Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

v3.20.1
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation

The financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The Company believes that, of the significant accounting policies described herein, the accounting policies associated with revenue recognition, the valuation of convertible notes and related common stock purchase warrants (hereinafter, “warrants”) discussed at Note 6, stock-based compensation expense, accounting for business combinations as discussed at Note 5, income taxes and valuation allowances against net deferred tax assets, require its most difficult, subjective or complex judgments.

Going Concern

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. As presented in the financial statements, the Company incurred net losses of $30.7 million and $20.6 million during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and had an accumulated deficit of $85.8 million as of December 31, 2019. Noncash expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization of fixed and intangible assets, respectively) included in net loss, primarily comprised of noncash interest charges and stock-based compensation, totaled $16.2 million and $8.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Net cash used in operating activities totaled $13.6 million and $10.7 million, for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2019, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $8.4 million. The Company has used and will continue to use significant capital for the growth and development of its business. The Company’s management expects operating losses to continue in the near term in connection with the pursuit of its strategic objectives. As such, management believes its current cash position, absent receipt of additional capital either from operations or that may be available from future issuance(s) of common stock or debt financings, is not sufficient to fund our planned operations for the twelve months following the issuance of these financial statements. As a result, our current financial condition raises substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

 

We are focused on expanding our service offerings and revenue growth opportunities through internal development, collaborations, and through one or more strategic acquisitions. Management is currently exploring several alternatives for raising capital to facilitate our growth and execute our business strategy, including strategic partnerships or other forms of equity or debt financings.

 

The Company considers historical operating results, capital resources and financial position, in combination with current projections and estimates, as part of its plan to fund operations over a reasonable period. Management's considerations assume, among other things, that the Company will continue to be successful implementing its business strategy, that there will be no material adverse developments in the business, liquidity or capital requirements and, if necessary, the Company will be able to raise additional equity or debt financing on acceptable terms. If one or more of these factors do not occur as expected, it could cause a reduction or delay of its business activities, sales of material assets, default on its obligations, or forced insolvency. The accompanying financial statements do not contain any adjustments which might be necessary if the Company were unable to continue as a going concern. No assurance can be given that any future financing will be available or, if available, that it will be on terms that are satisfactory to the Company.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when the Company transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. In this regard, revenue is recognized when: (i) the parties to the contract have approved the contract (in writing, orally, or in accordance with other customary business practices) and are committed to perform their respective obligations; (ii) the entity can identify each party’s rights regarding the goods or services to be transferred; (iii) the entity can identify the payment terms for the goods or services to be transferred; (iv) the contract has commercial substance (that is, the risk, timing, or amount of the entity’s future cash flows is expected to change as a result of the contract);and (v) it is probable that the entity will collect substantially all of the consideration to which it will be entitled in exchange for the goods or services that will be transferred to the customer.

 

Super League generates revenues and related cash flows from (i) brand and media sponsorships, (ii) Platform-As-A-Service arrangements, (iii) advertising and third-party content and (iv) direct to consumer offers including tournament fees for participation in our physical and online multiplayer gaming experiences, digital subscriptions and merchandise sales.

 

Sponsorships and Advertising

 

Brand and Media Sponsorships. The Company generates brand and media sponsorship revenues primarily from sales of various forms of sponsorships and promotional campaigns for its online platforms and from sponsorship at its in-person esports experiences. Brand and media sponsorship revenue arrangements may include: exclusive or non-exclusive title sponsorships, marketing benefits, official product status exclusivity, product visibly and additional infrastructure placement, social media rights (including rights to create and post social content and clips), rights to on-screen activations and promotions, display material rights, media rights, hospitality and tickets and merchandising rights. Brand and media sponsorship arrangements typically include contract terms for time periods ranging from several weeks to multi-year arrangements.

 

For brand and media sponsorship arrangements that include performance obligations satisfied over time, customers typically simultaneously receive and consume the benefits under the agreement as the Company satisfies its performance obligations, over the applicable contract term. As such, revenue is recognized over the contract term based upon estimates of progress toward complete satisfaction of the contract performance obligations (typically utilizing a time, effort or delivery-based method of estimation). Payments are typically due from customers during the term of the arrangement.

  

Platform-As-A-Service. The Company generates Platform-as-a-Service (“PaaS”) revenues pursuant to arrangements with brand and media partners, retail venues, game publishers and broadcasters that allow its partners to run amateur esports experiences, and or capture specifically curated gameplay content that is customized for its partners’ distribution channels, leveraging the flexibility of, and powered by the Super League gaming and content technology platform. Revenue for PaaS arrangements for one-off branded experiences and/or the development of content tailored specifically for the Company’s partners’ distribution channels that provide for a contractual delivery or performance date, is recognized when performance is substantially complete and or delivery occurs. Revenue for PaaS arrangements that include performance obligations satisfied over time whereby customers simultaneously receive and consume the benefits under the agreement as the Company satisfies its performance obligations over the applicable contract term, is recognized over the contract term based upon estimates of progress toward complete satisfaction of the contract performance obligations (typically utilizing a time, effort or delivery-based method of estimation). Payments are typically due from customers during the term of the arrangement.

 

Advertising and Third-Party Content Revenue. We generate content through digital and physical experiences that offer opportunities for generating advertising revenue on our proprietary digital channels. In addition, we license our content to third parties seeking esports content for their own distribution channels.

 

For advertising and third-party content arrangements that include performance obligations satisfied over time, customers typically simultaneously receive and consume the benefits under the arrangement as we satisfy our performance obligations, over the applicable contract term. As such, revenue is recognized over the contract term based upon estimates of progress toward complete satisfaction of the contract performance obligations (typically utilizing a time, effort or delivery-based method of estimation). Payments are typically due from customers during the term of the arrangement for longer-term campaigns, and once delivery is complete for shorter-term campaigns.

 

Direct to Consumer

 

Direct to consumer revenues include tournament fees, digital subscriptions and merchandise. Direct to consumer revenues have primarily consisted of the sale of season passes to gamers for participation in Super League’s in-person and or online multiplayer gaming experiences. For the applicable periods presented herein, season passes for gaming experiences were primarily comprised of multi-week packages and also include one-time, single experience admissions. For the year ended December 31, 2019, digital subscription revenues include revenues related to the Company’s Minehut asset acquisition in June 2018, which provides various Minecraft server hosting services on a subscription basis to the Minecraft gaming community, and Super League Prime subscription offer which was launched in beta in the fourth quarter of 2019.

 

Revenue from single experiences is recognized when the experience occurs. Revenue from multi-week packages is recognized over time as the multi-week experiences occur based on estimates of the progress toward complete satisfaction of the applicable offer and related performance obligations. Subscription revenue is recognized over the applicable subscription term. Payments are typically due from customers at the point of sale.

 

Revenue billed or collected in advance is recorded as deferred revenue until the event occurs or until applicable performance obligations are satisfied as described above.

 

Revenue was comprised of the following for the periods presented:

 

    2019     2018  
Brand and Media Sponsorships   $ 351,000     $ 549,000  
Platform-as-a-service     632,000       291,000  
Advertising and content sales     68,000       69,000  
Direct to Consumer     33,000       137,000  
    $ 1,084,000     $ 1,046,000  

 

For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 33% and 39% of revenues were recognized at a single point in time, and 67% and 61% of revenues were recognized over time, respectively.

 

Cost of Revenue

Cost of sales includes direct costs incurred in connection with the production of Super League’s in-person and online gaming events, including venue rental, venue entertainment, licenses, direct marketing, prizing, talent and contract services.

Advertising

Gaming experience and Super League brand related advertising costs include the cost of ad production, social media, print media, marketing, promotions, and merchandising. The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expenses for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were $409,000 and $614,000, respectively, and are included in selling, marketing and advertising expenses in the accompanying statements of operations.

Technology Platform and Infrastructure Costs

Technology platform and infrastructure costs include (i) allocated personnel costs, including salaries, noncash stock compensation, taxes and benefits related to our internal software developers and engineers, employed by Super League, engaged in the operation, maintenance, management, administration, testing and enhancement of our proprietary gaming and content technology platform, (ii) third-party contract software development and engineering resources engaged in developing and enhancing our proprietary gaming and content technology platform (iii) the amortization of capitalized internal use software costs, and (iv) technology platform related cloud services and broadband costs.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Super League considers all highly liquid, short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s cash equivalents consisted of investments in AAA rated money market funds. As of December 31, 2018, the Company did not have any cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are recorded at the original invoice amount, less an estimate made for doubtful accounts, if any. The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts for potential credit losses based on its evaluation of the collectability and the customers’ creditworthiness. Accounts receivable are written off when they are determined to be uncollectible. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, no allowance for doubtful accounts was considered necessary.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Company measures financial assets and liabilities at fair value at each reporting period using a fair value hierarchy which requires the Company to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s classification within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Three levels of inputs may be used to measure fair value:

 

Level 1. Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.  

 

Level 2 . Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices which are observable for the assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instruments.

 

Level 3. Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity and which are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

 

The Company does not have any instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. However, the Company measured certain acquired intangible assets and the Earn-Out using Level 3 inputs on a nonrecurring basis.

Concentration of Credit Risks

The Company maintains its cash on deposit with a bank that is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. At various times, the Company maintained balances in excess of insured amounts. The Company has not experienced any significant losses on its cash held in banks.

Deferred Equity Financing Costs

Specific incremental costs directly attributable to a proposed or actual offering of securities or debt are deferred and charged against the gross proceeds of the financing. In the event that the proposed or actual financing is not completed, or is deemed not likely to be completed, such costs are expensed in the period that such determination is made. Deferred costs related to proposed offerings of securities totaled $0 and $154,354 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Deferred financing costs, if any, are included in other current assets in the accompanying balance sheet. Total financing costs charged against gross proceeds in connection with the close of the Company’s IPO totaled $517,000.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Major additions and improvements that materially extend useful lives of property and equipment are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are charged against the results of operations as incurred. When these assets are sold or otherwise disposed of, the asset and related depreciation are relieved, and any gain or loss is included in the statements of operations for the period of sale or disposal. Depreciation and amortization are computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, typically over a three to five-year period.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets primarily consist of (i) internal-use software development costs, (ii) domain name, copyright and patent registration costs, (iii) commercial licenses and branding rights and (iv) other intangible assets, which are recorded at cost and amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, ranging from three to 10 years.

 

Software development costs incurred to develop internal-use software during the application development stage are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the software’s estimated useful life, which is generally three years. Software development costs incurred during the preliminary stages of development are charged to expense as incurred. Maintenance and training costs are charged to expense as incurred. Upgrades or enhancements to existing internal-use software that result in additional functionality are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the applicable estimated useful life.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of the acquired business over the acquisition date fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level (operating segment or one level below an operating segment) on an annual basis (December 31) and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. The Company considers its market capitalization and the carrying value of its assets and liabilities, including goodwill, when performing its goodwill impairment test. When conducting its annual goodwill impairment assessment, the Company initially performs a qualitative evaluation of whether it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired. If it is determined by a qualitative evaluation that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, the Company then applies a two-step impairment test. The two-step impairment test first compares the fair value of the Company’s reporting unit to its carrying or book value. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not impaired, and the Company is not required to perform further testing. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company determines the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill and if the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then an impairment loss equal to the difference is recorded in the statement of operations. The Company operates in one reporting segment.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company assesses the recoverability of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. If the cost basis of a long-lived asset is greater than the projected future undiscounted net cash flows from such asset, an impairment loss is recognized. Impairment losses are calculated as the difference between the cost basis of an asset and its estimated fair value. Management believes that there was no impairment of long-lived assets for the periods presented herein. There can be no assurance, however, that market conditions or demand for the Company’s products or services will not change, which could result in long-lived asset impairment charges in the future.

Stock-Based Compensation

Compensation expense for stock-based awards is measured at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense, typically on a straight-line basis over the employee’s requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the equity award) which is generally two to four years. Compensation expense for awards with performance conditions that affect vesting is recorded only for those awards expected to vest or when the performance criteria are met. The fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards is determined by the product of the number of shares or units granted and the grant date market price of the underlying common stock. The fair value of stock option and common stock purchase warrant awards is estimated on the date of grant utilizing the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model. The Company utilizes the simplified method for estimating the expected term for options granted to employees due to the lack of available or sufficient historical exercise data for the Company for the applicable options terms. The Company accounts for forfeitures of awards as they occur.

 

Grants of equity-based awards (including warrants) to non-employees in exchange for consulting or other services are accounted for using the fair value of the consideration received (i.e., the value of the goods or services) or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably measurable.

Risks and Uncertainties

Concentrations. The Company had certain customers whose revenue individually represented 10% or more of the Company’s total revenue, and vendors whose accounts receivable balances individually represented 10% or more of the Company’s total accounts receivable, or whose accounts payable balances individually represented 10% or more of the Company’s total accounts payable, as follows:

 

For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, 5 customers accounted for 69% and four customers accounted for 82% of revenue, respectively. At December 31, 2019, one customer accounted for 70% of accounts receivable. At December 31, 2018, three customers accounted for 96% of accounts receivable. At December 31, 2019, one vendor accounted for 21% of accounts payable. At December 31, 2018, three vendors accounted for 43% of accounts payable.

Segment Information

The Company operates in one segment.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing the income or loss by the weighted-average number of outstanding shares of common stock for the applicable period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing the income or loss by the weighted-average number of outstanding shares of common stock for the applicable period, including the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents. Potentially dilutive common stock equivalents primarily consist of employee stock options, warrants issued to employees and non-employees in exchange for services and warrants issued in connection with financings. All outstanding stock options, restricted stock units and warrants, totaling 4,096,000 and 4,117,000 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, have been excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share because the effect of inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or income tax returns. A valuation allowance is established to reduce deferred tax assets if all, or some portion, of such assets will more than likely not be realized, or if it is determined that there is uncertainty regarding future realization of such assets.

 

Under U.S. GAAP, a tax position is a position in a previously filed tax return, or a position expected to be taken in a future tax filing that is reflected in measuring current or deferred income tax assets and liabilities. Tax positions are recognized only when it is more likely than not, based on technical merits, that the position will be sustained upon examination. Tax positions that meet the more likely than not thresholds are measured using a probability weighted approach as the largest amount of tax benefit being realized upon settlement. The Company considers many factors when evaluating and estimating its tax positions and tax benefits, which may require periodic adjustments, and which may not accurately forecast actual outcomes. Management believes the Company has no uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

The Company has elected to include interest and penalties related to its tax contingences as a component of income tax expense. There were no accruals for interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions for the periods presented. Income tax returns remain open for examination by applicable authorities, generally three years from filing for federal and four years for state. The Company is not currently under examination by any taxing authority nor has it been notified of an impending examination.

Recent Accounting Guidance

Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Recently Adopted.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued a new accounting standard update (“ASU”) addressing revenue from contracts with customers, which clarifies existing accounting literature relating to how and when a company recognizes revenue. Under the standard, a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. In doing so, the Company is required to use more judgment and make more estimates in connection with the accounting for revenue contracts with customers than under previous guidance. Such areas may include: (i) identifying performance obligations in the contract, (ii) estimating the timing of satisfaction of performance obligations, (iii) determining whether a promised good or service is distinct from other promised goods or services, including whether the customer can benefit from the good or service on its own and whether the promise to transfer a good or service is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract, (iv) evaluating whether performance obligations are satisfied at a point in time or over time, (v) allocating the transaction price to separate performance obligations, and (vi) determining whether contracts contain a significant financing component.

 

The Company used the modified retrospective method of adoption, which would require the cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings on January 1, 2019. Comparative prior year periods would not be adjusted. The new accounting standard was applied to all contracts at the date of initial application. There was no cumulative effect of applying the new revenue standard to contracts executed in prior periods. As such, the adoption of the new accounting standard had no impact on the balance sheet and statement of operations in the current or prior periods.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements – Not Yet Adopted.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance that eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Instead, if an entity forgoes a Step 0 test, that entity will be required to perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit, as determined in Step 1 from the goodwill impairment test, with its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge, if any, for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and should be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The effect of adoption should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company does not currently expect this new accounting guidance to have a material impact on our financial statements upon adoption.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued an ASU that requires lessees to present right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet. The new guidance is to be applied using a modified retrospective approach at the beginning of the earliest comparative periods in the financial statements and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on its financial position, results of operations and financial statement disclosures.

  

In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance on the measurement and recognition of credit losses on most financial assets. For trade receivables, loans, and held-to-maturity debt securities, the current probable loss recognition methodology is being replaced by an expected credit loss model. For available-for-sale debt securities, the recognition model on credit losses is generally unchanged, except the losses will be presented as an adjustable allowance. The guidance will be applied retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of adoption. The guidance will become effective at the beginning of the Company’s first quarter of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021 but can be adopted as early as the beginning of the first quarter of fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting this new accounting guidance will have on its financial statements and footnote disclosures.