Arena Group Holdings Inc

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

($ in thousands, unless otherwise stated)

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (“The Arena Group” or the “Company”), after eliminating all significant intercompany balances and transactions.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for complete audited financial statements. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements, which are included in The Arena Group’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024.

The condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2024, and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, are unaudited but, in management’s opinion, include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of interim periods. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023, was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year.

The Company’s business and operations are sensitive to general business and economic conditions in the United States and worldwide. These conditions include short-term and long-term interest rates, inflation, fluctuations in debt and equity capital markets and the general condition of the United States and world economy. A host of factors beyond the Company’s control could cause fluctuations in these conditions. Adverse developments in these general business and economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and the results of its operations.

In addition, the Company will compete with many companies that currently have extensive and well-funded projects, marketing and sales operations as well as extensive human capital. The Company may be unable to compete successfully against these companies. The Company’s industry is characterized by rapid changes in technology and market demands. As a result, the Company’s products, services, or expertise may become obsolete or unmarketable. The Company’s future success will depend on its ability to adapt to technological advances, anticipate customer and market demands, and enhance its current technology under development.

Uncertainty in the global economy presents significant risks to the Company’s business. Increases in inflation, rising interest rates, instability in the global banking system, geopolitical factors, including the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Israel and the responses thereto, and the remaining effects of the COVID-19 pandemic may have an adverse effect on the Company’s business. While the Company is closely monitoring the impact of the current macroeconomic conditions on all aspects of its business, the ultimate extent of the impact on its business remains highly uncertain and will depend on future developments and factors that continue to evolve. Most of these developments and factors are outside of the Company’s control and could exist for an extended period of time. As a result, the Company is subject to continuing risks and uncertainties.

The Company operates inone reportable segment.

Going Concern

The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if it is unable to continue as a going concern.

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company incurred a net loss from continuing operations of $12,720, and as of March 31, 2024, had cash on hand of $4,003 and a working capital deficit of $225,009. The Company’s net loss from continuing operations and working capital deficit have been evaluated by management to determine if the significance of those conditions or events would limit its ability to meet its obligations when due. Also, since the Company’s 2023 Notes (see Note 11), Senior Secured Notes, Delayed Draw Term Notes and 2022 Bridge Notes (see Note 12) (collectively its “current debt”) are subject to a forbearance period through the earlier of the following: (a) September 30, 2024; (b) the occurrence of the closing of the Business Combination and (c) the termination of the Business Combination prior to closing (as further described in Note 18) unless the Company is able to refinance or modify the terms of its current debt it runs the risk that its debt could be called, therefore, it may not be able to meet its obligations when due.

In its evaluation, management determined there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a one-year period following the financial statement issuance date, unless it is able to refinance or modify its current debt and complete the Business Combination.

The Company plans to refinance or modify the maturities of its current debt and complete the Business Combination to alleviate the conditions that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern, however, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to refinance or modify its current debt and complete the Business Combination.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported results of operations during the reporting period. Significant estimates include: reserves for bad debt; capitalization of platform development and associated useful lives; goodwill and other acquired intangible assets and associated useful lives; assumptions used in accruals for potential liabilities; revenue recognition and estimates of standalone selling price of performance obligations for revenue contracts with multiple performance obligations; stock-based compensation and the determination of the fair value; valuation allowances for deferred tax assets and uncertain tax positions; accounting for business combinations; and assumptions used to calculate contingent liabilities. These estimates are based on information available as of the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements; therefore, actual results could differ from management’s estimates.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In June 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU 2022-03,Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions, which clarifies that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, is not considered in measuring fair value. This update also clarifies that an entity cannot, as a separate unit of account, recognize and measure a contractual sale restriction and requires certain disclosures for equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions. The adoption of ASU 2022-03 did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Loss per Common Share

Basic loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and excludes any dilutive effects of common stock equivalent shares, such as stock options, restricted stock, and warrants. All restricted stock awards are considered outstanding but are included in the computation of basic loss per common share only when the underlying restrictions expire, the shares are no longer forfeitable, and are thus vested. All restricted stock units are included in the computation of basic loss per common share only when the underlying restrictions expire, the shares are no longer forfeitable, and are thus vested. Contingently issuable shares are included in basic loss per common share only when there are no circumstances under which those shares would not be issued. Diluted loss per common share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and common stock equivalent shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method.

The Company excluded the outstanding securities summarized below (capitalized terms are described herein), which entitle the holders thereof to acquire shares of the Company’s common stock, from its calculation of net loss per common share, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive. Common stock equivalent shares are excluded from the diluted calculations when a net loss is incurred as they would be anti-dilutive.

2. Discontinued Operations

On March 18, 2024, the Company discontinued the Sports Illustrated media business (the “SI Business”) that was operated under the Licensing Agreement with ABG-SI, LLC (“ABG”) dated June 14, 2019 (as amended to date, the “Licensing Agreement”). This discontinuation of the SI Business (i.e., discontinued operations) followed the termination of the Licensing Agreement by ABG on January 18, 2024. The last date of any obligation of the Company to perform under the Licensing Agreement was March 18, 2024. In connection with the termination, certain ABG Warrants vested (further details are provided under the headingModification of Warrants in Note 15).

The table below sets forth the loss from discontinued operations:

The table below sets forth the major classes of assets and liabilities of the discontinued operations:

The table below sets forth the cash flows of the discontinued operations:

3. Acquisitions

The Company uses the acquisition method of accounting, which is based on ASC,Business Combinations (Topic 805), and uses the fair value concepts which requires, among other things, that most assets acquired, and liabilities assumed be recognized at their fair values as of the acquisition date.

Teneology, Inc. – On January 11, 2023, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Teneology, Inc., (“Teneology”) pursuant to which it acquired certain assets (consisting of the RoadFood media business, including digital and television assets; the Moveable Feast media business, including digital and television assets; the Fexy-branded content studio business; and the MonkeySee YouTube Channel media business, collectively “Fexy Studios”), for a purchase price of $3,307. The purchase price consisted of the following: (1) $500 cash paid at closing (including an advance payment of $250 prior to closing); (2) $75 deferred cash payments due in three equal installments of $25 on March 1, 2023 (paid), April 1, 2023 (paid) and May 1, 2023 (paid); (3) $200 deferred cash payment due on the first anniversary of the closing date, subject to certain indemnity provisions (not paid in January 2024); and (4) the issuance of 274,692 shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to certain lock-up provisions, with a fair value of $2,000 on the transaction closing date (fair value was determined based on an independent appraisal); and which was subject to a put option under certain conditions (the “contingent consideration”) with a final vesting date of January 11, 2024 (further details for (3) and (4) are provided in Note 9). The number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued was determined based on a $2,225 value using the common stock trading price on the day immediately preceding the January 11, 2023 closing date (on the closing date the common stock trading price was $7.94 per share). The agreement also provided for a cash retention pool for certain employees of $300, subject to vesting over three years upon continued employment and other conditions.

The composition of the purchase price is as follows:

The Company accounted for the asset acquisition as a business combination in accordance with ASC 805 since the acquisition met the definition of a business under the applicable guidance.

The Company incurred $99 in transaction costs related to the acquisition, which primarily consisted of legal and accounting expenses. The acquisition-related expenses were recorded in general and administrative expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The purchase price allocation resulted in the following amounts being allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the closing date of the acquisition based upon their respective fair values as summarized below:

The Company utilized an independent appraisal firm to assist in the determination of the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, which required certain significant management assumptions and estimates. The fair value of the advertiser relationships were valued using the excess earnings method of the income approach and the brand names were valued using the relief-from-royalty method of the income approach. The estimated useful life is fifteen years (15.0 years) for the advertiser relationships and twelve years (12.0 years) for the brand names.

The excess-of purchase price over the fair value amounts assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed represents goodwill from the acquisition. Goodwill is recorded as a non-current asset that is not amortized but is subject to an annual review for impairment. The Company expects $1,678 of goodwill to be deductible for tax purposes.

Further details are provided under the headingIntangible Assets in Note 4 related to an impairment of intangible assets (i.e., the advertiser relationships and brand names).

Supplemental Pro forma Information

The pro forma disclosures have been deemed impracticable for this acquisition since after making reasonable efforts the Company is unable to accept assumptions made by Teneology. The Company has determined, based on the information provided by Teneology and made available to the Company, that the earnings from the prior periods could not be verified since the acquisition only included certain activities of Teneology and financial statements were not available. In this regard, the Company: (1) made reasonable effort to obtain certain financial results of the certain activities but Teneology was unable to comply with this request; and (2) the presentation of the pro forma results and the assumptions made by Teneology management were unable to be independently substantiated.

4. Balance Sheet Components

The components of certain balance sheet amounts are as follows:

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts – The Company receives payments from advertising customers based upon contractual payment terms; accounts receivable is recorded when the right to consideration becomes unconditional and are generally collected within 90 days. The Company generally receives payments from digital and print subscription customers at the time of sign up for each subscription; accounts receivable from merchant credit card processors are recorded when the right to consideration becomes unconditional and are generally collected weekly. Accounts receivable have been reduced by an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company maintains the allowance for estimated losses resulting from the inability of the Company’s customers to make required payments. The allowance represents the current estimate of lifetime expected credit losses over the remaining duration of existing accounts receivable considering current market conditions and supportable forecasts when appropriate. The estimate is a result of the Company’s ongoing evaluation of collectability, customer creditworthiness, historical levels of credit losses, and future expectations. Accounts receivable are written off when deemed uncollectible and collection of the receivable is no longer being actively pursued. Accounts receivable as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 of $26,452 and $31,676, respectively, are presented net of allowance for doubtful accounts.

The following table summarizes the allowance for doubtful accounts activity:

Prepayments and Other Current Assets – Prepayments and other current assets are summarized as follows:

Under the provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) and the subsequent extensions of the CARES Act, the Company was eligible for a refundable employee retention credit subject to certain criteria. The Company determined that it qualifies for the tax credit under the CARES Act. In connection with the CARES Act, the Company adopted a policy to recognize the employee retention credit when earned and to offset the credit against the related expenditure. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recorded the employee retention credits as a reduction to payroll and related expenses of $6,868, in operating expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company has a receivable balance of $2,468 as presented in the above table in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Property and Equipment – Property and equipment are summarized as follows:

Depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was $67 and $114, respectively. Impairment charges for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 of $0 and $55, respectively, were recorded for property and equipment on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Platform Development – Platform development costs are summarized as follows:

A summary of platform development activity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 is as follows:

Amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was $1,549 and $1,573, respectively. Amortization expense for platform development is included in cost of revenue on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Impairment charges for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 of $0 and $64, respectively, were recorded for platform development on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Intangible Assets – Intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following:

Intangible assets subject to amortization were recorded as part of the Company’s business acquisitions. Amortization expense from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was $920 and $1,778, respectively, of which amortization expense for developed technology of $0 and $796, respectively, is included in cost of revenues on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Impairment charges of $1,198 and $0 from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, were recorded for the intangible assets on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Accrued Expenses and Other – Accrued expenses and other are summarized as follows:

5. Leases

The Company’s real estate lease for the use of office space is subleased (as further described below). The Company’s current operating lease has a remaining fixed payment term of 0.50 years.

The table below presents supplemental information related to the operating lease:

The Company generally utilizes its incremental borrowing rate based on information available at the commencement of the lease in determining the present value of future payments since the implicit rate for the Company’s leases is not readily determinable.

Variable lease expense includes rental increases that are not fixed, such as those based on amounts paid to the lessor based on cost or consumption, such as maintenance and utilities.

The components of operating lease costs were as follows:

Maturities of the operating lease liability as of March 31, 2024 are summarized as follows:

Sublease Agreement– The Company has entered into agreements to sublease certain space that it does not occupy, through the duration of the lease terms, with one sublease through September 2024 and two other subleases (these operating leases were recorded as an assumed lease liability in connection with the acquisition of Men’s Journal) through March 2025. As of March 31, 2024, the Company is entitled to receive total sublease income of $423 (of which $265 were recorded as an assumed liability).

Business Membership – Effective October 1, 2021, the Company entered into a business membership agreement with York Factory LLC, doing business as SaksWorks, that permits access to certain office space with furnishings, referred to as SaksWorks Memberships. This membership provides a certain number of accounts that equate to the use of the space granted. Effective June 1, 2022, the SaksWorks membership agreement was amended and assigned to Convene SW MSA Holdings, LLC (“Convene”). The initial term of the agreement with Convene was through December 31, 2023, with provisions for renewals. The Company terminated the arrangement effective December 31, 2023.

Lease Termination – Effective September 30, 2021, the Company terminated a certain lease arrangement for office space. In connection with the termination, the Company agreed to pay the landlord cash payments and credits for market rate advertising. As of March 31, 2024, the Company has a remaining cash payment of $4,000 due on October 1, 2024 (reflected net of imputed interest recognized at 10.0% per annum) and market advertising to be delivered of $676, presented as a lease termination liability of $4,518, as reflected in accrued expenses and other on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

6. Goodwill

The changes in carrying value of goodwill are as follows:

7. Line of Credit

Line of Credit– In connection with the Arena Notes Default (as further described below in Note 18) there was a cross-default under the SLR Digital Finance LLC (“SLR” and the “SLR Default”) financing and security agreement for a line of credit (the “Line of Credit”), where the Line of Credit, as amended, was terminated. In connection with the termination, the Company paid SLR $3,448, representing the amount due on the outstanding loan balance, accrued interest, certain fees and contingency reserves other fees in connection with the termination. In connection with the SLR Default, SLR no longer provided funding under the Line of Credit while paying down the Line of Credit with payments received from the Company’s customers in accordance with the terms of the agreement. As of March 31, 2024, the Company repaid the full amount due under the Line of Credit and has an amount due of $1,715 from SLR representing excess collections under the Line of Credit as reflected in prepayments and other current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The Line of Credit, as amended, provided for (i) $40,000 maximum amount of advances available (subject to certain limits and eighty-five (85%) of eligible accounts receivable),(ii) an interest rate at the prime rate plus 4.0% per annum of the amount advanced (subject to minimum utilization of at least 10% of the maximum amount of advances available), (iii) payment of a fee equal to 2.25% of the maximum line amount with respect to any termination of the agreement prior to December 31, 2025 at the option of the Company at any time with 60 day notice, (iv) a payment of a performance fee in the amount equal to 2.25% of the maximum line amount, under certain circumstances in connection with the Business Combination (as further described below), and (v) a payment of a success fee in connection with the Business Combination under certain circumstances. As of December 31, 2023, the outstanding balance under the Line of Credit was $19,609.

The Company has refinanced the Line of Credit with a new credit facility with Simplify Inventions, LLC (“Simplify”), as further described in Note 10.

Information for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 with respect to interest expense related to the Line of Credit is provided under the headingInterest Expense in Note 12.

8. Liquidated Damages Payable

Liquidated damages were recorded as a result of the following: (i) certain registration rights agreements that provide for damages if the Company does not register certain shares of the Company’s common stock within the requisite time frame (the “Registration Rights Damages”); and (ii) certain securities purchase agreements that provide for damages if the Company does not maintain its periodic filings with the SEC within the requisite time frame (the “Public Information Failure Damages”).

Obligations with respect to the liquidated damages payable are summarized as follows:

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the short-term liquidated damages payable were $3,000 and $2,924, respectively. The Company will continue to accrue interest on the liquidated damages balance at 1.0% per month based on the balance outstanding as of March 31, 2024, or $3,000, until paid. There is no scheduled date when the unpaid liquidated damages become due. The Series K convertible preferred stock remains subject to Registration Rights Damages and Public Information Failure Damages, which will accrue in certain circumstances, limited to 6% of the aggregate amount invested.

On February 8, 2023, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement with an investor, where the Company was liable for liquidated damages, pursuant to which the Company issued 47,252 shares of its common stock at a price equal to $10.56 per share (determined based on the volume-weighted average price of the Company’s common stock at the close of trading on the ninety (60) previous trading days), to the investor in lieu of an aggregate of $499 owed in liquidated damages as of the conversion date. On February 10, 2023, the Company issued 35,486 shares of its common stock in satisfaction of the liquidated damages, with the remaining shares issued after March 31, 2023. The Company prepared and filed a registration statement covering the resale of these shares of the Company’s common stock issued in lieu of payment of these liquidated damages in cash. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recorded $324 in connection with the issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock and a gain of $46 on the settlement of the liquidated damages, totaling $370, which was recorded in additional paid-in capital on the condensed consolidated statement of stockholders’ deficiency.

9. Fair Value

The Company estimates the fair value of financial instruments using available market information and valuation methodologies the Company believes to be appropriate for these purposes. Considerable judgment and a high degree of subjectivity are involved in developing these estimates and, accordingly, they are not necessarily indicative of amounts the Company would realize upon disposition.

The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value, which are described below:

Level 1. Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2. Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable; and

Level 3. Assets or liabilities for which fair value is based on valuation models with significant unobservable pricing inputs and which result in the use of management estimates.

The Company accounted for certain common stock issued in connection with the Fexy Studios acquisition that is subject to a put option (the “Fexy Put Option”), which provides for a cash payment to the sellers on the first anniversary date of the closing (on January 11, 2024) in the event the common stock trading price on such date is less than the common stock trading price on the day immediately preceding the acquisition date of $8.10 per share, as a derivative liability, which requires the Company to carry such amounts on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as a liability at fair value, as adjusted at each reporting period-end.

Fexy Put Option*–***On February 15, 2024, in connection with the contingent consideration related to the acquisition of Fexy Studios, the Company agreed to pay the amount due of $2,478 in four (4) equal installments of approximately $620 starting February 16, 2024 (paid $620 in February 2024) and then on the 15th day of each March (paid $620 in March 2024), April (paid $620 in April 2024) and May (paid $620 in May 2024) of 2024 comprised of the following:(i) $2,225 pursuant to the Fexy Put Option where the Company gave the recipients of the contingent consideration a right to put their 274,692 shares of the Company’s common stock; (ii) $200 deferred payment due under the purchase agreement; and (iii) $53 in other costs and reimbursable transition expenses payable. As of March 31, 2024, the Company owed $1,238 on the Fexy Put Option as reflected in accounts payable on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. In addition, the Company recorded the repurchase of 274,692 shares of the Company’s common stock issued in connection with the acquisition, resulting in a loss of $379 as reflected on the condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency.

Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis consisted of the following as of December 31, 2023:

Contingent Consideration – The fair value of the contingent consideration was primarily dependent on the common stock trading price on the first anniversary of the closing of Fexy Studios, or January 11, 2024. As of December 31, 2023, the estimated fair value was calculated based on the $8.10 put option amount based on the exercise price of the Company’s common stock at the acquisition date, less the $2.38 the Company’s common stock trading price as of the reporting date, or $5.72 per share, multiplied by the number of shares subject to the put option of 274,692, which approximated the value if the Black-Scholes option-pricing model was used given the proximity date of the put option.

For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the change in valuation of the contingent consideration of $313 and $499, respectively, was recognized in other expense on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

10. Simplify Loan

On March 13, 2024, the Company entered into a working capital loan agreement with Simplify, a related party as further described in Note 18 (the “Simplify Loan”), pursuant to which the Company has available up to $25,000 at ten percent (10.0%) interest rate per annum (the “Applicable Interest Rate”), payable monthly in arrears unless otherwise demanded by Simplify, with a maturity on March 13, 2026. The Simplify Loan is secured by certain assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, which are also guarantors of the obligations. Upon the closing, the Company borrowed $7,748, of which $3,448 was used to repay the outstanding loan balance, accrued interest, certain fees and contingency reserves under the Line of Credit. In the event of a default, including but not limited to the failure to pay any amounts when due, the interest will accrue at the Applicable Interest Rate plus five percent (5.0%) and the Simplify Loan will be payable upon demand by Simplify. As of March 31, 2024, the balance outstanding on the Simplify Loan was $7,748.

Information for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, with respect to interest expense related to the Simplify Loan is provided under the headingInterest Expense in Note 12.

11. Bridge Notes

2023 Notes

In connection with the Note Purchase Agreement, the First Amendment and the Second Amendment (as further described under the headingPrincipal Stockholder in Note 18), on August 31, 2023, the Company issued $5,000 aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes (the “2023 Notes”). The provisions of the First Amendment also permit certain incremental borrowings in the amount up to $3,000 at the sole discretion of the purchaser (the “Incremental 2023 Notes”), subject to a minimum amount of $1,000 and other conditions. On September 29, 2023, the Company issued $1,000 aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes pursuant to the incremental borrowings. On November 27, 2023, the Company issued $2,000 aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes pursuant to the incremental borrowings.

The terms of 2023 Notes provide for:

The debt issuance cost incurred under the debt modifications pursuant to the First Amendment are being amortized over the term of the 2023 Notes. The debt modification pursuant to the Second Amendment resulted in the unamortized debt issuance cost being amortized over the extended term of the 2023 Notes.

On December 29, 2023, the Company failed to make the interest payment due on the 2023 Notes resulting in an event of default with subsequent agreement to a forbearance period through the earlier of the following: (a) September 30, 2024; (b) the occurrence of the closing of the Business Combination and (c) the termination of the Business Combination prior to closing.

As of March 31, 2024, the effective interest rate on the 2023 Notes was 14.2%. As of March 31, 2024, the balance outstanding under the 2023 Notes was $7,972 ($8,000 principal balance less unamortized debt costs of $28). As of March 31, 2024, the principal balance due of $8,000 remains subject to the forbearance (see Note 18).

Information for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, with respect to interest expense related to the 2023 Notes is provided under the headingInterest Expense in Note 12.

12. Debt

Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, as amended by the First Amendment and Second Amendment (as further described under the headingPrincipal Stockholder in Note 18), as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company has notes outstanding referred to as the senior secured notes (the “Senior Secured Notes”), the delayed draw term notes (the “Delayed Draw Term Notes”) and the 2022 bridge notes (the “2022 Bridge Notes”), as further described below.

Senior Secured Notes

The terms of the Senior Secured Notes provide for:

Delayed Draw Term Notes

The terms of the Delayed Draw Term Notes provide for:

2022 Bridge Notes

The terms of the 2022 Bridge Notes provide for:

The following table summarizes the debt:

The debt issuance costs incurred under the debt modification pursuant to the First Amendment are being amortized over the term of the long-term debt. The debt modification pursuant to the Second Amendment resulted in the unamortized debt issuance cost being amortized over the extended term of the long-term debt.

On December 29, 2023, the Company failed to make the interest payment due on the Secured Senior Notes, Delayed Draw Term Notes and 2022 Bridge Notes (collectively the “Debt”) resulting in an event of default with subsequent agreement to a forbearance period through the earlier of the following: (a) September 30, 2024; (b) the occurrence of the closing of the Business Combination and (c) the termination of the Business Combination prior to closing.

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the current maturities of the Debt were $102,342 and $102,309, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, the principal balance due of $102,691 remains subject to the forbearance (see Note 18).

Information for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 with respect to interest expense related to the debt is provided below.

Interest Expense

The following table represents interest expense:

13. Preferred Stock

The Company has the authority to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, consisting of authorized and/or outstanding shares as of March 31, 2024 as follows:

14. Stockholders’ Deficiency

Common Stock

The Company has the authority to issue 1,000,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share.

Common Stock Private Placement*–***On February 14, 2024, the Company entered into a subscription agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”) with Simplify, pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell and issue to Simplify in a private placement (the “Private Placement”) an aggregate of 5,555,555 shares (the “Private Placement Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, at a purchase price of $2.16 per share, a price equal to the 60-day volume weighted average price of the Company’s common stock. The Private Placement closed on February 14, 2024 and the Company received proceeds from the Private Placement of $12,000 as reflected on the condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficiency. The proceeds were used for working capital and general corporate purposes. Further information is provided in Note 18.

Common Stock Registered Direct Offering – On March 31, 2023, the Company entered into common stock purchase agreements with certain purchasers, pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell in a registered direct offering an aggregate of 2,963,918 shares of the Company’s common stock at a purchase price of $3.88 per share, with gross proceeds of $11,500. Net proceeds of $11,211 were received, after deducting issuance costs $289, as reflected on the condensed consolidated statement of stockholder’s deficiency. No underwriter or placement agent participated in the registered direct offering. The net proceeds were used for working capital and general corporate purposes. Further information is provided in Note 18.

Restricted Stock Units – The Company issued, in connection with the vesting of restricted stock units,678,165 shares of the Company’s common stock and 397,376 shares of the Company’s common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, as reflected on the condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity.

15. Compensation Plans

The Company provides stock-based and equity-based compensation in the form of (a) restricted stock awards and restricted stock units to certain employees (the “Restricted Stock”), (b) stock option awards, unrestricted stock awards and stock appreciation rights to employees, directors and consultants under various plans (the “Common Stock Options”), and (c) common stock warrants, referred to as the ABG Warrants and Publisher Partner Warrants (collectively the “Warrants”) as referenced in the below table.

Stock-based compensation and equity-based expense charged to operations or capitalized are summarized as follows:

Unrecognized compensation expense and expected weighted-average period to be recognized related to the stock-based compensation awards and equity-based awards as of March 31, 2024 were as follows:

Modification of Warrants – On January 2, 2024, in connection with the default under the Licensing Agreement, the Performance-Based Warrants totaling 599,724 vested as a result of the default pursuant to certain provisions where all of the warrants automatically vest upon certain terminations of the Licensing Agreement by ABG. Of the warrants that vested,449,793 had an exercise price of $9.24 per share and 149,931 had an exercise price of $18.48 per share.

*Modification of Awards –*On February 28, 2023, the Company modified certain equity awards as a result of the resignation of a senior executive employee where 38,026 restricted stock units with time-based vesting that were unvested were vested and 21,117 options for shares of the Company’s common stock with time-based vesting that were unvested were vested, each subject to compliance with applicable securities laws and certain other provisions. In connection with the modification of these equity awards, the Company agreed to purchase a options exercisable for 45,632 shares of the Company’s common stock (including previously vested options of shares of the Company’s common stock of 24,515) as of the resignation date of the employee at a price of $10.29 per share, reduced by the exercise price and required tax withholdings, subject to certain conditions. The modification of the equity awards resulted in the unamortized costs being recognized at the modification date. The cash price of $10.29 per option less the strike price of $8.82 per option resulted in incremental cost of $68 being recognized at the modification date. The modification resulted in liability classification of the equity awards, with $68 paid during the three months ended March 31, 2023.

16. Revenue Recognition

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table provides information about disaggregated revenue by category, geographical market and timing of revenue recognition:

For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, disaggregated revenue represents revenue from continuing operations.

Contract Balances

The timing of the Company’s performance under its various contracts often differs from the timing of the customer’s payment, which results in the recognition of a contract asset or a contract liability. A contract asset is recognized when a good or service is transferred to a customer and the Company does not have the contractual right to bill for the related performance obligations. A contract liability is recognized when consideration is received from the customer prior to the transfer of goods or services.

The following table provides information about contract balances:

Unearned Revenue– Unearned revenue, also referred to as contract liabilities, include payments received in advance of performance under certain contracts and are recognized as revenue over time. The Company records contract liabilities as unearned revenue on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

17. Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes in interim periods is determined using an estimate of the Company’s annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items, if any, that arise during the period. Each quarter, the Company updates its estimate of its annual effective tax rate, and if the estimated annual effective tax rate changes, the Company makes a cumulative adjustment in such period. The quarterly provision for income taxes, and estimate of the Company’s annual effective tax rate, are subject to variation due to several factors, including variability in pre-tax income (or loss), the mix of jurisdictions to which such income relates, changes in how the Company conducts business, and tax law developments.

The income tax provision (benefit) effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was 0.32% and 0.04%, respectively. The deferred income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 was primarily due to deferred tax liabilities on indefinite lived intangible assets.

The realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon a variety of factors, including the generation of future taxable income, the reversal of deferred tax liabilities, and tax planning strategies. Based upon the Company’s historical operating losses and the uncertainty of future taxable income, the Company has provided a valuation allowance against most of the deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2024 and 2023.

As of March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company hasno uncertain tax positions or interest and penalties accrued.

18. Related Party Transactions

Principal Stockholder

Arena Loan Agreement – On January 5, 2024, as part of negotiations with Renew Group Private Limited (“Renew”), an affiliated entity of Simplify, in connection with the Company’s failure on December 29, 2023 to make the interest payment due on the loan agreement (the “Arena Loan Agreement”), dated December 15, 2022 held by Renew (the “Arena Notes”) in the amount of $2,797, that resulted in an event of default under the Arena Notes (the “Arena Notes Default”), Renew agreed in writing to a forbearance period through March 29, 2024 (subsequently extended to April 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024), subject to the Company retaining a chief restructuring officer acceptable to Renew, while reserving its rights and remedies. In connection with the forbearance, the Company had an engagement with FTI Consulting Inc., (“FTI”) from January 5, 2024 through April 26, 2024, a global business advisory firm, to assist the Company with its turnaround plans and forge an expedited path to sustainable positive cash flow and earnings to create shareholder value (the “FTI Engagement”). In connection with the FTI Engagement, Jason Frankl, a senior managing director of FTI, was appointed as the Company’s Chief Business Transformation Officer. He was later appointed as the interim Co-President. Upon completion of their work under the FTI Engagement satisfactory to Renew and the Company, the FTI Engagement was terminated as of April 26, 2024 and Mr. Frankl resigned as Co-President and Chief Business Transformation Officer. The outstanding principal on the Arena Notes was $110,691 ($8,000 for the 2023 Notes and $102,691 for the Debt) as of March 31, 2024 and the forbearance period was further extended on April 29, 2024 (as further described below) through September 30, 2024.

On April 29, 2024, the forbearance period was extended through the earlier of the following: (a) September 30, 2024; (b) the occurrence of the closing of the Business Combination (as further described below) and (c) the termination of the Business Combination prior to closing.

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company had certain transactions with Renew, where it incurred interest expense totaling $2,798 under the Arena Loan Agreement, none of which was paid. As of March 31, 2024, the total balance due the related party under the Arena Loan Agreement was $5,595 as reflected within accrued expenses and other as accrued interest on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Common Stock Private Placement*–***As a result of the issuance of the Private Placement Shares to Simplify, Simplify owns approximately 54.3% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, resulting in a change in control. As a result, Simplify has the ability to determine the outcome of any issue submitted to the Company’s stockholders for approval, including the election of directors. Prior to the consummation of the Private Placement, the Company’s public stockholders held a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock. The funds used by Simplify to purchase the Private Placement Shares came from the working capital of Simplify.

Business Combination*–***On February 9, 2024, New Arena Holdco, Inc. (“New Arena”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-276999) with the SEC in connection with the Business Combination Agreement by and among the Company, Simplify Inventions, LLC (“Simplify”), Bridge Media Networks, LLC (“Bridge Media”), New Arena and the other parties dated November 5, 2023, as amended on December 1, 2023 (the “Transaction Agreement”), that provides for the Company to combine its operations with those of Bridge Media, a wholly owned subsidiary of Simplify by way of a series of mergers with and among New Arena (the “Mergers”), subject to customary conditions, including the approval by the Company’s shareholders and certain regulatory approvals. Immediately following the Mergers, the Transaction Agreement provides for: (i) the purchase by The Hans Foundation USA, a nonprofit nonstock corporation (the “Hans Foundation”) of 25,000 shares of New Arena Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, at a purchase price of $1,000.00 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 pursuant to the subscription agreement, dated as of November 5, 2023, by and between New Arena and the Hans Foundation; and (ii) the purchase by 5-Hour International Corporation Pte. Ltd. (“5-Hour”) of 5,000,000 shares of New Arena common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “New Arena Common Stock”), at a purchase price of $5.00 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000 pursuant to the subscription agreement, dated as of November 5, 2023, by and between New Arena and 5-Hour. Further, concurrently with the closing of the Mergers, pursuant to that certain Committed Equity Facility Term Sheet, dated November 5, 2023, by and between Arena and Simplify, New Arena will enter into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Simplify, pursuant to which Simplify will agree to purchase, at New Arena’s request, up to $20,000 in aggregate purchase price of shares of New Arena Common Stock from time to time during the 12 months following the closing date at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the volume-weighted average price of the New Arena Common Stock for the last sixty trading days prior to the purchase date and (ii) $3.86 per share (the “Equity Line of Credit”), along with 60,000 shares of New Arena Common Stock as payment of a 1.5% commitment fee.

Immediately following the Closing, (i) Simplify will own approximately 79%of the outstanding shares of New Arena Common Stock, on a fully diluted basis, (ii) 5-Hour will own approximately 6%of the outstanding New Arena Common Stock and (iii) former Arena stockholders will own the remaining outstanding New Arena Common Stock. Such amounts exclude the ownership of shares of New Arena Common Stock that may be issued from time to time pursuant to the Equity Line of Credit. Following the Closing, Arena common stock will be delisted from the NYSE American (the “NYSE American”) and deregistered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and cease to be publicly traded. New Arena and its subsidiaries will operate under Arena’s current name “The Arena Group Holdings, Inc.” and New Arena Common Stock will be traded on the NYSE American under Arena’s current stock ticker symbol “AREN.”

Former Principal Stockholder

Note Purchase Agreement – The Company had an outstanding obligation with BRF Finance Co., LLC (“BRF”), an affiliated entity of B. Riley Financial, Inc. (“B. Riley”), in its capacity as agent for the purchasers and as purchaser, pursuant to a third amended and restated note purchase agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) entered into on December 15, 2022, that was further amended pursuant to a first amendment to the third amended and restated note purchase agreement on August 14, 2023 (the “First Amendment” as further described below), where it amended the second amended and restated note purchase agreement issued on January 23, 2022. The Note Purchase Agreement contains provisions related to the 2022 Bridge Notes, 2023 Notes, Senior Secured Notes, and Delayed Draw Term Notes, all as further described below and referred to together as the “Notes”. Under the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement and First Amendment, in the event there is a mandatory prepayment requirement (as further described below), the principal payment of the notes will be applied to:(1) the 2023 Notes until paid in full; (2) then to the 2022 Bridge Notes until paid in full; (3) then to the Delayed Draw Terms Notes until paid in full; and (4) then to the Senior Secured Notes. All borrowings under the Notes are collateralized by substantially all assets of the Company secured by liens and guaranteed by the Company’s subsidiaries. The Notes provide for a default interest rate equal to the rate of interest in effect at the time of default plus 4.0%, along with other provision for acceleration of the Notes under certain conditions. The Notes provided for certain affirmative covenants, including certain financial reporting obligations. On December 1, 2023, Renew purchased all of the notes held by B. Riley and assumed the role of agent under the Note Purchase Agreement, and also purchased all of the common stock held by B. Riley.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company paid in cash interest of $2,998 on the Notes, due to BRF.

Registered Direct Offering*–***On March 31, 2023, in connection with the registered direct offering, the Company entered into common stock purchase agreements for 1,009,021 shares of the Company’s common stock for a total of $3,915 in gross proceeds with B. Riley, at a price per share of $3.88 per share.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company had certain transactions with B. Riley, where it paid fees associated with the common stock public offering totaling $2,440.

Board Members

Registered Direct Offering*–***On March 31, 2023, in connection with the registered direct offering, the Company entered into common stock purchase agreements for 317,518 shares of the Company’s common stock for a total of $1,232 in gross proceeds with certain directors and affiliates, at a price of $3.88 per share, as follows: (i)64,000 shares for $248 to H. Hunt Allred, a director, through certain trusts (32,000 shares are directly beneficially owned by the Allred 2002 Trust - HHA and 32,000 shares are directly beneficially owned by the by Allred 2002 Trust - NLA); (ii)195,529 shares for $759 to 180 Degree Capital Corp, a former beneficial holder of more than 5% of the Company’s common stock; (iii)25,773 shares for $100 to Daniel Shribman, a former director; (iv)25,773 shares for $100 to Ross Levinsohn, a former director and the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer; and (v)6,443 shares for $25 to Paul Edmonson, an executive officer.

19. Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Contingencies

Claims and Litigation*–***From time to time, the Company may be subject to claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. The outcome of any litigation is inherently uncertain. Based on the Company’s current knowledge it believes that the final outcome of the matters discussed below will not likely, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on its business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows; however, in light of the uncertainties involved in such matters, there can be no assurance that the outcome of each case or the costs of litigation, regardless of outcome, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

On January 30, 2024, the former President of Media filed an action against the Company and Manoj Bhargava, the former interim CEO and a principal stockholder, alleging claims for breach of contract, failure to pay wages and defamation, among other things, in the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, seeking damages in an unspecified amount. The Company believes that it has strong defenses to these claims and intends to vigorously defend itself and the allegations made in this lawsuit.

On March 21, 2024, the former CEO and Chairman of the board of directors filed an action against the Company, members of its board of directors and Simplify, alleging claims for retaliation, breach of contract, wrongful termination and age discrimination, among other things, in the Superior Court of the State of California seeking damages in an amount of $20,000. The Company believes that it has strong defenses to these claims and intends to vigorously defend itself and the allegations made in this lawsuit.

On April 1, 2024, Authentic Brands Group, LLC, ABG-SI, LLC, and ABG Intermediate Holdings 2 LLC (collectively referred to as ABG) filed an action against the Company and Manoj Bhargave, the former interim CEO and a principal stockholder, alleging breach of contract among other things, in the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York seeking damages in the amount of $48,750 ($3,750 royalty fee liability and $45,000 termination fee liability as reflected in liabilities from discontinued operations, see Note 2).

In connection with the Company’s acquisition of Athlon Holdings, Inc., the Company prepared the working capital adjustment to the purchase price. The sellers are challenging the Company’s adjustments and both parties have agreed to a standstill and tolling agreement while the adjustments are being reviewed and discussed. The amount due from this challenge, if any, is not estimatable as of the issuance date of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

20. Subsequent Events

The Company performed an evaluation of subsequent events through the date of filing of these consolidated financial statements with the SEC. Other than the below described subsequent events, there were no material subsequent events which affected, or could affect, the amounts or disclosures on the consolidated financial statements.

Resignation and Appointments

On April 19, 2024, the Board appointed Sara Silverstein as the Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately, replacing Cavitt Randall.

Effective April 26, 2026, in connection with the ending of the interim management engagement with FTI Consulting Inc., Jason Frankl will no longer serve as interim Co-President and Chief Business Transformation Officer of the Company and Manoj Bhargava will serve as President.

Lease Agreement

Effective April 1, 2024, the Company entered into a sublease agreement for office space located in New York, NY with an expiration date of November 29, 2030 that provides for minimum lease payments totaling $4,019, with a payment of $652 made on April 11, 2024 representing twelve (12) months of minimum rental payments. In addition, the lease provides for additional rent for taxes and operating expenses under the terms of the underlying lease agreement.

Common Stock

From April 1, 2024 through the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued, the Company issued 17,698 shares of its common stock to members of the board of directors.