Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 8-03 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP in annual financial statements have been omitted or condensed in accordance with quarterly reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023.

The December 31, 2022 condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. The condensed consolidated interim financial statements of Super League include all adjustments of a normal recurring nature which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of Super League’s financial position as of September 30, 2023, and results of its operations and its cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year, or any future period.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications to revenue categories and operating expense line items have been made to prior period amounts for consistency and comparability with the current periods’ condensed consolidated financial statements presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported total revenue, operating expense, net loss or stockholder's equity for the periods presented.

Going Concern

The accompanying condensed consolidated 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. The Company incurred net losses, including noncash charges, of $17.1 million and $69.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and had an accumulated deficit of $227.8 million as of September 30, 2023. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, net cash used in operating activities totaled $14.1 million and $16.0 million, respectively.

The Company had cash and cash equivalents of $1.1 million and $2.5 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. To date, our principal sources of capital used to fund our operations and growth have been the net proceeds received from equity and debt financings. We have and will continue to use significant capital for the growth and development of our business, and, as such, we expect to seek additional capital either from operations, or that may be available from future issuance(s) of common stock, preferred stock and / or debt financings, to fund our planned operations. Accordingly, our results of operations and the implementation of our long-term business strategies have been and could continue to be adversely affected by general conditions in the global economy, including conditions that are outside of our control. The most recent global financial crisis caused by severe geopolitical conditions, including conflicts abroad, and the lingering effects of COVID-19 and the threat of other outbreaks, have resulted in extreme volatility, disruptions and downward pressure on stock prices and trading volumes across the capital and credit markets in which we traditionally operate. A severe or prolonged economic downturn could result in a variety of risks to our business and could have a material adverse effect on us, including limiting our ability to obtain additional funding from the capital and credit markets. In management’s judgement, these conditions raise substantial doubt about the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern as contemplated by ASC 205-40, “Going Concern,” (“ASC 205”).

Management’s Plans

The Company experienced significant growth in fiscal year 2023, 2022 and 2021 through organic and inorganic growth activities, including the expansion of our premium advertising inventory and quarter over quarter and year over year increases in recognized revenue across our primary revenue streams. In fiscal year 2023, we focused on the continued expansion of our service offerings and revenue growth opportunities through internal development, collaborations, and through opportunistic strategic acquisitions, as well as management and reduction of operating costs. Management continues to consider alternatives for raising capital to facilitate our growth and execute our business strategy, including strategic partnerships and or other forms of equity or debt financings. Refer to Note 6 for recent equity financing activities.

The Company considers historical operating results, costs, 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 the Company will be able to raise additional equity and / 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.

We may continue to evaluate potential strategic acquisitions. To finance such strategic acquisitions, we may find it necessary to raise additional equity capital, incur debt, or both. Any efforts to seek additional funding could be made through issuances of equity or debt, or other external financing. However, additional funding may not be available on favorable terms, or at all. The capital and credit markets have experienced extreme volatility and disruption periodically and such volatility and disruption may occur in the future. If we fail to obtain additional financing when needed, we may not be able to execute our business plans which, in turn, would have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, our ability to meet our obligations, and our ability to pursue our business strategies.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue includes direct costs incurred in connection with the satisfaction of performance obligations under our revenue arrangements including internal and third-party engineering, creative, content, broadcast and other personnel, talent and influencers, internal and third-party game developers, content capture and production services, direct marketing, cloud services, software, prizing, and revenue sharing fees.

Engineering, Technology and Development Costs

Components of our platform are available on a “free to use,” “always on basis,” and are utilized and offered as an audience acquisition tool, as a means of growing our audience, engagement, viewership, players and community. Engineering, technology and development related operating expense includes the costs described below, incurred in connection with our audience acquisition and viewership expansion activities. Engineering, technology and development related operating expense includes (i) allocated internal engineering personnel expense, including salaries, noncash stock compensation, taxes and benefits, (ii) third-party contract software development and engineering expense, (iii) internal use software cost amortization expense, and (iv) technology platform related cloud services, broadband and other platform expense, incurred in connection with our audience acquisition and viewership expansion activities, including tools and product offering development, testing, minor upgrades and features, free to use services, corporate information technology and general platform maintenance and support.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company evaluates its financial instruments to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives. For derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as liabilities, the derivative instrument is initially recorded at its fair value and is then re-valued at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The classification of derivative instruments, including whether such instruments should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is reassessed at the end of each reporting period. Equity instruments that are initially classified as equity that become subject to reclassification are reclassified to a liability at the fair value of the instrument on the reclassification date. Derivative instrument liabilities are classified in the balance sheet as current or non-current based on whether or not net-cash settlement of the derivative instrument could be required within 12 months of the balance sheet date. In circumstances where the embedded conversion option in a convertible instrument is required to be bifurcated and there are also other embedded derivative instruments in the convertible instrument that are required to be bifurcated, the bifurcated derivative instruments are accounted for as a single, compound derivative instrument.

Derivative liabilities are adjusted to reflect fair value at each period end, with any increase or decrease in the fair value being recorded in the statement of operations.

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, (iv) developed technology acquired, (v) partner, customer, creator and influencer related intangible assets acquired and (vi) other intangible assets, which are recorded at cost (or in accordance with the acquisition method or cost accumulation methods described above) and amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, ranging from 3 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.

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. Estimates of expected volatility of the underlying common stock for the expected term of the stock option used in the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model are determined by reference to historical volatilities of the Company’s common stock and historical volatilities of similar companies.

Grants of equity-based awards (including warrants) to non-employees in exchange for consulting or other services are accounted for using the grant date fair value of the equity instruments issued.

A condition affecting the exercisability or other pertinent factors used in determining the fair value of an award that is based on an entity achieving a specified share price constitutes a market condition pursuant to ASC 718, “Stock based Compensation,” (“ASC 718”). A market condition is reflected in the grant-date fair value of an award, and therefore, a Monte Carlo simulation model is utilized to determine the estimated fair value of the equity-based award. Compensation cost is recognized for awards with a market condition, provided the requisite service period is satisfied, regardless of whether the market condition is ever satisfied.

Cancellation of an existing equity-classified award along with a concurrent grant of a replacement award is accounted for as a modification under ASC 718, “Stock-based Compensation.” Total compensation cost to be recognized in connection with a modification and concurrent grant of a replacement award is equal to the original grant date fair value plus any incremental fair value, calculated as the excess of the fair value of the replacement award over the fair value of the original awards on the cancellation date. Any incremental compensation cost related to vested awards is recognized immediately on the modification date. Any incremental compensation cost related to unvested awards is recognized prospectively over the remaining service period, in addition to the remaining unrecognized grant date fair value.

On January 1, 2022, the Company issued 67,500 performance stock units (“PSUs”) under the Company’s 2014 Amended and Restated Stock Option and Incentive Plan, which vest in five equal increments of 13,500 PSUs, based on satisfaction of the following vesting conditions during the three-year period commencing on January 1, 2022: (i) the Company’s stock price equaling $95.00 per share based on 60-day volume weighted average price (“VWAP”); (ii) the Company’s stock price equaling $120.00 per share based on 60-day VWAP; (iii) the Company’s stock price equaling $140.00 per share based on 60-day VWAP; (iv) the Company’s stock price equaling $160.00 per share based on 60-day VWAP; and (v) the Company’s stock price equaling $180.00 per share based on 60-day VWAP. Noncash stock compensation expense related to the PSUs totaled $0 and $298,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. Noncash stock compensation expense related to the PSUs totaled $570,000 and $1,691,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively.

In December 2022, the Company issued 25,000 warrants to a third-party for nonemployee investor relations services. The warrants have an exercise price of $13.40, a grant date fair value of $10.00, vest in twelve equal monthly installments commencing on the grant date and expire five years from the grant date. Compensation expense included in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 totaled $62,000 and $186,000, respectively.

Modifications to Equity-Based Awards

On April 30, 2023, the Board approved the cancellation of the 67,500 PSUs previously granted to certain executives under the 2014 Plan (as described above). In exchange for the cancelled PSUs, the executives were granted an aggregate of 67,500 PSUs, which vest, over a five-year term, upon the Company’s common stock achieving certain VWAP goals as follows: (i) 20% upon achieving a 60-day VWAP of $16.00 per share, (ii) 20% upon achieving a 60-day VWAP of $20.00 per share; (iii) 20% upon achieving a 60-day VWAP of $24.00 per share; (iv) 20% upon achieving a 60-day VWAP of $28.00 per share; and (v) 20% upon achieving a 60-day VWAP of $32.00 per share, in each case, as quoted on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“PSU Modification”). Total incremental compensation cost related to the PSU Modification totaled $540,000 which will be recognized over the implied service period, ranging from .69 years to 1.5 years, calculated in connection with the Monte Carlo simulation model used to determine the fair value of the PSUs immediately before and after the modification. Noncash stock compensation expense related to the modified PSUs, which is recognized on an accelerated basis over the derived term, totaled $131,000 and $220,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.

On April 30, 2023, the Board approved the cancellation of certain stock options to purchase an aggregate of 58,951 shares of the Company’s common stock previously granted to certain executives and employees under the Company’s 2014 Amended and Restated Employee Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”), with an average exercise price of approximately $56.40. In addition, the Board approved the cancellation of certain warrants to purchase an aggregate of 26,100 shares of the Company’s common stock previously granted to certain executives and employees, with an average exercise price of approximately $199.80 (“Executive Grant Modification”). In exchange for the cancelled options and warrants, certain executives and employees were granted options to purchase an aggregate of 305,000 shares of common stock under the 2014 Plan, at an exercise price of $9.80 (the closing price of the Company’s common stock as listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market on April 28, 2023, the last trading day before the approval of the awards), with one-third of the options vesting on the April 30, 2023, the grant date, with the remainder vesting monthly over the thirty-six month period thereafter, subject to continued service (“Executive Grant Modifications”). The exercise of the options under these awards was contingent upon the Company receiving approval from its stockholders to increase the number of shares available under the 2014 Plan, which was obtained in connection with the Company’s 2023 annual shareholder meeting. Total incremental compensation cost related to the Executive Grant Modifications totaled $347,000, $112,000 of which related to vested awards as of the modification date and was recognized as expense immediately, and $235,000 related to unvested awards which will be recognized prospectively over the remaining service period of 3 years.

On May 1, 2023, the Board approved the cancellation of options to purchase an aggregate of 29,224 shares of the Company’s common stock previously granted to its employees under the 2014 Plan, in exchange for newly issued options to purchase an aggregate of 63,900 shares of the Company’s common stock under the 2014 Plan, at an exercise price equal to the closing trading price on May 1, 2023, or $9.81, with a range of zero to one-third of the options vesting on the May 1, 2023, the grant date, dependent upon the tenure of the employee, and the remainder vesting monthly over the forty-eight month period thereafter, subject to continued service (“Employee Grant Modifications”). Unrecognized compensation expense related to the original award as of the date of the Employee Grant Modifications totaled $960,000 which will be recognized prospectively over the remaining service period of 4 years. Total incremental compensation cost related to the Employee Grant Modifications totaled $449,000, $101,000 of which related to vested awards as of the modification date and was recognized as expense immediately, and $348,000 related to unvested awards which will be recognized prospectively over the remaining service period of 4 years.

Total noncash stock-based compensation expense for the periods presented was included in the following financial statement line items:

Convertible Debt

The Company evaluates convertible notes outstanding to determine if those contracts or embedded components of those contracts qualify as derivatives under ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging,” (“ASC 815”). ASC 815 requires conversion, redemption options, call options and other features (hereinafter, “Embedded Instruments”) contained in the Company’s convertible debt instruments that meet certain criteria to be bifurcated and separately accounted for as an embedded derivative. In circumstances where the embedded conversion option in a convertible instrument is required to be bifurcated and there are also other embedded derivative instruments in the convertible instrument that are required to be bifurcated, the bifurcated derivative instruments are accounted for as a single, compound derivative instrument.

In the event that the fair value option election is not made, as described below, the Company evaluates the balance sheet classification for convertible debt instruments issued to determine whether the instrument should be classified as debt or equity, and whether the Embedded Instruments should be accounted for separately from the host instrument. Embedded Instruments of a convertible debt instrument would be separated from the convertible instrument and classified as a derivative liability if the feature, were it a standalone instrument, meets the definition of an “embedded derivative.” Generally, characteristics that require derivative treatment include, among others, when the conversion feature is not indexed to the Company’s equity, or when it must be settled either in cash or by issuing stock that is readily convertible to cash. When a conversion feature meets the definition of an embedded derivative, it is required to be separated from the host instrument and classified as a derivative liability carried on the balance sheet at fair value, with any changes in its fair value recognized currently in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Fair Value Option (“FVO”) Election. The Company accounts for certain convertible notes issued, as described at Note 5 under the fair value option election pursuant to ASC 825, “Financial Instruments,” (“ASC 825”) as discussed below. The convertible notes accounted for under the FVO election are each debt host financial instruments containing embedded features which would otherwise be required to be bifurcated from the debt-host and recognized as separate derivative liabilities subject to initial and subsequent periodic estimated fair value measurements under ASC 815. Notwithstanding, ASC 825 provides for the “fair value option” election, to the extent not otherwise prohibited by ASC 825, to be afforded to financial instruments, wherein bifurcation of an embedded derivative is not necessary, and the financial instrument is initially measured at its issue-date estimated fair value and then subsequently remeasured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis at each reporting period date. The estimated fair value adjustment, as required by ASC 825, is recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”) with respect to the portion of the fair value adjustment attributed to a change in the instrument-specific credit risk, with the remaining amount of the fair value adjustment recognized as other income (expense) in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations. With respect to the note described at Note 5, as provided for by ASC 825, the estimated fair value adjustment is presented in a respective single line item within other income (expense) in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations, since the change in fair value of the convertible notes payable was not attributable to instrument specific credit risk. The estimated fair value adjustment is included in interest expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Concentration of Credit Risks

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk are cash equivalents, investments and accounts receivable. The Company places its cash equivalents and investments primarily in highly rated money market funds. Cash equivalents are also invested in deposits with certain financial institutions and may, at times, exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any significant losses on its deposits of cash and cash equivalents.

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 common stock potentially issuable in connection with the conversion of outstanding convertible notes payable, employee stock options, warrants issued to employees and non-employees in exchange for services and warrants issued in connection with financings. Common stock underlying all outstanding stock options, restricted stock units and warrants, totaling 1,044,000 and 339,000 at September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, have been excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share because the effect of inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. Common stock potentially issuable in connection with the conversion of outstanding convertible preferred stock totaling 4,077,000 at September 30, 2023, have been excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 because the effect of inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

Recent Accounting Guidance

Recent Accounting Pronouncements – Adopted. In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers, which requires entities to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, in order to align the recognition of a contract liability with the definition of a performance obligation. This standard is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2023. The adoption of the new accounting standard did not have a material impact on the condensed consolidated balance sheets or statements of operations for the periods presented herein.