SAGA COMMUNICATIONS INC

The more prominent risks and uncertainties inherent in our business are described in more detail below. However, these are not the only risks and uncertainties we face. Our business may also face additional risks and uncertainties that are unknown to us at this time.

General Risks Related to the Economy

Continued Uncertain Financial and Economic Conditions may have an Adverse Impact on our Business, Results of Operations or Financial Condition

We derive revenues from the sale of advertising and expenditures by advertisers tend to be cyclical and are reflective of economic conditions. Periods of a slowing economy, recession or economic uncertainty may be accompanied by a decrease in advertising. Financial and economic conditions continue to be uncertain over the longer term and the continuation or worsening of such conditions, including prolonged or increased inflationary developments, could reduce consumer confidence and have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and/or financial condition. If consumer confidence were to decline, this decline could negatively affect our advertising customers' businesses and their advertising budgets. In addition, volatile economic conditions could have a negative impact on our industry or the industries of our customers who advertise on our stations, resulting in reduced advertising sales. Furthermore, it may be possible that actions taken by any governmental or regulatory body for the purpose of stabilizing the economy or financial markets will not achieve their intended effect. In addition to any negative direct consequences to our business or results of operations arising from these financial and economic developments, some of these actions may adversely affect financial institutions, capital providers, advertisers or other consumers on whom we rely, including our access to future capital or financing arrangements necessary to support our business. Our inability to obtain financing in amounts and at times necessary could make it more difficult or impossible to meet our obligations or otherwise take actions in our best interests.

Inflation has the potential to adversely affect our liquidity, business, financial condition and results of operations by increasing our overall cost structure, particularly if we are unable to achieve commensurate increases in the prices we charge our customers. The existence of inflation in the economy has resulted in, and may continue to result in, higher interest rates, increased cost of labor and other similar effects. As a result of inflation, we have experienced and may continue to experience, cost increases. Although we may take measures to mitigate the impact of this inflation, if these measures are not effective, our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity could be materially adversely affected. Even if such measures are effective, there could be a difference between the timing of when these beneficial actions impact our results of operation and when the cost of inflation is incurred.

Our Business and Operations Could be Adversely Affected by Health Epidemics, Pandemics or Similar Outbreaks, Natural Disasters and Other Catastrophes, Impacting the Markets and Communities in which we and our Partners, Advertisers, and Users Operate

We face various risks related to health epidemics, pandemics, or similar outbreaks, natural disasters and other catastrophes that are beyond our control, which have materially and adversely affected our business and may continue to materially and adversely affect our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition. The extent of the impact of health epidemics, pandemics or similar outbreaks, natural disasters and other catastrophes in the future, on our business, including our ability to execute our near-term and long-term business strategies and initiatives in the expected time frame, will depend on numerous factors that we may not be able to accurately predict or assess, including the negative impact on the economy and economic activity, changes in advertising customers and consumer behavior, short and longer-term impact on the levels of consumer confidence; actions governments, businesses and individuals take in response to such outbreaks, and any resulting macroeconomic conditions; and how quickly economies recover after such outbreaks or pandemics subside.

The effects of health epidemics, pandemics or similar outbreaks, natural disasters and other catastrophes in the future, may also impact financial markets and corporate credit markets which could adversely impact our access to financing or the terms of any such financing. To the extent pandemics or outbreaks adversely affect our business and financial results, it may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described herein.

The Success of Our Business is Dependent Upon Advertising Revenues, which are Seasonal and Cyclical, and also Fluctuate as a Result of a Number of Factors, Some of Which are Beyond Our Control.

Our primary source of revenue is the sale of advertising. Our ability to sell advertising depends, among other things, on:

Our operations and revenues also tend to be seasonal in nature, with generally lower revenue generated in the first quarter of the year and generally higher revenue generated in the second and fourth quarters of the year. This seasonality causes and will likely continue to cause a variation in our quarterly operating results. Such variations could have a material effect on the timing of our cash flows. In addition, our revenues tend to fluctuate between years, consistent with, among other things, increased advertising expenditures in even-numbered years by political candidates, political parties and special interest groups.

We Depend on Key Stations

Historically our top five markets when combined represented 36% and 37% of our net operating revenue for the years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively. Accordingly, we may have greater exposure to adverse events or conditions that affect the economy in any of these markets, which could have a material adverse effect on our revenue, results of operations and financial condition.

Local, National and Global Economic Conditions May Affect our Advertising Revenue

Our financial results are dependent primarily on our ability to generate advertising revenue through rates charged to advertisers. The advertising rates a station is able to charge are affected by many factors, including the general strength of the local and national economies. Generally, advertising declines during periods of economic recession or downturns in the economy. Our revenue has been and is likely to be adversely affected during such periods, whether they occur on a global level, national level or in the geographic markets in which we operate. During such periods we may also be required to reduce our advertising rates in order to attract available advertisers. Such a decline in advertising rates could also have a material adverse effect on our revenue, results of operations and financial condition.

The ongoing supply chain and labor shortage issues could result in an adverse impact on our business due to our customer’s reduction in advertising spending as their businesses are negatively impacted by low inventories, product delays, and labor shortages resulting in reduced revenue.

The Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in Gaza have created not only great devastation but also a worldwide instability that could impact economies across the globe. While direct impacts to our business are limited, the indirect impacts to our customers could impact demand for advertising and other indirect impacts could arise. In addition, the impact of other current macro-economic factors on our business, including inflation, supply chain constraints and geopolitical events, is uncertain.

The US government has recently indicated its intent to adopt a new approach to trade policy including initiating or considering the imposition of tariffs on certain foreign goods. Changes in US trade policy could result in one or more of US trading partners adopting responsive trade policies making it more difficult or costly for US exports to those countries. These measures could also result in increased inflation and reduced US real gross domestic product and otherwise adversely impact the US economy. While tariffs have not had a material impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations to date, we cannot predict future trade policy or the terms of any new tariffs and retaliatory measures and their impact on our business. The adoption and expansion of trade restrictions, the occurrence of a trade war, or other governmental action related to tariffs or trade policies has the potential to adversely impact the US and global economy and our customers’ businesses. This in turn could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations due to our customer’s reduction in advertising spending as their businesses are negatively impacted by a decline in the US economy.

Risks Related to Our Financing

We May Have Substantial Indebtedness and Debt Service Requirements

At December 31,2024, our long-term debt was approximately $5,000,000. We have previously borrowed and may borrow to finance acquisitions and for other corporate purposes. Because of our indebtedness, a portion of our cash flow from operations is required for debt service. Our leverage could make us vulnerable to an increase in interest rates, particularly related to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) as outlined in our new credit facility amendment, a downturn in our operating performance, or a decline in general economic conditions. Our credit facility is subject to mandatory prepayment requirements, including but not limited to, certain sales of assets, certain insurance proceeds, certain debt issuances and certain sales of equity. Any outstanding balance under the credit facility will be due on the maturity date of December 19, 2027. We believe that cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our debt service requirements for interest and scheduled payments of principal under the credit facility in the future. However, if such cash flow is not sufficient, we may be required to sell additional equity securities, refinance our obligations or dispose of one or more of our properties in order to make such scheduled payments. We cannot be sure that we would be able to affect any such transactions on favorable terms, if at all.

Variable-Rate Indebtedness Exposes us to Interest Rate Risk, which could Cause Our Debt Service Obligations to Increase Significantly.

Certain of our secured indebtedness, including borrowings under our existing credit facility, is or is expected to be, as applicable, subject to variable rates of interest and expose us to interest rate risk. If interest rates increase, our debt service obligations on the variable-rate indebtedness would increase and our net loss would increase, even though the amount borrowed under the facility remained the same. As of December 31, 2024, we had $5,000,000 outstanding variable-rate debt. An unfavorable movement in interest rates, primarily SOFR, could result in higher interest expense and cash payments for us. Although we may enter into interest rate hedges, involving the partial or full (i) exchange of floating for fixed-rate interest payments or (ii) obtaining an interest rate cap, to reduce interest rate volatility, we cannot provide assurance that we will enter into such arrangements or that they will successfully mitigate such interest rate volatility. SOFR is a broad measure of the cost of borrowing cash in the overnight U.S treasury repo market, and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York has published the daily rate since 2018.

Our Debt Covenants Restrict our Financial and Operational Flexibility

Our credit facility contains a number of financial covenants which, among other things, require us to maintain specified financial ratios and impose certain limitations on us with respect to investments, additional indebtedness,

dividends, distributions, guarantees, liens and encumbrances. Our ability to meet these financial ratios can be affected by operating performance or other events beyond our control, and we cannot assure you that we will meet those ratios. Certain events of default under our credit facility could allow the lenders to declare all amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable and, therefore, could have a material adverse effect on our business. We have pledged substantially all of our assets (excluding our FCC licenses and certain other assets) in support of the credit facility and each of our subsidiaries has guaranteed the credit facility and has pledged substantially all of their assets (excluding their FCC licenses and certain other assets) in support of the credit facility.

Risks Related to the Radio Broadcasting Industry

Our Stations Must Compete for Advertising Revenues in Their Respective Markets

Radio broadcasting is a highly competitive business. Our stations compete for listeners and advertising revenues within their respective markets directly with other radio stations, as well as with other media, such as broadcast radio (as applicable), cable television and/or radio, satellite television and/or satellite radio systems, newspapers, magazines, direct mail, the Internet, coupons and billboard advertising. Audience ratings and market shares are subject to change, and any change in a particular market could have a material adverse effect on the revenue of our stations located in that market. While we already compete in some of our markets with other stations with similar programming formats, if another radio station in a market were to convert its programming format to a format similar to one of our stations, or if a new station were to adopt a comparable format or if an existing competitor were to strengthen its operations, our stations could experience a reduction in ratings and/or advertising revenue and could incur increased promotional and other expenses. Other radio broadcasting companies may enter into the markets in which we operate or may operate in the future. These companies may be larger and have more financial resources than we have. We cannot assure you that any of our stations will be able to maintain or increase their current audience ratings and advertising revenues.

We Depend on Key Personnel

Our business is partially dependent upon the performance of certain key individuals, particularly Christopher S. Forgy, our President and CEO. Although we have entered into employment and non-competition agreements with Mr. Forgy, which terminate on December 6, 2029, and certain other key personnel, including on-air personalities, we cannot be sure that such key personnel will remain with us. We can give no assurance that all or any of these employees will remain with us or will retain their audiences. Many of our key employees are at-will employees who are under no legal obligation to remain with us. Our competitors may choose to extend offers to any of these individuals on terms which we may be unwilling to meet. In addition, any or all of our key employees may decide to leave for a variety of personal or other reasons beyond our control. Furthermore, the popularity and audience loyalty of our key on-air personalities is highly sensitive to rapidly changing public tastes. A loss of such popularity or audience loyalty is beyond our control and could limit our ability to generate revenues.

Our Success Depends on our Ability to Identify and Integrate Acquired Stations

As part of our strategy, we have pursued and may continue to pursue acquisitions of additional radio stations, subject to the terms of our credit facility. Competitors may be able to outbid us for acquisitions. As a result of these and other factors, our ability to identify and consummate future acquisitions is uncertain.

Our consummation of all future acquisitions is subject to various conditions, including FCC and other regulatory approvals. The FCC must approve any transfer of control or assignment of broadcast licenses. Such acquisitions could be delayed by shutdowns of the U.S. Government. In addition, acquisitions may encounter intense scrutiny under federal and state antitrust laws. Our future acquisitions may be subject to notification under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and to a waiting period and possible review by the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission. Any delays, injunctions, conditions or modifications by any of these federal agencies could have a negative effect on us and result in the abandonment of all or part of otherwise attractive acquisition opportunities. We cannot predict whether we will be successful in identifying future acquisition opportunities or what the consequences will be of any acquisitions.

Certain of our acquisitions may prove unprofitable and fail to generate anticipated cash flows. In addition, the success of any completed acquisition will depend on our ability to effectively integrate the acquired stations. The process of integrating acquired stations may involve numerous risks, including difficulties in the assimilation of operations, the diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns, risk of entering new markets, and the potential loss of key employees of the acquired stations.

The Royalties We Pay to Copyright Owners Could Increase Significantly, and Proposed Legislation Could Require Radio Broadcasters to Pay Royalties to Record Labels and Recording Artists

We pay royalties to copyright owners of musical compositions (typically song composers and publishers) whenever we broadcast or stream musical compositions. These royalties are paid through ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, GMR and Sound Exchange. The rates at which we pay royalties to copyright owners are privately negotiated or set pursuant to a regulatory process. Increased royalty rates could significantly increase our expenses, which could adversely affect our business. There is no guarantee that the licenses and associated royalty rates that currently are available to us will be available to us in the future. In addition, legislation has been previously introduced in Congress that would require radio broadcasters to pay a performance royalty to record labels and performing artists for use of their recorded songs. The proposed legislation would add an additional layer of royalties to be paid directly to the record labels and artists. It is currently unknown what proposed legislation, if any, will become law, whether industry groups will enter into an agreement with respect to performance fees, and what significance this royalty would have on our results from operations, cash flows or financial position.

Risks Related to Regulation of Our Business

Future Impairment of our FCC Broadcasting Licenses Could Affect our Operating Results

As of December 31, 2024, our FCC broadcasting licenses represented 41% of our total assets. We are required to test our FCC broadcasting licenses for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that our FCC broadcasting licenses might be impaired which may result in future impairment losses. For further discussion, see Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates included with this Form 10-K.

Our Business is Subject to Extensive Federal Regulation

The broadcasting industry is subject to extensive federal regulation which, among other things, requires approval by the FCC of transfers, assignments and renewals of broadcasting licenses, limits the number of broadcasting properties that may be acquired within a specific market, and regulates programming and operations. For a detailed description of the material regulations applicable to our business, see “Federal Regulation of Radio Broadcasting” and “Other FCC Requirements” in Item 1 of this Form 10-K. Failure to comply with these regulations could, under certain circumstances and among other things, result in the denial of renewal or revocation of FCC licenses, shortened license renewal terms, monetary forfeitures or other penalties which would adversely affect our profitability. Changes in ownership requirements could limit our ability to own or acquire stations in certain markets.

New Federal Regulations or Fees Could Affect our Broadcasting Operations

There has been proposed legislation in the past and there could be again in the future that requires radio broadcasters to pay additional fees such as a spectrum fee for the use of the spectrum or a royalty fee to record labels and performing artists for use of their recorded music. Currently, we pay royalties to song composers, publishers, and performers indirectly through third parties. Any proposed legislation that becomes law could add an additional layer of royalties to be paid directly to the record labels and artists. These proposed royalties have been the subject of considerable debate and activity by the broadcast industry and other parties affected by the legislation. It is currently unknown what impact any potential required royalty payments would have on our results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

The FCC’s Vigorous Enforcement of Indecency Rules Could Affect our Broadcasting Operations

Federal law regulates the broadcast of obscene, indecent or profane material. The FCC has increased its enforcement efforts relating to the regulation of indecency violations, and Congress has increased the penalties for broadcasting obscene, indecent or profane programming, and these penalties may potentially subject broadcasters to license revocation, renewal or qualification proceedings in the event that they broadcast such material. The FCC has expanded the scope of items considered indecent to include material that could be considered “blasphemy,” “personally reviling epithets”, “profanity” and vulgar or coarse words, amounting to a nuisance. Effective January 15, 2024, the maximum forfeiture penalty (after 2024 annual inflation adjustment) for an indecency violation is $508,373 per incident and $4,692,668 for a continuing violation arising from a single act or failure to act. In March 2015, the FCC issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for the then maximum forfeiture amount of $325,000 against a television station for violation of the indecency laws. In addition, the FCC’s heightened focus on the indecency regulations against the broadcast industry may encourage third parties to oppose our license renewal applications or applications for consent to acquire broadcast stations. Because the FCC may investigate indecency complaints prior to notifying a licensee of the existence of a complaint, a licensee may not have knowledge of a complaint unless and until the complaint results in the issuance of a formal FCC letter of inquiry or notice of apparent liability for forfeiture. We may in the future become subject to inquiries or proceedings related to our stations’ broadcast of obscene, indecent or profane material. To the extent that any inquiries or other proceedings result in the imposition of fines, a settlement with the FCC, revocation of any of our station licenses or denials of license renewal applications, our result of operations and business could be materially adversely affected.

We are Subject to a Series of Risks Regarding Scrutiny of Environmental, Social and Governance Matters

Companies across industries are facing increasing scrutiny from a variety of stakeholders related to their environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) practices. For example, various groups produce ESG scores or ratings based at least in part on a company’s ESG disclosures, and certain market participants, including institutional investors, use such ratings to assess companies’ ESG profiles. There are also increasing regulatory expectations for ESG matters. Various policymakers, including the SEC, have adopted (or are considering adopting) requirements to disclose certain climate-related or other ESG information, which may require additional costs to comply. This and other stakeholder expectations will likely lead to increased costs as well as scrutiny that could heighten the risk. Additionally, many of our customers, business partners, and suppliers may be subject to similar expectations, which may augment or create additional risks, including risks that may not be known to us.

Risks Related to Technology and Cybersecurity

New Technologies May Affect our Broadcasting Operations

The FCC has and is considering ways to introduce new technologies to the broadcasting industry, including satellite and terrestrial delivery of digital audio broadcasting and the standardization of available technologies which significantly enhance the sound quality of AM broadcasters. We are unable to predict the effect such technologies may have on our broadcasting operations. The capital expenditures necessary to implement such technologies could be substantial.

Information Technology and Cybersecurity Failures or Data Security Breaches Could Harm Our Business

Any internal technology error or failure impacting systems hosted internally or externally, or any large-scale external interruption in technology infrastructure we depend on, such as power, telecommunications or the Internet, may disrupt our technology network. Any individual, sustained or repeated failure of technology could impact our customer service and result in increased costs or reduced revenues. Our technology systems and related data also may be vulnerable to a variety of sources of interruption due to events beyond our control, including natural disasters, terrorist attacks, telecommunications failures, computer viruses, hackers and other security issues. While we have in place, and continue to invest in, technology security initiatives and disaster recovery plans, these measures may not be adequate or implemented properly to prevent a business disruption and its adverse financial impact and consequences to our business' reputation.

In addition, as a part of our ordinary business operations, we may collect and store sensitive data, including personal information of our clients, listeners and employees. The secure operation of the networks and systems on which this type of information is stored, processed and maintained is critical to our business operations and strategy. Any compromise of our technology systems resulting from attacks by hackers or breaches due to employee error or malfeasance could result in the loss, disclosure, misappropriation of or access to clients’, listeners’, employees’ or business partners’ information. Any such loss, disclosure, misappropriation or access could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability or regulatory penalties under laws protecting the privacy of personal information, disrupt operations and damage our reputation, any or all of which could adversely affect our business.

To meet business objectives, the Company relies on both internal information technology (IT) systems and networks, and those of third parties and their vendors, to process and store sensitive data, including confidential research, business plans, financial information, intellectual property, and personal data that may be subject to legal protection. The extensive information security and cybersecurity threats, which affect companies globally, pose a risk to the security and availability of these IT systems and networks, and the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the Company’s sensitive data. The Company continually assesses these threats and makes investments to increase internal protection, detection, and response capabilities, as well as ensure the Company’s third-party providers have required capabilities and controls, to address this risk.

In September 2021, one of our third-party service providers of a critical application used in our business, was the victim of a ransomware cyberattack. However, the Company’s data was not breached in connection with this incident and the incident did not have a material impact on the Company’s business or operations.

To date, the Company has not experienced any material impact to the business or operations resulting from information or cybersecurity attacks; however, because of the frequently changing attack techniques, along with the increased volume and sophistication of the attacks, there remains the potential for the Company to be adversely impacted. This impact could result in reputational, competitive, operational or other business harm as well as financial costs and regulatory action. The Company currently maintains cybersecurity insurance in the event of an information security or cyber incident; however, the coverage may not be sufficient to cover all financial losses nor may it be available in the future.

Risks Related to the Ownership of Our Stock

The Company is No Longer Controlled by our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman

Edward K. Christian, our founder and former President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, passed away on August 19, 2022. Mr. Christian held approximately 65% of the combined voting power of our Common Stock (based on Class B Common Stock generally being entitled to ten votes per share, with certain exceptions, but not including options to acquire Class B Common Stock). As a result, Mr. Christian was generally able to control the vote on most matters submitted to the vote of shareholders and, therefore, was able to direct our management and policies, except with respect to (i) the election of the two Class A directors, (ii) those matters where the shares of our Class B Common Stock are only entitled to one vote per share, and (iii) other matters requiring a class vote under the provisions of our certificate of incorporation, bylaws or applicable law. Upon Mr. Christian’s passing on August 19, 2022, his Class B shares were transferred into an estate planning trust and that transfer resulted in an automatic conversion of each Class B share he held into one fully paid and non-assessable Class A Share. Those Class A Shares have the same voting rights as all other Class A Shares, and the estate has approximately 14.6% voting rights after the conversion of the shares from Class B Shares to Class A Shares. The Company’s subsidiaries holding FCC licenses timely applied to the FCC for consent to transfer of control of the subsidiaries from Mr. Christian to the shareholders of the Company, and those applications were routinely approved by the FCC on December 20, 2023. As a result of the change in voting control, the Company has entered into a period of significant transition and is potentially more vulnerable to activist investors or hostile takeover attempts. If the Company is unable to manage this transition effectively, it may have an adverse impact on the Company and its shareholders.

We May Experience Volatility in the Market Price of our Common Stock

The market price of our common stock has fluctuated in the past and may continue to be volatile. In addition to stock market fluctuations due to economic or other factors, the volatility of our shares may be influenced by lower trading volume and concentrated ownership relative to many of our publicly-held competitors. Because several of our shareholders own significant portions of our outstanding shares, our stock is relatively less liquid and therefore more susceptible to price fluctuations than many other companies’ shares. If these shareholders were to sell all or a portion of their holdings of our common stock, then the market price of our common stock could be negatively affected. Investors should be aware that they could experience short-term volatility in our stock if such shareholders decide to sell all or a portion of their holdings of our common stock at once or within a short period of time.

Our management has identified certain internal control deficiencies, which management believes constitute material weaknesses. Our failure to establish and maintain an effective system of internal controls could result in material misstatements of our financial statements or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations or fail to prevent fraud in which case, our shareholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which would harm our business and could negatively impact the price of our common stock.

We review and update our internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures, and corporate governance policies as our Company continues to evolve. In addition, we are required to comply with the internal control evaluation and certification requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“SOX”) and management is required to report annually on our internal control over financial reporting.

Our management’s evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024 concluded that the Company has the following material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting: (i)*Ineffective Controls over Broadcast Revenue Reconciliations –*a lack of effectively designed and implemented monitoring controls over recorded broadcast revenue combined with a lack of segregation of duties within the Traffic Management system that did not restrict users’ or monitor access privileges commensurate with their assigned authority and responsibility; and (ii)Ineffective Controls over Digital Revenue Reconciliations– a lack of effectively designed and implemented monitoring controls over recorded digital revenue, including procedures over the retention of documentation to ensure existence, completeness and accuracy of data used to support accounts related to revenue and accounts receivable in the financial statement close process.

These ineffective controls, individually or in the aggregate, could result in misstatements of accounts or disclosures that would results in a material misstatement of the interim or annual Consolidated Financial Statements that would not be prevented or detected.

Such shortcomings could have an adverse effect on our business and financial results. Any system of internal controls, however well designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the system are met. Any failure or circumvention of the controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulation concerning control and procedures could have a material effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Any of these events could result in an adverse reaction in the financial marketplace due to a loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which ultimately could negatively affect the market price of our shares, increase the volatility of our stock price and adversely affect our ability to raise additional funding. The effect of these events could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our Board and as executive officers.

The Company is planning to take steps to remediate this material weakness. However, we cannot assure you that any of the measures we implement to remedy any such deficiencies will effectively mitigate or remedy such deficiencies.

Our business could be negatively affected as a result of shareholder activism.

Shareholder activism, which could take many forms or arise in a variety of situations, including making public demands that we consider certain strategic alternatives for the Company, engaging in public campaigns to attempt to influence our corporate governance and/or our management, and commencing proxy contests to attempt to elect the activists' representatives or others to our Board, has increased in recent years.

While the Company welcomes shareholders' constructive input, the Company could be negatively affected as a result of shareholder activism, which could cause the Company to incur substantial costs and divert our attention and resources from our business and our ability to execute our strategic plans. Additionally, such shareholder activism could give rise to perceived uncertainties as to our future, adversely affect our relationships with our associates, customers, service providers or other vendors and make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified personnel. Also, we may be required to incur significant fees and other expenses related to activist shareholder matters, including for third-party advisors. Our stock price could be subject to significant fluctuation or otherwise be adversely affected by the events, risks and uncertainties of any shareholder activism.

The Company has been, and may continue to be, the subject of shareholder activism, and it is subject to the risks associated therewith.

We are a Smaller Reporting Company and Intend to Avail Ourselves of Certain Reduced Disclosure Requirements Applicable to Smaller Reporting Companies, which could make our Common Stock Less Attractive to Investors.

We are a smaller reporting company, as defined in the Exchange Act, and we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not applicable to smaller reporting companies, including reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive because we may 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 our stock price may be more volatile. We intend to take advantage of certain of these reporting exemptions until we are no longer a smaller reporting company. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter is $250 million or more.