Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying condensed 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 financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on March 23, 2020.

 

The condensed 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 March 31, 2020, and results of its operations and its cash flows for the interim periods presented.  The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain reclassifications to other assets have been made to prior year amounts for consistency and comparability with the current year’s financial statements presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported total assets.

 

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”), stock-based compensation expense, accounting for business combinations, income taxes and valuation allowances against net deferred tax assets, require its most difficult, subjective or complex judgments.

  

Going Concern

 

The accompanying interim condensed 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 $5.1 million and $16.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and had an accumulated deficit of $90.9 million. Total noncash charges included in accumulated deficit since inception, primarily related to noncash stock compensation, restricted stock units issued in connection with a license agreement, amortization of the discount on convertible debt and in-kind advertising expense, totaled approximately $35.3 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, noncash expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization of fixed and intangible assets, respectively) included in net loss, primarily comprised of stock-based compensation and noncash interest charges (2019 period only), totaled $702,000 and $12.7 million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, net cash used in operating activities totaled $3.4 million and $3.3 million, respectively.

 

As of March 31, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $4.8 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.

 

Recent Financing Activities

 

As described at Note 6, on May 4, 2020, the Company entered into a potentially forgivable loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) resulting in net proceeds of approximately $1.2 million pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program enacted by Congress under the CARES Act administered by the SBA (the “PPP Loan”). To facilitate the PPP Loan, the Company entered into a Note Payable Agreement with a third-party lender.

 

On May 13, 2020, we announced that the Company entered into securities purchase agreements with institutional investors for the purchase and sale of 1,825,000 shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $3.50 per share, pursuant to a registered direct offering, priced at-the-market under Nasdaq rules. The gross proceeds of the offering will be approximately $6.4 million before deducting fees and other estimated offering expenses. The closing of the registered direct offering is expected to take place on or about May 15, 2020, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.The offering was made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-237626) previously filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The proceeds from this offering will primarily be used for working capital purposes.

 

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) sponsorships and advertising, including third-party content sales and (ii) 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:

 

The Company generates sponsorship revenues primarily from sales of various forms of sponsorships and promotional campaigns for its online gameplay and content platforms and from sponsorship at its in-person esports experiences. These 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.

 

Sponsorship revenues also include revenues pursuant to arrangements with brand and media partners, retail venues, game publishers and broadcasters that allow our partners to run amateur esports experiences, and or capture specifically curated gameplay content that is customized for our partners’ distribution channels, leveraging the flexibility of, and powered by the Super League gaming and content technology platform.

 

Sponsorship arrangements typically include contract terms for time periods ranging from several weeks or months to multi-year arrangements.

 

We also 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 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.

 

Revenue for sponsorship 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.

 

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 online and physical tournament fees, digital subscriptions, digital goods and merchandise. 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:

 

    For the Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2020     2019  
Sponsorships and advertising   $ 228,000     $ 238,000  
Direct to Consumer     15,000       11,000  
    $ 243,000     $ 249,000  

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, 21% and 73% of revenues were recognized at a single point in time, and 79% and 27% of revenues were recognized over time, respectively.

 

Cost of Revenues

 

Cost of sales includes direct costs incurred in connection with the production of Super League’s in-person and online gaming and content events and activities, 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 three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 were $67,000 and $147,000, 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Noncash stock-based compensation expense for the periods presented was comprised of the following:

 

    Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2020     2019  
Stock options   $ 313,000     $ 1,292,000  
Warrants     222,000       1,288,000  
Restricted stock units     167,000       150,000  
Total noncash stock compensation expense   $ 702,000     $ 2,730,000  

 

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

 

    Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2020     2019  
Sales, marketing and advertising   $ 173,000     $ 132,000  
Technology platform and infrastructure        89,000       (3,000 )
General and administrative        440,000       2,601,000  
Total noncash stock compensation expense     702,000     $ 2,730,000  

 

Noncash stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 included compensation expense resulting from the vesting of certain performance-based options and warrants previously granted to two of the Company’s executives which vested upon completion of the Company’s initial public offering (“IPO”) and the satisfaction of certain other operational performance metrics. Upon closing of the IPO on February 27, 2019, 83,000 of performance-based stock options and 125,000 warrants vested, with a weighted-average grant date fair value of $8.50, resulting in noncash stock compensation expense of $1,770,000. The fair value of these equity awards was estimated on October 31, 2018, their original grant date, using the Black Scholes-Merton option pricing model and the following weighted-average assumptions: (i) volatility of 93%, (ii) risk-free interest rate of 3.0%, and (iii) expected term of 6.5 years.

 

Risks and Uncertainties

 

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

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, four customers accounted for 79% and three customers accounted for 96% of revenue, respectively. At March 31, 2020, three customers accounted for 86% of accounts receivable. At December 31, 2019, one customer accounted for 70% of accounts receivable. At March 31, 2020, two vendors accounted for 74% of accounts payable. At December 31, 2019, one vendor accounted for 21% of accounts payable.

 

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 3,963,000 and 4,110,000 at March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, have been excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share because the effect of inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

 

Recent Accounting Guidance

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Recently 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 Company adopted this new standard effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of the new standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations for the current or prior periods.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements – Not Yet Adopted.

 

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.