UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(MARK ONE)
☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020
☐ 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: 001-38226
ALLIED ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
82-1659427
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
17877 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 300
Irvine, California, 92614
(Address of principal executive offices)
(949) 225-2600
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Common Stock
Trading Symbol(s)
AESE
Name of each exchange on which registered
NASDAQ
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation
S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging
growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐
Non-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 has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over
financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The aggregate market value of common stock outstanding, other than shares held by affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2020 (the last business day of the
registrant’s most recently completed fiscal quarter), was approximately $21,486,413 based on the price of $2.11, the closing price on June 30, 2020. For purposes of this
computation, all officers, directors, and 10% beneficial owners of the registrant are deemed to be affiliates. Such determination should not be deemed to be an admission that
such officers, directors or 10% beneficial owners, are or were, in fact, affiliates of the registrant.
As of April 12, 2021, 39,139,502 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, were issued and outstanding.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements; Risk Factor Summary
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A.
Item 8.
Item 9.
Item 9A.
Item 9B.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.
Item 13.
Item 14.
PART IV
Item 15.
Item 16.
Business
Risk Factors
Unresolved Staff Comments
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Selected Financial Data
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
Other Information
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Executive Compensation
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
Form 10-K Summary
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS;
RISK FACTOR SUMMARY
The information in this Report includes “forward-looking statements” under 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”). All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this Report,
regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-
looking statements. When used in this Report, the words “could,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project” and similar expressions are intended to
identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. When considering forward-looking statements, you should
keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Risk Factors” included in this Report. These forward-looking statements are based
on our current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Nevertheless,
and despite the fact that management’s expectations and estimates are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable and data management believes to be
reliable, our actual results, performance or achievements are subject to future risks and uncertainties, any of which could materially affect our actual performance.
We caution you that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are
beyond our control. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described in this Report occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results and
plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.
All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this Report are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary note. This cautionary note
should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that we or persons acting on our behalf may issue. Except as
otherwise required by applicable law, we disclaim any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to
reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Report.
A summary of the principal risk factors that make investing in our securities risky and might cause our actual results to differ is set forth below. The following is
only a summary of the principal risks that may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. This summary should be
read in conjunction with the more complete discussion of the risk factors we face, which are set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this Report.
Risks Related to the Sale Transaction
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If the Company fails to complete the Sale Transaction, it may not be able to successfully complete another strategic transaction.
If we fail to complete the Sale Transaction, the Company’s business may be harmed, we may not be able to find another buyer for the WPT business and our stock
price could be negatively impacted.
Pending the completion of the Sale Transaction, the Company may not make certain changes in the business and may not be able to enter into a business
combination with another party.
The Company will incur significant expenses in connection with the Sale Transaction and could be required to make significant payments if the Stock Purchase
Agreement is terminated under certain conditions.
The WPT business will be subject to the terms of a license agreement for real money gaming in Asia if the Stock Purchase Agreement is terminated under certain
circumstances.
The announcement and pendency of the Sale Transaction, whether or not completed, may adversely affect us.
The Stock Purchase Agreement limits our ability to pursue alternatives to the Sale Transaction.
ii
Risks Related to us if the Sale Transaction is Completed
● Buyer may not honor all of its obligations under the Stock Purchase Agreement.
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The Company will become a company with cash, investments, and our esports business, which may prove difficult for investors to evaluate our ability to achieve
stated business objectives.
● We have no current plans to pay cash dividends on our common stock with the proceeds of the Sale Transaction; as a result, you may not receive any return on
investment unless you sell your common stock for a price greater than that which you paid for it.
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Following the closing of the Sale Transaction, we will be subject to five-year non-solicitation and non-competition covenants under the Stock Purchase
Agreement, which will limit our ability to operate in poker related fields.
Allied Esports Risk Factors
● Allied Esports is subject to risks associated with operating in a rapidly developing industry and a relatively new market.
● Allied Esports may not be able to generate sufficient revenue to achieve and sustain profitability.
● Allied Esports generates a portion of its revenues from advertising and sponsorship. If it fails to attract more advertisers and sponsors to its live events,
tournaments or content, or if advertisers or sponsors are less willing to advertise with or sponsor Allied Esports, its revenues may be adversely affected.
● Allied Esports’ business model may not remain effective and it cannot guarantee that its future monetization strategies will be successfully implemented or
generate sustainable revenues and profit.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the long-term growth plans of Allied Esports, and we may not be able to implement and grow our three-pillar objectives
for long-term success in the near future, or event at all.
● Allied Esports’ long-term growth strategy depends on the availability of suitable locations for its proprietary and licensed esports arenas and its ability to open
new locations and operate them profitably.
● Allied Esports has not entered into definitive license agreements with all game publishers that it currently has relationships with, and it may never do so.
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Even if Allied Esports is able to license its brand to third party esports operators, there is a risk that those operators could damage its brand by operating esports
arenas that are not at Allied Esports’ standards of operation.
● Allied Esports’ long-term growth strategy includes deploying additional mobile arenas in the U.S. and Europe to host its tournaments and events and it must
operate them profitably.
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The nature of hosting esports events exposes Allied Esports to negative publicity or customer complaints, including in relation to, among other things, accidents,
injuries or thefts at the arenas, and health and safety concerns.
● Allied Esports’ marketing and advertising efforts may fail to resonate with gamers.
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The esports gaming industry is competitive, and gamers may prefer competitors’ arenas, leagues, competitions or tournaments over those offered by Allied
Esports.
● Allied Esports may not provide events or tournaments with games or titles for which the esports gaming community is interested.
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If Allied Esports fails to keep its existing gamers engaged, acquire new gamers and expand interest in its live events, leagues, tournaments and competitions, its
business, its ability to achieve profitability and its prospects may be adversely affected.
● A decline in the number of gamers may adversely affect the engagement level of gamers with Allied Esports’ tournament and entertainment platform under
development and may reduce our revenue opportunities and have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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There is no guarantee that Allied Esports will be able to complete its planned online esports tournament and gaming subscription platform, or that such platform
once completed will be or remain popular.
If Allied Esports fails to maintain and enhance its brands, its business, results of operations and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.
If Allied Esports fails to anticipate and successfully implement new esports technologies or adopt new business strategies, technologies or methods, its business
may suffer.
● Allied Esports uses third-party services in connection with its business, and any disruption to these services could result in a disruption to its business, negative
publicity and a slowdown in the growth of its users, materially and adversely affecting its business, financial condition and results of operations.
● Allied Esports may not be able to procure the necessary permits and licenses to operate its arenas.
● Rules and regulations governing sweepstakes, promotions and giveaways vary by state and country and these rules and regulations could restrict or eliminate
Allied Esports’ ability to generate revenues on its esports gaming platform it intends to develop, which could materially and adversely impact the viability of this
business.
● Negotiations with unionized employees could delay opening or operating Allied Esports’ arenas.
● Allied Esports’ business is subject to regulation, and changes in applicable regulations may negatively impact its business.
● Allied Esports’ ability to attract esports events to its flagship arena may become difficult if the Nevada legislature establishes a Nevada Esports Commission,
which could have a material adverse effect on our operations.
Risks Related to Allied Esports’ Intellectual Property
● Allied Esports licenses certain brand names under agreements that will expire and may also be subject to claims of infringement of third-party intellectual property
rights.
● Allied Esports’ technology, content and brands are subject to the threat of piracy, unauthorized copying and other forms of intellectual property infringement.
● Allied Esports may not be able to prevent others from unauthorized use of its intellectual property, which could harm our business and competitive position.
● Allied Esports may not be able to develop compelling intellectual property content or secure media content distributors to promote, sell, and distribute such
content, which could harm its business and competitive position.
Risks Related to WPT’s Current Business
● WPT’s broadcast agreement with Fox Sports Net (“FSN”) sets a minimum level of distribution that is significantly less than the current distribution level. If
WPT’s current level of distribution is reduced, the reduction could materially and adversely affect WPT’s results of operations.
● WPT’s production costs may increase.
● WPT’s production of its television show has been halted, and it is not known when production may resume.
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Sinclair’s acquisition of FSN could have negative consequences on World Poker Tour.
There is no assurance that Sinclair will broadcast future seasons of the World Poker Tour, which would materially and adversely affect WPT’s results of
operations.
● Consumers shifting to online video on-demand services like Hulu and Netflix and away from cable could have negative consequences on World Poker Tour.
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The ClubWPT.com business is currently heavily dependent upon television as a major source for the generation of new monthly subscribers and WPT continually
seeks cost effective online and traditional marketing to generate new subscribers, which if not achieved could materially and adversely affect its results of
operations.
● WPT’s reliance on Pala Interactive LLC (“Pala”) as a third-party systems provider is subject to system security risks and business viability risks that could disrupt
services provided to ClubWPT.com customers, and any such disruption could reduce WPT’s revenue, increase its expenses and harm its reputation.
● Rules and regulations governing sweepstakes, promotions and giveaways vary by state and country and these rules and regulations could restrict or eliminate
WPT’s ability to generate revenues at ClubWPT.com, which could materially and adversely impact the viability of this business.
● WPT’s success depends in part on our brands and any future brands it may develop, and if the value of its brands were to diminish, its business would be
adversely affected. Licensees of WPT’s brands may diminish the value of its brands.
● WPT may not be able to protect the format of its episodes, its current and future brands and its other proprietary rights.
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Early termination of WPT’s agreements with member casinos or violation by member casinos of the restrictive covenants contained in these agreements could
negatively affect the size of telecast audiences and lead to declines in the performance of WPT’s other lines of business.
● Refusal of any gaming commission to register WPT as a non-gaming vendor for its branded casino tournaments could jeopardize the ability of WPT to continue
holding its events at member casinos.
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Termination or impairment of WPT’s relationships with key licensing and strategic partners could adversely affect its revenues and results of operations.
The loss of the services of Adam Pliska or other key employees or on-air talent, or WPT’s failure to attract key individuals, could adversely affect its business.
● Any disputes with the IATSE 700 Editors Union could delay finishing production of shows needing to be delivered to Sinclair or increase WPT’s costs to produce
the shows.
● WPT’s quarterly results may fluctuate, which may negatively affect the value of the common stock.
Risks Related to WPT’s Current Industry
● WPT’s television programming may be unable to maintain a sufficient audience for a variety of reasons, many of which are beyond its control.
● WPT’s ability to create and sponsor its television programming profitably may be negatively affected by adverse trends that apply to the television production
business generally.
● A decline in general economic conditions or the popularity of WPT’s brand of televised poker tournaments could adversely impact its business.
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The political or social climate regarding gaming and poker could negatively impact WPT’s ability to negotiate future telecast license arrangements and could
negatively impact its chances of renewal.
The television entertainment market in which WPT operates is highly competitive and competitors with greater financial resources or marketplace presence may
enter this market to WPT’s detriment.
Risks Related to the Businesses of Both Allied Esports and WPT
● Allied Esports and WPT have historically operated at a net loss on a consolidated basis, and there is no guarantee that that the consolidated company will be able
to be profitable.
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Forecasts of our market and market growth may prove to be inaccurate, and even if the markets in which we compete achieve the forecasted growth, there can be
no assurance that our business will grow at similar rates, or at all.
● Any actual or perceived failure by us to comply with our privacy policies or legal or regulatory requirements in one or multiple jurisdictions could result in
proceedings, actions or penalties against us.
● Our failure to raise additional capital or generate cash flows necessary to pay debt, expand our operations and invest in new business initiatives in the future could
reduce our ability to compete successfully and harm our operating results.
● Our business depends substantially on the continuing efforts of our executive officers, key employees and qualified personnel, and our business operations may be
severely disrupted if we lose the services of such personnel.
● We may experience security breaches and cyber threats.
● Global health threats, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely affect the operations of our Allied Esports and WPT businesses, which could have
a material adverse effect on our business.
General Risk Factors
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The market price of shares of our common stock may be volatile, which could cause the value of your investment to decline.
● We have no current plans to pay cash dividends on our common stock; as a result, you may not receive any return on investment unless you sell your common
stock for a price greater than that which you paid for it.
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If our operating and financial performance in any given period does not meet the guidance that we provide to the public, the market price of our common stock
may decline.
● We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our
indebtedness, which may not be successful.
● We incur increased costs and are subject to additional regulations and requirements as a result of being a public company, which could lower our profits or make it
more difficult to run our business.
● Ourgame International Holdings Limited owns a significant percentage of our outstanding common stock, enabling it to exert significant influence over our
operations and activities, which may affect the trading price of our common stock
● We are an “emerging growth company,” and the reduced public company reporting requirements applicable to emerging growth companies may make our
common stock less attractive to investors.
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Our failure to achieve and maintain an effective system of disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting could adversely affect our financial
position and lower our stock price.
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Increases in interest rates may cause the market price of our common stock to decline.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business or publish negative reports, the market price of our common stock could
decline.
● You will be diluted by the future issuance of common stock, preferred stock, or securities convertible into common or preferred stock, in connection with our
incentive plans, acquisitions, capital raises or otherwise.
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The Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Court of Chancery of the State of
Delaware will be the exclusive forum for certain legal actions between the Company and its stockholders, which could limit the Company’s stockholders’ ability
to obtain a judicial forum viewed by the stockholders as more favorable for disputes with the Company or the Company’s directors, officers or employees.
● Our Board of Directors’ ability to issue undesignated preferred stock and the existence of anti-takeover provisions may depress the value of our common stock.
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Item 1. Business
Overview of Business
PART I
Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “AESE” and the “Company” refer to Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and
its subsidiaries.
The Company operates a premier public esports and entertainment company, consisting of the Allied Esports and World Poker Tour businesses. For the past 16 years
of its 18-year history, WPT’s business model has successfully utilized the following three pillars for its business model in the sport of poker, which the Company believes can
be utilized by Allied Esports:
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in-person experiences;
developing multiplatform content; and
providing interactive services.
The Allied Esports Business
Gaming is one of the largest and fastest growing markets in the entertainment sector, with an estimated 2.7 billion gamers globally, and esports is the major driver of
this growth. Esports, short for “electronic sports,” is a general label that comprises a diverse offering of competitive electronic games that gamers play against each other.
Some of the popular esports games currently being played include Fortnite, League of Legends, Dota 2, Counter-Strike, Call of Duty, Overwatch and FIFA. Although you can
play games on your own against the computer or console, one of the ways esports is different than the video games of old is the community and spectator nature of esports,
whereby competitive play against another person — either one-on-one or in teams — that is viewed by an online and in-person audience, is a central feature of esports. Since
players play against each other online, a global network of players and viewers has developed as these players compete against each other worldwide. Additionally, game
developers have greatly increased the watchability of games, which has made the spectator aspect of gaming much more prevalent and further drives expansion of the gaming
market. The expanded reach of high-speed Internet service and the computer technology advances in the last decade have also greatly accelerated the growth of esports.
Esports has now become so popular that many colleges offer scholarships in esports and the best-known esports teams are receiving mainstream sponsorships and are being
bought or invested in by celebrities, athletes and professional sports teams. The highest profile esports gamers have significant online audiences as they stream themselves
playing against other players online and potentially can generate millions of dollars in sponsorship money and subscription fees from their online streaming channels. It is
projected that by 2023, 646 million people will be watching esports globally, and that global esports revenue will grow to approximately $1.5 billion.
WPT successfully implemented a three-pillar strategy for over 16 years of its 18-year history. We believe this model can continue and also be applied to Allied
Esports and the esports industry over time. Allied Esports intends to use those same pillars — in-person experiences, multiplatform content, and interactive services—
independently and in connection with its strategic partners. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption in our long-term growth plans for Allied Esports, and although
our long-term strategy remains to fully implement the three-pillar strategy, we are currently focused on continuing our in-person experiences at our current arenas and
developing multiplatform content. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption in our long-term growth plans for Allied Esports, and although our long-term strategy
remains to fully implement the three-pillar strategy, we are currently focused on continuing our in-person experiences at our current arenas and developing multiplatform
content.
In June 2019, Allied Esports entered into a series of strategic transactions with Simon Equity Development, LLC and its affiliates (collectively, “Simon”), a global
leader in the ownership of premier shopping, dining, entertainment, and mixed-use destinations, pursuant to which Allied Esports organized and staged an esports event
program called the Simon Cup at certain Simon shopping centers in the U.S. and online. In January 2020, Allied Esports entered into a strategic partnership with Brookfield
Property Partners, one of the world’s premier real estate companies, in which Allied Esports will develop integrated esports experience venues at mutually agreed upon
shopping malls owned and/or operated by Brookfield or its affiliates that will include a dedicated gaming space and production capabilities to attract and to activate esports
and other emerging live events. In connection with the foregoing partnership, Brookfield made a $5 million equity investment into the Company. As a result of the adverse
effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the short-term operations and plans of Allied Esports, Allied Esports and its strategic partners are delaying further execution
on their strategic plans as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
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In-person Experiences
Allied Esports will continue delivering first-in-class live experiences to customers at Allied Esports’ branded properties worldwide. Starting with the flagship esports
arena, the HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas, the AE Studios in Germany, its on-mall esports venues – the first of which that is planned to be open at the Mall of Georgia with
construction and opening dates postponed until further assessment can be made following the COVID-19 pandemic, and its affiliate arenas in China and Australia, Allied
Esports offers esports fans state-of-the-art facilities to compete against other players in esports competitions, host live events with esports superstars that potentially stream to
millions of viewers worldwide, produce and distribute incredible esports content with its on-site production facilities and studios and provide an attractive facility for hosting
corporate events, tournaments, game launches or other events. Additionally, Allied Esports has two mobile esports arenas, which are 18-wheel semi-trailers that convert into
first class esports arenas and competition stages with full content production capabilities and interactive talent studios. Through this worldwide network of arenas, Allied
Esports believes it can offer customers an unmatched ability to participate in simultaneous global esports events and offer sponsors and partners a truly scalable global
platform and audience to promote their businesses and products. Allied Esports’ flagship HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas serves as a marquee destination for esports fans
globally, and has become one of the most recognized esports venues in the world.
Flagship Arena. In March 2018, Allied Esports opened its first flagship arena, the HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas, at the Luxor Casino on the Vegas strip, whose
pyramid is one of the most visible landmarks in Las Vegas. This arena has 80 to 100 gaming stations, two bars, food service, private rooms, a production facility, and space for
up to 1,000 people for events. The arena is custom-built for esports tournaments and has a broadcast-ready television studio to broadcast live events and produce content.
Allied Esports monetizes the arena through renting the space for live events; merchandise sales; daily usage fees from day-to-day gamers using the gaming stations;
tournament entry and player venue fees; food and beverage; and sponsorship (i.e., our HyperX naming rights relationship).
Affiliate Arenas. One of Allied Esports’ strategic advantages is its global network of esports arena partners, which enables it to host events and promote
competitions around the world, with those competitions culminating in live events held at the flagship arena in Las Vegas. Allied Esports achieves this through its Affiliate
Program, which consists of strategic partnerships with third-party esports operators around the globe. Allied Esports generally charges these affiliates an upfront fee and a
minimal annual revenue share of gross revenue, starting in the second year of the operation of the venue. Allied Esports’ brand visibility and reputation have already resulted
in affiliate arrangements with arenas and gaming centers in China and a multi-year agreement with Fortress Esports Pty Ltd, a new gaming, esports and entertainment venue
enterprise in Australia, which opened its first affiliate arena in Melbourne in March 2020 and reopened during the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2020. This network of
affiliate arenas allows Allied Esports to scale its brand penetration worldwide on a rapid basis, driving more gamers into the Allied Esports ecosystem, with minimal costs to
Allied Esports. Furthermore, the content that can be produced by these affiliate arenas can be on-sold by Allied Esports, with minimal production costs.
Mobile Arenas. The mobile arenas are 18-wheeler trucks that expand out into fully functional esports arenas with event hosting, broadcasting and production
capabilities. The mobility of the trucks makes them ideal for sponsors to reach a large audience in multiple locations at an economical cost. The trucks serve as mobile
billboards for potential third-party sponsorship, as well as the Allied Esports brand, providing highly visible brand presence wherever they appear. Allied Esports currently
has two mobile arena trucks, with the first truck based in Germany and serving the European market, and a second truck based in Las Vegas and serving the U.S. market.
Strategic Investor Events. In addition to Allied Esports utilizing in-person experiences at its flagship, mobile and affiliate arenas, Allied Esports plans to leverage
its experience to develop events and content with its strategic investors, Simon Property Group and Brookfield Property Partners.
Allied Esports plans to collaborate with Brookfield Property Partners to create a new product offering focused on delivering esports experiences through integrated
gaming venues and production facilities in select shopping centers around the U.S. that are owned and/or operated by Brookfield. The on-mall venues will be designed to
activate esports and other emerging live events through tournament play of all levels and daily use, featuring PC and console gaming, plus full food and beverage options, and
experiential retail. The venues will have the capability to be expanded into common areas for larger esports activations and live events.
2
In addition, on September 30, 2019, Allied Esports and Simon launched The Simon Cup, a co-branded esports competition and gaming tournament series of on-
mall regional festivals combining online and in-person play at select Simon centers in the New York and Los Angeles markets, with the winners of the regionals moving on to
HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas, where the first Simon Cup Champion was crowned on November 23, 2019.
As a result of the material adverse effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the short-term operations and plans of Allied Esports, Allied Esports and its
strategic partners are delaying further execution on their strategic plans as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Multiplatform Content: Leveraging Branded Properties and Strategic Partnerships to Develop Content
Allied Esports’ worldwide network of branded esports properties provides Allied Esports with a platform to potentially develop a significant amount of content to
distribute via digital live streams, broadcast and cable, and social media outlets. Allied Esports believes that its arenas will draw top-level esports talent (such as professional
streamer Ninja, who was the featured talent at a successful event at Allied Esports’ Las Vegas arena in April 2018) for purposes of hosting events and developing content,
which it can distribute live, post-produce into fully-produced episodic content, or repackage for over the top streaming platform and social media distribution. Allied Esports
intends to monetize the content in multiple ways, including direct sales of the content, sponsorship revenue, and subscription and/or advertising fees for viewers of the
content.
We believe Allied Esports’ ecosystem of esports branded properties gives it the reach, reputation and experience to produce world-class live events, in partnership
with some of the most prominent names in the esports industry. These live events provide Allied Esports with the material to produce exciting content that can be distributed
via three different formats, each of which has its own revenue generation model: live streaming, post-produced episodic content, and short-form repackaged content.
Live Streaming. Live streaming is the most popular esports content delivery channel today, as it offers the best interactive experiences for the audience. Vast
improvements in technology and Internet service and speed have made live streaming with large audiences widely available today. Well-known gamers live stream themselves
playing their favorite games on any of the popular streaming services (Twitch, YouTube, Facebook Gaming, etc.) to a worldwide audience. The streamers derive revenue
from ad sales, sponsorship, subscription fees and gift payments from spectators. Through Allied Esports’ ecosystem of esports arenas, Allied Esports can offer streamers a
large platform to put on live events that can be simultaneously streamed on both the streamer’s channels and on Allied Esports’ channels. An example is a streaming event
Allied Esports held with one of the most prominent streamers in esports, Tyler Blevins, AKA Ninja, in April 2018. Famous for his streaming channel where he plays the
popular esports game Fortnite, Ninja held a live event at the Las Vegas flagship arena that set records for Twitch live streams, with over 667,000 peak concurrent viewers and
2.4 million unique viewers. To put those audience numbers in perspective, those numbers are significantly higher than viewership of the average regular season NBA game in
2019. Allied Esports was able to sell multiple sponsorships for the event and earned significant revenue from the food and beverage, merchandise sales and usage fees from
the gaming stations. Although large audiences can be garnered through these live event streams, there are limitations on the streams, as they have a one-and-done nature;
repeat viewing is not popular for these events, which limits the sponsorship opportunities.
Post-Produced Content. Allied Esports intends to develop esports entertainment programming around its live experiences and, using its experienced editing and
production teams, create serial, episodic content and segments that tell compelling storylines around its gaming talent, in person experiences, and gaming events around the
world. Allied Esports developed this technique through the WPT, who took the slow-paced game of poker and dramatized it and created storylines that made for exciting and
compelling viewing. This post-produced content can be valuable real estate for sponsors, as Allied Esports can integrate sponsors seamlessly into the show in a way that feels
organic to the viewers. Allied Esports can focus on different storylines, create excitement via editing and music inclusion, and generally elevate the production quality from
that achievable in a live stream. Allied Esports can then monetize this episodic content via sponsorship, advertising, selling the content itself to third party distributors, or
even use it as a marketing tool to drive customers to come to Allied Esports’ branded properties, buy its merchandise or otherwise interact with Allied Esports.
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Repackaged Content. The library of content Allied Esports will develop from events can be cut into smaller clips that can be used as marketing and promotion of
the Allied Esports brand on social media. Allied Esports can also edit content to create new content, such as “best of” shows, focusing on one particular game as played by
multiple well-known streamers, regional shows focusing on talent from a particular country, and so on.
Allied Esports’ global branded esports properties ecosystem will create opportunities for live events which provide material to develop great content, all of which
Allied Esports can monetize in multiple ways. The large customer base Allied Esports develops through these in-person experiences, live streams and content distribution will
give it a customer base to launch interactive services.
Interactive Services: Developing an Esports Entertainment Platform
Allied Esports intends to develop its own online platform where esports players and fans can watch, play and win with other members of the esports community and
top esports personalities. The online platform will enable fans to compete against each other as well as participate in esports programs starring their favorite players.
Subscriptions will provide members with exclusive access to numerous unique and proprietary experiences, products and services that are not available outside of Allied
Esports’ ecosystem, such as exclusive online content, member-only tournaments, prizes and cash awards, exclusive live event and merchandise access, exclusive opportunities
to be part of our entertainment programming, VIP treatment at Allied Esports’ arenas, and much more. Allied Esports intends to use the authenticity and reach driven by its
in-person experiences and content viewership to drive platform adoption by esports fans. Allied Esports’ executive team has years of experience developing online platforms
— its CEO, Frank Ng, has managed and run online platforms with approximately 700 million registered users in China for over 14 years, and its COO, David Moon, has
produced, published and operated numerous game services for over 20 years, including helping build NHN Corporation’s global footprint to over 1 million concurrent users.
Furthermore, WPT has developed and operated its subscription platform for poker fans, ClubWPT, since 2010, and developed and operated a social poker product, PlayWPT,
starting in 2016. PlayWPT was licensed to a third party in May of 2018.
The WPT Business
The Company owns the World Poker Tour® (WPT®) — a premier name in internationally televised gaming and entertainment with brand presence in land-
based poker tournaments, television, online and mobile. A leading innovator in the sport of poker since 2002, WPT helped ignite the global poker boom with the creation of a
unique television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments. WPT’s Tour Events are held at locations throughout the world and have awarded more than one
billion in prize dollars in its 18-year history. WPT has broadcast globally in more than 150 countries and territories, and is currently producing its 18th season, which airs on
FOX Sports Regional Networks in the United States. Season 18 of WPT is sponsored by its online subscription-based poker service, ClubWPT.com. WPT offers a suite of
online poker services which it operates by itself and through its partners offering consumers the ability to access gaming content on a year-round 24/7 basis. ClubWPT.com is
a unique online membership site that offers inside access to the WPT, as well as a sweepstakes-based poker club available in 43 states and territories across the United States,
Australia, Canada, France and the United Kingdom, with innovative features and state-of-the-art creative elements inspired by WPT’s 18 years of experience in gaming
entertainment. In June 2020, ClubWPT launched a premium level of ClubWPT membership called ClubWPT Diamond, which allows members to play for larger prize pools,
more qualifying seats to official WPT live events, and exclusive line-ups of unique experience packages. In addition, WPT licenses its brand to social gaming sites through
partners like Zynga as well as to educational learning platforms such as LearnWPT. These online products are scalable and offer geographic access that might be limited if
WPT relied on tour stop participation alone. Additionally, WPT benefits from managing its own distribution business which currently has more than 1,100 hours of
broadcast-ready content, and offers demographically similar programming to its poker content, such as esports, golf and MMA. WPT uses this large suite of programming as
leverage to seek preferred airtimes on its various distribution channels where it may promote its online products or offer airtime to sponsors in territories they seek to enter.
WPT also participates in strategic brand license, partnership, sponsorship opportunities and music licensing. As described below, WPT applies a three-pillar model of in-
person experiences, developing multiplatform content and providing interactive services, to the sport of poker.
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In-person Experiences: Worldwide Poker Tournaments
World Poker Tour Events. The WPT is a sports league of affiliated poker tournaments that are held at prestigious casinos and poker rooms around the world. WPT
licenses the WPT brand to these casinos and card rooms so that they can brand their poker tournaments as WPT events, and these events are integrated into WPT’s tour. These
events form the backbone of WPT’s brand identity and have turned the WPT into one of the most recognizable names in gaming. WPT has developed different types of tours,
generally distinguishable by the size of the buy-in for competitors in the applicable tour’s events. The WPT Main Tour events generally have the biggest buy-ins (usually
between $3,500 and $10,000), are held at the largest and most prestigious casinos and card rooms and are attended by many of the top professional poker players in the world.
The WPT DeepStacks Tour and WPT500 events are smaller than Main Tour events, with buy-ins ranging from $300 to $1,000, and are meant to cater to the lower- to
medium-stakes players. In addition, through a third-party licensing arrangement, WPT licenses its name to a third party operating the WPT League, which are small bar-
league poker events held at bars and clubs on a social basis. These live events create touchpoints to a large community of poker players to whom WPT can market other WPT
live events, advertise and market its sponsor’s products, and push towards its interactive products. Furthermore, the live events create the content WPT uses to monetize its
brand, as set forth below. The World Poker Tour live events have been postponed during the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 virus throughout the world.
Multiplatform Content: The World Poker Tour Television Shows
The Content. WPT films the final table of six participants from a select group of WPT’s Main Tour stops, where the players compete for some of the poker world’s
largest tournament prize pools. We then edit the footage from these tour stops, resulting in a series of one-hour or two-hour episodes which are distributed for telecast to both
domestic audiences via our broadcast agreement with Sinclair, and international television audiences via numerous international distribution agreements. WPT has an
agreement with Poker Go, a prominent poker-centric online platform, pursuant to which WPT live streams many of its events to Poker Go’s customer base. Many of WPT’s
live events that are not broadcast on Sinclair are live streamed on Poker Go, which ensures almost all of WPT’s events are broadcast on some format. In addition, WPT films
and produces special episodes based on a variety of non-traditional poker tournaments and/or cash games, which it also distributes for telecast along with the episodes based on
WPT’s regular tour stops. Furthermore, WPT produced specialized shows meant to promote and market its ClubWPT membership site, such as its “King of the Club” shows
in which ClubWPT members won the right, by winning certain tournaments on the ClubWPT platform, to play against each other for cash and prizes in a single-
table tournament that was filmed and broadcast on FSN. WPT also filmed and prepared for distribution another series of shows to promote ClubWPT called “Challenge the
Champs”, in which ClubWPT members who qualified on the ClubWPT platform received the chance to play against former WPT Main Tour champions for cash and prizes.
These episodes premiered on FSN in August and September 2019.
WPT previously produced and broadcasted on FSN a series of shows called WPT Alpha8, based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments with buy-ins of
$100,000. In the Alpha8 events, some of the most elite high-stakes players in the world played in poker tournaments against one another in glamorous casinos and card rooms
around the world, with the final eight players of each tournament filmed for production of the television episodes. The inaugural season of WPT Alpha8 began in 2013 and
aired for three seasons, ending in 2016 and continues to be distributed internationally. In addition to the strategic advantage of the “World Poker Tour” and WPT-
related brands, WPT has created significant efficiencies in its content programming through its affiliation and use of Allied ESports’ HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas venue
to film some of its Main Tour final tables and other special events. This change, which just began for Season 17, has significantly reduced production costs by reducing
transportation and set up fees and has allowed for more content to be produced at a significantly more efficient cost. Moreover, by reducing the physical location needs from
its casino partners that would otherwise be featured in a WPT televised event, WPT has greatly expanded the number of potential casino customers that can meet the
requirements for hosting a WPT televised final table. Finally, WPT creates, owns and publishes its own music for WPT shows. In addition to receiving royalties for the music
integrated into these programs, WPT has created a database of over 2,300 musical pieces which may be licensed for itself or for other third-party producers.
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WPT Distribution Footprint. All of the WPT television programs air on Sinclair’s RSNs in the U.S., and in 33 different territories worldwide pursuant to licensing
and distribution arrangements with various linear and digital networks. Virtually all of WPT’s 17-season poker library is fully available for distribution, providing hundreds of
hours of top-tier broadcast grade poker sports content. WPT has greatly expanded the reach of its content by licensing it for broadcast on many digital platforms as well, such
as PlutoTV, Unreel Entertainment, Samsung TV Plus, and many others. WPT does not receive fees from Sinclair for the domestic distribution of our content. Instead, WPT
uses the WPT show to heavily promote its ClubWPT product and other online products and partnerships, such as Zynga’s WPT social poker game. WPT does provide
Sinclair with a guaranteed revenue share from ClubWPT’s operations in exchange for significant promotion and distribution of the programs featuring ClubWPT marketing.
This arrangement ensures that Sinclair has an incentive to keep WPT’s show on the air and to market and promote the show, as they share in the show’s success to the extent
ClubWPT’s revenue increases. Since the ClubWPT customer base and broadcast television viewers are similar in demographics, the symbiotic relationship between Sinclair
and WPT works well to keep WPT’s brand widely known and accessible to millions of people in the U.S. The Sinclair agreement also has other important broadcast
requirements to ensure that WPT’s programming remains “appointment television” and airs at particular times on both the Sinclair networks and the RSNs. Internationally,
some of WPT’s distribution partners pay WPT fees to broadcast content, but usually, WPT’s international revenues are based on distribution deals that pay via advertising
time and sponsorship sales, as well as the intrinsic value of spreading WPT’s brand awareness worldwide. The international reach of WPT-related shows has grown
meaningfully as a result of our expanding digital distribution footprint. WPT receives additional fees from our digital distribution agreements, but again see these as brand-
building exercises and as avenues to get more people exposure for WPT’s online products, sponsors and advertisers. In addition to its World Poker Tour content, WPT also
distributes various sports and lifestyle programming through its distribution business. As a result, WPT now controls over 1,100 hours of programming from which it may
generate distribution fees, license fees, sponsorship revenue and music licensing revenue, as well as serving as a vehicle to promote its online gaming products worldwide.
The ability to “bundle,” or offer large amounts of content, provides WPT distribution leverage in negotiating the amount of airings or preferred airing times of its content.
The Walt Disney Company (“Disney”) recently acquired 21st Century Fox (“FOX”). Under the terms of the acquisition, FOX’s non-regional news and sports assets,
including FSN, were spun off into a new company, Fox Corporation (which is commonly referred to as “New Fox”), which remains owned by the prior FOX shareholders.
The Department of Justice required Disney to sell all RSNs within ninety (90) days after the closing of the Disney/FOX acquisition. The RSNs (including FSN) were recently
purchased by a joint venture company owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group and Entertainment Studios, Inc. (collectively, “Sinclair”). To date, Sinclair’s acquisition of the
RSNs (including FSN) has not had any material effect on the airing of WPT’s content.
Sponsorship Revenue. Sponsorship revenue is the prime economic driver of the distribution of WPT content. WPT partners with prestigious brands, such as
Dr. Pepper (soft drinks), Hublot (high-end timepieces), Corona (beer), Rockstar (energy drinks), Baccarat (fine crystal), Party Poker (online gaming in Europe), and offers
them the ability to become the “Official ________ of the World Poker Tour”. The Season 17 sponsors have included Hublot, Rockstar, Baccarat, Faded Spade Poker (a
playing card manufacturer), and Zynga Inc. (social gaming operator). WPT is able to seamlessly integrate its sponsors into the WPT television show by displaying sponsors
on poker tables, on television sets, and specialized segments that are brought to viewers by the applicable sponsor. By integrating WPT’s sponsors into the show, WPT
provides a powerful marketing tool in that viewers are seeing the sponsor as part of the show they are watching, as opposed to an advertisement that they may mute or skip if
possible. WPT’s live events also offer WPT sponsors a great advertising platform to market directly to WPT players via signage, product sampling suites, flyers, and similar
marketing endeavors.
Interactive Services: Poker Platforms
WPT’s live event global footprint and distribution of its content via broadcast, streaming and social media, allow WPT to generate significant marketing
opportunities for both its sponsors and its own products. WPT has taken advantage of this marketing arm to promote several interactive products: ClubWPT, its subscription-
based online poker club that WPT owns and operates, which also offers social poker; PlayWPT, a web and mobile social poker product that is operated by a third party
utilizing software and branding that WPT licenses to such provider; Zynga Poker, who operates one of the world’s largest social poker products, to whom WPT has licensed
its brand for certain WPT-branded poker tournaments on their platform; and HongKong Triple Sevens Interactive Co., Ltd, who licenses WPT’s Alpha8 brand to operate a
social poker product they are in the process of developing.
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ClubWPT. WPT’s subscription-based online club, ClubWPT.com, is operated in accordance with the principles of sweepstakes law and is available in 43 states and
territories across the United States, Australia, Canada, France and the United Kingdom. A free alternative means of entry is offered for participants who wish to play in the
tournaments but do not wish to purchase the other membership benefits. VIP members can play poker to win a share of $100,000 in cash and prizes every month, including
seats in live WPT poker tournaments. Other benefits include access to every season of the WPT television series and all related content, discounted tickets to live events
through ScoreBig, everyday savings for everyday things via the ClubWPT Entertainment Savers Guide, and other member benefits. In January of 2019, WPT added freemium
social poker and casino gaming on the platform. Since that time, daily active revenue has risen steadily, and we anticipate the freemium products on the platform will be a
meaningful driver of ClubWPT revenue going forward. The subscription fee for ClubWPT remains the same each month and players are not allowed to wager actual money
online. One must be eighteen or older to participate. In June 2020, ClubWPT launched a premium level of ClubWPT membership called ClubWPT Diamond, which allows
members to play for larger prize pools, more qualifying seats to official WPT live events, and exclusive line-up of unique experience packages.
Zynga Poker. WPT entered into a 3-year licensing agreement with Zynga, Inc. in 2018 pursuant to which Zynga agreed to pay WPT $3 million per year in exchange
for the right to license the WPT name and brand to its massive social gaming database for WPT-branded poker tournaments on the Zynga social poker platform. WPT
supports Zynga’s efforts through extensive marketing of its brand through its marketing network which includes its television programs, advertisements, and social media
channels. Zynga has further used the WPT tournaments as a vehicle to reward their players through qualifying players to play in real money poker tournaments at WPT
affiliated casinos. The partnership means that the Zynga and WPT brands elevate each other’s profile in the poker community through millions of impressions annually.
PlayWPT and Alpha8 Social Poker. WPT’s 3-year license agreements for PlayWPT and the Alpha8 social poker product that each commenced in 2018 provide
WPT with a share of all revenue generated on those respective platforms, with annual minimums of the greater of $500,000 or 20% of revenue generated for PlayWPT, and
the greater of $200,000 or 20% of revenue generated for the Alpha8 social poker product. These arrangements offer WPT significant annual payments based on the value and
prestige of WPT’s brands and WPT’s ability to market and promote the platforms.
In addition to the three-pillar approach to monetizing the WPT brands as described above, WPT has also been able to combine these approaches in a regional manner
to create localized versions of the WPT in other parts of the world. For example, WPT has an agreement with Adda52, one of the largest online poker operators in India,
pursuant to which Adda52 utilizes WPT brands to put on WPT-branded tournaments, create and sell WPT merchandise, sponsor and distribute WPT content, and otherwise
market and promote their own products using the WPT name. WPT had a similar arrangement for the Asia-Pacific region with WPT’s former parent company, Ourgame, and
is negotiating similar arrangements with parties in other parts of the world, such as Latin America. These brand licensing arrangements not only provide WPT with revenue
derived from upfront payments and revenue share, but they broaden WPT’s brand reach in localized ways to parts of the world that WPT would be hard-pressed to effectively
market to on its own. WPT believes that this increased reach will have long-term benefits to WPT’s brand image and profitability.
Recent Developments.
On January 19, 2021, the Company and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, Allied Esports Media, Inc. (“Esports Media,” and together with the
Company, the “Selling Parties”) and Club Services, Inc. (“CSI”), entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Original Agreement”) with Element Partners, LLC
(“Buyer”), pursuant to which the Selling Parties have agreed to sell 100% of the outstanding capital stock of CSI to Buyer. CSI is the Company’s indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary that directly or indirectly owns 100% of the outstanding capital stock of each of the legal entities that collectively operate or engage in the Company’s poker-
related business and assets (the “WPT Business”). The proposed sale of CSI is referred to herein as the “Sale Transaction.” In connection with the Original Agreement, Buyer
agreed to pay Esports Media a total purchase price of $78.25 million for the stock of CSI, including an initial purchase price at closing of $68.25 million and $10.0 million in
future payments after the closing of the Sale Transaction. After the execution of the Original Agreement, the Company received multiple unsolicited competing proposals to
sell the Company and/or CSI to Bally’s Corporation. As a result of such proposals and further negotiation with Buyer, the Selling Parties, CSI and Buyer entered into an
Amended and Restated Stock Purchase Agreement on March 19, 2021, and thereafter amended such agreement on March 29, 2021 (as amended, the “Stock Purchase
Agreement”).
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Buyer has agreed to pay Esports Media a total purchase price of $105 million for the stock of CSI (the “base purchase price”) at the closing of the Sale Transaction,
as further described below. The base purchase price will be adjusted to reflect the amount of CSI’s cash, indebtedness and accrued and unpaid transaction expenses as of the
closing of the Sale Transaction. Buyer remitted a $10.0 million advance payment of the base purchase price upon the execution of the Stock Purchase Agreement and is
required to pay the balance of the base purchase price at the closing of the Sale Transaction.
The Stock Purchase Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, covenants and indemnification provisions. The closing of the Sale Transaction is
subject to closing conditions, including the approval of the Sale Transaction by the Company’s stockholders and other customary closing conditions. The Company intends to
consummate the Sale Transaction shortly after obtaining stockholder approval, assuming all other conditions to the completion of the Sale Transaction have been satisfied or
waived by the appropriate parties.
The Stock Purchase Agreement may be terminated by Buyer or the Company if the closing of the Sale Transaction has not occurred by September 30, 2021, or upon
the occurrence of certain customary events as set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement. Depending on the circumstances surrounding a termination of the Stock Purchase
Agreement, the Buyer may be required to pay a $10.0 million non-performance fee to the Company, and the Selling Parties may be required to pay a $3.45 million
termination fee to the Buyer, and the Selling Parties may be required to return to Buyer the $10.0 million advance payment of the purchase price and reimburse Buyer for up
to $1.0 million of its documented out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with the authorization, preparation, negotiation, execution and performance of the Stock
Purchase Agreement and the Sale Transaction.
Effective upon any termination of the Stock Purchase Agreement, other than a termination in which Buyer is required to pay a non-performance fee to us, Buyer (or
its affiliate) and Peerless Media Limited, an indirect subsidiary of the Company that owns intellectual property related to the WPT Business, will enter into a 3-year brand
license for Buyer’s (or its affiliate’s) use of the WPT brand in the territory of Asia for real-money gaming in exchange for revenue-based royalty payments of 20% of
qualifying revenues, and minimum annual guaranteed royalty payments of $4.0 million, $6.0 million and $8.0 million for the first, second and third years, respectively. Such
license will be subject to further customary terms and conditions and provide Peerless Media Limited with a $2.0 million buy-out right after the first year. In the event of any
termination of the Stock Purchase Agreement under any circumstance in which the Buyer is required to pay a termination fee to us, the Company will have the option, but not
the obligation, to require the Buyer to enter into such license agreement with Peerless Media Limited.
The rapid growth and popularity of gaming and esports during the COVID-19 pandemic has driven interest in the Company’s esports business, Allied Esports. In
January 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors decided to explore strategic options for the esports business in order to maximize value to its stockholders, including a
possible sale, and the Company has engaged a financial advisor to assist with the process. If the Company pursues and ultimately completes a sale of the esports business in
addition to the sale of the WPT Business in the Sale Transaction (described below), the Company expects to proceed (likely under a new name) as a publicly traded holding
company focused on using its cash resources to explore opportunities in online entertainment, including but not limited to, real money gaming and other gaming sectors.
However, the Company does not plan to limit itself to any particular industry or geographic location in its efforts to identify prospective target businesses. Currently, the
Company does not have any specific merger, asset acquisition, reorganization or other business combination under consideration or contemplation. At this time no potential or
particular buyer has been identified to purchase the esports business, and there are no initial or ongoing negotiations in respect of the sale of the esports business.
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Corporate Organization
Our principal offices are located at 17877 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 300, Irvine, California, 92614, and our telephone number at that office is (949) 225-2600.
Allied Esports Entertainment Inc., (“AESE”), formerly known as Black Ridge Acquisition Corp, or “BRAC”, was incorporated in Delaware on May 9, 2017 as a
blank check company for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business
combination with one or more businesses or entities.
Allied Esports Media, Inc. (“AEM”), a Delaware corporation, was formed in November 2018 to act as a holding company for Allied Esports International Inc.
(“Allied Esports”) and immediately prior to close of the Merger (as defined below) to also include Noble Link Global Limited (“Noble Link”). Allied Esports, together with
its subsidiaries described below owns and operates the esports-related businesses of AESE. Noble Link (prior to the AEM Merger) and its wholly owned subsidiaries Peerless
Media Limited, Club Services, Inc. and WPT Enterprises, Inc. operate the poker-related business of AESE and are collectively referred to herein as “World Poker Tour” or
“WPT.” Prior to the Merger, as described below, Noble Link and Allied Esports were subsidiaries of Ourgame International Holdings Limited (“Ourgame”).
On December 19, 2018, BRAC, Noble Link and AEM executed an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (as amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”).
On August 9, 2019 (the “Closing Date”), Noble Link was merged with and into AEM, with AEM being the surviving entity, which was accounted for as a common control
merger (the “AEM Merger”). Further, on August 9, 2019, a subsidiary of AESE merged with AEM pursuant to the Merger Agreement, with AEM being the surviving entity
(the “Merger”). The Merger was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization, and AEM is deemed to be the accounting acquirer. Consequently, the assets and liabilities and the
historical operations that are reflected in the combined financial statements prior to the Merger are those of Allied Esports and WPT. The preferred stock, common stock,
additional paid in capital and earnings per share amount in the combined financial statements for the period prior to the Merger have been restated to reflect the
recapitalization in accordance with the shares issued to the Former Parent as a result of the Merger. References herein to the “Company” are to the combination of AEM and
WPT during the period prior to the AEM Merger and are to AESE and subsidiaries after the Merger.
Allied Esports operates through its wholly owned subsidiaries Allied Esports International, Inc., (“AEII”), Esports Arena Las Vegas, LLC (“ESALV”) and Allied
Esports GmbH (“AEGmbH”). AEII operates global competitive esports properties designed to connect players and fans via a network of connected arenas. ESALV operates a
flagship gaming arena located at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. AEGmbH operates a mobile esports truck that serves as both a battleground and content generation
hub and also operates a studio for recording and streaming gaming events.
Our fiscal year ends December 31. Neither we nor any of our predecessors have been in bankruptcy, receivership or any similar proceeding.
Regulation
WPT tournaments are conducted by the host casinos and card rooms, and we believe WPT is not subject to government gaming regulation in connection with its
affiliation with and telecasts of these events. We continue to monitor the legality of Internet gaming in domestic and international jurisdictions, but cannot be certain that
changes in existing regulations will be beneficial to the gaming market. WPT’s subscription-based online club, ClubWPT.com, is operated in accordance with the principles of
sweepstakes law. A free alternative means of entry is offered for participants who wish to play in the tournaments but do not wish to purchase the other membership benefits.
The subscription fee for ClubWPT remains the same each month and players are not allowed to wager actual money online. One must be eighteen or older to participate.
However, the awarding of cash and prizes will require compliance with the laws or regulations in various states or countries over sweepstakes, promotions and giveaways, are
complicated and constantly changing.
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Allied Esports intends to offer subscribers the chance to win cash and prizes when playing esports games and tournaments on the esports gaming platform it intends
to develop. Similar to WPT, Allied Esports will be subject to the complicated laws and regulations in various states or countries over sweepstakes, promotions and giveaways.
Any negative finding of law regarding the characterization of the type of online activity carried out on the esports gaming platform could limit or prevent Allied Esports’
ability to obtain subscribers in those jurisdictions. In addition, Allied Esports is subject to a number of foreign and domestic laws and regulations that affect companies
conducting business on the Internet. In addition, laws and regulations relating to user privacy, data collection, retention, electronic commerce, consumer protection, content,
advertising, localization, and information security have been adopted or are being considered for adoption by many jurisdictions and countries throughout the world.
Intellectual Property
We believe that to maintain a competitive advantage in the marketplace, we must develop and maintain protection of the proprietary aspects of our technology. We
rely on a combination of trademarks, patent, trade secret intellectual property rights and other measures to protect our intellectual property.
WPT has filed trademarks for the names of its shows, including the World Poker Tour name and logos. The trademark “World Poker Tour” has been registered with
the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) on the principal register in connection with entertainment services, clothing, playing cards and poker chips, and housewares
and glass; and on the supplemental register in connection with electronic and scientific apparatus. Other registered marks around the world include: “Alpha8” in the U.S.,
Canada, China, Europe, South Africa and Uruguay; “Battle of Champions” in the U.S.; “Card Design” in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru,
Puerto Rico, and Venezuela; “Doyle Brunson North American Poker Championship” in the U.S.; “Hollywood Home Game” in the U.S.; “Ladies’ Night” in the U.S.; “Latin
American Poker Tour” in Peru and Europe; “Poker Détente” in Europe; “Poker Walk of Fame” in the U.S.; “PPT” in the U.S., Canada and Europe; “PPT & Design” in the
U.S. and Canada; “Professional Poker Tour” in the U.S.; “Professional Poker Tour PPT & Design” in the U.S.; “Royal Flush Girls” in the U.S.; “Time Slots” in Canada,
Europe and the U.S.; “World Poker Tour” in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Europe, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, South Africa and
Venezuela; “World Poker Tour & Design” in the U.S., Canada and Europe; “WPT” in the U.S., Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru,
Puerto Rico, South Africa, and Venezuela; “WPT8 Design” in U.S., Australia, Canada, China, Europe, South Africa and Uruguay; “WPT Academy” in Europe; “WPT
Alpha8 Design” in Australia, Canada, China, Europe, South Africa and Uruguay; “WPT Boot Camp” in the U.S.; “WPT Poker Corner” in the U.S., Canada and Europe;
“WPT Spade Card Design” in China; “WPT World Poker Tour & Design” in the U.S., Australia, Canada, Europe and Korea. We have registered approximately 2,100 Internet
domain names in 70 regions around the world. We also have proprietary rights to our portfolio of registered and unregistered copyrighted materials, which includes the
episodes of the televised programming and music that we produce, subject to licenses related to these episodes provided under our agreements with our distributors and our
international telecast license agreements, as well as the WPT Academy database and online videos.
WPT has filed five U.S. and international patent applications. One patent relating to a specially designed game table that uses integral lighting, was issued by the
USPTO in 2007. Another patent, relating to systems and methods reducing fraud in electronic games having virtual currency, was issued by the USPTO in April 2020. A third
patent relating to systems and methods for securing virtual currencies and enhancing electronic products, was issued by the USPTO in May 2020. WPT’s remaining patent
applications relate to (1) systems and methods to reduce impact of network disruptions; and (2) systems and methods to provide multiple commentary streams for the same
broadcast content.
Allied Esports has one patent in the U.S. related to systems and methods for latency in networked competitive multiplayer gaming that was issued by the UPSTO in
July 2020. It has also registered approximately 45 domain names. Allied Esports has filed for trademark protection for the following marks as well: “Allied Esports” has been
filed in the U.S., “Allied Esports” bold mark has been filed in China and Europe; The “Allied Esports” logos have been filed in the U.S. and Europe; the “Allied Esports
Member Property Network” logo has been filed in China and Europe; the “Big Betty” logos have been registered in Europe; “E-sports Arena” have been registered in China,
“Esports Superstars” logo has been filed in the U.S.; “Legend Series” logo has been filed in the U.S. and Europe; and the “Allied Esports” emblem has been filed in China and
Europe.
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Competition
WPT competes with other poker-related television programming, including ESPN’s coverage of the “World Series of Poker” and its “World Series of Poker” Circuit
Events, among others. These and other producers of poker-related programming are well established and may have significantly greater resources than WPT does. Based on
the popularity of these poker-related televised programs, WPT believes that additional competing televised poker programs may currently be in development or may be
developed in the future. WPT’s programming also competes for telecast audiences and advertising revenue with telecasts of mainstream professional and amateur sports, as
well as other entertainment and leisure activities.
The esports gaming industry is also competitive. Competitors range from established leagues and championships owned directly, as well as leagues franchised by
well-known and capitalized game publishers and developers, interactive entertainment companies, diversified media companies and emerging start-ups. New competitors will
likely continue to emerge, and many of these competitors will have greater financial resources than Allied Esports.
Territories
We sell products and services throughout the world.
Employees
As of April 11, 2021, we had approximately 114 employees, including 44 employees that operated under collective-bargaining agreements.
11
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the specific risks described below before making an investment decision. Any
of the risks we describe below could cause our business, financial condition, results of operations or future prospects to be materially adversely affected.
The market price of our common stock could decline if one or more of these risks and uncertainties develop into actual events and you could lose all or part of your
investment. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially and adversely affect our business,
financial condition, results of operations or future prospects. Amounts within the “Risk Factors” section are stated in thousands with the exception of share information.
Risks Related to the Sale Transaction
If the Company fails to complete the Sale Transaction, it may not be able to successfully complete another strategic transaction.
The consummation of the proposed Sale Transaction is subject to a number of closing conditions, including that the Company’s stockholders approve the Sale
Transaction. The obligation of Buyer to complete the Sale Transaction is also subject to the absence of a change in circumstances that are materially adverse to the Company’s
financial condition, assets, business or results of operations. If the closing conditions for the Sale Transaction are not satisfied, then the Stock Purchase Agreement can be
terminated.
If the Company does not complete the Sale Transaction, it will review all options for continuing operations, possibly including seeking to identify and effect an
alternative business combination, sale of assets or another similar strategic transaction or transactions. However, the Company may not be able to consummate such an
alternative transaction on favorable terms, if at all, and a third party may not offer to purchase the Company’s assets for a price equal to or greater than the price proposed to
be paid by Buyer. If the Company is unable to successfully consummate one or more alternative strategic transactions relating to its business, the Company will continue to
execute on its current business plan. The Company intends to continue exploring strategic options for its esports business, including the possible sale of such business.
If we fail to complete the Sale Transaction, the Company’s business may be harmed, we may not be able to find another buyer for the WPT business and our stock price
could be negatively impacted
The Company cannot predict whether it will succeed in obtaining the approval of its stockholders, or that the other conditions to close the Sale Transaction will be
satisfied. As a result, the Company cannot guarantee that the Sale Transaction will be completed.
Following the Company’s public announcement of the Sale Transaction, third parties may be unwilling to enter into material agreements with the Company. New
and existing customers and business partners may prefer to enter into agreements with the Company’s competitors because such customers and partners perceive that its
relationships are likely to be more stable. If the Company fails to complete the Sale Transaction, the failure to maintain existing relationships with our customers, suppliers
and employees or enter into new relationships, may harm our business, and the results of operations, financial condition and the market price for our common stock may
decline.
In addition, if we are required to pay a termination fee or expense reimbursements in connection with the termination of the Stock Purchase Agreement, we may have
difficulty recouping such costs, in addition to the costs incurred in connection with negotiating the Sale Transaction.
We may not be able to find another buyer willing to pay an equivalent or higher price in an alternative transaction than the price that would be paid pursuant to the
Sale Transaction. Further, we may experience negative reactions from the financial markets, which could cause a decrease in the market price of our stock, particularly if the
market price reflects a market assumption that the Sale Transaction will be completed. We may also experience negative reactions from our customers, employees and
vendors, which could have an adverse effect on our business.
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Pending the completion of the Sale Transaction, the Company may not make certain changes in the business and may not be able to enter into a business combination
with another party.
Covenants in the Stock Purchase Agreement impede the Company’s ability to enter into specified transactions that are not in the ordinary course of business pending
completion of the Sale Transaction. Existing and potential customers and vendors of our poker business may delay or cease entering into transactions with our poker business
until the ownership and management of the poker business is clarified and employees and other key partners in the poker business may choose to leave the poker business due
to uncertainties inherent in the Sale Transaction process.
Moreover, while the Stock Purchase Agreement is in effect and subject to limited exceptions, the Company is prohibited from soliciting, initiating, encouraging,
taking actions designed to facilitate any inquiries or the making of any proposal or offer that could lead to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with regard to, an
acquisition proposal with any third party, subject to specified exceptions. Any such acquisition proposal could be favorable to the Company’s stockholders. Bally’s
Corporation has in the past made unsolicited proposals to acquire the WPT business, and the provisions of the Stock Purchase Agreement prohibit us from continuing or
initiating new discussions with Bally’s Corporation, subject to the limited exceptions set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement.
The Company will incur significant expenses in connection with the Sale Transaction and could be required to make significant payments if the Stock Purchase
Agreement is terminated under certain conditions.
Depending on the circumstances surrounding a termination of the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company may be required to pay a $3.45 million termination fee
to Buyer, and we may be required to reimburse Buyer for up to $1.0 million of its documented out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with the authorization,
preparation, negotiation, execution and performance of the Stock Purchase Agreement and the Sale Transaction. In addition, the Company expects to pay legal fees,
accounting fees and financial and other advisory fees and expenses whether or not the Sale Transaction is completed. As a result, we may have difficulty recouping the costs
incurred in connection with pursuing the Sale Transaction, and our cash position would be adversely impacted.
The WPT business will be subject to the terms of a license agreement for real money gaming in Asia if the Stock Purchase Agreement is terminated under certain
circumstances.
Effective upon any termination of the Stock Purchase Agreement, other than a termination in which Buyer is required to pay a termination or non-performance fee to
us, Buyer (or its affiliate) and Peerless Media Limited, an indirect subsidiary of the Company that owns intellectual property related to the WPT Business, will enter into a 3-
year brand license for Buyer’s (or its affiliate’s) use of the WPT brand in the territory of Asia for real-money gaming in exchange for revenue-based royalty payments of 20%
of qualifying revenues, and minimum annual guaranteed royalty payments of $4.0 million, $6.0 million and $8.0 million for the first, second and third years, respectively.
Such license will be subject to further customary terms and conditions, and provide Peerless Media Limited with a $2.0 million buy-out right after the first year. In the event of
any termination of the Stock Purchase Agreement under any circumstance in which the Buyer is required to pay a termination fee to us, the Company will have the option, but
not obligation, to require the Buyer to into such license agreement with Peerless Media Limited. The form of the agreement governing the license is attached as Exhibit B to
the Stock Purchase Agreement. The existence of the license will prevent us from pursuing and entering into a similar license in the Asian territory with another third party that
may have contained terms that are more advantageous to us. In addition, if we wish to pursue a sale of the WPT Business to another purchaser after termination of the Stock
Purchase Agreement, the existence of this license may deter another otherwise interested third party purchaser from pursuing an acquisition of the WPT Business, or reduce
the consideration such a party would be will to pay for it.
The announcement and pendency of the Sale Transaction, whether or not completed, may adversely affect us.
The announcement and pendency of the Sale Transaction may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock, our business or our relationships with clients,
customers, suppliers and employees. Third parties may be unwilling to enter into material agreements with respect to the WPT Business. Additionally, employees working in
the WPT Business may become concerned about the future of the WPT Business, and lose focus or seek other employment. In addition, while the completion of the Sale
Transaction is pending, we may be unable to attract and retain key personnel and our management’s focus and attention and employee resources may be diverted from
operational matters or the exploration of strategic operations for our esports business, including its possible sale.
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The Stock Purchase Agreement limits our ability to pursue alternatives to the Sale Transaction.
The Stock Purchase Agreement contains provisions that may make it more difficult for us to sell our entire company or the WPT Business to any party other than
Element Partners, LLC. These provisions include the prohibition on our ability to solicit competing proposals and the requirement that we pay Buyer a termination fee of
$3.45 million if we terminate the Stock Purchase Agreement to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to a superior proposal. These provisions could make it less
advantageous for a third party that might have an interest in acquiring us or all of or a significant part of the WPT Business to consider or propose an alternative transaction,
even if that party were prepared to pay consideration with a higher value than the consideration to be paid by Buyer. Bally’s Corporation has in the past made unsolicited
proposals to acquire the WPT Business, and the provisions of the Stock Purchase Agreement prohibit us from continuing or initiating new discussions with Bally’s
Corporation, subject to the limited exceptions set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement.
Risks Related to us if the Sale Transaction is Completed
Buyer may not honor all of its obligations under the Stock Purchase Agreement.
Effective upon any termination of the Stock Purchase Agreement, other than a termination in which Buyer is required to pay a termination or non-performance fee to
us, Buyer (or its affiliate) and Peerless Media Limited, an indirect subsidiary of the Company that owns intellectual property related to the WPT Business, will enter into a 3-
year brand license for Buyer’s (or its affiliate’s) use of the WPT brand in the territory of Asia for real-money gaming in exchange for revenue-based royalty payments of 20%
of qualifying revenues, and minimum annual guaranteed royalty payments of $4.0 million, $6.0 million and $8.0 million for the first, second and third years, respectively.
Such license will be subject to further customary terms and conditions, and provide Peerless Media Limited with a $2.0 million buy-out right after the first year. In the event of
any termination of the Stock Purchase Agreement under any circumstance in which the Buyer is required to pay a termination fee to us, the Company will have the option, but
not obligation, to require the Buyer to into such license agreement with Peerless Media Limited. The form of the agreement governing the license is attached as Exhibit B to
the Stock Purchase Agreement. Buyer may not honor all of its obligations under the Stock Purchase Agreement and the licensing agreement.
The Company will become a company with cash, investments, and our esports business, which may prove difficult for investors to evaluate our ability to achieve stated
business objectives.
After the Sale Transaction is completed, we will have disposed of substantially all of our operating assets other than cash, investments and our esports business. The
Company recently announced that its Board of Directors has decided to explore strategic options for the esports business in order to maximize its value to stockholders,
including a possible sale, and the Company has engaged a financial advisor to assist with the process. If the Company pursues and ultimately completes a sale of the esports
business, we would then become a development stage company with no historic operating results. In that situation we would expect to proceed (likely under a new name) as a
publicly traded holding company focused on using our cash resources to explore opportunities in online entertainment, including but not limited to, real money gaming and
other gaming sectors; however, we do not plan to limit ourselves to any particular industry or geographic location in its efforts to identify prospective target businesses.
Currently, however, we have no specific merger, asset acquisition, reorganization or other business combination under consideration or contemplation. We have not, nor has
anyone on our behalf, had substantive discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to such a transaction. We may be unsuccessful in pursuing acquisition targets, or
acquisition targets, if acquired, may not prove to have successful operations.
We have no current plans to pay cash dividends on our common stock with the proceeds of the Sale Transaction; as a result, you may not receive any return on
investment unless you sell your common stock for a price greater than that which you paid for it.
We have no current plans to pay dividends on our common stock with the proceeds of the Sale Transaction. Any future determination to pay dividends will be made
at the discretion of our board of directors, subject to applicable laws, and will depend on a number of factors, including our financial condition, results of operations, capital
requirements, contractual, legal, tax and regulatory restrictions, general business conditions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. As a result, you
may not receive any return on an investment in our common stock unless you sell your common stock for a price greater than that which you paid for it.
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Following the closing of the Sale Transaction, we will be subject to five-year non-solicitation and non-competition covenants under the Stock Purchase Agreement,
which will limit our ability to operate in poker related fields.
Following the closing of the Sale Transaction, we will be subject to five-year non-solicitation and non-competition covenants made in the Stock Purchase Agreement.
During such five-year period, we will be prohibited from participating or engaging in, in any manner or capacity, the Restricted Business, and from soliciting the customers,
suppliers or employees of the WPT Business. For this purpose, the “Restricted Business” means, generally, any business involving variants of the game of poker specified in
the Stock Purchase Agreement and any activities ancillary or related to such variants of poker, including, without limitation, (i) organizing, hosting, operating, promoting,
and/or conducting events relating to poker, (ii) broadcasting or distributing content relating to such events, (iii) organizing, hosting, operating, promoting, and/or conducting
clubs or organizations related to poker, and (iv) commercializing products and merchandise relating to poker. While we do not believe these limitations will negatively affect
our esports business, these restrictions may adversely impact our future opportunities.
Risks Related to the Current Business
In addition to the other information contained in this Report, you should carefully consider each of the risks described below. Until the close of the Sale Transaction,
the Company expects to continue to execute its current business strategy with respect to its esports and poker-related business. Except as specifically described below, the
following discussion of risks related to the Company does not reflect changes to the Company’s business that may occur if it consummates the Sale Transaction. Allied Esports
International, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates the esports-related businesses of AESE, and are collectively referred to as “Allied Esports.”. Peerless
Media Limited, CSI and WPT Enterprises, Inc. operate the poker-related business of AESE and are collectively referred to herein as “World Poker Tour” or “WPT.”
Allied Esports Risk Factors
Allied Esports is subject to risks associated with operating in a rapidly developing industry and a relatively new market.
Many elements of Allied Esports’ business are unique, evolving and relatively unproven. Its business and prospects depend on the continuing development of live
streaming of competitive esports gaming. The market for esports gaming competition is relatively new and rapidly developing and is subject to significant challenges. Allied
Esports’ business relies upon its ability to grow and garner an active gamer community, and successfully monetize this community through tournament fees, live event ticket
sales, and advertising and sponsorships. In addition, Allied Esports’ continued growth depends, in part, on its ability to respond to constant changes in the esports gaming
industry, including technological evolution, shifts in gamer trends and demands, introductions of new games, game publisher intellectual property right practices, and industry
standards and practices. While change in this industry may be inevitable, and Allied Esports will try to adapt its business model as needed to accommodate change and remain
on the forefront of its competitors, Allied Esports may be unsuccessful in doing so and does not provide any guarantees or assurances of success as the industry continues to
evolve.
Allied Esports may not be able to generate sufficient revenue to achieve profitability.
Allied Esports expects its operating expenses to increase significantly as it continues to expand its marketing efforts and operations in existing and new geographies
and vertical markets (including its online esports tournament and gaming subscription platform it intends to develop). In addition, Allied Esports expects to continue to incur
significant legal, accounting and other expenses related to being a public company. If its revenue declines or fails to grow at a rate faster than these increases in operating
expenses, it will not be able to achieve profitability in future periods. As a result, Allied Esports may generate losses. Allied Esports cannot assure you that it will achieve
profitability.
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Allied Esports generates a portion of its revenues from advertising and sponsorship. If it fails to attract more advertisers and sponsors to its live events, tournaments or
content, or if advertisers or sponsors are less willing to advertise with or sponsor Allied Esports, its revenues may be adversely affected.
Allied Esports generates revenue from advertising and sponsorship, and it expects to further develop and expand its focus on these revenues in the future. These
revenues partly depend on the advertisers’ willingness to advertise in the esports gaming industry. If the esports gaming advertising and sponsorship market does not continue
to grow, or if Allied Esports is unable to capture and retain a sufficient share of that market, Allied Esports’ ability to achieve profitability may be materially and adversely
affected. Furthermore, with unfavorable economic external factors, sponsors and advertisers may not have enough budget allocations for spending in sponsorship and
advertising in esports, which would also lead to an adverse impact on Allied Esports’ revenue stream.
Allied Esports’ business model may not remain effective and it cannot guarantee that its future monetization strategies will be successfully implemented or generate
sustainable revenues and profit.
Allied Esports generates revenues from advertising and sponsorship of its live events, its content, the sale of merchandising, and the operation of its esports arenas.
Allied Esports has generated, and expects to continue to generate, a substantial portion of revenues using this revenue model in the near term. Although Allied Esports
anticipates growth in Allied Esports’ business utilizing this revenue model, there is no guarantee that growth will continue in the future, and the demand for its offerings may
change, decrease substantially or dissipate, or it may fail to anticipate and serve esports gamer demands effectively. The COVID-19 outbreak may also continue to cause the
demand for our in-person events to reduce and shift demand to online gaming. Allied Esports may determine to enter into new opportunities to expand its business, including
online gaming platforms, which may or may not be successful. Any such expansions involve additional risks and costs that could materially and adversely affect its business.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the long-term growth plans of Allied Esports, and we may not be able to implement and grow our three-pillar objectives for long-
term success in the near future, or event at all.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption in our long-term growth plans for Allied Esports, and although our long-term strategy remains to fully implement
the three-pillar strategy, we are currently focused on continuing our in-person experiences at our current arenas and developing multiplatform content. There is no guarantee
that we will be able in the near future or at any point to be able to expand our in-person experience to arenas beyond those in which we are currently operating or develop a
develop an esports platform.
Allied Esports’ long-term growth strategy depends on the availability of suitable locations for its proprietary and licensed esports arenas and its ability to open new
locations and operate them profitably.
A key element of Allied Esports’ long-term growth strategy is to extend its brand by opening additional flagship arenas throughout the world and licensing the Allied
Esports brand to third party esports arena operators, which it believes will provide attractive returns on investment. However, desirable locations may not be available at an
acceptable cost. Opening these additional locations will depend upon a number of factors, many of which are beyond Allied Esports’ control, including its ability or the ability
of the selected licensee to:
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reach acceptable agreements regarding the lease of the locations;
comply with applicable zoning, licensing, land use and environmental regulations and orders (including those related to social distancing policies during the
COVID-19 pandemic);
raise or have available an adequate amount of cash or currently available financing for construction and opening costs;
timely hire, train and retain the skilled management and other employees necessary to meet staffing needs;
negotiate acceptable terms with any unions representing employees;
obtain, for acceptable cost, required permits and approvals, including liquor licenses; and
efficiently manage the amount of time and money used to build and open each new location.
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If Allied Esports succeeds in opening new arenas on a timely and cost-effective basis, it may nonetheless be unable to attract enough gamers or spectators to the new
location (or to existing locations of affiliated arenas) because its entertainment and menu options might not appeal to them. Failure to do so could have a significant adverse
effect on Allied Esports’ overall operating results.
Allied Esports has not entered into definitive license agreements with all game publishers that it currently has relationships with, and it may never do so.
Although Allied Esports has relationships with many game publishers for tournament event and content experiences involving their respective intellectual properties
and enters into definitive license agreements with such game publishers from time to time, Allied Esports does not have definitive license agreements in place with all of its
game publishers. No assurances can be given as to when or if it will be able to come to agreeable terms with game publishers for any future license agreements. If Allied
Esports is unable to come to mutually agreeable terms and enter into definitive license agreements with game publishers, game publishers may unilaterally choose to
discontinue its relationship with Allied Esports, thereby preventing Allied Esports from offering tournament event and content experiences using their game intellectual
property. Should game publishers choose not to allow Allied Esports to offer tournament event and content experiences involving their intellectual property to Allied Esports’
customers, the popularity of Allied Esports’ tournaments and content may decline, which could materially and adversely affect its results of operations and financial
condition.
Even if Allied Esports is able to license its brand to third party esports operators, there is a risk that those operators could damage its brand by operating esports arenas
that are not at Allied Esports’ standards of operation.
As Allied Esports licenses the Allied Esports brand to third party esports arena operators around the world, it will depend on those operators to run those arenas at a
quality level similar to Allied Esports’ owned and operated arenas. Allied Esports’ strategy depends on customers associating the third party esports arenas as part of Allied
Esports’ network of affiliated arenas, which it believes will expand its brand recognition and increase customers, revenue, and growth. If Allied Esports’ affiliate arenas are
poorly operated, or if those operators fail to use Allied Esports’ name and branding in a manner consistent with Allied Esports’ corporate messaging and branding, or if there
are safety issues or other negative occurrences at affiliate arenas, Allied Esports’ name and brand could be significantly damaged, which would make its expansion difficult
and materially adversely affect its results of operations and financial condition.
Allied Esports’ long-term growth strategy includes deploying additional mobile arenas in the U.S. and Europe to host its tournaments and events and it must operate them
profitably.
A key element of Allied Esports’ long-term growth strategy is to extend its brand by increasing and adding to its portfolio of mobile arenas in the U.S. and Europe,
as we believe doing so will provide attractive returns on investment. Adding these mobile arenas will depend upon a number of factors, many of which are beyond Allied
Esports’ control, including but not limited to our ability, or the ability of our licensees, to:
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reach acceptable agreements regarding the lease or acquisition of the trucks that are the basis of the mobile arenas;
comply with applicable zoning, licensing, land use and environmental regulations and orders (including those related to social distancing policies during the
COVID-19 pandemic) and obtain required permits and approvals;
raise or have available an adequate amount of cash or currently available financing for construction of the mobile arenas and the related operational costs;
timely hire, train and retain the skilled management and other employees necessary to operate the mobile arenas;
efficiently manage the amount of time and money used to build and operate each new mobile arena; and
● manage the risks of road hazards, accidents, traffic violations, etc. that may impede the operations of the mobile arenas.
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The nature of hosting esports events exposes Allied Esports to negative publicity or customer complaints, including in relation to, among other things, accidents, injuries
or thefts at the arenas, and health and safety concerns.
Allied Esports’ business of hosting esports events inherently exposes it to negative publicity or customer complaints as a result of accidents, injuries or, in extreme
cases, deaths arising from incidents occurring at our arenas, including health, safety or security issues, and quality and service standards. Even isolated or sporadic incidents
or accidents may have a negative impact on Allied Esports’ brand image and reputation, the arenas’ popularity with gamers and spectators or the ability to host esports events
at all.
Allied Esports’ marketing and advertising efforts may fail to resonate with gamers.
Allied Esports’ live events, tournaments and competitions are marketed through a diverse spectrum of advertising and promotional programs such as online and
mobile advertising, marketing through websites, event sponsorship and direct communications with the esports gaming community including via email, blogs and other
electronic means. An increasing portion of Allied Esports’ marketing activity is taking place on social media platforms that are either outside, or not totally within, its direct
control. Changes to gamer preferences, marketing regulations, privacy and data protection laws, technology changes or service disruptions may negatively impact its ability to
reach target gamers. Allied Esports’ ability to market its tournaments and competitions is dependent in part upon the success of these programs.
The esports gaming industry is competitive, and gamers may prefer competitors’ arenas, leagues, competitions or tournaments over those offered by Allied Esports.
The esports gaming industry is competitive. Competitors range from established leagues and championships owned directly, as well as leagues franchised by well-
known and capitalized game publishers and developers, interactive entertainment companies, diversified media companies and emerging start-ups. New competitors will
likely continue to emerge. Many of these competitors may have greater financial resources than Allied Esports. If Allied Esports’ competitors develop and launch competing
arenas, leagues, tournaments or competitions, Allied Esports’ revenue and margins could decline.
Allied Esports may not provide events or tournaments with games or titles for which the esports gaming community is interested.
Allied Esports must attract and retain the popular esports gaming titles in order to maintain and increase the popularity of its live events, leagues, tournaments and
competitions. Allied Esports must identify and license popular games that resonate with the esports gamer community on an ongoing basis. Allied Esports cannot assure you
that it can attract and license popular esports games from their publishers, and failure to do so would have a material and adverse impact on Allied Esports’ results of
operations and financial conditions.
If Allied Esports fails to keep its existing gamers engaged, acquire new gamers and expand interest in its live events, leagues, tournaments and competitions, its business,
its ability to achieve profitability and its prospects may be adversely affected.
Allied Esports’ success depends on its ability to maintain and grow the number of gamers attending its live events, tournaments and competitions, and keep its
gamers and attendees highly engaged. In order to attract, retain and engage gamers and remain competitive, Allied Esports must continue to develop and expand its live
events, leagues, produce engaging tournaments and competitions, and implement new content formats, technologies and strategies to improve its product offerings. There is
no assurance it will be able to do so.
A decline in the number of gamers may adversely affect the engagement level of gamers with Allied Esports’ tournament and entertainment platform under development
may reduce our revenue opportunities and have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
It is vital to Allied Esports’ operations that its planned online esports tournament and gaming subscriptions platform be responsive to evolving gamer preferences
and offer first-tier esports game content and other services that attracts gamers. Allied Esports must also keep providing gamers new features and functions to enable superior
content viewing and interaction, or the number of gamers utilizing the platform will likely decline. Any decline in the number of gamers will likely have a material and
adverse effect on our operations.
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There is no guarantee that Allied Esports will be able to complete its planned online esports tournament and gaming subscription platform, or that such platform once
completed will be or remain popular.
Allied Esports cannot assure you that the online esports tournament and gaming subscription platform it intends to develop will be completed in a timely manner or,
if completed, become popular with gamers to offset the costs incurred to operate and expand it. This will require substantial costs and expenses. If such increased costs and
expenses do not effectively translate into improved gamer engagement, Allied Esports’ results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
If Allied Esports fails to maintain and enhance its brands, its business, results of operations and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.
Allied Esports believes that maintaining and enhancing its brands is important for its business to succeed by increasing the number of gamers and engagement by the
esports community. Since Allied Esports operates in a highly competitive market, brand maintenance and enhancement directly affects its ability to maintain and enhance its
market position. As Allied Esports expands, it may conduct various marketing and brand promotion activities using various methods to continue promoting its brands, but it
cannot assure you that these activities will be successful. In addition, negative publicity, regardless of its veracity, could harm Allied Esports’ brands and reputation, which
may materially and adversely affect Allied Esports’ business, results of operations and prospects.
If Allied Esports fails to anticipate and successfully implement new esports technologies or adopt new business strategies, technologies or methods, its business may
suffer.
Rapid technology changes in the esports gaming market requires Allied Esports to anticipate, sometimes years in advance, which technologies it must develop,
implement and take advantage of in order to be and remain competitive in the esports gaming market. Allied Esports has invested, and in the future may invest, in new
business strategies including its to-be-developed online esports tournament and entertainment subscription platform, technologies, products, or games to engage a growing
number of gamers and deliver the best gaming experiences possible. These endeavors involve significant risks and uncertainties, and no assurance can be given that the
technology it adopts and the features it pursues will be successful. If Allied Esports does not successfully implement these new technologies, its reputation may be materially
adversely affected and its financial condition and operating results may be impacted.
Allied Esports uses third-party services in connection with its business, and any disruption to these services could result in a disruption to its business, negative publicity
and a slowdown in the growth of its users, materially and adversely affecting its business, financial condition and results of operations.
Allied Esports’ business depends on services provided by, and relationships with, various third parties, including cloud hosting, server operators, broadband
providers, and computing peripheral suppliers, among others. The failure of any of these parties to perform in compliance with our agreements may negatively impact Allied
Esports’ business.
Additionally, if such third parties increase their prices, fail to provide their services effectively, terminate their service or agreements or discontinue their
relationships with Allied Esports, Allied Esports could suffer service interruptions, reduced revenues or increased costs, any of which may have a material adverse effect on its
business, financial condition and results of operations.
Allied Esports may not be able to procure the necessary permits and licenses to operate its arenas.
Allied Esports must obtain certain permits and licenses, including liquor licenses, to operate its arenas. Often these processes can be expensive and time consuming.
There is no guarantee that Allied Esports will be able to obtain such permits and licenses on a timely or cost-effective basis. Any delays could jeopardize the ability of Allied
Esports to operate the arenas and host events. As a result, Allied Esports’ business could suffer.
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Rules and regulations governing sweepstakes, promotions and giveaways vary by state and country and these rules and regulations could restrict or eliminate Allied
Esports’ ability to generate revenues on its esports gaming platform it intends to develop, which could materially and adversely impact the viability of this business.
As part of its esports gaming platform to be developed, Allied Esports intends to offer subscribers the chance to win cash and prizes when playing esports games and
tournaments on the platform. Awarding cash and prizes would require compliance with the laws or regulations in various states or countries over sweepstakes, promotions and
giveaways, which are complex and constantly changing. Any negative finding of law regarding the characterization of the type of online activity carried out on the esports
gaming platform could limit or prevent Allied Esports’ ability to obtain subscribers in those jurisdictions, which in turn could significantly impact Allied Esports’ ability to
generate revenue. The ability or willingness to work with Allied Esports by payment processors and other service providers necessary to conduct the esports gaming platform
business also may be limited due to such changes in laws or any perceived negative consequences of engaging in the business of sweepstakes, promotions and giveaways that
will be utilized by the esports gaming platform.
Negotiations with unionized employees could delay opening or operating Allied Esports’ arenas.
Certain of Allied Esports’ employees are represented by one or more unions. Allied Esports will need to engage such unions to seek to employ the services of the
employees on mutually acceptable terms. However, Allied Esports cannot guarantee that such negotiations will be timely concluded to avoid interruption in its tournament
schedule, or that such negotiations will ultimately result in an agreement. Any failure to timely conclude the negotiations could cause a delay in Allied Esports’ ability to
timely open arenas or host events. Either of these events would adversely affect Allied Esports’ ability to achieve profitability.
Allied Esports’ business is subject to regulation, and changes in applicable regulations may negatively impact its business.
Allied Esports is subject to a number of foreign and domestic laws and regulations that affect companies conducting business on the Internet. In addition, laws and
regulations relating to user privacy, data collection, retention, electronic commerce, consumer protection, content, advertising, localization, and information security have
been adopted or are being considered for adoption by many jurisdictions and countries throughout the world. These laws could harm Allied Esports’ business by limiting the
products and services it can offer consumers or the manner in which it offers them. The compliance costs for these laws may increase in the future as a result of changes in
interpretation. Furthermore, Allied Esports’ failure to comply with these laws or the application of these laws in an unanticipated manner may harm its business and result in
penalties or significant legal liability.
Allied Esports’ ability to attract esports events to its flagship arena may become difficult if the Nevada legislature establishes a Nevada Esports Commission, which could
have a material adverse effect on our operations.
The Nevada state legislature is currently in its 81st Session and has introduced Senate Bill 165 relating to the creation of the Nevada Esports Commission, which if
passed would be tasked with creating regulations overseeing esports competitions within the State. Such a move is the first of its kind in the U.S. and would promulgate
regulations in areas such as integrity of competition, testing for controlled substances, qualifications for tournament organizers and participating players. The Bill's intention is
to make Nevada a more attractive destination for hosting esports tournaments. However, game publishers, tournament organizers and players may not look favorably on
additional regulatory requirements that result from the bill, if passed, and it could have a material adverse effect on our ability to attract esports events to Nevada, and on our
operations. To date, Senate Bill 165 has not been passed.
Risks Related to Allied Esports’ Intellectual Property
Allied Esports licenses certain brand names under agreements that will expire and may also be subject to claims of infringement of third-party intellectual property
rights.
Allied Esports has a three-year license with a third party, ending in July 2021, to use the names “Esports Arena Las Vegas” and “Esports Arena Drive”, which are
part of the branding for its Las Vegas flagship esports arena location and its US-based mobile arena, respectively. Once that license expires, there is no assurance that Allied
Esports will be able to further license those names or purchase them on satisfactory terms. Although Allied Esports intends to market and promote its esports arenas using
intellectual property it owns and controls, there are no assurances that those efforts will be fruitful and that it will be able to maintain brand awareness once the license
expires.
Furthermore, third parties may claim that Allied Esports has infringed their intellectual property rights. Although Allied Esports takes steps to avoid violating the
intellectual property rights of others, it is possible that third parties still may claim infringement. Infringement claims against us, whether valid or not, may be expensive to
defend and divert the attention of Allied Esports’ management and employees from business operations. Such claims or litigation could require Allied Esports to pay
damages, royalties, legal fees and other costs. Allied Esports also could be required to stop offering, distributing or supporting esports games, its to-be-developed gaming
platform or other features or services which incorporate the affected intellectual property rights, redesign products, features or services to avoid infringement, or obtain a
license, all of which could be costly and harm its business.
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Allied Esports’ technology, content and brands are subject to the threat of piracy, unauthorized copying and other forms of intellectual property infringement.
Allied Esports regards its technology, content and brands as proprietary and takes measures to protect it from infringement. Piracy and other forms of unauthorized
copying and use of technology, content and brands are persistent, and policing is difficult. Further, the laws of some countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the
same extent as the laws of the United States, or are poorly enforced. Legal protection of Allied Esports’ rights may be ineffective in such countries, which could have a
material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.
Allied Esports may not be able to prevent others from unauthorized use of its intellectual property, which could harm our business and competitive position.
Allied Esports regards its registered trademark and pending trademarks, service marks, pending patents, domain names, trade secrets, proprietary technologies and
similar intellectual property as critical to its success. Allied Esports relies on trademark and patent law, trade secret protection and confidentiality and license agreements with
its employees and others to protect its proprietary rights.
Allied Esports has invested significant resources to develop its own intellectual property and acquire licenses to use and distribute the intellectual property of others.
Failure to maintain or protect these rights could harm its business. In addition, any unauthorized use of our intellectual property by third parties may adversely affect its
current and future revenues.
Allied Esports may not be able to develop compelling intellectual property content or secure media content distributors to promote, sell, and distribute such content,
which could harm its business and competitive position.
Allied Esports intends to produce licensable content from the various live events, tournaments, and its own initiatives and brands to sell to viewers worldwide. There
is no guarantee that it will be able to develop content that is compelling to its targeted customers. Media and gaming company competitors, many of which are better funded,
are also creating content from esports events, and it will be difficult to create content that stands out and attracts customers. Furthermore, to carry out Allied Esports’
worldwide distribution plans, film and media distribution partners will be needed and, in the event, Allied Esports is not able to secure content distributors on terms acceptable
to Allied Esports, this will have a significant adverse impact on revenue streams from the sale or licensing of intellectual property.
Risks Related to WPT’s Current Business
WPT’s broadcast agreement with Fox Sports Net (“FSN”) sets a minimum level of distribution that is significantly less than the current distribution level. If WPT’s
current level of distribution is reduced, the reduction could materially and adversely affect WPT’s results of operations.
Currently, WPT broadcasts certain of its worldwide Main Tour events throughout the United States on FSN (whose regional sports networks, or “RSN’s” were
purchased by Sinclair Broadcast Group and Entertainment Studios, Inc. (collectively, “Sinclair”), and they are also available on ClubWPT.com on demand, and on various
digital streaming platforms. WPT’s programming agreement to broadcast the television series does not provide for any license fees to be paid to WPT for the broadcast rights,
and contains a minimum level of distribution. Currently, WPT’s programming is broadcast significantly more frequently that the minimum threshold under the programming
agreement. With no license fee in place for the distribution, WPT benefits from the program’s distribution and promotion of WPT’s online products (ClubWPT) and generates
fees from sponsors by integrating sponsor logos and other advertising materials into its programs and around the broadcast of the shows through music royalties and
distribution of the shows in other markets. The Season 17 sponsors included Hublot S.A., a luxury watch maker, Rockstar, Inc., an energy drink company, Baccarat, Inc., a
manufacturer and retailer of fine crystal, Faded Spade Poker, LLC, a playing card manufacturer, and Zynga Inc., a social gaming operator. If WPT’s level of distribution were
reduced by Sinclair, the value of the foregoing would be significantly reduced and it may be difficult for WPT to find sponsors on terms acceptable to WPT, or at all.
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WPT’s production costs may increase.
In May 2016, WPT entered into a programming agreement for FSN (now Sinclair) to broadcast Seasons 15 through 18 of the WPT television series through calendar
year 2021 on terms that are similar to the prior programming agreement discussed above. WPT may be required to pay the cost to produce these shows for Sinclair and
depending on the amount of the related revenues it is able to generate, the lack of license fees could have a material adverse effect on WPT’s financial condition, results of
operations and cash flows.
WPT’s production of its television show has been halted, and it is not known when production may resume.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, WPT has been unable to film and produce final tables from some of its previous main tour events. Although WPT
anticipates filming those final tables in 2021, there is no way to predict when or if WPT will be able to film those final tables. Furthermore, the casino partners from whose
events those final tables derive, as well as the players that are waiting to play such final tables, may decide not to play the final table and split the prize money, or enter into
other arrangements that will make it difficult to film such final tables. If WPT cannot film those final tables, and if its production of future final tables remain in jeopardy due
to COVID-19 or other factors, WPT may not be able to meet its obligations to the distributors of its content, its sponsors, or its casino partners, which could have a material
adverse effect on WPT’s financial condition and future business prospects.
Sinclair’s acquisition of FSN could have negative consequences on World Poker Tour.
The Walt Disney Company (“Disney”) recently acquired 21st Century Fox (“FOX”). Under the terms of the acquisition, FOX’s non-regional news and sports assets,
including FSN, were spun off into a new company, Fox Corporation (which is commonly referred to as “New Fox”), which remains owned by the prior FOX shareholders.
The Department of Justice required Disney to sell all RSNs obtained as part of the acquisition within ninety (90) days after the closing of the Disney/FOX acquisition. WPT’s
programming agreement with FSN’s owner requires FSN to ensure WPT’s programming reaches a certain amount of households, which requires FSN’s owner to ensure we
are broadcast on the RSNs. The FSN agreement also has other important broadcast requirements to ensure that WPT’s programming remains “appointment television” and
airs at particular times on both the FSN networks and the RSNs. The RSNs (including FSN) were ultimately purchased by a joint venture company owned by Sinclair.
Although Sinclair purchased all or substantially all of FOX’s RSNs, it will be difficult to ensure WPT’s programming is carried on all of the RSNs, or at the times and dates
WPT finds desirable. Even though WPT’s FSN programming agreement will remain an enforceable obligation against Sinclair, there is no assurance that Sinclair will
continue to broadcast WPT’s programming on FSN on terms WPT finds reasonable, if at all. Furthermore, the sale of the RSN’s to Sinclair and the changes to the FOX and
the FSN business could negatively affect WPT’s ability to find other traditional television network distribution of the WPT shows in the United States. Any reduction or
change of WPT’s distribution footprint has the potential to negatively affect its brand and associated sponsorship, marketing and promotional efforts.
There is no assurance that Sinclair will broadcast future seasons of the World Poker Tour, which would materially and adversely affect WPT’s results of operations.
In May 2016, WPT entered into an agreement for FSN (now Sinclair) to broadcast Seasons 15 through 18 of the WPT television series through calendar year 2021.
If Sinclair elects to discontinue airing either series and WPT cannot replace its programming agreement with an agreement with a comparable U.S. broadcaster, it may be
difficult for WPT to obtain sponsorship funds, it will be detrimental to the viability of the WPT brand and, consequently, would have a material adverse effect on WPT’s
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Consumers shifting to online video on-demand services like Hulu and Netflix and away from cable could have negative consequences on World Poker Tour.
Historically, WPT has relied on traditional television network distribution in order to build its brand and generate sponsorship revenue. As online video on-
demand services such as Hulu and Netflix have become increasingly popular compared to traditional cable subscriptions, WPT has increased its digital distribution. If these
“cable-cutting” trends intensify, however, there is no assurance that WPT can maintain or increase its total distribution and if it cannot, it may be difficult for WPT to obtain
sponsorship funds, it will be detrimental to the viability of the WPT brand and, consequently, it would have a material adverse effect on WPT’s financial condition, results of
operations and cash flows.
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The ClubWPT.com business is currently heavily dependent upon television as a major source for the generation of new monthly subscribers and WPT continually seeks
cost effective online and traditional marketing to generate new subscribers, which if not achieved could materially and adversely affect its results of operations.
ClubWPT is the official subscription online poker club of the World Poker Tour. VIP users pay a monthly subscription fee for exclusive access to full episodes from
every past season of the WPT television show, plus magazine access, coupons, and more. Each month, members can play poker to win a share of cash and prizes, including
seats to WPT events. In addition, in January 2019, WPT added free-to-play (also known as “freemium”) social poker and casino gaming on the platform, whereby free chips
are offered for play, but additional chips can be purchased (there are no cash prizes offered for freemium play). WPT has produced ClubWPT.com-branded television shows
that aired on FSN (such as our “King of the Club” television shows), as well as incorporating significant branding and advertising of ClubWPT into the WPT television shows
to build awareness and drive traffic to ClubWPT.com. In order for the ClubWPT business (including its freemium offering) to continue as a viable business, WPT needs to
continuously identify cost efficient marketing tools to generate new subscribers for ClubWPT. Traditionally, WPT has marketed by using its large library of content online as
a driver to the platform, or through its social media footprint. The number of paid subscribers at ClubWPT grew throughout 2019 as a result of a significant promotion by
FSN, while daily active users of our freemium products has increased since we introduced them in January 2019. The number of paid subscribers could decrease in future
quarters due to the lack of current spending on marketing for new players. WPT will need to increase its marketing and promotion of ClubWPT through alternative means,
such as social media, in person at WPT live events, via cross-promotion with the Allied Esports business, and via other means to ensure ClubWPT remains viable.
WPT’s reliance on Pala Interactive LLC (“Pala”) as a third-party systems provider is subject to system security risks and business viability risks that could disrupt
services provided to ClubWPT.com customers, and any such disruption could reduce WPT’s revenue, increase its expenses and harm its reputation.
Experienced computer programmers and hackers may be able to penetrate Pala’s network security and misappropriate confidential information, create system
disruptions or cause shutdowns. In addition, computer programmers and hackers may be able to develop and deploy viruses, worms and other malicious software programs
that attack their products or otherwise exploit security vulnerabilities in their products. As a result, WPT could lose its existing or potential customers. Pala is a third-
party vendor whose business is dependent upon the real money gaming and social gaming business environment. Any business interruption or failure by Pala would directly
affect WPT’s online business as WPT would need to find a suitable alternative platform provider.
Rules and regulations governing sweepstakes, promotions and giveaways vary by state and country and these rules and regulations could restrict or eliminate WPT’s
ability to generate revenues at ClubWPT.com, which could materially and adversely impact the viability of this business.
Changes in laws or regulations in various states or countries over sweepstakes, promotions and giveaways or a negative finding of law regarding the characterization
of the type of online activity carried out on ClubWPT.com could result in WPT’s inability to obtain subscribers in those jurisdictions, which in turn could significantly impact
WPT’s ability to generate revenue. The ability or willingness to work with WPT by payment processors and other service providers necessary to conduct the ClubWPT.com
business also may be limited due to such changes in laws or any perceived negative consequences of engaging in the business of sweepstakes, promotions and giveaways that
are utilized by ClubWPT.com.
WPT’s success depends in part on our brands and any future brands it may develop, and if the value of its brands were to diminish, its business would be adversely
affected. Licensees of WPT’s brands may diminish the value of its brands.
WPT’s success depends on its World Poker Tour and Alpha 8 brands, which consist of a portfolio of trademarks, service marks and copyrighted materials. WPT’s
intellectual property portfolio includes, but is not limited to, existing and future episodes of the televised programming produced in connection with its existing and future
brands and certain elements of these episodes, trade names and other intellectual property rights. In connection with WPT’s branding and licensing operations, WPT entered
into agreements with certain licensors to utilize the WPT brand and intellectual property in connection with mobile, social media and casual games, horse racing, amateur
poker leagues, governmental lottery games, and in-person and online education and training poker workshops. While specific contractual provisions require that the licensees
maintain the quality of WPT’s licensed brands, WPT cannot be certain that its licensees or their manufacturers and distributors will honor their contractual obligations or that
they will not take other actions that will diminish the value of WPT’s brands prior to its ability to detect and prevent any such actions.
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WPT may not be able to protect the format of its episodes, its current and future brands and its other proprietary rights.
WPT is susceptible to others imitating its television show format and other products and infringing on its intellectual property rights. Litigation may be necessary to
enforce WPT’s intellectual property rights and to determine the validity and scope of its proprietary rights. Any litigation could result in substantial expense, may reduce
WPT’s profits and may not adequately protect its intellectual property rights upon which it is substantially dependent. In addition, the laws of certain foreign countries do not
always protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the U.S. Imitation of WPT’s television show formats and other products or infringement of its
intellectual property rights could diminish the value of its brands or otherwise adversely affect its revenues.
Any litigation or claims against WPT based upon its intellectual property or other third-party rights, whether or not successful, could result in substantial costs and
harm its reputation. In addition, such litigation or claims could force WPT to do one or more of the following: to cease exploitation of the WPT television series and related
products or portions thereof that violate the potentially infringed third party rights or intellectual property, which would adversely affect WPT’s revenue; to negotiate a
license from the holder of the intellectual property or other right alleged to have been infringed, which license may not be available on reasonable terms, if at all; or to modify
the WPT television series and related products or portions thereof to avoid infringing the intellectual property or other rights of a third party, which may be costly and time-
consuming or impossible to accomplish.
Early termination of WPT’s agreements with member casinos or violation by member casinos of the restrictive covenants contained in these agreements could negatively
affect the size of telecast audiences and lead to declines in the performance of WPT’s other lines of business.
WPT entered into written agreements with all of the “member casinos” that host WPT tournament stops. However, any member casino may elect to withdraw its
tournament from the WPT lineup and terminate the agreement by giving WPT notice by a specified date or, if earlier, a specified length of time before the date of the
tournament, which is generally four to six months. While each agreement remains in effect and, in some cases, for varying periods of time thereafter, the member casino is
prohibited from televising the tournament itself, permitting any third party to televise the tournament or licensing its name, trademarks or likeness to any other party in
conjunction with the telecast of a poker tournament. If a significant number of these member casinos were to terminate their agreements and/or allow a competing company to
telecast their tournaments after their expiration for the restricted time period, this could result in a decline in WPT’s future telecast audiences, which in turn would lead to
declines in the performance and success of WPT’s other lines of business. If one or more member casinos were to breach the exclusivity provisions of their contracts with
WPT by letting a competing company telecast their tournaments within the restricted time period, litigation may be necessary to enforce those rights. Any litigation could
result in substantial expense.
Refusal of any gaming commission to register WPT as a non-gaming vendor for its branded casino tournaments could jeopardize the ability of WPT to continue holding
its events at member casinos.
Some states require WPT to register with the state’s gaming commissions as a non-gaming vendor of the member casino that runs a WPT-branded tournament. If
such gaming commissions refuse to provide the necessary vendor license, the member casino may not be able to hold WPT’s tournaments, and WPT’s business could suffer.
Termination or impairment of WPT’s relationships with key licensing and strategic partners could adversely affect its revenues and results of operations.
WPT has developed relationships with key strategic partners in many areas of its business, including poker tournament event sponsorship, merchandise licensing,
social poker and casino games, corporate sponsorship and international distribution. WPT hopes to derive significant income from its licensing arrangements and its
agreements with its strategic partners are vital to finding these licensing arrangements. If WPT were to fail to manage its existing licensing relationships, this failure could
have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations. WPT would also be materially adversely affected if it were to lose rights under any of its
other key contracts or if the counterparty to any of these contracts were to breach its obligations to WPT. WPT relies on a limited number of contracts under which third
parties provide it with services vital to WPT’s business.
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These agreements include WPT’s agreements with:
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FSN (now Sinclair), pursuant to which Sinclair broadcasts the WPT television series;
Pala, who hosts and operates the ClubWPT product;
Zynga, Inc., who licenses the WPT brand for use on its social poker platform;
Partypoker Live Ltd., who licenses the WPT brand in connection with online and land-based poker tournaments in Europe;
● Hugeous Mass Media, who maintains WPT’s database of music and collects music royalty revenue for WPT worldwide;
● CaptivePlay LLC, who licenses the WPT brand in order to operate a social poker product, PlayWPT;
● HongKong Triple Sevens Interactive Co., Ltd, who licenses the Alpha8 brand to operate a social poker product;
● Rogers Network and Game TV, for broadcasting in key international territories such as Canada;
● AMC and Sport 1 & 2, who license rights to broadcast the WPT television series in 10 territories in Eastern Europe; and
● OTT (over-the-top) Platforms, specifically PLUTO TV and Samsung, where WPT earns sizeable revenues.
If WPT’s relationship with any of these or certain other third parties were to be interrupted, or the services provided by any of these third parties were to be delayed
or deteriorate for any reason without being adequately replaced, WPT’s business could be materially adversely affected. If WPT is forced to find a replacement for any of
these strategic partners, this could create disruption in its business and may result in reduced revenues, increased costs or diversion of management’s attention and resources.
In addition, while WPT has significant control over its licensed products and advertising, WPT does not have operational and financial control over these third
parties, and it has limited influence with respect to the manner in which they conduct their businesses. If any of these strategic partners experiences a significant downturn in
its business or were otherwise unable to honor its obligations to WPT, WPT’s business could be materially disrupted.
The loss of the services of Adam Pliska or other key employees or on-air talent, or WPT’s failure to attract key individuals, could adversely affect its business.
WPT is highly dependent on the services of Adam Pliska, who currently serves as Chief Executive Officer and President of WPT, as well as President of the
Company.
WPT’s continued success is also dependent upon retention of other key management executives and upon its ability to attract and retain employees and on-air talent
to implement its corporate development strategy and its branding and licensing efforts. The loss of some of its senior executives, or an inability to attract or retain other key
individuals, could materially adversely affect WPT. Growth in WPT’s business is dependent, to a large degree, on its ability to retain and attract such employees. WPT seeks
to compensate and provide incentives to its key executives, as well as other employees, through competitive salaries, stock ownership and bonus plans, but it can make no
assurance that these programs will allow WPT to retain key employees or hire new employees. In addition, WPT’s future success may also be affected by the potential need to
replace its key on-air talent.
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Any disputes with the IATSE 700 Editors Union could delay finishing production of shows needing to be delivered to Sinclair or increase WPT’s costs to produce the
shows.
From time to time, certain of WPT’s employees involved in producing the WPT series are members of IATSE 700 Editors Union, and WPT renewed its contract
with such union in August 2019 for a three-year term. Although WPT has a current union agreement in place, there is no guarantee that future disagreements with WPT’s
unionized employees will not lead to any interruption in services. Any failure to timely negotiate and/or settle any such disagreements could cause a delay in WPT’s ability to
timely produce the WPT series for Sinclair, and the costs to do so could increase. Either of these events would adversely affect WPT’s profitability.
WPT’s quarterly results may fluctuate, which may negatively affect the value of the common stock.
Under sponsorship agreements for WPT, revenues are recognized as each episode is aired. Therefore, WPT’s quarterly revenue can fluctuate significantly depending
on the number of episodes aired in any one quarter. In addition, the sales of consumer products that utilize WPT’s licensed intellectual property vary greatly, due to holiday
seasons, school schedules and other outside factors. As a result, WPT’s financial results can be expected to fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter, leading to volatility
and a possible adverse effect on the market price of the common stock.
Risks Related to WPT’s Current Industry
WPT’s television programming may be unable to maintain a sufficient audience for a variety of reasons, many of which are beyond its control.
Television production is a speculative business because revenues and income derived from television depend primarily upon the continued acceptance of that
programming by the public, which is difficult to predict. Public acceptance of particular programming is dependent upon, among other things, the quality of the programming,
the strength of networks on which the programming is telecast, the promotion and scheduling of the programming and the quality and acceptance of competing television
programming and other sources of entertainment and information. Popularity of programming can also be negatively impacted by excessive telecasting of the programming
beyond viewers’ saturation thresholds.
WPT’s ability to create and sponsor its television programming profitably may be negatively affected by adverse trends that apply to the television production business
generally.
Television revenues and income may be affected by a number of factors, many of which are not within WPT’s control. These factors include a general decline in
television viewers, pricing pressure in the television advertising industry, strength of the stations on which its programming is telecast, general economic conditions, increases
in production costs and availability of other forms of entertainment and leisure time activities. Furthermore, as the popularity of streaming content over the Internet increases
and more consumers “cut the cord” and cease watching traditional broadcast television, the audience for WPT’s programming will be dispersed across multiple platforms and
its programming could have less overall impact and watchability. All of these factors, as well as others, may quickly change and these changes cannot be predicted with
certainty. WPT’s future sponsorship opportunities may also be adversely affected by these changes. Accordingly, if any of these changes were to occur, the revenues WPT
generates from television programming could decline.
A decline in general economic conditions or the popularity of WPT’s brand of televised poker tournaments could adversely impact its business.
Because WPT’s operations are affected by general economic conditions and consumer tastes, its future success is unpredictable. The demand for entertainment and
leisure activities tends to be highly sensitive to consumers’ disposable incomes and thus a decline in general economic conditions could, in turn, have a material adverse effect
on WPT’s business, operating results and financial condition and the price of the Company’s common stock. An economic decline, including the current economic decline as
a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic, could also adversely affect WPT’s corporate sponsorship business, sales of its branded merchandise and other aspects of its
business.
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The continued popularity of WPT’s type of poker entertainment is vital in maintaining the ability to leverage its brand and develop products or services that appeal to
its target audiences, which, in turn, is important to WPT’s long-term results of operations. Public tastes are unpredictable and subject to change and may be affected by
changes in the political and social climates of those countries and territories in which WPT operates. A change in public opinion could have a material adverse effect on
WPT’s business, operating results and financial condition and, ultimately, the price of the Company’s common stock.
The political or social climate regarding gaming and poker could negatively impact WPT’s ability to negotiate future telecast license arrangements and could negatively
impact its chances of renewal.
Although the popularity of poker, in particular, and gaming, in general, has continued to grow in the U.S. and abroad, gaming has historically experienced backlash
from various constituencies and communities. Currently, the legal operational status of Internet-based casinos and card rooms remains unclear in some countries. The U.S.
government has taken steps to curb activities that it believes constitutes unlawful online gaming through legislation such as the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act
of 2006 and through arrests of off-shore online gaming operators traveling in the U.S. Also, on November 2, 2018, the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) issued an
opinion that interprets the federal Wire Act as prohibiting any gambling that crosses state lines, including non-sports related gambling. This opinion expands the prior opinion
issued by the DOJ in 2011 that interpreted the Wire Act as prohibiting interstate sports gambling only.
Based on the uncertain regulatory environment surrounding the marketing and promotion of Internet-based casinos and card rooms to viewers in the U.S., Sinclair
has final edit rights to the shows that it broadcasts. Sinclair had indicated that it will only display the “dot com” names or logos of Internet-based casinos and card rooms in its
telecasts that are explicitly legal in select territories in the United States. However, if Sinclair elects not to allow the display of “dot com” logos on the WPT show, whether
because of the recent DOJ opinion or otherwise, WPT may not be able to attract other Internet-based casino sponsors or retain existing online card rooms sponsoring WPT’s
tour. Additionally, increased regulatory scrutiny on Internet gambling sites may eliminate these sites as sources of advertising revenue for television networks that exhibit
poker-related programming, thereby potentially impacting the value of such programming to these networks. Additionally, many participants in WPT’s tournament events are
sponsored by Internet-based casino sponsors and existing online card rooms. If such sponsors’ revenues are reduced, they may not be able to sponsor WPT’s tournament
participants at the same level or at all, which could cause WPT’s tournament participation to decline (in terms of numbers and professional players) and the quality and
distribution of our WPT series could suffer.
The television entertainment market in which WPT operates is highly competitive and competitors with greater financial resources or marketplace presence may enter
this market to WPT’s detriment.
WPT competes with other poker-related television programming, including ESPN’s coverage of the “World Series of Poker” and its “World Series of Poker” Circuit
Events, among others. These and other producers of poker-related programming may be well established and may have significantly greater resources than WPT does. Based
on the popularity of these poker-related televised programs, WPT believes that additional competing televised poker programs may currently be in development or may be
developed in the future. WPT’s programming also competes for telecast audiences and advertising revenue with telecasts of mainstream professional and amateur sports, as
well as other entertainment and leisure activities. These competing programs and activities, and the brands that they build may decrease the popularity of the WPT television
series and dilute the WPT’s brand. This would adversely affect WPT’s operating results and financial condition and, ultimately, the price of the Company’s common stock.
Risks Related to the Businesses of Both Allied Esports and WPT
Allied Esports and WPT have historically operated at a net loss on a consolidated basis, and there is no guarantee that that the consolidated company will be able to be
profitable.
The consolidated operations of Allied Esports and the WPT have resulted in net losses of $45,058,830 and $16,738,729 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and
2019, respectively. We do not know with any degree of certainty whether or when the consolidated operations of Allied Esports and the WPT will become profitable. Even if
we are able to achieve profitability in future periods, we may not be able to sustain or increase our profitability in successive periods.
27
We have formulated our business plans and strategies based on certain assumptions regarding the acceptance of our business model and the marketing of our
products and services. Nevertheless, our assessments regarding market size, market share, market acceptance of our products and services and a variety of other factors may
prove incorrect. Our future success will depend upon many factors, including factors beyond our control and those that cannot be predicted at this time.
Forecasts of our market and market growth may prove to be inaccurate, and even if the markets in which we compete achieve the forecasted growth, there can be no
assurance that our business will grow at similar rates, or at all.
Growth forecasts included in SEC filings relating to our market opportunities and the expected growth in those markets are subject to significant uncertainty and are
based on assumptions and estimates which may prove to be inaccurate. We also plan to operate in a number of foreign markets, and a downturn in any of those markets could
have a significant adverse effect on our businesses. Even if these markets meets our size estimate and experiences the forecasted growth, we may not grow our business at a
similar rate, or at all. Our growth is subject to many factors, including our success in implementing our business strategy, which is subject to many risks and uncertainties.
Accordingly, the forecasts of market growth should not be taken as indicative of our future growth.
Any actual or perceived failure by us to comply with our privacy policies or legal or regulatory requirements in one or multiple jurisdictions could result in proceedings,
actions or penalties against us.
Allied Esports and WPT have implemented various features intended to better comply with applicable privacy and security requirements in the collection and use of
customer data, but these features do not ensure compliance and may not be effective against all potential privacy and data security concerns. A wide variety of domestic and
foreign laws and regulations apply to the collection, use, retention, protection, disclosure, transfer, disposal and other processing of personal data. These data protection and
privacy-related laws and regulations are evolving and may result in regulatory and public scrutiny and escalating levels of enforcement and sanctions. Our failure to comply
with applicable laws and regulations, or to protect any personal data, could result in enforcement actions against us, including fines, claims for damages by customers and
other affected individuals, damage to our reputation and loss of goodwill (both in relation to existing customers and prospective customers), any of which could adversely
affect our business, operating results, financial performance and prospects.
Evolving and changing definitions of personal data and personal information within the EU, the United States and elsewhere may limit or inhibit our ability to
operate or expand our business. In jurisdictions outside of the United States, we may face data protection and privacy requirements that are more stringent than those in place
in the United States. We are at risk of enforcement actions taken by certain EU data protection authorities until such point in time that we may be able to ensure that all
transfers of personal data to us in the United States from the EU are conducted in compliance with all applicable regulatory obligations, the guidance of data protection
authorities and evolving best practices. The European General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) may impose additional obligations, costs and risks upon our business.
The GDPR may increase substantially the penalties to which we could be subject in the event of any non-compliance. In addition, we may incur substantial expense in
complying with the obligations imposed by the GDPR and we may be required to make significant changes in our business operations, all of which may adversely affect our
revenues and our business overall.
Loss, retention or misuse of certain information and alleged violations of laws and regulations relating to privacy and data security, and any relevant claims, may
expose us to potential liability and may require us to expend significant resources on data security and in responding to and defending such allegations and claims. In addition,
future laws, regulations, standards and other obligations, and changes in the interpretation of existing laws, regulations, standards and other obligations could impair our ability
to collect, use or disclose data relating to individuals, which could increase our costs and impair our ability to maintain and grow our customer base and increase our revenue.
Allied Esports and WPT publicly post their privacy policies and practices concerning processing, use and disclosure of the personally identifiable information
provided to them by website visitors. Publication of such privacy policies and other statements published that provide promises and assurances about privacy and security can
subject us to potential state and federal action if they are found to be deceptive or misrepresentative of actual policies and practices or if actual practices are found to be unfair.
Evolving and changing definitions of what constitutes “Personal Information” and “Personal Data” within the EU, the United States and elsewhere, especially relating to
classification of IP addresses, machine or device identification numbers, location data and other information, may limit or inhibit our ability to operate or expand our business,
including limiting technology alliance relationships that may involve the sharing of data.
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Our failure to raise additional capital or generate cash flows necessary to pay debt, expand our operations and invest in new business initiatives in the future could reduce
our ability to compete successfully and harm our operating results.
In the future we need to raise additional funds, and we may not be able to obtain additional debt or equity financing on favorable terms, if at all. If we raise additional
equity financing, our security holders may experience significant dilution of their ownership interests. If we engage in debt financing, we may be required to accept terms that
restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness, force us to maintain specified liquidity or other ratios or restrict our ability to pay dividends or make acquisitions. If we
cannot raise capital on acceptable terms, or at all, we may not be able to, among other things:
●
●
●
●
●
develop and enhance our products and services;
continue to expand our network of arenas;
hire, train and retain employees;
respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated working capital requirements; or
pursue acquisition opportunities.
Although we have been able to fund our current working capital requirements through operations, debt and equity financing, there is no assurance that we will be
able to do so in the future. As a result, our auditors have indicated that the above-mentioned conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going
concern.
Our business depends substantially on the continuing efforts of our executive officers, key employees and qualified personnel, and our business operations may be
severely disrupted if we lose the services of such personnel.
Our future success depends substantially on the continued efforts of our executive officers and key employees. If one or more of our executive officers or key
employees are unable or unwilling to continue their services with us, we might not be able to replace them easily, in a timely manner, or at all. Since the esports gaming and
poker industry is characterized by high demand and intense competition for talent, we cannot assure you that we will be able to attract or retain qualified staff or other highly
skilled employees. If any of our executive officers or key employees terminate their services with us, our business may be severely disrupted, our financial condition and
results of operations may be materially and adversely affected and we may incur additional expenses to recruit, train and retain qualified personnel.
We may experience security breaches and cyber threats.
We face cyber risks and threats that could damage, disrupt or allow third parties to gain improper access to our networks and platforms, supporting infrastructure,
intellectual property and other assets. In addition, we rely on technological infrastructure, including third party cloud hosting and broadband, provided by third party business
partners to support the functionality of our platforms and content distribution. These business partners are also subject to cyber risks and threats. Such cyber risks and threats
may be difficult to detect. The techniques that may be used to obtain unauthorized access or disable, degrade, exploit or sabotage these networks and gaming platforms change
frequently and often are not detected. Our systems and processes and those of our third-party business partners may not be adequate. Any failure to prevent or mitigate
security breaches or cyber risks, or respond adequately to a security breach or cyber risk, could result in interruptions to our platforms, degrade the gamer/user experiences,
cause gamers/users to lose confidence in our platforms and cease utilizing them, as well as significant legal and financial exposure. This could harm our business and
reputation, disrupt our relationships with partners and diminish our competitive position.
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Global health threats, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely affect the operations of our Allied Esports and WPT businesses, which could have a
material adverse effect on our business.
Our business could be adversely affected by the effects of a widespread outbreak of contagious disease, including the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 respiratory
illness first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. A significant outbreak of contagious diseases in the human population could result in a widespread health crisis that
could adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn that could affect demand for our products and services.
Specifically, as a global entertainment company that hosts numerous live events with spectators and participants in destination cities, outbreaks may cause such people to
avoid traveling to our destination cities and attending our events. Sponsors of such events may also cancel such events as precautionary measures or based on guidelines from
local or federal health agencies. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, live events to be hosted by both of our Allied Esports and WPT businesses have been cancelled.
Allied Esports and WPT businesses started conducting live events again on a limited basis in June 2020. However, many other previously scheduled live events remain
indefinitely postponed or have been cancelled. And at this time, we cannot determine the extent that such outbreak will continue to have on our future operations.
General Risk Factors
The market price of shares of our common stock may be volatile, which could cause the value of your investment to decline.
The market price of our common stock may be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations. Securities markets worldwide experience significant price
and volume fluctuations. This market volatility, as well as general economic, market or political conditions, could reduce the market price of shares of our common stock
regardless of our operating performance. In addition, our operating results could be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors due to a number of
potential factors, including variations in our quarterly operating results or dividends, if any, to stockholders, additions or departures of key management personnel, failure to
meet analysts’ earnings estimates, publication of research reports about our industry, litigation and government investigations, changes or proposed changes in laws or
regulations or differing interpretations or enforcement thereof affecting our business, adverse market reaction to any indebtedness we may incur or securities we may issue in
the future, changes in market valuations of similar companies or speculation in the press or investment community, announcements by our competitors of significant contracts,
acquisitions, dispositions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments, adverse publicity about the industries we participate in or individual scandals, and, in
response, the market price of shares of our common stock could decrease significantly. You may be unable to resell your shares of common stock at or above a price you feel
is appropriate.
In the past few years, stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. In the past, following periods of volatility in the overall market and the
market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against these companies. Such litigation, if instituted against us, could result
in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources.
We have no current plans to pay cash dividends on our common stock; as a result, you may not receive any return on investment unless you sell your common stock for a
price greater than that which you paid for it.
We have no current plans to pay dividends on our common stock. Any future determination to pay dividends will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors,
subject to applicable laws, and will depend on a number of factors, including our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, contractual, legal, tax and
regulatory restrictions, general business conditions and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant. In addition, our ability to pay cash dividends is restricted
by the terms of our debt financing arrangements, and any future debt financing arrangement likely will contain terms restricting or limiting the amount of dividends that may
be declared or paid on our common stock. As a result, you may not receive any return on an investment in our common stock unless you sell your common stock for a price
greater than that which you paid for it.
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If our operating and financial performance in any given period does not meet the guidance that we provide to the public, the market price of our common stock may
decline.
We may, but are not obligated to, provide public guidance on our expected operating and financial results for future periods. Any such guidance will be comprised of
forward-looking statements subject to the risks and uncertainties described in our public filings and public statements. Our actual results may not always be in line with or
exceed any guidance we have provided, especially in times of economic uncertainty. If, in the future, our operating or financial results for a particular period do not meet any
guidance we provide or the expectations of investment analysts, or if we reduce our guidance for future periods, the market price of our common stock may decline as well.
Even if we do issue public guidance, there can be no assurance that we will continue to do so in the future.
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness,
which may not be successful.
Our ability to make scheduled interest payments on or to refinance our debt obligations depends on our financial condition and operating performance, which are
subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business, legislative, regulatory and other factors, some of which are beyond our control.
In some cases, we will also be required to obtain the consent our lenders to refinance material portions of our indebtedness. We cannot assure you that we will maintain a
level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premiums, and interest, if any, on our indebtedness. Some of our indebtedness is
maturing in the near term, and if we are unable to raise sufficient capital or generate cash through our operations, we will be unable to meet our debt obligations at maturity.
If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital
expenditures, reduce or eliminate the payment of dividends, sell assets, seek additional capital or seek to restructure or refinance our indebtedness. These alternative measures
may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. Our ability to restructure or refinance our debt will depend on the condition of
the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of our debt could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous
covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. We may not be able to effect any such alternative measures on commercially reasonable terms or at all and,
even if successful, those alternative actions may not allow us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. If our operating results and available cash are insufficient to meet
our debt service obligations, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to attempt to meet our debt service
and other obligations. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions or consummate dispositions at prices that we believe are fair, and the proceeds that we do receive
may not be adequate to meet any debt service obligations then due.
We incur increased costs and are subject to additional regulations and requirements as a result of being a public company, which could lower our profits or make it more
difficult to run our business.
As a public company, we incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that are not incurred by private companies, including costs associated with public
company reporting requirements. We also have incurred and will continue to incur costs associated with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and related rules implemented by the SEC
and the Nasdaq Capital Market. The expenses generally incurred by public companies for reporting and corporate governance purposes have been increasing. We expect these
rules and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some activities more time-consuming and costly, although we are currently unable to
estimate these costs with any degree of certainty. These laws and regulations also may make it more difficult or costly for us to obtain certain types of insurance, including
director and officer liability insurance, and we may be forced to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar
coverage. These laws and regulations could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our Board of Directors, on our board
committees or as our executive officers. Furthermore, if we are unable to satisfy our obligations as a public company, we could be subject to delisting of our common stock on
the Nasdaq market, fines, sanctions and other regulatory action and potentially civil litigation.
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Through its wholly-owned subsidiary Primo Vital Limited, Ourgame International Holdings Limited (“Ourgame”) owns a significant percentage of our outstanding
common stock, enabling it to exert significant influence over our operations and activities, which may affect the trading price of our common stock.
According to its SEC filings, Ourgame, through Primo Vital Limited, beneficially owns and controls approximately 35.7% of our outstanding common stock. Primo
Vital Limited is entitled to full voting rights with respect to the shares of common stock that it owns. This concentrated ownership enables Ourgame to exert significant
influence over all matters requiring stockholder votes, including: the election of directors; mergers, consolidations, acquisitions and other strategic transactions; the sale of all
or substantially all of our assets and other decisions affecting our capital structure; amendments to our Certificate of Incorporation or our bylaws; and our winding up and
dissolution. The interests of Ourgame may not always coincide with our interests or the interests of our other stockholders, and Ourgame’s influence may delay, deter or
prevent acts that would be favored by us or our other stockholders. This concentration of ownership may also have the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a change in
control of the Company. Also, Ourgame may seek to cause us to take courses of action that, in its judgment, could enhance its investments in us, but which might involve
risks to our other stockholders or adversely affect us or our other stockholders. As a result, the market price of our shares could decline. In addition, this concentration of
share ownership may adversely affect the trading price of our shares because prospective investors may perceive disadvantages in owning shares in a company such as our
company with such a significant stockholder.
We are an “emerging growth company,” and the reduced public company reporting requirements applicable to emerging growth companies may make our common stock
less attractive to investors.
We qualify as an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. For so long as we remain an emerging growth company, we are permitted and plan to
rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. These provisions include, but
are not limited to: being permitted to have only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related selected financial data and management’s discussion
and analysis of financial condition and results of operations disclosure; an exemption from compliance with the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of our
internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; not being required to comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the
PCAOB regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements; reduced
disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation arrangements in our periodic reports, registration statements and proxy statements; and exemptions from the
requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. In
addition, the JOBS Act permits emerging growth companies to take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable
to public companies. We intend to take advantage of the exemptions discussed above. As a result, the information we provide will be different than the information that is
available with respect to other public companies. In our SEC filings, we do not include all of the executive compensation-related information that would be required if we
were not an emerging growth company. We cannot predict whether investors will find our common stock less attractive if we rely on these exemptions. If some investors find
our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock, and the market price of our common stock may be more volatile.
We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the end of our 2022 fiscal year, (ii) the first fiscal year after our annual gross revenues exceed
$1.07 billion, (iii) the date on which we have, during the immediately preceding three-year period, issued more than $1.00 billion in non-convertible debt securities or (iv) the
end of any fiscal year in which the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of the second quarter of that fiscal year.
Our failure to achieve and maintain an effective system of disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting could adversely affect our financial position
and lower our stock price.
As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the rules and regulations of the applicable
listing standards of Nasdaq. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over
financial reporting. Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports. Nevertheless, all internal control systems, no matter how well
designed, have inherent limitations. Even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and
presentation.
Management identified the following material weaknesses in internal controls as of December 31, 2019, which persist as of December 31, 2020:
●
inadequate internal controls, including inadequate segregation of duties, over the preparation and review of the consolidated financial statements and untimely
annual closings of the books;
32
●
inadequate controls and procedures as they relate to completeness of information reported by certain third parties that process transactions related to specific
revenue streams; and
●
inadequate information technology general controls as it relates to user access and change management.
As a company with limited accounting resources, a significant amount of management’s time and attention has been and will be diverted from our business to work
toward compliance with these regulatory requirements. This diversion of management’s time and attention may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
These material weaknesses and any significant deficiencies could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations and may result in a
restatement of our financial statements for prior periods. Any failure to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting also could adversely affect
the results of periodic management evaluations and any annual independent registered public accounting firm attestation reports regarding the effectiveness of our internal
control over financial reporting that we may be required to include in our periodic reports that will be filed with the SEC. Ineffective disclosure controls and procedures and
internal control over financial reporting could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial and other information, which would likely have a negative
effect on the trading price of our common stock. In addition, if we are unable to continue to meet these requirements, we may not be able to maintain our common stock
listing on Nasdaq.
Increases in interest rates may cause the market price of our common stock to decline.
While interest rates are falling and have in recent years been at record low levels, any return to increases in interest rates may cause a corresponding decline in
demand for equity investments. Any such increase in interest rates or reduction in demand for our common stock resulting from other relatively more attractive investment
opportunities may cause the market price of our common stock to decline.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business or publish negative reports, the market price of our common stock could decline.
The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If one of
more of these analysts ceases coverage of us or fails to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause the market
price or trading volume of our common stock to decline. Moreover, if one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrades our common stock or if our reporting results do
not meet their expectations, the market price of our common stock could decline.
You will be diluted by the future issuance of common stock, preferred stock, or securities convertible into common or preferred stock, in connection with our incentive
plans, acquisitions, capital raises or otherwise.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue these shares of common stock and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights
relating to common stock for the consideration and on the terms and conditions established by our Board of Directors in its sole discretion, whether in connection with
acquisitions or otherwise.
In the future, we expect to obtain financing or to further increase our capital resources by issuing additional shares of our capital stock or offering debt or other
equity securities, including senior or subordinated notes, debt securities convertible into equity or shares of preferred stock. Issuing additional shares of our capital stock or
other equity securities or securities convertible into equity may dilute the economic and voting rights of our existing stockholders or reduce the market price of our common
stock or both. Debt securities convertible into equity could be subject to adjustments in the conversion ratio pursuant to which certain events may increase the number of
equity securities issuable upon conversion. Preferred shares, if issued, could have a preference with respect to liquidating distributions or a preference with respect to dividend
payments that could limit our ability to pay dividends to the holders of our common stock. Our decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market
conditions and other factors beyond our control, which may adversely affect the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. As a result, holders of our common stock
bear the risk that our future offerings may reduce the market price of our common stock and dilute their stockholdings in us.
Additionally, we have reserved an aggregate of 3,463,305 shares of common stock for issuance under our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”). Any
common stock that we issue, including under our Incentive Plan or other equity incentive plans that we may adopt in the future, would dilute the percentage ownership held
by our common stockholders. We have filed an effective registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register shares of our common stock or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our common stock issued pursuant to our Incentive Plan. Accordingly, shares registered under such registration statement will
be available for sale in the open market upon issuance.
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The Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will
be the exclusive forum for certain legal actions between the Company and its stockholders, which could limit the Company’s stockholders’ ability to obtain a judicial
forum viewed by the stockholders as more favorable for disputes with the Company or the Company’s directors, officers or employees.
The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, provides that unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and
exclusive forum for any stockholder (including a beneficial owner) to bring (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting
a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, (iii) any action
asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, or the Company’s Bylaws, or
(iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or if the Court of Chancery does not have
jurisdiction, another state court located within the State of Delaware, or if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal district court for the
District of Delaware) in all cases subject to the court’s having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants. This exclusive forum provision does
not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act. It could apply, however, to a suit that falls within one or more of the categories
enumerated in the exclusive forum provision and asserts claims under the Securities Act, inasmuch as Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for
federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rule and regulations thereunder. There is uncertainty as to
whether a court would enforce such provision with respect to claims under the Securities Act, and our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with
the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any of our securities shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to these provisions.
These exclusive-forum provisions may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum of its choosing for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other
employees, which may discourage lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and other employees.
If a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we
may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Even if
we are successful in defending against these claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to the Company’s management.
Our Board of Directors’ ability to issue undesignated preferred stock and the existence of anti-takeover provisions may depress the value of our common stock.
The Company’s authorized capital includes 1,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock. Our Board has the power to issue any or all of the shares of preferred
stock, including the authority to establish one or more series and to fix the powers, preferences, rights and limitations of such class or series, without seeking stockholder
approval, subject to certain limitations on this power under Nasdaq listing requirements. Further, as a Delaware corporation, we are subject to provisions of the Delaware
General Corporation Law regarding “business combinations.” We may, in the future, consider adopting additional anti-takeover measures. The authority of our Board to issue
undesignated stock and the anti-takeover provisions of Delaware law, as well as any future anti-takeover measures adopted by us, may, in certain circumstances, delay, deter
or prevent takeover attempts and other changes in control of our company that are not approved by our Board. As a result, our stockholders may lose opportunities to dispose
of their shares at favorable prices generally available in takeover attempts or that may be available under a merger proposal and the market price, voting and other rights of the
holders of common stock may also be affected.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties
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The Company’s main offices are leased and are located at 17877 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 300, Irvine, California, 92614. The Company considers this office
space adequate for its current operations. The initial lease term will expire in 2033, and the Company has two five-year options to renew. On March 10, 2021, WPT entered
into an amendment of its lease with Onni Wilshire Courtyard, LLC for its production offices in Los Angeles, which extended the term of the lease until November 31, 2031,
with one five-year option to extend the term.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
The Company is involved in various disputes, claims, liens and litigation matters arising out of the normal course of business. While the outcome of these disputes,
claims, liens and litigation matters cannot be predicted with certainty, after consulting with legal counsel, management does not believe that the outcome of these matters,
either individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
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PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “AESE.”
Holders
On April 11, 2021, there were 30 holders of record of our common stock, one of which was Cede & Co., a nominee for The Depository Trust Company, or DTC.
Shares of common stock that are held by financial institutions as nominees for beneficial owners are deposited into participant accounts at DTC, and are considered to be held
of record by Cede & Co. as one stockholder.
Dividends
We anticipate that we will retain all available funds and any future earnings, if any, for use in the operation of our business and do not anticipate paying cash
dividends in the foreseeable future. In addition, our credit facilities materially restrict, and future debt instruments may materially restrict, our ability to pay dividends on our
common stock. Payment of future cash dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors after taking into account various factors, including our financial
condition, operating results, current and anticipated cash needs, the requirements of our current or then-existing debt instruments and other factors our Board of Directors
deems relevant.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
None.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
None.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Not Applicable.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, which are
included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains statements
that are forward-looking. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risk, uncertainties and other factors. These statements are
often identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “estimate,” or “continue,” and similar expressions or
variations. Actual results could differ materially because of the factors discussed in “Risk Factors” elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other factors that we
have not identified.
Overview
Allied Esports Entertainment Inc. (“AESE”), formerly known as Black Ridge Acquisition Corp, or “BRAC,” was incorporated in Delaware on May 9, 2017 as a
blank check company for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business
combination with one or more businesses or entities.
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Allied Esports Media, Inc. (“AEM”), a Delaware corporation, was formed in November 2018 to act as a holding company for Allied Esports International Inc.
(“Allied Esports”) and immediately prior to the closing of the Merger (see below) to also include Noble Link Global Limited (“Noble Link”). On December 19, 2018, BRAC,
Noble Link and AEM executed an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (as amended, the “Merger Agreement”).
On August 9, 2019 (the “Closing Date”), Noble Link merged with and into AEM, with AEM being the surviving entity. Further, on the Closing Date, a subsidiary of
AESE merged with and into AEM pursuant to the Merger Agreement, with AEM being the surviving entity (the “Merger”). Allied Esports, together with its subsidiaries, owns
and operates the esports-related businesses of AESE. Noble Link (prior to the Merger) and its wholly owned subsidiaries Peerless Media Limited, Club Services, Inc. and
WPT Enterprises, Inc. operate the poker-related business of AESE and are collectively referred to herein as “World Poker Tour” or “WPT.”
References to the “Company” are to the combination of AEM, Allied Esports and WPT during the period prior to the Merger and to AESE and its subsidiaries after
the Merger.
The Company
AESE operates a premier public esports and entertainment company, consisting of the Allied Esports and World Poker Tour businesses.
Allied Esports
Gaming is one of the largest and fastest growing markets in the entertainment sector, with an estimated 2.56 billion gamers playing esports globally, and esports is
the major driver of this growth. Esports, short for “electronic sports,” is a general label that comprises a diverse offering of competitive electronic games that gamers play
against each other. It is projected that by 2023, 646 million people will be watching esports globally, and that global esports revenue will grow to approximately $1.5 billion.
The esports gaming industry is relatively new and is challenging. Competition is rapidly developing. Allied Esports’ business relies upon its ability to grow and
garner an active gamer community, and successfully monetize this community through tournament fees, live event ticket sales, and advertising and sponsorships utilizing a
three-pillar approach, which includes:
●
●
●
in-person experiences;
developing multiplatform content; and
providing interactive services.
Its growth also depends, in part, on its ability to respond to technological evolution, shifts in gamer trends and demands, introductions of new games, game publisher
intellectual property right practices, and industry standards and practices. While change in this industry may be inevitable, Allied Esports will try to adapt its business model
as needed to accommodate change and remain on the forefront of its competitors, by collaborating with its strategic investors, including certain affiliates of Simon Property
Group, Inc., a global leader in the ownership of premier shopping, dining, entertainment, and mixed-use destinations (“Simon”), and with certain affiliates of Brookfield
Property Partners, one of the world’s premier real estate companies.
Allied Esports’ business plan requires significant capital expenditures, and it expects its operating expenses to increase significantly as it continues to expand its
marketing efforts and operations in existing and new geographies and vertical markets (including its online esports tournament and gaming subscription platform it intends to
develop). A key element of Allied Esports’ growth strategy is to extend its brand by opening additional flagship arenas throughout the world and by licensing the Allied
Esports brand to third party esports arena operators, which it believes will provide attractive returns on investment.
37
World Poker Tour
The World Poker Tour is a premier name in internationally televised gaming and entertainment with brand presence in land-based poker tournaments, television,
online and mobile. Leading innovation in the sport of poker since 2002, WPT helped ignite the global poker boom with the creation of a unique television show based on a
series of high-stakes poker tournaments. WPT’s Tour Events are held at locations throughout the world and have awarded more than one billion in prize dollars in its 18-year
history. WPT has broadcast globally in more than 150 countries and territories, and is currently producing its 18th season, which airs on FOX Sports Regional Networks in the
United States. Season 18 of WPT is currently sponsored by its online subscription-based poker service, ClubWPT.com. WPT offers a suite of online poker services which it
operates by itself and through its partners offering consumers the ability to access gaming content on a year-round 24/7 basis. ClubWPT.com is a unique online membership
site that offers inside access to the WPT, as well as a sweepstakes-based poker club available in 35 states across the United States and Washington D.C., and four foreign
countries, with innovative features and state-of-the-art creative elements inspired by WPT’s 18 years of experience in gaming entertainment. In addition, WPT licenses its
brand to social gaming sites through partners like Zynga as well as to educational learning platforms such as LearnWPT. These online products are scalable and offer
geographic access that might be limited if WPT relied on tour stop participation alone. Additionally, WPT benefits from managing its own distribution business which
currently has more than 1,100 hours of broadcast-ready content, and offers demographically similar programming to its poker content, such as esports, golf and MMA. WPT
uses this large suite of programming as leverage to seek preferred airtimes on its various distribution channels where it may promote its online products or offer airtime to
sponsors in territories they seek to enter. WPT also participates in strategic brand license, partnership, sponsorship opportunities and music licensing, applying its three-pillar
model of in-person experiences, multiplatform content and interactive services, described above, to the sport of poker.
Recent Developments
Sale of WPT Business. On January 19, 2021, the Company and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, Allied Esports Media, Inc. (“Esports Media,” and
together with the Company, the “Selling Parties”) and Club Services, Inc. (“CSI”), entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Original Agreement”) with Element
Partners, LLC (“Buyer”), pursuant to which the Selling Parties have agreed to sell 100% of the outstanding capital stock of CSI to Buyer. CSI is the Company’s indirect
wholly-owned subsidiary that directly or indirectly owns 100% of the outstanding capital stock of each of the legal entities that collectively operate or engage in the
Company’s poker-related business and assets (the “WPT Business”). The proposed sale of CSI is referred to herein as the “Sale Transaction.” In connection with the Original
Agreement, Buyer agreed to pay Esports Media a total purchase price of $78.25 million for the stock of CSI, including an initial purchase price at closing of $68.25 million
and $10.0 million in future payments after the closing of the Sale Transaction. After the execution of the Original Agreement, the Company received multiple unsolicited
competing proposals to sell the Company and/or CSI to Bally’s Corporation. As a result of such proposals and further negotiation with Buyer, the Selling Parties, CSI and
Buyer entered into an Amended and Restated Stock Purchase Agreement on March 19, 2021, and thereafter amended such agreement on March 29, 2021 (as amended, the
“Stock Purchase Agreement”).
Buyer has agreed to pay Esports Media a total purchase price of $105 million for the stock of CSI (the “base purchase price”) at the closing of the Sale Transaction,
as further described below. The base purchase price will be adjusted to reflect the amount of CSI’s cash, indebtedness and accrued and unpaid transaction expenses as of the
closing of the Sale Transaction. Buyer remitted a $10.0 million advance payment of the base purchase price upon the execution of the Stock Purchase Agreement and is
required to pay the balance of the base purchase price at the closing of the Sale Transaction.
The Stock Purchase Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, covenants and indemnification provisions. The closing of the Sale Transaction is
subject to closing conditions, including the approval of the Sale Transaction by the Company’s stockholders and other customary closing conditions. The Company intends to
consummate the Sale Transaction shortly after obtaining stockholder approval, assuming all other conditions to the completion of the Sale Transaction have been satisfied or
waived by the appropriate parties.
The Stock Purchase Agreement may be terminated by Buyer or the Company if the closing of the Sale Transaction has not occurred by September 30, 2021, or upon
the occurrence of certain customary events as set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement. Depending on the circumstances surrounding a termination of the Stock Purchase
Agreement, the Buyer may be required to pay a $10.0 million non-performance fee to the Company, and the Selling Parties may be required to pay a $3.45 million
termination fee to the Buyer, and the Selling Parties may be required to return to Buyer the $10.0 million advance payment of the purchase price and reimburse Buyer for up
to $1.0 million of its documented out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with the authorization, preparation, negotiation, execution and performance of the Stock
Purchase Agreement and the Sale Transaction.
Effective upon any termination of the Stock Purchase Agreement, other than a termination in which Buyer is required to pay a non-performance fee to us, Buyer (or
its affiliate) and Peerless Media Limited, an indirect subsidiary of the Company that owns intellectual property related to the WPT Business, will enter into a 3-year brand
license for Buyer’s (or its affiliate’s) use of the WPT brand in the territory of Asia for real-money gaming in exchange for revenue-based royalty payments of 20% of
qualifying revenues, and minimum annual guaranteed royalty payments of $4.0 million, $6.0 million and $8.0 million for the first, second and third years, respectively. Such
license will be subject to further customary terms and conditions and provide Peerless Media Limited with a $2.0 million buy-out right after the first year. In the event of any
termination of the Stock Purchase Agreement under any circumstance in which the Buyer is required to pay a termination fee to us, the Company will have the option, but not
the obligation, to require the Buyer to enter into such license agreement with Peerless Media Limited.
38
Change of Control Agreements. On December 30, 2020, our Board of Directors authorized us to enter into an agreement with the CEO which, upon the closing of
a transaction that resulted in a change-in-control of WPT, as defined, would obligate us to pay the CEO $1,000,000 upon the earlier of his termination of employment with
AESE without cause, as defined, or the two-year anniversary of the closing of the change-in-control transaction. Payment may be made in either cash or shares of AESE
common stock (valued at the trailing 10-day volume-weighted- average-price prior to the issuance date), at our discretion.
On December 30, 2020, our Board of Directors authorized WPT to enter into agreements with the WPT CEO and General Counsel which, upon the closing of a
transaction that resulted in a change-in-control of WPT, as defined, would obligate WPT to pay the WPT CEO and General Counsel aggregate lump-sum severance payments
of $522,827.
On December 30, 2020, our Board of Directors approved, subject to a change-in-control of WPT which accelerates the vesting of AESE option grants held by WPT
employees, the extension of the exercise period of the options as follows: (i) the options to purchase an aggregate of 340,000 shares of AESE common stock held by the WPT
CEO and General Counsel may be exercised until the 10-year anniversary of the issuance date, and (ii) the remaining options to purchase an aggregate of 300,000 shares of
AESE common stock may be exercised until the one-year anniversary of the change-in-control.
Employment Agreement Amendment. On December 31, 2020, the Company and Frank Ng, who serves as Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company,
amended Mr. Ng’s employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement Amendment”). The Employment Agreement Amendment provides that Mr. Ng’s annual salary will
be $400,000 per year payable in cash, and that we may, but are no longer required to, issue to Mr. Ng any shares of our common stock as compensation for his services.
COVID-19 Pandemic. The recent outbreak of the COVID-19 respiratory illness has had an adverse effect on the Company. As a global entertainment company that
hosts numerous live events with spectators and participants in destination cities, such outbreak has caused people to avoid traveling to and attending our events. Allied Esports
and WPT businesses have cancelled or postponed live events, and until Allied Esports’ flagship gaming arena located at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada reopened on
June 25, 2020 these businesses were operating online only. The arena is currently running under a modified schedule for daily play and weekly tournaments, and the WPT
business continues to operate primarily online. Production of certain content has been temporarily halted. At this time, we cannot determine the full extent of the impact that
such outbreak may have on our operations.
TV Azteca Amended Agreement. On July 20, 2020, we entered into an Amendment to TV Azteca Agreement (the “Azteca Amendment). The Azteca Amendment
provides that, subject to the approval of the terms of the Azteca Amendment by the our Board of Directors: (i) TV Azteca waives our obligations under the Term Sheet to pay
TV Azteca $1,000,000 on each of March 1, 2021 and March 1, 2022 for various strategic initiatives, and to further invest in and develop an esports platform for the Mexican
market; (ii) we shall waive the 24-month lock-up that prohibits TV Azteca from selling or transferring the 763,904 shares of our common stock TV Azteca purchased
pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement (the “Purchased Shares”); (iii) TV Azteca may sell the Purchased Shares in compliance with applicable securities laws, subject to
selling at a reasonable market price and subject to a daily volume cap not to exceed 25% of the our total daily Nasdaq trading volume; and (iv) if TV Azteca sells all of the
Purchased Shares within a three-month period following our Board of Directors approval of the Azteca Amendment, for gross proceeds of less than $1,600,000, then on
March 1, 2021, we shall contribute additional capital to the parties’ strategic alliance pursuant to the Term Sheet in an amount equal to such shortage. TV Azteca did not sell
all of the Purchased Shares within such timeframe and we are no longer is required to contribute additional capital to the parties’ strategic alliance pursuant to the Term Sheet.
Simon Partnership. We previously entered into a Share Purchase Agreement and an Escrow Agreement (the “Purchase Agreements”) and related services
agreements with Simon Equity Development, LLC and its affiliates (collectively, “Simon”), which set forth the terms of a strategic investment by Simon to develop an annual
esports program in collaboration with the Company. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreements, $4,950,000 was previously held in an escrow account to be used for development
of such activities. The COVID-19 pandemic has delayed indefinitely the parties’ ability to plan and budget for the 2020 and 2021 esports programming and esports venues.
On March 26, 2020, the remaining balance in the escrow account, $3,650,000, was transferred to Simon. The parties have agreed to extend the due date from March 8, 2020 to
January 31, 2021 under the applicable agreements to continue to develop and budget for the annual esports program and esports venues in future years once the COVID-19
pandemic has ended. As of the date of this document, no additional documents have been drafted or executed between the Company and Simon, but discussions are ongoing.
39
Brookfield Partnership. On January 14, 2020, we issued 758,725 shares of its common stock to BPR Cumulus LLC, an affiliate of Brookfield Property Partners
(“Brookfield”) in exchange for $5,000,000 (the “Purchase Price”) pursuant to a Share Purchase Agreement. The Purchase Price was placed into escrow and is to be used by us
or our subsidiaries to develop integrated esports experience venues at mutually agreed upon shopping malls owned and/or operated by Brookfield or any of its affiliates, that
will include a dedicated gaming space and production capabilities to attract and to activate esports and other emerging live events. As of the date of this document, no
additional documents have been drafted or executed between the Company and Brookfield, but discussions are ongoing. The parties have agreed not to move forward with
any leases until the pandemic has ended but are currently discussing alternative initiatives while they wait.
Litigation. On March 23, 2020, an employee of Allied Esports filed a claim in Los Angeles Superior Court alleging various employment misconduct against Allied
Esports, the Company, and an officer of the Company in connection with a competition being hosted by Allied Esports. The claim alleged damages in excess of $3.1 million
and suggested that the defendants could be subject to punitive damages. The parties agreed to a mediation and all claims asserted against us by the employee were settled on
September 10, 2020 for an amount significantly less than the original claim. The matter is now closed.
CARES Act. On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) which contains tax and
spending provisions intended to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act includes the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), a program designed to
aid small- and medium-sized businesses through federally guaranteed loans distributed through banks. These loans are intended to guarantee eight weeks of payroll and other
costs to provide support to participating businesses and increase the ability of these businesses to retain workers. During May 2020, we received aggregate cash proceeds of
$1,592,429 pursuant to three loans provided in connection with the PPP (the “PPP Loans”), of which proceeds in the aggregate amount of $907,079 were received by Allied
Esports and proceeds in the amount of $685,300 were received by WPT. While the PPP Loans currently have a two-year maturity, the amended law permits each borrower to
request a five-year maturity from its lender.
Under the terms of the CARES Act, as amended by the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020, we are eligible to apply for and receive forgiveness for
all or a portion of PPP Loans. Such forgiveness will be determined, subject to limitations, based on the use of PPP Loans proceeds for certain permissible purposes as set forth
in the PPP, including, but not limited to, payroll costs (as defined under the PPP) and mortgage interest, rent or utility costs (collectively, “Qualifying Expenses”), and the
maintenance of employee and compensation levels during the twenty-four-week period following the funding of the PPP Loan. On January 26, 2021, WPT Enterprises, Inc.,
the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, received notice from its lender that the entirety of the $685,300 of outstanding principal of its PPP Loan was forgiven. We have
applied for complete forgiveness of our remaining PPP Loans; however, no assurance is provided that we will be able to obtain forgiveness of the remaining PPP Loans in
whole or in part.
Debt Conversion. On April 29, 2020, we entered into a Secured Convertible Note Modification and Conversion Agreement (the “Amendment 1”), with a holder of a
$5,000,000 Bridge Note (the “Noteholder”), pursuant to which the Noteholder converted $2,000,000 of the principal amount of its Bridge Note into 1,250,000 shares of our
common stock at a reduced conversion price of $1.60 per share. On May 22, 2020, we entered into a Secured Convertible Note Modification and Conversion Agreement No.
2 (“Amendment 2”) with the Noteholder pursuant to which the remaining principal amount of the Note ($3,000,000) was converted into 2,142,857 shares of our common
stock at a reduced conversion price of $1.40 per share. Further, pursuant to Amendment 2, interest on the $5,000,000 principal owed to the Noteholder prior to conversion will
continue to accrue through the original maturity date of the Bridge Note, as if the principal amount had not been converted. On June 8, 2020, we entered into Secured
Convertible Note Modification Agreement No. 3 (“Amendment 3” and together with Amendment 1 and Amendment 2, the “Amendments”) with the Noteholder. Pursuant to
Amendment 3, the total minimum accrued interest payable pursuant to Amendment 2 in the amount of $1,421,096 was converted into principal under the Noteholder’s Bridge
Note (the “Amended Bridge Note”) The Amended Bridge Note matures on February 23, 2022, but will be paid upon the sale of WPT. Interest on the Amended Bridge Note
will accrue commencing on August 23, 2020 at 12% per annum (increasing to 15% per annum upon an event of default as defined). Principal and interest owed under the
Amended Bridge Note is not convertible into shares of our common stock. We recorded a conversion inducement charge of $5,247,531 as a result of the Amendments,
consisting of $4,998,845 representing the value of common stock issued upon conversion in excess of the common stock issuable under the original terms of the $5,000,000
Bridge Note, and $248,686, representing the excess of minimum interest payable pursuant to Amendment 3 over the interest payable pursuant to the original terms of the
$5,000,000 Bridge Note.
40
Extension of Bridge Notes. On June 8, 2020, the Company and the holders (the “Extending Bridge Noteholders”) of two Bridge Notes in the aggregate principal
amount of $2,000,000 (together, the “Extended Bridge Notes”), each entered into a Secured Convertible Note Modification (Extension) Agreement with the Company
(together, the “Bridge Note Extensions”) pursuant to which, among other things, the Extending Bridge Noteholders agreed to extend the maturity date of their respective
Extended Bridge Note until February 23, 2022, but will be paid upon the sale of WPT. Interest on the Extended Bridge Notes will continue to accrue at 12.0% per year and
may be prepaid without penalty. The remaining provisions of the Extended Bridge Notes remain unchanged and in effect. One of the Extending Bridge Noteholders is Man
Sha, the spouse of Frank Ng, our Chief Executive Officer and a Director.
On August 13, 2020 we paid an aggregate of $425,096 related to interest payable on the Extended Bridge Notes, such that the balance of principal and interest
outstanding under the Extended Bridge Notes as of December 31, 2020 is $2,000,000 and $85,870, respectively.
Senior Secured Convertible Notes. On June 8, 2020, pursuant to a securities purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) between the Company and certain
accredited investors (the “Investors”), we issued two senior secured convertible notes (the “Senior Notes”) with an aggregate principal balance of $9,600,000 and immediately
vested five-year warrants to purchase an aggregate 1,454,546 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $4.125 per share for net cash proceeds of $9,000,000. The Senior
Notes bear interest at 8% per annum and mature on June 8, 2022, with an aggregate of $1,536,000 of interest guaranteed to be paid to the Investors. The Purchase Agreement
contains customary representations and warranties, and we agreed that we would not take on additional debt from third parties without the Investors’ written approval, subject
to certain exceptions for ordinary course trade debt. We also agreed to use 35% of the proceeds from future financings in excess of $3 million (or $5 million if approved by the
Investors) to pay down the outstanding balance on the Senior Notes. We have reserved our rights under the Purchase Agreement to consummate, subject to certain exceptions,
a debtor or equity offering of up to $5 million in the future.
The Senior Notes and two years of interest are payable in equal monthly installments (the “Monthly Redemption Payment”), commencing on August 7, 2020. Each
Monthly Redemption Payment may be paid at the Company’s option in cash, or in shares of common stock (the “Stock Settlement Option”) at a price equal to 87% of the
lowest daily volume-weighted-average-price in the 10 days prior to the scheduled payment date (the “Stock Settlement Price”), provided that (i) we give thirty days written
irrevocable notice (the “Monthly Redemption Notice”), (ii) all amounts due have been paid timely, (iii) there are sufficient number of authorized shares available to be issued,
(iv) the Investors do not possess any material non-public information at the time we issue the common stock, and (v) our shares have met certain minimum volume and
closing price thresholds. The Stock Settlement Price cannot be lower than $0.734 per share. Monthly Redemption Payments paid in cash require the payment of a 10%
premium in addition to the monthly installment.
Each Investor may accelerate up to four Monthly Redemption Payments in any calendar month and may elect to have such accelerated Monthly Redemption
Payments paid in shares of our common stock at the Stock Settlement Price of the contemporaneous or immediately prior Monthly Redemption Payment, instead of in cash.
The Senior Notes are convertible at each Investor’s option, in whole or in part, and from time to time, into shares of our common stock (the “Holder Conversion
Option” and together, with the Stock Settlement Option, the “ECOs”) at $3.30 per share (subject to adjustment to convert at the same price as any subsequent issuances of our
common stock at a lower issuance price, subject to certain exceptions) (the “Holder Conversion Price”); provided, however, that the parties may not affect any such
conversion that would result in an Investor (together with its affiliates) owning in excess of 4.99% of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately
after giving effect to the conversion (the “Beneficial Ownership Limitation”). Each Investor, upon notice to the Company, may elect to increase or decrease its Beneficial
Ownership Limitation, provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation may not exceed 9.99%.
Between August 7 and January 4, 2021, we issued 10,208,223 shares of our common stock as redemption payments on the Senior Notes. As of the close of business
on January 4, 2021, the principal and accrued interest associated with the Senior Notes were repaid in full.
Additional Common Stock Issuance. On May 15, 2020, we closed on a sale of 1,018,848 shares of common stock to our Chairman of the Board, in exchange for
$2,000,000 of cash proceeds, pursuant to our March 9, 2020 exercise of a February 25, 2020 Put Option Agreement.
41
On September 29, 2020, we received proceeds of $21,875 from the Chairman, representing the disgorgement of short swing profits realized from the sale of shares.
On January 4, 2021, we issued to our non-executive directors an aggregate of 126,584 shares of common stock from our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan. The shares
were issued for their director services to the Company.
Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated
financial statements and related notes included herein. In addition to historical consolidated financial information, the following discussion contains forward-looking
statements that reflect the Company’s plans, estimates, or beliefs. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that
could cause or contribute to these differences include those discussed below and elsewhere in this prospectus, particularly in “Risk Factors.” The Company assumes no
obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
Continuing Operations
Our continuing operations consist of our esports gaming operations, which take place at global competitive esports properties designed to connect players and fans
via a network of connected arenas. Through our subsidiary Allied Esports, we offer esports fans state-of-the-art facilities to compete against other players in esports
competitions, host live events with esports superstars that potentially stream to millions of viewers worldwide, produce and distribute esports content with at our on-
site production facilities and studios. At our flagship arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, we provide an attractive facility for hosting corporate events, tournaments, game launches
or other events. Additionally, Allied Esports has two mobile esports arenas, which are 18-wheel semi-trailers that convert into first class esports arenas and competition stages
with full content production capabilities and interactive talent studios.
Discontinued Operations
WPT is an internationally televised gaming and entertainment company with brand presence in land-based tournaments, television, online and mobile applications.
WPT has been involved in the sport of poker since 2002 and created a television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments. WPT has broadcasted globally in
more than 150 countries and territories and its shows are sponsored by established brands in many areas, including watches, crystal, playing cards and online social poker
operators. WPT also operates ClubWPT.com, a subscription-based site that offers its members inside access to the WPT content database, as well as sweepstakes-based poker
product that allows members to play for real cash and prizes in 36 states and territories across the United States and 4 foreign countries. WPT also participates in strategic
brand licensing, partnership, and sponsorship opportunities.
On January 19, 2021, we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) to sell the equity interests of our subsidiaries that own and operate the WPT business,
subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, for a base purchase price of $78.25 million, which was subsequently amended to $105 million (the “Sale Transaction”). This
base purchase price will be adjusted to reflect the amount of the WPT business cash, indebtedness and accrued and unpaid transaction expenses as of the closing of the Sale
Transaction. We have committed to a plan to sell the WPT business prior to December 31, 2020. Accordingly, the WPT business has been recast as discontinued operations.
In reaching the decision to enter into the SPA, our Board of Directors, in consultation with management as well as its financial and legal advisors, considered a
number of factors, including the risks and challenges facing the WPT business in the future as compared to the opportunities available to the WPT business in the future, and
the availability of strategic alternatives. After careful consideration, the Board of Directors unanimously approved the Stock Purchase Agreement and determined that the Sale
Transaction is in our best interest and is in the best interest of our stockholders, and that the Sale Transaction and the Stock Purchase Agreement reflect the highest value for
the WPT business reasonably attainable for our stockholders.
42
Year Ended December 31, 2020 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2019
(in thousands, except for percentage of revenue data)
Revenues
In-person
Multiplatform content
Total Revenues
Costs and expenses
$
In-person (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
Multiplatform content (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
Online operating expenses
Selling and marketing expenses
General and administrative expenses
Stock-based compensation
Depreciation and amortization
Impairment of investment
Impairment of property and equipment
Impairment of intangible assets
Loss From Operations
Other income
Conversion inducement expense
Extinguishment loss on acceleration of debt redemption
Interest expense
Foreign currency exchange loss
Loss from continuing operations
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax provision
Net Loss
$
Revenues – Continuing Operations
For the
Years Ended
December 31,
2020
2019
Increase
(Decrease)
Percentage of Revenue
Years Ended
December 31,
2020
2019
2,988 $
223
3,211
2,808
54
187
260
11,142
5,142
3,609
6,139
5,596
-
(31,726)
176
(5,247)
(3,438)
(5,549)
-
(45,784)
725
(45,059) $
7,498 $
50
7,548
4,832
231
114
1,564
10,439
248
3,549
600
-
330
(14,359)
-
-
-
(1,081)
(15)
(15,455)
(1,283 )
(16,738) $
(4,510)
173
(4,337)
(2,024)
(177)
73
(1,304)
703
4,894
60
5,539
5,596
(330)
17,367
176
5,247
3,438
4,468
(15)
30,329
2,008
28,321
93.1%
6.9%
100.0%
87.4%
1.7%
5.8%
8.1%
347.0 %
160.1%
112.4%
191.2%
174.3%
0.0%
(988.0%)
5.5%
(163.4%)
(107.1%)
(172.8%)
0.0%
(1425.8%)
22.6 %
(1403.3%)
99.3%
0.7%
100.0%
64.0%
3.1%
1.5%
20.7%
138.3%
3.3%
47.0%
7.9%
0.0%
4.4%
(190.2%)
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
(14.3%)
(0.2%)
(204.8%)
(17.0%)
(221.8%)
In-person experience revenues decreased by approximately $4.5 million, or 60%, to approximately $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from
approximately $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in in-person experience revenues was driven by a $3.9 million decrease in Esports Arena Las
Vegas revenue and a $0.5 million decrease in sponsorship and gaming revenue. These decreases are a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting limited ability
to hold events throughout 2020.
Multiplatform content revenues increased by approximately $0.1 million, or 346%, to approximately $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from
approximately $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase in multiplatform content revenues related primarily to an increase in distribution revenue
earned in connection with an esports tournament held during December 2020, partially offset by a decrease in content revenue earned during the period resulting from the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Costs and expenses – Continuing Operations
In-person costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) decreased by approximately $2.0 million, or 42%, to approximately $2.8 million for the year ended
December 31, 2020 from approximately $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease is a result of the limited ability to hold events throughout 2020 as a
result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
43
Multiplatform costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) decreased by approximately $0.1 million, or 77%, to approximately $0.1 million for the year ended
December 31, 2020 from approximately $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Multiplatform costs recognized during 2019 were incurred in connection with
creating content surrounding the Simon Cup tournament, in order to attract additional sponsors.
Online operating expenses increased by approximately $0.1 million, or 64%, to approximately $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from
approximately $0.1 million for the year ended December 31,2019.
Selling and marketing expenses decreased by approximately $1.3 million, or 83%, to approximately $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from
approximately $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in selling and marketing expenses is primarily the result of a reduction in advertising and
event marketing as a result of the limited ability to hold events throughout 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
General and administrative expenses increased by approximately $0.7 million, or 7%, to approximately $11.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from
approximately $10.4 million for the year ended December 31,2019. Corporate expenses increased approximately $3.9 million, including approximately $1.4 million of legal
and professional fees, $2.2 million of compensation expense, $0.6 million of insurance expense and $0.4 million of facility and tax related expenses. These increases were a
result of only 5 months of activity in 2019, which occurred after the merger, while compared to 12 months of activity in 2020, in addition to $0.6 million in corporate bonuses
accrued for 2020 (which is payable contingent upon the closing of the sale of WPT) compared to $0.0 million in 2019. The corporate increases were partially offset by an
approximate $3.2 million decrease in general and administrative expense at Allied Esports, including a $1.7 million decrease in legal and professional fees, a $1.0 million
decrease in compensation expense (partially offset by $0.2 million increase in bonus expense at Allied Esports), and a $0.6 million decrease in travel expenses. These
decreases were a result of reduced salaries and workforce in addition to a reduction in professional services as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Stock-based compensation increased by approximately $4.9 million, or 1,973%, to approximately $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 from
approximately $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase included $3.7 million related to the return of cash held in escrow associated with an escrow
agreement with Simon. In addition, stock options granted in September and November of 2019 were amortized for a full year in 2020 as opposed to only a few months in
2019.
Depreciation and amortization remained relatively flat with a small increase of approximately $0.06 million or 2%, for the year ended December 31, 2020 as
compared to the year ended December 31, 2019.
Impairment of investments was approximately $6.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, of which $5.0 million was the result of the write off of our
investment in TV Azteca, for which management determined that the future cash flows are not expected to be sufficient to recover the carrying value of this investment, and
$1.1 million was related to the impairment of our investment in Esports Arena, LLC (“ESA”). We recorded $0.6 million of impairment losses during the year ended December
31, 2019, related to the impairment of our investment in ESA.
Impairment of property and equipment was approximately $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 as compared to $0.0 million for the year ended
December 31, 2019. The impairment resulted from management’s determination that the projected cash flows from our leasehold improvements and software will not be
sufficient to recover the carrying value of those assets.
We recorded approximately $0.3 million of impairment of intangible assets during the year ended December 2019, as the result of management’s determination that
the projected cash flows from certain intellectual property would not be sufficient to recover the carrying value of those assets. There was no impairment of intangible assets
during the year ended December 31, 2020.
Other income (expense)
Conversion inducement expense of approximately $5.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2020, resulted from the reduction in the conversion price and the
increase in interest payable to induce the conversion of certain convertible debt converted during the period. There was no conversion inducement expense recorded for the
year ended December 31, 2019.
Extinguishment loss on acceleration of debt redemption of approximately $3.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2020, resulted from the acceleration of
monthly payments on the Senior Secured notes that were issued in June 2020. There was no extinguishment loss recorded for the year ended December 31, 2019.
44
Interest expense was approximately $5.5 million and approximately $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, representing an
increase of $4.4 million, or 413%. Interest expense consisted of interest incurred on convertible debt, including $3.0 million of amortized debt discount. The increase in
interest expense is primarily the result of $9.6 million of Senior Secured convertible debt issued during 2020.
Results of Discontinued Operations
We recognized income from discontinued operations, net of tax, of approximately $0.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2020, as compared to a net loss
from discontinued operations of approximately $1.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2019. The improvement in results from discontinued operations is primarily
due to an increase in revenues from our subscription-based poker service and other online products during the period in response to the COVID pandemic.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The following table summarizes our total current assets, liabilities and working capital deficit from continuing operations at December 31, 2020 and December 31,
2019, respectively.
(In thousands)
Current Assets
Current Liabilities
Working Capital Deficit
December 31,
2020
2019
$
$
$
6,605 $
16,492 $
(9,887) $
8,641
20,717
(12,076)
Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash on the balance sheet and funds raised through debt or equity financing.
As of December 31, 2020, we had cash of $0.4 million (not including approximately $5.0 million of restricted cash and a working capital deficit from continuing
operations of approximately $9.9 million. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we incurred net losses from continuing operations of approximately $45.8
million and $15.5 million, respectively, and used cash in continuing operations of approximately $5.2 million and $7.6 million, respectively. Further, convertible debt
obligations and related accrued interest in the gross principal amount of $2.0 million mature on February 23, 2022, but will be paid upon the closing of the sale of WPT (see
Recent Developments). In addition, bridge note obligations and related accrued interest in the principal amount of $1.4 million mature on February 23, 2022, but will also be
paid upon the closing of the sale of WPT. During January 2021, we issued an aggregate of 529,383 shares of our common stock in full satisfaction of approximately $0.6
million and $0.1 million of the remaining principal and interest, respectively, owed on the senior secured convertible notes.
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) as a pandemic which continues to spread throughout the
United States. As a global entertainment company that hosts numerous live events with spectators and participants in destination cities, the outbreak has caused people to
avoid traveling to and attending these events. Allied Esports’ has cancelled or postponed live events, and before the reopening of Allied Esports’ flagship gaming arena
located at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 25, 2020 the business was operating online only. The arena is currently running under a modified schedule and
limited capacity (up to 65% capacity depending on the event) for daily play and weekly tournaments. We continue to monitor the outbreak of COVID-19 and the related
business and travel restrictions, and changes to behavior intended to reduce its spread, and the related impact on our operations, financial position and cash flows, as well as
the impact on our employees. Due to the rapid development and fluidity of this situation, the magnitude and duration of the pandemic and its impact on our future operations
and liquidity is uncertain as of the date of this report. While there could ultimately be a material impact on our operations and liquidity, at the time of issuance, the extent of
the impact cannot be determined.
The aforementioned factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the issuance date of our consolidated
financial statements.
45
Our continuation is dependent upon attaining and maintaining profitable operations and the ability to generate positive cash flow from the various revenue sources we
are pursuing. Until that time, we will likely need to raise additional capital to fund operations at adequate levels to achieve our objectives. There can be no assurance that we
will be able to close on sufficient financing to meet our needs. To date, in addition to our revenues, we have funded our operations using cash acquired in the Merger, through
investments from Ourgame, our former parent, by means of operation support, and through the issuance of debt.
We continue to pursue sources of additional capital through various financing transactions or arrangements, including joint venturing of projects, debt financing or
other means, including equity financing in the capital markets now available to us. We may also seek to leverage our strategic partnerships to alter capital requirements or
expand our available financing network. Further, we expect to receive cash in connection with the sale of the WPT business, which is expected to close during the second
quarter of 2021. However, we may not be successful in identifying suitable or reasonably priced funding and/or alternative funding options in a sufficient time period (or at
all) and there can be no assurance that the sale of the WPT business will close as planned. If we are unable to obtain the requisite amount of financing needed to fund our
planned operations, it would have a material adverse effect on our business and our ability to continue as a going concern, and we may have to curtail, divest, or even cease,
certain operations.
Cash Flows from Operating, Investing and Financing Activities
The tables below summarize cash flows from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
In thousands
Net cash provided by (used in)
Operating activities
Investing activities
Financing activities
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities
Years Ended December 31,
2020
2019
$
$
$
(5,174) $
(5,507) $
9,162 $
(7,551)
8,976
-
Net cash used in operating activities primarily represents the results of operations exclusive of non-cash expenses, including depreciation, amortization, losses on
disposal of assets, deferred rent and stock-based compensation, plus the impact of changes in operating assets and liabilities.
Net cash used in operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was approximately $5.2 million and $7.6 million, representing a decrease of
$2.4 million. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the net cash used in operating activities was primarily attributable to the net loss of approximately $45.1
million and $16.7 million, respectively, adjusted for approximately $0.7 and $(1.3) million respectively, of income (loss) from discontinued operations, $33.9 million and
$4.8 million, respectively, of net non-cash expenses, and approximately $6.7 million and $3.1 million, respectively, of cash provided by changes in the levels of operating
assets and liabilities.
Net Cash (Used in) Provided By Investing Activities
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities primarily relates to cash used for the purchase of property and equipment and other investment activity.
Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 was approximately $5.5 million, resulting primarily from approximately $3.7 million of
cash used for the return of the Simon Investment, $1.5 million of cash used for our investment with TV Azteca as part of a Strategic Investment Agreement, and $0.4 million
used for the purchases of property and equipment.
Net cash provided by investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2019 was approximately $9.0 million, which consisted primarily of approximately
$14.9 million of cash acquired in the Merger, partially offset by approximately $1.3 million of cash used for the purchases of property and equipment, $1.1 million cash used
to fund our investment in ESA, and $3.5 million of cash used for our investment with TV Azteca as part of a Strategic Investment Agreement.
46
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities primarily relates to the cash proceeds received from the issuance of convertible debt and loans payable, in addition to the
sale of common stock in 2020.
Net cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2020 was approximately $9.2 million as compared to $0 for the year ended December 31,
2019, an increase of approximately $9.2 million. The primary drivers for the increase was $9.0 million in proceeds from the issuance of convertible debt and $7.0 million of
proceeds from the issuance of common stock, offset by $0.8 million of issuance costs, $0.9 million proceeds from loans payable, and $7.0 million in repayments of
convertible debt.
Cash Flows from Discontinued Operations
Cash held by our WPT business is classified as held for sale and is included in current assets of discontinued operations. No cash was provided to, or used by,
discontinued operations from the WPT business.
Capital Expenditures
We will require continual investment to facilitate our growth plans. As a result, we plan to pivot our business goals to focus on expanding and strengthening our
strategic partnerships and developing other potential avenues of business, which we are in the process of finalizing.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not engage in any off-balance sheet financing activities, nor does the Company have any interest in entities referred to as variable interest entities.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in
the financial statements and accompanying notes. The Company regularly evaluates estimates and judgments based on historical experience and other relevant facts and
circumstances.
The Company discusses its significant estimates used in the preparation of the financial statements in the notes accompanying the financial statements. Listed below
are the accounting policies the Company believes are critical to its financial statements due to the degree of uncertainty regarding the estimates or assumptions involved.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews for the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be
recoverable. The Company measures the carrying amount of the asset against the estimated undiscounted future cash flows associated with it. Should the sum of the expected
future net cash flows be less than the carrying value of the asset being evaluated, an impairment loss would be recognized for the amount by which the carrying value of the
asset exceeds its fair value. The evaluation of asset impairment requires the Company to make assumptions about future cash flows over the life of the asset being evaluated.
These assumptions require significant judgment and actual results may differ from assumed and estimated amounts.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue from the following sources:
● Multiplatform content revenue is comprised of distribution revenue, sponsorship revenue, music royalty revenue, content revenue and online advertising revenue.
●
In-person revenue is comprised of event revenue, sponsorship revenue, food and beverage revenue, ticket and gaming revenue, merchandising revenue and other
revenue.
47
We evaluate each of our contractual arrangements to identify the performance obligations existing in the contract and allocate the transaction price to each separate
performance obligation. Revenue is recognized as each performance obligation is fulfilled. Cash received in advance of the sale or rendering of services is recorded as
deferred revenue and is recognized when the related performance obligation has been satisfied.
Discontinued Operations
The assets and liabilities of WPT are classified as “held for sale” as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and are reflected as “Current assets of discontinued operations,”
“Assets of discontinued operations – non-current,” “Current liabilities of discontinued operations” and “Liabilities of discontinued operations – non-current” on the balance
sheets that are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Results of operations of WPT are included in “Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax provision
on the statements of operations included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For comparative purposes, all prior periods presented have been reclassified to reflect the
classifications on a consistent basis.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” ASU 2016-02 requires that a lessee recognize the assets
and liabilities that arise from operating leases. A lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a
right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting
policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at
the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. This amendment will be effective for private companies and emerging growth
companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The FASB issued ASU No. 2018-
10 “Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases” and ASU No. 2018-11 “Leases (Topic 842) Targeted Improvements” in July 2018, and ASU No. 2018-20 “Leases
(Topic 842) - Narrow Scope Improvements for Lessors” in December 2018. ASU 2018-10 and ASU 2018-20 provide certain amendments that affect narrow aspects of the
guidance issued in ASU 2016-02. ASU 2018-11 allows all entities adopting ASU 2016-02 to choose an additional (and optional) transition method of adoption, under which
an entity initially applies the new leases standard at the adoption date and recognizes a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period
of adoption. We are currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13 “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)” and also issued subsequent amendments to the initial
guidance under ASU 2018-19, ASU 2019-04 and ASU 2019-05 (collectively Topic 326). Topic 326 requires the measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for
financial assets held at amortized cost. This replaces the existing incurred loss model with an expected loss model and requires the use of forward-looking information to
calculate credit loss estimates. We will be required to adopt the provisions of this ASU on January 1, 2023, with early adoption permitted for certain amendments. Topic 326
must be adopted by applying a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings. The adoption of Topic 326 is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated
financial statements or disclosures.
In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-02, which aligns the accounting for production costs of episodic television series with the accounting for production
costs of films. In addition, ASU 2019-02 modifies certain aspects of the capitalization, impairment, presentation and disclosure requirements in Accounting Standards
Codification (“ASC”) 926-20 and the impairment, presentation and disclosure requirements in ASC 920-350. This ASU must be adopted on a prospective basis and is
effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the
impact that this pronouncement will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes – Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The new guidance simplifies the accounting for
income taxes by removing several exceptions in the current standard and adding guidance to reduce complexity in certain areas, such as requiring that an entity reflect the
effect of an enacted change in tax laws or rates in the annual effective tax rate computation in the interim period that includes the enactment date. The new standard is
effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. We adopted this standard early, on
October 1, 2020, and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
48
In February 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-02, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) and Leases (Topic 842) – Amendments to SEC Paragraphs
Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 119 and Update to SEC Section on Effective Date (“ASU 2020-02”) which provides clarifying guidance and minor updates to
ASU No. 2016-13 – Financial Instruments – Credit Loss (Topic 326) (“ASU 2016-13”) and related to ASU No. 2016-02 - Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2020-02 amends the
effective date of ASU 2016-13, such that ASU 2016-13 and its amendments will be effective for interim and annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2022. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging— Contracts in
Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity, to clarify the accounting for certain financial
instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. The amendments in this update reduce the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments and
convertible preferred stock by removing the cash conversion model and the beneficial conversion feature model. Limiting the accounting models will result in fewer
embedded conversion features being separately recognized from the host contract. Convertible instruments that continue to be subject to separation models are (1) those with
embedded conversion features that are not clearly and closely related to the host contract, that meet the definition of a derivative, and that do not qualify for a scope exception
from derivative accounting and (2) convertible debt instruments issued with substantial premiums for which the premiums are recorded as paid-in-capital. In addition, this
ASU improves disclosure requirements for convertible instruments and earnings-per-share guidance. The ASU also revises the derivative scope exception guidance to reduce
form-over-substance-based accounting conclusions driven by remote contingent events. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December
15, 2023, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption will be permitted, but no earlier than for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. We are
currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.
49
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The new
guidance simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by eliminating Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. Under current guidance, Step 2 of the goodwill impairment
test requires entities to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination by assigning the fair
value of a reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. The carrying value in excess of the implied fair value is recognized as goodwill impairment.
Under the new standard, goodwill impairment is recognized based on Step 1 of the current guidance, which calculates the carrying value in excess of the reporting unit’s fair
value. This standard was adopted on January 1, 2020 and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-09, “Codification Improvements” (“ASU 2018-09”). These amendments provide clarifications and corrections to
certain ASC subtopics including the following: Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income – Overall (Topic 220-10), Debt - Modifications and Extinguishments
(Topic 470-50), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity – Overall (Topic 480-10), Compensation - Stock Compensation - Income Taxes (Topic 718-740), Business
Combinations – Income Taxes (Topic 805-740), Derivatives and Hedging – Overall (Topic 815-10), and Fair Value Measurement – Overall (Topic 820-10). The majority of
the amendments in ASU 2018-09 will be effective in annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. This standard was adopted on January 1, 2020 and it did not have a
material impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for
Fair Value Measurement” (“ASU 2018-13”). The amendments in ASU 2018-13 modify the disclosure requirements associated with fair value measurements based on the
concepts in the Concepts Statement, including the consideration of costs and benefits. The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted
average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied
prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all
periods presented upon their effective date. The amendments are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those
fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. This standard was adopted on January 1, 2020 and it did not have a material impact on our
consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Not applicable.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on Page F-1.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
There have been no changes in or disagreements with accountants on accounting and financial disclosure.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our
management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) (the “Exchange Act”). Based on the foregoing evaluation, our principal executive officer and
principal financial officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2020, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the reasonable assurance level because of the
material weaknesses discussed below.
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.
50
Management identified the following material weaknesses as of December 31, 2019, which persist as of December 31, 2020:
●
●
inadequate internal controls, including inadequate segregation of duties, over the preparation and review of the consolidated financial statements and untimely
annual closings of the books;
inadequate controls and procedures as they relate to completeness of information reported by certain third parties that process transactions related to specific
revenue streams; and
●
inadequate information technology general controls as it relates to user access and change management.
Management has taken significant steps to enhance our internal control over financial reporting, including:
●
●
hiring new accounting personnel;
transitioning oversight of financial reporting to a principal financial officer; and
●
engaging a national accounting advisory firm to assist with the documentation, evaluation, remediation and testing of our internal control over financial
reporting based on the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
Our management is committed to taking further action and implementing necessary enhancements or improvements. Notwithstanding the material weaknesses in
internal control over financial reporting described above, our management has concluded that our consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form
10-K are fairly stated in all material respects in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, 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 designed to provide
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our
internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly
reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements
in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (iii)
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the
financial statements.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an
evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on the Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by
the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) (2013 Framework). Based on this evaluation under the 2013 Framework, our principal
executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2020 as a result of the
material weaknesses described above.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting through the date of this Report or during the quarter ended
December 31, 2020, that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Inherent Limitations of the Effectiveness of Controls
Management does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all error and fraud. A
control system, no matter how well designed and operated, is based upon certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that its objectives will
be met. Further, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of
fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.
Attestation Report of Registered Public Accounting Firm
This Annual Report does not contain an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm related to internal control over financial reporting
because the rules for smaller reporting companies provide an exemption from the attestation requirement.
Item 9B. Other Information
On March 10, 2021, WPT entered into an amendment of its lease with Onni Wilshire Courtyard, LLC for its production offices in Los Angeles, which extended the
term of the lease until November 31, 2031, with one five-year option to extend the term.
51
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Our Board of Directors
Our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides for a classified Board of Directors in which directors are divided into three classes,
designated as Class A, Class B and Class C. Each class serves staggered, three year terms. The terms of office of our Class A directors will expire at the annual meeting of
stockholders to be held in 2023. The terms of office of our Class B directors will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2021. The terms of office of our
Class C directors will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2022.
Set forth below are the names and certain information about each of our directors as of the date of this Report. The information presented includes each director’s
age, principal occupation and business experience for the past five years and the names of other public companies of which he or she has served as a director during the past
five years.
Positions and Offices Held
Director
Since
2019
Director Term
Expires
2023
Age
79
Name
Lyle Berman
Yangyang Li
Director Class
Class A
Chairman
Class A
Director
Benjamin Oehler
Class A
Director
Steve Kim
Ho Min Kim
Bradley Berman
Joseph Lahti
Frank Ng
Class B
Director
Class B
Director
Class B
Director
Class B
Director
Class C
Director, Chief Executive Officer
2021
2019
2020
2019
2019
2019
2019
2023
2023
2021
2021
2021
2021
2022
42
72
48
49
49
60
52
Yinghua Chen
Adam Pliska
Maya Rogers
Class C
Director
Class C
Director, President, President and CEO of WPT
Class C
Director
2020
2019
2019
2022
2022
2022
41
48
42
Name and Age of
Director
Lyle Berman
Yangyang Li
Benjamin Oehler
52
Principal Occupation, Business Experience For the Past Five Years and
Directorships of Public Companies
CLASS A
Lyle Berman has served as a director of the Company since May 2017 (when the Company at the time of such election was Black Ridge Acquisition
Corp.). Mr. Berman has been a director of Sow Good Inc., f/k/a Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. since October 2016, and is also a director of Golden
Entertainment, Inc., Mill City Ventures III, Ltd., Auego Affinity Marketing, Inc., 52 Gaming, LLC, Redstone American Grill, Inc., LubeZone, Inc.,
Drake’s Organic Spirits, LLC, and InsurTech Holdings, LLC. Since June 1990, Mr. Berman has been the chairman and chief executive officer of Berman
Consulting Corporation, a private consulting firm he founded. Mr. Berman began his career with Berman Buckskin, his family’s leather business, which
he helped grow into a major specialty retailer with 27 outlets. After selling Berman Buckskin to W.R. Grace in 1979, Mr. Berman continued as president
and chief executive officer and led the company to become one the country’s largest retail leather chains, with over 200 stores nationwide. In 1990, Mr.
Berman participated in the founding of Grand Casinos, Inc. Mr. Berman is credited as one of the early visionaries in the development of casinos outside
of the traditional gaming markets of Las Vegas and Atlantic City. In less than five years, the company opened eight casino resorts in four states. In 1994,
Mr. Berman financed the initial development of Rainforest Cafe. He served as the chairman and chief executive officer from 1994 unti1 2000. In
October 1995, Mr. Berman was honored with the B’nai B’rith “Great American Traditions Award.” In April 1996, he received the Gaming Executive of
the Year Award; in 2004, Mr. Berman was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame; and in 2009, he received the Casino Lifetime Achievement Award from
Raving Consulting & Casino Journal. In 1998, Lakes Entertainment, Inc. was formed. In 2002, as chairman of the board and chief executive officer of
Lakes Entertainment, Inc., Mr. Berman was instrumental in creating the World Poker Tour. Mr. Berman served as the executive chairman of the board of
WPT Enterprises, Inc. (later known as Voyager Oil & Gas, Inc. and Emerald Oil, Inc.) from its inception in February 2002 until July 2013. Mr. Berman
also served as a director of PokerTek, Inc. from January 2005 until October 2014, including serving as chairman of the board from January 2005 until
October 2011. Mr. Berman has a degree in business administration from the University of Minnesota. Mr. Berman is the father of Bradley Berman, one
of our directors.
Mr. Li is the current Chairman, an Executive Director and acting Chief Executive Officer of Ourgame International Holdings Limited (“Ourgame”), the
beneficial owner of Primo Vital Limited, which is the Company’s largest stockholder, beneficially owning approximately 35.8% of the Company’s
outstanding common stock. Mr. Li received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of International Business & Economics in
Beijing, China. In 2001, Mr. Li served as Assistant President to China Great Wall Industry Corporation. In 2003, Mr. Li founded Business Media China
Group (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: BMC) and served as its CEO in 2005, with a market value at the time in excess of 5 billion RMB. Mr. Li served as
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Elephant Media Group in 2008. Since 2014, he has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of World
Business Services Union and Choi Shun Investment.
Benjamin S. Oehler has served as a director of the Company since May 2017 (when the Company at the time of such election was Black Ridge
Acquisition Corp.). Mr. Oehler was a director of Sow Good Inc., f/k/a Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc., until December 2020, and chairman of its audit
committee and compensation committee since February 2011. Mr. Oehler is a Founding Partner of Windward Mark, LLC which advises business
owners with regard to strategic planning, owner governance and education, business continuity, legacy, philanthropy and liquidity. Windward Mark
LLC is a continuation of Mr. Oehler’s consulting practice at Bashaw Group. Inc. (2007 to 2017) and Linea Capital, LLC (2009 to 2017). From 1999 to
2007, Mr. Oehler was the president and chief executive officer of Waycrosse, Inc., a financial advisory firm for the family owners of Cargill
Incorporated. While at Waycrosse, Mr. Oehler was the primary advisor to the five family members who were serving on the Cargill Incorporated board
of directors from 1999 to 2006. Mr. Oehler played a key role in two major growth initiatives for Cargill: the merger of Cargill’s fertilizer business into a
public company which is now Mosaic, Inc., and the transformation of Cargill’s proprietary financial markets trading group into two major investment
management companies: Black River Asset Management, LLC and CarVal Investors, LLC. An investment banker for 20 years, Mr. Oehler’s
transaction experience includes public offerings and private placements of debt and equity securities, mergers and acquisitions, fairness opinions and
valuations of private companies. Prior to joining Waycrosse, Mr. Oehler was an investment banker for Piper Jaffray. By the time he left Piper Jaffray in
1999, he was group head for Piper Jaffray’s Industrial Growth Team. He has also played a leadership role in a number of corporate buy-outs and
venture stage companies, served on corporate and non-profit boards of directors, and has been involved in the creation and oversight of foundations and
charitable organizations, as well as U.S. trusts and off-shore entities.
53
Mr. Oehler has been a Board member and/or founder of many non-profit organizations including the Minnesota Zoological Society, Minnesota
Landscape Arboretum, The Lake Country Land School, Greencastle Tropical Study Center, Park Nicollet Institute, Afton Historical Society Press,
United Theological Seminary and University of Minnesota Investment Advisor, Inc. He has been a director of Waycrosse, Inc., WayTrust Inc., Dain
Equity Partners, Inc., Time Management, Inc., BioNIR, Inc. and Agricultural Solutions, Inc. In September 2007, Mr. Oehler completed the Stanford
University Law School Directors Forum, a three-day update on key issues facing corporate directors presented by the Stanford Business School and
Stanford Law School. From 1984 through 1999, Mr. Oehler was registered with the National Association of Securities Dealers as a financial principal.
Mr. Oehler is a graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts and has completed all course work at the University of Minnesota
Business School with a concentration in finance.
CLASS B
Steve Kim
Ho Min Kim
Tae Hyung Steve Kim is the Chief Operating Officer of the Asian Electronic Sports Federation, where his responsibilities include managing the
Federation’s intellectual property structure, business development and electronic sports development strategy for Asia. Prior to assuming his current role,
Mr. Kim served the Asian Football Confederation (“AFC”) marketing partner, DDMC Fortis, as its Vice President and the Malaysia Football League as
its Executive Director of Business Development & Chief Strategy Officer. In the latter position, Mr. Kim successfully introduced the 50-Year Plan
(NEXT 50) for Malaysian professional football, totally restructured the League’s administration and managed the privatization of its member clubs. From
2006 to 2016, Mr. Kim served in a number of executive positions at the AFC, including Head of Planning & Strategy, and effectively managed, among
other things, a complete revamping of the AFC Champions League’s intellectual property, branding, competition, marketing and participation systems.
In addition, Mr. Kim is a veteran of the South Korean army, and he holds a Master of Arts degree in Sports Administration from Ohio University and a
Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Korea University.
Ho Min Kim has served as a director of the Company since August 2019. He is a co-Founder and Partner at SparkLabs Global Ventures. He is also a co-
Founder and Partner at SparkLabs, a startup accelerator in Korea. He was also co-Founder and President of N3N, an IoT platform company and Cisco’s
first Korean venture capital investment. Previously, he was Chief Executive Officer of Nexonova, a game development studio of Nexon Corp (Japan
Tokyo Stock Exchange: 3659) that specialized in Social Network Games. Prior to Nexonova, he served as Executive Vice President of Nexon Corp, and
Head of Nexon’s Portal and Web Services. He received his B.S. in Bio-medical Engineering from Northwestern University, and also a M.S. in Bio-
medical Engineering from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). He also completed the Stanford University’s Graduate School
of Business’s Executive Management Program.
Bradley Berman
Bradley Berman has served as a director of the Company since May 2017 (when the Company at the time of such election was Black Ridge Acquisition
Corp.). Mr. Berman is the president of King Show Games, Inc., a company he founded in 1998. Mr. Berman has worked in various capacities in casino
gaming from 1992 to 2004 for Grand Casinos, Inc. and then Lakes Entertainment, Inc., achieving the position of Vice President of Gaming, after which
he assumed a lesser role in that company. Mr. Berman has been the director of Sow Good, Inc., f/k/a Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc., since October 2020.
Mr. Berman was a director of Voyager Oil and Gas, Inc. (formerly Ante4 and WPT). Mr. Berman is the son of Lyle Berman, one of our directors.
54
Joseph Lahti
Frank Ng
Yinghua Chen
Adam Pliska
Joseph Lahti has served as a director of the Company since May 2017 (when the Company at the time of such election was Black Ridge Acquisition
Corp.). Mr. Lahti has been a director of Sow Good, Inc., f/k/a Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc., since August 2012. Mr. Lahti is a Minneapolis native and
leader in numerous Minnesota business and community organizations. As principal of jL Holdings since 1989, Mr. Lahti has provided funding and
management leadership to several early-stage or distressed companies. From 1993 to 2002, he held the positions of chief operating officer, president,
chief executive officer and chairman at Shuffle Master, Inc., a company that provided innovative products to the gaming industry. Mr. Lahti served as a
director of PokerTek, Inc., a publicly traded company, from 2008 until it was sold in October 2014 (including serving as chairman of the board from
2012 to 2014), and he is also an independent director and chairman of the board of Innealta Capital and Acclivity Capital, investment managers. Mr
Lahti also served as chairman of AF Holdings, Inc, an asset manager, until its sale in October 2018 and remains as CEO of the surviving shareholder
representative company until the earn out period ends in 2023. Previously, Mr. Lahti also served on the board of directors of Voyager Oil & Gas, Inc.
and Zomax, Inc., and served as the chairman of the board of directors of Shuffle Master, Inc. Through his public company board experience, he has
participated on, and chaired, both audit and compensation committees. Mr. Lahti has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Harvard College.
CLASS C
Kwok Leung Frank Ng has served as a director and our Chief Executive Officer since August 2019. Mr. Ng previously served as co-CEO of Ourgame
International Holdings Limited (“Ourgame”), a leading casual game operator in China and owner of the World Poker Tour and Allied Esports, from
2006-2019. Prior to that, he served as CFO of Ourgame beginning in 2004, when he assisted NHN China, a global internet search engine and online
game company, where he served as co-CEO from 2000 to 2004, in acquiring Ourgame. Mr. Ng led a management buyout of Ourgame in 2010 and led
the company through its listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2014. With its public listing and subsequent acquisition of the World Poker Tour
(in 2015) and founding of Allied Esports (in 2016), Ourgame has grown to be a leading global operator and creator of gaming and esports content and
experiences. Mr. Ng served as Chief Commercial Officer at PCCW Skyhorse, which produces content and online gaming applications, from 2000
until 2003. Mr. Ng has a B.S. Business Administration and Management degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
Yinghua Chen is a Co-Founder of Aupera Technologies, a leading video AI technology company, where she is responsible for corporate financing,
business development, and strategic partnership. She has successfully raised multiple rounds of funding for Aupera, including from Silicon Valley giant
Xilinx (Nasdaq: XLNX). Prior to this, she served as the Executive Vice President of Anthill Resources, a natural resources investment company in
Canada, where she oversaw business operations and investment activities. Ms. Chen is also the former Managing Director of China for The Cavendish
Group, a UK B2B media and public relations company. In that role, Ms. Chen built up subscriber networks for over ten vertical industry media products
and managed the Group’s strategic relationship with the Boao Forum for Asia. Ms. Chen was also part of the founding team of The Balloch Group, a
boutique investment banking firm, later acquired by Canaccord Genuity, where she specialized in financial, pharmaceutical, resources and media industry
transactions. Ms. Chen holds an EMBA from the University of Paris I: Panthéon-Sorbonne and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of
International Business and Economics.
Adam Pliska has served as a director and as the Company’s President since August 2019. He has been with the World Poker Tour since 2003. As
President and CEO of WPT, Mr. Pliska has overseen the entire WPT business portfolio, including but not limited to live events, online services,
televised broadcasts, and WPT office personnel in Los Angeles, London and Beijing. He is one of the longest serving executives in the poker industry
and was named the American Poker Awards Industry Person of the Year for 2014. Under his watch, the WPT has witnessed massive global growth
from 14 events to over 60 worldwide on 6 continents, has maintained historic ratings of one of the longest running television shows in US history and
has awarded more than a billion dollars over its 18 years. In addition to his position as CEO, Mr. Pliska serves as Executive Producer of the World
Poker Tour television show and is the co-writer of the WPT Theme song Rise Above.
55
From November 2000 to June 2002, Mr. Pliska served as the Vice-President of Legal and Business Affairs and eventually General Counsel for Anticipa,
LLC, a multi-media company headed by the futurist, Alvin Toffler, a Telmex Corporation. In addition, Mr. Pliska served as an associate at the law firm
of Sonnenschein, Nath & Rosenthal in Los Angeles from July 1999 to November 2000, where he worked on various litigation and intellectual property
matters. Before his legal career, Mr.Pliska worked as a television producer in connection with noted industry veteran Al Burton, including work at
Universal Television and Castle Rock Entertainment where he produced and developed numerous television properties. Mr. Pliska contributed and
worked on various programs including The New Lassie, Baywatch, Out of the Blue, and shares an Emmy Award for his contributions to television
creative development. While at Berkeley Law, he worked as a research assistant to Professor John Yoo and was an extern to the 9 th Circuit Court of
Appeals for the Judge Alex Kozinski and at the Governor’s Office of Legal Affairs in the state of California for then Governor Pete Wilson.
He has served as a mentor of the Tiger Wood’s Foundation Earl Woods Scholar program, is a member of the Pacific Council, a director of the WPT
Foundation and on the board of the GOCAT (Greater Orange County Community Arts Theater). Mr.Pliska holds a B.A. from the University of
Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts and a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley’s Law School, Boalt Hall.
Maya Rogers
Maya Rogers has served as a director of the Company since August 2019. She has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Planet
Software, the sole agent of the Tetris brand, since 2011.
Ms. Rogers is also Founding Partner of Blue Startups, Hawaii’s first venture accelerator, which helps early stage startups accelerate their businesses
with investments and mentoring. From 2007 to 2009, Ms. Rogers worked as a Director of Business Development at Tetris Online China on the go-to-
market strategy assessment on mid to long-term feasibility for Tetris to enter the Chinese online PC market. There she pursued and negotiated with
potential Chinese gaming companies for joint venture opportunities in Shanghai, Beijing and Taiwan. Prior to heading Tetris, Ms. Rogers steered cross-
culturalization and development efforts for Sony Interactive Entertainment where she executed and oversaw the localization strategies across Sony
PlayStation games, including Sony’s top titles Gran Turismo and Hotshots Golf franchises. Ms. Rogers currently serves on the boards of the
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, American Red Cross — Hawaii Chapter, Women’s Fund of Hawaii, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, and
the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. Ms. Rogers holds a BS in Business Administration from Pepperdine University and an
Executive MBA from Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business and Management.
On March 29, 2021, our Board of Directors approved the appointment of each of Libing (Claire) Wu and Jingsheng Lu to the Board, to be effective upon the
consummation of a sale of the Company’s poker-related business and assets, at which time the Board intends to (i) increase the size of the Board as necessary to seat such
directors, and (ii) determine into which class such directors will be included.
Libing (Claire) Wu is the Vice President and General Counsel of Asia Pacific Capital, Inc, as well as Senior Counsel at the New York law firm Davidoff Hutcher &
Citron LLP. Ms. Wu is a graduate of New York University School of Law, New York, USA (Master of Laws in Corporate Law) and a graduate of China University of
Political Science and Law, Beijing, China (Master of Laws in Corporate Law). Ms. Wu received a Bachelor of Science Degree in International Economics from Nankai
University, Tianjin, China, and an Advanced Professional Certificate in Law and Business from New York University Leonard N. Stern School of Business. Ms. Wu has over
15 years’ experience as a corporate and securities attorney practicing in New York, with extensive legal and business experience in cross-border transactions, U.S. securities
regulation, mergers and acquisitions, capital market transactions, as well as corporate structuring and governance.
Jingsheng Lu has served as an independent director of Ourgame since 2020. Prior to that, he served as a director of Zhejiang Xiangyuan Culture Co., Ltd.,
(“Xiangyuan Culture”), which is a main board listed company in China (Code in Shanghai Stock Exchange: 600576), from 2015 to 2017, where he served as co-CEO of
Xiamen Xtone Animation Co., Ltd., (“Xtone”), and led the merger of Xtone by Xiangyuan Culture in 2014. He also served as CFO of Beijing International Advertising &
Communication Group from 2018 to 2019. He previously served as a senior audit manager at Deloitte China for six years, and at Deloitte US for two years from 2001 to
2010. He is currently a non-practicing certified public accountant in China since 2007, as well as a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants since
2009. He holds a Bachelor of Economics degree from University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, China.
Our Executive Officers
The following table sets forth certain information concerning our executive officers as of the date of this Report.
Position(s)
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Financial Officer
President, and President and CEO of WPT
56
Age
52
48
53
48
Mr. Ng’s biography is included above under the section titled “Our Board of Directors.”
David Moon has served as our Chief Operating Officer since August 2019. Since December 2018, Mr. Moon has provided consulting services to Allied
Esports. Previously, Mr. Moon also served as Global President of Ourgame. From 2014 to 2016, Mr. Moon was COO and co-founder of Zig Zag Zoom, a
publisher of cause-driven mobile games. Before that, from 2012 to 2014, he was VP of Global Production and Operations in Disney Interactive’s Asia
Games Group. He was a co-founder of StudioEx, a mobile and PC game studio in 2009, which Disney acquired in 2012. Mr. Moon was a founding
member of Hangame, South Korea’s first casual online games portal and microtransactions pioneer, listed in 2002 as NHN Corporation, where he led
corporate development and global expansion efforts from 1999 to 2006. He is also the founder of Metamedia Entertainment, a digital media venture that
develops and produces interactive digital experiences, including TV-everywhere content and platforms that drive virality, engagement, retention, and
monetization. Mr. Moon holds a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley and Bachelor’s degrees in Political
Science and Mathematics from Brown University.
Anthony Hung has served as our Chief Financial Officer since September 2019. Before joining the Company, from 2012 to 2019, he served as the CEO
and CFO of Audio Design Experts, a privately held provider of premier audio solutions for leading consumer brands around the world. Prior to his role at
Audio Design Experts, from 2010 to 2012 Mr. Hung was Senior Vice President, Business Development and Sales for Cooking.com where he oversaw the
e-commerce services business as well as advertising sales operations. He also served as the Chief Financial Officer of Golden Eye Dealership Solutions,
a software-as-a-service start-up focused on automotive dealerships, from 2008 to 2010 and was Vice President, Business Development & Acquisitions
for ESPN from 2007 to 2008. Prior to this, from 1997 to 2007, he was General Partner at DynaFund Ventures, a $220million venture capital fund. He
also held positions of increasing responsibility in finance and strategy at The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS). He began his career as an investment
banker at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities in 1989. Mr. Hung holds a Master’s of Business Administration degree from the Anderson School at
the University of California, Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Harvard College.
Mr. Pliska’s biography is included above under the section titled “Our Board of Directors.”
Name
Frank Ng
David Moon
Anthony Hung
Adam Pliska
Frank Ng
Chief Executive
Officer
David Moon
Chief Operating
Officer
Anthony Hung
Chief Financial
Officer
Adam Pliska
President, and
President and CEO
of WPT
Judson Hannigan
CEO of Allied
Esports
With more than 15 years of global consulting, marketing and executive experience, Jud Hannigan is a co-founder and CEO of Allied Esports.
Prior to co-founding Allied Esports, Jud was a Vice President at Ourgame International. In 2006, Jud founded consulting and trading company Big
Turn International in Beijing, serving as Managing Director until 2015, and worked with clients throughout Asia across the Sports and Entertainment,
Gaming, Television, Media and Apparel industries. Prior to moving to China in 2006, Mr. Hannigan worked in sales and partnership development for
NYC Marketing, an office created by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, where he developed and executed marketing programs with
official city partners and events, including Snapple Beverage Group and the 2005 CMA Awards. Prior to NYC Marketing, Mr. Hannigan served as an
intern from 2000 to 2003 in the Corporate and Community Relations division of the New York Yankees’ front office.
Family Relationships
Mr. Bradley Berman, one of our directors, is the son of Mr. Lyle Berman, one of our directors. There are no other family relationships between any of the other
directors or executive officers.
57
Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight
INFORMATION REGARDING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Lyle Berman serves as Chairman of our Board of Directors and Frank Ng serves as our Chief Executive Officer. We believe that separating the positions of
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer separate will permit our Chief Executive Officer to concentrate his efforts primarily on managing business operations and
development. This will also allow us to maintain an independent Chairman of the Board who oversees, among other things, communications and relations between our Board
of Directors and senior management, consideration by our Board of Directors of the company’s strategies and policies, and the evaluation of our principal executive officers
by our Board of Directors.
Committees of the Board of Directors
We have a separately standing audit committee, compensation committee and nominating committee, each of which is comprised of three independent directors.
Each of the Company’s committees have a separately adopted charter which is available on the Company’s website at www.alliedesportsent.com.
Audit Committee Information
Our audit committee consists of Benjamin Oehler (chairman), Joseph Lahti, and Yinghua Chen.
The audit committee will, at all times, be composed exclusively of “independent directors,” as defined for audit committee members under the Nasdaq listing
standards and the rules and regulations of the SEC, who are “financially literate,” as defined under Nasdaq’s listing standards. Nasdaq’s listing standards define “financially
literate” as being able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including a company’s balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement. In addition,
we must certify to Nasdaq that the committee has, and will continue to have, at least one member who has past employment experience in finance or accounting, requisite
professional certification in accounting, or other comparable experience or background that results in the individual’s financial sophistication. The Board of Directors has
determined that each member of the audit committee satisfies Nasdaq’s definition of financial sophistication and that Benjamin Oehler qualifies as an “audit committee
financial expert” as defined under rules and regulations of the SEC.
Pursuant to our audit committee charter, responsibilities of the audit committee include:
●
●
reviewing and discussing with management and the independent auditor the annual audited financial statements, and recommending to the board whether the
audited financial statements should be included in our Form 10-K;
discussing with management and the independent auditor significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of our
financial statements;
●
discussing with management major risk assessment and risk management policies;
● monitoring the independence of our independent auditor;
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
verifying the rotation of the lead (or coordinating) audit partner having primary responsibility for the audit and the audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit
as required by law;
reviewing and approving all related-party transactions;
inquiring and discussing with management our compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
pre-approving all audit services and permitted non-audit services to be performed by our independent auditor, including the fees and terms of the services to be
performed;
58
appointing or replacing the independent auditor;
determining the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditor (including resolution of disagreements between management and the
independent auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work;
establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or reports which
raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies; and
●
approving reimbursement of expenses incurred by our management team in identifying potential target businesses.
Nominating Committee Information
Yinghua Chen (chair), Ho Min Kim and Lyle Berman serve as members of our nominating committee. Each member of the nominating committee is independent
under the applicable Nasdaq listing standards. The nominating committee has a written charter. The nominating committee is responsible for overseeing the selection of
persons to be nominated to serve on our Board of Directors.
The guidelines for selecting nominees, which are specified in the nominating committee charter, generally provide that persons to be nominated:
●
●
should have demonstrated notable or significant achievements in business, education or public service;
should possess the requisite intelligence, education and experience to make a significant contribution to the board of directors and bring a range of skills, diverse
perspectives and backgrounds to its deliberations; and
●
should have the highest ethical standards, a strong sense of professionalism and intense dedication to serving the interests of the stockholders.
The nominating committee will consider a number of qualifications relating to management and leadership experience, background and integrity and professionalism
in evaluating a person’s candidacy for membership on the board of directors. The nominating committee may require certain skills or attributes, such as financial or
accounting experience, to meet specific board needs that arise from time to time and will also consider the overall experience and makeup of its members to obtain a broad
and diverse mix of board members. The nominating committee does not distinguish among nominees recommended by stockholders and other persons.
Compensation Committee Information
Our compensation committee consists of Maya Rogers (chairman), Ho Min Kim and Bradley Berman.
Each of the members of the compensation committee is independent under the applicable Nasdaq listing standards. The compensation committee has a written
charter. The compensation committee’s duties, which are specified in the compensation committee charter, include, but are not limited to:
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
reviewing and approving on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives relevant to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, evaluating the
Company’s Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of such goals and objectives and determining and approving the remuneration (if any) of the
Company’s Chief Executive Officer’s based on such evaluation;
reviewing and approving the compensation of all of our other executive officers;
reviewing our executive compensation policies and plans;
59
implementing and administering our incentive compensation equity-based remuneration plans;
assisting management in complying with our proxy statement and annual report disclosure requirements;
approving all special perquisites, special cash payments, and other special compensation and benefit arrangements for our executive officers and employees;
if required, producing a report on executive compensation to be included in our annual proxy statement; and
reviewing, evaluating, and recommending changes, if appropriate, to the remuneration for directors.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our
common stock to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. These reporting persons are also required to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a)
forms they file. Based solely upon a review of such forms, we believe that during the year ended December 31, 2020, the following filings were delinquent: Form 3s filed by
Judson Hannigan, Tae Hyung Kim and Roy Choi; and Form 4s filed by Lyle Berman (3 transactions), Yinghua Chen (2 transactions), Tae Hyung Kim (2 transactions), and
Judson Hannigan (1 transaction).
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our officers, directors and employees (specifically including but not limited to our
chief executive officer, president, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, chief accounting officer, corporate controller, and all other senior financial officers). Further,
our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief accounting officer, corporate controller, and all other senior financial officers are also subject to the Code of Ethics for
CEO and Senior Financial Officers, which is attached as Appendix A to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Our Code of Ethics for CEO and Senior Financial Officers
satisfies the requirements of Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our Internet website at visit www.alliedesportsent.com.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The following tables set forth information regarding compensation awarded to or earned by our “named executive officers,” which under SEC rules and regulations
include (i) all individuals serving as our principal executive officer during fiscal 2020, (ii) our two most highly compensated other individuals who were serving as executive
officers at the end of fiscal 2020 and who received total compensation in excess of $100,000, and (iii) up to two additional individuals for whom disclosure would have been
required under (ii) but for the fact that they were not serving as executive officers at the end of fiscal 2020. For 2020, our named executive officers were:
● Kwok Leung Frank Ng, Chief Executive Officer of Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc.
●
Judson Hannigan, Chief Executive Officer of Allied Esports International Inc.
● Adam Pliska, President of Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and President and CEO of WPT Enterprises, Inc.
60
Summary Compensation Table
Name and principal position
(a)
Kwok Leung Frank Ng,
Chief Executive Officer
Year
(b)
2019
2020
Salary
($)
(c)
122,308
166,154
Judson Hannigan,
CEO of Allied Esports
2019
2020
235,185(4)
228,000
Bonus
($)
(d)
—
—
Stock
Awards
($)
(e)
120,000(1)
100,000(2)
Option
Awards
($)
(f)
557,417
—
Nonequity
incentive
plan
compensation
($)
(g)
Nonqualified
deferred
compensation
earnings
($)
(h)
All other
compensation
($)
(i)
—
—
—
50,000(5)
50,000(6)
266,733
—
—
—
—
Total
($)
(j)
799,725
266,154
551,918
278,000
Adam Pliska,
President and Director,
CEO of the World Poker
Tour
2019
401,602
1,706,086(7)
45,000(9)
353,455
—
—
— 2,506,143
2020
395,985
211,000(10)
—
606,985
(1) Pursuant to a Restricted Stock Agreement dated effective September 20, 2019, Mr. Ng was issued 17,668 shares of restricted common stock of the Company, which vests
on the earliest of termination of Mr. Ng’s employment without “Cause” (as defined in the agreement), resignation of Mr. Ng for “Good Reason” (as defined in the
agreement) or September 20, 2020 so long as Mr. Ng remains an employee or service provider at such time. Additionally, Mr. Ng was awarded an additional 3,534 shares
of restricted common stock of the Company pursuant to a Restricted Stock Agreement dated effective September 20, 2019 for director services, which vest on September
20, 2020 so long as Mr. Ng remains a director at such time.
(2) Pursuant to a Restricted Stock Agreement dated effective August 7, 2020, Mr. Ng was issued 46,083 shares of restricted common stock of the Company, which vests on
the earliest of termination of Mr. Ng’s employment without “Cause” (as defined in the agreement), resignation of Mr. Ng for “Good Reason” (as defined in the agreement)
or August 18, 2021 so long as Mr. Ng remains an employee or service provider at such time.
(4) Consulting services fee was paid to Big Turn International Limited, a company to which Mr. Hannigan has an ownership interest in, totaling $55,935. Mr. Hannigan’s
services as a full-time employee earned a total salary of $179,250 in 2019.
(5) Pursuant to a Restricted Stock Agreement dated effective September 20, 2019, as amended, Mr. Hannigan was issued 8,834 shares of restricted common stock of the
Company, which vested on the earliest of termination of Mr. Hannigan’s employment without “Cause” (as defined in the agreement), resignation of Mr. Hannigan for
“Good Reason” (as defined in the agreement) or November 12, 2020 so long as Mr. Hannigan remained an employee or service provider at such time.
(6) Pursuant to a Restricted Stock Agreement dated effective August 7, 2020, Mr. Hannigan was issued 23,042 shares of restricted common stock of the Company, which
vested on the earliest of termination of Mr. Hannigan’s employment without “Cause” (as defined in the agreement), resignation of Mr. Hannigan for “Good Reason” (as
defined in the agreement) or August 18, 2021 so long as Mr. Hannigan remained an employee or service provider at such time.
(7) $1,556,250 paid to Mr. Pliska on account of Mr. Pliska’s Employment Agreement as a profitability payment after it was determined that the WPT business reduced its
losses or became profitable, and $149,836 paid for Mr. Pliska’s services in 2019.
(9) Pursuant to a Restricted Stock Agreement dated effective September 20, 2019, as amended, Mr. Pliska was issued 4,417 shares of restricted common stock of the
Company, which vests on the earliest of termination of Mr. Pliska’s employment without “Cause” (as defined in the agreement), resignation of Mr. Pliska for “Good
Reason” (as defined in the agreement) or November 12, 2020 so long as Mr. Pliska remains an employee or service provider at such time. Additionally, Mr. Pliska was
awarded an additional 3,534 shares of restricted common stock of the Company pursuant to a Restricted Stock Agreement dated effective September 20, 2019 for director
services, which vest on September 20, 2020 so long as Mr. Pliska remains a director at such time.
(10) Pursuant to a Restricted Stock Agreement dated effective August 7, 2020, Mr. Pliska was issued 11,521 shares of restricted common stock of the Company, which vests on
the earliest of termination of Mr. Pliska’s employment without “Cause” (as defined in the agreement), resignation of Mr. Pliska for “Good Reason” (as defined in the
agreement) or August 18, 2021 so long as Mr. Pliska remains an employee or service provider at such time. Additionally, on August 7, 2020, Mr. Pliska was awarded
85,517 shares of common stock for services rendered in 2019.
61
In general, Allied Esports and WPT compensated its executive officers through a combination of salary and bonuses. Bonuses have generally been tied to
performance metrics agreed to by the applicable board of directors and if earned, are typically between 10% and 20% of the applicable employee’s annual salary (although in
the case of Mr. Pliska, that bonus percentage could be as high as 60% of his annual salary). Both companies offer 401(k) benefits (including, in the case of WPT, a matching
contribution of up to 4% of the employee’s annual salary), medical, dental, life insurance and disability coverage, flexible benefit accounts, and an employee assistance
program. Both companies also provide vacation and other paid holidays to employees. Other than certain senior-level executives, both companies typically do not enter into
employment agreements with their employees.
Frank Ng Employment Agreement
On November 5, 2019, the Company entered into a three-year written employment agreement (effective September 20, 2019) with Frank Ng, the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer. Under the employment agreement, Mr. Ng serves as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and on its Board of Directors (the “Board”). Mr. Ng is entitled
to receive an annual base salary of $300,000 and is eligible for annual bonus compensation determined by the Board (the “Bonus Payments”). Mr. Ng may participate in the
Company’s benefit plans that are currently and hereafter maintained by the Company and for which he is eligible, including, without limitation, group medical, 401(k), life
insurance and other benefit plans.
Under the employment agreement, if Mr. Ng’s employment is terminated by the Company for any reason other than Cause (as defined in the employment
agreement), or Mr. Ng resigns as an employee of the Company for Good Reason (as defined in the employment agreement), so long as he has signed and has not revoked a
release agreement, he will be entitled to receive severance comprised of one-year of his base salary, plus a prorated Bonus Payment to the extent not already paid.
On December 31, 2020, the Company and Frank Ng entered into an amendment to Mr. Ng’s employment agreement pursuant to Mr. Ng’s annual salary was
increased to $400,000 per year payable in cash, and that the Company may, but is no longer required to, issue to Mr. Ng any shares of the Company’s common stock as
compensation for his services.
On January 19, 2021, the Company entered into a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement with Mr. Ng. Pursuant to this agreement, Mr. Ng received restricted stock units
having a stated value equal to $1,000,000, which restricted stock units represent the right to receive $1,000,000 payable upon the earlier of the two-year anniversary of the
closing date of the Sale Transaction (provided that Mr. Ng remains continuously employed by the Company through such date), or the termination of Mr. Ng’s employment
without cause (as defined in his employment agreement) (as applicable, the “Vesting Date”). At the time of payment, the Company may elect pay the $1,000,000 award in
cash or in shares of common stock valued at the fair market value of our common stock on the Vesting Date, or any combination thereof. All issuances of common stock will
be issued from our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan. If payments or benefits provided or to be provided by the Company or its affiliates to Mr. Ng pursuant to the agreement or
otherwise (“Covered Payments”) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”) that would be
subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (collectively, the “Excise Tax”), payments to be made under the agreement will be reduced to the minimum
extent necessary to ensure that no portion of the Covered Payments is subject to the Excise Tax. On March 22, 2021, the agreement was amended to provide that the Vesting
Date would apply after the two-year anniversary of the sale of CSI to Element Partners, LLC, Bally’s Corporation, or their affiliates (provided that Mr. Ng remains
continuously employed by the Company through such date).
62
Adam Pliska Employment Agreement
Adam Pliska, who served as President and CEO of the entities comprising the World Poker Tour (the “WPT Entities”) and as an executive for Ourgame prior to the
Merger, and who now serves as President of the Company and CEO of the WPT Entities, has an Executive Engagement Agreement with Ourgame, dated as of January24,
2018 and as amended in June 2018 (the “Pliska Employment Agreement”). Ourgame’s obligations under the Pliska Employment Agreement were assumed by the Company in
connection with the Merger. On April24, 2020, the Company, Ourgame, Trisara, and Adam Pliska entered into an Assignment and Assumption Agreement (the “Pliska
Assignment”) to document the assumption. Effective as of May 1, 2020, Mr. Pliska’s annual salary was reduced by 10% to approximately $377,000 for a six-month period.
In addition to the standard 401(k), healthcare, paid vacation and similar benefits provided to all employees, the Pliska Employment Agreement contains the following
general terms:
●
Four-year term, expiring on January 24, 2022 (the “Term”), subject to renewal upon mutual agreement.
● Annual salary (subject to annual review) of not less than $400,000, whereby $315,000 is allocated to his employment services and $85,000 is allocated to
consultancy and board compensation services (the “Consulting Compensation”) payable to a consulting company Mr. Pliska is a member of, Trisara Ventures,
LLC (“Trisara”). If Mr. Pliska no longer provides consulting and board services during the Term, his salary would be increased to make up the loss of the
Consulting Compensation.
●
●
If Mr. Pliska’s employment is terminated for any reason during the Term, he will be entitled to any payments due under the Pliska Employment Agreements,
including all salary and Consulting Compensation that would have been paid during the Term. After the Term or any renewal thereof, Mr. Pliska will be entitled to
a severance payment of 12 month’s salary (including Consulting Compensation) plus 12 months of benefits if his employment is terminated for any reason other
than fraud, misappropriation, dishonesty, stealing and/or embezzlement (each a termination for “Cause”).
In the event of the termination of Mr. Pliska’s employment of the sale of WPT from Ourgame, Ourgame’s obligations to Trisara will continue; provided, however,
the current maximum yearly payment shall increase from $85,000 to $150,000 (adjusted yearly to higher of inflation or the deemed inflation rate of Ourgame)
● Upon any termination of Mr. Pliska’s employment, in light of his over 15 years of experience with WPT, Trisara will continue to receive a consulting fee of
$100,000 per year (subject to increase for inflation) for as long as is legally permissible, up to a maximum of forty (40) years; provided that Mr. Pliska will not
take full time employment with the World Series of Poker without the written consent of WPT for so long as such payments are made.
● Annual performance bonuses upon reaching certain EBITDA performance objectives of up to 40% of Mr. Pliska’s annual salary, as well as bonuses of up to 60%
of Mr. Pliska’s base salary if he exceeds such performance objectives.
● Grant of equity incentives in any annual grant program at a level commensurate for his title and subject to established performance standards.
● A bonus payable to Trisara upon the sale of WPT equal to 2% of the total gross proceeds up to $45 million from the sale of the WPT business, and an additional
1% of any proceeds over $45 million. Because the WPT business was valued at $50 million for purposes of the Merger, Trisara was entitled to a payment of
$950,000 in connection with the above provisions upon the closing of the Merger. This bonus was paid at the closing of the Merger by the issuance of 144,158
restricted shares of AESE common stock, which are subject to transfer and forfeiture restrictions.
63
●
The right to receive a profitability payment of up to $1.5 million in the event the WPT business reduced its losses or became profitable during the term of the
Pliska Employment Agreement. Pursuant to Ourgame’s and WPT’s standard employee bonus policies, in early 2019, Ourgame and WPT determined that Mr.
Pliska is entitled to receive the full $1.5 million payment. This bonus was paid at the closing of the Merger.
● Unless terminated for Cause, any termination of Mr. Pliska would immediately accelerate the vesting of any unvested equity awards previously granted.
● Mr. Pliska is prohibited during the Term from (i) becoming employed in any activity similar to or competitive with the business or activities of AESE, provided
that legal services, investment services and non-poker related television shall not be deemed competitive if not engaged on a full time basis (ii) seeking to
persuade any director, officer, employee, agent or independent contractor of AESE to discontinue that individual’s status or employment with AESE; (iii) hiring or
retaining any such person who is at such time or was associated with AESE within one year prior to the cessation of the employment of Mr. Pliska; or (iv)
soliciting (or causing or authorizing), directly or indirectly, to be solicited, for or on behalf of himself or any third party, any business from others who are then or
were at any time within one (1) year prior to the cessation of Mr. Pliska’s employment, except for Mr. Pliska’s long-time assistant if he so chooses.
● Mr. Pliska further agrees in the Pliska Employment Agreement to keep all confidential information of AESE confidential.
Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement governing the Sale Transaction., and as a condition to the closing of the Sale Transaction, the Company is required to
deliver an amendment to Mr. Pliska’s current employment agreement with the Company in the form attached as Exhibit E to the Stock Purchase Agreement. Mr. Pliska’s
amended employment agreement will, upon closing of the Sale Transaction, replace the Company as a party with CSI resulting in Mr. Pliska’s services being a part of the
WPT Business acquired by Buyer in the Sale Transaction, have its term extended by one year, and the Company will be released from all obligations under the employment
agreement for periods from and after the closing of the Sale Transaction.
Jud Hannigan Employment Arrangement
Jud Hannigan, the Chief Executive Officer of Allied Esports International Inc., has an at-will employment arrangement with Allied Esports International, Inc. Mr.
Hannigan’s current annual salary is $285,000. Effective as of May 1, 2020, Mr. Hannigan’s annual salary was reduced by 40% to approximately $171,000for a six-month
period. Mr. Hannigan is entitled to annual bonus compensation of up to 40% of his salary as determined by the Board. Mr. Hannigan participates in our employee benefit
plans, policies, programs, perquisites and arrangements to the extent he meets applicable eligibility requirements.
Profit Participation Agreements
In January 2018, members of the senior management of WPT entered into Profit Participation Agreements with Ourgame, pursuant to which Ourgame agreed to pay
such employees (i) a designated percentage (varying between 0.5% and 4.5%) of any profit earned by WPT during each fiscal year (terminating upon the sale, merger or other
disposition of WPT), and (ii) a payment equal to that designated percentage of the proceeds from any sale, merger or other disposition of WPT in which Ourgame was paid at
least $45 million. The closing of the Merger, which occurred on August 9, 2019, triggered such a payment to WPT senior management, at a deemed value of WPT of $50
million, and such agreements were terminated as a result of the Merger. Mr. Pliska received a payment of $2,000,120 and Deborah Frazzetta, WPT’s VP of Finance, received
a payment of $490,753 in exchange for their 4.0% and 1.5% shares of such proceeds, respectively. Such payments were made in shares of restricted AESE common stock,
valued at $6.59 per share, that would have otherwise been issued to Ourgame in the Merger. Mr. Pliska received 303,508 shares and Ms. Frazzetta received 74,469 shares, all
of which are subject to transfer and forfeiture restrictions. Mr. Pliska’s payment was in addition to the $1.5 million payment owed to Mr. Pliska under the Pliska Employment
Agreement, discussed above.
64
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s named executive officers had outstanding the following option and/or stock awards:
Option Awards
Stock Awards
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
exercisable
(#)
(b)
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
unexercisable
(#)
(c)
Equity
incentive
plan
awards:
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
unearned
options
(#)
(d)
Option
exercise
price
($)
(e)
Option
expiration
date
(f)
Equity
incentive
plan
awards:
Number of
unearned
shares,
units or
other rights
that have
not vested
(#)
(i)
Market
value of
shares or
units of
stock that
have not
vested
($)
(h)
Number of
shares or
units of
stock that
have not
vested
(#)
(g)
46,083
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
40,000
300,000
5.66 9/20/2029
4.09 11/21/2029
–
170,000
4.09 11/21/2029
23,042
–
–
40,000
170,000
5.66 9/20/2029
4.09 11/21/2029
11,521
–
65
–
–
–
–
–
Equity
incentive
plan
awards:
Market or
payout
value of
unearned
shares,
units or
other
rights that
have not
vested
($)
(j)
100,000
–
–
–
–
50,000
–
–
25,000
–
Name
(a)
Kwok Leung Frank Ng
Judson Hannigan
Adam Pliska
Director Compensation
The following table sets forth information regarding the compensation earned for service on our Board of Directors by our non-employee directors during the year
ended December 31, 2020.
Director Compensation Table
Stock awards
($)(1)
(c)
Option awards
($)
(d)
Non-equity
incentive plan
compensation
($)
(e)
Nonqualified
deferred
compensation
earnings
($)
(f)
All other
compensation ($)
(g)
Total
($)
(h)
Fees earned or
paid in cash
($)
(b)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
20,000(2)
20,000(3)
–
20,000(3)
–
–
–
–
–
30,593(4)
–
30,593(4)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
20,000
50,593
–
50,593
–
–
–
–
–
Name
(a)
Bradley Berman
Lyle Berman
Yinghua Chen
Ho Min Kim
Tae Hyung Steve Kim
Joseph Lahti
Benjamin Oehler
Maya Rogers
Kan Hee Anthony Tyen
(5)
Eric Yang (3)
(1) The amounts shown represent compensation expense recognized for financial statement purposes under ASC Topic 718. Pursuant to SEC rules, the amounts shown exclude
the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. For a discussion of the assumptions relating to our valuations of these stock awards and
stock awards, please see Note 16 to the financial statements included in this Report. These amounts reflect our accounting expense for these stock awards and option awards
and do not correspond to the actual value that may be recognized by the directors.
(2) Represents grant date value of 14,286 shares of common stock granted on September 24, 2020.
(3) Represents grant date value of 9,479 shares of restricted common stock of the Company pursuant to a Restricted Stock Agreement dated effective July 1, 2020 for director
services, which vest on July 1, 2021 so long as such director remains a director at such time.
(4) Represents the grant date value of an option to purchase 40,000 shares of common stock, which vest in four equal installments on each one-year anniversary of issuance.
(5) Kan Hee Anthony Tyen and Eric Yang resigned as members of our Broad of Directors effective June 30, 2020.
Executive Officer and Director Compensation of BRAC pre-Merger
Commencing on October 4, 2017 and continuing through the consummation of the Merger, BRAC paid Black Ridge, its sponsor, an aggregate fee of $10,000 per
month for providing us with office space and certain office and secretarial services. This arrangement was solely for our benefit and was not intended to provide compensation
to our executive officers or directors. Other than the $10,000 per month administrative fee, no compensation or fees of any kind, including finder’s, consulting fees and other
similar fees, was paid to members of BRAC’s officers or directors or their respective affiliates, for services rendered prior to or in connection with the consummation of the
Merger. However, they received reimbursement for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with activities on our behalf, such as identifying potential
target businesses, performing business due diligence on suitable target businesses and business combinations as well as traveling to and from the offices, plants or similar
locations of prospective target businesses to examine their operations. There was no limit on the amount of out-of-pocket expenses reimbursable by us.
66
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The Company maintains a 2019 Equity Incentive Plan. The purpose of the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan is to enable the Company to offer to employees, officers, and
directors of, and consultants to, the Company and its subsidiaries whose past, present and/or potential future contributions to the Company and its subsidiaries have been, are
or will be important to the success of the Company, an opportunity to share monetarily in the success of and/or acquire an equity interest in the Company. 3,463,305 shares of
our common stock have been approved for issuance under the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan, of which 471,486 shares remained available for issuance pursuant to future grants
at December 31, 2020.
The 2019 Equity Incentive Plan was approved by our stockholders. The following table sets forth certain information as of December 31, 2020 with respect to
securities authorized for issuance under compensation arrangements.
Plan category
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
Total
Beneficial Ownership
Number of
securities
remaining
available for
future issuance
under equity
compensation
plans (excluding
securities
reflected in
column (a))
(c)
Weighted-
average
exercise price
of outstanding
options,
warrants
and rights
(b)
4.15
—
4.15
471,486
—
471,486
Number of
securities to
be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options,
warrants
and rights
(a)
2,430,000 $
—
2,430,000 $
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of April 11, 2021 by:
●
●
●
each person we believe beneficially holds more than 5% of our outstanding common shares (based solely on our review of SEC filings);
each of our “named executive officers” as identified in the summary compensation table; and
all of our current directors and executive officers as a group.
The number of shares beneficially owned by a person includes shares issuable under options, warrants and other securities convertible into common stock held by
that person and that are currently exercisable or that become exercisable within 60 days of April 11, 2021. Percentage calculations assume, for each person and group, that all
shares that may be acquired by such person or group pursuant to options, warrants and other convertible securities currently exercisable or that become exercisable within 60
days of April 11, 2021 are outstanding. Nevertheless, shares of common stock that are issuable upon exercise of presently unexercised options, warrants and other convertible
securities are not deemed to be outstanding for purposes of calculating the “Percentage of Shares Beneficially Owned” by any other person or any other group.
Except as otherwise indicated in the table or its footnotes, the persons in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common
stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws where applicable.
67
As of April 11, 2021, we had 39,139,502 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owners(1)
Five Percent Stockholders:
Roy Choi(2)
Primo Vital Limited(3)
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
Percentage of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
5,072,048
15,112,163
12.9%
35.8%
Directors and Named Executive Officers:
Bradley Berman(4)
Lyle Berman(5)
Yinghua Chen(6)
Kenneth DeCubellis(7)
Jud Hannigan(8)
Anthony Hung(9)
Ho min Kim(10)
Tae Hyung Steve Kim(6)
Joseph Lahti(4)
Yangyang Li(11)
Frank Ng(12)
Benjamin S. Oehler(4)
Adam Pliska(13)
Maya Rogers(10)
All directors and executive officers, as a group (13 individuals)(14)
*
Less than 1%
72,325
1,105,459
25,302
—
248,246
128,215
29,357
25,302
72,325
15,112,163
469,736
72,325
299,950
29,357
17,690,062
*
2.8%
*
—
*
*
*
*
*
35.8%
1.2%
*
*
*
42.3%
(1) Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of the following entities or individuals is 17877 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 300, Irvine, California, 92614. Unless
otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned
by them.
(2) Based on a joint Schedule 13G filed on January 29, 2021 by Knighted Pastures LLC and Roy Choi. Includes 190,000 five-year warrants to purchase shares of Company
common stock at a price per share of $11.50 that are currently exercisable.
(3) Based on a joint Schedule 13D filed on September 18, 2019. Includes warrants to purchase 3,125,640 shares of common stock that are currently exercisable.
(4)
Includes (i) 3,534 shares of common stock that are subject to transfer and forfeiture restrictions, and (ii) options to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock that are
exercisable within 60 days after the Record Date.
(5) Shares include options to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock issued to Mr. Berman that are exercisable within 60 days after the Record Date.
(6) Shares include 9,479 shares of common stock that are subject to transfer and forfeiture restrictions until July 1, 2021.
(7) Mr. DeCubellis previously served as Chief Executive Officer of BRAC. He resigned as a director and Chief Financial Officer of the Company on September 24, 2019.
(8) Shares include (i) 90,350 five-year warrants to purchase shares of Company common stock at a price per share of $11.50 issued in the merger with Allied Esports Media,
Inc. on August 9, 2019 (the “Merger”), (ii) 23,042 shares of common stock that are subject to transfer and forfeiture restrictions, which lapse on August 18, 2021, and
(iii) options to purchase 42,500 shares of common stock that are exercisable within 60 days after the Record Date.
(9) Shares include (i) 50,000 shares of common stock that are subject to transfer and forfeiture restrictions, which lapse on 25,000 shares on each of 8/18/2021 and 8/18/2022,
(ii) 35,715 shares of common stock subject to transfer and forfeiture restrictions, which lapse on 8/18/2021, and (iii) options to purchase 42,500 shares of common stock
that are exercisable within 60 days after the Record Date.
(10) Shares include options to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock that are exercisable within 60 days after the Record Date.
68
(11) Mr. Li is the current Chairman and acting Chief Executive Officer of Ourgame International Holdings Limited (“Ourgame”), the beneficial owner of Primo Vital Limited
(“Primo”). Mr. Li may exercise voting and dispositive power over the shares beneficially owned by Primo, and disclaims any beneficial ownership in such shares except to
the extent of his pecuniary interest.
(12) Shares include (i) warrants to purchase 106,233 shares of common stock that are currently exercisable; (ii) 117,648 shares issuable to Mr. Ng’s spouse upon conversion of
a convertible promissory note issued to her by the Company; (iii) 46,083 shares of common stock that are subject to transfer and forfeiture restrictions issued to Mr. Ng
pursuant to restricted stock grants, which restrictions lapse on August 18, 2021; and (iv) options to purchase 85,000 shares of common stock that are exercisable within
60 days after the Record Date.
(13) Shares include (i) 95,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase common stock at a price per share of $11.50 issued in the Merger on August 9, 2019 to
Mr. Pliska that are currently exercisable; (ii) 7,024 five-year warrants to purchase shares of Company common stock at a price per share of $11.50 issued in the Merger on
August 9, 2019 that are currently exercisable; (iii) 38,000 warrants issued to The Lipscomb/Viscoli Children’s Trust (the “Trust”), of which Mr. Pliska is trustee, to
purchase shares of Company common stock at a price per share of $11.50 that are currently exercisable; (iv) 11,521 shares of restricted common stock issued to Mr. Pliska
on account of his services as a director and officer of the Company, which restrictions lapse on August 18, 2021 or the earlier closing of the Sale Transaction; and
(v) options to purchase 52,500 shares of common stock that are exercisable within 60 days after the Record Date. Mr. Pliska is the President of the Company and WPT
Enterprises, Inc., serves as a director of the Company and disclaims any pecuniary interest in the warrants set forth in item (iii).
(14) Consists of shares beneficially owned by our current directors and current executive officers.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Related Party Policy
Our Code of Ethics requires us to avoid, wherever possible, all related party transactions that could result in actual or potential conflicts of interests, except under
guidelines approved by the Board of Directors (or the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee). Related-party transactions are defined as transactions in which
(1) the aggregate amount involved will or may be expected to exceed $120,000 in any calendar year, (2) we or any of our subsidiaries is a participant, and (3) any
(a) executive officer, director or nominee for election as a director, (b) greater than 5% beneficial owner of our shares of common stock, or (c) immediate family member, of
the persons referred to in clauses (a) and (b), has or will have a direct or indirect material interest (other than solely as a result of being a director or a less than 10% beneficial
owner of another entity). A “conflict of interest” exists when a person’s private interests interfere in any way (or appear to interfere) with the interests of the Company. A
conflict of interest can arise when an officer, director or employee takes actions or has personal interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her work objectively and
effectively. Conflicts of interest may also arise when an officer, director or employee, or members of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or
her position at the Company.
Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will be responsible for reviewing and approving related-party transactions to the extent we enter into such
transactions. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider all relevant factors when determining whether to approve a related party transaction,
including whether the related party transaction is on terms no less favorable to us than terms generally available from an unaffiliated third-party under the same or similar
circumstances and the extent of the related party’s interest in the transaction. No director may participate in the approval of any transaction in which he is a related party, but
that director is required to provide the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee with all material information concerning the transaction. We also require each of
our directors and executive officers to complete a directors’ and officers’ questionnaire that elicits information about related party transactions.
These procedures are intended to determine whether any such related party transaction impairs the independence of a director or presents a conflict of interest on the
part of a director, employee or officer.
69
Transactions with Related Persons
Since January 1, 2020, we have engaged in the following transactions with our directors, executive officers and holders of 5% or more of our voting securities, and
affiliates of our directors, executive officers and holders of 5% or more of our voting securities. We believe that all of these transactions were on terms as favorable as could
have been obtained from unrelated third parties.
On September 30, 2020, Peerless Media Limited (“Peerless”), a subsidiary of WPT Enterprises, Inc. through which the WPT engages in international operations,
entered into a two-year Regional License Agreement with Ourgame, pursuant to which Ourgame was granted the non-exclusive right to host WPT-branded live poker
tournaments in Macau. Under the terms of the agreement, Ourgame will share between 30% and 50% (depending on the type of event held) of revenue generated from the
WPT-branded events in Macau with Peerless, as well as pay Peerless fees per event ranging from $20,000 USD to $35,000 USD depending on the type of event. There is no
obligation for Ourgame to put on the events, and the agreement provides for standard cross-marketing and promotional obligations of the parties.
Noble Link Notes
Prior to the Merger, Noble Link and its wholly owned subsidiaries Peerless Media Limited, Club Services, Inc. and WPT Enterprises, Inc. operated the poker-related
business of the Company. On May15, 2019, Noble Link issued a series of secured convertible promissory notes (the “Noble Link Notes”) whereby investors provided Noble
Link with $4million to be used for the operations of Allied Esports and WPT, of which one Noble Link Note in the amount of $1million was issued to the wife of a related
party who formerly served as co-CEO of the Former Parent and a Director of Noble Link. Pursuant to the original terms of the Noble Link Notes, the Noble Link Notes
accrued annual interest at 12%; provided that no interest would payable in the event the Noble Link Notes were converted into the Company’s common stock. The Noble Link
Notes were due and payable on the first to occur of (i) the one-year anniversary of the issuance date, or (ii) the date on which a demand for payment was made during the time
period beginning on the closing date of the Merger (the “Closing Date”) and ending on the date that was three (3) months after the Closing Date. As security for purchasing the
Noble Link Notes, the investors received a security interest in Allied Esports’ assets (second to any liens held by the landlord of the Las Vegas arena for property located in
that arena), as well as a pledge of the equity of all of the entities comprising WPT, and a guarantee of the Ourgame and BRAC. Upon the closing of the Merger, the Noble
Link Notes were convertible, at the option of the holder, into shares of the Company’s common stock at $8.50 per share.
Pursuant to an Amendment and Acknowledgement Agreement dated August 5, 2019 (the “Amendment and Acknowledgement Agreement”), the Noble Link Notes
were amended to extend their maturity dates to August 23, 2020 (the “Maturity Date”). The Noble Link Notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at
the election of the holders at any time between the Closing Date and the Maturity Date at a conversion price of $8.50 per share. Further, the minimum interest to be paid
under each Noble Link Note shall be the greater of (a) 18 months of accrued interest at 12% per annum; or (b) the sum of the actual interest accrued plus six months of
additional interest at 12% per annum. The Company recorded interest expense of $1,433,054 related to the Noble Link Notes during the year ended December 31, 2020.
Pursuant to the note purchase agreements entered into by the purchasers of the Noble Link Notes (the “Noteholders” and such agreements, the “Note Purchase
Agreements”), upon the consummation of the Merger, each Noteholder received a five-year warrant to purchase their proportionate share of 532,000 shares of the Company’s
common stock. In addition, pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreements, each Noteholder is entitled to its proportionate share of 3,846,153 shares of the Company’s common
stock if such Noteholder’s Noble Link Note is converted into the Company’s common stock and, at any time within five years after the date of the closing of the Merger, the
last exchange-reported sale price of the Company’s common stock equals or exceeds $13.00 for thirty (30) consecutive calendar days.
Put Option Agreement
On February 25, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), the Company entered into a Put Option Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Lyle Berman, Chairman of the Company’s
Board of Directors. Under the Agreement, the Company has an option (the “Option”), in its discretion, to sell shares of its common stock (the “Option Shares”) to Mr. Berman
for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $2.0million, at a purchase price of $1.963 per Option Share. The Company will be required to exercise the Option, if at all, no later than
April 9, 2020, at which time the Option will expire. The Company has no obligation to sell any Option Shares under the Agreement. If the Company exercises the Option, it
must do so in full (and not in part), subject to the Exchange Limitations (as defined below). On March9, 2020, the Company exercised the Option by delivering an Option
election notice to Mr. Berman. On April 7, 2020, the parties executed an amendment to the Agreement and agreed to hold the closing (the “Closing”) no later than May15,
2020.
70
The Agreement limits the Company’s ability to issue shares (and Mr. Berman’s obligation to purchase such shares) as follows (the “Exchange Limitations”):
(1) The total number of shares that may be issued under the Agreement will be limited to 19.99% of the Company’s outstanding shares on the date the Agreement is
signed (the “Exchange Cap”), unless stockholder approval is obtained to issue shares in excess of the Exchange Cap;
(2) The Company may not issue and Mr. Berman may not purchase Option Shares to the extent that such issuance would result in Mr. Berman and his affiliates
beneficially owning more than 19.99% of the then issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock unless (i) such ownership would not be the
largest ownership position in the Company, or (ii) stockholder approval is obtained for ownership in excess of 19.99%; and
(3) The Company may not issue and Mr. Berman may not purchase any Option Shares if such issuance and purchase would be considered equity compensation under
the rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market unless stockholder approval is obtained for such issuance.
The number of Option Shares to be issued by the Company and purchased by Mr. Berman at the Closing will be appropriately reduced in order to comply with the
Exchange Limitations. The Option Shares would be issued pursuant to available exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
applicable state securities laws. The Company’s stockholders have approved the issuance of the Option Shares and the Exchange Limitations will not apply. On March 9,
2020, the Company delivered to Mr. Berman a notice of its exercise of the Option, and at the Closing Mr. Berman is required to purchase an aggregate of 1,018,848 Option
Shares at $1.963 per Option Share.
Pursuant to the Agreement, Mr. Berman has agreed that, without the prior written consent of the Company, he will not, during the period commencing on the date of
issuance of the Option Shares, and ending six months after the date of such issuance, (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, grant, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of,
directly or indirectly, the Option Shares; (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of
ownership of the Option Shares; or (3) publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge or disposition, or to enter into any transaction, swap, hedge or other
arrangement relating to the Option Shares.
On May 15, 2020, the parties held the Closing and the Company sold to Mr. Berman 1,018,848 Option Shares at $1.963 per Option Share, for total gross proceeds of
$2,000,000.
Secured Convertible Bridge Notes — Amendments, Modification and Conversions
In addition to the Noble Link Notes (described above), on October11, 2018, the former owners of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries issued a series of secured
convertible promissory notes (such notes, together with the Noble Link Notes, the “Bridge Notes”) to several investors (such investors, together with the Noteholders,
collectively the “Bridge Note Holders”) for gross proceeds of $10million. The Bridge Notes were initially due and payable on the one-year anniversary of the issuance date.
The Bridge Notes were subsequently assumed by the Company, and payments were deferred until August 23, 2020 (the “Bridge Maturity Date”). The Bridge Notes are
convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $8.50 per share. Further, the minimum interest to be paid under each Bridge Note shall be
the greater of (a) 18months of accrued interest at 12% per annum; or (b) the sum of the actual interest accrued plus six months of additional interest at 12% per annum;
provided that no interest is payable in the event the Bridge Notes are converted into Company common stock.
As security for purchasing the Bridge Notes, the investors received a security interest in the Company’s assets (second to any liens held by the landlord of the
Company’s Las Vegas arena for property located in that arena), as well as a pledge of the equity of all of the entities comprising WPT.
If the Bridge Note Holders elect to convert their Bridge Notes into common stock, they would be entitled to receive additional shares of common stock equal to the
product of (i) 3,846,153 shares, multiplied by (ii) the Bridge Note Holder’s investment amount, divided by (iii) $100,000,000, if, at any time prior to August 9, 2024, the last
exchange-reported sale price of common stock trades at or above $13.00 for 30 consecutive calendar days.
71
Each Bridge Note Holder received a warrant to purchase shares of common stock in an amount equal to the product of (i) 3,800,000 shares, multiplied by (ii) the
Bridge Note Holder’s investment amount, divided by (iii) $100,000,000. The warrants have a term of five years, an exercise price of $11.50 per share, and became exercisable
as of September9, 2019. On June 8, 2020, the Company and the holders (the “Extending Bridge Noteholders”) of two Bridge Notes in the aggregate principal amount of
$2,000,000 (together, the “Extended Bridge Notes”), each entered into a Secured Convertible Note Modification (Extension) Agreement with the Company (together, the
“Bridge Note Extensions”) pursuant to which, among other things, the Extending Bridge Noteholders agreed to extend the maturity date of their respective Extended Bridge
Note until February 23, 2022. Interest on the Extended Bridge Notes will continue to accrue at 12.0% per year and may be prepaid without penalty. The remaining provisions
of the Extended Bridge Notes remain unchanged and in effect. One of the Extending Bridge Noteholders is Man Sha, the spouse of Frank Ng, the Company’s Chief Executive
Officer and Director.
On April 29, 2020, the Company and Knighted Pastures, LLC (“Knighted”), the holder of a $5,000,000 Bridge Note, entered into a Secured Convertible Note
Modification and Conversion Agreement (the “Amendment”), in which Knighted agreed to convert $2,000,000 of the principal amount of its Bridge Note into shares of the
Company’s common stock at a reduced conversion price of $1.60 per share, and the Company issued to Knighted 1,250,000shares of common stock. Interest on the converted
amount continued to accrue, and all accrued and unpaid interest under the Note (including interest accrued on the converted amount) was due on the then maturity date of
August 23, 2020. On May 22, 2020, the Company and Knighted subsequently entered into a Secured Convertible Note Modification and Conversion Agreement No. 2 (the
“Second Amendment”). Pursuant to the Second Amendment, Knighted agreed to convert the remaining $3,000,000 of outstanding principal under its Bridge Note into shares
of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $1.40 per share, and the Company issued to Knighted 2,142,857 shares of common stock. Such conversion resulted
in Knighted being a holder of 5% or more of our voting securities. On June 8, 2020, the Company and Knighted entered into Secured Convertible Note Modification
Agreement No. 3 (the “Third Amendment”), pursuant to which Knighted agreed to defer payment of all interest payable to Knighted on August 23, 2020 ($1,421,096) until
February 23, 2022, but will be paid upon the sale of WPT and as such are classified as a current liability. Such amount will accrue interest at the annual rate of 12% and may
be prepaid without penalty. The remaining amounts due under Knighted’s Bridge Note, as amended, are no longer convertible into shares of common stock.
The Company previously registered for resale an aggregate of 588,236 shares of common stock upon conversion of the Knighted Note at $8.50 per share, and agreed
to file an amendment to the registration statement on Form S-1 filed May 1, 2020 to register for resale the remaining shares that have been issued to Knighted as a result of its
conversion of the Knighted Note, including the shares issued pursuant to the Amendment and Second Amendment. The Company filed the amendment to the registration
statement on June 10, 2020 and it was declared effective by the SEC on June 11, 2020.
Independence of Directors
Nasdaq listing standards require that a majority of our Board of Directors be “independent directors” as defined by The Nasdaq Marketplace Rules. We currently
have eight “independent directors”, Messrs. Bradley Berman, Benjamin Oehler, Joseph Lahti, Lyle Berman, Yinghua Chen, Tae Hyung Steve Kim and Ho min Kim, and Ms.
Maya Rogers.
72
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The firm of Marcum LLP acts as our independent registered public accounting firm. The following is a summary of fees billed by Marcum LLP for the years ended
December 31, 2020 and 2019.
The following table presents the aggregate fees billed by Marcum LLP for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
Audit Fees(1)
Audit-Related Fees(2)
Tax Fees(3)
All Other Fees(4)
Total Fees
2020
2019
284,505 $
—
—
—
284,505 $
364,620
31,930
—
—
395,550
$
$
(1) Audit Fees consist of fees for professional services rendered for the audit of our consolidated annual financial statements and review of the interim consolidated financial
statements included in quarterly reports and services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
(2) Audit-Related Fees consist principally of assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial
statements but not reported under the caption Audit Fees above. These services include attest services that are not required by statute or regulation and consultations
concerning financial accounting and reporting standards.
(3) Tax Fees typically consist of fees for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning.
(4) All Other Fees typically consist of fees for permitted non-audit products and services provided.
Pre-Approval Policy
The audit committee has and will pre-approve all auditing services and permitted non-audit services to be performed for us by our auditors, including the fees and
terms thereof (subject to the de minimis exceptions for non-audit services described in the Exchange Act which are approved by the audit committee prior to the completion of
the audit).
73
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
(a) See “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” on page F-1 and “Exhibit Index” on page 76.
(b) See “Exhibit Index” on page 76.
(c) Not applicable.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
Not applicable.
74
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
April 12, 2021
ALLIED ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
By:
/s/ Frank Ng
Name: Frank Ng
Title:
(Principal Executive Officer)
Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name
/s/ Frank Ng
Frank Ng
/s/ Anthony Hung
Anthony Hung
/s/ Adam Pliska
Adam Pliska
/s/ Lyle Berman
Lyle Berman
/s/ Bradley Berman
Bradley Berman
/s/ Yinghua Chen
Yinghua Chen
/s/ Ho Min Kim
Ho Min Kim
/s/ Tae Hyung Steve Kim
Tae Hyung Steve Kim
/s/ Joseph Lahti
Joseph Lahti
/s/ Yangyang Li
Title
Date
Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Director
April 12, 2021
Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer)
April 12, 2021
President and Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
April 12, 2021
April 12, 2021
April 12, 2021
April 12, 2021
April 12, 2021
April 12, 2021
April 12, 2021
April 12, 2021
Yangyang Li
/s/ Benjamin Oehler
Benjamin Oehler
/s/ Maya Rogers
Maya Rogers
Director
Director
75
ALLIED ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Year Ended December 31, 2020
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Year Ended December 31, 2019
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-1
April 12, 2021
April 12, 2021
F-2
F-3
F-4
F-5
F-6
F-7
F-9
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc., and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020
and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the each of the two years in the period
ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period
ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Explanatory Paragraph – Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As more fully described in Note 2, the
Company has a working capital deficiency from continuing operations, has incurred significant losses and needs to raise additional funds to meet its obligations and sustain
its operations. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also
described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements
based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be
independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance
about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform,
an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for
the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing
procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our
audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial
statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Marcum llp
/s/ Marcum LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2018.
Melville, New York
April 12, 2021
F-2
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Assets
Current Assets
Cash
Restricted cash
Accounts receivable
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Current assets held for sale
Total Current Assets
Property and equipment, net
Intangible assets, net
Deposits
Other assets
Non-current assets held for sale
Total Assets
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Accrued interest, current portion
Due to affiliates
Deferred revenue
Bridge note payable
Convertible debt, net of discount, current portion
Convertible debt, related party, net of discount, current portion
Loans payable, current portion
Current liabilities held for sale
Total Current Liabilities
Deferred rent
Accrued interest, non-current portion
Convertible debt, net of discount, non-current portion
Loans payable, non-current portion
Non-current liabilities held for sale
Total Liabilities
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders’ Equity
$
$
$
December 31,
2020
2019
424,223 $
5,000,000
271,142
909,766
45,363,817
51,968,948
9,275,729
30,818
625,000
-
-
61,900,495 $
901,353 $
1,987,017
152,899
9,433,975
57,018
1,421,096
1,000,000
1,000,000
539,055
9,169,247
25,661,660
1,693,066
193,939
578,172
368,074
-
28,494,911
3,277,417
3,650,000
629,387
1,084,652
6,938,238
15,579,694
18,084,014
34,009
632,963
4,638,631
35,727,638
74,696,949
208,753
1,231,941
1,973,268
3,375,875
93,238
-
12,845,501
988,115
-
7,286,595
28,003,286
1,242,613
-
-
-
1,230,224
30,476,123
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 38,506,844 and 23,176,146 shares issued and outstanding at
-
-
December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively
Additional paid in capital
Accumulated deficit
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Total Stockholders’ Equity
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
3,851
195,488,181
(162,277,414)
190,966
33,405,584
61,900,495 $
2,317
161,300,916
(117,218,584)
136,177
44,220,826
74,696,949
$
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-3
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
Revenues:
In-person
Multiplatform content
Total Revenues
Costs and Expenses:
In-person (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
Multiplatform content (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
Online operating expenses
Selling and marketing expenses
General and administrative expenses
Stock-based compensation
Depreciation and amortization
Impairment of investments
Impairment of property and equipment
Impairment of deferred production costs and intangible assets
Total Costs and Expenses
Loss From Operations
Other Income (Expense):
Other income
Conversion inducement expense
Extinguishment loss on acceleration of debt redemption
Interest expense
Foreign currency exchange loss
Total Other Expense
Loss from continuing operations
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax provision
Net loss
Basic and Diluted Net (Loss) Income per Common Share
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations, net of tax
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic and Diluted
Comprehensive Loss
Net Loss
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Total Comprehensive Loss
For the Years Ended December 31,
2020
2019
$
2,988,363 $
222,442
3,210,805
7,498,363
50,000
7,548,363
2,808,648
54,256
186,702
259,892
11,141,628
5,141,989
3,609,480
6,138,631
5,595,557
-
34,936,783
(31,725,978)
176,015
(5,247,531)
(3,438,261)
(5,548,583)
-
(14,058,360)
(45,784,338)
4,832,897
231,310
113,862
1,563,682
10,438,894
247,720
3,548,810
600,000
-
330,340
21,907,515
(14,359,152)
167
-
-
(1,081,401)
(14,941)
(1,096,175)
(15,455,327)
725,508
(1,283,402)
$
(45,058,830) $
(16,738,729)
$
$
(1.60) $
0.03 $
(0.96)
(0.08)
28,687,361
16,159,444
(45,058,830)
(16,738,729)
54,789
(45,004,041) $
(2,684)
(16,741,413)
$
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-4
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
For The Year Ended December 31, 2020
Common Stock
Common Stock
Subscribed
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Balance - January 1, 2020
23,176,146 $
2,317
Common stock issued for cash
758,725
76
Stock-based compensation:
Stock options
Common stock
-
64,286
-
7
Restricted stock
199,143
20
Shares issued upon exercise of
Put Option
1,018,848
102
- $
-
-
-
-
Shares issued upon conversion
of debt
3,392,857
339
-
Beneficial conversion feature
associated with convertible
debt
Warrants issued with convertible
debt
Shares issued for redemption of
debt and accrued interest
Shares issued in satisfaction of
employee bonus obligations
Disgorgement of short swing
profits
Net loss
Other comprehensive income
-
-
-
-
-
-
9,678,840
968
-
217,999
22
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- $
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
$ 161,300,916
Subscription
Receivable
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
Accumulated
Deficit
$
-
$
136,177
$ (117,218,584) $
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
44,220,826
4,999,924
-
1,158,173
128,993
459,200
1,999,898
9,998,506
523,636
1,205,959
13,217,123
473,978
21,875
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,000,000
1,158,173
129,000
459,220
2,000,000
9,998,845
523,636
1,205,959
13,218,091
474,000
21,875
(45,058,830 )
(45,058,830)
54,789
-
54,789
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Balance - December 31, 2020
38,506,844 $
3,851
-
$ 195,488,181
$
-
$
190,966
$ (162,277,414) $
33,405,584
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-5
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
For The Year Ended December 31, 2019
Balance - January 1, 2019
Common Stock
Shares
11,602,754
$
Amount
1,160 $
Accumulated
Other
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
124,361,130 $
Comprehensive Accumulated
Income
138,861 $
Deficit
(100,479,855) $
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
24,021,296
Effect of reverse merger
11,492,999
1,149
36,395,355
Warrants issued to convertible debt holders
Contingent consideration for convertible debt
holders
Stock-based compensation:
Stock options
Restricted stock
Net loss
Other comprehensive loss
-
-
-
80,393
-
-
-
114,804
-
152,590
-
8
-
-
149,893
127,144
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
36,396,504
-
114,804
-
152,590
-
-
149,893
127,152
-
(16,738,729)
(16,738,729)
(2,684)
-
(2,684)
Balance - December 31, 2019
23,176,146
$
2,317 $
161,300,916 $
136,177 $
(117,218,584) $
44,220,826
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-6
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net loss
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
(Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax provision
Stock-based compensation
Conversion inducement expense
Extinguishment loss on acceleration of debt redemption
Amortization of debt discount
Non-cash interest expense
Depreciation and amortization
Impairment of deferred production costs
Impairment of investments
Impairment of property and equipment
Deferred rent
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
Deposits
Deferred production costs
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Accounts payable
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Accrued interest
Due to affiliates
Deferred revenue
Total Adjustments
Net Cash Used In Operating Activities
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Net cash acquired in Merger
Return of Simon Investment
Investment in TV Azteca
Purchases of property and equipment
Investment in ESA
Purchases of intangible assets
Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Investing Activities
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Proceeds from loans payable
Proceeds from convertible debt
Proceeds from disgorgement of short swing profit
Issuance costs paid in connection with convertible debt
Repayments of convertible debt
Proceeds from sale of common stock
Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2020
2019
$
(45,058,830) $
(16,738,729)
(725,508)
5,141,988
5,247,531
3,438,261
3,021,033
1,193,849
3,609,480
-
6,138,631
5,595,557
531,190
361,927
7,963
-
185,668
687,625
667,263
(647,959)
5,466,500
(36,220)
39,884,779
(5,174,051)
-
(3,650,000)
(1,500,000)
(355,769)
-
(750)
(5,506,519)
907,129
9,000,000
21,875
(766,961)
(7,000,000)
7,000,000
9,162,043
1,283,402
247,720
-
-
101,012
-
3,548,810
330,340
600,000
-
(68,182)
(218,207)
-
(330,340)
137,297
(1,333,672)
646,912
980,391
3,210,058
51,704
9,187,245
(7,551,484)
14,941,683
-
(3,500,000)
(1,320,212)
(1,140,745)
(4,334)
8,976,392
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-7
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, continued
Cash Flows From Discontinued Operations
Operating activities
Investing activities
Financing activities
Change in cash included in discontinued operations
Net Cash Provided By Discontinued Operations
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash
Net (Decrease) Increase In Cash And Restricted Cash
Cash and restricted cash - Beginning of year
Cash and restricted cash - End of year
Cash and restricted cash consisted of the following:
Cash
Restricted cash
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid during the period for interest
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities
Beneficial conversion feature associated with convertible debt
Contingent consideration for convertible debt holders in connection with Merger
Convertible debt and related interest assumed in Merger
Due to Former Parent satisfied by issuance of common stock in connection with Merger
Guaranteed interest on convertible debt recorded as debt discount
Non-cash interest on convertible debt recorded as debt discount
Interest payable on Bridge Note converted to principal
Original issue discount on convertible debt
Shares issued upon conversion of Bridge Note
Shares issued for redemption of debt and accrued interest
Warrants issued with convertible debt
Leasehold improvements acquired through lease incentives
Property and equipment acquired through accrued expenses
Non-cash investment in ESA
Warrants granted to convertible debt holders in connection with Merger
Shares issued in satisfaction of employee bonus obligations
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2020
2019
(3,083,192)
868,028
685,300
1,529,864
-
(2,512,189)
(939,576)
3,653,196
(201,431)
-
15,333
(7,062)
(1,503,194)
6,927,417
5,424,223 $
1,417,846
5,509,571
6,927,417
424,223 $
5,000,000
5,424,223 $
3,277,417
3,650,000
6,927,417
$
$
$
$
2,095,527 $
-
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
523,636 $
- $
- $
- $
1,536,000 $
1,664,000 $
1,421,096 $
600,000 $
5,000,000 $
12,024,243
1,205,959 $
- $
- $
- $
- $
474,000 $
-
152,590
10,992,877
18,179,745
-
-
-
-
-
-
899,221
269,110
97,886
114,804
-
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-8
Note 1 – Background and Basis of Presentation
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Allied Esports Entertainment Inc., (“AESE” and formerly known as Black Ridge Acquisition Corp, or “BRAC”) was incorporated in Delaware on May 9, 2017 as a
blank check company for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business
combination with one or more businesses or entities (a “Business Combination”).
Allied Esports Media, Inc. (“AEM”), a Delaware corporation, was formed in November 2018 to act as a holding company for Allied Esports International Inc.
(“Allied Esports”) and immediately prior to close of the Merger (see below) to also include Noble Link Global Limited (“Noble Link”). Allied Esports, together with its
subsidiaries described below owns and operates the esports-related businesses of AESE. Noble Link (prior to the AEM Merger) and its wholly owned subsidiaries Peerless
Media Limited, Club Services, Inc. and WPT Enterprises, Inc. operate the poker-related business of AESE and are collectively referred to herein as “World Poker Tour” or
“WPT”. Prior to the Merger, as described below, Noble Link and Allied Esports were subsidiaries of Ourgame International Holdings Limited (the “Former Parent”).
On December 19, 2018, BRAC, Noble Link and AEM executed an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (as amended from time to time, the “Merger
Agreement”). On August 9, 2019 (the “Closing Date”), Noble Link was merged with and into AEM, with AEM being the surviving entity, which was accounted for as a
common control merger (the “AEM Merger”). Further, on August 9, 2019, a subsidiary of AESE merged with AEM pursuant to the Merger Agreement with AEM being the
surviving entity (the “Merger”). The Merger was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization, and AEM is deemed to be the accounting acquirer. Consequently, the assets and
liabilities and the historical operations that are reflected in these consolidated financial statements prior to the Merger are those of Allied Esports and WPT. The preferred
stock, common stock, additional paid in capital and earnings per share amount in these consolidated financial statements for the period prior to the Merger have been restated
to reflect the recapitalization in accordance with the shares issued to the Former Parent as a result of the Merger. References herein to the “Company” are to the combination
of AEM and WPT during the period prior to the AEM Merger and are to AESE and subsidiaries after the Merger.
Allied Esports operates through its wholly owned subsidiaries Allied Esports International, Inc., (“AEII”), Esports Arena Las Vegas, LLC (“ESALV”) and ELC
Gaming GMBH (“ELC Gaming”). AEII operates global competitive esports properties designed to connect players and fans via a network of connected arenas. ESALV
operates a flagship gaming arena located at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. ELC Gaming operates a mobile esports truck that serves as both a battleground and content
generation hub and also operates a studio for recording and streaming gaming events.
On January 19, 2021, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement, as amended on March 19, 2021 and again on March 29, 2021 (the “Stock Purchase
Agreement”), to sell 100% of the capital stock of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Club Services Inc (“CSI”). CSI owns 100% of each of the legal entities that collectively
operate or engage in the Company’s poker-related business. World Poker Tour is an internationally televised gaming and entertainment company that has been involved in the
sport of poker since 2002 and created a television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments. See Note 4 – Discontinued Operations and Note 17 - Subsequent
Events.
As the result of the Company’s entry into the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2020, the Consolidated Statement of
Operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 and the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2020, present the results of World Poker
Tour as discontinued operations and present the assets and liabilities of World Poker Tour as held for sale. All prior periods presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, the
Consolidated Statements of Operations, and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows discussed herein have been restated to conform to such presentation. See Note 4 –
Discontinued Operations.
Note 2 – Going Concern and Management’s Plans
As of December 31, 2020, the Company had cash of $0.4 million (not including approximately $5.0 million of restricted cash) and a working capital deficit from
continuing operations of approximately $9.9 million. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company incurred net losses from continuing operations of
approximately $45.8 million and $15.5 million, respectively, and used cash in continuing operations of approximately $5.2 million and $7.6 million, respectively.
F-9
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
As of December 31, 2020, the Company had convertible debt in the gross principal amount of $2.0 million which matures on February 23, 2022, but will be paid
upon the sale of WPT, and senior secured convertible notes in the gross principal amount of approximately $0.6 million, of which approximately $0.4 million is payable on
January 1, 2021, and the remaining $0.2 million is payable on February 1, 2021, and for which certain payments can be accelerated at the option of the lender (see Note 10 –
Convertible Debt and Convertible Debt, Related Party). As of December 31, 2020, the Company also has a Bridge Note outstanding in the amount of approximately $1.4
million which matures on February 23, 2022 , but will be paid upon the sale of WPT, (see Note 11 – Bridge Note Payable) and loans payable in the aggregate amount of $0.9
million, which mature in April 2022 (see Note 12 – Loans Payable). During January 2021, the Company issued an aggregate 529,383 shares of its common stock in full
satisfaction of approximately $0.6 million and $0.1 million of principal and interest, respectively, owed on the senior secured convertible notes.
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) as a pandemic which continues to spread throughout the
United States. As a global entertainment company that hosts numerous live events with spectators and participants in destination cities, the outbreak has caused people to
avoid traveling to and attending these events. Allied Esports’ has cancelled or postponed live events, and before the reopening of Allied Esports’ flagship gaming arena
located at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 25, 2020 the business was operating online only. The arena is currently running under a modified schedule and
limited capacity (up to 65% capacity depending on the event) for daily play and weekly tournaments. The Company is continuing to monitor the outbreak of COVID-19 and
the related business and travel restrictions, and changes to behavior intended to reduce its spread, and the related impact on the Company’s operations, financial position and
cash flows, as well as the impact on its employees. Due to the rapid development and fluidity of this situation, the magnitude and duration of the pandemic and its impact on
the Company’s future operations and liquidity is uncertain as of the date of this report. While there could ultimately be a material impact on operations and liquidity of the
Company, at the time of issuance, the extent of the impact cannot be determined.
The aforementioned factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the issuance date of these
consolidated financial statements.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America (“U.S. GAAP”), which contemplate continuation of the Company as a going concern and the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal
course of business. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of asset amounts or the classification
of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
The Company’s continuation is dependent upon attaining and maintaining profitable operations and, until that time, raising additional capital as needed, but there can
be no assurance that it will be able to close on sufficient financing. The Company’s ability to generate positive cash flow from operations is dependent upon generating
sufficient revenues. To date, the Company’s operations have been funded by the Former Parent, as well as through the issuance of convertible debt, and with cash acquired in
the Merger. The Company expects to receive cash in connection with the sale of the WPT business, which is expected to close during the second quarter of 2021 (see Note 1 –
Background and Basis of Presentation, Note 4 – Discontinued Operations and Note 17 – Subsequent Events). The Company cannot provide any assurances that it will be able
to secure additional funding, either from equity offerings or debt financings, on terms acceptable to the Company, if at all, or that the sale of the WPT business will close as
planned. If the Company is unable to obtain the requisite amount of financing needed to fund its planned operations, including the repayment of convertible debt, it would
have a material adverse effect on its business and ability to continue as a going concern, and it may have to explore the sale of, or curtail or even cease, certain operations.
Note 3 – Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been derived from the accounting records of AESE and its consolidated subsidiaries. All significant
intercompany balances have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S.
GAAP and pursuant to the accounting rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Expenses that the Former Parent incurred on
behalf of WPT and Allied Esports prior to the Merger were allocated to each entity using specific identification.
F-10
Use of Estimates
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, together with amounts disclosed in the related notes to the financial statements. The Company’s significant estimates
used in these financial statements include, but are not limited to, the valuation and carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets, accounts receivable reserves, the
valuation of investments, stock-based compensation, warrants and deferred tax assets, as well as the recoverability and useful lives of long-lived assets, including intangible
assets, property and equipment and deferred production costs. Certain of the Company’s estimates could be affected by external conditions, including those unique to the
Company and general economic conditions. It is reasonably possible that these external factors could have an effect on the Company’s estimates and could cause actual
results to differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
All short-term investments of the Company that have a maturity of three months or less when purchased are considered to be cash equivalents. There were no cash
equivalents as of December 31, 2020 or 2019.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash consists of cash held in an escrow account to be utilized for various approved strategic initiatives and esports event programs pursuant to an
agreement with Brookfield Property Partners. See Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies, Investment Agreements.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are carried at their contractual amounts. Management establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based on its historic loss experience and
current economic conditions. Losses are charged to the allowance when management deems further collection efforts will not produce additional recoveries. As of December
31, 2020 and 2019, there was no bad debt allowance.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives once the asset is placed in
service. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of (a) the useful life of the asset; or (b) the remaining lease term (including renewal periods that are reasonably
assured). Expenditures for maintenance and repairs, which do not extend the economic useful life of the related assets, are charged to operations as incurred, and expenditures
which extend the economic life are capitalized. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the costs and related accumulated depreciation or amortization are removed
from the accounts and any gain or loss on disposal is recognized in the statement of operations for the respective period.
The estimated useful lives of property and equipment are as follows:
Computer equipment
Production equipment
Furniture and Fixtures
Software
Gaming Truck
Leasehold Improvements
Intangible Assets and Goodwill
3 - 5 years
5 years
3 - 5 years
1 - 5 years
5 years
10 years
The Company’s intangible assets consist of the Allied Esports trademarks, which are being amortized over a useful life of 10 years. Intangible assets with indefinite
lives are not amortized but are evaluated at least annually for impairment and more often whenever changes in facts and circumstances may indicate that the carrying value
may not be recoverable.
F-11
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company reviews for the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be
recoverable. The Company measures the carrying amount of the asset against the estimated undiscounted future cash flows associated with it. Should the sum of the expected
future net cash flows be less than the carrying value of the asset being evaluated, an impairment loss would be recognized for the amount by which the carrying value of the
asset exceeds its fair value. The evaluation of asset impairment requires the Company to make assumptions about future cash flows over the life of the asset being evaluated.
These assumptions require significant judgment and actual results may differ from assumed and estimated amounts.
During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized an impairment of $6,138,631 and $600,000, respectively related to certain
investments, $5,595,557 and $0, respectively, related to property and equipment. and during the year ended December 31, 2019 the Company recognized impairment expense
of $330,340 related to deferred production costs, due to management’s determination that the future cash flows from these assets are not expected to be sufficient to recover
their carrying value.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company measures the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on the guidance of ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC
820”).
ASC 820 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most
advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy,
which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. ASC 820 describes three levels of
inputs that 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 that are observable.
Level 3 - inputs that are unobservable (for example, cash flow modeling inputs based on assumptions).
The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, such as accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to the
short-term nature of these instruments. The Company’s convertible debt approximates fair value due to its short-term nature and market rate of interest.
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
Certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as
when there is evidence of impairment. These fair value measurements are categorized within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
The Company periodically evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used when events or circumstances warrant such a review. Fair value is
determined primarily using anticipated cash flows assumed by a market participant discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved or in the case of nonfinancial
assets or liabilities. See “Impairment of Long-Lived Assets”, above.
F-12
Income Taxes
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of items that have been included in the financial statements or
tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are based on the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using
enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent management
concludes it is more likely than not that the assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the statements
of operations in the period that includes the enactment date.
The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain income tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination
by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based
on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement by examining taxing authorities.
The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on uncertain income tax positions in interest expense in the Company’s statements of operations.
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had no liability for unrecognized tax benefits. The Company does not expect the unrecognized tax benefits to change
significantly over the next 12 months.
Commitments and Contingencies
Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines and penalties and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has
been incurred and the amount of the assessment can be reasonably estimated.
Net Loss per Common Share
Basic loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to the Company by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during
the period. Diluted loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares
outstanding, plus the impact of common shares, if dilutive, resulting from the exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants and the conversion of convertible
instruments.
The following securities are excluded from the calculation of weighted average dilutive common shares because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive:
Restricted common shares
Options
Warrants
Convertible debt
Equity purchase options
Contingent consideration shares
December 31,
2020
199,143
2,430,000
20,091,549
439,811(1)
600,000
269,231
24,029,734
2019
-
2,480,000
18,637,003
1,647,058
600,000
3,846,153
27,210,214
(1) Common stock equivalents associated with convertible debt were calculated based on the fixed conversion price in effect for voluntary holder conversions; however, for
certain convertible notes there is a variable conversion price in effect under certain scenarios that is equal to 87% of lowest daily volume weighted average price over the
prior ten days, subject to a $0.734 floor price. If the applicable convertible note principal and guaranteed interest were all converted at the floor price, the potentially
dilutive shares related to convertible debt would be 1,154,789 shares.
F-13
Revenue Recognition
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASC 606”). The core principle of ASC 606 requires that
an entity recognize revenue to depict the transfer of 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 or services. ASC 606 defines a five-step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, it is possible more judgment and estimates
may be required within the revenue recognition process than required under previous guidance, including identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the
amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation.
The Company adopted ASC 606 for all applicable contracts using the modified retrospective method, which would have required a cumulative-effect adjustment, if
any, as of the date of adoption. The adoption of ASC 606 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of the date of adoption. As a
result, a cumulative-effect adjustment was not required.
To determine the proper revenue recognition method, the Company evaluates each of its contractual arrangements to identify its performance obligations. A
performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer. The majority of the Company’s contracts have a single performance
obligation because the promise to transfer the individual good or service is not separately identifiable from other promises within the contract and is therefore not distinct.
Some of the Company’s contracts have multiple performance obligations, primarily related to the provision of multiple goods or services. For contracts with more than one
performance obligation, the Company allocates the total transaction price in an amount based on the estimated relative standalone selling prices underlying each performance
obligation.
The Company recognizes revenue from continuing operations primarily from the following sources:
In-person revenue
The Company’s in-person revenue is comprised of event revenue, sponsorship revenue, merchandising revenue and other revenue. Event revenue is generated
through Allied Esports events held at the Company’s esports properties. Event revenues recognized from the rental of the Allied Esports arena and gaming trucks are
recognized at a point in time when the event occurs. In-person revenue also includes revenue from ticket sales, admission fees and food and beverage sales for events held at
the Company’s esports properties. Ticket revenue is recognized at the completion of the applicable event. Point of sale revenues, such as food and beverage, gaming and
merchandising revenues, are recognized when control of the related goods are transferred to the customer.
The Company also generates sponsorship revenues for naming rights for, and rental of, the Company’s arena and gaming trucks. Sponsorship revenues from naming
rights of the Company’s esports arena and from sponsorship arrangements are recognized on a straight-line basis over the contractual term of the agreement. The Company
records deferred revenue to the extent that payment has been received for services that have yet to be performed.
In-person revenue was comprised of the following for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
Event revenue
Sponsorship revenue
Food and beverage revenue
Ticket and gaming revenue
Merchandising revenue
Other revenue
Total in-person revenue
F-14
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2020
574,536 $
1,730,198
310,826
349,526
22,209
1,068
2,988,363 $
2019
3,544,868
2,081,029
1,158,004
543,204
171,014
244
7,498,363
$
$
Multiplatform revenue
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company’s multiplatform content revenue is comprised of distribution revenue and content revenue. Distribution revenue is generated primarily through the
distribution of content to online channels. Any advertising revenue earned by online channel is shared with the Company. The Company recognizes online advertising
revenue at the point in time when the advertisements are placed in the video content.
Multiplatform revenue was comprised of the following for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
Distribution revenue
Content revenue
Total multiplatform revenue
The following table summarizes our revenue recognized under ASC 606 in our consolidated statements of operations:
Revenues Recognized at a Point in Time:
Event revenue
Distribution revenue
Food and beverage revenue
Ticket and gaming revenue
Merchandising revenue
Content revenue
Other revenue
Total Revenues Recognized at a Point in Time
Revenues Recognized Over a Period of Time:
Sponsorship revenue
Total Revenues Recognized Over a Period of Time
Total Revenues
$
$
$
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2020
2019
222,442 $
-
222,442 $
-
50,000
50,000
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2020
2019
574,536 $
222,442
310,826
349,526
22,209
-
1,068
1,480,607
3,544,868
-
1,158,004
543,204
171,014
50,000
244
5,467,334
1,730,198
1,730,198
3,210,805 $
2,081,029
2,081,029
7,548,363
$
The timing of the Company’s revenue recognition may differ from the timing of payment by its customers. A receivable is recorded when revenue is recognized
prior to payment and the Company has an unconditional right to payment. Alternatively, when payment precedes the provision of the related services, the Company records
deferred revenue until the performance obligations are satisfied.
As of December 31, 2020, all continuing operations’ performance obligations in connection with contract liabilities included within deferred revenue on the prior
year consolidated balance sheet have been satisfied. The Company expects to satisfy the remaining performance obligations related to its December 31, 2020 deferred revenue
balance within the next twelve months. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, there was no revenue recognized from performance obligations satisfied (or
partially satisfied) in previous periods.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company measures the cost of services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the fair value of the award on the date of grant. The
fair value amount is then recognized over the period during which services are required to be provided in exchange for the award, usually the vesting period. The estimation of
stock-based awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from original estimates, such amounts are recorded
as a cumulative adjustment in the period that the estimates are revised. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur.
F-15
Advertising Costs
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Advertising costs from continuing operations are charged to operations in the year incurred and totaled $97,840 and $470,746 for the years ended December 31,
2020 and 2019, respectively.
Concentration Risks
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist of cash accounts in a financial institution which, at times, may
exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts, periodically evaluates the
creditworthiness of the financial institutions and has determined the credit exposure to be negligible.
During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, 10% and 11%, respectively, of the Company’s revenues from continuing operations were from customers in
foreign countries.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company’s two largest customers accounted for 41% and 13% of the Company’s consolidated revenues from
continuing operations. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company’s largest customer accounted for 14% of the Company’s consolidated revenues from
continuing operations.
As of December 31, 2020, a single customer represented 74% of the Company’s accounts receivable from continuing operations.
Foreign Currency Translation
The Company’s reporting currency is the United States Dollar. The functional currencies of the Company’s operating subsidiaries are their local currencies (United
States Dollar and Euro). Euro-denominated assets and liabilities are translated into the United States Dollar using the exchange rate at the balance sheet date (1.2264 and
1.1215 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively), and revenue and expense accounts are translated using the weighted average exchange rate in effect for the period
(1.1414 and 1.1194 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively). Resulting translation adjustments are made directly to accumulated other comprehensive
(loss) income. Losses of $0 and $14,941 arising from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the reporting currency for the years
ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, are recognized in operating results in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company engages in foreign currency
denominated transactions with customers and suppliers, as well as between subsidiaries with different functional currencies.
Subsequent Events
The Company evaluates events that have occurred after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued. Based upon the evaluation, the
Company did not identify any recognized or non-recognized subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements,
except as disclosed.
CARES Act
On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). The CARES Act, amongst other
things, includes provisions relating to refundable payroll tax credits, deferment of employer social security payments, net operating loss carryback periods, alternative
minimum tax credit refunds, modifications to the net interest deduction limitations and technical corrections to tax depreciation methods for qualified improvement property.
Pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification Topic (“ASC 740”), the Company recognizes the tax effects of new tax legislation upon enactment. Accordingly, the CARES
Act was effective beginning in the quarter ended March 31, 2020. The Company does not believe that the new tax provisions outlined in the CARES Act will have a material
impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Discontinued Operations
The assets and liabilities of WPT are classified as “held for sale” as of December 31, 2021 and are reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as
“Current assets of discontinued operations,” “Assets of discontinued operations – non-current,” “Current liabilities of discontinued operations” and “Liabilities of
discontinued operations – non-current.” The results of operations of WPT are included in “Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax provision” in the
accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. For comparative purposes, all prior periods presented have been reclassified to reflect the
classifications on a consistent basis.
F-16
Reclassifications
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Certain prior year balances have been reclassified in order to conform to current year presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on previously reported
results of operations or loss per share.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” ASU 2016-02 requires that a lessee recognize the assets
and liabilities that arise from operating leases. A lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a
right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting
policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at
the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. This amendment will be effective for private companies and emerging growth
companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The FASB issued ASU No. 2018-
10 “Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases” and ASU No. 2018-11 “Leases (Topic 842) Targeted Improvements” in July 2018, and ASU No. 2018-20 “Leases
(Topic 842) - Narrow Scope Improvements for Lessors” in December 2018. ASU 2018-10 and ASU 2018-20 provide certain amendments that affect narrow aspects of the
guidance issued in ASU 2016-02. ASU 2018-11 allows all entities adopting ASU 2016-02 to choose an additional (and optional) transition method of adoption, under which
an entity initially applies the new leases standard at the adoption date and recognizes a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period
of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13 “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)” and also issued subsequent amendments to the initial
guidance under ASU 2018-19, ASU 2019-04 and ASU 2019-05 (collectively Topic 326). Topic 326 requires the measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for
financial assets held at amortized cost. This replaces the existing incurred loss model with an expected loss model and requires the use of forward-looking information to
calculate credit loss estimates. The Company will be required to adopt the provisions of this ASU on January 1, 2023, with early adoption permitted for certain amendments.
Topic 326 must be adopted by applying a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings. The adoption of Topic 326 is not expected to have a material impact on the
Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-02, which aligns the accounting for production costs of episodic television series with the accounting for production
costs of films. In addition, ASU 2019-02 modifies certain aspects of the capitalization, impairment, presentation and disclosure requirements in Accounting Standards
Codification (“ASC”) 926-20 and the impairment, presentation and disclosure requirements in ASC 920-350. This ASU must be adopted on a prospective basis and is
effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those years, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently
evaluating the impact that this pronouncement will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-02, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) and Leases (Topic 842) – Amendments to SEC Paragraphs
Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 119 and Update to SEC Section on Effective Date (“ASU 2020-02”) which provides clarifying guidance and minor updates to
ASU No. 2016-13 – Financial Instruments – Credit Loss (Topic 326) (“ASU 2016-13”) and related to ASU No. 2016-02 - Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2020-02 amends the
effective date of ASU 2016-13, such that ASU 2016-13 and its amendments will be effective for the Company for interim and annual periods in fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2022. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
F-17
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging— Contracts in
Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity, to clarify the accounting for certain financial
instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. The amendments in this update reduce the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments and
convertible preferred stock by removing the cash conversion model and the beneficial conversion feature model. Limiting the accounting models will result in fewer
embedded conversion features being separately recognized from the host contract. Convertible instruments that continue to be subject to separation models are (1) those with
embedded conversion features that are not clearly and closely related to the host contract, that meet the definition of a derivative, and that do not qualify for a scope exception
from derivative accounting and (2) convertible debt instruments issued with substantial premiums for which the premiums are recorded as paid-in-capital. In addition, this
ASU improves disclosure requirements for convertible instruments and earnings-per-share guidance. The ASU also revises the derivative scope exception guidance to reduce
form-over-substance-based accounting conclusions driven by remote contingent events. The amendments in this update are effective for the Company in fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption will be permitted, but no earlier than for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The new
guidance simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by eliminating Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. Under current guidance, Step 2 of the goodwill impairment
test requires entities to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination by assigning the fair
value of a reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. The carrying value in excess of the implied fair value is recognized as goodwill impairment.
Under the new standard, goodwill impairment is recognized based on Step 1 of the current guidance, which calculates the carrying value in excess of the reporting unit’s fair
value. This standard was adopted on January 1, 2020 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-09, “Codification Improvements” (“ASU 2018-09”). These amendments provide clarifications and corrections to
certain ASC subtopics including the following: Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income – Overall (Topic 220-10), Debt - Modifications and Extinguishments
(Topic 470-50), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity – Overall (Topic 480-10), Compensation - Stock Compensation - Income Taxes (Topic 718-740), Business
Combinations – Income Taxes (Topic 805-740), Derivatives and Hedging – Overall (Topic 815-10), and Fair Value Measurement – Overall (Topic 820-10). The majority of
the amendments in ASU 2018-09 will be effective in annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. This standard was adopted on January 1, 2020 and did not have a
material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
F-18
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for
Fair Value Measurement” (“ASU 2018-13”). The amendments in ASU 2018-13 modify the disclosure requirements associated with fair value measurements based on the
concepts in the Concepts Statement, including the consideration of costs and benefits. The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted
average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied
prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all
periods presented upon their effective date. The amendments are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those
fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. This standard was adopted on January 1, 2020 and did not have a material impact on the
Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes – Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The new guidance simplifies the accounting for
income taxes by removing several exceptions in the current standard and adding guidance to reduce complexity in certain areas, such as requiring that an entity reflect the
effect of an enacted change in tax laws or rates in the annual effective tax rate computation in the interim period that includes the enactment date. The new standard is
effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted this
standard on October 1, 2020 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
Note 4 – Discontinued Operations
Transaction
During 2021, AESE entered into the Stock Purchase Agreement to sell the equity interests of its subsidiaries that own and operate its WPT business (the “Sale
Transaction”), subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, for a total purchase price of $105 million. This base purchase price will be adjusted to reflect the amount of
CSI’s cash, indebtedness (other than indebtedness related to an outstanding $685,300 Paycheck Protection Program loan) and accrued and unpaid transaction expenses as of
the closing of the Sale Transaction. Management committed to a plan to sell the WPT business prior to December 31, 2020. Accordingly, the WPT business has been recast
as discontinued operations, and the assets and liabilities of WPT are classified as held for sale. See Note 1 – Background and Basis of Presentation and Note 17 – Subsequent
Events.
In reaching its decision to enter into the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company’s Board of Directors, in consultation with management as well as its financial and
legal advisors, considered a number of factors, including the risks and challenges facing the WPT business in the future as compared to the opportunities available to the WPT
business in the future, and the availability of strategic alternatives. After careful consideration, the Board of Directors unanimously approved the Stock Purchase Agreement
and determined that the Sale Transaction is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and that the Sale Transaction and the Stock Purchase Agreement reflect
the highest value for the WPT business reasonably attainable for the Company’s stockholders.
About WPT
WPT is an internationally televised gaming and entertainment company with brand presence in land-based tournaments, television, online and mobile applications.
WPT has been involved in the sport of poker since 2002 and created a television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments. WPT has broadcasted globally in
more than 150 countries and territories and its shows are sponsored by established brands in many areas, including watches, crystal, playing cards and online social poker
operators. WPT also operates ClubWPT.com, a subscription-based site that offers its members inside access to the WPT content database, as well as sweepstakes-based poker
product that allows members to play for real cash and prizes in 36 states and territories across the United States and 4 foreign countries. WPT also participates in strategic
brand licensing, partnership, and sponsorship opportunities.
F-19
Results of Discontinued Operations
Results and net income (loss) from discontinued operations are as follows, reflecting the results and net income (loss) of the WPT business:
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Revenues
Operating costs and expenses
Income (loss) from operations
Other income (expense)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, before tax
Income tax
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax provision
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2020
20,149,042 $
19,425,951
723,091
2,417
725,508
-
725,508 $
2019
18,523,632
19,709,567
(1,185,935)
(97,467)
(1,283,402)
-
(1,283,402)
$
$
Assets and liabilities held for sale as of December 31, 2020 are classified as current because the Sale Transaction is expected to close during 2021. The details are as
follows:
Assets
Cash
Accounts receivable
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Property and equipment, net
Goodwill
Intangible assets, net
Deposits
Deferred production costs
Due from affiliates
Current assets held for sale
Liabilities
Accounts payable
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Accrued interest
Deferred revenue
Deferred rent
Loans payable (1)
Current liabilities held for sale
$
$
$
$
3,633,292
1,804,627
289,968
1,674,355
4,083,621
12,305,887
79,500
12,058,592
9,433,975
45,363,817
211,228
3,804,301
4,224
1,970,668
2,493,526
685,300
9,169,247
(1) Represents principal balance of PPP Loan. On January 26, 2021, WPT received notice from its lender that the entirety of the $685,300 of outstanding principal of the
PPP Loan was forgiven.
Assets and liabilities held for sale as of December 31, 2019 are as follows:
Assets
Cash
Accounts receivable
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Current assets held for sale
Property and equipment, net
Goodwill
Intangible assets, net
Deposits
Deferred production costs
Due from affiliates
Non-current assets held for sale
Total assets held for sale
Liabilities
Accounts payable
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Deferred revenue
Current liabilities held for sale
Deferred rent
Non-current liabilities held for sale
Total liabilities held for sale
F-20
$
$
$
$
5,163,156
1,491,939
283,143
6,938,238
2,470,293
4,083,621
14,755,867
79,500
10,962,482
3,375,875
35,727,638
42,665,876
748,118
2,776,256
3,762,221
7,286,595
1,230,224
1,230,224
8,516,819
Note 5 – Reverse Merger and Recapitalization
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
As described in Note 1 – Background and Basis of Presentation above, on the Closing Date, the AEM Merger and the Merger took place. All of AEM capital stock
outstanding immediately prior to the merger was exchanged for (i) 11,602,754 shares of AESE common stock, (ii) warrants for the purchase of 3,800,003 shares of AESE
common stock with an exercise price of $11.50 per share, and (iii) 3,846,153 contingent shares (“Contingent Consideration Shares”). If any holder elects to convert their
Bridge Note into common stock, they would be entitled to receive Contingent Consideration Shares equal to the product of (i) 3,846,153 shares, multiplied by (ii) that
holder’s investment amount, divided by (iii) $100,000,000, if at any time within five years after the August 9, 2019 closing date, the last exchange-reported sale price of
common stock trades at or above $13.00 for thirty (30) consecutive calendar days.
On the Closing Date, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, in order to extinguish amounts owed to the Former Parent by WPT and Allied Esports in the aggregate
amount of $32,672,622, AESE (i) repaid $3,500,000 of the amount due to the Former Parent in cash, (ii) assumed $10,000,000 principal of the convertible debt obligations of
the Former Parent plus $992,877 of related accrued interest, (iii) issued 2,928,679 shares of the Company’s common stock to the Former Parent with no limitations or
encumbrances on sale and (iii) transferred 600,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to the Former Parent which was subject to a lockup period for one year from the
Closing Date.
In connection with the Merger, the Company issued an aggregate of 11,492,999 shares of common stock, including 3,528,679 shares issued in satisfaction of amount
owed to the Former Parent as described above, and 7,964,320 shares of common stock issued to BRAC shareholders prior to the Merger, but which are deemed to be issued
by the Company on the Closing Date as a result of the reverse recapitalization.
Note 6 – Other Assets
The Company’s other assets consist of the following:
Investment in ESA
Investment in TV Azteca
December 31,
2020
- $
-
- $
2019
1,138,631
3,500,000
4,638,631
$
$
As of December 31, 2020, the Company owns a 25% non-voting membership interest in Esports Arena, LLC (“ESA”) and ESA’s wholly owned subsidiary. The
investment is accounted for as a cost method investment since the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies
of ESA.
During January 2019, the Company contributed $1,238,631 to ESA, in order to fulfill the remainder of its funding commitment to ESA. The Company recognized an
immediate impairment of $600,000 related to this funding. During June 2020, the Company recorded an additional impairment charge in the amount of $1,138,631, related to
its investment in ESA.
The Company paid $3,500,000 to TV Azteca, S.A.B. DE C.V., a Grupo Salinas company (“TV Azteca”) in August 2019, and on March 4, 2020 the Company paid
an additional $1,500,000 to TV Azteca in connection with a Strategic Investment Agreement with TV Azteca in order to expand the Allied Esports brand into Mexico. During
December 2020, the Company recorded an impairment charge in the amount of $5,000,000, related to the investment in TV Azteca (See Note 14 – Commitments and
Contingencies, Investment Agreements).
F-21
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 7 – Property and Equipment, net
Property and equipment consist of the following:
Software
Office equipment
Computer equipment
Esports gaming truck
Furniture and fixtures
Production equipment
Leasehold improvements
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
Property and equipment, net
As of
December 31,
2020
- $
868,309
495,643
1,222,406
654,058
7,841,985
4,645,760
15,728,161
(6,452,432)
9,275,729 $
2019
796,546
776,250
484,643
1,222,406
652,882
7,876,423
12,622,010
24,431,160
(6,347,146)
18,084,014
$
$
During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, depreciation and amortization expense amounted to $3,605,539 and $3,548,810, respectively. During the year
ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded impairment expense of $5,595,557 related to its property and equipment.
Note 8 – Intangible Assets, net
Intangible assets consist of the following:
Balance as of January 1, 2019
Purchases of intangibles
Amortization expense
Balance as of December 31, 2019
Purchases of intangibles
Amortization expense
Balance as of December 31, 2020
Weighted average remaining amortization period at December 31, 2020 (in years)
Intellectual
Property
Accumulated
Amortization
Total
$
$
32,080 $
4,335
-
36,415
750
-
37,165 $
7.7
(2,406) $
-
-
(2,406)
-
(3,941)
(6,347) $
29,674
4,335
-
34,009
750
(3,941)
30,818
Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of their license periods or estimated useful lives ranging from two to ten years. During the
years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, amortization expense amounted to $3,941 and $0, respectively.
Estimated future amortization expense is as follows:
Years Ended December 31,
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Thereafter
3,991
3,991
3,991
3,991
3,991
10,863
30,818
$
F-22
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 9 – Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following:
Compensation expense
Rent
Event costs
Legal and professional fees
Unclaimed player prizes
Other accrued expenses
Other current liabilities
December 31,
2020
1,010,734(1) $
$
148,919
26,926
307,135
45,171
268,751
179,381
1,987,017
$
$
2019
459,420
68,182
112,963
154,474
4,599
170,135
262,168
1,231,941
(1) Accrued compensation expense includes approximately $571,000 which is payable to the employees of the Company’s continuing operations for their 2020
services, contingent upon the closing of the sale of WPT. See Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies, 2020 Cash Bonus Payments.
Note 10 – Convertible Debt and Convertible Debt, Related Party
Convertible Bridge Notes and Convertible Bridge Notes, Related Party
On May 15, 2019, Noble Link issued a series of secured convertible promissory notes (the “Noble Link Notes”) whereby investors provided Noble Link with $4
million to be used for the operations of Allied Esports and WPT, of which one Noble Link Note in the amount of $ 1 million was issued to the wife of a related party who
formerly served as co-CEO of the Former Parent and a Director of Noble Link. Pursuant to the original terms of the Noble Link Notes, the Noble Link Notes accrued annual
interest at 12%; provided that no interest would be payable in the event the Noble Link Notes were converted into AESE common stock, as described below. The Noble Link
Notes were due and payable on the first to occur of (i) the one-year anniversary of the issuance date, or (ii) the date on which a demand for payment was made during the time
period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the date that was three (3) months after the Closing Date. As security for purchasing the Noble Link Notes, the investors
received a security interest in Allied Esports’ assets (second to any liens held by the landlord of the Las Vegas arena for property located in that arena), as well as a pledge of
the equity of all of the entities comprising WPT, and a guarantee of the Former Parent and BRAC. Upon the closing of the Merger, the Noble Link Notes were convertible, at
the option of the holder, into shares of AESE common stock at $ 8.50 per share. On August 5, 2019, the Noble Link Notes were amended pursuant to an Amendment and
Acknowledgement Agreement as described below.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, on the Closing Date, in addition to the $4 million of Noble Link Notes, AESE assumed $10,000,000 of the convertible debt
obligations of the Former Parent (the “Former Parent Notes”; see Note 5 - Reverse Merger and Recapitalization), such that the aggregate indebtedness of the Company
pursuant to the Noble Link Notes and the Former Parent Notes (collectively, the “Bridge Notes”) is $14 million. The Bridge Notes bear interest at 12% per annum. Pursuant
to the Amendment and Acknowledgement agreement discussed below, the Former Parent Notes are also secured by all property and assets owned by AESE and its
subsidiaries. No interest is payable in connection with the Notes if the Notes are converted into shares of AESE common stock.
Pursuant to an Amendment and Acknowledgement Agreement dated August 5, 2019 (the “Amendment and Acknowledgement Agreement”), the Bridge Notes were
amended such that the Bridge Notes matured on August 23, 2020 (the “Maturity Date”). The Bridge Notes were convertible into shares of AESE common stock at any time
between the Closing Date and the Maturity Date at a conversion price of $8.50 per share. Further, the minimum interest to be paid under each Note shall be the greater of (a)
18 months of accrued interest at 12% per annum; or (b) the sum of the actual interest accrued plus 6 months of additional interest at 12% per annum. In the event of default,
the Bridge Notes shall become immediately due and payable upon the written notice of the holder.
Pursuant to the note purchase agreements entered into by the purchasers of the Bridge Notes (the “Noteholders” and such agreements, the “Note Purchase
Agreements”), upon the consummation of the Merger, each Noteholder received a five-year warrant to purchase their proportionate share of 532,000 shares of AESE common
stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. In addition, pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreements, Noteholders are each entitled to their proportionate share of 3,846,153
shares of AESE common stock if such Noteholder’s Note is converted into AESE common stock and, at any time within five years after the date of the closing of the Mergers,
the last exchange-reported sale price of AESE common stock is at or above $13.00 for thirty (30) consecutive calendar days (the “Contingent Consideration”). The relative fair
value of the warrants and the Contingent Consideration of $114,804 and $152,590, respectively, was recorded as debt discount and additional paid in capital.
F-23
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
On April 29, 2020, the Company and a holder of a $5,000,000 Bridge Note (the “Noteholder”), entered into a Secured Convertible Note Modification and
Conversion Agreement (the “Amendment 1”), pursuant to which the Noteholder converted $2,000,000 of the principal amount of its $5,000,000 Bridge Note into 1,250,000
shares of the Company’s common stock at a reduced conversion price of $1.60 per share. On May 22, 2020, the Company and the Noteholder entered into a Secured
Convertible Note Modification and Conversion Agreement No. 2 (“Amendment 2”), pursuant to which the remaining principal amount of the $5,000,000 Bridge Note
($3,000,000) was converted into 2,142,857 shares of the Company’s common stock at a reduced conversion price of $1.40 per share. Further, pursuant to Amendment 1 and
Amendment 2, interest on the $5,000,000 principal owed to the Noteholder prior to conversion will continue to accrue through the maturity date as if the principal amount had
not been converted. Minimum accrued interest payable pursuant to Amendment 2 in the amount of $1,421,096 (the “Accrued Interest”) is payable on or before the maturity
date. No Contingent Consideration Shares were issued in connection with the conversion since the requirements for issuance were not met.
On June 8, 2020, the Company and the Noteholder entered into Secured Convertible Note Modification Agreement No. 3 (“Amendment 3” and together with
Amendment 1 and Amendment 2, the “Amendments”). Pursuant to Amendment 3, the Accrued Interest was converted into principal under the Noteholder’s Bridge Note (the
“Amended Bridge Note”). See Note 11 - Bridge Note Payable for additional details.
The Company recorded a conversion inducement charge of $5,247,531 as a result of the Amendments, consisting of $4,998,845 representing the value of common
stock issued upon conversion in excess of the common stock issuable under the original terms of the $5,000,000 Bridge Note, and $248,686, representing the excess of
minimum interest payable pursuant to Amendment 3 over the interest payable pursuant to the original terms of the $5,000,000 Bridge Note.
On June 8, 2020, the Company paid cash of $8,670,431 in satisfaction of principal in the amount of $7,000,000 and interest in the amount of $1,670,431 owed in
connection with other Bridge Notes. Further, on June 8, 2020, the Company and the holders (the “Extending Bridge Noteholders”) of the two remaining Bridge Notes
outstanding in the aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000 (together, the “Extended Bridge Notes”), of which principal in the amount of $1,000,000 is owed to the spouse of
the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Director, entered into a Secured Convertible Note Modification (Extension) Agreement with the Company (together, the
“Bridge Note Extensions”) pursuant to which, among other things, the Extending Bridge Noteholders agreed to extend the maturity date of their respective Extended Bridge
Notes until February 23, 2022. Interest on the Extended Bridge Notes will continue to accrue at 12.0% per year and may be prepaid without penalty. The remaining provisions
of the Extended Bridge Notes remain unchanged and in effect. The Extended Bridge Notes are secured by the WPT business. Accordingly, it will be necessary to pay-off the
Extended Bridge Notes and the related interest payable upon the closing of the Sale Transaction. Hence, the Extended Bridge Notes and the related accrued interest have been
classified as current liabilities as of December 31, 2020.
On August 13, 2020, the Company paid in cash an aggregate of $425,096 related to interest payable on the Extended Bridge Notes, such that the balance of principal
and interest outstanding under the Extended Bridge Notes as of December 31, 2020 is $2,000,000 and $85,870, respectively.
The Company recorded interest expense of $1,433,054 (including amortization of debt discount of $ $166,384) related to the Convertible Bridge Notes and the
Extended Bridge Notes during the year ended December 31, 2020 and recorded interest expense of $1,081,401 (including amortization of debt discount of $101,011 and
excluding interest of $115,726 recorded on the books of WPT and included in net income (loss from discontinued operations), respectively, during the year ended December
31, 2019. As of December 31, 2020, all debt discount on the Convertible Bridge Notes and Extended Bridge Notes has been fully amortized.
Senior Secured Convertible Notes
On June 8, 2020, pursuant to a securities purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) between the Company and certain accredited investors (the “Investors”),
the Company issued two senior secured convertible notes (the “Senior Notes”) with an aggregate principal balance of $9,600,000 and immediately vested five-year warrants
to purchase an aggregate 1,454,546 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $4.125 per share for net cash proceeds of $9,000,000. The Senior Notes are secured by the
assets of the Company, bear interest at 8% per annum and mature on June 8, 2022, with an aggregate of $1,536,000 of interest guaranteed to be paid to the Investors. The
Purchase Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, and the Company agreed it would not take on additional debt from third parties without the
Investors’ written approval, subject to certain exceptions for ordinary course trade debt. The Company also agreed to use 35% of the proceeds from future financings in excess
of $3 million (or $5 million if approved by the Investors) to pay down the outstanding balance on the Loan. The Company reserves its rights under the Purchase Agreement to
consummate, subject to certain exceptions, a debtor or equity offering of up to $5 million in the future.
F-24
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The Senior Notes’ principal and two years of interest are payable in equal monthly installments (the “Monthly Redemption Payment”), commencing on August 7,
2020. Each Monthly Redemption Payment may be paid at the Company’s option in cash, or in shares of common stock (the “Stock Settlement Option”) at a price equal to
87% of the lowest daily volume weighted average price in the 10 days prior to the scheduled payment date (the “Stock Settlement Price”), provided that (i) the Company gives
thirty days written irrevocable notice prior to the Monthly Redemption Payment (the “Monthly Redemption Notice”), (ii) all amounts due have been paid timely, (iii) there are
sufficient number of authorized shares available to be issued, (iv) the Investors do not possess any material non-public information at the time the Company issues the
common stock, and (v) the Company’s shares have met certain minimum volume and closing price thresholds. The Stock Settlement Price cannot be lower than $0.734 per
share. Monthly Redemption Payments paid in cash require the payment of a 10% premium in addition to the monthly installment.
Each Investor may accelerate up to four Monthly Redemption Payments in any calendar month and may elect to have such accelerated Monthly Redemption
Payments paid in shares of the Company’s common stock at the Stock Settlement Price of the contemporaneous or immediately prior Monthly Redemption Payment, instead
of in cash.
The Senior Notes are convertible at each Investor’s option, in whole or in part, and from time to time, into shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Holder
Conversion Option” and together, with the Stock Settlement Option, the “ECOs”) at $3.30 per share (subject to adjustment to convert at the same price as any subsequent
issuances of Company common stock at a lower issuance price, subject to certain exceptions) (the “Holder Conversion Price”); provided, however, that the parties may not
affect any such conversion that would result in an Investor (together with its affiliates) owning in excess of 4.99% of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock
outstanding immediately after giving effect to the conversion (the “Beneficial Ownership Limitation”). Each Investor, upon notice to the Company, may elect to increase or
decrease its Beneficial Ownership Limitation, provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation may not exceed 9.99%. The Company determined that the ECOs contained a
beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”) in the amount of $523,636, which was credited to additional paid in capital.
Upon the issuance of the Senior Notes, the Company recorded a debt discount at issuance in the aggregate amount $6,296,556, consisting of (i) the $600,000
difference between the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes and the cash proceeds received, (ii) the relative fair value of the warrants of $1,205,959 (which were
credited to additional paid in capital), (iii) two years’ guaranteed interest of $1,536,000 (credited to interest payable), (iv) the BCF of $523,636 (credited to additional paid in
capital), (v) non-cash interest in the amount of $1,664,000, representing the difference between the anticipated issuance date fair value of common stock issued and the Stock
Settlement Price, for Monthly Redemption Payments (credited to interest payable), and (vi) financing costs of $766,961. The debt discount is being amortized using the
effective interest method over the term of the Senior Notes. During year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded amortization of debt discount of $2,854,649,
related to the Senior Notes, and recorded an extinguishment loss of $3,438,261 in connection with the extinguishment of Senior Notes resulting from accelerated Monthly
Redemption Payments. Debt discount in the amount of $3,646 remains to be amortized as of December 31, 2020.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company issued 9,678,840 shares of its common stock, as Monthly Redemption Payments in satisfaction of
aggregate amount of $9,018,182 of principal and $1,442,909 of interest payable owed on the Senior Notes as well as $1,563,151 of non-cash interest accrued on the Senior
Notes. Of the 9,678,840 shares issued, 7,299,215 shares were issued in connection with accelerated Monthly Redemption Payments in the aggregate amount of $7,930,182
(representing $6,836,364 and $1,093,818 of principal and interest, respectively). The Company recorded additional non-cash interest expense in the amount of $1,193,849 in
connection with Monthly Redemption Payments during the year ended December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2020, gross principal and guaranteed interest of $581,818
and $93,091, respectively, remained outstanding on the Senior Notes. The balance of non-cash interest accrued on the Senior Notes is $100,848 as of December 31, 2020. On
January 2, 2021, 529,383 shares were issued in full satisfaction of the remaining principal and interest outstanding on the Senior Notes.
F-25
Note 11 – Bridge Note Payable
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The Bridge Note Payable of $1,421,096 consists of the Amended Bridge Note (see Note 10 – Convertible Debt and Convertible Debt, Related Party, Convertible
Bridge Notes and Convertible Bridge Notes, Related Party). The Amended Bridge Note matures on February 23, 2022, but will be paid upon the sale of WPT. Interest on the
Amended Bridge Note began to accrue on August 23, 2020 at 12% per annum (increasing to 15% per annum upon an event of default as defined in the Amended Bridge
Note). Principal and interest owed under the Amended Bridge Note is not convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock. The Bridge Note Payable is secured by the
WPT business. Accordingly, it will be necessary to pay-off the Bridge Note Payable upon the closing of the Sale Transaction. Hence, the Bridge Note Payable and $ 60,698 of
related interest payable have been classified as current liabilities as of December 31, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded interest expense
of $60,698 in connection with the Amended Bridge Note.
Note 12 – Loans Payable
During May 2020, the Company’s continuing operations received aggregate cash proceeds of $907,129 pursuant to two loans (the “PPP Loans”) provided in
connection with the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) under the CARES Act. The PPP Loans bear interest at 0.98% per annum. Monthly amortized principal and interest
payments begin in July 2021 and the notes mature in April 2022. While the PPP Loans currently have two-year maturities, the amended law permits the borrower to request
five-year maturities from its lenders.
Under the terms of the CARES Act, as amended by the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020, the Company’s subsidiaries are eligible to apply for
and receive forgiveness for all or a portion of PPP Loans. Such forgiveness will be determined, subject to limitations, based on the use of PPP loan proceeds for certain
permissible purposes as set forth in the PPP, including, but not limited to, payroll costs (as defined under the PPP) and mortgage interest, rent or utility costs (collectively,
“Qualifying Expenses”), and on the maintenance of employee and compensation levels during the twenty-four week period following the funding of the PPP Loan. The
Company intends to use the proceeds of the PPP Loans solely for Qualifying Expenses. However, no assurance is provided that the Company will be able to obtain
forgiveness of the PPP Loans, in whole or in part.
The Company recorded interest expense of $6,333 related to the PPP Loans during the year ended December 31, 2020.
Note 13 – Income Taxes
The Company and its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the United States (federal and California) and Germany.
The U.S. and foreign components of loss before income taxes from continuing operations were as follows:
United States
Foreign
Loss before income taxes from continuing operations
The income tax provision (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 consists of the following:
Federal
Current
Deferred
State and local:
Current
Deferred
Foreign
Current
Deferred
Change in valuation allowance
Income tax provision (benefit)
F-26
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2020
(45,315,394) $
(468,944)
(45,784,338) $
2019
(15,173,062)
(282,265)
(15,455,327)
$
$
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2020
2019
$
- $
(7,159,062)
-
(7,527,844)
-
(681,815)
-
(716,938)
-
(63,193)
(7,904,070)
7,904,070
- $
-
-
(8,244,782)
8,244,782
-
$
The reconciliation of the expected tax expense (benefit) based on the U.S. federal statutory rates for 2020 and 2019, respectively, with the actual expense is as
follows:
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
U.S. Federal statutory rate
State taxes, net of federal benefit
Permanent differences
Statutory rate differential - domestic v. foreign
Changes in tax rates
Other
Adjustments in deferred taxes
Change in valuation allowance
Total
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets are presented below:
Deferred Tax Assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards
Production costs
Investment
Stock-based compensation
Capitalized start-up costs
Property and equipment
Accruals and other
Gross deferred tax assets
Property and equipment
Net deferred tax assets
Valuation allowance
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2020
2019
21.0%
6.3%
(10.7%)
(0.1%)
1.0%
0.4%
(0.9%)
(17.0%)
0.0%
21.0%
2.0%
(0.2%)
(0.2%)
0.0%
1.1%
29.6%
(53.3%)
0.0%
As of
December 31,
2020
2019
$
13,022,657 $
274,355
2,909,497
387,410
322,793
1,022,026
1,252,731
19,191,469
19,191,469
(19,191,469)
- $
$
8,936,688
231,217
2,190,138
56,976
353,651
-
547,735
12,316,404
(1,029,005)
11,287,399
(11,287,399)
-
As of December 31, 2020, the Company had approximately $55,040,000, $14,204,525 and $4,234,582 of federal, state and foreign net operating loss (“NOL”)
carryforwards available to offset against future taxable income. The federal NOL may be carried forward indefinitely. For state, these NOLs will begin to expire in 2038. For
the foreign NOLs, these NOLs can be carried forward indefinitely. The federal and state NOL carryovers are subject to annual limitations under Section 382 of the U.S.
Internal Revenue Code when there is a greater than 50% ownership change, as determined under the regulations. The Company is not aware of any annual limitations have
been triggered. The Company remains subject to the possibility that a future greater than 50% ownership change could trigger annual limitations on the usage of NOLs.
The Company assesses the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be realized. ASC 740, “Income Taxes” requires that a valuation allowance be established when it
is “more likely than not” that all, or a portion of, deferred tax assets will not be realized. A review of all available positive and negative evidence needs to be considered,
including the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies. After consideration of all the information available,
management believes that uncertainty exists with respect to future realization of its deferred tax assets and has, therefore, established a full valuation allowance as of
December 31, 2020 and 2019.
F-27
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company’s tax returns remain subject to examination by various taxing authorities beginning with the tax year ended December 31, 2016. No tax audits were
commenced or were in process during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.
The Company reviews its filing positions for all open tax years in all U.S. federal and state jurisdictions where the Company is required to file. The Company
recognizes liabilities for uncertain tax positions based on a two-step process. To the extent a tax position does not meet a more-likely-than-not level of certainty, no benefit is
recognized in the financial statements. If a position meets the more-likely-than-not level of certainty, it is recognized in the consolidated financial statements at the largest
amount that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company has not recognized any liability related to uncertain tax provisions as
of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
The Company’s practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The Company had no accrual for interest or
penalties at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, and has not recognized interest and/or penalties during the years then ended as there are no material
unrecognized tax benefits. Management does not anticipate any material changes to the amount of unrecognized tax benefits within in the next 12 months.
The Company intends to indefinitely reinvest its unremitted earnings in its foreign subsidiaries, and accordingly has not provided deferred tax liabilities on those
earnings. The Company has not determined at this time an estimate of total amount of unremitted earnings, as it is not practical at this time.
Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies
Litigations, Claims, and Assessments
The Company is involved in various disputes, claims, liens and litigation matters arising out of the normal course of business. While the outcome of these disputes,
claims, liens and litigation matters cannot be predicted with certainty, after consulting with legal counsel, management does not believe that the outcome of these matters will
have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
On March 23, 2020, an employee of Allied Esports filed a claim in Los Angeles Superior Court alleging various employment misconduct against Allied Esports, the
Company and an officer of the Company in connection with a competition hosted by Allied Esports. The claim alleged damages in excess of $3.1 million. The parties agreed
to a mediation and all claims asserted against the Company by the employee for were settled on September 10, 2020 for an amount significantly less than the original claim.
The matter is now closed.
Operating Leases
Effective on March 23, 2017, Allied Esports entered into a non-cancellable operating lease for 30,000 square feet of event space in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the
purpose of hosting Esports activities (the “Las Vegas Lease”). As part of the Las Vegas Lease, Allied Esports committed to build leasehold improvements to repurpose the
space for Esports events prior to March 23, 2018, the day the Arena opened to the public (the “Commencement Date”). Initial lease terms are for minimum monthly payments
of $125,000 for 60 months with an option to extend for an additional 60 months at $137,500 per month. Additional annual tenant obligations are estimated at $2 per square
foot for Allied Esports’ portion of real estate taxes and $5 per square foot for common area maintenance costs. Lease payments began at the Commencement Date. The
aggregate base rent payable over the lease term will be recognized on a straight-line basis.
On November 5, 2020, Allied Esports entered into an amendment of its lease of event space in Las Vegas Nevada (the “Amended Las Vegas Lease”), pursuant to
which (i) $299,250 of deferred minimum monthly rent and additional rent due under the lease for the period from April 1, 2020 through June 3, 2020 must be paid in its
entirety by December 31, 2021; (ii) the monthly rent to be paid for the period from June 25 through December 31, 2020 (the “Rent Relief Period) was reduced to an amount
equal to 20% of gross sales (excluding food sales) at the event space (the “Percentage Rent”), (iii) the initial term of the lease was extended for two additional months until
May 31, 2023, and (iv) the option period to extend the lease was extended to between April 1, 2022 and September 30, 2022. Pursuant to the Amended Las Vegas Lease, if
the aggregate Percentage Rent during the Rent Relief Period is less than $194,000, Allied Esports must pay the shortfall no later than December 31, 2021. Rent expense
incurred during the rent relief period under the Amended Las Vegas Lease was $200,570.
F-28
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company’s aggregate rent expense incurred during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 amounted to $1,967,967 and $1,678,775, respectively, of
which $1,390,093 and $1,431,818, respectively, is included within in-person costs and $577,874 and $246,957, respectively, is included in general and administrative
expenses on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
The scheduled future minimum lease payments under the Company’s continuing operations leases are as follows:
Years Ending December 31,
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Thereafter
$
$
1,799,250
1,500,000
1,575,000
1,650,000
1,650,000
3,987,500
12,161,750
AESE is currently the guarantor of WPT’s lease of Irvine, California office space (the “Irvine Lease”). The lease expires on October 1, 2033. Current base rent
pursuant to the Irvine Lease is $41,027 per month, increasing to $58,495 per month over the term of the lease. It is anticipated that AESE will no longer act as guarantor of the
Irvine Lease, effective upon the closing of the Sale Transaction. See Note 4 – Discontinued Operations.
Investment Agreements
TV Azteca Investment
In June 2019, the Company entered into an exclusive ten-year strategic investment and revenue sharing agreement (the “TV Azteca Agreement”) with TV Azteca, in
order to expand the Allied Esports brand into Mexico. Pursuant to the terms of the TV Azteca Agreement, as amended, TV Azteca purchased 742,692 shares of AESE
common stock for $5,000,000.
In connection with the TV Azteca Agreement, AESE was to provide $7,000,000 to be used for various strategic initiatives including digital channel development,
facility and flagship construction in Mexico, co-production of Spanish language content, platform socialization, and marketing initiatives. The Company was entitled to
various future revenues generated from the investment. Through December 31, 2020, the Company paid $5,000,000 in connection with the TV Azteca agreement. On July 20,
2020, AESE and TV Azteca entered into an amendment to the TV Azteca Agreement (the “Azteca Amendment’). The Azteca Amendment provides that, subject to the
approval of the terms of the Azteca Amendment by the our Board of Directors: (i) TV Azteca waives our obligations under the Term Sheet to pay TV Azteca $1,000,000 on
each of March 1, 2021 and March 1, 2022 for various strategic initiatives, and to further invest in and develop an esports platform for the Mexican market; (ii) we shall waive
the 24-month lock-up that prohibits TV Azteca from selling or transferring the 763,904 shares of our common stock TV Azteca purchased pursuant to the Share Purchase
Agreement (the “Purchased Shares”); (iii) TV Azteca may sell the Purchased Shares in compliance with applicable securities laws, subject to selling at a reasonable market
price and subject to a daily volume cap not to exceed 25% of the our total daily Nasdaq trading volume; and (iv) if TV Azteca sells all of the Purchased Shares within a three-
month period following our Board of Directors approval of the Azteca Amendment, for gross proceeds of less than $1,600,000, then on March 1, 2021, we shall contribute
additional capital to the parties’ strategic alliance pursuant to the Term Sheet in an amount equal to such shortage. TV Azteca did not sell all of the Purchased Shares within
such timeframe and we are no longer is required to contribute additional capital to the parties’ strategic alliance pursuant to the Term Sheet.
On December 31, 2020, the Company recognized an impairment of $5,000,000 related to its investment in TV Azteca due to management’s determination that the
future cash flows are not expected to be sufficient to recover the carrying value of this investment.
Simon Agreement
In June 2019, the Company entered into an agreement (the “Simon Agreement”) with Simon Equity Development, LLC (“Simon”), a shareholder of the Company,
pursuant to which Allied Esports would conduct a series of mobile esports gaming tournaments and events at selected Simon shopping malls and online called the Simon Cup,
in each of 2019, 2020 and 2021, and would also develop esports and gaming venues at certain Simon shopping malls in the U.S.
In connection with the Simon Agreement, AESE placed $4,950,000 of cash into an escrow account to be utilized for various strategic initiatives including the build-
out of branded esports facilities at Simon malls, and esports event programs. On October 22, 2019, $1,300,000 was released from escrow in order to fund expenses incurred in
connection with the 2019 Simon Cup. As of December 31, 2019, the balance in the escrow account was $3,650,000, which is shown as restricted cash on the accompanying
consolidated balance sheet.
The Simon Agreement and the related Escrow Agreement, as amended, permitted Simon to request the return of any funds remaining in escrow if the parties did not
agree on the 2020 spending plan by March 8, 2020. On March 18, 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated in the United States, Simon notified the escrow agent that the
parties had not agreed on a 2020 spending plan and requested the return of the remaining funds in the escrow account. The escrow agent returned the remaining $3,650,000 to
Simon on March 26, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded $3,650,000, of stock-based compensation related to the return of cash held in
escrow, which is reflected in stock-based compensation expense on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.
F-29
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The COVID-19 pandemic has delayed indefinitely the parties’ ability to plan and budget for the 2020 and 2021 esports programming and esports venues. The parties
have agreed to extend the due date under the applicable agreements from March 8, 2020 to January 31, 2021, in order to continue to develop and budget for the annual esports
program and esports venues in future years once the COVID-19 pandemic has ended. As of the date of this document, no additional documents have been drafted or executed
between the Company and Simon, but discussions are ongoing.
Brookfield Partnership
On January 14, 2020, the Company issued 758,725 shares of its common stock to BPR Cumulus LLC, an affiliate of Brookfield Property Partners (“Brookfield”) in
exchange for $5,000,000 (the “Purchase Price”) pursuant to a Share Purchase Agreement (the “Brookfield Agreement”). The Purchase Price was placed into escrow and is to
be used by the Company or its subsidiaries to develop integrated esports experience venues at mutually agreed upon shopping malls owned and/or operated by Brookfield or
any of its affiliates (each, an “Investor Mall”), that will include a dedicated gaming space and production capabilities to attract and to activate esports and other emerging live
events (each, an “Esports Venue”). To that end, half of the Purchase Price will be released from escrow to the Company upon the execution of a written lease agreement
between Brookfield and the Company for the first Esports Venue, and the other half will be released to the Company upon the execution of a written lease agreement between
Brookfield and the Company for the second Esports Venue. Further, pursuant to the Brookfield Agreement, the Company must create, produce, and execute three (3) esports
events during each calendar year 2020, 2021 and 2022 that will include the Company’s esports truck at one or more Investor Malls at mutually agreed times. The balance held
in escrow as of December 31, 2020 is $5,000,000 and is reflected in restricted cash on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. As of the date of this document, no
additional documents have been drafted or executed between the Company and Brookfield, but discussions are ongoing. The parties have agreed not to move forward with
any leases until the pandemic has ended but are currently discussing alternative initiatives while they wait.
Consulting Agreement
On August 9, 2019, the Company entered into a consulting services agreement with a related party, Black Ridge Oil & Gas, the Company’s prior sponsor (“BROG”),
pursuant to which BROG provided administration and accounting services to the Company through December 31, 2019, in exchange for consulting fees in the aggregate of
$348,853.
Employment Agreements
On November 5, 2019, the Company entered into an employment agreement (the “CEO Agreement”) with the Company’s CEO. The CEO Agreement is effective as
of September 20, 2019. The CEO Agreement provides for a base salary of $300,000 per annum as well as annual incentive bonuses as determined by the Board of Directors,
subject to the attainment of certain objectives. The CEO Agreement provides for severance equal to twelve months of the CEO’s base salary. In connection with the CEO
agreement, the CEO also received 17,668 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock, with a grant date value of $100,000, which vest one year from date of issuance.
Unless terminated for cause, any unvested equity awards are immediately vested upon termination. The employment agreement expires on August 9, 2022 and may be
extended for a period up to one year upon mutual written agreement by the CEO and the Company at least thirty days prior to expiration.
On April 24, 2020, the CEO Agreement between the Company and its CEO was amended such that effective May 1, 2020, the CEO’s annual salary will be reduced
by 80% to $60,000 for a six-month period. On September 30, 2020, the CEO Agreement was further amended such that effective November 1, 2020, the CEO’s annual salary
will be $210,000 for a six-month period, and thereafter the initial annual base salary of $300,000 set forth in the CEO Agreement will be restored.
On December 31, 2020, the Company and Frank Ng, who serves as Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company, amended Mr. Ng’s employment
agreement (the “Employment Agreement Amendment”). The Employment Agreement Amendment provides that Mr. Ng’s annual salary will be $ 400,000 per year payable in
cash, and that the Company may, but is no longer required to, issue to Mr. Ng any shares of the Company’s common stock as compensation for his services.
F-30
2020 Cash Bonus Payments
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
On December 30, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the payment of an aggregate of approximately $1,245,000 in cash bonus payments to its
employees for services provided during the year 2020, contingent upon the closing of the sale of WPT. Of the aggregate $1,245,000 cash bonuses payable, approximately
$674,000 is payable to the employees of WPT and approximately $571,000 is payable to the employees of the Company’s continuing operations.
Change of Control Agreements
On December 30, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to enter into an agreement with the Company’s CEO which, upon the closing of
a transaction that resulted in a change-in-control of WPT, as defined, would obligate the Company to pay the CEO $1,000,000 upon the earlier of his termination of
employment with AESE without cause, as defined, or the two-year anniversary of the closing of the change-in-control transaction. Payment may be made in either cash or
shares of AESE common stock (valued at the trailing 10-day volume-weighted-average-price prior to the issuance date), at the Company’s discretion.
On December 30, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized WPT to enter into agreements with the WPT CEO and General Counsel which, upon the
closing of a transaction that resulted in a change-in-control of WPT, as defined, would obligate WPT to pay the WPT CEO and General Counsel aggregate lump-
sum severance payments of $522,827.
On December 30, 2020, Company’s Board of Directors approved, subject to a change-in-control of WPT which accelerates the vesting of AESE option grants held
by WPT employees, the extension of the exercise period of the options as follows: (i) the options to purchase an aggregate of 340,000 shares of AESE common stock held by
the WPT CEO and General Counsel may be exercised until the 10-year anniversary of the issuance date, and (ii) the remaining options to purchase an aggregate of
300,000 shares of AESE common stock may be exercised until the one-year anniversary of the change-in-control.
Note 16 – Stockholders’ Equity
Amendment to Company Charter
On July 27, 2020, the Company filed an Amendment to its Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware to increase the number of shares of common stock currently authorized by the Certificate by 10,000,000 shares, from 65,000,000 shares to 75,000,000 shares.
On November 4, 2020, the Company filed with the Delaware Secretary of State an amendment to its Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to
increase the total number of authorized shares of its common stock from 75,000,000 shares to 100,000,000 shares.
Put Option Agreement and Exercise
On February 25, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), the Company entered into a Put Option Agreement (the “Agreement”) with the Chairman of the Company’s Board of
Director (the “Chairman”), pursuant to which the Company has an option in its discretion, to sell shares of its common stock (the “Option Shares”) to the Chairman for
aggregate gross proceeds of up to $2.0 million, at a purchase price of $1.963 per Option Share, subject to the following limitations:
a) The total number of shares that may be issued under the Agreement will be limited to 19.99% of the Company’s outstanding shares on the date the Agreement is
signed (the “Exchange Cap”), unless stockholder approval is obtained to issue shares in excess of the Exchange Cap;
b) The Company may not issue, and the Chairman may not purchase Option Shares to the extent that such issuance would result in the Chairman and his affiliates
beneficially owning more than 19.99% of the then issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock unless (i) such ownership would not be the largest
ownership position in the Company, or (ii) stockholder approval is obtained for ownership in excess of 19.99%;
F-31
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
c) The Company may not issue, and the Chairman may not purchase any Option Shares if such issuance and purchase would be considered equity compensation under
the rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market unless stockholder approval is obtained for such issuance; and
d) Option Shares are subject to a six-month lock-up period whereby they cannot be sold or transferred.
On March 9, 2020, the Company provided notice to the Chairman that it had elected to exercise the Put Option to sell 1,018,848 Option Shares at a purchase price of
$1.963 per share for total proceeds of $2,000,000. The Option Shares were issued on May 15, 2020. On September 29, 2020, the Company received proceeds of $21,875 from
the Chairman, representing the disgorgement of short swing profits realized from the sale of shares.
Equity Purchase Option
Prior to the Closing Date, BRAC sold an option to purchase up to 600,000 units, exercisable at $11.50 per Unit, in connection with BRAC’s initial public offering
(the “Equity Purchase Option”). Each Unit consisted of one and one-tenth shares of common stock and a warrant to purchase one share of common stock at $11.50 per share.
Effective upon the closing of the Merger, the units converted by their terms into the shares and warrants, and the option now represents the ability to buy such securities
directly (and not units). The Equity Purchase Option may be exercised on either a cash or a cashless basis, at the holder’s option, and expires on October 4, 2022. These
previously issued BRAC Shares and Warrant Purchase Options are deemed to be issued in connection with the Merger, as a result of the reverse recapitalization.
A summary of the Equity Purchase Option activity during the year ended December 31, 2020 is presented below:
Outstanding, January 1, 2020
Granted
Exercised
Expired
Forfeited
Outstanding, December 31, 2020
Exercisable, December 31, 2020
Common Stock
Number of
Equity
Purchase
Options
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Term (Yrs)
Intrinsic
Value
600,000 $
-
-
-
-
600,000 $
11.50
11.50
600,000 $
11.50
1.8 $
1.8 $
-
-
On January 14, 2020, the Company issued 758,725 shares of its common stock to an investor in exchange for $5,000,000 (the “Purchase Price”) pursuant the
Brookfield Agreement (see Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies, Brookfield Partnership).
On August 6, 2020, the Company issued 50,000 shares of common stock to its Chief Financial Officer. The shares were immediately vested with no restrictions and
had a grant date value of $109,000. On September 24, 2020, the Company issued 14,286 shares of common stock to the Chairman of the Board of Directors. The common
stock was immediately vested with no restrictions and had grant date value of $20,000.
On August 7, 2020, the Company issued 217,999 shares of common stock with a grant date value of $474,000 to certain officers and employees of the Company, in
satisfaction of bonus obligations incurred in previous years, which were included in accrued expenses as of December 31, 2019.
F-32
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
On April 29, 2020, the Company issued 3,392,857 shares of its common stock valued at $9,998,845 upon the conversion of $5,000,000 debt (see Note 10 –
Convertible Debt and Convertible Debt, Related Party, Convertible Bridge Notes and Convertible Bridge Notes, Related Party).
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company issued 9,678,840 shares of its common stock valued at $13,218,091 for the redemption of $10,461,191 of
debt and accrued interest (see Note 10 – Convertible Debt and Convertible Debt, Related Party, Senior Secured Convertible Notes).
Equity Incentive Plan
On August 9, 2019, the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) was approved by the Company’s stockholders. The Incentive Plan is administered by
the Board of Directors or a committee designated by the Board of Directors to do so. The effective date of the Incentive Plan was December 19, 2018. The Incentive Plan
provides the grant of incentive stock options (“ISOs”), nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted common stock awards, restricted common stock unit
awards, as well as other stock-based awards that are deemed to be consistent with the purposes of the plan. There are 3,463,305 shares of common stock reserved under the
Incentive Plan, of which 471,486 shares remain available to be issued as of December 31, 2020.
Stock Options
A summary of the option activity during the year ended December 31, 2020 is presented below:
Outstanding, January 1, 2020
Granted
Exercised
Expired
Forfeited
Outstanding, December 31, 2020
Exercisable, December 31, 2020
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Term (Yrs)
Number of
Options
Intrinsic
Value
2,480,000 $
200,000
-
-
(250,000)
2,430,000 $
557,500 $
4.34
2.15
-
-
4.47
4.15
4.33
9.86 $
-
8.92 $
2.84 $
-
-
Options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2020 are as follows:
Options Outstanding
Options Exercisable
Exercise
Price
Outstanding
Number of
Options
Weighted Average
Remaining Life
In Years
Exercisable
Number of
Options
$
$
$
$
2.11
2.17
4.09
5.66
80,000
120,000
1,890,000
340,000
2,430,000
-
-
2.89
2.56
2.84
-
-
472,500
85,000
557,500
Effective June 30, 2020, two of the Company’s directors (the “Resigning Directors”) resigned from their positions as members of the Company’s Board of Directors.
Options for the purchase of an aggregate of 20,000 shares of common stock, with a grant date value of $43,356, held by the Resigning Directors were modified such that the
options will be fully vested on September 20, 2020 and will be exercisable through September 20, 2029. The Company recorded $8,386 of incremental stock-based
compensation expense as a result of the option modification for the year ended December 31, 2020.
F-33
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
On August 7, 2020, the Company’s Board approved, in connection with its general counsel’s transition to a part-time employee, the Company’s waiver of any
forfeiture of non-vested options in connection with such transition and termination of employment scheduled for February 2021, such that the options for the purchase of
170,000 shares of common stock (grant date value of $266,733) held by the Company’s general counsel will continue to vest according to their original vesting schedules and
will expire ninety days after November 21, 2023. The incremental value of the modified option award of $64,093, along with the unamortized portion of the original award,
will be amortized through the termination date in February 2021.
The option grants described below were issued from the Company’s 2019 Stock Incentive Plan (“Incentive Plan”).
On September 20, 2019, the Company issued ten-year options for the purchase of 400,000 shares of AESE common stock, pursuant to the Incentive Plan. The
options had an exercise price of $5.66 per share and a 4-year vesting term, with 25% vesting on each anniversary of the date of grant. The options had an aggregate grant date
fair value of $867,120.
On November 21, 2019, the Company issued ten-year options for the purchase of 2,080,000 shares of AESE common stock, pursuant to the Incentive Plan. The
options had an exercise price of $4.09 per share and a 4-year vesting term, with 25% vesting on each anniversary of the date of grant. The options had an aggregate grant date
fair value of $3,263,551.
On July 1, 2020, the Company issued ten-year options for the purchase of 80,000 shares of common stock, with a grant date value of $61,186, to two directors of the
Company. The options are exercisable at $2.11 per share and have a 4-year vesting term, with 25% vesting on each anniversary of the date of grant.
On August 6, 2020, the Company issued ten-year options for the purchase of 120,000 shares of common stock, with an aggregate grant date value of $97,947 to
WPT’s general counsel. The options are exercisable at $2.17 per share and have a 4-year vesting term with 25% vesting on each anniversary of the date of grant.
The grant date value of options granted during the year ended December 31, 2020 were calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, with the following
assumptions used:
Risk free interest rate
Expected term (years)
Expected volatility
Expected dividends
For the Years Ended
December 31,
2020
0.55 - 0.69%
6.25
38%
0.00%
2019
1.74 - 1.77%
6.25
36%
0.00%
The weighted average grant date fair value of the stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was approximately $0.80 and $1.67 per
share, respectively.
The expected term used for options is the estimated period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The Company utilizes the “simplified” method
to develop an estimate of the expected term of “plain vanilla” option grants. The Company is utilizing an expected volatility figure based on a review of the historical
volatilities, over a period of time, equivalent to the expected life of the instrument being valued, of similarly positioned public companies within its industry. The risk-free
interest rate was determined from the implied yields from U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds with a remaining term consistent with the expected term of the instrument being
valued.
For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded $1,158,173 and $149,893, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense related to
stock options issued as compensation, of which $214,239 and $22,339, respectively, was included in net income (loss) of discontinued operations on the accompanying
consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2020, there was $1,884,569 of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to the stock options that
will be recognized over the weighted average remaining vesting period of 2.9 years.
F-34
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Restricted Common Stock
A summary of the non-vested restricted common stock activity during the year ended December 31, 2020 is presented below:
Non-vested balance, January 1, 2020
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
Non-vested balance, December 31, 2020
Number of
Restricted Stock
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
80,393 $
199,143
(80,393)
-
199,143 $
5.66
2.03
5.66
-
2.03
The stock grants described below were issued from the Company’s Incentive Plan.
On September 20, 2019, the Company issued an aggregate of 80,393 shares of restricted common stock, pursuant to the Incentive Plan, to certain members of the
Board of Directors and Executives. The restricted common stock had an aggregate grant date fair value of $455,000 and vested on the one-year anniversary of the date of
grant. The shares were valued at the trading price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant.
On July 1, 2020, the Company issued 18,958 shares of restricted common stock with a grant date value $40,000 to two directors of the Company. The restricted
common stock remains subject to transfer and forfeiture restrictions until the shares vest on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant.
On August 7, 2020, the Company issued 50,000 shares of restricted common stock, with an aggregate grant date value of $109,000 to its Chief Financial Officer
(“CFO”). The 50,000 shares of restricted common stock have transfer and forfeiture restrictions until the shares vest in two equal installments on August 18, 2021 and August
18, 2022.
On August 7, 2020, the Company issued 94,471 shares of restricted common stock with a grant date value $205,000 to certain officers and directors. The restricted
common stock remains subject to transfer and forfeiture restrictions until the shares vest on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant.
On September 24, 2020, the Company issued 35,714 shares of restricted common stock with a grant date value of $50,000 to its CFO. The restricted common stock
remains subject to transfer and forfeiture restrictions until the shares vest on August 18, 2021.
For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded $588,220 and $127,152, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense related to
restricted stock issued as compensation of which $40,165 and $6,986, respectively, was included in net income (loss) of discontinued operations on the accompanying
statements of operations. As of December 31, 2020, there was $239,779 of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock that will be recognized
over the weighted average remaining vesting period of 1.0 years.
Warrants
Prior to the August 9, 2019 Closing Date of the Merger (see Note 1 – Background and Basis of Presentation), BRAC issued 14,305,000 five-year warrants (the
“BRAC Warrants”) for the purchase of the Company’s common stock at $11.50 per share in connection with BRAC’s initial public offering. These previously issued BRAC
Warrants are deemed to be issued in connection with the Merger, as a result of the reverse recapitalization.
As of result of the August 9, 2019 Merger, the Company issued to the former owners of Allied Esports and WPT five-year warrants to purchase an aggregate of
3,800,003 shares of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share and issued five-year warrants for the purchase of an aggregate of 532,000 shares of common stock to the
Noteholders with an exercise price of $11.50 per share.
F-35
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
On June 8, 2020, the Company issued warrants for the purchase of 1,454,546 shares of common stock at $4.13 per share in connection with the issuance of Senior
Secured Convertible Notes (See Note 10 – Convertible Debt and Convertible Debt, Related Party, Senior Secured Convertible Notes).
A summary of warrant activity during the year ended December 31, 2020 is presented below:
Outstanding, January 1, 2020
Issued
Exercised
Cancelled
Outstanding, December 31, 2020
Exercisable, December 31, 2020
Note 17 – Subsequent Events
Senior Secured Convertible Notes
Weighted
Average
Number of
Warrants
18,637,003 $
1,454,546
-
-
20,091,549 $
Exercise Price
11.50
4.13
-
-
10.97
20,091,549 $
10.97
Weighted
Average
Remaining Life
in Years
Intrinsic
Value
-
-
-
4.6 $
3.7 $
3.7 $
On January 4, 2021, the Company issued 529,383 shares of common stock as redemption payments on the Senior Secured Convertible Notes. See Note 10 –
Convertible Debt and Convertible Debt, Related Party. As of the close of business on January 4, 2021, the principal and accrued interest associated with the Senior Notes
were repaid in full.
Director Awards
On January 4, 2021, the Company issued to its non-executive directors an aggregate of 126,584 shares of common stock from its Incentive Plan. The shares were
issued for their director services to the Company.
Restricted Stock
On January 19, 2021, the Company entered into a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement with its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). Pursuant to this agreement, the CEO
received restricted stock units having a stated value equal to $1,000,000, which restricted stock units represent the right to receive $1,000,000 payable upon the earlier of the
two-year anniversary of the closing date of the Sale Transaction (provided that the CEO remains continuously employed by the Company through such date), or the
termination of the CEO’s employment without cause (as defined in his employment agreement) (as applicable, the “Vesting Date”). At the time of payment, the Company may
elect pay the $1,000,000 award in cash or in shares of common stock valued at the fair market value of our common stock on the Vesting Date, or any combination thereof.
All issuances of common stock will be issued from our 2019 Equity Incentive Plan. If payments or benefits provided or to be provided by the Company or its affiliates to the
CEO pursuant to the agreement or otherwise (“Covered Payments”) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 (the “Code”) that would be subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (collectively, the “Excise Tax”), payments to be made under the agreement
will be reduced to the minimum extent necessary to ensure that no portion of the Covered Payments is subject to the Excise Tax. On March 22, 2021, the agreement was
amended to provide that the Vesting Date would apply after the two-year anniversary of the sale of CSI to Element Partners, LLC, Bally’s Corporation, or their affiliates
(provided that the CEO remains continuously employed by the Company through such date).
Sale of WPT
During 2021, the Company entered into the Stock Purchase Agreement (or “SPA”) whereby CSI (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and the entity that
directly or indirectly owns the legal entities comprising the WPT business) would be sold to Element Partners, LLC (the “Buyer”), a Delaware limited liability company
formed for the purposes of acquiring the WPT business in the Sale Transaction. The Buyer is owned by an investment fund. See Note 1 – Background and Basis of
Presentation and Note 4 – Discontinued Operations.
F-36
Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Pursuant to the SPA, the Buyer intends to purchase 100% of the outstanding capital stock of CSI for a base purchase price of $105 million. This base purchase price
will be adjusted to reflect the amount of CSI’s cash, indebtedness (other than indebtedness related to an outstanding $ 685,300 Paycheck Protection Program loan) and accrued
and unpaid transaction expenses as of the closing of the Sale Transaction. The Buyer remitted a $10.0 million advance payment of the base purchase price to the Seller upon
the execution of the SPA and is required to pay the balance of the base purchase price at the closing of the Sale Transaction.
The SPA contains customary representations and warranties, covenants and indemnification provisions. The closing of the Sale Transaction is subject to closing
conditions, including the approval of the Sale Transaction by the Company’s stockholders and other customary closing conditions. The Company intends to consummate the
Sale Transaction shortly after obtaining stockholder approval, assuming all other conditions to the completion of the Sale Transaction have been satisfied or waived by the
appropriate parties.
The SPA may be terminated by Buyer or the Company if the closing of the Sale Transaction has not occurred by September 30, 2021, or upon the occurrence of
certain customary events as set forth in the SPA. Depending on the circumstances surrounding a termination of the SPA, the Buyer may be required to pay a $ 10.0 million
non-performance fee to the Company, and the Company may be required to pay a $3.45 million termination fee to the Buyer, and the Company may be required to return to
Buyer the $10.0 million advance payment of the purchase price and reimburse Buyer for up to $1.0 million of its documented out of pocket expenses incurred in connection
with the authorization, preparation, negotiation, execution and performance of the SPA and the Sale Transaction.
Effective upon any termination of the SPA, other than a termination in which Buyer is required to pay a non-performance fee to the Company, Buyer (or its affiliate)
and Peerless Media Limited, an indirect subsidiary of the Company that owns intellectual property related to the WPT Business, will enter into a 3-year brand license for
Buyer’s (or its affiliate’s) use of the WPT brand in the territory of Asia for real-money gaming in exchange for revenue-based royalty payments of 20% of qualifying
revenues, and minimum annual guaranteed royalty payments of $4.0 million, $6.0 million and $8.0 million for the first, second and third years, respectively. Such license will
be subject to further customary terms and conditions and provide Peerless Media Limited with a $2.0 million buy-out right after the first year. In the event of any termination
of the Stock Purchase Agreement under any circumstance in which the Buyer is required to pay a termination fee to us, the Company will have the option, but not the
obligation, to require the Buyer to enter into such license agreement with Peerless Media Limited.
On January 26, 2021, WPT received notice from its lender that the entirety of the $685,300 of outstanding principal of its PPP Loan, which is included in current
liabilities held for sale on the accompanying balance sheets, was forgiven.
F-37
Exhibit No.
2.1
Description
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated December 19, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed December 19, 2018)
EXHIBIT INDEX
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
3.1
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated August 5, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019)
Agreement of Merger dated August 9, 2019 between Noble Link Global Limited and Allied Esports Media, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to
the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019)
Plan of Merger dated August 9, 2019 between Noble Link Global Limited and Allied Esports Media, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019)
Stock Purchase Agreement dated January 19, 2021 by and among Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc., Allied Esports Media, Inc., Club Services, Inc., and
Element Partners, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 19, 2021)
Amended and Restated Stock Purchase Agreement dated March 19, 2021 by and among Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc., Allied Esports Media, Inc., Club
Services, Inc., and Element Partners, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 22, 2021)
Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Stock Purchase Agreement dated March 29, 2021 by and among Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc., Allied
Esports Media, Inc., Club Services, Inc., and Element Partners, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-
K filed March 30, 2021)
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
August 15, 2019)
By-laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Form S-1/A filed September 22, 2017)
Amendment to Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 20, 2019)
Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1
to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 27, 2020)
Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1
to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed November 9, 2020)
Specimen common stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Form S-1/A filed September 22, 2017)
Specimen warrant Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Form S-1/A filed September 22, 2017)
Specimen Rights Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Form S-1/A filed September 22, 2017)
Form of warrant Agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the
Company’s Form S-1/A filed September 22, 2017)
Rights Agreement, dated October 4, 2017, between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2
to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on October 5, 2017)
76
4.6
4.7
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9
Description of Registrant’s Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 16, 2020)
Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued June 8, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
June 8, 2020)
Form of Letter Agreement from each of the Company’s sponsor, officers and directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form S-
1/A filed September 22, 2017)
Form of Investment Management Trust Agreement between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Company (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form S-1/A filed September 22, 2017).
Form of Stock Escrow Agreement between the Company, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form S-1/A filed September 22, 2017).
Form of Promissory Note issued to Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Form S-1/A filed September 22,
2017)
Promissory Note, dated December 10, 2018, issued by Black Ridge Acquisition Corp. to Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.8 to the Company’s Annual Report on form 10-K filed on March 18, 2019)
Form of Share Purchase Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 17, 2019)
Share Purchase Agreement dated August 5, 2019 among Company, Simon Equity Development, LLC, Black Ridge Oil & Gas, Inc., and Allied Esports Media,
Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019)
Share Purchase Agreement dated August 5 2019, between TV AZTECA, S.A.B. DE C.V. and Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019)
Pala Interactive LLC - Amended and Restated Services and Licensing Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019)
10.10
Pala Interactive Software Development Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August
15, 2019)
10.11
Pala Interactive Amendment 1 to Software Development Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-
K filed August 15, 2019)
10.12
Pala Interactive Amendment 2 to Software Development Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-
K filed August 15, 2019)
10.13
Pala Interactive Amendment 3 to Software Development Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-
K filed August 15, 2019)
10.14
Pala Interactive Amendment 4 to Software Development Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-
K filed August 15, 2019)
10.15
Pala Interactive - Amendment 5 to Software Development Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Current Report on Form
8-K filed August 15, 2019)
10.16
Pala Interactive Amendment 6 to Software Development Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-
K filed August 15, 2019)
77
10.17
10.18
Zynga Joint Content License Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019)
National Sports Programming (Fox & FSN) Program Production and Televising Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019)
10.19
National Sports Programming (Fox & FSN) Agreement (WPT Seasons 12-14 and SHR Seasons 1-3) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019)
10.20
National Sports Programming (Fox FSN) - Network Agreement (WPT S15-19 plus TBD Programming) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019)
10.21
National Sports Programming (Fox FSN) - Amendment to Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Company’s Current Report on Form
8-K filed August 15, 2019)
10.22
National Sports Programming (Fox FSN) - Amendment to Agreement (TBD Episodes) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019)
10.23
National Sports Programming (Fox FSN) - Amendment to Agreement (Corporate Restructure) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019)
10.24
National Sports Programming (Fox FSN) - Exclusivity Amendment (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed August 15, 2019)
10.25
National Sports Programming (Fox FSN) - Tubi TV Exclusivity Amendment (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Company’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019)
10.26
World Poker Tour Wilshire Courtyard Lease (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15,
2019)
10.27
First Amendment to World Poker Tour Wilshire Courtyard Lease (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed August 15, 2019)
10.28
Second Amendment to World Poker Tour Wilshire Courtyard Lease (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-
K filed August 15, 2019)
10.29
Third Amendment to World Poker Tour Wilshire Courtyard Lease (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed August 15, 2019)
10.30
Allied Esports Media- Quintana Office Property LLC Lease(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
August 15, 2019)
10.31
First Amendment to Allied Esports Media- Quintana Office Property LLC Lease (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Company’s Current Report
on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019)
10.32
Event Sponsorship Agreement between Newegg Inc. and Allied Esports International, Inc.(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019)
10.33
Kingston Technology Company - Allied Esports International Event Sponsorship Agreement(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019)
10.34
Ramparts, Inc.-Allied Esports International Lease (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15,
2019)
78
10.35
First Amendment to Ramparts, Inc. - Allied Esports International Lease (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to the Company’s Current Report on Form
8-K filed August 15, 2019)
10.36
Second Amendment to Ramparts Inc. -Allied Esports International Inc. Lease (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the Company’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019)
10.37
Convertible Note Purchase Agreement dated October 11, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed August 15, 2019)
10.38
Share Pledge Agreement dated October 11, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15,
2019)
10.39
Security Agreement dated October 11, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15,
2019)
10.40
Form of Convertible Promissory Note dated October 11, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
August 15, 2019)
10.41
Convertible Note Purchase Agreement dated May 17, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
August 15, 2019)
10.42
Share Pledge Agreement dated May 17, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15,
2019)
10.43
10.44
10.45
10.46
Security Agreement dated May 17, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019)
Form of Convertible Promissory Note dated May 17, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.46 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
August 15, 2019)
Guaranty (assigned to Company) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.47 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 15, 2019)
Amendment and Acknowledgement Agreement dated August 5, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.48 to the Company’s Current Report on Form
8-K filed August 15, 2019)
10.47
Pliska Employment Agreement dated January 24, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.49 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
August 15, 2019)
10.48
Pliska Employment Agreement Amendment dated June 1, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.50 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed August 15, 2019)
10.49
Pliska Employment Agreement Amendment dated December 19, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.51 to the Company’s Current Report on Form
8-K filed August 15, 2019)
10.50
Pliska- Trisara Restricted Share Issuance Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.52 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August
15, 2019)
10.51
Registration Rights Agreement dated August 9, 2019 by and among the Company and Eric Yang (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the
Company’s Form S-3 Registration Statement filed September 20, 2019)
10.52
Employment Agreement between the Company and Frank Ng (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
filed November 1, 2019)
79
10.53
Share Purchase Agreement dated January 14, 2020 between the Company and BPR Cumulus LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 21, 2020)
10.54
Put Option Agreement dated February 25, 2020 between the Company and Lyle A. Berman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 26, 2020)
10.55
Amendment to Put Option Agreement dated April 7, 2020 by and between Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Lyle Berman (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 10, 2020)
10.56
Secured Convertible Note Modification and Conversion Agreement dated April 29, 2020 between Knighted Pastures LLC and the Company (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 30, 2020)
10.57
Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated April 24, 2020 among Ourgame International Holdings Limited, Trisara Ventures, LLC, Adam Pliska and the
Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 30, 2020)
10.58
Amendment to Employment Agreement dated April 24, 2020 between Frank Ng and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 30, 2020)
10.59
Promissory Note between Allied Esports International, Inc. and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 7, 2020)
10.60
Promissory Note between Esports Arena Las Vegas, LLC and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 7, 2020)
10.61
Secured Convertible Note Modification and Conversion Agreement No. 2 dated May 22, 2020 between the Company and Knighted Pastures, LLC
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 22, 2020)
10.62
Business Loan Agreement dated May 18, 2020 between WPT and CommerceWest Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on May 22, 2020)
10.63
Promissory Note dated May 18, 2020 issued by WPT to CommerceWest Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed on May 22, 2020)
10.64
Form of Secured Convertible Note Modification (Extension) Agreement between the Company and each of the Extending Bridge Noteholders (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 8, 2020)
10.65
Form of Secured Convertible Note Modification Agreement No. 3 between the Company and Knighted Pastures LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 8, 2020)
10.66
Securities Purchase Agreement dated June 8, 2020 between the Company and Investors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on June 8, 2020)
10.67
Form of Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Note dated June 8, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form
8-K filed on June 8, 2020)
10.68
Security Agreement dated June 8, 2020 among Investors, the Company and its subsidiaries (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 8, 2020)
10.69
Registration Rights Agreement dated June 8, 2020 between the Company and Investors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on June 8, 2020)
80
10.70
10.71
Subsidiary Guarantee dated June 8, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 8, 2020)
Amendment to Term Sheet and Share Purchase Agreement between the Company and TV AZTECA, S.A.B. DE C.V. dated July 20, 2020 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 24, 2020)
10.71
Amendment to Employment Agreement dated September 30, 2020 between Frank Ng and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 30, 2020)
10.72
Amendment to Employment Agreement dated December 31, 2020 by and between Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Frank Ng (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 19, 2021)
10.73
Restricted Stock Unit Agreement dated January 19, 2021 by and between Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Frank Ng (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 19, 2021)
10.74
Change in Control Agreement dated December 31, 2020 by and between Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. and Adam Pliska (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 19, 2021)
10.75
Amendment to Program Production and Televising Agreement and Network Distribution Agreement, dated February 11, 2021, by and between WPT
Enterprises, Inc. and Fox Sports Net, LLC (as successor in interest to National Sports Programming) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 19, 2021)
10.76
Fourth Amendment to Office Lease dated March 10, 2021 between Onni Wilshire Courtyard LLC and WPT Enterprises, Inc.*
14
21.1
23.1
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
Code of Ethics (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 16, 2020)
Subsidiaries of Company*
Consent of Marcum LLP*
Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a).*
Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a).*
Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.*
Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.*
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document*
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema*
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase*
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase*
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase*
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase*
*
Filed herewith.
81
FOURTH AMENDMENT TO OFFICE LEASE
Exhibit 10.76
THIS FOURTH AMENDMENT TO OFFICE LEASE (this “Fourth Amendment”), dated as of March 10, 2021, is entered into by and between ONNI WILSHIRE
COURTYARD LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Landlord”), and WPT ENTERPRISES, INC., a Nevada corporation (“Tenant”).
RECITALS
A. WHEREAS, Landlord and Tenant entered into that certain Office Lease dated September 24, 2004 (the “Original Lease”), as supplemented by that certain Notice
of Lease Term Dates, executed by Tenant on May 13, 2005 (the “ Commencement Letter”) as amended by that certain First Amendment to Lease, dated as of March 21, 2006
(the “First Amendment ”), and that certain Second Amendment to Lease, dated as of January 31, 2011 (the “Second Amendment ”), and that certain Third Amendment to
Lease, dated as of October 2, 2015 (the “Third Amendment”), collectively known herein as (the “Lease”) for that certain premises on the third (3rd) floor in Suite 350 being
approximately 8,563 rentable square feet (the “Premises”), located at 5700 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA (the “Building”); and
B. WHEREAS, the Lease Term is scheduled to expire on January 31, 2021; and
C. WHEREAS, Landlord and Tenant desire to renew the Lease Term for the Premises upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, for valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto do hereby agree as follows:
1. Defined Terms. All capitalized terms used in this Fourth Amendment which are defined in the Lease shall have the same definitions as are provided in the Lease
unless expressly redefined herein.
2 . Lease Term. Commencing on February 1, 2021 (the “Renewal Term Commencement Date”), the Lease Term with respect to the Premises shall be hereby
extended for ten (10) years and ten (10) months (the “Extended Term”), unless sooner terminated in accordance with the terms of the Lease, and shall expire November 30,
2031 (the “Renewal Term Expiration Date”).
3. Base Rent: Commencing on the Renewal Term Commencement Date, Tenant shall pay Base Rent in accordance to the following:
Extended Term
Lease Year
February 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022
February 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023
February 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024
February 1, 2024 to January 31, 2025
February 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026
February 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027
February 1, 2027 to January 31, 2028
February 1, 2028 to January 31, 2029
February 1, 2029 to January 31, 2030
February 1, 2030 to January 31, 2031
February 1, 2031 to November 30, 2031
Annual Base
Rent
462,402.00 $
476,274.06 $
490,562.28 $
505,279.15 $
520,437.52 $
536,050.65 $
552,132.17 $
568,696.14 $
585,757.02 $
603,329.73 $
517,858.02 $
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
38,533.50 $
39,689.51 $
40,880.19 $
42,106.60 $
43,369.79 $
44,670.89 $
46,011.01 $
47,391.34 $
48,813.08 $
50,277.48 $
51,785.80 $
Monthly Rate
Per Square Foot
4.50
4.64
4.77
4.92
5.06
5.22
5.37
5.53
5.70
5.87
6.05
54.00 $
55.62 $
57.29 $
59.01 $
60.78 $
62.60 $
64.48 $
66.41 $
68.41 $
70.46 $
72.57 $
Monthly
Installment of
Base Rent
Annual Rate
Per Square Foot
4. Rent Abatement. Tenant shall not be obligated to pay an amount equal to Three Hundred Eighty-Five Thousand Three Hundred Thirty-Five and 00/100 Dollars
($385,335.00) of the monthly Base Rent attributable to the Premises for each of the second (2nd), third (3rd), fourth (4th), fifth (5th), sixth (6th), seventh (7th), eighth (8th),
ninth (9th), tenth (10th), and eleventh (11th) full calendar months of the Extended Term, being approximately three hundred and six (306) days, inclusive, of the Extended Term
(the “Rent Abatement Period”).
5. Operating Expenses and Tax Expenses. The second sentence of the last paragraph of Section 4.2(d) of the Original Lease, as amended by Section 5.1 of the Third
Amendment, is hereby amended by replacing the phrase “ninety-five percent (95%) occupied” with “one hundred percent (100%) occupied.” Without limiting Section 5.2 of the
Third Amendment or Section 11 of this Fourth Amendment, Tax Expenses for the Base Year and all subsequent comparison years shall be determined on the basis that the
Project is fully assessed for real estate tax purposes.
6 . Tenant Parking. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Article 28.1 of the Lease, except during any period or periods during which Tenant is in a
monetary default beyond any applicable notice or cure period as a result of Tenant’s non-payment of Rent, or other applicable charges as per the Lease, Tenant shall receive a
ten percent (10%) discount on the monthly unreserved parking rate during the Rent Abatement Period being months 2 through 11of the of the Extended Term. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in any monthly parking contract, (a) no individual monthly parking contract can be terminated for nonpayment unless such nonpayment continues for
more than five (5) days after written notice to Tenant, (b) Tenant may increase or decrease the number and type of parking passes rented by Tenant upon not less than thirty (30)
days’ notice to Landlord, provided that in no event shall Tenant have the right to rent more than the number and type of parking passes as set forth in the Lease, and (c)
Landlord may not terminate any such contract except as provided in the Lease.
7. Tenant’s Proportionate Share. Effective on the Renewal Term Commencement Date, Tenant’s Share (as defined in the Lease) for the Premises shall be adjusted as
follows:
1.5062% (8,563 rentable square feet in the Premises/568,519 rentable square feet at the Building).
8. Rentable Square Footage of Premises and Building. Effective as of the Renewal Commencement Date, the Lease shall be amended to delete Section 1.2 of the
Original Lease and replace it with the following:
“The rentable square feet of the Premises is approximately 8,563 rentable square feet. For purposes hereof, the rentable square feet of the Premises and the buildings in
the Project shall be calculated by Landlord pursuant to the Standard Method for Measuring Floor Area in Office Buildings, ANSI Z65.1-2017 (“ BOMA”), or the then
current standard of BOMA measurement, as modified for the Building pursuant to Landlord’s standard rentable area measurements for the Building, to include, among
other calculations, a portion of the common areas and service areas of the Building. The rentable square feet of the Premises and the buildings in the Project are subject
to verification from time to time by Landlord’s planner/designer and such verification shall be made in accordance with the provisions of this Section. Tenant’s architect
may consult with Landlord’s planner/designer regarding such verification, except to the extent it relates to the rentable square feet of the buildings in the Project;
provided, however, the determination of Landlord’s planner/designer shall be conclusive and binding upon the parties in the absence of manifest error. If Landlord’s
planner/designer determines that the rentable square footage amounts shall be different from those set forth in this Lease, all amounts, percentages and figures appearing
or referred to in this Lease based upon such incorrect rentable square footage (including, without limitation, the amount of the Base Rent and Tenant’s Share) shall be
modified in accordance with such determination. If such determination is made, it will be confirmed in writing by Landlord to Tenant. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary herein contained, under no circumstances, however, shall any payment obligation of Tenant under this Lease increase as a result of Landlord’s remeasure during
the Extension Term. Landlord shall have the right to remeasure the Premises and adjust the rentable square footage at any time during the initial Extension
Term. Should the rentable square footage change due to remeasurement during the Extension Term, Landlord shall only adjust the rentable square footage
and all amounts, percentages and figures in the Lease, including, upon the commencement of the Option Term.
2
9. Landlord Work. Landlord shall perform Landlord Work, at Landlord’s sole cost and expense, (as outlined in Exhibit B of this Fourth Amendment) pursuant to a
mutually agreed upon space plan incorporating mutually agreed upon Landlord building standard materials and specifications. Landlord and Tenant shall mutually agree on the
date upon which Landlord shall commence the Landlord Work (the “Landlord Work Commencement Date”), which must commence prior to August 31, 2021. Landlord shall
have one hundred and twenty (120) days to complete the Landlord Work from Landlord Work Commencement Date, subject to force majeure or any delays out of the
Landlord’s reasonable control, including but not limited a Tenant Delay (as defined in Section 5 of Exhibit B) (the “ Scheduled Completion Date”). In the event that the
Landlord’s Work is not substantially completed by the date (the “Outside Completion Date”) that is thirty (30) days after the Scheduled Completion Date, then
Tenant shall be entitled to a rent credit to be applied after the expiration of the Rent Abatement Period equal to one day’s Base Rent for each one day in the period
from the Outside Completion Date until the date upon which the Landlord’s Work is substantially completed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event any items in
the Landlord’s Work or Lease which require Tenant’s consent, including but not limited to Change Orders and items considered a “Tenant Delay” (as defined in Exhibit B) and
consent or direction from Tenant has not been approved by Tenant within 24 hours of Landlord request, and (ii) Tenant fails to relocate from the Premises within 24 hours of
notice from Landlord as further outlined in Exhibit B and Section 8 (a), then, in such event, the Outside Completion Date shall be extended day for day for each 24 hours tenant
fails to comply with (i) and (ii). For greater clarity, the construction schedule (the “Landlord Work Schedule”) will provide a timeline for commencement of Landlord Work
and anticipated completion of Landlord Work. Landlord shall propose the estimated Landlord Work Schedule to Tenant within a commercially reasonable period of time after
the full execution and delivery of this Fourth Amendment. Upon the Renewal Term Commencement Date, Landlord shall be responsible for compliance with all applicable
laws, including but not limited to ADA, Title 24 and Title 8 (the “Laws”) regarding the exterior and common areas (including the common area restrooms) only to the extent
modifications are a requirement of the City of Los Angeles. Landlord shall have the time permitted by the City of Los Angeles to perform such compliance work. Upon
execution of this Fourth Amendment, Landlord may, if required apply for and obtain all permits relating to Landlord Work. In the event Tenant requests any changes to the
approved construction drawings attached hereto as Exhibit B, Tenant shall be responsible for all costs associated with any changes, including but not limited to permit fees and
construction costs as further detailed in Section 4.c of Exhibit B. Any changes shall be considered a Tenant Delay as further detailed in Exhibit B. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Fourth Amendment or Exhibit B, Tenant shall at all times have the right to use up to five (5) exterior offices during the performance
of Landlord’s Work. Landlord and Tenant shall cooperate reasonably as to which specific exterior offices may be used at any particular time so as to address
Landlord’s reasonable requirements with respect to progress of the Landlord Work. Should Tenant fail to vacate a specific exterior office at an agreed to particular
time, this shall constitute a Tenant Delay and completion of Landlord’s Work shall be pushed out in accordance with this Section 9.
9.1 Swing Space. Landlord agrees to provide Tenant, upon Tenant’s request with temporary swing space more particularly described on Schedule 2
attached hereto in an “as is, where is” condition for Tenant to occupy for Tenant’s Permitted Use, while Landlord performs Landlord Work (the “ Swing Space”).
Prior to taking possession of the Swing Space, Tenant agrees to execute a commercially reasonable month to month lease agreement (the “Temporary Space
Lease Agreement”) and shall pay Landlord $4.50 per rentable square foot of the Swing Space per month. Tenant shall not be obligated to pay any Direct
Expenses with respect to the Swing Space. Tenant agrees to vacate and surrender the Swing Space no later than seven (7) business days after Landlord provides
Tenant with notice that the Landlord has completed Landlord Work and Tenant is able to re-occupy its Premises. In the event Tenant does not surrender the
Swing Space in accordance with this Section, Tenant shall be required to pay Landlord Hold Over rent in the amount of 150% of the then current Base Rent for
the Swing Space, plus any consequential damages incurred by the Landlord as a result of any Holding Over in the Swing Space not approved in writing by
Landlord.
3
9.2 Temporary Space for Filming. If Tenant is not then occupying the Swing Space, Landlord agrees to provide Tenant, if available, upon not less than
five (5) business day prior notice to Landlord written notice of Tenant’s wish to occupy office space containing not less than 75 square feet in the Building to be
used for Tenant’s filming activities (the ” Filming Space”) on the terms and conditions in this Section 9.2 while Landlord performs Landlord Work. The Filming
Space shall be provided in an “as is, where is” condition and Tenant agrees to pay Landlord a fee of $500.00 for each use. The use of the Filming Space shall be
limited to a total of not more than five (5) filming events and each use shall not exceed 24 hours. If required by Landlord, prior to taking possession of the
Filming Space, Tenant agrees to execute a commercially reasonable license agreement. The scope and nature of Tenant’s use of the Filming Space shall be
substantially the same as that made by Tenant of temporary space in the Building for such purposes prior to the date of this Fourth Amendment.
9.3 Test Fit Allowance. Landlord agrees to provide Tenant with a “Test Fit Allowance” up to a maximum of $0.15 per rentable square foot. Tenant shall
provide Landlord with invoices from Wolcott and will provide any additional documentation reasonably required by Landlord. Landlord shall reimburse Wolcott
within 45 days of receipt of all documentation reasonably requested by Landlord. Prior to the execution of this Fourth Amendment, Landlord has received copies,
in CAD and PDF, of most recent test fit plans created on behalf of Tenant.
10. Termination Option. If on the date Tenant gives the Termination Notice (as defined below) (i) a monetary default does not exist beyond any applicable notice or
cure period, and (ii) Tenant’s right of possession shall have not been terminated, Tenant shall have a one-time right to terminate the Lease as to all of the Premises (the
“Termination Option”) effective upon January 31, 2028 (the “Tenant Termination Date ”) upon the terms and conditions set forth below. If Tenant elects, in Tenant’s sole
discretion, to exercise the Termination Option, then Tenant shall deliver irrevocable written notice (the “ Termination Notice”) to the Landlord no later than January 31, 2027
(the “Tenant Termination Notice Deadline”) with one hundred percent (100%) of the Termination Fee (as defined below) to be paid concurrently with the Termination Notice,
which shall be payable to the same place and in the same manner as Base Rent is then payable. If Tenant fails to exercise the Termination Option and pay the Termination Fee
on or prior to the Tenant Termination Notice Deadline, Tenant shall have no further right to terminate the Lease pursuant to this Termination Option.
The “Termination Fee” means:
a. The amount equal to the unamortized leasing commissions paid by Landlord with respect to this Fourth Amendment to the Brokers who are
Tenant’s representatives with respect to the Premises;
b. The amount equal to the unamortized rent abatement that Tenant received pursuant to Section 4 of this the Fourth Amendment prior to the
Tenant Termination Date; and
c. The amount equal to the unamortized cost of Landlord Work with respect to this Fourth Amendment prior to the Tenant Termination Date.
4
d. Each of the foregoing unamortized amounts shall be determined as of the Tenant Termination Date and shall be amortized on a straight-line
basis over the period commencing on the Renewal Term Commencement Date and ending on the Renewal Term Expiration Date, including an
annual rate of interest of 5% per annum. At any time after completion of the Landlord Work, in any event prior to Tenant issuing its Termination
Notice, Tenant may request from Landlord a statement of the Termination Fee, which shall include the Landlord Work cost. Landlord shall
provide a summary of the Termination Fee to Tenant within thirty (30) days of such request. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein
contained, Tenant’s request for a summary of the Termination Fee will not relieve, extend or alter any of the terms and conditions as outlined in
Section 10 above.
If the Tenant properly exercises the Termination Option and pays the Termination Fee in accordance with this section, then:
a. Rent will be apportioned as at the Tenant Termination Date, provided that the Tenant will be responsible for any year end adjustment billings
contemplated by the Lease, including those relating to Direct Expenses or other charges properly attributable to the Premises, as those terms are
defined in the Lease, upon receipt of an invoice from the Landlord notwithstanding that such invoice may have been received by the Tenant after
the Tenant Termination Date. Tenant shall also be entitled to reimbursement, in accordance of the Lease, of any portion of pre-paid Direct
Expense estimates or other charges attributable to its occupancy of the Premises and overpaid as of the Tenant Termination Date;
b. on or before the Tenant Termination Date the Tenant will deliver up possession of the Premises to the Landlord in accordance with the
provisions of the Lease free and clear of the rights of any subtenants under any subleases entered into by the Tenant;
c. the surrender of the Premises by the Tenant and the acceptance of the surrender by the Landlord will be without prejudice to any claims of the
Landlord or Tenant arising or accruing on or before the Tenant Termination Date;
d. if and when required by the Landlord, the Tenant will execute a commercially reasonable written agreement prepared by the Landlord,
specifying the terms of the surrender of the Premises and containing an acknowledgement by the Tenant that it surrenders to the Landlord all
rights of the Tenant under the Lease in respect of the Premises, including without limitation the right to occupy the Premises from and after the
Tenant Termination Date and any rights of renewal or extension with respect thereto.
The Termination Option is personal to the Tenant first named on this Fourth Amendment (the “Original Tenant”) and any Permitted Transferee (as defined below) and is
not assignable except to a Permitted Transferee in connection with the assignment of Tenant’s entire interest in the Lease, as amended. The Termination Option will
terminate and be of no further force or effect upon the assignment of all or any part of the Premises by the Original Tenant to any person or entity other than a Permitted
Transferee. As used in this Fourth Amendment, the term “Permitted Transferee” means any person or entity to which the Lease may be assigned without Landlord’s
consent as provided in Section 14.7(a) of the Original Lease because such assignment constitutes a non-Transfer.
5
11. Option to Extend.
i. Option Term. Landlord hereby grants Tenant one (1) option to extend the Term for any or all of the Premises then leased by Tenant (the “Renewal Premises”) for a
period of five (5) years (the “Option Term”), which option shall be exercisable only by written notice delivered by Tenant to Landlord as provided below, provided
that, as of the date of delivery of such notice, Tenant is not in monetary default under the Lease after expiration of all applicable notice and cure periods. Upon the
proper exercise of such option to extend, and provided that, at Landlord’s option, as of the end of the then-applicable Term, Tenant is not in monetary default under
the Lease after expiration of all applicable notice and cure periods and Tenant has not during the twelve (12) months prior to the commencement of the
Option Term been in monetary or material nonmonetary default under the Lease after expiration of all applicable notice and cure periods, the Term shall be
extended for a period of five (5) years. The rights contained in this Section 11(i) shall be personal to the Original Tenant and any Permitted Transferee who is an
assignee of Tenant’s entire interest in the Lease and may only be exercised by the Original Tenant and any such Permitted Transferee (and not any assignee,
sublessee or other transferee of the Original Tenant’s interest in the Lease other than a Permitted Transferee). If Tenant does not timely exercise its option to extend,
as set forth in this Section 11(i), then the option to extend, as set forth in this Section 11(i), shall terminate, and Tenant shall have no further options to extend
the Term.
ii. Base Rent During Option Term. The Base Rent payable by Tenant, on an annual per rentable square foot basis during each Option Term, if applicable (the “Option
Rent”), shall be equal to the Office Fair Market Rent Rate (as defined hereinbelow). The “Office Fair Market Rent Rate” for purposes of determining the Option
Rent for the Renewal Premises during the Option Term shall be equal to the Base Rent, calculated on an annual per rentable square foot basis, including all
escalations, at which tenants, as of the commencement of the Option Term, are leasing non-sublease, non-encumbered, non-equity, non-renewal, non-expansion,
fully permitted office space comparable in size, location and quality to the Renewal Premises, for a lease term of five(5) years or longer, for general office use, in
an arm’s length transaction, which comparable space is located in the Project and in the Comparable Buildings (as defined hereinbelow) (collectively, the
“Comparable Office Transactions”), and which Comparable Office Transactions have been entered into within the nine (9) month period prior to Landlord’s
delivery of the Rent Notice (as defined below). The Office Fair Market Rent Rate shall be determined taking into consideration (i) the measurement standard used to
determine the rentable area in the Comparable Office Transactions as compared to the measurement standard used under the Lease and (ii) the following
concessions (collectively, the “Concessions”): (a) rental abatement concessions, if any, being granted such tenants in connection with such comparable space; (b)
tenant improvements or allowances provided or to be provided for such comparable space, and taking into account the value of the existing improvements in the
subject space, such value to be based upon the age, condition, design, quality of finishes and layout of the improvements and the extent to which the same could be
utilized by a general office user; and (c) other reasonable monetary concessions being granted such tenants in connection with such comparable space. Such
Concessions, at Landlord’s election, either (A) shall be reflected in the effective rental rate payable by Tenant (which effective rental rate shall take into
consideration the total dollar value of such Concessions as amortized on a straight-line basis over the applicable term of the comparable transaction), in which case
such Concessions evidenced in the effective rental rate shall not be granted to Tenant, or (B) shall be granted to Tenant in kind. For purposes of the Lease, the
term “Comparable Buildings” shall mean first-class office buildings of comparable quality, age, size and located in the Miracle Mile area of Los Angeles,
California.
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iii. Exercise of Options. The options contained in this Section 11 shall be exercised by Tenant, if at all, only in the following manner: (i) Tenant shall deliver written
notice to Landlord not less than nine (9) months, but not more than twelve (12) months, prior to the expiration of the Extension Term; (ii) Landlord, within thirty
(30) days after receipt of Tenant’s notice, shall deliver notice (the “ Option Rent Notice”) to Tenant setting forth the Option Rent; (iii) thereafter, if Tenant does not
accept Landlord’s proposed Option Rent, Landlord and Tenant shall attempt to agree upon the Option Rent for a period of up to thirty (30) days following receipt of
the Option Rent Notice (the “Negotiation Period”).
iv. Determination of Option Rent. If Landlord and Tenant fail to reach agreement as to the Option Rent during the Negotiation Period, the parties shall determine
Option Rent through arbitration, and each party shall make a separate determination of the Option Rent and, within five (5) business days after the last day of the
Negotiation Period (the fifth (5th) business day referred to as the “Outside Submittal Date”), concurrently exchange such determinations and such determinations
shall be submitted to arbitration in accordance with Section 11(iv)(a) through Section 11(iv)(g) below.
a. Landlord and Tenant shall each appoint one arbitrator who shall be a real estate broker who shall have been active over the five
(5) year period ending on the date of such appointment in the leasing of commercial mixed-use office, retail properties in the Los Angeles, California.
Each such arbitrator shall be appointed within fifteen (15) business days after the Outside Submittal Date. Landlord and Tenant may consult with their
selected arbitrators prior to appointment and may select an arbitrator who is favorable to their respective positions. The arbitrators so selected by
Landlord and Tenant shall be deemed “Advocate Arbitrators.”
b. The two (2) Advocate Arbitrators so appointed shall be specifically required pursuant to an engagement letter within ten (10)
days of the date of the appointment of the last appointed Advocate Arbitrator to agree upon and appoint a third arbitrator (“ Neutral Arbitrator”) who
shall be qualified under the same criteria set forth hereinabove for qualification of the two Advocate Arbitrators, except that neither the Landlord or
Tenant or either parties’ Advocate Arbitrator may, directly or indirectly, consult with the Neutral Arbitrator prior or subsequent to his or her
appearance. The Neutral Arbitrator shall be retained via an engagement letter jointly prepared by Landlord’s counsel and Tenant’s counsel.
c. The determination of the Neutral Arbitrator shall be limited solely to the issue of whether Landlord’s or Tenant’s submitted
Option Rent is the closest to the actual Option Rent, taking into account the requirements of Section 11(ii) of this Fourth Amendment, as determined by
the Neutral Arbitrator. The Neutral Arbitrator shall, within thirty (30) days of the appointment of the Neutral Arbitrator, select either Landlord’s or
Tenant’s submitted Option Rent for the applicable Option Term, and shall notify Landlord and Tenant thereof within such timeframe.
d. The decision of the Neutral Arbitrator shall be binding upon Landlord and Tenant.
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e. If either Landlord or Tenant fails to appoint an Advocate Arbitrator within fifteen (15) business days after the applicable Outside
Submittal Date, the Advocate Arbitrator appointed by one of them shall reach a decision, notify Landlord and Tenant thereof, and such arbitrator’s
decision shall be binding upon Landlord and Tenant.
f. If the two Advocate Arbitrators fail to agree upon and appoint a Neutral Arbitrator, or both parties fail to appoint Advocate
Arbitrators, then the appointment of the Neutral Arbitrator or any Advocate Arbitrator shall be dismissed and the Option Rent to be decided shall be
forthwith submitted to arbitration under the provisions of the American Arbitration Association, but subject to the instruction set forth in this Section
11(iv).
g. The cost of the arbitration shall be paid by Landlord and Tenant equally; provided that Tenant shall pay for the cost of its
appointed Advocate Arbitrator, Landlord shall pay for the cost of its appointed Advocate Arbitrator and Landlord and Tenant shall each pay
one-half (1/2) of the fees of the Neutral Arbitrator.
In the event that the Option Rent shall not have been determined pursuant to the terms hereof prior to the commencement of the Option Term, Tenant shall be required
to pay the Option Rent initially provided by Landlord to Tenant, and upon the final determination of the Option Rent, the payments made by Tenant shall be reconciled with the
actual amounts of Option Rent due, and the appropriate party shall make any corresponding payment to the other party.”
12. Base Year. Effective as of the Renewal Term Commencement Date, the Base Year shall be reset to calendar year 2021.
13. Proposition 13. Effective as of the Renewal Term Commencement Date, the Lease shall be amended to add the following to the end of Section 4.2(e)(2) of the
Original Lease: “Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant and Landlord agree that if a sale, transfer or other change of ownership of the Building or Project occurs, then Tenant
shall not be obligated to pay for increases in Tax Expenses as a result thereof for the first thirty-six (36) months of the Lease Term following the Renewal Term Commencement
Date.”
14. Right of First Offer.
i)
Tenant shall have an on-going right of first offer to lease any contiguous space in the Building located on the third (3rd) floor (the “First Offer Space”), when such
applicable First Offer Space becomes available for lease as provided hereinbelow as reasonably determined by Landlord. For purposes hereof, the applicable First
Offer Space shall become available for lease immediately prior to the first time Landlord intends to submit to a third (3rd) party (excluding existing tenants of such
First Offer Space, holders of Superior Rights (defined below), affiliates of any such existing tenants of such First Offer Space, or affiliates of holders of such
Superior Rights) a bona fide proposal or letter of intent to lease the applicable First Offer Space. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary , Tenant’s right of
first offer set forth herein shall be subject and subordinate to all rights of expansion, renewal, extension, first refusal, first offer or similar rights for all or any portion
of the applicable First Offer Space granted to any tenants of the Real Property pursuant to leases which have been executed as of the date of execution of this Fourth
Amendment (collectively, the “Superior Rights”); and (B)Tenant’s right of first offer set forth herein shall be subject to Landlord’s review and approval of
Tenant’s then-existing financial condition, which approval Landlord shall not unreasonably withhold, condition or delay; provided that with respect to the
leasing of any First Offer Space containing more than 4,281 rentable square feet, Landlord shall be deemed to have approved Tenant’s then-existing
financial condition if Tenant’s has a net worth of at least $68,000,000.00. Should Landlord decide to improve the First Offer Space as a speculative suite,
whether Landlord has a third (3rd) party prospective tenant ready to lease the First Offer Space upon completion of the speculative suite or not, then Landlord agrees
to follow the first offer process as provided in Section 14(ii) below prior to commencing improvements to the First Offer Space, except that such notice may or may
not include a prospective third (3rd) party tenant and such notice may only function to notify Tenant of Landlord’s intent to construct a speculative suite so that
Tenant (pursuant to this Right of First Offer) may have the first opportunity to lease the First Offer Space prior to its conversion to a speculative suite.
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ii) Terms of Lease of First Offer Space. Landlord shall give Tenant written notice (the “First Offer Notice”) that the applicable First Offer Space will or has become
available for lease by Tenant as provided above (as such availability is reasonably determined by Landlord) pursuant to the terms of Tenant’s right of first offer, as
set forth in this Section 14, provided that no holder of Superior Rights desires to lease all or any portion of such First Offer Space. Any such Landlord’s First Offer
Notice delivered by Landlord shall identify the First Offer Space and set forth the terms upon which Landlord would lease such applicable First Offer Space to
Tenant, including, without limitation (i)the anticipated date upon which such applicable First Offer Space will be available for lease by Tenant and the
commencement date therefor, (ii)a schedule of construction of tenant improvements for such applicable First Offer Space, if any, (iii)the Base Rent payable for
such applicable First Offer Space, which shall be equal to the Office Fair Market Rental Rate for such applicable First Offer Space, (iv)any tenant improvement
allowance for such applicable First Offer Space (which shall be determined by Landlord as part of the Office Fair Market Rental Rate for such applicable First Offer
Space), and (iv) the term of the lease for such applicable First Offer Space, which shall in all events be coterminous with the Term for the Premises.
iii) Procedure for Acceptance. On or before the date which is ten (10) business days after Tenant’s receipt of the Landlord’s First Offer Notice (the “ Election Date”),
the
Tenant shall deliver written notice to Landlord (“Tenant’s Election Notice”) pursuant to which Tenant shall have the ongoing right to elect either to: (i)lease
entire applicable First Offer Space described in the First Offer Notice upon the terms set forth in the First Offer Notice; or (ii) not lease such applicable First Offer
Space described in the First Offer Notice. If Tenant does not deliver Tenant’s Election Notice electing one of the options in clauses (i) or (ii) hereinabove by the
Election Date, Tenant shall be deemed to have elected not to lease the applicable First Offer Space described in the First Offer Notice pursuant to clause (ii)
hereinabove. If Tenant elects or is deemed to have elected not to lease the applicable First Offer Space described in the First Offer Notice, then Tenant’s right of
first offer set forth in this Section 14 shall terminate with respect to such applicable First Offer Space so identified in the First Offer Notice and Landlord shall
thereafter have the right to lease all or any portion of such applicable First Offer Space so described in the First Offer Notice to anyone to whom Landlord desires on
any terms Landlord desires. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 14 to the contrary, (A)Tenant must elect to exercise its right of first offer herein with respect
to the entire applicable First Offer Space identified in any applicable First Offer Notice and may not elect to lease only a portion thereof, and (B)Tenant’s right of
first offer to lease any First Offer Space not previously identified in any applicable First Offer Notice delivered by Landlord to Tenant shall not terminate as a result
of Tenant’s election or deemed election to refuse to lease any other applicable First Offer Space so identified in a First Offer Notice, and shall continue until the
earlier of (1)the date such other applicable First Offer Space first becomes available for lease as determined by Landlord as provided hereinabove, or (2)the
expiration of the First Offer Period.
iv) Amendment to Lease. If Tenant leases the applicable First Offer Space pursuant to this Section 14, Landlord and Tenant shall promptly execute an amendment to
the Lease covering such applicable First Offer Space and the lease terms thereof.
v) Default; Personal. Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, at Landlord’s option, and in addition to all of Landlord’s remedies under the Lease, at
law or in equity, the right of first offer hereinabove granted to Tenant with respect to each applicable First Offer Space shall not be deemed to be properly exercised
if, as of the date Tenant delivers Tenant’s Election Notice to Landlord for such applicable First Offer Space, Tenant is in default under the Lease beyond any
applicable notice and cure periods. In addition, Tenant’s right of first offer to lease each such applicable First Offer Space is personal to the Original Tenant and any
Permitted Transferee who is an assignee of Tenant’s entire interest in the Lease and may only be exercised by the Original Tenant and any such Permitted
Transferee (and not any assignee, sublessee or other transferee of the Original Tenant’s interest in the Lease other than a Permitted Transferee).
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15. Brokers. Landlord and Tenant hereby warrant to each other that they have had no dealings with any real estate broker or agent in connection with the negotiation
of this Fourth Amendment except for Onni (as Landlord’s representative) and Savills, Inc. and Jones Lang LaSalle Brokerage, Inc. (as Tenant’s representatives) (collectively,
“Brokers”), and that they know of no other real estate broker or agent who is entitled to a commission in connection with this Fourth Amendment. Each party agrees to
indemnify and defend the other party against and hold the other party harmless from any and all claims, demands, losses, liabilities, lawsuits, judgments, costs and expenses
(including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees) with respect to any leasing commission or equivalent compensation alleged to be owing on account of any dealings
with any real estate broker or agent, other than Brokers, occurring by, through, or under the indemnifying party. Landlord covenants and agrees to pay all real estate
commissions due in connection with this Fourth Amendment to Brokers in accordance with a separate commission agreement.
16. Captions. The captions used in this Fourth Amendment are for convenience only and shall have no effect upon the interpretation of this Fourth Amendment.
17. Ratification of Original Lease. Except as expressly amended herein, the Original Lease, First Amendment, Second Amendment and Third Amendment shall
remain in full force and effect and, as hereby amended, are ratified and confirmed by the parties hereto. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this Fourth
Amendment and those of the Lease, the provisions of this Fourth Amendment shall control.
18. Counterparts. This Fourth Amendment may be executed in counterparts, and each of such counterpart signature pages combined to create one and the same
instrument.
19. Release of Guarantor. By executing this Fourth Amendment, Landlord agrees that upon Tenant’s delivery to Landlord of the Letter of Credit as provided in
Section 20, the guaranty of the Lease titled “Guaranty of Lease and Release” and executed August 9, 2019 (the “Guaranty”) in favor of Landlord in connection with the Lease
shall be fully extinguished and of no further force or effect as of such delivery. Effective upon the delivery of the Letter of Credit, Landlord hereby releases and forever
discharges all and/or any actions, claims, rights, demands, and set-offs, whether in this jurisdiction or in any other, whether or not presently known to Landlord or to the law, and
whether in law or equity, that Landlord ever had, may have or hereafter can, shall or may have against ALLIED ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT, INC., a Delaware corporation,
arising out of the Lease or the Guaranty.
20. Security Deposit and Letter of Credit.
20.1 Security Deposit. Landlord and Tenant acknowledge that Landlord currently holds a Security Deposit in the amount of Twenty Seven Thousand
Five Hundred Fifty Four and 58/100 Dollars ($27,554.58). Concurrently with Tenant’s execution of this Fourth Amendment, Tenant agrees to increase the
amount of the security deposit by Seventy Two Thousand Four Hundred Forty Five and 42/100 Dollars ($72,445.42) for a total Security Deposit of One Hundred
Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) (the “Security Deposit”), as security for the faithful performance by Tenant of all of its obligations under the Lease.
If Tenant defaults with respect to any provisions of the Lease, including, but not limited to, the provisions relating to the payment of Rent, the removal of property
and the repair of resultant damage, Landlord may, without further notice to Tenant, but shall not be required to apply all or any part of the Security Deposit for
the payment of any Rent or any other sum in default and Tenant shall, upon demand therefor, restore the Security Deposit to its original amount. Any unapplied
portion of the Security Deposit shall be returned to Tenant, or, at Landlord’s option, to the last assignee of Tenant’s interest hereunder, within thirty (30) days
following the expiration of the Lease Term. Tenant shall not be entitled to any interest on the Security Deposit. Tenant hereby waives the provisions of
Section1950.7 of the California Civil Code, or any successor statute and all other provisions of law, now or hereafter in effect, which (i)establish the time frame
by which a landlord must refund a security deposit under a lease, and/or (ii)provide that a landlord may claim from a security deposit only those sums reasonably
necessary to remedy defaults in the payment of rent, to repair damage caused by a tenant or to clean the premises, it being agreed that Landlord may, in addition,
claim those sums specified in this Section above and/or those sums reasonably necessary to compensate Landlord for any loss or damage caused by Tenant’s
default of the Lease, including, but not limited to, all damages or rent due upon termination of the Lease pursuant to Section 1951.2 of the California Civil Code.
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20.2 Letter of Credit. On or before April 30, 2021, Tenant and Landlord agree that the Security Deposit must be converted to a Letter of Credit and
Tenant shall deposit with Landlord an unconditional, irrevocable and transferable Letter of Credit in the amount of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars
($100,000.00), which shall replace the cash Security Deposit, in a form as shown in the attached Letter of Credit Rider (“LC Rider”) attached hereto and
incorporated herein by this reference, with a term of at least one (1) year from the date of this Fourth Amendment and which shall provide for its automatic
renewal from year to year thereafter unless terminated by the issuing bank or replaced by Tenant with another bank that is an Approved Bank or otherwise
reasonably acceptable to Landlord not less than thirty (30)days prior to its expiration date, subject to the terms below, in a commercially reasonable form
satisfactory to Landlord in its reasonable discretion and issued by and drawn on a bank satisfactory to Landlord in its reasonable discretion for the account of
Landlord, as security for the performance and observance by Tenant of the terms, covenants, conditions and provisions of the Lease (the “Letter of Credit”);
provided, that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Landlord acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the form of Letter of Credit attached hereto
as Exhibit 1; and (b) a bank that is an “Approved Bank” (as defined below) shall be deemed satisfactory to Landlord for purposes of this sentence. Tenant at any
time, but not more than once in any twenty four (24) month period, at Tenant’s cost, including any costs incurred by Landlord, may substitute a new
Letter of Credit meeting all the requirements of this Fourth Amendment for an existing Letter of Credit and Landlord agrees to cooperate with Tenant
in accomplishing that substitution by releasing the Letter of Credit then held by Landlord upon receipt of the new Letter of Credit meeting all
requirements of this Fourth Amendment.
Upon Landlord’s receipt of the Letter of Credit, Tenant and Landlord agree that, at Tenant’s election, Landlord shall either return the cash Security
Deposit to Tenant or apply the cash Security Deposit in the amount of $100,000.00 towards any current or future Base Rent then due or next coming due. In the
event Tenant fails to provide Landlord the Letter of Credit on or before April 30, 2021, Landlord’s may, at Landlord’s sole and absolute discretion keep the cash
Security Deposit as security for the faithful performance by Tenant of all of its obligations under the Lease as well as require Tenant to provide Landlord with the
Letter of Credit as required herein. The cash Security Deposit and Letter of Credit shall be returned to Tenant at the expiry of the Lease Term upon the terms and
conditions contained in Article 20 of this Fourth Amendment.
20.3 Increased Letter of Credit. Provided Tenant is not in default under this Fourth Amendment, and as a condition to the release of the Guarantor noted
in Section 19 of this Fourth Amendment, Tenant agrees to increase the amount of the Letter from Credit by One Hundred Thousand and 00/100 Dollars
($100,000.00) for a total Letter of Credit in the amount of Two Hundred Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($200,000.00) (the “Increased Letter of Credit”). As noted
in Section 19, the Guarantor shall be released from its obligations under the Lease upon receipt of the Increased Letter of Credit by Landlord. For clarity,
Tenant’s delivery of the Increased Letter of Credit is only a condition to the release of the Guarantor and Tenant’s failure to deliver the Increase Letter of Credit
shall not be a default by Tenant.
As used herein, an “Approved Bank” shall mean one of the following banks: Bank of California, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Mizuho Bank, LTD., Goldman Sachs
Lending Partners LLC, Bank of America, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A., Bank Leumi USA, Barclays Bank PLC and Credit Suisse.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Letter of Credit shall permit draws via overnight courier or facsimile. Tenant shall, at least thirty (30) days prior
to the expiration thereof, renew the Letter of Credit from time to time, or deliver to Landlord a new Letter of Credit (in a form reasonably satisfactory to Landlord), amendment
to the Letter of Credit (in a form reasonably satisfactory to Landlord) or an endorsement to the Letter of Credit (in a form reasonably satisfactory to Landlord), and any other
evidence reasonably required by Landlord that the Letter of Credit has been renewed for a period of at least one (1) year; provided, that Tenant shall ensure that a Letter of
Credit shall be in effect until the date which is one hundred twenty (120) days following the Expiration Date. If Tenant shall fail to renew or replace the Letter of Credit as
aforesaid, Landlord may present the Letter of Credit for payment and retain the proceeds thereof as security in lieu of the Letter of Credit and, in such event, Tenant’s obligation
to restore the Letter of Credit to the then required amount hereunder shall be governed by this Fourth Amendment. Upon delivery to Landlord of any new or replacement Letter
of Credit, Landlord shall return to Tenant for cancellation, together with any reasonable evidence required by the issuer authorizing cancellation, any Letter of Credit then held
by Landlord.
[Signature Provisions on Following Page.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Landlord and Tenant have caused this Fourth Amendment to be executed the day and date first above written.
LANDLORD:
ONNI WILSHIRE COURTYARD LLC
a Delaware limited liability company
By:
ONNI CALIFORNIA #2 LLC,
a Nevada limited liability company,
its general partner
By:
/S/ Giulio De Cotiis
Name: Giulio De Cotiis
Director
Title:
TENANT:
WPT ENTERPRISES, INC.,
a Nevada Corporation
/S/ Adam Pliska
By:
Name: Adam Pliska
CEO
Title:
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EXHIBIT B
TENANT WORK LETTER
This Tenant Work Letter sets forth the agreement between Landlord and Tenant with respect to Landlord’s construction of the Landlord Work. Each initially
capitalized term not defined herein that is defined in the Lease shall have the same meaning as that ascribed to it in the Lease.
1. Definitions.
a. The term “Landlord Work” shall mean all the construction material, hardware and equipment pursuant to Landlord’s specifications, together with the labor
necessary to construct and install improvements to the Premises, as the case may be, pursuant to the space plan, attached to this Exhibit B as Schedule “1” (the “Space Plan”),
exclusive of any Tenant Work.
b. The term “Governmental Authority” shall mean the United States of America, the City and County of Los Angeles, and State of California, or any political
subdivision, agency, department, commission, board, bureau or instrumentality of any of the foregoing, now existing or hereafter created, having jurisdiction over the Project.
2. Landlord Work.
a. Landlord shall (i) obtain all applicable building permits for construction of the Tenant Improvements, and (ii) construct the Landlord Work as depicted on
the Space Plans, in compliance with such building permits and all applicable laws in effect at the time of construction, and in good workmanlike manner. Except as
otherwise provided in Section 4 of this Tenant Work Letter, Landlord shall pay for the cost of the design and construction of the Landlord Work. Subject to Section 7
of this Tenant Work Letter, Tenant shall accept the Premises in their “AS-IS” condition as of the date in which the Premises are ready for occupancy (the “Ready for
Occupancy Date”) and Landlord shall not be obligated to provide or pay for any improvement work or services related to the improvement of the Premises (except as provided
in this Tenant Work Letter). As used herein, the term “ready for occupancy” means that the Landlord Work has been substantially completed, Tenant has been given
unrestricted access to the Premises and an acceptance of occupancy has been issued for the Premises and the Landlord Work or the existing certificate of occupancy for
the Premises (or other governmental approval allowing use and occupancy of the Premises for Tenant’s permitted use), as modified by the Landlord Work, shall
continue to be effective.
b. Any improvements other than the Landlord Work except as otherwise expressly contained herein to the contrary (including with respect to Change-Orders to the
final plans), necessary or desired by Tenant for Tenant’s occupancy of the Premises, shall be effected by Tenant, at its sole cost and expense, in accordance with the terms and
provisions of the Lease.
c. The Space Plan is hereby approved by Landlord and Tenant.
3. The Plans.
a. Design Restrictions. Landlord shall not be required to perform, and Tenant shall not request, work which would (i) require changes to structural components of the
Building or the exterior design of the Building, (ii) require any material modification to the Building systems or other Building installations outside the Premises, (iii) not
comply with all applicable Laws, (iv) be incompatible with either the Certificate of Occupancy issued for the Building or the Building’s status as a first-class office building, or
(v) adversely affect, or increase the cost of, Landlord’s provision of services to other tenants of the Building. Any changes required by any Governmental Authority affecting
the construction of the Premises shall be performed by Landlord, at Landlord’s sole cost, and shall not be deemed to be a violation of the Space Plan or of any provision of this
Tenant Work Letter and shall be deemed automatically accepted and approved by Tenant. Landlord shall give notice to Tenant of any change in the Space Plan required by any
Governmental Authority promptly after Landlord receives notice thereof.
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b. Effect of Landlord’s Approval; Landlord’s Disclaimer . Landlord shall have no liability to Tenant or to any third party by virtue of the existence or exercise of its
consent or approval rights in this Section 3. Neither the review nor approval by Landlord of the Space Plan and resulting final plans shall constitute a representation or warranty
by Landlord that such final plans either (i) are complete or suitable for their intended purpose, or (ii) comply with applicable laws and any insurance requirements, or
(iii) conform to the requirements of this Tenant Work Letter; it being expressly agreed by Tenant that Landlord assumes no responsibility or liability whatsoever to Tenant or to
any other person or entity for such completeness, suitability, compliance or conformance. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Section 3.b, Landlord shall
construct the Landlord Work in compliance with all applicable laws and in accordance with this Tenant Work Letter. Nothing in this Section 3.b shall limit the liability of
Landlord’s contractor or architect.
4. Change-Orders.
a. The term “Change-Order(s)” shall mean any change in the Space Plan requested by Tenant for any portion of the Landlord Work.
b. All Change-Orders shall be subject to Landlord’s approval in accordance with this Tenant Work Letter, except the time period within which Landlord shall respond
shall be three (3) business days.
c. If Landlord notifies Tenant that it approves a proposed Change-Order, concurrently with such approval, Landlord shall deliver to Tenant (1) an estimate of the cost
to perform such Change-Order, which estimate shall include Landlord’s contractor’s fee for overhead, general conditions and profit and a fee to Landlord equal to five percent
(5%) of the cost of the Change-Order, and (2) a statement setting forth whether in Landlord’s commercially reasonable judgment, the performance of such Change-Order will
cause a Tenant Delay (as that term is hereinafter defined), and Landlord’s estimate of the length of the Tenant Delay. Tenant shall have three (3) business days to give Landlord
written notice of acceptance or rejection of the items in subparagraphs (1) and (2). In the event Tenant accepts such Change-Order and the aggregate cost of the Landlord Work
and such Change-Order exceeds the cost of the tenant improvements as described in the Space Plan (as modified by Change Orders previously approved by Landlord and
Tenant), Tenant, concurrently with its delivery of the aforesaid notice, shall pay to Landlord an amount equal to Landlord’s estimate of such excess resulting from the cost of
such Change-Order for disbursement by Landlord in accordance hereof. In the event Tenant rejects the items in subparagraph (1) and (2), or if Tenant fails to timely respond or
fails to give notice within the three (3) business day period, then Tenant shall conclusively be deemed to have withdrawn its request for such Change-Order.
d. Tenant’s failure to deliver the payments required in this Section shall entitle Landlord to stop the construction and installation of the Landlord Work as reasonably
necessary until such payment is received, and the period of such work stoppage shall be a period of Tenant Delay. In addition, all delinquent payments shall accrue interest at
the default rate as outline in the Lease.
5. Tenant Delay. Any delay in the substantial completion of the Landlord Work that results from the following events are each individually and collectively referred
to as “Tenant Delay”:
a. Tenant’s failure to comply with the dates and time limits in the Work Letter; or
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b. Any materials, finishes or installations requested by Tenant (or the labor therefor) are “long lead items” or are not generally available. Landlord shall use best
commercial efforts to notify Tenant in advance of any items that may be “long lead items”; provided that to Landlord’s knowledge no item identified on the Space Plan
constitutes a “long lead item” for purposes hereof; or
c. The performance of any work by Tenant or any person, firm, or corporation employed by Tenant; or
d. Change-Orders, and any work stoppage resulting from any pending Change-Order request; or
e. A modification is requested by Tenant to the final plans that will require the approval of, or issuance of an additional permit by, any Governmental Authority in
order to construct or install same that would not have been required in the absence of such modification; or
f. Any periods in which the Landlord Work has been delayed in commencing, stopped or been suspended due to Tenant’s failure to deliver or deposit any payments
required pursuant to this Work Letter; or
g. Any Default or delay by Tenant or its agents hereunder or under the Lease; or
h. Any other act or omission of Tenant.
6. Designation of Tenant’s Construction Agent . Except as provided hereinafter, neither Tenant nor its agents, employees, invitees or independent contractors shall
enter the Premises during the performance of the Landlord Work. Tenant hereby designates John McMahon as its authorized agent (“Tenant’s Construction Agent ”) for the
purpose of submitting to Landlord and authorizing any Change-Orders and for the purpose of consulting with Landlord as to any and all aspects of the Landlord Work. Tenant’s
Construction Agent shall have the right to inspect the Premises during the course of the Landlord Work, provided Tenant’s Construction Agent shall make a prior appointment
with Landlord and/or its contractor at a mutually convenient time.
7. Acceptance of Work. Landlord shall give Tenant ten (10) days’ prior written notice (the “Completion Notice”) of the Ready for Occupancy Date. Tenant shall
then have the obligation on or prior to the date that is fifteen (15) days after Tenant’s receipt of the Completion Notice to prepare a list of punchlist items based on an inspection
of the Premises with Landlord, provided however, Tenant shall be permitted to provide a list of additional punchlist items up and to the date that is thirty (30) days after
Tenant’s receipt of the Completion Notice. Any items not on such list (other than latent defects) shall be deemed accepted by Tenant. Landlord shall correct the punchlist items
within sixty (60) days following the Renewal Term Commencement Date. Tenant’s taking possession of the Premises shall be deemed conclusive evidence that the Premises
were in good order and satisfactory condition upon delivery of possession, except as to the punchlist items and latent defects in the Landlord Work of which Tenant shall have
given Landlord written notice on or prior to the first anniversary of the Renewal Term Commencement Date. No promise of Landlord to construct, alter, remodel or improve
the Premises or the Building, and no representation by Landlord or its agents respecting the condition of the Premises or the Building has been made to Tenant or relied upon by
Tenant other than as may be contained in the Lease or this Fourth Amendment. Landlord shall cause the contractor completing the Landlord Work to issue industry standard
warranties with respect to labor and materials, which warranties shall provide assurance to Landlord that the Landlord Work shall be free of defects in workmanship and/or
materials for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of substantial completion of the Landlord Work (unless an industry standard period would be shorter than twelve
(12) months). If, within the established warranty period, Landlord receives written notification from Tenant setting forth with specificity any such defects, Landlord shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to cause the contractor at its sole cost and expense to promptly repair the same.
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8. Tenant’s Rights of Access.
a. If and to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws and by the Landlord’s construction schedule, Tenant, shall have access to the Premises to install furniture, fixtures,
equipment and cabling within the Premises (the “Tenant Installation Work ”), subject to and in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Fourth Amendment and the
general requirements from time to time promulgated by Landlord for Tenant’s Contractors performing work in the Building. Landlord shall provide Tenant with a construction
timeline prior to the commencement of the Landlord Work. Landlord may require, at Landlord’s sole and absolute discretion, Tenant to remove all furniture and objects from
particular areas of the Premises at different periods during the construction of Landlord Work; provided that Landlord shall provide written notice of that relocation
requirement not less than 24 hours prior to the date the removal must be accomplished. Tenant may not be able to occupy certain areas of the Premises for various
periods of time, however Landlord will use its best commercial efforts to enable Tenant to continue to occupy and use the Premises. Landlord shall provide Tenant with as much
notice as reasonably possible given the nature and timing of the work, which may require tenant to relocate its furniture and equipment and allow Tenant to make alternate plans
for their business operations, including without limitation use of the Swing Space.
b. Tenant agrees that any such entry into the Premises shall be deemed to be under all of the terms, covenants, conditions, and provisions of the Lease and this Forth
Amendment, except as to the covenant to pay Rent, and further agrees that in connection therewith, Landlord shall not be liable in any way for any injury, loss, or damage
which may occur to any of Tenant Installation Work and installations made in said Premises or to property placed therein prior to the Renewal Term Commencement Date and
thereafter, the same being at Tenant’s sole risk.
c. If Tenant shall enter upon the Premises prior to the completion of the Landlord Work, Tenant shall indemnify and save Landlord harmless from and against any and
all Losses arising from or claimed to arise as a result of any act, neglect or failure to act of Tenant or anyone entering the Premises with Tenant’s permission. For purposes of
this Tenant Work Letter, the term “ Losses” shall mean any and all losses, liabilities, damages, claims, judgments, fines, suits, demands, costs, interest and expenses of any kind
or nature (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred in connection with any claim, proceeding or judgment and the defense thereof, and including all
costs of repairing any damage to the Premises or the Building or the appurtenances of any of the foregoing to which a particular indemnity and hold harmless agreement applies.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant shall not be obligated to indemnify or save Landlord harmless from any Losses to the extent arising from the negligence or willful
misconduct of Landlord or Landlord’s agents, employees or contractors.
9. Standards of Performance for the Tenant Installation Work. Tenant’s right to enter the Premises to perform the Tenant Installation Work prior to completion of
the Tenant Installation Work is conditioned upon full performance and compliance by Tenant and/or Tenant’s Contractors (as that term is hereinafter defined) with each of the
following covenants, conditions and requirements:
a. Approval of Plans. Tenant shall not install any portion of the Tenant Installation Work until Landlord shall have approved any plans applicable thereto. Tenant
shall prosecute the Tenant Installation Work with commercially reasonable diligence. Any drawings and specifications reasonably requested by Landlord necessary to approve
the Tenant Installation Work shall be delivered both on paper (half-size format) and on CD.
b. Building Permits. Tenant, at its own cost and expense, shall obtain from any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction all required building and other permits
and approvals relative to the Tenant Installation Work. Tenant shall not perform any portion of the Tenant Installation Work for which any permit or license is required to be
obtained prior to the performance thereof unless Tenant shall have obtained such permit or license.
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c. Evidence of Insurance. No Tenant’s Contractor shall commence performance of Tenant Installation Work unless Tenant and such Tenant’s Contractor shall have
submitted to Landlord certificates of insurance demonstrating compliance with the insurance guidelines from time to time promulgated by Landlord for contractors performing
work on behalf of tenants in the Building.
d. Contractor Approval and Cooperation. Each contractor and subcontractor to be used by Tenant for Tenant Installation Work (each a “Tenant’s Contractor”, and
collectively, “Tenant’s Contractors”) shall be subject to Landlord’s approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed, and no such Tenant’s
Contractor shall commence to perform the Tenant Installation Work until it shall have been approved by Landlord.
e. Quality of Construction. Tenant shall use only new, first class materials in the Tenant Installation Work. Tenant shall cause all Tenant Installation Work to be done
in a good and workmanlike manner; provided that nothing in this Tenant Work Letter shall prohibit Tenant from reusing furniture, fixtures and equipment existing in the
Premises on the date of the Fourth Amendment.
f . Non-Interference. Tenant shall conduct its activities (and shall cause Tenant’s Contractors to conduct their activities) in or about the Building so as not to
unreasonably interfere with or hinder the progress of or damage the work of any other contractors then doing work in the Building.
g. Storage of Tenant’s Materials and Equipment. Tenant’s and Tenant’s Contractors’ construction equipment and materials shall be kept within the Premises.
10. Freight Elevators/Loading Dock.
a. Normal Working Hours of the Building. Landlord shall make the Building’s freight elevators and loading docks available to Tenant and Tenant’s Contractors for
personnel and small tools during the Normal Working Hours, without charge and without discrimination, in common with others entitled to use the same. Tenant shall not be
entitled to use the Building’s freight elevators or loading docks for materials during Normal Working Hours.
b. Other Hours. Landlord shall make the Building’s freight elevators and loading docks available to Tenant and Tenant’s Contractors for personnel, small tools,
materials and freight outside of Normal Working Hours, on a reserved exclusive basis, subject to advance reservation with Landlord, and Landlord shall administer such
reservations without discrimination among the tenants of the Building. Tenant shall pay for usage under this Section 10.b in accordance with the then current rates therefor.
c. Normal Working Hours. For purposes of this Tenant Work Letter, the term “Normal Working Hours” shall mean 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on business days.
11. Miscellaneous.
a. Except as expressly set forth herein or in the Lease as amended by this Fourth Amendment, Landlord has no oral or written agreement with Tenant to do any work
with respect to the Building or the Premises.
b. This Tenant Work Letter shall not be deemed applicable to any additional space added to the Premises at any time or from time to time, whether by any options
under the Lease or otherwise, or to any portion of the Premises or any additions thereto in the event of a renewal or extension of the initial term of the Lease, whether by any
options under the Lease or otherwise, unless expressly so provided in the Lease or any amendment or supplement thereto.
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c. All notices, requests, consent, approval, demands and other communications under this Tenant Work Letter shall be in writing and shall be given in the same manner
as notices under the Lease, except electronic mail shall be considered a valid form of notice; provided that as to the Tenant any such notice by electronic mail must be given to
all of the following email addresses: john.mcmahon@wpt.com.
d. Whenever a party is required to take any action within or by the end of a specific period of time described in this Tenant Work Letter with reference to a notice from
the other party, the first business day of such period shall be the first business day after the business day on which such notice is received by all of the persons to whom such
notice must be given.
e. This Tenant Work Letter and the Fourth Amendment, together with the Lease, sets forth the entire agreement of Tenant and Landlord regarding the Landlord Work.
This Tenant Work Letter may only be amended if in writing and duly executed by both Landlord and Tenant.
f. Time is of the essence of this Tenant Work Letter and each and all of its provisions; provided, however, that wherever under the terms and provisions of this Tenant
Work Letter the time for payment or performance falls upon a Saturday, Sunday or Holiday (as defined in Article 6 of the Lease), such time for payment or performance shall be
extended to the next Business Day.
g. In the event of any express inconsistencies between the Lease, as amended by the Fourth Amendment, and this Tenant Work Letter, the terms of this Tenant Work
Letter shall govern and control. Any default by a party hereunder (including any failure by Tenant to pay any monies due Landlord pursuant to this Tenant Work Letter) shall
constitute a Default under the Lease and, except to the extent otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be subject to the notice and cure periods and the remedies and other
provisions applicable thereto under the Lease.
h. Tenant shall be solely responsible to determine at the site all dimensions of the Premises, and the Building, which affect any Tenant Installation Work.
i. Tenant shall be permitted to move into the Premises on the Saturday and Sunday prior to the Renewal Term Commencement Date, respectively. There shall be no
charge to Tenant for the building personnel or engineer for Tenant’s move-in, nor the freight elevators in the Building.
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SCHEDULE I
SPACE PLAN
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SCHEDULE 2
SWING SPACE
At Landlords sole discretion, Landlord reserves the right to make additional Swing Space options available within the Building for Tenants use as per the terms of section 9.1 of
this Fourth Amendment.
-
-
-
Suite 460 – 3,267 RSF
Suite 470 – 2,776 RSF
Suite 480 – 5,491 RSF
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LETTER OF CREDIT RIDER
This LETTER OF CREDIT RIDER (“LC Rider”) is made and entered into by and between ONNI WILSHIRE COURTYARD LLC., a Delaware limited liability
company (“Landlord”), and WPT ENTERPRISES, INC., a Nevada corporation (“Tenant”), and is dated as of the date of the Fourth Amendment to the Lease (“Lease”)
between Landlord and Tenant to which this LC Rider is attached and forms an integral part of the Lease. The agreements set forth in this LC Rider shall have the same force
and effect as if set forth in the Lease. Any capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Lease. To the extent the terms of this LC Rider
are inconsistent with the terms of the Lease, the terms of this LC Rider shall control.
1. At the time and in the manner provided for in Section 20 of the Fourth Amendment and as a condition precedent to each and every obligation of Landlord under the
Lease, Tenant shall deliver to Landlord, as additional protection for Landlord to assure the full and faithful performance by Tenant of all of its obligations under the Lease and
for all losses and damages Landlord may suffer as a result of any default by Tenant under the Lease, an irrevocable and unconditional negotiable letter of credit (the “Letter of
Credit”) in the amount of $100,000.00 (“LC Amount”), in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1 and containing the terms required herein, payable in Los Angeles, California,
running in favor of Landlord issued by a solvent nationally recognized bank (the “Bank”) that is acceptable to Landlord in Landlord’s sole discretion and meets all of the
following requirements (collectively, the “Letter of Credit Issuer Requirements”): (i) is chartered under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of
Columbia, and which is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; (ii) has a long term rating of A1 or higher as rated by Moody’s Investors Service and/or A+ or
higher as rated by Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch Ratings Ltd (Fitch); and (iii) has a branch located in Los Angeles, California; provided, that, notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained herein, Landlord acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the form of Letter of Credit attached hereto as Exhibit 1; and (b) a bank that is an “Approved
Bank” (as defined in the Section 20 of the Fourth Amendment to the Lease) shall be deemed satisfactory to Landlord for purposes of this sentence.
2. The Letter of Credit shall: (i) be “callable” at sight, irrevocable and unconditional; (ii) be subject to the terms of this LC Rider, maintained in effect, for an initial
term plus annual automatic extensions thereof, commencing no later than the date the Letter of Credit is delivered pursuant to the Fourth Amendment (“LC
Commencement Date”) and such automatic extensions shall expire on the last day of the month of the date that is ten (10) years and ten (10) months and one hundred
twenty (120)days thereafter (the “LC Expiration Date”) (iii) be subject to the International Standby Practices 1998, International Chamber of Commerce Publication
No. 590; (iv) be fully assignable by Landlord; and (v) permit partial draws. In addition to the foregoing, the form and terms of the Letter of Credit shall provide, among other
things, in effect that: (A) Landlord, or its then managing agent, shall have the right to draw down an amount up to the face amount of the Letter of Credit (1) upon the
presentation by hand delivery, courier service, facsimile or email to the Bank of Landlord’s (or Landlord’s then managing agent’s) written statements that such amount is due to
Landlord under the terms and conditions of the Lease, (2) if the Bank delivers written notice to Landlord that the Letter of Credit will not be extended beyond the current
expiration date thereof which would result in the Letter of Credit expiring prior to the LC Expiration Date (which the Bank shall only have the right to do if it provides Landlord
with such notice at least sixty (60) days’ prior to such current expiration date), (3) Tenant has filed a voluntary petition under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, or (4) an
involuntary petition has been filed against Tenant under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, it being understood that if Landlord or its managing agent is a limited liability company,
corporation, partnership or other entity, then such statement shall be signed by an officer (if a corporation), a general partner (if a partnership), or any authorized party (if
another entity); and (B) the Letter of Credit will be honored by the Bank without inquiry as to the accuracy thereof and regardless of whether the Tenant disputes the content of
such statement. With respect to clause (2) hereinabove, if the Bank notifies Landlord in writing that the Letter of Credit will not be extended beyond the current expiration date
thereof which would result in the Letter of Credit expiring prior to the LC Expiration Date, then Tenant shall deliver to Landlord a replacement Letter of Credit no later than
thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the Letter of Credit, which replacement Letter of Credit shall be accepted by Landlord if, and only if, such replacement Letter of Credit
is (x) irrevocable and automatically renewable as above provided through the LC Expiration Date upon the same terms as the expiring Letter of Credit or such other terms as
may be acceptable to Landlord in its reasonable sole discretion, and (y) issued by an Approved Bank solvent nationally recognized bank that is acceptable to Landlord in
Landlord’s reasonable discretion and meets all of the Letter of Credit Issuer Requirements.
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3. The Letter of Credit shall also provide that Landlord may, at any time and without notice to Tenant and without obtaining Tenant’s consent thereto, transfer its
interest in and to the Letter of Credit to another person or entity as a part of the assignment by Landlord of its rights and interests in and to the Lease. In the event of a transfer of
Landlord’s interest in the Building or the Premises, Landlord shall effect a transfer of the Letter of Credit to the transferee and thereupon Landlord shall, without any further
agreement between the parties, be fully and forever released by Tenant from all liability therefor, and it is agreed that the provisions hereof shall apply to each and every
transfer or assignment of the Letter of Credit to a new landlord. In connection with any such transfer of the Letter of Credit by Landlord, Tenant shall, at Tenant’s expense,
execute and submit to the Bank such applications, documents and instruments as may be necessary to effectuate such transfer and Tenant shall be responsible for paying the
Bank’s transfer and processing fees in connection therewith.
4. If, as result of any application or use by Landlord of all or any part of the Letter of Credit, the amount of the Letter of Credit shall be less than the LC Amount, then
Tenant shall, within ten (10) days thereafter, provide Landlord with additional letter(s) of credit in an amount equal to the deficiency and any such additional letter of credit shall
comply with all of the provisions of this LC Rider, and if Tenant fails to comply with the foregoing, the same shall constitute an uncurable default by Tenant under the Lease.
Tenant further covenants and warrants that it will neither assign nor encumber the Letter of Credit or any part thereof, and that neither Landlord nor its successors or assigns will
be bound by any such assignment, encumbrance, attempted assignment or attempted encumbrance. If, at any time prior to the LC Expiration Date, the Letter of Credit is not
renewed or replaced in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 above, or if Tenant fails to maintain the Letter of Credit in the amount and in accordance with the terms set
forth in this LC Rider, Landlord shall have the right to present the Letter of Credit to the Bank in accordance with the terms of this LC Rider and the proceeds of the Letter of
Credit may be applied by Landlord against any Rent payable by Tenant under the Lease that is not paid when due and/or to pay for all losses and damages that Landlord has
suffered or that Landlord reasonably estimates that it will suffer as a result of any default by Tenant under the Lease. Any unused proceeds shall constitute the property of
Landlord and need not be segregated from Landlord’s other assets. Landlord agrees to pay to Tenant within thirty (30) days after the LC Expiration Date the amount of any
proceeds of the Letter of Credit received by Landlord and not applied against any Rent payable by Tenant under the Lease that was not paid when due and/or used to pay for any
losses and/or damages suffered by Landlord (or reasonably estimated by Landlord that it will suffer) as a result of any default by Tenant under the Lease; provided, however,
that if prior to the LC Expiration Date a voluntary petition is filed by Tenant, or an involuntary petition is filed against Tenant by any of Tenant’s creditors, under the Federal
Bankruptcy Code, then Landlord shall not be obligated to make such payment in the amount of the unused Letter of Credit proceeds until either all preference issues relating to
payments under the Lease have been resolved in such bankruptcy or reorganization case or such bankruptcy or reorganization case has been dismissed.
5. Tenant hereby acknowledges and agrees that Landlord is entering into the Lease in material reliance upon the ability of Landlord to draw upon the Letter of Credit
upon the occurrence of any default on the part of Tenant under the Lease. If there shall occur a default by Tenant under the Lease or under this LC Rider, Landlord may, but
without obligation to do so, draw upon the Letter of Credit in part or in whole, to cure any default of Tenant and/or to compensate Landlord for any and all damages of any kind
or nature sustained or which Landlord reasonably estimates that it will sustain resulting from Tenant’s default. Tenant agrees not to interfere in any way with payment to
Landlord of the proceeds of the Letter of Credit, either prior to or following a “draw” by Landlord of any portion of the Letter of Credit, regardless of whether any dispute exists
between Tenant and Landlord as to Landlord’s right to draw from the Letter of Credit. The use, application, or retention of the Letter of Credit proceeds, or any portion thereof,
by Landlord shall not prevent Landlord from exercising any other right or remedy provided by the Lease or by any applicable law, it being intended that Landlord shall not first
be required to proceed against the Letter of Credit, and such Letter of Credit or the proceeds thereof shall not operate as a limitation on any recovery to which Landlord may
otherwise be entitled. No condition or term of the Lease shall be deemed to render the Letter of Credit conditional to justify the issuer of the Letter of Credit in failing to honor a
drawing upon such Letter of Credit in a timely manner. Tenant agrees and acknowledges that: (i) the Letter of Credit constitutes a separate and independent contract between
Landlord and the Bank; (ii) Tenant is not a third party beneficiary of such contract; and (iii) Tenant has no property interest whatsoever in the Letter of Credit or the proceeds
thereof and that, if Tenant becomes a debtor under any chapter of the Federal Bankruptcy Code, neither Tenant, any trustee, nor Tenant’s bankruptcy estate shall have any right
to restrict or limit Landlord’s claim and/or rights to the Letter of Credit and/or the proceeds thereof by application of Section 502(b)(6) of the Federal Bankruptcy Code.
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6. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if at any time the Letter of Credit Issuer Requirements are not met , or if the financial condition of such issuer
changes in any other materially adverse way, as determined by Landlord in its reasonable discretion, then Tenant shall, within five (5) days after written notice from Landlord,
deliver to Landlord a replacement Letter of Credit which otherwise meets the requirements of the Lease, including without limitation, the Letter of Credit Issuer Requirements.
In addition and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the issuer of any letter of credit held by Landlord is insolvent or is placed in receivership or conservatorship
by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or any successor or similar entity, or if a trustee, receiver or liquidator is appointed for the issuer, then, effective as of the date of
such occurrence, the Letter of Credit shall be deemed to not meet the requirements of this LC Rider, and Tenant shall, within five (5) days after written notice from Landlord,
deliver to Landlord a replacement Letter of Credit which otherwise meets the requirements of this LC Rider and that meets the Letter of Credit Issuer Requirements.
Notwithstanding anything in the Lease to the contrary, Tenant’s failure to so replace the Letter of Credit and/or satisfy the Letter of Credit Issuer Requirements within such
applicable 5-day period shall constitute a material default by Tenant under the Lease for which there shall be no notice or grace or cure periods being applicable thereto, and in
such event, Landlord may, but without obligation to do so, draw upon the Letter of Credit in part or in whole, to cure such default and/or to compensate Landlord for any and all
damages of any kind or nature sustained or which Landlord reasonably estimates that it will sustain resulting from such default.
7. Landlord and Tenant acknowledge and agree that in no event or circumstance shall the Letter of Credit or any renewal thereof or any proceeds thereof be (i) deemed
to be or treated as a “security deposit” within the meaning of California Civil Code Section 1950.7, (ii) subject to the terms of such Section 1950.7, or (iii) intended to serve as a
“security deposit” within the meaning of such Section 1950.7. The parties hereto (A) recite that the Letter of Credit is not intended to serve as a security deposit and such
Section 1950.7 and any and all other laws, rules and regulations applicable to security deposits in the commercial context (“Security Deposit Laws”) shall have no applicability
or relevancy thereto, and (B) waive any and all rights, duties and obligations either party may now or, in the future, will have relating to or arising from the Security Deposit
Laws.
8. Tenant’s sole and exclusive remedy in connection with any improper draw by Landlord against the Letter of Credit or Landlord’s improper application or retention
of any proceeds of the Letter of Credit shall be the right to obtain from Landlord a refund of the amount of any sight draft(s) that were improperly presented or the proceeds of
which were misapplied or wrongfully held, provided that at the time of such refund, Tenant replenishes the amount of such Letter of Credit to the amount (if any) then required
under the applicable provisions of this LC Rider. Tenant acknowledges that the Landlord’s draw against the Letter of Credit, application or retention of any proceeds thereof, or
the Bank’s payment under such Letter of Credit, could not, under any circumstances, cause Tenant injury that could not be remedied by an award of money damages, and that
the recovery of money damages would be an adequate remedy therefor. Tenant unconditionally and irrevocably waives (and as an independent covenant hereunder, covenants
not to assert) any right to claim or obtain any of the following relief in connection with the Letter of Credit: (i) a temporary restraining order, temporary injunction, permanent
injunction, or other order that would prevent, restrain or restrict the presentment of sight drafts drawn under the Letter of Credit or the Bank’s honoring or payment of sight
draft(s); or (ii) any attachment, garnishment, or levy in any manner upon either any of the proceeds of the Letter of Credit or the obligations of the Bank (either before or after
the presentment to the Bank of sight drafts drawn under the Letter of Credit) based on any theory whatever.
_____________________________
______________________________
______________________________
Contact Phones: _________________
Facsimile:
Email:
________________, 20__
Beneficiary:
ONNI WILSHIRE COURTYARD LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company
1031 S. Broadway, Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90015
ATTENTION: ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT
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EXHIBIT 1 TO LC RIDER
IRREVOCABLE LETTER OF CREDIT
Our irrevocable standby Letter of Credit:
No. _____________________________
Applicant:
__________________________
_______________, Suite _________
_____________, California _____
Attn: ____________________
Amount: Exactly USD $__________
( ________________ and 00/100 Dollars)
Final Date of Expiration: ________________, 20___ [INSERT LC EXPIRATION
DATE (LENGTH OF TERM OF LEASE PLUS 120 DAYS)]
We (the “Bank”) hereby issue our irrevocable standby Letter of Credit No. ______________ in Beneficiary’s favor for the account of the above-referenced Applicant,
in the aggregate amount of exactly USD $__________.
This Letter of Credit is available with us by presentation of your draft drawn on us at sight bearing the clause: “Drawn under ______________ [INSERT NAME OF
BANK] Letter of Credit No. ______________” and accompanied by the following:
1. Beneficiary’s signed certification purportedly signed by an authorized officer or agent stating:
for premises located at____________________________________”; or
(A) “Such amount is due to the Beneficiary as landlord under the terms and conditions of that certain Office Lease dated ____________, 20__ (the “Lease”)
(B) “The Bank has notified us that this Letter of Credit will not be extended beyond the current expiration date of this Letter of Credit;” or
(C) “Tenant has filed a voluntary petition under the Federal Bankruptcy Code;” or
(D) “An involuntary petition has been filed against Tenant under the Federal Bankruptcy Code.”
Special conditions:
Partial draws under this Letter of Credit are permitted.
Presentation of a drawing under this Letter of Credit may be presented in person or by courier using the street address on page 1 or by email to [ENTER BANK
EMAIL FOR LOC DRAWS] or by facsimile transmission to [ENTER BANK FAX NUMBER FOR LOC DRAWS].
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This Letter of Credit shall expire on __________ [INSERT DATE WHICH IS ANNUAL ANNIVERSARY OF LEASE COMMENCEMENT DATE] ; provided,
however, that notwithstanding the above expiration of this Letter of Credit, this Letter of Credit shall be automatically extended for successive, additional one (1) year periods,
without amendment, from the present or each future expiration date but in any event not beyond __________ [INSERT DATE WHICH IS 120 DAYS AFTER LEASE
EXPIRATION DATE] which shall be the final expiration date of this Letter of Credit, unless, at least thirty (30) days prior to the then current expiration date we notify you by
registered mail/overnight courier service at the above address that this Letter of Credit will not be extended beyond the current expiration date.
We hereby agree with you that all drafts drawn under and in compliance with the terms of this Letter of Credit will be duly honored upon presentation to us of the
documents described in Paragraph 1 above on or before the expiration date of this Letter of Credit, without inquiry as to the accuracy thereof and regardless of whether
Applicant disputes the content of any such documents or certifications.
This Letter of Credit is transferable by Beneficiary and any such transfer may be effected by us, provided that you deliver to us your written request for transfer in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to us. The original of this Letter of Credit together with any amendments thereto must accompany any such transfer request.
Except so far as otherwise expressly stated, this documentary credit is subject to the International Standby Practices 1998, International Chamber Of Commerce
Publication No. 590.
All communications to the Beneficiary must be delivered by courier or registered mail to both of the following addresses:
AND
By:
Authorized signature
ONNI WILSHIRE COURTYARD LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company
Suite 400, 1031 S. Broadway,
Los Angeles CA, USA 90015
Attention: LEGAL DEPARTMENT
Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP
865 South Figueroa Street, Suite 2800
Los Angeles, California 90017-2543
Attention: David B. Stone, Esq.
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Our corporate structure, including our principal operating subsidiaries, is as follows:
Exhibit 21.1
Name of subsidiary
Allied Esports Media, Inc.
Club Services, Inc.
WPT Enterprises, Inc.
Peerless Media Holdings Limited
Peerless Media Limited
Allied Esports International, Inc.
eSports Arena Las Vegas, LLC
Allied Esports GmbH
Esports Arena, LLC (25% ownership interest)
Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization
Delaware
Nevada
Nevada
Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Nevada
Delaware
Germany
California
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM’S CONSENT
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements of Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. (“AESE”) on Form S-3 (File Nos. 333-233856 and 333-
248696) and in the Registration Statements of AESE on Form S-1 (File Nos. 333-220516, 333-220815, 333-237977 and 333- 239584) and in the Registration Statement of
AESE on Form S-8 (File No 333-239984) of our report, which included an explanatory paragraph as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern dated April 12,
2021 with respect to our audits of the consolidated financial statements of Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and for the years ended
December 31, 2020 and 2019, which report is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Exhibit 23.1
/s/ Marcum llp
Marcum llp
Melville, NY
April 12, 2021
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 31.1
I, Frank Ng, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of Allied Esports Entertainment, 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(s) 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, 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.
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) 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 small business issuer’s internal control over
financial reporting.
Dated: April 12, 2021
/s/ Frank Ng
Frank Ng, Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 31.2
I, Anthony Hung, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of Allied Esports Entertainment, 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(s) 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, 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.
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) 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 small business issuer’s internal control over
financial reporting.
Date: April 12, 2021
/s/ Anthony Hung
Anthony Hung,
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 32.1
In connection with the Annual Report of Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020 (the
“Report”) I, Frank Ng, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002, that to the best of my knowledge and belief:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 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.
Dated: April 12, 2021
/s/ Frank Ng
Frank Ng,
Chief Executive Officer
This certification accompanies the Report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 32.2
In connection with the Annual Report of Allied Esports Entertainment, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020 (the
“Report”) I, Anthony Hung, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge and belief:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 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.
Dated: April 12, 2021
/s/ Anthony Hung
Anthony Hung,
Chief Financial Officer
This certification accompanies the Report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.