Paradium.AI, Inc 10-Q for FY2025 Q1
Paradium.AI, Inc. (PAAI)
About this 10-Q
Paradium.AI, Inc filed this 10-Q on May 15, 2025, covering the quarter ended March 31, 2025 (FY2025 Q1).
Headline figures
Quarter ended March 31, 2025, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Revenue
- $31.82M
- up 9.9% from $28.94M a year earlier
- Net income
- $4.02M
- compared with a net loss of $103.36M a year earlier
- Diluted EPS
- $0.08
- compared with -$3.91 a year earlier
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
| QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended
| 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
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
|
|
||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(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 | ||
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.
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).
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 ☐ |
| Smaller reporting company | |
| Emerging growth company |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a
shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐
or No
As of May 14, 2025, the Registrant had shares of common stock outstanding.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| 2 |
Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Quarterly Report”) of The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us”) contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and include, without limitation, statements concerning our business strategy, future revenues, market growth, capital requirements, product introductions, expansion plans and the adequacy of our funding and our ability to alleviate the conditions that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern (as described in Note 1 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part 1, Item 1 herein). Other statements contained in this Quarterly Report that are not historical facts are also forward-looking statements. We have tried, wherever possible, to identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” and other stylistic variants denoting forward-looking statements.
We caution investors that any forward-looking statements presented in this Quarterly Report, or that we may make orally or in writing from time to time, are based on information currently available, as well as our beliefs and assumptions. The actual outcome related to forward-looking statements will be affected by known and unknown risks, trends, uncertainties, and factors that are beyond our control or ability to predict. Although we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, they are not guarantees of future performance, and some will inevitably prove to be incorrect. As a result, our actual future results can be expected to differ from our expectations, and those differences may be material. Accordingly, investors should use caution in relying on forward-looking statements, which are based only on known results and trends at the time they are made, to anticipate future results or trends. We detail other risks in our public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC on April 15, 2025 and in Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors, in this Quarterly Report. The discussion in this Quarterly Report should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report and our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Part II, Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
This Quarterly Report and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Quarterly Report except as may be required by law.
| 3 |
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
THE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Index to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
| 4 |
THE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
March 31, 2025 (unaudited) | December 31, 2024 | |||||||
| As of | ||||||||
March 31, 2025 (unaudited) | December 31, 2024 | |||||||
| ($ in thousands, except share data) | ||||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | ||||||||
| Prepayments and other current assets | ||||||||
| Total current assets | ||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | ||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | ||||||||
| Platform development, net | ||||||||
| Acquired and other intangible assets, net | ||||||||
| Other long-term assets | ||||||||
| Goodwill | ||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| Liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders’ deficiency | ||||||||
| Current liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accrued expenses and other | ||||||||
| Unearned revenue | ||||||||
| Subscription refund liability | ||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | ||||||||
| Liquidated damages payable | ||||||||
| Current liabilities from discontinued operations | ||||||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||||||
| Unearned revenue, net of current portion | ||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion | ||||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities | ||||||||
| Simplify loan | ||||||||
| Term debt | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 16) | ||||||||
| Mezzanine equity: | ||||||||
| Series G redeemable and convertible preferred stock, $ par value, $ per share liquidation value and shares designated; aggregate liquidation value: $ | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ deficiency: | ||||||||
| Common stock, $ par value, authorized shares; issued and outstanding: and shares at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively | ||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ deficiency | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and stockholders’ deficiency | $ | $ | ||||||
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
| 5 |
THE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| ($ in thousands, except share data) | ||||||||
| Revenue | $ | $ | ||||||
| Cost of revenue (includes amortization of platform development and developed technology for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 of $ | ||||||||
| Gross profit | ||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||
| Selling and marketing | ||||||||
| General and administrative | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||
| Loss on impairment of assets | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | ||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations | ( | ) | ||||||
| Other expense | ||||||||
| Change in fair value of contingent consideration | ( | ) | ||||||
| Interest expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Liquidated damages | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total other expenses | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | ( | ) | ||||||
| Income tax provision | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations | ( | ) | ||||||
| Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Basic net income (loss) per common share (Note 1) | ||||||||
| Continuing operations | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Discontinued operations | ( | ) | ||||||
| Basic net income (loss) per common share | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Diluted net income (loss) per common share (Note 1) | ||||||||
| Continuing operations | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Discontinued operations | ( | ) | ||||||
| Diluted net income (loss) per common share | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (Note 1) | ||||||||
| Basic | ||||||||
| Diluted | ||||||||
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 6 |
THE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
| Common Stock | Common Stock to be Issued | Additional Paid-in | Accumulated | Total Stockholders’ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Par Value | Shares | Par Value | Capital | Deficit | Deficiency | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at January 1, 2025 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock for restricted stock units | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock withheld for taxes | ( | ) | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at March 31, 2025 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
| Common Stock | Common Stock to be Issued | Additional Paid-in | Accumulated | Total Stockholders’ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Par Value | Shares | Par Value | Capital | Deficit | Deficiency | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($ in thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at January 1, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Balance | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock in connection with settlement of Series H convertible preferred stock | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock for restricted stock units | - | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock withheld for taxes | ( | ) | ( | ) | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of common stock for Fexy put option | ( | ) | ( | ) | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | - | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | - | - | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at March 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 7 |
THE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| ($ in thousands) | ||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | ||||||||
| Depreciation of property and equipment | ||||||||
| Amortization of platform development and intangible assets | ||||||||
| Amortization of debt discounts | ||||||||
| Noncash and accrued interest | ||||||||
| Loss on impairment of assets | ||||||||
| Change in fair value of contingent consideration | ||||||||
| Liquidated damages | ||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | ||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | ||||||||
| Bad debt expense | ||||||||
| Change in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | ( | ) | ||||||
| Subscription acquisition costs | ||||||||
| Prepayments and other current assets | ( | ) | ||||||
| Other long-term assets | ( | ) | ||||||
| Accounts payable | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Accrued expenses and other | ( | ) | ||||||
| Unearned revenue | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Subscription refund liability | ||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities | ( | ) | ||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | ( | ) | ||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||
| Capitalized platform development | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||
| Payment of Fexy put option | ( | ) | ||||||
| (Repayments) proceeds under line of credit, net borrowing | ( | ) | ||||||
| Proceeds from common stock private placement | ||||||||
| Proceeds from Simplify loan | ||||||||
| Repayment of Simplify loan | ( | ) | ||||||
| Payment of taxes from common stock withheld | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of year | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents – end of period | $ | $ | ||||||
| Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information | ||||||||
| Cash paid for interest | $ | $ | ||||||
| Cash paid for income taxes | ||||||||
| Noncash investing and financing activities | ||||||||
| Reclassification of stock-based compensation to platform development | $ | $ | ||||||
| Repurchase of common stock for Fexy put option | ||||||||
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
| 8 |
THE ARENA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
($ in thousands, unless otherwise stated)
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (“The Arena Group” or the “Company”), after eliminating all significant intercompany balances and transactions.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for complete audited financial statements. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements, which are included in The Arena Group’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on April 15, 2025.
The condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2025 and 2024, and for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, are unaudited but, in management’s opinion, include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of interim periods. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2024, was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year.
The Company’s business and operations are sensitive to general business and economic conditions in the 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 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.
Uncertainty in the global economy presents significant risks to the Company’s business. Increases in inflation, instability in the global banking system, geopolitical factors, including the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Israel and the responses thereto, and the impact of tariffs on print production costs and the overall market for advertising may have an adverse effect on the Company’s business. While the Company is closely monitoring the impact of the current macroeconomic conditions on all aspects of its business, the ultimate extent of the impact on its 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 the Company’s control and could exist for an extended period of time. As a result, the Company is subject to continuing risks and uncertainties.
| 9 |
Segment Reporting
The Company operates within the media industry, providing digital content across four primary verticals (as further described in Note 17) through its publishing platform. The Company leverages its publishing platform to build content verticals powered by anchor brands. The Company’s strategy is to focus on key subject matter verticals where audiences are passionate about a topic category where it can leverage the strength of its core brands to grow its audience and monetize editorially focused online content through various display and video advertisements that are viewed by internet users of the content. The Company has four reportable segments: Sports & Leisure, Finance, Lifestyle, and Platform. The Company’s reportable segments are organized in subject matter verticals that offer content on the respective topic.
The Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is the Chief Executive Officer. The CODM evaluates performance and allocates resources for all of its reportable segments based on segment gross profit. This segment profit measure is defined as segment revenue less segment cost of revenue, consisting of those costs and expenses directly attributable to the segment. The segment profit measure is used by the CODM to assess the performance of each segment by comparing the results of each segment with one another (see Note 17).
Going Concern
The Company’s condensed 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 condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if it is unable to continue as a going concern.
For the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company
reported income from continuing operations of $
The Company’s financial results have improved in recent periods due to headcount and consulting spend reductions. In addition, the Company is planning to continue improving monthly financial performance through the reduction of costs and monthly cash requirements, maintain compliance with the terms of all outstanding debt agreements, and take actions to resolve current and potential future liabilities to alleviate the conditions that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern, such as resolving pending litigation. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to execute these plans. If the Company is unable to execute these plans, it could lead to selling assets and further reducing costs and cash requirements.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the Company’s condensed 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 as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported results of operations during the reporting period. Significant estimates include: allowance for credit losses; 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; stock-based compensation and the determination of the fair value; valuation allowances for deferred tax assets and uncertain tax positions; and assumptions used to calculate contingent liabilities. These estimates are based on information available as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements; therefore, actual results could differ from management’s estimates.
| 10 |
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which will require the Company to disclose specified additional information in its income tax rate reconciliation and provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. ASU 2023-09 will also require the Company to disaggregate its income taxes paid disclosure by federal, state and foreign taxes, with further disaggregation required for significant individual jurisdictions. The provisions of ASU 2023-09 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024; early adoption is permitted using either a prospective or retrospective transition method. The Company expects ASU 2023-09 to require additional disclosures in the notes to its condensed consolidated financial statements.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses. This ASU aims to enhance the transparency of financial reporting by requiring public business entities (PBEs) to provide detailed disclosures about the components of significant expense captions presented in the income statement. The Company will be required to disclose, in a tabular format, the amounts recognized within each relevant expense caption in the income statement. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026; early adoption is permitted using either a prospective or retrospective transition method. The Company is not planning to early adopt. The Company expects ASU 2024-23 to require additional tabular disclosures in the notes to its condensed consolidated financial statements.
Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented. Diluted net income (loss) per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding adjusted to include the potentially dilutive effect of stock awards.
Schedule of Basic and Diluted Income (loss) Per Common Share
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Numerator: | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | ( | ) | |||||
| Denominator: | ||||||||
| Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding – basic (1) | ||||||||
| Add: effect of dilutive Series G convertible preferred stock (2) | ||||||||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – dilutive | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Net income (loss) from discontinued operations | ( | ) | ||||||
| Basic net income (loss) per common share | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Net income (loss) from continuing operations | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Net income (loss) from discontinued operations | ( | ) | ||||||
| Dilutive net income (loss) per common share | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| (1) | |
| (2) |
| 11 |
Potentially dilutive securities include dilutive common stock from assumed exercise of stock options, restricted stock units, and warrants, using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, potential shares outstanding are not included in the computation of diluted net income per common share if their effect is anti-dilutive. Anti-dilutive potential shares of common stock are as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Series G convertible preferred stock | ||||||||
| Financing warrants | ||||||||
| ABG Warrants | ||||||||
| AllHipHop warrants | ||||||||
| Publisher Partner Warrants | ||||||||
| Restricted stock units | ||||||||
| Common stock options | ||||||||
| Anti-dilutive securities, excluded | ||||||||
2. Discontinued Operations
On March 18, 2024, the Company discontinued the Sports Illustrated media business (the “SI Business”) that was operated under the Licensing Agreement with ABG-SI, LLC (“ABG”) dated June 14, 2019 (as amended to date, the “Licensing Agreement”). This discontinuation of the SI Business (i.e., discontinued operations) followed the termination of the Licensing Agreement by ABG on January 18, 2024. The last date of any obligation of the Company to perform under the Licensing Agreement was March 18, 2024. In connection with the termination, certain ABG Warrants vested (further details are provided under the heading Vesting of Warrants in Note 12).
The table below sets forth the income (loss) from discontinued operations:
Schedule of Discontinued Operations
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| ($ in thousands, except share data) | ||||||||
| Revenue | $ | $ | ||||||
| Cost of revenue (1) | ( | ) | ||||||
| Gross profit (loss) | ||||||||
| Operating expense | ||||||||
| Selling and marketing | ||||||||
| General and administrative (2) | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||
| Loss on impairment of assets (3) | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | ||||||||
| Income (loss) from discontinued operations | ( | ) | ||||||
| Income tax provision | ( | ) | ||||||
| Net income (loss) from discontinued operations | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| (1) |
| (2) |
| (3) |
| 12 |
The table below sets forth the major classes of liabilities of the discontinued operations:
| March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||
| As of | ||||||||
| March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accrued expenses and other | ||||||||
| Subscription refund liability | ||||||||
| Royalty fee liability (1) | ||||||||
| Termination fee liability (1) | ||||||||
| Subscription liability, current portion | ||||||||
| Current/total liabilities from discontinued operations | $ | $ | ||||||
| (1) |
The table below sets forth the cash flows of the discontinued operations:
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities from discontinued operations | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) from discontinued operations | $ | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | ||||||||
| Loss on impairment of assets | ||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | ||||||||
| Change in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | ||||||||
| Subscription acquisition costs | ||||||||
| Prepayments and other current assets | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | ( | ) | ||||||
| Accrued expenses and other | ||||||||
| Subscription refund liability | ||||||||
| Subscription liability | ( | ) | ||||||
| Termination fee liability | ||||||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities from discontinued operations | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||
Further details regarding legal matters in connection with the discontinued operations are provided under the heading ABG Group Legal Matters in Note 16.
3. Balance Sheet Components
The components of certain balance sheet amounts are as follows:
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses
– 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
have been reduced by an allowance for credit losses. The Company maintains the allowance for estimated losses resulting from the inability
of the Company’s customers to make required payments. The allowance represents the current estimate of lifetime expected credit
losses over the remaining duration of existing accounts receivable considering current market conditions and supportable forecasts when
appropriate. The estimate is a result of the Company’s ongoing evaluation of collectability, customer creditworthiness, historical
levels of credit losses, and future expectations. Accounts receivable are written off when deemed uncollectible and collection of the
receivable is no longer being actively pursued. Accounts receivable as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 of $
| 13 |
The following table summarizes the allowance for credit losses activity:
Schedule of Allowance For Credit Losses
Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 (unaudited) | Year Ended December 31, 2024 | |||||||
| Allowance for credit losses beginning of year | $ | $ | ||||||
| Additions | ||||||||
| Deductions – write-offs | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Allowance for credit losses end of period | $ | $ | ||||||
Prepayments and Other Current Assets – Prepayments and other current assets are summarized as follows:
Schedule of Prepayments and Other Current Assets
| As of | ||||||||
March 31, 2025 (unaudited) | December 31, 2024 | |||||||
| Prepaid expenses | $ | $ | ||||||
| Prepaid supplies | ||||||||
| Refundable income and franchise taxes | ||||||||
| Employee retention credits | ||||||||
| Total prepayments and other current assets | $ | $ | ||||||
Under the provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief,
and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) and the subsequent extensions of the CARES Act, the Company was eligible for a
refundable employee retention credit subject to certain criteria. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company has a receivable
balance of $
Property and Equipment – Property and equipment are summarized as follows:
Schedule of Property and Equipment
| As of | ||||||||
March 31, 2025 (unaudited) | December 31, 2024 | |||||||
| Office equipment and computers | $ | $ | ||||||
| Leasehold Improvements | ||||||||
| Furniture and fixtures | ||||||||
| Gross property and equipment | ||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net property and equipment | $ | $ | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense for the three
months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 was $
Platform Development – Platform development costs are summarized as follows:
Schedule of Platform Development Costs
| As of | ||||||||
March 31, 2025 (unaudited) | December 31, 2024 | |||||||
| Platform development | $ | $ | ||||||
| Less accumulated amortization | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Net platform development | $ | $ | ||||||
| 14 |
A summary of platform development activity for the three months ended March 31, 2025 (unaudited) is as follows:
Schedule of Platform Development Cost Activity
| Platform development beginning of year | $ | |||
| Costs capitalized | ||||
| Total capitalized costs | ||||
| Stock-based compensation | ||||
| Platform development end of period | $ |
Amortization expense for the three months ended March
31, 2025 and 2024 was $
Intangible Assets – Intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following:
Schedule of Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization
As of March 31, 2025 (unaudited) | As of December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net Carrying Amount | Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net Carrying Amount | |||||||||||||||||||
| Developed technology | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Trade name | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Brand name | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Subscriber relationships | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Advertiser relationships | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Database | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Digital content | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total intangible assets | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||
Intangible assets subject to amortization were recorded
as part of the Company’s business acquisitions. Amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 was $
Accrued Expenses and Other – Accrued expenses and other are summarized as follows:
Schedule of Accrued Expenses
| As of | ||||||||
March 31, 2025 (unaudited) | December 31, 2024 | |||||||
| General accrued expenses | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accrued payroll and related taxes | ||||||||
| Accrued publisher expenses | ||||||||
| Liabilities in connection with acquisitions and dispositions | ||||||||
| Assumed lease liability | ||||||||
| Other accrued expenses | ||||||||
| Total accrued expenses and other | $ | $ | ||||||
| 15 |
4. Leases
The Company has a real estate lease for the use of office space.
The table below presents supplemental information related to the operating lease:
Schedule of Supplemental Information Related to Operating Leases
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Operating lease costs during the period (1) | $ | $ | ||||||
| Cash payments included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities during the period (2) | $ | $ | ||||||
| Operating lease liability arising from obtaining lease right-of-use assets during the period | $ | $ | ||||||
| Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years) as of period-end | ||||||||
| Weighted-average discount rate during the period | % | % | ||||||
| (1) | |
| (2) |
The Company utilizes its incremental borrowing rates on a collateralized basis, reflecting the Company’s credit quality and the term of the lease at the commencement of the lease in determining the present value of future payments since the implicit rate for the Company’s leases is not readily determinable.
Variable lease expense includes rental increases that are not fixed, such as those based on amounts paid to the lessor based on cost or consumption, such as maintenance and utilities.
The components of operating lease costs were as follows:
Schedule of Operating Lease Costs
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Operating lease costs included in: | ||||||||
| General and administrative | $ | $ | ||||||
| Total operating lease costs | ||||||||
| Sublease income | ( | ) | ||||||
| Total operating lease costs | $ | $ | ||||||
Maturities of the operating lease liabilities as of March 31, 2025 are summarized as follows:
Schedule of Maturity of Lease Liabilities
| Years Ending December 31, | ||||
| 2025 (remaining months in the year) | $ | |||
| 2026 | ||||
| 2027 | ||||
| 2028 | ||||
| 2029 | ||||
| Thereafter | ||||
| Minimum lease payments | ||||
| Less imputed interest | ( | ) | ||
| Present value of operating lease liabilities | $ | |||
| Current portion of operating lease liabilities | $ | |||
| Long term portion of operating lease liabilities | ||||
| Total operating lease liabilities | $ | |||
| 16 |
5. Goodwill
The changes in carrying value of goodwill are as follows:
Schedule of Changes in Carrying Value of Goodwill
| As of | ||||||||
March 31, 2025 (unaudited) | December 31, 2024 | |||||||
| Carrying value at beginning of year | $ | $ | ||||||
| Carrying value at end of period | $ | $ | ||||||
6. Liquidated Damages Payable
Liquidated damages were recorded as a result of the following: (i) certain registration rights agreements that provide for damages if the Company does not register certain shares of the Company’s common stock within the requisite time frame (the “Registration Rights Damages”); and (ii) certain securities purchase agreements that provide for damages if the Company does not maintain its periodic filings with the SEC within the requisite time frame (the “Public Information Failure Damages”).
Obligations with respect to the liquidated damages payable are summarized as follows:
Schedule of Liquidated Damages
As of March 31, 2025 (unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
Registration Rights Damages | Public Information Failure Damages | Accrued Interest | Balance | |||||||||||||
| MDB common stock to be issued (1) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Series H convertible preferred stock | ||||||||||||||||
| Convertible debentures (2) | ||||||||||||||||
| Series J convertible preferred stock (2) | ||||||||||||||||
| Series K convertible preferred stock (2) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
Registration Rights Damages | Public Information Failure Damages | Accrued Interest | Balance | |||||||||||||
| MDB common stock to be issued (1) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Series H convertible preferred stock | ||||||||||||||||
| Convertible debentures (2) | ||||||||||||||||
| Series J convertible preferred stock (2) | ||||||||||||||||
| Series K convertible preferred stock (2) | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| (1) |
| (2) |
As of March 31, 2025 and
December 31, 2024, the short-term liquidated damages payable were $
During the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024,
the Company recorded accrued interest on liquidated damages of $
| 17 |
7. Fair Value
The Company estimates the fair value of financial instruments using available market information and valuation methodologies the Company believes to be appropriate for these purposes. Considerable judgment and a high degree of subjectivity are involved in developing these estimates and, accordingly, they are not necessarily indicative of amounts the Company would realize upon disposition.
The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value, which are described below:
Level 1. Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2. Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable; and
Level 3. Assets or liabilities for which fair value is based on valuation models with significant unobservable pricing inputs and which result in the use of management estimates.
The Company’s financial instruments consist
of Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 assets as March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024. As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company’s
cash and cash equivalents of $
Fexy Put Option – The Company accounted for certain common stock issued in connection with the Fexy Studios acquisition that was subject to a put option (the “Fexy Put Option”), which provided for a cash payment to the sellers on the first anniversary date of the closing of the acquisition (on January 11, 2024) in the event the common stock trading price on such date was less than the common stock trading price on the day immediately preceding the acquisition date of $ per share, as a derivative liability, which required the Company to carry such amounts on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as a liability at fair value, as adjusted at each reporting period-end.
On February 15, 2024, in connection with the contingent
consideration related to the acquisition of Fexy Studios, the Company agreed to pay the amount due of $
The Simplify Loan (as described below), carried at
amortized costs, has a carrying value of $
8. Simplify Loan
On August 19, 2024, the Company
entered into an amended and restated promissory note (the “Amended Promissory Note”), in connection with the amendment
to the March 13, 2024 working capital loan agreement with Simplify, a related party as further described in Note 15 (the
“Simplify Loan”), pursuant to which the Company has available up to $
| 18 |
As of March 31, 2025, the Simplify
Loan outstanding principal amount of $
Information for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, with respect to interest expense related to the Simplify Loan is provided under the heading Interest Expense in Note 9.
9. Term Debt
Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, as amended from time-to time, leading to the Third Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement dated December 15, 2022 (the “Third Amended and Restated Notes”), as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company has notes outstanding referred to as the senior secured notes (the “Senior Secured Notes”), the delayed draw term notes (the “Delayed Draw Term Notes”), the 2022 bridge notes (the “2022 Bridge Notes”) and the 2023 Notes (as defined below), as further described below and collectively referred to as the “Term Debt”.
Senior Secured Notes
The terms of the Senior Secured Notes provide for:
| ● | a provision for the Company to enter into Delayed Draw Term Notes (as described below); | |
| ● | a provision where the Company added $ | |
| ● | a provision where the paid in-kind interest can be paid in shares of the Company’s common stock based upon the conversion rate specified in the Certificate of Designation for the Series K convertible preferred stock, subject to certain adjustments; | |
| ● | an interest rate of | |
| ● | interest on the notes 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 of | |
| ● | the Company to enter into the 2022 Bridge Notes for $ |
Delayed Draw Term Notes
The terms of the Delayed Draw Term Notes provide for:
| ● | an interest rate of | |
| ● | interest on the notes 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; and | |
| ● | a maturity date on |
| 19 |
2022 Bridge Notes
The terms of the 2022 Bridge Notes provide for:
| ● | an interest rate fixed at | |
| ● | a maturity date of | |
| ● | an election to prepay the notes, at any time, in whole or in part with no premium or penalty. |
2023 Notes
The terms of the 2023 Notes, pursuant to Amendment No. 1 under the Third Amended and Restated Notes dated August 14, 2023, provide for:
| ● | an interest rate fixed at | |
| ● | a maturity date of | |
| ● | an election to prepay the 2023 Notes, at any time, at |
The following table summarizes the Term Debt:
Schedule of Long Term Debt
| As of March 31, 2025 | As of December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal Balance | Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Costs | Carrying Value | Principal Balance | Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Costs | Carrying Value | |||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Senior Secured Notes, effective interest rate of | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Delayed Draw Term Notes, effective interest rate of | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 Bridge Notes, effective interest rate of | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 Notes, effective interest rate of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||
The debt issuance costs incurred, as amended based on certain debt modifications, are being amortized over the applicable term of the Term Debt.
On December 29, 2023, the Company failed to make the interest payment due on the Term Debt resulting in an event of default with subsequent agreement to a forbearance period that was extended to September 30, 2024. On July 12, 2024, the Company entered into a third amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Notes dated as of December 15, 2022 (“Amendment No. 3”) which further deferred the accrued interest due date to December 31, 2024. On November 6, 2024, the Company received a letter from Renew (as described below) confirming the Company was not then in default under the Term Debt due to the cure of the default identified in the forbearance letter (as updated from time-to-time the “forbearance letter”), and all interest was paid as of December 31, 2024. Further details are provided under the heading Principal Stockholders in Note 15.
| 20 |
As of March 31, 2025, the Term Debt principal maturity
of $
Information for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 with respect to interest expense related to the Term Debt is provided below.
Interest Expense
The following table represents interest expense:
Schedule of Interest Expense
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Amortization of debt costs: | ||||||||
| Line of credit | $ | $ | ||||||
| Term Debt | ||||||||
| Total amortization of debt costs | ||||||||
| Noncash and accrued interest: | ||||||||
| Simplify Loan | ||||||||
| Term Debt | ||||||||
| Total noncash and accrued interest | ||||||||
| Cash paid interest: | ||||||||
| Simplify Loan | ||||||||
| Line of credit | ||||||||
| Term Debt | ||||||||
| Other | ||||||||
| Total cash paid interest | ||||||||
| Total interest expense | $ | $ | ||||||
10. Preferred Stock
The Company has the authority to issue shares of preferred stock, $ par value per share, consisting of authorized and/or outstanding shares as of March 31, 2025 as follows:
| ● | authorized shares designated as “Series G Convertible Preferred Stock”, of which shares are outstanding. | |
| ● | authorized shares designated as “Series H Convertible Preferred Stock” (as further described below), of which no shares are outstanding. |
11. Stockholders’ Deficiency
The Company has the authority to issue shares of common stock, $ par value per share.
Restricted Stock Units – The Company issued, in connection with the vesting of restricted stock units, and shares of the Company’s common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, as reflected on the condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.
Common Stock Withheld – The Company recorded the repurchase of shares related to vested restricted stock units for the payment for taxes of $, and shares related to vested restricted stock units for the payment for taxes of $, during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, as reflected on the consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.
| 21 |
Common Stock Private Placement – On
February 14, 2024, the Company entered into a subscription agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”) with Simplify, pursuant
to which the Company agreed to sell and issue to Simplify in a private placement (the “Private Placement”) an aggregate of
shares (the “Private Placement Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, at a purchase price of $ per share,
a price equal to the 60-day volume weighted average price of the Company’s common stock. The Private Placement closed on February
14, 2024 and the Company received proceeds from the Private Placement of $
The Company provides stock-based and equity-based compensation in the form of (a) restricted stock awards and restricted stock units to certain employees (the “Restricted Stock”), (b) stock option awards, unrestricted stock awards and stock appreciation rights to employees, directors and consultants under various plans (the “Common Stock Options”), and (c) common stock warrants, referred to as the ABG Warrants and Publisher Partner Warrants (collectively the “Warrants”) as referenced in the below table.
Schedule of Stock-based Compensation
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||
| Restricted Stock | Common Stock Options | Warrants | Totals | |||||||||||||
| Cost of revenue | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Selling and marketing | ||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | ||||||||||||||||
| Total costs charged to operations | ||||||||||||||||
| Capitalized platform development | ||||||||||||||||
| Total stock-based compensation | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| Restricted Stock | Common Stock Options | Warrants | Totals | |||||||||||||
| Cost of revenue | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Selling and marketing | ||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | ||||||||||||||||
| Total costs charged to operations | ||||||||||||||||
| Capitalized platform development | ||||||||||||||||
| Total stock-based compensation | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Unrecognized compensation expense and expected weighted-average period to be recognized related to the stock-based compensation awards and equity-based awards as of March 31, 2025 were as follows:
Schedule of Unrecognized Compensation Expense
| As of March 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||
| Restricted Stock | Common Stock Options | Warrants | Totals | |||||||||||||
| Unrecognized compensation expense | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average period over which cost is expected to be recognized (in years) | ||||||||||||||||
| 22 |
Vesting of Warrants – On January 2, 2024, in connection with the default under the Licensing Agreement, the Performance-Based Warrants totaling vested as a result of the default pursuant to certain provisions where all of the warrants automatically vest upon certain terminations of the Licensing Agreement by ABG. Of the warrants that vested, had an exercise price of $ per share and had an exercise price of $ per share. The accelerated vesting of the ABG Warrants did not result in any additional stock-based compensation expense during the three months ended March 31, 2024.
13. Revenue Recognition
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
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Revenue by category: | ||||||||
| Digital revenue | ||||||||
| Digital advertising | $ | $ | ||||||
| Digital subscriptions | ||||||||
| Publisher revenue | ||||||||
| Performance Marketing | ||||||||
| Other digital revenue | ||||||||
| Total digital revenue | ||||||||
| Print revenue | ||||||||
| Print revenue | ||||||||
| Total print revenue | ||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||
| Revenue by geographical market: | ||||||||
| United States | $ | $ | ||||||
| Other | ||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||
| Revenue by timing of recognition: | ||||||||
| At point in time | $ | $ | ||||||
| Over time | ||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||
For the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, disaggregated revenue represents revenue from continuing operations.
Contract Balances
The timing of the Company’s performance under its various contracts often differs from the timing of the customer’s payment, which results in the recognition of a contract asset or a contract liability. A contract asset is recognized when a good or service is transferred to a customer and the Company does not have the contractual right to bill for the related performance obligations. A contract liability is recognized when consideration is received from the customer prior to the transfer of goods or services.
| 23 |
The following table provides information about contract balances:
Schedule of Contract Balances
| As of | ||||||||
March 31, 2025 (unaudited) | December 31, 2024 | |||||||
| Unearned revenue (short-term contract liabilities): | ||||||||
| Digital revenue | $ | $ | ||||||
| Unearned revenue (short-term contract liabilities) | $ | $ | ||||||
| Unearned revenue (long-term contract liabilities): | ||||||||
| Digital revenue | $ | $ | ||||||
| Unearned revenue (long-term contract liabilities) | $ | $ | ||||||
14. Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes in interim periods is determined using an estimate of the Company’s annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items, if any, that arise during the period. Each quarter, the Company updates its estimate of its annual effective tax rate, and if the estimated annual effective tax rate changes, the Company makes a cumulative adjustment in such period. The quarterly provision for income taxes, and estimate of the Company’s annual effective tax rate, are subject to variation due to several factors, including variability in pre-tax income (or loss), the mix of jurisdictions to which such income relates, changes in how the Company conducts business, and tax law developments.
The income tax provision effective
tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 was
The realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon a variety of factors, including the generation of future taxable income, the reversal of deferred tax liabilities, and tax planning strategies. Based upon the Company’s historical operating losses and the uncertainty of future taxable income, the Company has provided a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets that will not be realized as of March 31, 2025 and 2024.
As of March 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company has
15. Related Party Transactions
Principal Stockholders
Term Debt – On January 5, 2024, as part
of negotiations with Renew Group Private Limited (“Renew”), an affiliated entity of Simplify Inventions, LLC (“Simplify”),
in connection with the Company’s failure on December 29, 2023 to make the interest payment due on the Term Debt, dated December
15, 2022 held by Renew in the amount of $
On July 12, 2024, as described above, the Company
entered into Amendment No. 3, pursuant to which interest that was, or will be, due on December 31, 2023, March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024
and September 30, 2024 was due on or before December 31, 2024, as well as the interest otherwise due on December 31, 2024 (all of which
was paid before December 31, 2024). The deferral was contingent on, among other things, no events of default occurring under the Term
Debt during the deferral period. On November 6, 2024, the Company received a letter from Renew confirming the Company is not currently
in default under the Term Debt due to the cure of the default identified in the forbearance letter (see Note 18). As of March 31, 2025,
the outstanding principal on the Term Debt was $
| 24 |
For the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company
had certain transactions with Renew, where it paid interest totaling $
Simplify Loan – For the three months
ended March 31, 2025, the Company had certain transactions with Simplify, where it paid interest totaling $
Simplify Revenue – For the three months
ended March 31, 2025, the Company recognized digital advertising revenue from transactions with Living Essentials, LLC (“Living
Essentials”), an affiliated entity of Simplify, totaling $
Common Stock Private Placement – As a result of the issuance of the Private Placement Shares to Simplify, Simplify owns approximately % (subsequently increased to % in connection with the Common Stock Purchase Agreement) of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, resulting in a change in control. As a result, Simplify has the ability to determine the outcome of any issue submitted to the Company’s stockholders for approval, including the election of directors. Prior to the consummation of the Private Placement, the Company’s public stockholders held a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock.
16. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Contingencies
Claims and Litigation – From time to time, the Company may be subject to claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. The outcome of any litigation is inherently uncertain. Based on the Company’s current knowledge it believes that the final outcome of the matters discussed below will not likely, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on its business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows; however, in light of the uncertainties involved in such matters, there can be no assurance that the outcome of each case or the costs of litigation, regardless of outcome, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.
On January 30, 2024, the former President, Media filed an action against the Company and Manoj Bhargava, the former interim CEO and a principal stockholder, alleging claims for breach of contract, failure to pay wages and defamation, among other things, in the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, seeking damages in an unspecified amount. On November 15, 2024, the Company has executed a confidential settlement agreement with the former President, Media which fully resolved the matter to the satisfaction of the parties to the litigation.
On March 21, 2024, the former CEO and Chairman of
the board of directors filed an action against the Company, members of its board of directors and Simplify, alleging claims for retaliation,
breach of contract, wrongful termination and age discrimination, among other things, in the Superior Court of the State of California
seeking damages in an amount of $
ABG Group Legal Matters
On April 1, 2024, Authentic Brands Group,
LLC, ABG-SI, LLC, and ABG Intermediate Holdings 2 LLC (collectively referred to as the “ABG Group”) filed an action against
the Company and Manoj Bhargava, the former interim CEO of the Company and a principal stockholder, alleging, among other things, breach
of contract in the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York seeking damages in the amount of $
| 25 |
On June 7, 2024, the Company filed a response denying ABG Group’s alleged breach of contract action and filed a counterclaim against ABG Group and Minute Media, Inc. alleging, among other things, unfair competition, misappropriation of trade secrets, unjust enrichment, breach of contract and tortious interference with contract. On August 2, 2024, ABG Group filed an amended complaint which the Company responded to on August 22, 2024 and subsequently filed counterclaims against ABG Group and Sportority, Inc. d/b/a Minute Media. A settlement conference was held on December 4, 2024. On March 4, 2025, ABG Group filed a Second Amended Complaint adding allegations and additional claims against Mr. Bhargava. The allegations and claims asserted against the Company remained substantially the same as those in ABG Group’s original complaint filed April 1, 2024. See ABG Legal Matters in Note 18, Subsequent Events, for an additional update.
17. Segment Reporting
The Company leverages its Platform to build content verticals powered by anchor brands. The Company’s strategy is to focus on key subject matter verticals where audiences are passionate about a topic category where it can leverage the strength of its core brands to grow its audience and monetize editorially focused online content through various display and video advertisements that are viewed by internet users of the content.
The Company’s CODM is the Chief Executive Officer. The Company’s CODM was newly appointed to this role in 2024 and began reviewing segment gross profit by vertical when evaluating performance and making resource allocation decisions rather than focusing on consolidated company net income, which resulted in a change to reportable segments. The prior period presented has been re-cast to reflect this change. Changes to the CODM in subsequent periods may result in a change to reportable segments. This segment profit measure is defined as segment revenue less segment cost of revenue, consisting of costs and expenses directly attributable to the segment. The Company now has four reportable segments: Sports & Leisure, Finance, Lifestyle, and Platform. The Company’s reportable segments are organized in subject matter verticals that offer content on the respective topic.
Each of the reportable segments derives its revenue from digital advertising, digital subscriptions, performance marketing, publisher revenue, and licensing and publisher revenues as described above in Note 2.
The following tables summarize key financial information by segment:
Schedule of Financial Information by Segment
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sports & Leisure | Finance | Lifestyle | Platform | Total | ||||||||||||||||
| Digital advertising | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Digital subscriptions | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Publisher Revenue | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Performance Marketing | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other digital revenue | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total digital revenue | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Print revenue | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Less: (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| External Cost of Content (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Internal Cost of Content (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Technology costs (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Print, distribution and fulfillment costs (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other segment items (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment gross profit (1) | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of Segment Gross Profit to Net Income Before Income Taxes: | ||||
| Less unallocated cost of revenue amounts: | ||||
| Internal cost of content | ||||
| Technology costs | ||||
| Amortization of developed technology and platform development | ||||
| Selling and marketing | ||||
| General and administrative | ||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ||||
| Interest expense, net | ||||
| Liquidated damages | ||||
| Total unallocated costs | ||||
| Net income before income taxes | $ | |||
| (1) |
| 26 |
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sports & Leisure | Finance | Lifestyle | Platform | Total | ||||||||||||||||
| Digital advertising | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Digital subscriptions | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Publisher Revenue | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Performance Marketing | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other digital revenue | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total digital revenue | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Print revenue | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Less: (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| External Cost of Content (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Internal Cost of Content (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Technology costs (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Print, distribution and fulfillment costs (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other segment items (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment gross profit (1) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of Segment Gross Profit to Net Loss Before Income Taxes: | ||||
| Less unallocated cost of revenue amounts: | ||||
| Internal cost of content | ||||
| Technology costs | ||||
| Amortization of developed technology and platform development | ||||
| Selling and marketing | ||||
| General and administrative | ||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ||||
| Interest expense, net | ||||
| Loss on impairment of assets | ||||
| Change in valuation of contingent consideration | ||||
| Liquidated damages | ||||
| Total unallocated costs | ||||
| Net loss before income taxes | $ | ( | ) | |
| (1) |
The Company’s long-lived assets, consisting of property and equipment, and operating leases, are located in the United States. No asset information is provided to the CODM.
18. Subsequent Events
The Company performed an evaluation of subsequent events through the date of filing of these condensed consolidated financial statements with the SEC. Other than the below described subsequent events, there were no material subsequent events which affected, or could affect, the amounts or disclosures on the condensed consolidated financial statements.
ABG Legal Matters
On April 29, 2025, the Company entered into a confidential settlement agreement resolving all outstanding legal matters with Authentic Brands Group, LLC et al, Sportority, Inc. d/b/a Minute Media, and Manoj Bhargava. Any adjustments will be reflected in the financial statements for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2025.
Resignation and Appointments
On April 28, 2025, each of Christopher Fowler, Laura Lee, Christopher Petzel, and Carlo Zola notified the Company that they would resign from the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) and all committees thereof, effective as of April 28, 2025. The resignations of Mr. Fowler, Ms. Lee, Mr. Petzel and Mr. Zola are not the result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to its operations, policies or practices. In addition, on April 28, 2025, Lynn Petersmarck was appointed to the Board.
Acquisition of TravelHost
On May 12, 2025, the Company entered
into a Membership Purchase Agreement to purchase
| 27 |
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 should be read together with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report and in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2024 included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 15, 2025. The following discussion contains “forward-looking statements” that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. Our actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated and expressed in such forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors. We caution that assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions or beliefs about future events may, and often do, vary from actual results and the differences can be material. Please see “Forward-Looking Statements.”
Overview
The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. (the “Company,” “Arena Group,” “we,” “our,” or “us”), is a media company that leverages technology to build deep content verticals powered by anchor brands and a best-in-class digital media platform (the “Platform”) empowering publishers who impact, inform, educate, and entertain. Our strategy is to focus on key subject matter verticals where audiences are passionate about a topic category (e.g., sports & leisure, lifestyle, and finance) 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 for our media publisher partners (each, a “Publisher Partner”). Our focus is on leveraging our Platform and brands in targeted verticals to maximize audience reach, enhance engagement, and optimize monetization of digital publishing assets for the benefit of our users, our advertiser clients, and our greater than 20 owned and operated properties as well as properties we run on behalf of independent Publisher Partners. We own and operate Athlon Sports, TheStreet, The Spun, Parade, Men’s Journal, HubPages, Men’s Fitness, Autoblog, and Adventure Network, and also power more than 150 independent Publisher Partners.
Each Publisher Partner joins the Platform by invitation only with the objective of improving our position in key verticals while 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, social media, ad monetization and subscription marketing, Publisher Partners continually benefit from our ongoing technological advances and audience development expertise. While the Publisher Partners benefit from these critical performance improvements, they may also save substantial technology, infrastructure, advertising sales, member marketing and management costs. While the Publisher Partners benefit from these critical performance improvements, they may also save substantial technology, infrastructure, advertising sales, member marketing and management costs. Additionally, we believe the lead brands within our verticals create a halo benefit for all Publisher Partners while each of them adds to the breadth and quality of content.
Of the more than 150 Publisher Partners, a majority of them publish content which aligns with one of our four verticals (sports &leisure, finance, lifestyle and platform), and oversee an online community for their respective sites, leveraging our Platform, monetization operation, distribution channels and data and analytics offerings, and benefiting from our ability to engage the collective audiences within a single network. Generally, Publisher Partners are independently owned, strategic partners who receive a share of revenue from the interaction with their content. Audiences expand and advertising revenue may improve due to the scale we have achieved by combining all Publisher Partners into a single platform and a large and experienced sales organization. They also benefit from our membership marketing and management systems, which we believe will enhance their revenue.
Recent Developments
On May 12, 2025, we entered into a Membership Purchase Agreement to purchase 100% of membership interests of TravelHost LLC from Simplify, a related party, for a purchase price of $1.0 million. In addition to the acquisition of the membership interests, the acquisition also included an assignment of certain contracts from Bridge Media Networks, LLC, an affiliate of Simplify. The transaction was approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company consisting solely of independent directors.
| 28 |
Impact of Macroeconomic Conditions
Uncertainty in the global economy presents significant risks to our business. Increases in inflation, instability in the global banking system, geopolitical factors, including the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Israel and the responses thereto, and the impact of tariffs on print production costs and the overall market for advertising may have an adverse effect on our business. While we are closely monitoring the impact of the current macroeconomic conditions on all aspects of our business, the ultimate extent of the impact 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. For additional information, see the sections titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC on April 15, 2025 and in this Quarterly Report.
Key Operating Metrics
Our key operating metrics are:
| ● | 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. |
We monitor and review our key operating metrics 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 is our most significant revenue stream. As indicated in the Results of Operations section below, for the three months ended March 31, 2025, digital advertising revenue decreased by approximately 4%, as compared to the same period in fiscal 2024. 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.
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 three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, our RPM was $22.21 and $18.56, respectively. The 20% increase in RPM reflects an increase in video advertising as a percentage of total digital advertising as digital video advertising is sold at a significantly higher price than digital display advertising. For the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, our monthly average pageviews were 327,510,084 and 286,009,299 respectively. The 15% increase in monthly average pageviews is primarily driven by upside in traffic and audience.
All dollar figures presented below are in thousands unless otherwise stated.
| 29 |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Going Concern
Our accompanying condensed 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 condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if we are unable to continue as a going concern.
For the three months ended March 31, 2025, we had net income from continuing operations of $3,997, and as of March 31, 2025, had cash on hand of $2,902 and a working capital deficit of $80,622. Management has evaluated our working capital deficit and historical losses to determine if the significance of those conditions or events would limit our ability to meet our obligations when due, including under the Simplify Loan and Term Debt (as defined in our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statement in Notes 8 and 9). In its evaluation, management determined that substantial doubt exists about our ability to continue as a going concern for a one-year period following the financial statement issuance date due our historical losses and working capital deficit.
Our financial results have improved in recent periods due to headcount and consulting spend reductions. In addition, we are planning to continue improving monthly financial performance through the reduction of costs and monthly cash requirements, maintain compliance with the terms of all outstanding debt agreements, and take actions to resolve current and potential future liabilities to alleviate the conditions that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, such as resolving pending litigation. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to execute these plans. If we are unable to execute these plans, it could lead to selling assets and further reducing costs and cash requirements.
Cash and Working Capital Facility
As of March 31, 2025, our principal sources of liquidity consisted of cash of $2,902 and accounts receivable from continuing operations, net of our allowance for credit losses, of $31,561. In addition, as of March 31, 2025, we had $42,849 available for additional use under our working capital loan with Simplify. As of March 31, 2025, the outstanding balance of the Simplify working capital loan was $7,151. Our cash balance as of the issuance date of our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements is $2,869.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
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 4, Leases, Note 6, Liquidated Damages Payable, and Note 8, Simplify Loan and Note 9, Term Debt, in our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for amounts outstanding as of March 31, 2025, related to other material contractual obligations.
Discontinued Operations
In connection with our discontinued operations from the discontinuance of the Sports Illustrated media business, we recorded the termination fee liability of $45,000 and recognized a loss on impairment of assets of $39,391 for the three months ended March 31, 2024. As a result of this discontinuance, our total liabilities from the discontinued operations were $96,056 as of March 31, 2025.
Income (loss) from our discontinued operations, net of tax, was $23 and ($90,638) for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
| 30 |
Further details are provided in our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements in Note 2, Discontinued Operations, related to our discontinued operations and Note 18, Subsequent Events, regarding the settlement of an action filed by ABG Group against the Company and Manoj Bhargava on April 1, 2024.
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 March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 was as follows:
| As of | ||||||||
| March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||
| Current assets | $ | 39,145 | $ | 40,234 | ||||
| Current liabilities | (119,767 | ) | (122,256 | ) | ||||
| Working capital deficit | $ | (80,622 | ) | $ | (82,022 | ) | ||
As of March 31, 2025, we had a working capital deficit of $80,622, as compared to $82,022 as of December 31, 2024, consisting of $39,145 in total current assets and $119,767 in total current liabilities. As of December 31, 2024, our working capital deficit consisted of $40,234 in total current assets and $122,256 in total current liabilities.
Our cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 consisted of the following:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Net cash provided by/used in operating activities | $ | 3,662 | $ | (1,965 | ) | |||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (1,618 | ) | (713 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (3,504 | ) | (2,603 | ) | ||||
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (1,460 | ) | $ | (5,281 | ) | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 2,902 | $ | 4,003 | ||||
For the three months ended March 31, 2025, net cash provided by operating activities was $3,662, consisting primarily of $30,272 of cash received from customers, offset by $23,637 of cash paid to employees, Publisher Partners, expert contributors, suppliers, and vendors, and for revenue share arrangements, professional services, and $2,973 of cash paid for interest. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, net cash used in operating activities was $1,965, consisting primarily of $57,633 of cash paid to employees, Publisher Partners, expert contributors, suppliers, and vendors, and for revenue share arrangements, professional services, and $964 of cash paid for interest, offset by $56,632 of cash received from customers.
For the three months ended March 31, 2025, net cash used in investing activities consisted of $1,618 for capitalized costs for our Platform. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, net cash used in investing activities was $713 consisting of capitalized costs for our Platform.
For the three months ended March 31, 2025, net cash used in financing activities was $3,504, consisting of (i) $4 for tax payments relating to the withholding of shares of common stock for certain employees, and (ii) $3,500 for repayments of the Simplify Loan. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, net cash used in financing activities was $2,603, consisting of (i) $2,263 for the payment of the Fexy put option, (ii) $19,609 from repayment of our line of credit with SLR Digital Finance LLC (“SLR”) and (iii) $479 for tax payments relating to the withholding of shares of common stock for certain employees, less (iv) $12,000 in net proceeds from the common stock private placement, and (v) $7,748 in net proceeds from our working capital loan with Simplify.
| 31 |
Results of Continuing Operations
Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 and 2024
| Three Months March 31, | 2025 versus 2024 | |||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 31,815 | $ | 28,941 | $ | 2,874 | 9.9 | % | ||||||||
| Cost of revenue | 16,146 | 20,008 | (3,862 | ) | -19.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Gross profit | 15,669 | 8,933 | 6,736 | 75.4 | % | |||||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Selling and marketing | 2,134 | 4,564 | (2,430 | ) | -53.2 | % | ||||||||||
| General and administrative | 5,283 | 10,135 | (4,852 | ) | -47.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 890 | 987 | (97 | ) | -9.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Loss on disposition of assets | - | 1,198 | (1,198 | ) | -100.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 8,307 | 16,884 | (8,577 | ) | -50.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations | 7,362 | (7,951 | ) | 15,313 | -192.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Total other expenses | (3,079 | ) | (4,728 | ) | 1,649 | -34.9 | % | |||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 4,283 | (12,679 | ) | 16,962 | -133.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Income taxes | (286 | ) | (41 | ) | (245 | ) | -597.6 | % | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) from continuing operations | 3,997 | (12,720 | ) | 16,717 | -131.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | 23 | (90,638 | ) | 90,661 | -100.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 4,020 | $ | (103,358 | ) | $ | 107,378 | -103.9 | % | |||||||
For the three months ended March 31, 2025, the net income from continuing operations improved $16,717 to $3,997, as compared to our prior period net loss of $12,720. This improvement was primarily due to a $8,577 decrease in operating expenses as a result of headcount and consulting spend reductions.
Revenue
The following table sets forth revenue, cost of revenue, and gross profit:
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2025 versus 2024 | |||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 31,815 | $ | 28,941 | $ | 2,874 | 9.9 | % | ||||||||
| Cost of revenue | 16,146 | 20,008 | (3,862 | ) | -19.3 | % | ||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 15,669 | $ | 8,933 | $ | 6,736 | 75.4 | % | ||||||||
For the three months ended March 31, 2025, we had gross profit of $15,669, as compared to $8,933 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $6,736. Gross profit percentage for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was 49.3%, as compared to 30.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2024.
The increase in gross profit percentage was driven by a higher mix of revenue from video advertising as a percentage of total digital advertising, as digital video advertising is sold at a significantly higher price than digital display advertising in combination with headcount and consulting spend reductions.
| 32 |
The following table sets forth revenue by category:
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2025 versus 2024 | |||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||
| Digital revenue: | ||||||||||||||||
| Digital advertising | $ | 21,817 | $ | 22,748 | $ | (931 | ) | -4.1 | % | |||||||
| Digital subscriptions | 1,671 | 2,334 | (663 | ) | -28.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Publisher revenue | 3,104 | 2,103 | 1,001 | 47.6 | % | |||||||||||
| Performance Marketing | 4,790 | 672 | 4,118 | 612.8 | % | |||||||||||
| Other digital revenue | 226 | 811 | (585 | ) | -72.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Total digital revenue | 31,608 | 28,668 | 2,940 | 10.3 | % | |||||||||||
| Print revenue | 207 | 273 | (66 | ) | -24.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 31,815 | $ | 28,941 | $ | 2,874 | 9.9 | % | ||||||||
For the three months ended March 31, 2025, total revenue increased $2,874, or a 9.9% increase, to $31,815 from $28,941 for the three months ended March 31, 2024.
There was a 10.3% increase in digital revenue from $28,668 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 to $31,608 for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The primary drivers of the increase include an increase in performance marketing revenue of $4,118 due to growth of our affiliate partner network and expansion of the performance marketing model across our portfolio and an increase in publisher revenue of $1,001. These increases were partially offset by a $931 decrease in our digital advertising revenue driven primarily by the cessation of publishing of FanNation sites in early 2024, a decrease in our digital subscriptions of $663 due to a decline in subscribers, and a decrease in other digital revenue of $585. The reflected decrease in print revenue of $66 was due primarily to the shutdown of the Athlon Outdoor print operations.
Cost of Revenue
The following table sets forth cost of revenue by category:
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2025 versus 2024 | |||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||
| External cost of content | $ | 4,095 | $ | 6,357 | $ | (2,262 | ) | -35.6 | % | |||||||
| Internal cost of content | 6,995 | 7,176 | (181 | ) | -2.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Technology costs | 3,601 | 4,654 | (1,053 | ) | -22.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Printing, distribution and fulfillment costs | 177 | 244 | (67 | ) | -27.5 | % | ||||||||||
| Amortization of developed technology and platform development | 1,276 | 1,549 | (273 | ) | -17.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Other | 2 | 28 | (26 | ) | -92.9 | % | ||||||||||
| Total cost of revenue | $ | 16,146 | $ | 20,008 | $ | (3,862 | ) | -19.3 | % | |||||||
For the three months ended March 31, 2025, we recognized cost of revenue of $16,146 as compared to $20,008 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, representing a decrease of $3,862. Cost of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2025 was impacted by decreases in printing, distribution and fulfillment costs of $67 due to the shutdown of Athlon Outdoor print operations, amortization of developed technology and platform development costs of $273, technology costs of $1,053, internal cost of content of $181, and external cost of content of $2,262 driven by the cessation of publishing of FanNation sites in early 2024, and a decrease in other costs of revenue of $26.
| 33 |
Operating Expenses
Selling and Marketing
The following table sets forth selling and marketing expenses from continuing operations by category:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Selling and marketing | $ | 2,134 | $ | 4,564 | ||||
| Selling and marketing as a percentage of revenues | 7 | % | 16 | % | ||||
For the three months ended March 31, 2025, we incurred selling and marketing costs of $2,134 as compared to $4,564 for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The decrease in selling and marketing costs of $2,430 is primarily related to decreases in payroll and employee benefits costs of $1,991 due to a reduction in direct sales workforce. In addition, there were decreases in advertising costs of $283, circulation costs of $47, stock-based compensation of $83, and other selling and marketing expenses of $234, partially offset by an increase in professional marketing services of $208.
General and Administrative
The following table sets forth general and administrative expenses by category:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| General and administrative | $ | 5,283 | $ | 10,135 | ||||
| General and administrative as a percentage of revenues | 17 | % | 35 | % | ||||
For the three months ended March 31, 2025, we incurred general and administrative costs of $5,283 as compared to $10,135 for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The $4,852 decrease in general and administrative expenses is primarily due to decreases in stock-based compensation of $332, and payroll and related expenses of $2,950 as a result of headcount and consulting spend reductions, professional services, including accounting, legal and insurance of $840, and other general and administrative expenses of $730.
Segment Revenue
We report our segment results as Sports & Leisure, Finance, Lifestyle, and Platform. Additionally, certain expenses are not allocated to our segments because they represent centralized activities which cannot be accurately allocated.
The following table sets forth revenue by segment:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Segment revenue: | ||||||||
| Sports & Leisure | $ | 12,463 | $ | 13,228 | ||||
| Finance | 8,098 | 6,269 | ||||||
| Lifestyle | 7,879 | 6,395 | ||||||
| Platform | 3,375 | 3,049 | ||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 31,815 | $ | 28,941 | ||||
Sports & Leisure – decrease of $765 is due to the cessation of publishing of FanNation sites in early 2024 and the shutdown of Athlon Outdoor print operations partially offset by the growth of Athlon Sports.
Finance – increase of $1,829 is primarily driven by an increase in performance marketing revenues partially offset by a decrease in digital subscription revenues.
| 34 |
Lifestyle – increase of $1,484 is driven primarily by an increase in performance marketing revenues.
Platform – increase of $326 is driven by an increase in digital advertising and other revenues.
Segment Gross Profit
The following table sets forth segment gross profit:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Gross profit: | ||||||||
| Sports and leisure | $ | 7,536 | $ | 6,055 | ||||
| Finance | 5,224 | 3,892 | ||||||
| Lifestyle | 4,687 | 4,101 | ||||||
| Platform | 1,105 | 843 | ||||||
| Segment gross profit | $ | 18,552 | $ | 14,891 | ||||
Sports & Leisure – increase of $1,481 is due to the cessation of publishing of FanNation sites in early 2024 and the shutdown of Athlon Outdoor print operations partially offset by the growth of Athlon Sports.
Finance – increase of $1,332 is primarily driven by an increase in performance marketing revenues which require less content & editorial spending than other revenue streams.
Lifestyle – increase of $586 is driven primarily by an increase in performance marketing revenues which require less content & editorial spending than other revenue streams.
Platform – increase of $262 is driven by an increase in digital advertising and other revenues with controlled cost.
The following table reconciles segment gross profit to gross profit:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Segment gross profit | $ | 18,552 | $ | 14,891 | ||||
| Centralized activities: | ||||||||
| Internal cost of content | (360 | ) | (1,258 | ) | ||||
| Technology costs | (1,247 | ) | (3,151 | ) | ||||
| Amortization of developed technology and platform development | (1,276 | ) | (1,549 | ) | ||||
| Gross profit | $ | 15,669 | $ | 8,933 | ||||
Other Expenses
The following table sets forth other expenses:
| Three Months Ended March 31, | 2025 versus 2024 | |||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of contingent consideration | $ | - | $ | (313 | ) | $ | 313 | -100.0 | % | |||||||
| Interest expense, net | (3,004 | ) | (4,339 | ) | 1,335 | -30.8 | % | |||||||||
| Liquidated damages | (75 | ) | (76 | ) | 1 | -1.3 | % | |||||||||
| Total other expenses | $ | (3,079 | ) | $ | (4,728 | ) | $ | 1,649 | -34.9 | % | ||||||
| 35 |
Change in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration – The change in fair value of contingent consideration for the three months ended March 31, 2024 of $313, represents the change in fair value of the put option on our common stock in connection with the acquisition of Fexy, where in connection with the acquisition we issued 274,692 shares of our common stock that was subject to a put option under certain conditions (as further described in Note 7, Fair Value, in our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements).
Interest Expense – We incurred interest expense, net of $3,004 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, as compared to $4,339 for three months ended March 31, 2024. The decrease in interest expense of $1,335 was primarily from lower amortization of debt costs and lower interest charges on the line of credit.
Liquidated Damages – We recorded liquidated damages of $75 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, as compared to $76 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, representing a decrease in accrued interest.
Income Taxes – We recorded a provision for income taxes of $286 for the three months ended March 31, 2025, as compared to $41 for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The increase in our provision for income tax of $245 was primarily related to our expected annual effective tax rate increase as a result of improved operating results.
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 valuation of contingent consideration, (vi) liquidated damages, (vii) loss on impairment of assets, (viii) loss on sale of assets; (ix) employee retention credit, (x) employee restructuring payments; and (xi) professional and vendor fees. Our non-GAAP measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies, have 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 measures as superior to, or a substitute for, the equivalent measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Some of the limitations are that our non-GAAP measure:
| ● | 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 income tax provision or benefit, 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 stock-based compensation and, therefore, does not include all of our compensation costs; | |
| ● | does not reflect the change in valuation of contingent consideration, 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 losses from the impairment of assets, which is a noncash operating expense; | |
| ● | does not reflect any losses from the sale of assets, which is a noncash operating expense | |
| ● | does not reflect the employee retention credits recorded by us for payroll related tax credits under the CARES Act; | |
| ● | does not reflect payments related to employee severance and employee restructuring changes for our former executives; | |
| ● | 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 | |
| ● | may not reflect proper non direct cost allocations. |
| 36 |
The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure, for the periods indicated:
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 4,020 | $ | (103,358 | ) | |||
| Gain (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | (23 | ) | 90,638 | |||||
| Income (loss) from continuing operations | 3,997 | (12,720 | ) | |||||
| Add (deduct): | ||||||||
| Interest expense, net (1) | 3,004 | 4,339 | ||||||
| Income tax provision (benefit) | 286 | 41 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization (2) | 2,166 | 2,536 | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation (3) | 182 | 913 | ||||||
| Change in fair value of contingent consideration (4) | - | 313 | ||||||
| Liquidated damages (5) | 75 | 76 | ||||||
| Loss on impairment of assets (6) | - | 1,198 | ||||||
| Employee restructuring expenses (7) | - | 2,456 | ||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 9,710 | $ | (848 | ) | |||
| (1) | Interest expense is related to our capital structure and varies over time due to a variety of financing transactions. Interest expense includes $31 and $536 for amortization of debt discounts for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, as presented in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, which are noncash items. Investors should note that interest expense will recur in future periods. | |
| (2) | Depreciation and amortization related to our developed technology and Platform is included within cost of revenues of $1,276 and $1,549 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and depreciation and amortization is included within operating expenses of $890 and $987 for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, 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) | Stock-based compensation represents noncash costs arise 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) | Change in fair value of contingent consideration represents the change in the put option on our common stock in connection with the Fexy Studios acquisition. | |
| (5) | Liquidated damages (or interest expense related to accrued liquidated damages) represents amounts 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. | |
| (6) | Loss on impairment of assets represents certain assets that are no longer useful. | |
| (7) | Employee restructuring payments represents severance payments to employees under employer restructuring arrangements and payments for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. |
| 37 |
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. In preparing the condensed consolidated financial statements, we make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, stockholders’ equity, revenue, expenses, and related disclosures. We re-evaluate our estimates on an on-going basis. Our estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Because of the uncertainty inherent in these matters, actual results may differ from these estimates and could differ based upon other assumptions or conditions.
Except as described in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, there have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates as compared to the critical accounting policies and estimates disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 that was filed with the SEC on April 15, 2025.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a discussion about new accounting pronouncements adopted as of the date of this report.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable to a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of SEC Regulation S-K.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule13a-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 Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. Based on that evaluation, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2025 in providing reasonable assurance that the 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.
| 38 |
Material Weaknesses in Internal Control over Financial Reporting and Remediation Plan
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 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.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a 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.
In connection with the preparation of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 that was filed with the SEC on April 15, 2025, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2024 because we did not adequately identify and assess certain risks of material misstatement in a timely manner as we did not have the properly trained resources in place to perform the risk assessment and then implement and execute appropriate controls.
We identified the following material weaknesses:
| (i) | Our finance and accounting policies, including those governing revenue recognition, expense recognition, and balance sheet valuation principles and methodologies, have not been fully documented; and | ||
| (ii) | We did not maintain a sufficient system of internal controls to validate data provided by certain third party service providers including: | ||
| i. | A third party providing print subscription management services; | ||
| ii. | A third party advertising partner; and | ||
| iii. | A third party providing ad serving services. | ||
These material weaknesses have not been remediated as of the date of filing of this Quarterly Report. We intend to undertake the following remedial measures to address these material weaknesses and will continue to evaluate and adjust remediation actions as needed to ensure the remedial measures remain appropriate and are sustainable:
| (i) | Hire resources to help develop a comprehensive set of finance and accounting policies to document revenue recognition, expense recognition, and balance sheet valuation principles and methodologies as well as enhance our risk assessment processes and internal control capabilities; | |
| (ii) | Obtain, review, and map a System and Organization Controls – SOC 1 Type 2 report from third party service providers for the effectiveness of controls relevant to any third party data relied upon in accounting and financial reporting for any third parties noted above which continue to support the business; | |
| (iii) | Review all information provided by third parties directly and through third party portals to ensure specific reports upon which we rely are covered by third party or end user controls within each SOC 1 Type 2 report; and | |
| (iv) | Implement additional controls to require documented review of any amendments to third party agreements by finance and accounting personnel to ensure appropriate accounting treatment. |
| 39 |
We believe that the actions listed above will provide appropriate remediation of the material weaknesses. Due to the nature of the remediation process and the need for sufficient time after implementation to evaluate and test the design and effectiveness of the controls, no assurance can be given as to the timing for completion of remediation. The material weaknesses will be fully remediated when we conclude that the controls have been operating for sufficient time and independently validated by management.
We believe that, notwithstanding the material weaknesses mentioned above, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this Quarterly Report present fairly, in all material respects, the condensed consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders’ deficiency, and cash flows of the Company and its subsidiaries in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles as of the dates and for the periods stated therein.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Except as described above under “Material Weakness in Internal Control over Financial Reporting and Remediation Plan,” there have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2025 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.
| 40 |
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, we may be subject to claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. Except as described in Note 16, Commitments and Contingencies and Note 18, Subsequent Events of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we are not currently subject to any pending or threatened legal proceedings that we believe would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There are numerous factors that affect our business and operating results, many of which are beyond our control. The risk factors described in Part I, “Item IA. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the SEC on April 15, 2025 should be carefully considered, together with the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with SEC in connection with evaluating us, our business and the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Additional risks and uncertainties not known to us at present, or that we currently deem immaterial, may affect us. The occurrence of any of these known or unknown risks could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. All dollar figures presented below are in thousands unless otherwise stated.
Our financial condition raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a “going concern” through one year from the date of the issuance of the financial statements contained herein if we are unable to rectify the recurrence of our net losses and reduce our working deficit.
For the three months ended March 31, 2025, we had net income from continuing operations of $3,997, and as of March 31, 2025, had cash on hand of $2,902 and a working capital deficit of $80,622. Management has evaluated our net income from continuing operations and working capital deficit to determine if the significance of those conditions or events would limit our ability to meet our obligations when due, including under the Simplify Loan and Term Debt. In its evaluation, management determined that substantial doubt exists about our ability to continue as a going concern for a one-year period following the financial statement issuance date due to the historical recurring losses from continuing operations and working capital deficit.
Our financial results have improved in recent periods due to headcount and consulting spend reductions. In addition, we plan to continue improving monthly financial performance through the reduction of costs and monthly cash requirements, maintain compliance with the terms of all outstanding debt agreements, and take actions to resolve current and potential future liabilities to alleviate the conditions that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, such as resolving pending litigation. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to execute these plans. If we are unable to execute these plans, it could lead to selling assets and further reducing costs and cash requirements.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
| 41 |
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
The following documents are filed as part of this Quarterly Report:
| 42 |
* Filed herewith.
# This certification is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.
| 43 |
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. | ||
| Date: May 15, 2025 | By: | /s/ PAUL EDMONDSON |
|
Paul Edmondson Chief Executive Officer | ||
| (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
| Date: May 15, 2025 | By: | /s/ GEOFFREY WAIT |
| Geoffrey Wait | ||
| Principal Financial Officer | ||
| 44 |
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO EXCHANGE ACT RULE 13a-14(a) OR 15d-14(a) AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Paul Edmondson, certify that:
| 1. | I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of The Arena Group Holdings, Inc.; | |
| 2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; | |
| 3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; | |
| 4. | The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
| 5. | The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
| Date: May 15, 2025 | /s/ PAUL EDMONDSON |
|
Paul Edmondson Chief Executive Officer | |
| (Principal Executive Officer) |
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO EXCHANGE ACT RULE 13a-14(a) OR 15d-14(a) AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Geoffrey Wait, certify that:
| 1. | I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of The Arena Group Holdings, Inc.; | |
| 2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; | |
| 3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; | |
| 4. | The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
| 5. | The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
| Date: May 15, 2025 | /s/ Geoffrey Wait |
| Geoffrey Wait | |
| Principal Financial Officer |
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, I, Paul Edmondson, the Chief Executive Officer of The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby certify, that, to my knowledge:
| 1. | The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and | |
| 2. | The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. |
| Date: May 15, 2025 | /s/ PAUL EDMONDSON |
| Paul Edmondson | |
| Chief Executive Officer | |
| (Principal Executive Officer) |
Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, I, Geoffrey Wait, the Principal Financial Officer of The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”), hereby certify, that, to my knowledge:
| 1. | The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and | |
| 2. | The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. |
| Date: May 15, 2025 | /s/ Geoffrey Wait |
| Geoffrey Wait | |
| Principal Financial Officer |