619)  -   (1,130,903)
Principal amount of debt  -   -   -   -   - 
Debt discount:                    
Allocated embedded derivative liabilities at issuance (4,760,000) (822,000) (188,000) (64,000) (5,834,000)
Liquidated Damages recognized upon issuance  (706,944)  (67,200)  (12,600)  (4,200)  (790,944)
Issuance cost incurred at issuance  (590,000)  (106,000)  (18,000)  -   (714,000)
Total debt discount  (6,056,944)  (995,200)  (218,600)  (68,200)  (7,338,944)
Less: amortization of debt discount  6,056,944   995,200   218,600   68,200   7,338,944 
Debt discount  -   -   -   -   - 
12% Convertible Debentures balance at December 31, 2020 $-  $-  $-  $-  $- 

For additional information for the year ended December 31, 2020 with respect to interest expense related to the 12% Convertible Debentures is provided in Note 19.

19.20. Long-term Debt

Senior Secured NoteNotes

Below is a summaryAs of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the various amended and restated note, as well as various amendments thereto, to the senior secured noteCompany had an outstanding obligation with BRF Finance Co., LLC (“BRF Finance”), an affiliated entity of B. Riley, in its capacity as agent for the purchasers and as purchaser, that was originally issuedpursuant to a third amended and restated note purchase agreement (the “Senior Secured Notes”) entered into on June 10, 2019, for gross proceeds of $20,000,000. The transactions leading up toDecember 15, 2022, where it amended the second amended and restated note that is outstanding as of December 31, 2021 consisted of:purchase agreement issued on January 23, 2022.

 

The Senior Secured Notes, prior to and including the third amended and restated note purchase agreement, provide for:

 Amended and restated note issued on June 14, 2019, wherea provision for the Company received gross proceeds of $48,000,000, together with the $20,000,000 gross proceeds received on June 10, 2019 for total gross proceeds of $68,000,000, due June 14, 2022;
First amendment to the amended and restated note issued on August 27, 2019, where the Company received gross proceeds of $3,000,000;

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Second amendment to the amended and restated note issued on February 27, 2020, where the Company issued a $3,000,000 letter of credit to the Company’s landlord for leased premises;
Second amended and restated note issued on March 24, 2020, where the Company was permitted to enter into a Delayed Draw Term NoteNotes (as described below), in the aggregate principal amount of $12,000,0009,928; as of December 31, 2021;
 First amendment to second amended and restated note issued on March 24, 2020 was entered into on October 23, 2020 (“Amendment 1”),a provision where the maturity date was changedCompany added $13,852 to December 31, 2022, subject to certain acceleration conditions andthe principal balance of the notes for interest payable on the notenotes on last day of a fiscal quarter from September 30, 2020 December 31, 2020, March 31, 2021, June 30, 2021, September 30, 2021, andto December 31, 2021 will beas payable in-kind;

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a provision where the paid 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 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 intopaid in 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 (further details are described in Note 20);adjustments;
 Second amendment to the second amended and restated note issued March 24, 2020 was entered into on May 19, 2021 (“Amendment 2”), pursuant to which: (i) thean interest rate on the Senior Secured Note, as defined below, decreased from a rate of 1210.0%% per annum, subject to adjustment in the event of default, with a rate of 10% per annum; and (ii) the Company agreedprovision that within one (1) business day after receipt of cash proceeds from any issuance of equity interests, itthe Company 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 the securities purchase agreement (as further described below under the heading Common Stock Private Placement in Note 21) during the 90-day period commencing on May 20, 2021; and
 Third amendmentinterest on the notes will be payable after February 15, 2022, 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 second amendedprincipal amount of the notes;
a maturity date of December 31, 2023, subject to certain acceleration conditions;
all borrowings under the notes to be collateralized by substantially all assets of the Company; and restated note issued March 24, 2020 was entered into on December 6, 2021 (“Amendment 3”), where
the Company was permittedto enter into the Bridge Notes for $36,000 and to increase the FastPay line of credit with SLR in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $25,000,00040,000.

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

Further details as of the date these consolidated financial statements were issued are provided under the heading Long-term Debt in Note 28.

 

Delayed Draw Term NoteNotes

 

On March 24, 2020,As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company entered intohad an outstanding obligation with B. Riley, in its capacity as agent for the purchasers and as purchaser, pursuant to a 15% delayed draw termthird amended and restated note purchase agreement (the “Delayed Draw Term Note”Notes”) pursuant toentered into on December 15, 2022, where it amended the second amended and restated note purchase agreement in the aggregate principal amount of $12,000,000.issued on January 23, 2022:

 

On March 24, 2020, the Company drew down $6,913,865 under theThe Delayed Draw Term Note,Notes, prior to and after payment of commitmentincluding the third amended and funding fees paid of $793,109, and other of its legal fees and expenses that were incurred, the Company received net proceeds of $6,000,000. The net proceeds were used for working capital and general corporate purposes. Additional borrowings under the Delayed Draw Term Note requested by the Company may be made at the option of the purchasers, subject to certain conditions. Up to $8,000,000 in principal amount under therestated note was originally due on March 31, 2021. Interest on amounts outstanding under the note was payable in-kind in arrears on the last day of each fiscal quarter. The transactions leading up to the Delayed Draw Term Note that is outstanding as of December 31, 2021 consisted of:purchase agreement, provide for:

 Pursuantan interest rate of 10.0% per annum, subject to adjustment in the termsevent of Amendment 1, entered into on October 23, 2020, the maturity date of the Delayed Draw Term Note was changed from March 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022. 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;default;
 On October 23, 2020,a drawdown of $3,367,0005,086 , including principal and accrued interest of the Delayed Draw Term Note, converted into shares of the Company’s Series K Preferred Stock (see Note 20);
On May 19, 2021, pursuant to Amendment 2, the interest rate on the Delayed Draw Term Note decreased from a rate of 15% per annum to a rate of 10% per annum; and
On December 28, 2021, the Company drew down ($5,086,135 4,578under the Delayed Draw Term Note, and net proceeds were received after payment of commitment and funding fees paid $509) on December 28, 2021; and
interest on the notes to be payable after February 15, 2022, 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 notes;
a maturity date on December 31, 2022 for $5,928 of principal due (repaid with the proceeds from the Bridge Notes) with the remaining balance due of $508,6144,000 on December 31, 2023, subject to certain acceleration terms; and
, 
all borrowings under the Company received net proceedsnotes to be collateralized by substantially all assets of $4,577,522. The net proceeds were used for working capital and general corporate purposes.the Company.

Further details as of the date these consolidated financial statements were issued are provided under the heading Long-term Debt in Note 28.

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The following table represents the components of the Senior Secured Note and Delayed Draw Term Note:

Schedule of Senior Secured Notes and Delayed Draw Term Note

  As of and for the Years Ended December 31, 
  2021  2020 
  

Senior

Secured

Note

Components

  

Delayed

Draw Term

Note

Components

  Total  

Senior

Secured

Note

Components

  

Delayed

Draw Term

Note

Components

  Total 
Principal amount of debt:                        
Principal amount of debt received on June 10, 2019 $20,000,000  $-  $20,000,000  $20,000,000  $-  $20,000,000 
Principal amount of debt received on June 14, 2019  48,000,000   -   48,000,000   48,000,000   -   48,000,000 
Principal amount of debt received on August 27, 2019  3,000,000   -   3,000,000   3,000,000   -   3,000,000 
Principal amount of debt received on March 26, 2020  -   6,913,865   6,913,865   -   6,913,865   6,913,865 
Principal amount of debt received on December 28, 2021  -   5,086,135   5,086,135   -   -   - 
Subtotal principal amount of debt  71,000,000   12,000,000   83,000,000   71,000,000   6,913,865   77,913,865 
Add accrued interest  13,852,050   1,223,506   15,075,556   7,457,388   675,958   8,133,346 
Less principal payment paid in Series J Preferred Stock (net of interest of $146,067)  (4,853,933)  -   (4,853,933)  (4,853,933)  -   (4,853,933)
Less principal payment paid in Series K Preferred Stock (net of interest of $71,495)  -   (3,295,505)  (3,295,505)  -   (3,295,505)  (3,295,505)
Less principal payments paid in cash  (17,307,364)  -   (17,307,364)  (17,307,364)  -   (17,307,364)
Principal amount of debt outstanding including accrued interest  62,690,753   9,928,001   72,618,754   56,296,091   4,294,318   60,590,409 
Debt discount:                        
Placement fee to B. Riley FBR  (3,550,000)  (691,387)  (4,241,387)  (3,550,000)  (691,387)  (4,241,387)
Commitment fee (2% of unused commitment)  -   (101,723)  (101,723)  -   (101,723)  (101,723)
Success based fee to B. Riley FBR  (3,400,000)  -   (3,400,000)  (3,400,000)  -   (3,400,000)
Legal and other costs  (202,382)  (120,755)  (323,137)  (202,382)  (120,755)  (323,137)
Commitment fee due December 28, 2021  -   (508,614)  (508,614)  -   -   - 
Subtotal debt discount  (7,152,382)  (1,422,479)  (8,574,861)  (7,152,382)  (913,865)  (8,066,247)
Less amortization of debt discount  5,217,914   855,007   6,072,921   3,412,692   554,693   3,967,385 
Unamortized debt discount  (1,934,468)  (567,472)  (2,501,940)  (3,739,690)  (359,172)  (4,098,862)
Carrying value at year-end $60,756,285  $9,360,529  $70,116,814  $52,556,401  $3,935,146  $56,491,547 

F-42

Paycheck Protection Program Loan

On April 6, 2020, the Company entered into a note agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan Chase”) under the recently enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) (the “Paycheck Protection Program Loan”). The Company received total proceeds of $5,702,725 under the Paycheck Protection Program Loan. In accordance with the requirements of the CARES Act, the Company used proceeds from the Paycheck Protection Program Loan primarily for payroll costs. The Paycheck Protection Program Loan was scheduled to mature on April 6, 2022, with a 0.98% interest rate and was subject to the terms and conditions applicable to loans administered by the SBA under the CARES Act.

On June 22, 2021, the SBA authorized full forgiveness of $5,702,725 under the Paycheck Protection Program Loan; thus, the Company will not need to make any payments on the Paycheck Protection Program Loan that JPMorgan Chase facilitates as an SBA lender. JPMorgan Chase will apply the forgiveness amount the SBA authorized, plus all accrued interest, to the Company’s Paycheck Protection Program Loan. The requirements under this program are established by the SBA. All requests for Paycheck Protection Program Loan forgiveness are subject to SBA eligibility. The Company recorded a gain upon debt extinguishment for the year ended December 31, 2021 of $5,716,697 (including accrued interest) pursuant to the forgiveness in other (expense) income on the consolidated statements of operations.

The following table summarizes the long-term debt:

Schedule of Long Term Debt

  As of December 31, 
  2021  2020 
  

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 $62,690,753  $(1,934,468) $60,756,285  $56,296,091  $(3,739,690) $52,556,401 
Delayed Draw Term Note, as amended, matures December 31, 2023  9,928,001   (567,472)  9,360,529   4,294,318   (359,172)  3,935,146 
Paycheck Protection Program Loan, scheduled to mature April 6, 2022, fully forgiven June 22, 2021  -   -   -   5,702,725   -   5,702,725 
Total $  72,618,754  $(2,501,940)  70,116,814  $  66,293,134  $(4,098,862)  62,194,272 
Less current portion          (5,744,303)          - 
Long-term portion         $  64,372,511          $  62,194,272 
  As of December 31, 2022  As of December 31, 2021 
  Principal Balance  Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Costs  Carrying Value  Principal Balance  Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Costs  Carrying Value 
Senior Secured Notes, as amended, matures December 31, 2023 $62,691  $(904) $61,787  $62,691  $(1,935) $60,756 
Delayed Draw Term Notes, as amended, matures December 31, 2023  4,000   (103)  3,897   9,928   (567)  9,361 
Total $66,691  $(1,007) $65,684  $72,619  $(2,502) $70,117 
Carrying value:                        
Current portion         $65,684          $5,744 
Long-term portion          -           64,373 
Total         $65,684          $70,117 

As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company’s Delayed Draw Term Note,Notes, as amended, carrying value of $9,360,5293,897 and $9,361, respectively, was as follows: (1) $5,744,3030 (including accrued interest and less$5,928 for the first draw (less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $180,3650 and $180);, respectively; and (2) $3,616,2264,000 (including accrued interest and less$4,000 for the second draw (less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs of $387,107103 and $387)., respectively. As of December 31, 2022, the effective interest of the Senior Secured Notes and Delayed Draw Term Notes second draw was 11.4% and 12.5%, respectively.

 

The following table summarizesCompany’s principal maturities of long-term debt:debt are due December 31, 2023 in the amount of $66,691.

Schedule of Principal Maturities of Long-term Debt

Years Ending December 31,   
2022 $5,924,668 
2023  66,694,086 
Total $72,618,754 

Information for the years ended December 31, 20212022 and 20202021 with respect to interest expense related to long-term debt is provided below under the heading Interest Expense.below.

 

F-43F-44

 

Interest Expense

 

The following table represents interest expense:

Summary of Interest Expense

  Years Ended December 31, 
  2021  2020 
Amortization of debt discounts:      
12% Convertible Debentures $-  $3,880,609 
Senior Secured Note  1,805,222   2,171,910 
Delayed Draw Term Note  300,314   554,693 
Total amortization of debt discount  2,105,536   6,607,212 
Accrued and noncash converted interest:        
12% Convertible Debentures  -   2,116,281 
Senior Secured Note  6,394,662   6,374,746 
Delayed Draw Term Note  547,548   747,453 
Payroll Protection Program Loan  13,972   - 
Promissory Note  -   5,844 
Total accrued and noncash converted interest  6,956,182   9,244,324 
Cash paid interest:        
Other  1,392,900   645,681 
Total interest expense $10,454,618  $16,497,217 
  Years Ended December 31, 
  2022  2021 
Amortization of debt costs:        
Senior Secured Notes $1,031  $1,806 
Delayed Draw Term Notes  464   300 
Bridge Notes  77   - 
Line of credit  9   - 
Total amortization of debt costs  1,581   2,106 
Accrued and noncash converted interest:        
Senior Secured Notes  -   6,394 
Delayed Draw Term Notes  -   548 
Bridge Notes  204   - 
Parade  116   - 
Payroll Protection Program Loan  -   14 
Total accrued and noncash converted interest  320   6,956 
Cash paid interest:        
Senior Secured Notes  6,356   - 
Delayed Draw Term Notes  980   - 
Line of credit  1,328   825 
Other  864   568 
Total cash paid interest  9,528   1,393 
Total interest expense $11,429  $10,455 

 

20.Paycheck Protection Program Loan

During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded a $5,717 (including accrued interest of $14) gain upon debt extinguishment that was recognized pursuant to a Paycheck Protection Program Loan that was forgiven on June 22, 2021 that was entered into on April 6, 2020 with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. under the enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration, in other income on the consolidated statements of operations.

21. Preferred Stock

The Company has the authority to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, consisting of authorized and/or outstanding shares as of December 31, 20212022 as follows:

 

2,000 authorized shares were designated as “Series F Convertible Preferred Stock”, none of which were outstanding. The Series F Convertible Preferred Stock was eliminated on September 7, 2021.
   
1,800 authorized shares designated as “Series G Convertible Preferred Stock” (as further described below), of which 168,496168.496 shares are outstanding.
   
23,000 authorized shares designated as “Series H Convertible Preferred Stock” (as further described below), of which 15,06614,356 shares are outstanding.
   
25,800 authorized shares were designated as “Series I Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Series I Preferred Stock”) on June 27, 2019, none of which were outstanding (as further described below).outstanding. The Series I Convertible Preferred Stock was eliminated on September 7, 2021.
   
35,000 authorized shares were designated as “Series J Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Series J Preferred Stock”) on October 4, 2019, none of which were outstanding (as further described below).outstanding. The Series J Preferred Stock was eliminated on September 7, 2021.

F-45

20,000 authorized shares were designated as “Series K Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Series K Preferred Stock”) on October 22, 2020, none of which were outstanding. The Series K Preferred Stock was eliminated on September 7, 2021.
   
20,000600,000 authorized shares were designated as “Series K ConvertibleL Junior Participating Preferred Stock”, par value $0.01 per share, in connection with the entry by the Company into that certain Rights Agreement with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC as of May 4, 2021 (as amended and restated on October 22, 2020, none of which were outstanding (as further described below)May 2, 2022 and otherwise from time to time, the “Amended and Restated Rights Agreement”). The extension of the term of the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement was approved by a vote of the stockholders at the Annual Meeting on June 2, 20022. The Series K ConvertibleL Junior Participating Preferred Stock was eliminated on September 7, 2021.July 18, 2022, thereby effectively terminating all preferred share purchase rights under the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement such that the shares of Series L Junior Participating Preferred Stock are no longer issued or outstanding.

 

Series G Preferred Stock

 

On May 30, 2000, the Company sold 1,800shares of its Series G Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series G Preferred Stock”), of which 1,631.504were converted prior to November 2001 and 168.496shares continue to be outstanding, at a stated value of $1,0001 per share, convertible into8,582 shares of the Company’s common stock.stock , as adjusted for the stock split on February 8, 2022, and will be further adjusted in the event of another stock splits, stock dividends, combinations of shares and similar transactions subject to stock splits. The Series G Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of common stock, at the option of the holder, subject to certain limitations. The Company may require holders to convert all (but not less than all) of the Series G Preferred Stock or buy out all outstanding shares of Series G Preferred Stock at the liquidation value of $168,496168. Holders of Series G Preferred Stock are not entitled to dividends and have no voting rights, unless required by law or with respect to certain matters relating to the Series G Preferred Stock.

F-44

 

Upon a change in control, sale of or similar transaction, as defined in the Certificate of Designation for the Series G Preferred Stock, the holder of the Series G Preferred Stock has the option to deem such transaction as a liquidation and may redeem their 168.496 shares at the liquidation value of $1,0001 per share, or an aggregate amount of $168,496168. The sale of all the assets of the Company on June 28, 2007 triggered the redemption option. As such redemption was not in the control of the Company, the Series G Preferred Stock has been accounted for as if it is redeemable preferred stock and is classified on the consolidated balance sheets as a mezzanine obligation between liabilities and stockholders’ deficiency.

 

Series H Preferred Stock

 

On August 10, 2018 (the “Closing Date”),As of January 1, 2021, the Company closed on a securities purchase agreement with certain accredited investors, pursuant to which the Company issued an aggregate ofhad 19,39919,596 shares of Series H Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series H Preferred Stock”) outstanding at a stated value of $1,000, initiallyper share, convertible into2,672,176 shares of the Company’s common stock, as adjusted for the stock split on February 8, 2022, and will be further adjusted in the event of another stock splits, stock dividends, combinations of shares and similar transactions, at the option of the holder subject to certain limitations, at a conversion rate equal to the stated value divided by the conversion price of $7.26per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $19,399,250 (net proceeds of $18,045,496 after taking into consideration issuance costs or $1,353,754).

Between August 14, 2020 and August 20, 2020, the Company entered into additional securities purchase agreements for the sale ofshare. The Series H Preferred Stock with accredited investors, pursuant to which the Company issued 108 shares (after it rescinded the issuance of 2,145 shares that were deemed null and void and repaid to certain holders on October 28, 2020), at a stated value of $1,000 per share, initially convertible into 14,877 shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion rate equal to the stated value divided by the conversion price of $7.26 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $130,896 (net proceeds of $113,000 after taking into consideration issuance costs), which was used for working capital and general corporate purposes.

On October 31, 2020, the Company issued 389 shares of Series H Preferred Stock to James Heckman at the stated value of $1,000, convertible into 53,582 shares of the Company’s common stock, at the option of the holder subject to certain limitations at a conversion rate equal to the stated value divided by the conversion price of $7.26 per share. The shares of Series H Preferred Stock were issued in connection with the cancellation of promissory notes payable to Mr. Heckman in the aggregate outstanding principal amount of $389,000.

The number of shares issuable upon conversion of the Series H Preferred Stock will be adjusted in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, combinations of sharesRegistration Rights Damages and similar transactions.Public Information Failure Damages (see Note 16). Each Series H Preferred Stock votes on an as-if-converted to common stock basis, subject to beneficial ownership blocker provisions and other certain conditions. In addition, if at

The holders of the Series H Preferred Stock can participate any time the Company grants, issues or sells any common stock equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of common stock, (the “Purchase Rights”), then a holder of the Series H Preferred Stock will be entitled to acquire the aggregate Purchase Rights which the holder could have acquired if the holder had held the number of shares of common stock acquirable upon complete conversion of such holder’s Series H Preferred Stock immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, subject to certain conditions, adjustments, and limitations. All the shares of Series H Preferred Stock automatically convert into shares of the Company’s common stock on the fifth anniversary of the Closing Dateinitial first closing, or August 10, 2023, at the conversion price of $7.26 per share.

 

F-46

The shares of Series H Preferred Stock were subject to limitations on conversion into shares of the Company’s common stock until the date that increased the number of authorized shares of its common stock to at least a number permitting all the Series H Preferred Stock to be converted in full, which was filed on December 18, 2020, therefore this limitation was removed (as further described in Note 21)22).

F-45

Pursuant to the registration rights agreement entered into on August 10, 2018, in connection with the securities purchase agreements, the Company agreed to register the shares issuable upon conversion of the Series H Preferred Stock for resale by the holders. The Company committed to file the registration statement by no later than 75 days after the closing date and to cause the registration statement to become effective, in general, by no later than 120 days after the closing date (or, in the event of a full review by the staff of the SEC, 150 days following the closing date). The registration rights agreement provides for a cash payment equal to 1.0% per month of the amount invested as partial liquidated damages, on each monthly anniversary, payable within 7 days of such event, and upon the occurrence of certain events up to a maximum amount of 6.0% of the aggregate amount invested, subject to interest at 12.0% per annum, accruing daily, until paid in full. The registration rights agreements provide for Registration Rights Damages (further details are provided in Note 15).

The securities purchase agreements entered into on August 10, 2018, included a provision that requires the Company to maintain its periodic filings with the SEC in order to satisfy the public information requirements under Rule 144(c) of the Securities Act. If the Company fails for any reason to satisfy the current public information requirement after 6 months of the closing date, then the Company will be obligated to pay to each holder a cash payment equal to 1.0% of the aggregate amount invested for each 30-day period, or pro rata portion thereof, as partial liquidated damages per month, up to a maximum of 6 months, subject to interest at the rate of 1.0% per month until paid in full. The securities purchase agreements provide for Public Information Failure Damages (further details are provided in Note 15).

 

The following table represents the componentsactivity of the Series H Preferred Stock for the years ended and as offrom January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 and 2020:2022:

 

Schedule of Components of Preferred Stock

     Series H Preferred 
  Shares  Stock Components 
Issuance of Series H Preferred Stock at January 1, 2020  19,399  $19,399,250 
Less issuance costs      (1,353,754)
Net issuance of Series H Preferred Stock at January 1, 2020      18,045,496 
Issuance of Series H Preferred Stock on August 19, 2020:        
Issuance of Series H Preferred Stock (as further described below)  108   130,896 
Less issuance costs netted from the proceeds      (17,896)
Net proceeds received upon issuance of Series H Preferred Stock      113,000 
Conversion of Series H Preferred Stock into common stock on September 21, 2020  (300)  (300,000)
Issuance of Series H Preferred Stock upon conversion of promissory note on November 13, 2020 (as further described below)  389   389,000 
Net issuance of Series H Preferred Stock during the year ended December 31, 2020  197   202,000 
Series H Preferred Stock at December 31, 2020  19,596  $18,247,496 
Conversion of Series H Preferred Stock:        
Conversion of Series H Preferred Stock into common stock on August 17, 2021  (50)  (50,000)
Conversion of Series H Preferred Stock into common stock on November 22, 2021  (4,011)  (4,011,000)
Conversion of Series H Preferred Stock into common stock on December 21, 2021  (469)  (469,000)
Total conversion of Series H Preferred Stock  (4,530)  (4,530,000)
Series H Preferred Stock at December 31, 2021  15,066  $13,717,496 
  Shares  Amount 
Series H Preferred Stock at January 1, 2021  19,596  $18,248 
Conversion of Series H Preferred Stock into common stock during the year ended December 31, 2021  (4,530)  (4,530)
Series H Preferred Stock at December 31, 2021  15,066  13,718 
Conversion of Series H Preferred Stock into common stock during the year ended December 31, 2022  (710)  (710)
Series H Preferred Stock at December 31, 2022  14,356  $13,008 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, in connection with the issuance of 108 shares (issued on August 19, 2020) and 389 shares (issued on October 31, 2020) of Series H Preferred Stock, the Company recognized a beneficial conversion feature of $113,000 and $389,000 (totaling $502,000), respectively, for the underlying common shares since the nondetachable conversion feature was in-the-money (the conversion price of $7.26 was lower than the Company’s common stock trading price of $18.92 and $16.94 at the issuance date of August 19, 2020 and October 31, 2020, respectively). The beneficial conversion feature was recognized as a deemed dividend with an offset to additional paid-in capital.

F-46

The Company recorded the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock upon conversion of the Series H Preferred Stock of 624,11197,980 and 41,323624,111 with a corresponding amount of $710 and $4,530 during the years ended December 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively, on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.

 

Series I Preferred Stock

On June 28, 2019, the Company closed on a securities purchase agreement with certain accredited investors, pursuant to which the Company issued an aggregate of 23,100 shares of Series I Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series I Preferred Stock”) at a stated value of $1,000, initially convertible into 2,100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion rate equal to the stated value divided by the conversion price of $11.00 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $23,100,000 (net proceeds of $19,699,742 after taking into consideration issuance costs of $1,459,858 and Liquidated Damages recognized upon issuance of $1,940,400). Each Series I Preferred Stock votes on an as-if-converted to common stock basis, subject to certain conditions.

Pursuant to the registration rights agreements entered into in connection with the securities purchase agreements on June 28, 2019, the Company agreed to register the shares issuable upon conversion of the Series I Preferred Stock for resale by the investors. The Company committed to file the registration statement no later than the 30th calendar day following the date the Company files (i) its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, (ii) all its required quarterly reports on Form 10-Q since the quarter ended September 30, 2018 through September 30, 2019, and (iii) current Form 8-K in connection with the acquisitions of TheStreet and its license with ABG, with the SEC, but in no event later than December 1, 2019. The Company committed to cause the registration statement to become effective by no later than 90 days after December 1, 2019, subject to certain conditions and upon the occurrence of certain events up to a maximum amount of 6% of the aggregate amount invested. The registration rights agreements provide for Registration Rights Damages (further details are provided in Note 15).

The securities purchase agreements included a provision that requires the Company to maintain its periodic filings with the SEC in order to satisfy the public information requirements under Rule 144(c) of the Securities Act. If the Company fails for any reason to satisfy the current public information requirement after 6 months of the closing date, then the Company will be obligated to pay to each holder a cash payment equal to 1.0% of the aggregate amount invested for each 30-day period, or pro rata portion thereof, as partial liquidated damages per month, up to a maximum of 6 months, subject to interest at the rate of 1.0% per month until paid in full. The securities purchase agreements provide for Public Information Failure Damages (further details are provided in Note 15).

The Company recognized a portion of the Liquidated Damages pursuant to the registration rights and securities purchase agreements in connection with the Series I Preferred Stock at the time of issuance as it was deemed probable the obligations would not be satisfied when the financing was completed (further details are presented in the table below).

The following table represents the components of the Series I Preferred Stock as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020:

Schedule of Components of Preferred Stock

  Shares  Series I Preferred Stock Components 
Issuance of Series I Preferred Stock at January 1, 2020  23,100  $23,100,000 
Less costs recognized upon issuance:        
Issuance costs incurred upon issuance      (1,459,858)
Liquidated Damages recognized upon issuance      (1,940,400)
Total issuance costs and Liquidated Damages    (3,400,258)
Net issuance of Series I Preferred Stock at January 1, 2020  23,100   19,699,742 
Conversion of Series I Preferred Stock into common stock on December 18, 2020 (as further described below)  (23,100)  (19,699,742)
Series I Preferred Stock at December 31, 2020  -  $- 

All the shares of Series I Preferred Stock converted automatically into shares of the Company’s common stock on December 18, 2020, as a result of the increase in the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock (as further described in Note 21). Upon conversion the Company recognized a beneficial conversion feature of $5,082,000 for the underlying common shares since the nondetachable conversion feature was in-the-money (the conversion price of $11.00 was lower than the Company’s common stock trading price of $13.42 at the conversion date). The beneficial conversion feature was recognized as a deemed dividend with an offset to additional paid-in capital.

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��

The Company recorded the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock upon conversion of the Series I Preferred Stock of 2,100,000 during the year ended December 31, 2020 on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.

Series J Preferred Stock

On October 7, 2019, the Company closed on a securities purchase agreement with certain accredited investors, pursuant to which the Company issued an aggregate of 20,000 shares of Series J Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series J Preferred Stock”) at a stated value of $1,000, initially convertible into 1,299,091 shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion rate equal to the stated value divided by the conversion price of $15.40 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $20,000,000 (net proceeds of $17,739,996 after taking into consideration issuance costs of $580,004 and Liquidated Damages recognized upon issuance of $1,680,000).

Pursuant to the registration rights agreements entered into in connection with the securities purchase agreements on October 7, 2019, the Company agreed to register the shares issuable upon conversion of the Series J Preferred Stock for resale by the investors. The Company committed to file the registration statement no later than the 30th calendar day following the date the Company files (i) its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, (ii) all its required quarterly reports on Form 10-Q since the quarter ended September 30, 2018 through September 30, 2019, and (iii) current Form 8-K in connection with the acquisition of TheStreet, and other acquisitions during 2018, and its license with ABG, with the SEC, but in no event later than March 31, 2020. The Company committed to cause the registration statement to become effective by no later than 90 days after March 31, 2020, subject to certain conditions and upon the occurrence of certain events up to a maximum amount of 6% of the aggregate amount invested. The registration rights agreements provide for Registration Rights Damages (further details are provided in Note 15).

The Company recognized a portion of the Liquidated Damages pursuant to the registration rights and securities purchase agreements in connection with the Series J Preferred Stock at the time of issuance as it was deemed probable the obligations would not be satisfied when the financing was completed (further details are presented in the table below).

On September 4, 2020, the Company closed on securities purchase agreements with two accredited investors, pursuant to which the Company issued an aggregate of 10,500 shares of Series J Preferred Stock at a stated value of $1,000 per share, initially convertible into 682,023 shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion rate equal to the stated value divided by the conversion price of $15.40, for aggregate gross proceeds of $6,000,000, which was used for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered into in connection with the securities purchase agreements on September 4, 2020, the Company agreed to register the shares issuable upon conversion of the Series J Preferred Stock for resale by the investors. The Company committed to file the registration statement by no later than the 30th calendar day following the date the Company files its (a) Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019, (b) all its required Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q since the quarter ended September 30, 2018, through the quarter ended September 30, 2020, and (c) any Form 8-K Reports that the Company is required to file with the SEC; but in no event later than April 30, 2021 (the “Filing Date”). The Company also committed to cause the registration statement to become effective by no later than 60 days after the Filing Date (or, in the event of a full review by the staff of the SEC, 120 days following the Filing Date) and upon the occurrence of certain events up to a maximum amount of 6% of the aggregate amount invested. The registration rights agreements provide for Registration Rights Damages (further details are provided in Note 15).

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The number of shares issuable upon conversion of the Series J Preferred Stock will be adjusted in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, combinations of shares and similar transactions. Each share of Series J Convertible Preferred Stock votes on an as-if-converted to common stock basis, subject to certain conditions.

The securities purchase agreements included a provision that requires the Company to maintain its periodic filings with the SEC in order to satisfy the public information requirements under Rule 144(c) of the Securities Act. If the Company fails for any reason to satisfy the current public information requirement after 6 months of the closing date, then the Company will be obligated to pay to each holder a cash payment equal to 1.0% of the aggregate amount invested for each 30-day period, or pro rata portion thereof, as partial liquidated damages per month, up to a maximum of 6 months, subject to interest at the rate of 1.0% per month until paid in full. The securities purchase agreements provide for Public Information Failure Damages (further details are provided in Note 15).

The following table represents the components of the Series J Preferred Stock for the years ended and as of December 31, 2020:

Schedule of Components of Preferred Stock

     Series J Preferred 
  Shares  Stock Components 
Issuance of Series J Preferred Stock at January 1, 2020  20,000  $20,000,000 
Less costs recognized upon issuance:        
Issuance costs incurred upon issuance      (580,004)
Liquidated Damages recognized upon issuance      (1,680,000)
Total issuance costs and Liquidated Damages      (2,260,004)
Net issuance of Series J Preferred Stock at January 1, 2020      17,739,996 
Issuance of Series J Preferred Stock on September 4, 2020  10,500   6,000,000 
Net Issuance of Series J Preferred Stock prior to conversion on December 18, 2020  30,500   23,739,996 
Conversion of Series J Preferred Stock into common stock on December 18, 2020 (as further described below)  (30,500)  (23,739,996)
Series I Preferred Stock at December 31, 2020  -  $- 

All the shares of Series J Preferred Stock converted automatically into shares of the Company’s common stock on December 18, 2020, as a result of the increase in the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock (as further described in Note 21). Upon conversion the Company recognized a beneficial conversion feature of $586,545 for the underlying common shares since the nondetachable conversion feature was in-the-money (the effective conversion price of $8.80 for the issuance of Series J Preferred Stock on September 4, 2020 (these shares were issued at a discount) was lower than the Company’s common stock trading price of $13.42 at the conversion date). The beneficial conversion feature was recognized as a deemed dividend with an offset to additional paid-in capital.

The Company recorded the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock upon conversion of the Series J Preferred Stock of 1,981,114 during the year ended December 31, 2020 on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.

Series K Preferred Stock

Between October 23, 2020 and November 11, 2020, the Company closed on several securities purchase agreements with accredited investors, pursuant to which the Company issued an aggregate of 18,042 shares of Series K Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Series K Preferred Stock”) at a stated value of $1,000, initially convertible into 2,050,228 shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion rate equal to the stated value divided by the conversion price of $8.80 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $18,042,000. The number of shares issuable upon conversion of the Series K Preferred Stock will be adjusted in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, combinations of shares and similar transactions. Each Series K Preferred Stock votes on an as-if-converted to common stock basis, subject to certain conditions.

In consideration for its services as placement agent, the Company paid B. Riley FBR a cash fee of $560,500. The Company used approximately $3.4 million of the net proceeds from the financing to partially repay the Delayed Draw Term Note and used approximately $2.6 million for payment on a prior investment, with the remainder of approximately $11.5 million for working capital and general corporate purposes.

F-49

Pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered into in connection with the securities purchase agreements, the Company agreed to register the shares issuable upon conversion of the Series K Preferred Stock for resale by the investors. The Company committed to file the registration statement by no later than the 30th calendar day following the date the Company files its (a) Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019, (b) all its required Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q since the quarter ended September 30, 2018, through the quarter ended September 30, 2020, and (c) any Form 8-K Reports that the Company is required to file with the SEC; provided, however, if such 30th calendar day is on or after February 12, 2021, then such 30th calendar date shall be tolled until the 30th calendar day following the date that the Company files its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 (the “Filing Date”). The Company also committed to cause the registration statement to become effective by no later than 90 days after the Filing Date (or, in the event of a full review by the staff of the SEC, 120 days following the Filing Date) and upon the occurrence of certain events up to a maximum amount of 6% of the aggregate amount invested. The registration rights agreements provide for Registration Rights Damages (further details are provided in Note 15).

The securities purchase agreements included a provision that requires the Company to maintain its periodic filings with the SEC in order to satisfy the public information requirements under Rule 144(c) of the Securities Act. If the Company fails for any reason to satisfy the current public information requirement after 6 months of the closing date, then the Company will be obligated to pay to each holder a cash payment equal to 1.0% of the aggregate amount invested for each 30-day period, or pro rata portion thereof, as partial liquidated damages per month, up to a maximum of 6 months, subject to interest at the rate of 1.0% per month until paid in full. The securities purchase agreements provide for Public Information Failure Damages (further details are provided in Note 15).

The following table represents the components of the Series K Preferred Stock as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020:

Schedule of Components of Preferred Stock

     Series K Preferred 
  Shares  Stock Components 
Issuance of Series K Preferred Stock:        
Issuance of Series K Preferred Stock on October 23, 2020  6,750  $6,750,000 
Issuance of Series K Preferred Stock on October 28, 2020  5,292   5,292,000 
Issuance of Series K Preferred Stock on November 11, 2020  6,000   6,000,000 
Total issuance of Series K Preferred Stock  18,042   18,042,000 
Less issuance costs:        
Cash paid to B. Riley FBR as placement fee      (440,500)
Legal fees and other costs      (120,000)
Total issuance costs      (560,500)
Net issuance of Series K Preferred Stock prior to conversion on December 18, 2020  18,042   17,481,500 
Conversion of Series K Preferred Stock to common stock on December 18, 2020 (as further described below)  (18,042)  (17,481,500)
Series K Preferred Stock at December 31, 2020  -  $- 

All the shares of Series K Preferred Stock converted automatically into shares of the Company’s common stock on December 18, 2020, as a result of the increase in the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock (as further described in Note 21). Upon conversion the Company recognized a beneficial conversion feature of $9,472,050 for the underlying common shares since the nondetachable conversion feature was in-the-money (the conversion price of $8.80 was lower than the Company’s common stock trading price of $13.42 at the conversion date). The beneficial conversion feature was recognized as a deemed dividend with an offset to additional paid-in capital.

The Company recorded the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock upon conversion of the Series K Preferred Stock of 2,050,228 during the year ended December 31, 2020 on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.

F-50

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, from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of the Company’s 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 will be 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 will be 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 will be entitled to receive 1,000 times the amount received per one share of the Company’s common stock (further details are provided under the heading Series L Preferred Stock in Note 28).

21.22. Stockholders’ Deficiency

Common Stock

 

The Company has the authority to issue 1,000,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share as the result of filing on December 18, 2020, a Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of the State of Delaware to increase the number of authorized shares of its common stock from 100,000,000 shares to 1,000,000,000 shares.

 

Common Stock Private PlacementPublic Offering – During the year ended December 31, 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 consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.

 

Common Stock Private PlacementOn May 20, 2021 and May 25,During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company entered into securities purchase agreements with several accredited investors, pursuant to which the Company sold an aggregate of 974,351 1,299,027shares of itsthe Company’s common stock at a per share price of $15.40 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of $15,005,000 20,005 (974,351in 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 its common stock, at a per share price of $15.40 for gross proceeds of $5,000,000 in a private placement that was in addition to the closings that occurredwere issued on May 20, 2021 and May 25, 2021.2021 for gross proceeds of $15,005 and 324,676 shares were issued on June 2, 2021 for gross proceeds of $5,000). After payment of legal fees and expenses the investors of $167,243167, of which $100,000 100was paid in cash to B. Riley, the Company received net proceeds of $19,837,75719,838. The Company used as reflected on the proceeds for general corporate purposes.consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.

 

Pursuant to the registration rights agreements entered into in connection with the securities purchase agreements, the Company agreed to register theThe shares of the Company’s common stock issued in connection with the common stock private placements.placement is subject to Registration Rights Damages and Public Information Failure Damages, in certain circumstances and limited to 6% of the aggregate amount invested (see Note 16).

Common Stock Withheld The Company registered thoserecorded the repurchase of vested restricted common stock of 373,394 shares for the payment for taxes of $4,468, and 4,355 shares for the payment for taxes of $70, during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, as reflected on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.

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Common Stock for Acquisitions – The Company recorded the issuance of 330,863 shares of the Company’s common stock as follows: (i) 314,103 shares were issued pursuant to the Parade stock acquisition on April 1, 2022, with a fair market value of $3,141, as further described in Note 4; and (ii) 16,760 shares were issued on March 9, 2022, pursuant to an asset acquisition entered into March 9, 2020 with no fair value recognized at the private placements on behalftime of the selling stockholders that notified the Company that they wanted to have their shares registered by filing a registration statement, which was declared effective by the SEC on November 29, 2021.

F-51

The security purchase agreements included a provision that requires the Company to maintain its periodic filings with the SEC in order to satisfy the public information requirements under Rule 144(c) of the Securities Act. If the Company fails for any reason to satisfy the current public information requirement at any timeissuance, during the period commencing from the twelve (12) month anniversary of the date the Company becomes current in its filing obligations and ending at such time that all of the common stock may be sold without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with Rule 144(c)(1) and otherwise without restriction or limitation pursuant to Rule 144, if the Company (i) shall fail for any reason to satisfy the current public information requirement under Rule 144(c) or (ii) has ever been an issuer described in Rule 144(i)(1)(i) or becomes an issuer in the future, and the Company shall fail to satisfy any condition set forth in Rule 144(i)(2) (a “Public Information Failure”) then, in addition to such purchaser’s other available remedies, the Company shall pay to a purchaser, in cash,year ended December 31, 2022, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, an amount in cash equal to one percent (1.0%) of the aggregate subscription amount of the purchaser’s shares then held by the purchaserreflected on the dayconsolidated statements of a Public Information Failure and on every thirtieth (30th) day (pro-rated for periods totaling less than thirty days) thereafter until the earlier of (a) the date such Public Information Failure is cured up to a maximum of five (5) 30-day periods and (b) such time that such public information is no longer required for the purchasers to transfer the shares pursuant to Rule 144. Public Information Failure Damages shall be paid on the earlier of (i) the last day of the calendar month during which such Public Information Failure Damages are incurred and (ii) the third (3rd) business day after the event or failure giving rise to the Public Information Failure Damages is cured. In the event the Company fails to make Public Information Failure Damages in a timely manner, such Public Information Failure Damages shall bear interest at the rate of 1.0% per month (prorated for partial months) until paid in full.stockholders’ deficiency.

 

LiftIgniter Common Stock for Liquidated Damages The Company entered into several stock purchase agreements with several investors on January 24, 2022, where the Company was liable to for liquidated damages, pursuant to which the Company issued an aggregate of 505,655 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 asset acquisition of LiftIgniter,stock purchase agreements, the Company issuedfiled a registration statement covering the resale of 11,667 505,655 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 pursuant toand recognized a gain of $323 on the restrictedsettlement of the liquidated damages, which was recorded as additional paid-in capital on the consolidated statement of stockholders’ deficiency.

Exercise of Stock Options – The Company recorded the exercise of 96,408 common stock units granted atoptions for shares of the acquisition date.Company’s common stock for cash of $95, during the year ended December 31, 2022, as reflected on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.

 

Professional ServicesInThe Company issued, in connection with entering into aseveral professional services agreement, the Company issuedagreements, 14,617 and 14,205 shares of the Company’s common stock (14,617 shares consisted of 1,134 shares issued on January 12, 2022 at $13.20 and 13,483 shares issued on January 26, 2022 at $12.54) and (14,205 shares issued on January 21, 2021 at $8.80) that were recorded at the trading price on the issuance date during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 of $184 and $125, respectively, as reflected on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.

Restricted Stock Units – The Company issued, in connection with the vesting of restricted stock units, 832,233shares of the Company’s atcommon stock (as described in Note 23) and 34,395 shares of the issuanceCompany’s common stock (11,667 shares issued in connection with an asset acquisition and 22,728 shares issued to a certain board member) during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, as reflected on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity.

Restricted Common Stock – The Company issued, in connection with certain acquisitions, 228,898 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock (194,806 shares in connection with The Spun, as further described below, and 34,092 shares in connection with Fulltime Fantasy, as further described in Note 4) during the year ended December 31, 2021, as reflected on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.

Restricted Stock Awards

During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate of 48,856 shares of its common stock as restricted stock awards to certain members of the Board, subject to continued service with the Company, with vesting generally over a twelve-month period (or shorter if granted after January 1, 2021 so that the awards are fully vested as of December 31, 2021) from the grant date, of $which 8.806,844 unvested restricted stock awards were forfeited.

Unless otherwise stated, the fair value of a restricted stock award is determined based on January 21, 2021.the number of shares granted and the quoted price of the Company’s common stock on the date issued. The estimated fair value of these shares is being recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award (see Note 23).

F-48

A summary of the restricted stock award activity during the year ended December 31, 2022 is as follows:

Summary of Restricted Stock Award Activity

  

Number of

Shares

  

Weighted

Average

Grant-Date

Fair Value

 
Restricted stock awards outstanding at January 1, 2022  194,806  $        16.94 
Vested  (97,403)  (16.94)
Restricted stock awards outstanding at December 31, 2022  97,403   16.94 

During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company permitted an exchange of 4,035 shares from vested restricted stock awards for the exercise of 7,893 common stock options (issued under the 2019 Plan, see Note 23) for the net exercise of 3,858 common stock options for shares of the Company’s common stock as reflected on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.

Information with respect to stock-based compensation cost and unrecognized stock-based compensation cost related to the restricted stock awards is provided under the heading Stock-Based Compensation in Note 23.

 

Common Stock to be Issued

 

In connection with the merger of Say Media merger on December 12, 2018, the Company issued 129,8807,851 shares of the Company’s common stock during the year ended December 31, 20202022, out of the total shares required to be issued of 230,32646,406 .as of January 1, 2021. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020,2022, 46,40638,555 shares of the Company’s common stock have not been issued and are to be issued.

 

In connection with a closing of a private placement on January 4, 2018, MDB, as the placement agent, was entitled to receive 2,728 shares of the Company’s common stock that have not been issued as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. Further,2022, as reflected on the 2,728 sharesconsolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency as common stock to be issued that were subject to Liquidated Damages (see Note 15)16).

Restricted Stock Awards

 

On January 1, 2020, the Company issued 25,569 shares of its common stock as restricted stock awards to certain members of the Board subject to continued service with the Company. The awards vest over a twelve-month period from the grant date and the estimated fair value of these shares is being recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award (see Note 22).

F-52

On December 31, 2020, the Company modified certain restricted stock awards and units, which were previously issued to certain employees in connection with the HubPages merger, where the Company agreed to repurchase the underlying common stock of the restricted stock awards at a specified price and forfeited any unvested awards. Pursuant to certain terms of the amendment, the Company agreed to repurchase 48,389 shares of the Company’s stock that were issued as restricted stock awards and forfeited the restricted stock units (as further described in Note 12).

The terms under which the restricted stock awards and units were granted are summarized as follows:

The Company issued a total of 109,091 shares of common stock to certain key personnel of HubPages who agreed to continue their employment, as restricted stock awards, subject to a repurchase right and vesting in connection with the merger that were fair valued upon issuance by an independent appraisal firm;
The repurchase right, which expired in March 2019 unexercised, gave the Company the option to repurchase a certain number of shares at par value based on a performance condition as defined in the terms of the merger agreement;
The shares were subject to vesting over twenty-four equal monthly installments beginning September 23, 2019, and ending September 23, 2021;
The restricted stock awards provided for a true-up period (in general, the true-up period was for 13 months after the consummation of the merger until 90 days following completion of vesting, or July 30, 2021) that if the common stock was sold for less than $2.50 the holder would receive, subject to certain conditions, additional shares of common stock (i.e. the restricted stock units) up to a maximum of the number of shares originally received (or 109,091 in aggregate to all holders) for the shares that re-sold for less than $2.50, which was settled on May 31, 2019 (as further described in Note 22);

During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate of 48,856 shares of its common stock as restricted stock awards to certain members of the Board subject to continued service with the Company. The awards generally vest over a twelve-month period (or shorter if granted after January 1, 2021 so that the awards are fully vested as of December 31, 2021) from the grant date and the estimated fair value of these shares is being recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award (see Note 22).

On June 4, 2021, in connection with the merger of The Spun, the Company issued an aggregate of 194,806 restricted stock awards 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. The vesting of the restricted stock awards are subject to the continued employment of certain selling employees and the estimated fair value of these awards are being recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award (see Note 22).

Unless otherwise stated, the fair value of a restricted stock award is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of the Company’s common stock on the date issued.

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A summary of the restricted stock award activity during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is as follows:

Summary of Restricted Stock Award Activity

     

Weighted
Average

 
  Number of Shares  Grant-Date 
  Unvested  Vested  Fair Value 
Restricted stock awards outstanding at January 1, 2020  108,713   77,077  $12.32 
Issued  25,569   -   10.56 
Vested  (101,706)  101,706     
Subject to repurchase  -   (48,389)    
Forfeited  (18,182)  (33,947)    
Restricted stock awards outstanding at December 31, 2020  14,394   96,447   9.24 
Issued  243,662   -   16.15 
Vested  (56,415)  56,415     
Exchange of shares  -   (4,035)    
Forfeited  (6,835)  (4,355)    
Restricted stock awards outstanding at December 31, 2021  194,806   144,472   14.93 

The Company permitted an exchange of 4,035 shares from vested restricted stock awards for the exercise of 7,893 common stock options (issued under the 2019 Plan, see Note 22) for the recorded net exercise of common stock options of 3,858 shares during the year ended December 31, 2021, on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.

The Company recorded forfeited unvested restricted stock awards and/or forfeited vested restricted stock awards used for tax withholding of 11,190 (6,835 forfeited awards and 4,355 used for tax withholding) and 52,129 (18,182 forfeited awards and 33,947 used for tax withholding) during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.

On October 7, 2021, the Company modified certain restricted stock awards upon the resignation of certain board members from the Board as follows:

18,940 restricted stock awards that were issued to certain members of the Board were modified to accelerate the vesting upon resignation from the Board, resulting in incremental cost of $41,667 (recognized at the modification date).

On December 11, 2019, the Company modified the vesting provisions of 90,910 restricted stock awards, issued in connection with the Say Media merger, to remove certain repurchase rights, such that they will vest six equal installments at four-month intervals on the twelfth of each month, starting on December 12, 2019, with the final vesting date on August 12, 2021. Compensation expense was recognized over the vesting period of the awards.

Information with respect to stock-based compensation cost and unrecognized stock-based compensation cost related to the restricted stock awards is provided under the heading Stock-Based Compensation in Note 22.

Common Stock Warrants

 

Warrants issued to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock to MDB, L2, Strome, and B. Riley (collectively the “Financing Warrants”) are described below.

MDB Warrants – On October 19, 2017, the Company issued warrants to MDB (the “MDB Warrants”) who acted as placement agent in connection with a private placement of its common stock, to purchase 5,435 shares of common stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $25.30 per share, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments and exercisable for a period of five years.

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On January 4, 2018, the Company issued warrants to MDB which acted as placement agent in connection with a private placement of its common stock, to purchase 2,728 shares of common stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $55.00 per share, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, and may, in the event there is no effective registration statement covering the re-sale of the warrant shares, be exercised on a cashless basis, exercisable for a period of five years.

MDB Warrants exercisable for a total of 8,163 shares of the Company’s common stock were outstanding as of December 31, 2021 (as further detailed below).

 

Strome Warrants – On June 15, 2018, the Company modified the two securities purchase agreements dated January 4, 2018 and March 30, 2018 with Strome Mezzanine Fund LP (“Strome”). As consideration for such modification, the Company issued warrants to Strome (the “Strome Warrants”) to purchase 68,182shares of common stock, exercisable at price of $11.00per share (as amended), which were carried on the consolidated balance sheets as a derivative liability at fair value, as adjusted at each period-end since, among other criteria, delivery of unregistered shares was precluded upon exercise (see Note 17)18).

 

The Strome Warrants are exercisable for a period of five years, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, and may, in the event there is no effective registration statement covering the resale of the warrant shares, be exercised on a cashless basis in certain circumstances.

 

B. Riley Warrants – On October 18, 2018, the Company issued warrants to B. Riley (the “B. Riley Warrants”) to purchase up to 39,77339,774 shares of the Company’s common stock, with an original exercise price of $22.00 per share (subsequently adjusted to $7.26), subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, which were carried on the consolidated balance sheets as a derivative liability at fair value, as adjusted at each period-end since, among other criteria, delivery of unregistered shares was precluded upon exercise (see Note 17)18).

 

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The B. Riley Warrants are exercisable for a period of five years, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, and may, in the event, at any time after the six-month anniversary of the issuance of the warrants, if there is no effective registration statement covering the re-sale of the shares of common stock underlying the warrants, the warrants may be exercised on a cashless basis.

 

A summary of the Financing Warrants activity during the yearsyear ended December 31, 2021 and 20202022 is as follows:

 Summary of Warrant Activity

        Weighted 
        Average 
     Weighted  Remaining 
  Number  Average  Contractual 
  of  Exercise  Life 
  Shares  Price  (in Years) 
Financing Warrants outstanding at January 1, 2020  131,004  $17.60   3.95 
Financing Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2020  131,004   13.20   2.94 
Expired  (14,886)  4.40     
Financing Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2021  116,118   14.08   2.21 
Financing Warrants exercisable at December 31, 2021  116,118   14.08   2.21 
        Weighted 
        Average 
     Weighted  Remaining 
  Number  Average  Contractual 
  of  Exercise  Life 
  Shares  Price  (in Years) 
Financing Warrants outstanding at January 1, 2022  116,118  $13.20   2.94 
Expired  (8,162)  35.22     
Financing Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2022  107,956   10.61   1.32 
Financing Warrants exercisable at December 31, 2022  107,956   10.61   1.32 

 

The intrinsic value of exercisable but unexercised in-the-money Financing Warrants as of December 31, 2021 was $481,253, based on a fair market value of the Company’s common stock of $14.08 per share on December 31, 2021.

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The Financing Warrants outstanding and exercisable classified within the statement of stockholders’ deficiency as of December 31, 20212022 are summarized as follows:

 Schedule of Common Stock Financing Warrants Outstanding and Exercisable

 Exercise Price Expiration Date 

Total Exercisable

(Shares)

  Exercise Price Expiration Date Total Exercisable (Shares) 
Strome Warrants $11.00  June 15, 2023  68,182  $11.00  June 15, 2023  68,182 
B. Riley Warrants  7.26  October 18, 2025  39,773   7.26  October 18, 2025  39,774 
MDB Warrants  25.30  October 19, 2022  5,435 
MDB Warrants  55.00  October 19, 2022  2,728 
Total outstanding and exercisable       116,118         107,956 

 

The intrinsic value of exercisable but unexercised in-the-money Financing Warrants as of December 31, 2022 was $133 based on a fair market value of the Company’s common stock of $10.61 per share on December 31, 2022.

AllHipHop Warrants – On October 26, 2020, the Company exchanged 6,819of Publisher Partner Warrants (as further described under the heading Publisher Partner Warrants) granted to AllHipHop, LLC (“AllHipHop”) for shares of the Company’s common stock that were originally granted on December 20, 2017 with an exercise price of $45.76, for an aggregate of 5,681 new warrants for shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price of $14.30 (the “AllHipHop Warrants”) for the surrender and termination of the original warrants granted (the “Exchange”) (further details are provided in Note 22).

The AllHipHop Warrants are exercisable for a period of five years, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, and may be exercised on a cashless basis.

Publisher Partner Warrants – On December 19, 2016, the Board approved up to 227,273 stock warrants to issue shares of the Company’s common stock to provide equity incentive to its Publisher Partners (the “Publisher Partner Warrants”) to motivate and reward them for their services to the Company and to align the interests of the Publisher Partners with those of stockholders of the Company. On August 23, 2018, the Board approved a reduction of the number of warrant reserve shares from 227,273 to 90,910. The issuance of the Publisher Partner Warrants is administered by management and approved by the Board.

Information with respect to stock-based compensation cost and unrecognized stock-based compensation cost related to the Publisher Partner Warrants is provided in Note 22.

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ABG Warrants – On June 14, 2019, the Company issued 999,540warrants to acquire the Company’s common stock to ABG (the “ABG Warrants”) in connection with the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement, expiring in ten years. Half the warrants have an exercise price of $9.24 $9.24 per share (the “$9.24 Warrants”). The other half of the warrants have an exercise price of $18.48per share (the “$18.48 Warrants”). The warrants provide for the following: (1)(1) 40% of the $9.24 Warrants and 40% of the $18.48 Warrants vest in equal monthly increments over a period of two years beginning on the one year anniversary of the date of issuance of the warrants (any unvested portion of such warrants to be forfeited by ABG upon certain terminations by the Company of the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement) (the “Time-Based Warrants”); (2) 60% of the $9.24 Warrants and 60% of the $18.48 Warrants vest based on the achievement of certain performance goals for the licensed brands in calendar years 2020, 2021, 2022, or 2023; (3) under certain circumstances the Company may require ABG to exercise all (and not less than all) of the warrants, in which case all of the warrants will be vested; (4) all of the warrants automatically vest upon certain terminations of the Licensing Agreement by ABG or upon a change of control of the Company (the “Performance-Based Warrants”); and (5) ABG has the right to participate, on a pro-rata basis (including vested and unvested warrants, exercised or unexercised), in any future equity issuance of the Company (subject to customary exceptions).

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On June 4, 2021, the Company amended certain ABG Warrants in exchange for additional benefits under the Sports Illustrated licensing agreementLicensing Agreement as follows:

 

The exercise price of 99,954 Time-Based Warrants (50% of the original warrants granted totaling 199,908) were adjusted from $18.48 to $7.269.24 per share as adjusted for any stock splits, combinations, stock dividends, reclassifications, recapitalizations and other similar events resulting(further details on the modifications are provided in incremental cost of $417,807 (to be recognized over the remaining vesting period, or through June 14, 2022) measured by an independent appraisal by calculating the fair value of the amended warrant over the calculated fair value of the original warrant immediately before the modification, with the excess fair value of the amended warrant recognized as additional compensation cost at the modification date, or the incremental cost, since the modification did not change the expectation that the award would ultimately vest (probable-to-probable)Note 23).
   
The exercise price of 149,931 Performance-Based Warrants (50% of the original warrants granted totaling 299,862) were adjusted from $18.48 to $9.24 per share as adjusted for any stock splits, combinations, stock dividends, reclassifications, recapitalizations and other similar events resulting(further details on the modifications are provided in incremental cost of $618,465 (to be recognized over the remaining vesting period, or through December 31, 2023) measured by an independent appraisal by calculating the fair value of the amended warrant over the calculated fair value of the original warrant immediately before the modification, with the excess fair value of the amended warrant recognized as additional compensation cost at the modification date, or the incremental cost, since the modification did not change the expectation that the award would ultimately vest (probable-to-probable)Note 23).

 

Information with respect to stock-based compensation cost and unrecognized stock-based compensation cost related to the ABG Warrants is provided in Note 22.

22. Stock–Based Compensation

Common Stock Awards23.

 

2016 PlanPublisher Partner Warrants – On December 19, 2016,May 20, 2020, the Board adoptedapproved a third publisher partner warrant program, which superseded the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”). The purpose of the 2016 Plan is to advance the interests of the Companysecond publisher partner warrant program and its stockholders by enabling the Company and its subsidiaries to attract and retain qualified individuals through opportunities for equity participation in the Company, and to reward those individuals who contribute to the Company’s achievement of its economic objectives. The 2016 Plan allowsauthorized the Company to grant statutory and non-statutory common stock options, and restricted stock awards (collectively the “common stock awards”)publisher partner warrants to acquirepurchase up to 90,910 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Publisher Partner Warrants”). The issuance of the Publisher Partner Warrants is administered by management and approved by the Board.

New Publisher Partner Warrants – On November 2, 2022, the Board approved a warrant incentive program to grant warrants to certain publishers (the “New Publisher Partner Warrants”), that authorized the Company to grant New Publisher Partner Warrants to purchase up to 33,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The New Publisher Partner Warrants will have the following terms: (i) one-third will become exercisable and vest on the one-year anniversary of the issuance; (ii) the remaining warrants will become exercisable and vest in a series of twenty-four (24) successive equal monthly installments following the first anniversary of the issuance; and (iii) a five-year term. The issuance of the New Publisher Partner Warrants is administered by management and approved by the Board. No New Publisher Partner Warrants have been issued.

Information with respect to stock-based compensation cost and unrecognized stock-based compensation cost related to the Publisher Partner Warrants is provided in Note 23.

23.StockBased Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company issued stock-based compensation awards under several plans as follows:

2016 Plan – On December 19, 2016, the Board adopted the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”) that allowed the Company to grant statutory and non-statutory common stock options, and restricted stock awards to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock to employees, directors and consultants, with vesting variable vesting provisions consisting of time-based and performance-based. The Company is no longer issuing awards under the 2016 Plan.
2019 Plan – On April 4, 2019, the Board adopted the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”) that allowed awards of stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, unrestricted stock awards, and stock appreciation rights, with variable vesting provisions consisting of time-based, performance-based, or market-based. The Company is no longer issuing option awards under the 2019 Plan.

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Outside Options – The Company granted stock options outside the 2016 Plan and 2019 Plan (the “Outside Options”) that allowed the Company to grant statutory and non-statutory common stock options, with variable vesting provisions consisting time-based, performance-based targets and certain performance achievements. The Company is no longer issuing Outside Options.
2022 Plan – On April 18, 2022, the Board adopted the 2022 Stock and Equity Compensation Plan (the “2022 Plan”) that was approved by the Company’s stockholders’ on June 2, 2022 with a maximum number of shares authorized to be issued under the plan of 1,800,000. The purpose of the 2022 Plan is to foster the growth and success of the Company by providing a means to attract, motivate and retain officers, directors, key employees, and consultants through awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, unrestricted stock awards and restricted stock units. Shares subject to an award that have been canceled, expired, settled in cash, or not issued or forfeited for any reason will not reduce the aggregate number of shares that may be subject to or delivered under the 2022 Plan and will be available for future awards granted under the 2022 Plan. Common stock options issued under the 2022 Plan may have a term of up to ten years and may have variable vesting provisions based on time and performance. The issuance of awards under the 2022 Plan will be administered by the Board or any committee of directors designated by the Board.

Restricted Stock Awards

On October 7, 2021, the Company modified 18,940 restricted stock awards that were issued to certain members of the board upon their resignation from the Board to accelerate the vesting upon their resignation, resulting in incremental cost of $41 that was recognized at the modification date.

Restricted Stock Units

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company issued restricted stock units to various employees directors and consultants. Sharesmembers of the board subject to ancontinued service. Upon vesting of the award, subject to certain conditions for release of the award, the Company issues the underlying common stock of the Company.

The fair value of a restricted stock unit was determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of the Company’s common stock on the date issued during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.

A summary of the restricted stock unit activity during the year ended December 31, 2022 is as follows:

Schedule of Restricted Stock Units Activity

  Number of Shares  Weighted Average Grant-Date 
  Unvested  Vested  Fair Value 
Restricted stock units outstanding at January 1, 2022  1,636,111   155,211  $14.93 
Granted  442,145   -   11.35 
Vested  (1,074,398)  1,074,398   - 
Released  -   (832,233)  - 
Cancelled  (9,092)  -   - 
Restricted stock units outstanding at December 31, 2022  994,766   397,376   15.44 

On November 22, 2022, the Company modified 232,816 restricted stock units that lapse, expire,were issued to one employee (Ross Levinsohn) to remove the market trading volume condition, resulting in incremental cost of $321 at the modification date.

The Company’s policy is to repurchase the number of shares of its common stock at the fair market value at the time of issuance upon conversion of restricted stock units to cover the tax obligations. In addition, the Company’s policy is to issue new shares of its common stock upon conversion of restricted stock units. During the year ending December 31, 2023, the Company expects to repurchase approximately 725,000 shares of its common stock upon conversion of restricted stock units that are forfeited orexpected to vest and be released during the period.

The total intrinsic value of shares of the Company’s common stock issued for any reason are terminated unexercised or unvested will automatically again become available for issuancerestricted stock units that were released during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were $8,707 and $285, respectively.

Information with respect to stock-based compensation cost related to the restricted stock units is included within the Restricted Stock caption under the 2016 Plan.heading Stock-Based Compensation.

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Common Stock awardsOptions

During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company issued common stock options under the 2016 Plan, may have2019 Plan, 2022 Plan along with Outside Options, consisting of primarily of incentive stock options with a term of up to ten years and may have variable vesting provisions consisting of time-based, and performance-based.

On March 28, 2018, the Board approved an increase in the number of shares of the Company’s common stock reserved for grant pursuant to the 2016 Plan from 136,363 shares to 227,272 shares. On August 23, 2018, the Board increased the authorized number of shares of common stock under the 2016 Plan from 227,272 shares to 454,545 shares. The Company’s stockholders approved the increase in the number of shares authorized under the 2016 Plan on April 3, 2020. The issuance of common stock awards under the 2016 Plan is administered by the Company and approved by the Board.

performance-based, or market-based. The estimated fair value of the common stock option awards is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award.

 

The fair value of common stock option awards granted during the year ended December 31, 20202022 were calculated using a Black-Scholes options pricing model for the time-based awards and performance-based awards by an independent appraisal firm under the Up-List Scenario after the Company was listed on the NYSE American. The fair value of common stock option awards granted during the year ended December 31, 2021 was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model for the time-based and performance-based awards by an independent appraisal firm under the Probability Weighted Scenarios, prior to the Company listed on the NYSE American, utilizing the following assumptions:

Schedule of Fair Value of Stock Options Assumptions 

  Up-list  No Up-list 
Risk-free interest rate  0.45%  0.45%
Expected dividend yield  0.00%  0.00%
Expected volatility  71.00%  132.00%
Expected life  6.0 years   6.0 years 

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  Years Ended December 31, 
  2022  2021 
  Up-list  No Up-list  Up-list  No Up-list 
Risk-free interest rate  0.97% - 4.36%  0.97% - 1.44%  0.16% - 1.48%  0.16% - 1.48%
Expected dividend yield  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%
Expected volatility  42.00% - 82.00%  82.00% - 137.00%  65.00% - 90.00%  133.00% - 140.00%
Expected life  3.06.0 years   3.06.0 years   3.06.0 years   3.06.0 years 

 

A summary of the common stock awardoption activity during the yearsyear ended December 31, 2021 and 20202022 is as follows:

Summary of Stock Option Activity 

      Weighted       Weighted 
      Average       Average 
    Weighted Remaining     Weighted Remaining 
 Number Average Contractual  Number Average Contractual 
 of Exercise Life  of Exercise Life 
 Shares Price (in Years)  Shares Price (in Years) 
Common stock awards outstanding at January 1, 2020  366,571  $13.64   8.34 
Common stock options outstanding at January 1, 2022  5,525,395  $

15.26

   8.20 
Granted  10,637   19.80       1,370,217  10.64     
Exercised  (316)  12.32       (341,113)  8.79     
Forfeited  (27,327)  23.98       (234,963)  13.91     
Expired  (35,823)  11.66       (120,015)  12.34     
Common stock awards outstanding at December 31, 2020  313,742   18.92   7.50 
Granted  8,041   27.42     
Forfeited  (176)  12.32     
Expired  (28,266)  26.84     
Common stock awards outstanding at December 31, 2021  293,341   18.49   6.49 
Common stock awards exercisable at December 31, 2021  293,341   18.49   6.49 
Common stock awards not vested at December 31, 2021  -         
Common stock awards available for future grants at December 31, 2021  161,204         
Common stock options outstanding at December 31, 2022  6,199,521   9.73   7.61 
Common stock options exercisable at December 31, 2022  3,444,261   9.55   7.00 
Common stock options not vested at December 31, 2022  2,755,260         
Common stock options available for future grants at December 31, 2022 (1)  504,782         

(1)Shares of the Company’s common stock available for future grants under the 2022 Plan represent 1,800,000 shares authorized less an aggregate of 964,455 common stock options outstanding and 330,763 restricted stock units outstanding.

 

The aggregate grant date fair value of common stock awardsoptions granted during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 was $173,9347,194. and $29,124, respectively. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of common stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were $5.25 and $12.23, respectively.

The total fair value of common stock options vested during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were $12,694 and $14,808, respectively. The total intrinsic value of common stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were $1,507 and $50, respectively.

The unvested common stock options for which the vesting is expected based on achievement of a performance condition as of December 31, 2022 were 684,867 with a weighted average remaining contractual term of 6.55 years.

The Company’s policy is to repurchase the number of shares of its common stock at the fair market value at the time of issuance of its common stock upon exercise of common stock options to cover the tax obligations and any cashless exercise. In addition, the Company’s policy is to issue new shares of its common stock upon exercise of common stock options.

The intrinsic value of exercisable but unexercised in-the-money common stock option awards as of December 31, 2022 was $5,534 based on a fair market value of the Company’s common stock of $10.61 per share on December 31, 2022.

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The exercise prices under the common stock options outstanding and exercisable are as follows as of December 31, 2022:

Schedule of Exercise Prices of Common Stock Options

Exercise Outstanding  Vested 
Price (Shares)  (Shares) 
$3.74 to $10.50  4,879,580   3,167,307 
$10.51 to $15.52  1,239,913   201,976 
$15.53 to $20.54  11,270   10,765 
$20.55 to $25.56  26,365   21,820 
$25.57 to $30.58  1,251   1,251 
$30.59 to $35.60  6,366   6,366 
$35.61 to $40.62  2,728   2,728 
$40.63 to $48.40  32,048   32,048 
   6,199,521   3,444,261 

2022 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 2019 Plan that had an exercise price above $8.82 per share, including certain outstanding stock options held by senior management of the Company under the Outside Options. 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 the2019 Plan, all terms and conditions of each stock option remain 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 remain in full force and effect.

The Stock Option Repricing of approximately 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 on the consolidated statements of operations, and $5,918 will recognized over the remaining vesting term of the original award at the repricing date.

2021 Stock Option Modifications

 

On January 8, 2021, the Company modified certain common stock option awards under the 2016 Plan as follows:

 

10,000 common stock option grants that were subject to performance-vesting (revenue targets) were modified to remove the performance-vesting conditions and fully vest the award at the modification date with no further service requirement, resulting in incremental cost of $35,35235 (recognized, recognized at the modification date).date.
   
9,091 common stock option grants were that were subject to performance-vesting (publishing onboarding targets) were modified to remove the performance-vesting conditions and fully vest the award at the modification date with no further service requirement, resulting in 0no incremental cost.

 

On June 3, 2021, the Company modified certain common stock option awards in connection with a consulting agreement entered into on August 26, 2020, as amended on June 3, 2021, which extended to consulting term through August 26, 2022 (the “Amended Consulting Agreement”), as follows:

 

102,272 common stock option grants that were time-vesting were modified to permit the common stock options to be exercisable for their full term, or 10-years, resulting in 0no incremental cost.

 

On October 7, 2021, the Company modified certain common stock option awards upon the resignation of certain board members from the Board as follows:

 

7,160 common stock option grants that were fully vested and subject time-vesting were modified to permit an extension of the exercise period for 2-years, or through October 7, 2023, resulting in 0no incremental cost.

 

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The intrinsic value of exercisable but unexercised in-the-money common stock awards as of December 31, 2021 was $384,720 based on a fair market value of the Company’s common stock of $14.08per share on December 31, 2021.

The exercise prices under the 2016 Plan for the common stock awards outstanding and exercisable are as follows as of December 31, 2021:

Schedule of Exercise Prices of Common Stock Options

Exercise  Outstanding  Exercisable 
Price  (Shares)  (Shares) 
 Under $11.00   32,591   32,591 
 $11.01 to $16.50   171,797   171,797 
 $16.51 to $22.00   -   - 
 $22.01 to $27.50   41,486   41,486 
 $27.51 to $33.00   910   910 
 $33.01 to $38.50   11,366   11,366 
 $38.51 to $44.00   34,509   34,509 
 $44.01 to $49.50   682   682 
     293,341   293,341 

Information with respect to stock-based compensation cost and unrecognized stock-based compensation cost related to the common stock awards is provided under the heading Stock-Based Compensation.

Common Equity Awards

2019 Plan – On April 4, 2019, the Board adopted the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”). The purpose of the 2019 Plan is to retain the services of our directors, employees, and consultants and align the interests of these individuals with the interests of our stockholders through awards of stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, unrestricted stock awards, and stock appreciation rights (collectively the “common equity awards”). Certain common equity awards require the achievement of certain price targets of the Company’s common stock. Shares subject to a common equity award that lapse, expire, are forfeited or for any reason are terminated unexercised or unvested will automatically again become available for issuance under the 2019 Plan. Common stock options issued under the 2019 Plan may have a term of up to ten years and may have variable vesting provisions consisting of time-based, performance-based, or market-based.

The Company’s stockholders approved the 2019 Plan and the maximum number of shares authorized of 3,863,636 under the 2019 Plan on April 3, 2020. On February 18, 2021, the Board increased the authorized number of shares of common stock under the 2019 Plan from 3,863,637 shares to 8,409,090 shares. The issuance of common equity awards under the 2019 Plan is administered by the Company and approved by the Board. Prior to December 18, 2020, the Company did not have sufficient authorized but unissued shares of common stock to allow for the exercise of these common equity awards granted; accordingly, any common equity awards granted were considered unfunded and were not exercisable until sufficient common shares were authorized (further details are provided in Note 21).

During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company issued restricted stock units of shares of the Company’s common stock of 1,677,680 and 147,728, respectively, to senior management under the 2019 Plan, subject to vesting and other terms and conditions.

The estimated fair value of the common equity awards is recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period of the award.

Unless otherwise stated, the fair value of a restricted stock unit is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of the Company’s common stock on the date issued.

F-59F-54

The fair value of common equity awards granted during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 were calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model for the time-based and performance-based awards by an independent appraisal firm under the Probability Weighted Scenarios utilizing the following assumptions:

Schedule of Fair Value of Stock Options Assumptions

  

Year Ended

December 31, 2021
  

Year Ended

December 31, 2020
 
  Up-list  No Up-list  Up-list  No Up-list 
Risk-free interest rate  0.16% - 1.48%   0.16% - 1.48%   0.20% - 0.79%   0.20% - 0.79% 
Expected dividend yield  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%
Expected volatility  65.00% - 90.00%   133.00% - 140.00%   61.00% - 91.00%   61.00% - 142.00% 
Expected life  3.06.0 years   3.06.0 years   3.06.7 years   3.06.7 years 

A summary of the common equity award activity during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is as follows:

Summary of Stock Option Activity

        Weighted 
        Average 
     Weighted  Remaining 
  Number  Average  Contractual 
  of  Exercise  Life 
  Shares  Price  (in Years) 
Common equity awards outstanding at January 1, 2020  2,955,166  $11.66   9.43 
Granted  1,154,263   15.62     
Forfeited  (379,199)  13.42     
Expired  (124)  12.32     
Common equity awards outstanding at December 31, 2020  3,730,106   12.76   8.65 
Granted  3,981,907   10.86     
Exercised  (7,893)  10.12     
Issued  (22,728)  -     
Forfeited  (433,982)  16.01     
Expired  (339,956)  12.02     
Common equity awards outstanding at December 31, 2021 (1)  6,907,454   11.23   8.63 
Common equity awards exercisable at December 31, 2021  2,052,532   12.04   8.16 
Common equity awards not vested at December 31, 2021 (1)  4,854,922         
Common equity awards available for future grants at December 31, 2021 (2)  1,408,443         

(1)Includes 1,814,044 restricted stock units outstanding

(2)Excludes 70,465 restricted stock awards vested as of December 31, 2021 that were issued under the 2019 Plan

The aggregate grant date fair value for the common equity awards granted during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 was $58,093,478 and $11,180,642, respectively.

 

On January 8, 2021, the Company modified certain common equitystock option awards under the 2019 Plan as follows:

 

475,946 common stock option grants that were issued to senior management were subject to market-based vesting (stock price targets) with a time-vesting overlay were modified to remove the market-based conditions with only the time-vesting condition remaining after the modification, resulting in incremental cost of $125,650125 (to, to be recognized over the remaining time-vesting period of the original award at the modification date).date.

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194,319 common stock option grants that were issued to senior management were subject to performance-vesting (revenue targets) were modified to remove the performance-vesting conditions and replace the time-vesting condition such that the common stock options will vest with respect to one-third of the grant when the option holder completes one year of continuous service beginning on the grant date and the remaining common stock options will vest monthly over twenty-four months when the option holder completes each month of continuous service thereafter, resulting in no incremental cost.
   
572,674 common stock option grants that were subject to market-based vesting (stock price targets) with a time-vesting overlay were modified, in general, to remove the market-based condition and replace the time-vesting condition such that the common stock options will vest with respect to one-third of the grant when the option holder completes one year of continuous service beginning on the grant date and the remaining common stock options will vest monthly over twenty-four months when the option holder completes each month of continuous service thereafter, resulting in incremental cost of $13,89314 (to, to be recognized over the remaining time-vesting period of the original award at the modification date).date.

 

On June 3, 2021, the Company modified certain common equitystock option awards under the 2019 Plan in connection with the Amended Consulting Agreement as follows:

 

659,511 common stock option grants that were subject to performance-vesting conditions (stock-price targets) were modified such that: (1) 90,910 common stock option awards were vested at the modification date, resulting in incremental cost of $51,29351 (recognized at the modification date); and (2) 568,601 common stock option awards would vest, subject to the Company’s common stock being listing on a national securities exchange, upon market-based conditions (stock price targets), resulting in incremental cost of $512,883513 (to be recognized over the implied service period, or through August 26, 2022, at the modification date) measured by an independent appraisal, subject to certain volume weighted average price provisions and permitting the common stock options to be exercisable for their full term, or 10-years, as follows:

 

Summary of Common Stock Options Exercisable

Stock Number of Shares 
Price that Vest 
$14.30  114,035 
$22.00  151,522 
$33.00  151,522 
$44.00  151,522 
   568,601 

 

On October 7, 2021, the Company modified certain common equitystock option awards upon the resignation of certain board members from the Board as follows:

 

65,951 common stock options grants that were subject to market-based vesting (stock price targets) with a time-vesting overlay were modified to remove the market-based conditions and to accelerate the vesting upon resignation from the Board with an extension of the exercise period for 2-years, or through October 7, 2023, resulting in incremental cost of $267,912 (recognized, recognized at the modification date).date.

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The intrinsic value of exercisable (or issuable in the case of vested restricted stock units) but unexercised (or unissued in the case of restricted stock units) in-the-money common equity awards as of December 31, 2021 was $6,572,579 based on a fair market value of the Company’s common stock of $14.08 per share on December 31, 2021.

The exercise prices under the 2019 Plan for the common equity awards outstanding and exercisable are as follows as of December 31, 2021:

Summary of Common Stock Options Exercisable

Exercise  Outstanding  Exercisable 
Price  (Shares)  (Shares) 
 No exercise price   1,802,686   166,574 
 $7.00 to $9.99   132,281   83,496 
 $10.00 to $12.99   1,802,249   974,941 
 $13.00 to $15.99   334,825   135,689 
 $16.00 to $18.99   1,803,385   664,881 
 $19.00 to $21.99   1,032,028   26,951 
     6,907,454   2,052,532 

Information with respect to stock-based compensation cost and unrecognized stock-based compensation cost related to the common equity awards is provided under the heading Stock-Based Compensation.

Outside Options

The Company granted stock options outside the 2016 Plan and 2019 Plan to certain officers, directors and employees of the Company as approved by the Board and administered by the Company (the “outside options”). The stock options were to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock and were subject to: (1) time-based vesting; (2) certain performance-based targets; and (3) certain performance achievements. Options to purchase common stock issued as outside options may have a term of up to ten years. The issuance of outside options is administered by the Company and approved by the Board. Prior to December 18, 2020, the Company did not have sufficient authorized but unissued shares of common stock to allow for the exercise of these outside options granted; accordingly, any common stock options granted were considered unfunded and were not exercisable until sufficient common shares were authorized (further details are provided in Note 21).

A summary of outside option activity during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is as follows:

Summary of Stock Option Activity

        Weighted 
        Average 
     Weighted  Remaining 
  Number  Average  Contractual 
  of  Exercise  Life 
  Shares  Price  (in Years) 
Outside options outstanding at January 1, 2020  169,304  $4.62   9.04 
Forfeited  (8,879)  10.12     
Expired  (21,697)  8.58     
Outside options outstanding at December 31, 2020  138,728   10.12   8.07 
Forfeited  (31)  7.70     
Expired  (60)  7.70     
Outside options outstanding at December 31, 2021  138,637   10.08   7.07 
Outside options exercisable at December 31, 2021  132,955   9.98   7.07 
Outside options not vested at December 31, 2021  5,682         

The intrinsic value of exercisable but unexercised in-the-money outside options as of December 31, 2021 was $545,753 based on a fair market value of the Company’s common stock of $14.08 per share on December 31, 2021.

F-62

The exercise prices of outside options outstanding and exercisable are as follows as of December 31, 2021:

Schedule of Exercise Prices of Common Stock Options

Exercise  Outstanding  Exercisable 
Price  (Shares)  (Shares) 
 $7.00 to $9.99   70,455   70,455 
 $10.00 to $12.99   68,182   62,500 
     138,637   132,955 

Information with respect to stock-based compensation cost and unrecognized stock-based compensation cost related to the outside options is provided under the heading Stock-Based Compensation.

Publisher Partner Warrants

On December 19, 2016, as amended on August 23, 2017, and August 23, 2018, the Board approved the Channel Partner Warrant Program to be administered by management that authorized the Company to grant Publisher Partner Warrants. As of December 31, 2021, Publisher Partner Warrants to purchase up to 90,909 shares of the Company’s common stock were reserved for grant.

The Publisher Partner Warrants had certain performance conditions. Pursuant to the terms of the Publisher Partner Warrants, the Company would notify the respective Publisher Partner of the number of shares earned, with one-third of the earned shares vesting on the notice date, one-third of the earned shares vesting on the first anniversary of the notice date, and the remaining one-third of the earned shares vesting on the second anniversary of the notice date. The Publisher Partner Warrants had a term of five years from issuance and could also be exercised on a cashless basis. Performance conditions are generally based on the average of number of unique visitors on the channel operation by the Publisher Partner generated during the six-month period from the launch of the Publisher Partner’s operations on the Company’s technology platform or the revenue generated during the period from the issuance date through a specified end date.

A summary of the Publisher Partner Warrants activity during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is as follows:

Schedule of Warrants Activity

        Weighted 
        Average 
     Weighted  Remaining 
  Number  Average  Contractual 
  of  Exercise  Life 
  Shares  Price  (in Years) 
Publisher Partner Warrants outstanding at January 1, 2020  42,707  $32.12   2.57 
Forfeited  (6,819)        
Publisher Partner Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2020  35,888   29.48   1.50 
Expired  (281)        
Publisher Partner Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2021  35,607   28.33   0.50 
Publisher Partner Warrants exercisable at December 31, 2021  20,766   28.88   0.53 
Publisher Partner Warrants not vested at December 31, 2021  14,841         
Publisher Partner Warrants available for future grants at December 31, 2021  55,303         

On October 26, 2020, the Company recognized incremental compensation costs as a result of the Exchange of $27,754 (see Note 21).

There was 0 intrinsic value of exercisable but unexercised in-the-money Publisher Partner Warrants since the fair market value of $14.08 per share of the Company’s common stock was lower than the exercise prices on December 31, 2021.

F-63

The exercise prices of the Publisher Partner Warrants outstanding and exercisable are as follows as of December 31, 2021.

Schedule of Exercise Prices of Common Stock Options

Exercise  Outstanding  Exercisable 
Price  (Shares)  (Shares) 
 $20.00 to $24.99   6,390   1,844 
 $25.00 to $29.99   17,009   12,918 
 $30.00 to $34.99   2,521   2,521 
 $35.00 to $39.99   4,888   1,138 
 $40.00 to $44.99   4,749   2,295 
 $45.00 to $49.99   50   50 
     35,607   20,766 

 

Information with respect to stock-based compensation cost and unrecognized stock-based compensation cost related to the Publisher Partner Warrantscommon stock options is provided under the heading Stock-Based Compensation.

Restricted Stock Units

On May 31, 2019, the Company issued 109,090 restricted stock units to certain employees in settlement of the true-up provisions of the restricted stock awards issued at the time of the HubPages merger, which was amended on December 15, 2020 where all of the restricted stock units were forfeited on December 31, 2020 (as further described in Note 12). The terms under which the restricted stock units were granted are summarized as follows:

Each restricted stock unit represented the right to receive a number of the shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to a grant agreement, subject to certain terms and conditions, and was to be credited to a separate account maintained by the Company in certain circumstances;
The restricted stock units were to vest six equal installments, subject to the conditions as outlined below, at four-month intervals on the first of each month, starting on June 1, 2019, with the final vesting date on February 1, 2021;
The restricted stock units would not vest until the Company increased its authorized shares of the Company’s common stock;
Each restricted stock unit granted and credited to the separate account for the employee was be issued by the Company upon the authorized shares of the Company’s common stock increased (further details are provided in Note 21); and
Unless otherwise specified in an employee’s grant agreement, vesting would have ceased upon the termination of the employees continuous service.

The fair value of a restricted stock unit was determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of the Company’s common stock on the date issued during the year ended December 31, 2020.

A summary of the restricted stock unit activity during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is as follows:

Schedule of Restricted Stock Units Activity

     

Weighted Average

 
  Number of Shares  Grant-Date 
  Unvested  Vested  Fair Value 
Restricted stock units outstanding at January 1, 2020  109,091      -  $9.90 
Forfeited  (109,091)  -     
Restricted stock units outstanding at December 31, 2020  -   -   - 
Forfeited  -  -     
Restricted stock units outstanding at December 31, 2021  -   -   - 

Information with respect to stock-based compensation cost related to the restricted stock units is included within the Common Equity Awards caption under the heading Stock-Based Compensation.

 

F-64F-55

 

ABG Warrants

 

In connection with the Sports Illustrated Licensing Agreement and issuance of the ABG Warrants to purchase up to 999,540 shares of the Company’s common stock, the Company recorded the issuance of the warrants as stock-based compensation with the fair value of the warrants measured at the time of issuance and expensed over the requisite service period.

 

A summary of the ABG Warrant activity during the yearsyear ended December 31, 2021 and 20202022 is as follows:

Schedule of Warrants Activity 

  Number of Shares  Weighted Average  Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life 
  Unvested  Vested  Exercise Price  (in years) 
ABG Warrants outstanding at January 1, 2020  999,540   -  $13.86   9.46 
Vested  (99,954)  99,954   13.86     
ABG Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2020  899,586   99,954   13.86   8.46 
Vested  (199,909)  199,909   12.06     
ABG Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2021  699,677   299,863   11.55   7.46 
  Number of Shares  Weighted Average Exercise  Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life 
  Unvested  Vested  Price  (in years) 
ABG Warrants outstanding at January 1, 2022  699,677   299,863  $11.55   7.46 
Vested  (99,953)  99,953   10.39   - 
ABG Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2022  599,724   399,816   11.55   6.46 

 

The intrinsic value of exercisable but unexercised in-the-money ABG Warrants as of December 31, 20212022 was $1,007,868411 based on a fair market value of the Company’s common stock of $14.0810.61 per share on December 31, 2021.2022.

 

The exercise prices of the ABG Warrants outstanding and exercisable are as follows as of December 31, 2021.2022.

Schedule of Exercise Prices of Common Stock Options 

ExerciseExercise Outstanding Exercisable Exercise Outstanding Exercisable 
PricePrice (Shares) (Shares) Price (Shares) (Shares) 
$9.24   749,655   299,862 
$18.48   249,885   99,954 
$9.24   749,655   208,238     999,540   399,816 
$18.48   249,885   91,625 
    999,540   299,863 

2021 Modifications

As a result of the amendment to the ABG Warrants on June 4, 2021, as previously mentioned above, the Company recognized incremental cost as follows:

99,954 Time-Based Warrants that were modified to reduce the exercise price to $9.24 per share, resulted in incremental cost of $417 (to be recognized over the remaining vesting period, or through June 14, 2022) measured by an independent appraisal by calculating the fair value of the amended warrant over the calculated fair value of the original warrant immediately before the modification, with the excess fair value of the amended warrant recognized as additional compensation cost at the modification date, or the incremental cost, since the modification did not change the expectation that the award would ultimately vest (probable-to-probable).
149,931 Performance-Based Warrants that were modified to reduce the exercise price to $9.24 per share, resulted in incremental cost of $618 (to be recognized over the remaining vesting period, or through December 31, 2023) measured by an independent appraisal by calculating the fair value of the amended warrant over the calculated fair value of the original warrant immediately before the modification, with the excess fair value of the amended warrant recognized as additional compensation cost at the modification date, or the incremental cost, since the modification did not change the expectation that the award would ultimately vest (probable-to-probable).

 

Information with respect to compensation cost and unrecognized compensation cost related to the ABG Warrants is provided under the heading Stock-Based Compensation.

F-65F-56

Publisher Partner Warrants

On August 23, 2018, as amended, the Board approved the Publisher Partner Warrant Program to be administered by management that authorized the Company to grant Publisher Partner Warrants. As of December 31, 2022, Publisher Partner Warrants to purchase up to 90,910 shares of the Company’s common stock were reserved for grant.

The Publisher Partner Warrants were subject to certain performance conditions with vesting over a three year period with a term of five years from issuance and could also be exercised on a cashless basis. Performance conditions were generally based on the average of number of unique visitors on the channel operation by the Publisher Partner generated during the six-month period from the launch of the Publisher Partner’s operations on the Company’s technology platform or the revenue generated during the period from the issuance date through a specified end date.

A summary of the Publisher Partner Warrants activity during the year ended December 31, 2022 is as follows:

Schedule of Warrants Activity

        Weighted 
        Average 
     Weighted  Remaining 
  Number  Average  Contractual 
  of  Exercise  Life 
  Shares  Price  (in Years) 
Publisher Partner Warrants outstanding at January 1, 2022  35,607  $28.88   0.53 
Expired  (31,453)        
Publisher Partner Warrants outstanding at December 31, 2022  4,154   38.81   0.09 
Publisher Partner Warrants exercisable at December 31, 2022  1,881   37.06   0.19 
Publisher Partner Warrants not vested at December 31, 2022  2,273         
Publisher Partner Warrants available for future grants at December 31, 2022  86,756         

 

There was no intrinsic value of exercisable but unexercised in-the-money Publisher Partner Warrants since the fair market value of $10.61 per share of the Company’s common stock was lower than the exercise prices on December 31, 2022.

The exercise prices of the Publisher Partner Warrants outstanding and exercisable are as follows as of December 31, 2022.

Schedule of Exercise Prices of Common Stock Options

Exercise Outstanding  Exercisable 
Price (Shares)  (Shares) 
$29.04 to $34.03  96   96 
$34.04 to $39.03  1,247   1,247 
$39.04 to $44.03  2,763   490 
$44.04 to $49.50  48   48 
   4,154   1,881 

F-57

Stock-Based Compensation

 

Stock–based compensation and equity-based expense charged to operations or capitalized during the years ended December 31, 20212022 and 20202021 are summarized as follows:

Summary of Stock-based Compensation 

 Year Ended December 31, 2021 
 Restricted Common Common     Publisher      
 Stock Stock Equity Outside Partner ABG     Year Ended December 31, 2022 
 Awards Awards Awards Options Warrants Warrants Totals  Restricted Stock Common Stock Options 

ABG

Warrants
 Totals 
Cost of revenue $196,651  $303,899  $6,974,374  $2,981  $    -  $-  $7,477,905  $3,730  $6,505  $-  $10,235 
Selling and marketing  -   34,832   5,265,382   75,653   -   -   5,375,867   270   2,502   -   2,772 
General and administrative  1,535,865   174,123   13,879,175   234,101   -   1,816,485   17,639,749   9,067   7,776   1,495   18,338 
Total costs charged to operations  1,732,516   512,854   26,118,931   312,735   -   1,816,485   30,493,521   13,067   16,783   1,495   31,345 
Capitalized platform development  11,128   7,101   2,018,993   8,042   -   -   2,045,264   -   1,884   -   1,884 
Total stock-based compensation $  1,743,644   519,955  $  28,137,924  $  320,777  $        -  $  1,816,485  $  32,538,785  $13,067  $18,667  $1,495  $33,229 

 

 Year Ended December 31, 2020 
 Restricted Common Common     Publisher      
 Stock Stock Equity Outside Partner ABG     Year Ended December 31, 2021 
 Awards Awards Awards Options Warrants Warrants Totals  Restricted Stock Common Stock Options 

ABG

Warrants
 Totals 
Cost of revenue $163,181  $156,043  $3,975,625  $8,394  $36,673  $-  $4,339,916  $999  $6,479  $-  $7,478 
Selling and marketing  1,486,722   114,640   2,454,432   272,431   -   -   4,328,225   2,118   3,258   -   5,376 
General and administrative  317,982   615,604   3,439,803   150,577   -   1,449,074   5,973,040   8,953   6,870   1,816   17,639 
Total costs charged to operations  1,967,885   886,287   9,869,860   431,402   36,673   1,449,074   14,641,181   12,070   16,607   1,816   30,493 
Capitalized platform development  361,519   178,284   1,062,792   6,400   -   -   1,608,995   54   1,991   -   2,045 
Total stock-based compensation $2,329,404   1,064,571  $ 10,932,652  $ 437,802  $36,673  $ 1,449,074  $  16,250,176  $12,124  $18,598  $1,816  $32,538 

 

Unrecognized compensation expense related to the stock-based compensation awards and equity-based awards as of December 31, 20212022 was as follows:

Schedule of Unrecognized Compensation Expense 

  As of December 31, 2021 
  Restricted Stock Awards  Common Stock Awards  Common Equity Awards  Outside Options  Publisher Partner Warrants  ABG Warrants  Totals 
Unrecognized compensation expense $2,354,832  $      -  $  45,556,247  $37,694  $       -  $  2,433,889  $  50,382,662 
Weighted average period expected to be recognized (in years)  1.41   -   1.98   0.19   -   1.67   1.94 

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23.Liquidated Damages
  As of December 31, 2022 
  Restricted Stock  Common Stock Options  

ABG

Warrants
  Totals 
Unrecognized compensation expense $13,515  $17,369  $1,006  $31,890 
Weighted average period expected to be recognized (in years)  1.53   1.62   1.00   1.56 

 

The following tables summarize24.Liquidated Damages

During the years December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company recorded liquidated damages of $1,140 and $2,637 (including accrued interest of $652 and $1,007), respectively. During the year December 31, 2022, Liquidated Damages recognized onof $488 were recorded as a result of Registration Rights Damages resulting from not registering the consolidated statements of operations during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, with respect to the registration rights agreements and securities purchase agreements:Series K Preferred Stock timely.

 Schedule of Recognized Liquidated Damages

  Registration Rights Damages  Public Information Failure Damages  Accrued Interest  Balance 
  Years Ended December 31, 2021 
  Registration Rights Damages  Public Information Failure Damages  Accrued Interest  Balance 
Series H Preferred Stock $-  $7,854  $311,348  $319,202 
12% Convertible Debentures  -   -   75,461   75,461 
Series I Preferred Stock  -   -   280,692   280,692 
Series J Preferred Stock  360,000   360,000   289,775   1,009,775 
Series K Preferred Stock  180,420   721,680   50,134   952,234 
Total $540,420  $1,089,534  $1,007,410  $2,637,364 

25.Income Taxes

 

  Registration Rights Damages  Public Information Failure Damages  Accrued interest  Balance 
  Years Ended December 31, 2020 
  Registration Rights Damages  Public Information Failure Damages  Accrued interest  Balance 
12% Convertible Debentures $-  $12,300  $1,578  $13,878 
Series I Preferred Stock  277,200   346,500   69,992   693,692 
Series J Preferred Stock  360,000   360,000   60,007   780,007 
Total $637,200  $718,800  $131,577  $1,487,577 

24.Income Taxes

The components of the (provision) benefit (provision) for income taxes consist of the following:

Schedule of Income Taxes 

 2021 2020  2022 2021 
 Years Ended December 31,  Years Ended December 31, 
 2021 2020  2022 2021 
Current tax benefit:        
Current tax (provision) benefit:        
Federal $-  $-  $-  $- 
State and local  -   -   (77)  - 
Total current tax benefit  -   - 
Total current tax (provision) benefit  (77)  - 
Deferred tax (provision) benefit:                
Federal  18,028,497   20,677,960   12,593   18,028 
State and local  4,439,909   5,279,879   3,506   4,440 
Change in valuation allowance  (20,793,972)  (26,168,671)  (14,959)  (20,794)
Total deferred tax (provision) benefit  1,674,434   (210,832)
Total income tax benefit (provision) $1,674,434  $(210,832)
Total deferred tax benefit  1,140   1,674 
Total income tax benefit $1,063  $1,674 

 

F-67F-58

 

The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:

Schedule of Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities 

 2021 2020  2022 2021 
 As of December 31,  As of December 31, 
 2021 2020  2022 2021 
Deferred tax assets:                
Net operating loss carryforwards $41,806,276  $35,535,941  $51,023  $41,806 
Interest limitation carryforward  2,860,899   -   5,444   2,861 
Tax credit carryforwards  263,873   263,873   264   264 
Allowance for doubtful accounts  589,585   458,506   757   590 
Accrued expenses and other  1,767,649   677,909   1,340   1,768 
Lease termination  1,896,991   -   1,869   1,897 
Liquidated damages  2,240,294   1,549,313   1,717   2,240 
Unearned revenue  5,383,337   2,356,111   3,744   5,383 
Stock-based compensation  4,779,191   2,158,080   6,931   4,779 
Operating lease liability  165,065   691,228   118   165 
Depreciation and amortization  3,029,171   4,341,983   3,706   3,029 
Deferred tax assets  64,782,331   48,032,944   76,913   64,782 
Valuation allowance  (50,447,389)  (29,653,417)  (65,406)  (50,447)
Total deferred tax assets  14,334,942   18,379,527   11,507   14,335 
Deferred tax liabilities:              
Prepaid expenses  (101,388)  (144,704)  -   (101)
Acquisition-related intangibles  (14,595,672)  (18,445,655)  (11,972)  (14,596)
Total deferred tax liabilities  (14,697,060)  (18,590,359)  (11,972)  (14,697)
Net deferred tax liabilities $(362,118) $(210,832) $(465) $(362)

 

The Company must make judgements as to the realization of deferred tax assets that are dependent upon a variety of factors, including the generation of future taxable income, the reversal of deferred tax liabilities, and tax planning strategies. To the extent that the Company believes that recovery is not likely, it must establish a valuation allowance. A valuation allowance has been established for deferred tax assets which the Company does not believe meet the “more likely than not” criteria. The Company’s judgments regarding future taxable income may change due to changes in market conditions, changes in tax laws, tax planning strategies or other factors. If the Company’s assumptions and consequently its estimates change in the future, the valuation allowances it has established may be increased or decreased, resulting in a respective increase or decrease in income tax expense. Based upon the Company’s historical operating losses and the uncertainty of future taxable income, the Company has provided a valuation allowance primarily against its deferred tax assets up to the deferred tax liabilities, except for deferred tax liabilities on indefinite lived intangible assets, as of December 31, 20212022 and 2020.2021.

 

As of December 31, 2022, the Company had federal, state, and local net operating loss carryforwards available of $190,070, $133,419 and $51,503 respectively, to offset future taxable income. Net operating losses for U.S. federal tax purposes of $164,167 do not expire (limited to 80% of taxable income in a given year) and $25,903 will expire, if not utilized, through 2037 in various amounts. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had federal, state, and local net operating loss carryforwards available of approximately $155.85 155,849million,, $112.22 112,217million, and $37.42 37,417million,, respectively, to offset future taxable income. Net operating losses for U.S. federal tax purposes of $129.95 million do not expire (limited to 80% of taxable income in a given year) and $25.90 million will expire, if not utilized, through 2037 in various amounts. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had federal, state, and local net operating loss carryforwards available of approximately $131.17 million, $100.61 million, and $31.15 million, respectively, to offset future taxable income.

 

Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code imposes restrictions on the use of a corporation’s net operating losses, as well as certain recognized built-in losses and other carryforwards, after an ownership change occurs. A section 382 ownership change occurs if one or more stockholders or groups of stockholders who own at least 5% of the Company’s common stock increase their ownership by more than 50 percentage points over their lowest ownership percentage within a rolling three-year period. Future issuances or sales of the Company’s common stock (including certain transactions involving the Company’s common stock that are outside of the Company’s control) could also result in an ownership change under section 382. If an ownership change occurs, Section 382 would impose an annual limit on the amount of pre-change net operating losses and other losses the Company can use to reduce its taxable income generally equal to the product of the total value of the Company’s outstanding equity immediately prior to the ownership change (subject to certain adjustments) and the long-term tax exempttax-exempt interest rate for the month of the ownership change.

 

F-68F-59

 

The Company believes that it did have a change in control under these sections in connection with its recapitalization on November 4, 2016 and utilization of the carryforwards would be limited such that the majority of the carryforwards will never be available. Accordingly, the Company has not recorded those net operating loss carryforwards and credit carryforwards in its deferred tax assets. The Company completed a preliminary section 382 analysis as of December 31, 20212022 and 20202021 and concluded it may have experienced an ownership change as a result of certain equity offerings during the rolling three-year period of 20182019 to 2020.2021. The Company concluded that its federal net operating loss carryforwards, including any net operating loss carryforwards as a result of the mergers during 2018 and 2019, resulted in annual limitations on the overall net operating loss carryforward and that an ownership change, if any, would impose an annual limit on the net operating loss carryforwards and could cause federal income taxes (similar provisions apply for state and local income taxes) to be paid earlier than otherwise would be paid if such limitations were not in effect. The federal, state, and local net operating loss carryforwards are stated net of any such anticipated limitations as of December 31, 2021 2022 and 2020.2021.

 

The provision (benefit) for income taxes on the statementstatements of operations differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to loss before the benefit for income taxes, as follows:

Schedule of Tax Benefit and Effective Income Tax 

 Years Ended December 31,  Years Ended December 31, 
 2021 2020  2022 2021 
 Amount Percent Amount Percent  Amount Percent Amount Percent 
Federal benefit expected at statutory rate $(19,238,957)  21.0% $(18,694,437)  21.0% $(14,375)  21.0% $(19,239)  21.0%
State and local taxes, net of federal benefit  (4,439,909)  4.8%  (5,279,879)  5.9%  (3,429)  5.0%  (4,440)  4.8%
Stock-based compensation  4,881,640   (5.3)%  1,768,735   (2.0)%  3,894   -5.7%  4,882   -5.3%
Unearned revenue  (2,703,394)�� 3.0%  (5,120,330)  5.8%  (696)  1.0%  (2,703)  3.0%
Interest expense  63,558   (0.1)%  1,173,535   (1.3)%  56   -0.1%  64   -0.1%
Liquidated damages  (760)  1.1%  -   0.0%
Gain upon debt extinguishment  (1,200,506  1.3%  -   0.0%  -   0.0%  

(1,201)

   1.3%
Other differences, net  213,159   (0.2)%  152,294   (0.2)%  (997)  1.6%  213   -0.2%
Valuation allowance  20,793,972   (22.7)%  26,168,671   (29.4)%  14,959   -21.9%  20,794   -22.7%
Other permanent differences  (43,988)  0.0%  42,243   0.0%  285   -0.4%  (44)  0.0%
Tax provision (benefit) and effective income tax rate $(1,674,434)  1.8% $210,832   (0.2)%
Income tax benefit and effective income tax rate $(1,063)  1.6%  (1,674)  1.8%

The Company recognizes the tax benefit from uncertain tax positions only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax positions will be sustained on examination by the tax authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit is measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The Company is also required to assess at each reporting date whether it is reasonably possible that any significant increases or decreases to its unrecognized tax benefits will occur during the next 12 months.

 

The Company did not recognize any uncertain tax positionsposition, or any accrued interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 31, 20212022 and 2020.2021. The Company files tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and several state jurisdictions, including New York, California, and California.other states. The Company is generally subject to examination by income tax authorities for three years from the filing of a tax return, therefore, the federal and certain state returns from 20172019 forward and the California returns from 20162018 forward are subject to examination. The Company currently is not under examination by any tax authority.

 

25.

26.Pension Plans

Pension Plans

The Company has a qualified 401(k) defined contribution plan that allows eligible employees of the Company to participate in the plan, subject to limitations. The plan allows for discretionary matching contributions by the Company, up to 4% of eligible annual compensation made by participants of the plan. The Company contributions to the plan were $1,347,3481,138 and $1,074,3231,347 for the years ended December 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively.

 

26.Related Party TransactionsF-60

27.Related Party Transactions

For the years ended December 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, the Company had several transactions with B. Riley, a principal stockholder, where it paid fees associated with the debt, drawscommon stock public offering and private placements totaling approximately $608,614 3,440and $1,313,610609, respectively.

 

F-69

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, theThe Company entered into transactions with B. Riley where it borrowed funds under itsthe Bridge Notes of $36,000 during the year ended December 31, 2022, and the Delayed Draw Term Note totalingNotes of $5,086,1355,086 during the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company incurred interest expense to B. Riley of $7,540 and $6,913,8656,940, respectively. For for the years ended December 31, 20212022 and 2020, the Company incurred interest on the Senior Secured Note and Delayed Draw Term Note due to B. Riley of $6,940,476 and $7,123,934,2021, respectively.

 

Service and Consulting Contracts

 

Ms. Rinku Sen, a former director, and has provided consulting services and operates a channel on the Company’s technology platform. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company paid Ms. Sen $12,050 for these services.

Mr. Josh Jacobs, a former director, has provided consulting services and operates a channel on the Company’s platform. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company paid Mr. Jacobs $120,000 for these services.

On August 26, 2020, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with James C. Heckman, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer. On June 3, 2021, the consulting agreement was amended that extended the term of the agreement for one-year, or to August 26, 2022, and in connection with the amendment the Company advanced $500,000500 to Mr. Heckman. During the years ended December 31, 20212022 and 2020,2021, the Company recognized consulting fees for Mr. Heckman of $779,730307 and $1$25,765780, respectively.

On October 5, 2020, During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company entered into a separation agreement with Benjamin Joldersma, who served as the Company’s Chief Technology Officer from November 2016 through September 2020, pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay Mr. Joldersma approximately $111,000 as a severance payment, as well as any COBRA premiums.

Promissory Notes

In May 2018, the Company’s then Chief Executive Officer began advancing funds to the Company in order to meet minimum operating needs. Such advances were made pursuant to promissory notes that were due on demand. On October 31, 2020, the Company entered intopaid an exchange agreemententity affiliated with Mr. Heckman, pursuant to which Mr. Heckman converted the outstanding principalRoundtable Media, L.L.C., a net revenue share amount due, togetherof $181 and $2, respectively, in connection with accrued but unpaid interest under the promissory notes, into 389 shares of Series H Preferred Stock (see Notes 19 and 20).a partner agreement.

 

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, 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 approximately 16,802 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $4 per share each month for a period of 24 months, for aggregate proceeds to Mr. Edmondson and his spouse of approximately $67,20767 per month (see Note 12)13).

 

27.28. 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.

F-70

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.

 

In connection with the Athlon working capital adjustment (as previously disclosed in Note 4), the Company prepared the working capital adjustment. The sellers are challenging the Company’s adjustments and both parties have agreed to a standstill and tolling agreement while the adjustments are being reviewed and discussed. The amount due from this challenge, if any, is not estimatable as of the issuance date of these consolidated financial statements.

28.29. Subsequent Events

The Company performed an evaluation of subsequent events through the date of filing of these 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 consolidated financial statementsstatements.

F-61

.Liquidated Damages

On February 8, 2023, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement with an investor, where the Company was liable to for liquidated damages, pursuant to which the Company issued 47,252 shares of its common stock at a price equal to $10.56 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 investor in lieu of an aggregate of $499 owed in liquidated damages as of the conversion date.

 

2019 Equity Incentive PlanCommon Stock Options

 

From January 20222023 through the date these consolidated financial statements were issued, the Company granted common stock options and restricted stock units totaling 200,330 147,696shares of the Company’s common stock, all of which remain outstanding as of the date these consolidated financial statements were issued, to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock to officers, directors, employees and consultants.

 

Line of Credit

The balance outstanding under the FastPay line of credit as of the date these consolidated financial statements were issued was approximately $7.3 million.

Long-Term Debt

Senior Secured Note – On January 23, 2022, the Company entered into an amendment with respect to the Senior Secured Note (“Amendment 4”), where the maturity date on the note was extended to (i) December 31, 2023 from December 31, 2022upon the consummation of the equity financing on February 15, 2022 (further details are under the heading Equity Financing below), or (ii) the date accelerated pursuant to certain terms of Amendment 4.

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 10.00% 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.

The balance outstanding under the Senior Secured Note as of the date these consolidated financial statements were issued was approximately $64.3 million, which included outstanding principal of approximately $48.8 million, payment of in-kind interest of approximately $13.9 million that the Company was permitted to add to the aggregate outstanding principal balance, and unpaid accrued interest of approximately $1.6 million.

Delayed Draw Term Note – 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 approximately $5.9 million and (ii) December 31, 2023 from March 31, 2022 for approximately $4.0 million, subject to certain acceleration terms.

F-71

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 10.00% per annum, subject to adjustment in the event of default.

The balance outstanding under the Delayed Draw Term Note as of the date these consolidated financial statements were issued was approximately $10.2 million, which included outstanding principal of approximately $8.7 million, and payment of in-kind interest of approximately $1.2 million that the Company was permitted to add to the aggregate outstanding principal balance,and unpaid accrued interest of approximately $0.3 million.

Series L Preferred Stock

The rights agreement pursuant to the Series L Preferred Stock is set to expire on May 3, 2022; however, the Board elected to extend the termination date, which extension is subject to ratification by the Company’s stockholders.

Common Stock Issuances

Stock Purchase Agreements – On January 24, 2022, we entered into several stock purchase agreements with several of the Company’s investors, pursuant to which the Company issued an aggregate of 505,671 shares at a price equal to $13.86 per share, which was 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 approximately $7.01 million owed in Liquidated Damages. The Company agreed that it would prepare and file as soon as reasonably practicable, a registration statement covering the resale of these shares of the Company’s common stock issued in lieu of payment of these liquidated damages in cash.

Public Offering – On February 15, 2022, the Company raised approximately $34.5 million under a firm commitment underwritten public offering with the sale of 3,636,364 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at a public offering price of $8.25 per share. Pursuant to the terms of the underwriting agreement, dated February 10, 2022, a 30-day option to purchase up to 545,454 additional shares was granted by and between B. Riley Securities, Inc., as an underwriter and as representative of the other underwriters. The underwriter’s overallotment option for 545,239 shares of the Company’s common stock was exercised in March 2022. The Company received approximately $31.5 million (includes $4.2 million with the overallotment option), after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses payable by the Company.

Common Stock Options

On March 18, 2022, the Company approved a repricing of certain outstanding stock options under the Company’s 2016 Plan and 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 repricing also included certain outstanding stock options granted outside of the 2016 Plan and 2019 Plan, which repricing is still subject to stockholder approval. As a result of the repricing, the exercise price was 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 2016 Plan, all term 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.

Proposed Acquisition

 

TheOn January 11, 2023, the Company entered into a non-binding letter of intentan asset purchase agreement with Teneology, Inc., pursuant to acquire 100%which it acquired certain assets (consisting of the issuedRoadFood media business, including digital and outstanding equity interests of Athlon Holdings, Inc. (“Athlon”)television assets; the Moveable Feast media business, including digital and television assets; the Fexy-branded content studio business; and the MonkeySee YouTube Channel media business), for an anticipateda purchase price of $16.02,956. The purchase price consisted of the following: (1) $500 million, comprised of (i) a cash portionpaid at closing; (2) $75 cash payments due in three equal installments of $13.025 million, withon March 1, 2023, April 1, 2023 and May 1, 2023; (3) $10200 milliondeferred cash payment due on the first anniversary of the closing date, subject to be paid at closingcertain indemnity provisions; and $3.0 million to be paid post-closing and (ii) an equity portion(4) the issuance of $3.0274,692 million to be paid in shares of the Company’s common stock. The acquisition isstock, subject to certain lock-up provisions, on the preparation and negotiationclosing date with a fair value of definitive documents, completion$2,181 (fair value was determined based on the Company’s common stock trading price of due diligence, and$7.94 per share on the agreement of a certainclosing date). The number of key employeesshares of Athlon to remain as employees post-closing, among other items.the Company’s common stock issued was determined based on a $2,225 value using the common stock trading price on the day immediately preceding the January 11, 2023 closing date.

 

F-72F-62