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EX-23.1 - Pershing Gold Corp. | v208920_ex23-1.htm |
Registration
No. 333-[_________]
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
S-1
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT
UNDER
THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
THE
EMPIRE SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS CO.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada
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7990
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26-0657736
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(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
|
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
|
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
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110
Green Street, Suite 403
New
York, New York 10012
(212)
810-6193
(Address,
including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s
principal executive offices)
Sheldon
Finkel
Chief
Executive Officer
110
Greene Street, Suite 403
New
York, New York 10012
(212)
810-6193
(Name,
address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent
for service)
Copies
to:
Harvey
J. Kesner, Esq.
61
Broadway, 32nd Floor
New
York, New York 10006
Telephone:
(212) 930-9700
Approximate
date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable
after the effective date of this registration statement.
If any of
the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or
continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check
the following box. x
If this
Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule
462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the
Securities Act of 1933 registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this
Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the
Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. ¨
If this
Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the
Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. ¨
Indicate
by a check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See
the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller
reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):
Large Accelerated Filer ¨
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Accelerated Filer ¨
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Non-accelerated Filer ¨
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Smaller Reporting Company x
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(Do not
check if a smaller reporting company)
Title of each class of
securities to be registered
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Amount to be
Registered(1)
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Proposed maximum
offering price per
share
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Proposed maximum
aggregate offering
price
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Amount of
registration fee
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||||||||||
Primary
Offering
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||||||||||||||
Common
stock, par value $0.0001 per share
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(2)
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$ | 45,000,000 | $ | 5,224.50 | |||||||||
Secondary
Offering
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||||||||||||||
Common
stock, par value $0.0001 per share
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(3)
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|||||||||||||
Total
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$ | 5,224.50 |
(1)
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Pursuant
to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, the shares of common stock offered
hereby also include an indeterminate number of additional shares of common
stock as may from time to time become issuable by reason of anti-dilution
provisions, stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations or other
similar transactions.
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(2)
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Estimated solely for purposes of
calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule
457(o).
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(3)
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We
intend to identify the shares to be offered by the selling stockholders
through one or more amendments to be filed to this Registration
Statement.
|
THE
REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS
MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A
FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
EXPLANATORY
NOTE
This
Registration Statement contains two forms of prospectus: one to be used in
connection with a public offering of shares of our common stock having an
aggregate initial offering price of up to $45,000,000 (the "Prospectus") and one
to be used in connection with the potential resale by certain selling
stockholders of shares of our common stock (the "Selling Stockholder
Prospectus"). We intend to identify the shares to be offered by the selling
stockholders through one or more amendments to be filed to this Registration
Statement. The Prospectus and Selling Stockholder Prospectus will be identical
in all respects except for the alternate pages for the Selling Stockholder
Prospectus included herein which are labeled "Alternate Page for Selling
Stockholder Prospectus."
The
Selling Stockholder Prospectus is substantively identical to the Prospectus,
except for the following principal points:
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•
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they contain different outside
and inside front covers;
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•
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they contain different Offering
sections in the Prospectus Summary section on page
4;
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•
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they contain different Use of
Proceeds sections on page
21;
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•
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a Selling Stockholder section is
included in the Selling Stockholder Prospectus beginning on page
48;
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The
Company has included in this Registration Statement, after the financial
statements, a set of alternate pages to reflect the foregoing differences of the
Selling Stockholder Prospectus as compared to the Prospectus.
The
information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not
sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell
these securities and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in
any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT
TO COMPLETION, DATED JANUARY 28, 2011
PRELIMINARY
PROSPECTUS
OFFERING
UP TO ______ SHARES
The
Empire Sports & Entertainment Holdings Co.
This
prospectus relates to a public offering of _______ shares of our common stock,
par value $0.0001 per share. We are not required to sell any specific
dollar amount or number of shares of common stock but will use our best efforts
to sell all of the shares of common stock being offered. The Company offering
expires on the earlier of (i) the date upon which all of the shares of common
stock being offered have been sold, or (ii) 24 months following the date of this
prospectus
We will
bear all costs relating to the registration of these shares of our common
stock.
Our
common stock is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “EXCX.OB”. The
last reported sale price of our common stock as reported by the OTC Bulletin
Board on January 27, 2011, was $1.25 per share.
Investing
in our common stock is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk.
You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described under the
heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page 9 of this prospectus before making
a decision to purchase our common stock.
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or
adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
We intend
to engage a one or more placement agents in connection with this offering. The
placement agents will not purchase or sell any of our securities, nor will they
be required to arrange for the purchase and sale of any specific number or
dollar amount of securities, other than to use their “best efforts” to arrange
for the sale of securities by us. We have not arranged to place the funds in an
escrow, trust or similar account.
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Price to
Public
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Placement
Agent Fees
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Proceeds,
Before
Expenses, to
Us
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|||||||||
Per
Share
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$
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$
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$
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|||||||||
Total
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$
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$
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$
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We may
amend or supplement this prospectus from time to time by filing amendments or
supplements as required. You should read the entire prospectus and any
amendments or supplements carefully before you make your investment
decision.
The
date of this prospectus is *, 2011
- 3
-
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
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Prospectus
Summary
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3
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Special
Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
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5
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Summary Consolidated Financial Data |
6
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Risk
Factors
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7
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Use
of Proceeds
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21
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Market
for Our Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters
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21
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Dividend
Policy
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21
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Selected Consolidated Financial Data |
22
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Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
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22
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Business
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30
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Management
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32
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Executive
Compensation
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34
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Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions
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37
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Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
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38
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Description
of Securities
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38
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Plan
of Distribution
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40
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Legal
Matters
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42
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Experts
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42
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Where
You Can Find Additional Information
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42
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Index
to Financial Statements
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F-1
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You
should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not
authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone
provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on
it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction
where an offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information
appearing in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover
of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and
prospects may have changed since that date.
- 2
-
The
following summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus.
This summary may not contain all of the information that may be important to
you. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the sections
entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations” and our historical financial statements and
related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. In this prospectus, unless
otherwise noted, the terms “the Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to The
Empire Sports & Entertainment Holdings Co., and its subsidiary, The Empire
Sports & Entertainment, Co.
Overview
We are
engaged in the business of live entertainment as a promoter and producer for
music and sports. Our goal is to become a leader in integrated promotion,
production, and event management services for a broad variety of live events. We
intend to promote or produce both live music and entertainment shows and
sporting events, including professional boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA). We
expect to generate revenue primarily through promoter fees and sharing
arrangements with performers and athletes and production of concerts and events.
These revenues are expected to consist primarily of sponsorship, advertising and
concession fees, ticket sales (“gate”), televised revenue (Pay-Per-View) and
media distribution.
Our
History
We were
incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on August 2, 2007 to be a
web-based service provider and consulting company. On November 28, 2007, we
entered into a license agreement with a third party to use their software on a
non-exclusive basis. We later determined that we were unable to implement the
software with clients. As a result, on December 29, 2009, we entered into a
termination agreement. On September 27, 2010, we amended and restated our
Articles of Incorporation in order to, among other things, change our name to
The Empire Sports & Entertainment Holdings Co.
Our
wholly-owned subsidiary, The Empire Sports & Entertainment, Co. (“Empire”)
began operations in 2009. Certain of our assets were acquired from Golden
Empire, LLC (“Golden Empire”), a New Jersey limited liability company and as a
result our financial statements and results of operations includes certain
information regarding the operations of Golden Empire, although we did not
acquire Golden Empire. To date, Empire has not generated material revenues or
earnings as a result of its activities.
On
September 29, 2010, we entered into a Share Exchange Agreement (the “Exchange
Agreement”) with Empire and the shareholders of Empire. Upon closing of the
transaction contemplated under the Exchange Agreement (the “Share Exchange”),
the Empire Shareholders transferred all of the issued and outstanding capital
stock of Empire in exchange for shares of our common stock. Such Share Exchange
caused Empire to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Following the
Share Exchange, we succeeded to the business of Empire as our sole line of
business.
At the
closing of the Share Exchange, each share of Empire’s common stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the closing of the Share Exchange was exchanged
for the right to receive one share of our common stock. Accordingly, an
aggregate of 19,602,000 shares of our common stock were issued to the Empire
Shareholders.
Our Board
of Directors consists of Sheldon Finkel, Barry Honig and Gregory D. Cohen. Our
officers consist of Sheldon Finkel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
Gregory D. Cohen, President, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary and Peter
Levy, Executive Vice President.
The foregoing
description of certain changes to our Certificate of Incorporation, the Share
Exchange and related transactions does not purport to be complete and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of (i) the Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which was filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 4, 2010, (ii) the Share
Exchange Agreement, which was filed as Exhibit 2.1 to our current Report on Form
8-K filed with the SEC on October 5, 2010, (iii) the Conveyance Agreement, which
was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC
on October 12, 2010, and (iv) the Stock Purchase Agreement, which was filed with
the SEC as Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 12,
2010, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Following
the closing of the Share Exchange there were 22,115,800 shares of common stock
issued and outstanding, which excludes 2,800,000 shares of common stock reserved
for issuance under our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan and 250,000 shares at our
common stock issuable upon exercise of options issued to one of our
executive officers. Neither we nor Empire had any outstanding options or
warrants to purchase shares of capital stock immediately prior to the closing of
the Share Exchange. However, prior to the Share Exchange, we adopted the 2010
Equity Incentive Plan and reserved 2,800,000 shares of common stock for issuance
as awards to officers, directors, employees, consultants and others. In
addition, we granted options to purchase an additional 250,000 shares of our
common stock pursuant to the employment agreement of one of our executive
officers.
- 3
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Securities
offered by us
|
[_____________]
|
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Common
stock outstanding before the offering
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22,135,805
shares. (1)
|
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Common
stock to be outstanding after the offering
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[__________]
shares. (2)
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Use
of proceeds
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We
will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the common stock by the
selling stockholders. We intend to use the proceeds from the sale of the
securities by the Company for general working capital purposes, including
acquisitions.
|
|
OTB
Bulletin Board Symbol
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EXCX.OB
|
|
Risk
Factors
|
|
You
should carefully consider the information set forth in this prospectus
and, in particular, the specific factors set forth in the “Risk Factors”
section beginning on page 9 of this prospectus before deciding whether or
not to invest in our common
stock.
|
(1)
|
Represents
the number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of January
27, 2011. Excludes (i) 2,800,000 shares of our common stock
issuable upon exercise of options reserved under the 2010 Equity Incentive
Plan,
and (ii) 250,000 share of common stock issuable upon exercise of options
issued to one of our executive
officers.
|
(2)
|
Excludes
(i) 2,800,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of
options reserved under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan,
and (ii) 250,000 share of common stock issuable upon exercise of options
issued to one of our executive officers.
|
- 4
-
This
prospectus contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A
of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the “Exchange Act”). Such statements include statements regarding our
expectations, hopes, beliefs or intentions regarding the future, including but
not limited to statements regarding our market, strategy, competition,
development plans (including acquisitions and expansion), financing, revenues,
operations, and compliance with applicable laws. Forward-looking statements
involve certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ
materially from those discussed in any such statement. Factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include
the risks described in greater detail in the following paragraphs. All
forward-looking statements in this document are made as of the date hereof,
based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we assume no
obligation to update any forward- looking statement. Market data used throughout
this prospectus is based on published third party reports or the good faith
estimates of management, which estimates are based upon their review of internal
surveys, independent industry publications and other publicly available
information. Although we believe that such sources are reliable, we do not
guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information, and we have not
independently verified such information.
- 5
-
The
following tables set forth our summary statement of operations data for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, for the period from February 10, 2010
(inception) to September 30, 2010, and our
summary balance sheet data as of September 30, 2010. Our statement of operations
data for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 was derived from our
audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Our statement of operations data for the period from February 10, 2010
(inception) to September 30, 2010 and our balance sheet data as of September 30,
2010 were derived from our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements
included elsewhere in this prospectus. In the opinion of management the
unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the
same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and include all
adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a
fair presentation of our operating results and financial position for those
periods and as of such dates. The results for any interim period are not
necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full
year.
The
results indicated below and elsewhere in this prospectus are not necessarily
indicative of our future performance. You should read this information together
with “Description of Securities,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” our consolidated financial
statements and related notes and our unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Statement
of Operations Data:
Year
Ended December 31, 2009 (1)
|
For
the Period From February 10, 2010 (Inception) to September 30,
2010
|
|||||||
Net
revenues
|
$ | - | $ | 288,584 | ||||
Operating
expenses
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53,051 | 1,725,618 | ||||||
Loss
from operations
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(53,051 | ) | (1,437,034 | ) | ||||
Other
(expense) income
|
- | (13,431 | ) | |||||
Net
loss
|
(53,051 | ) | (1,450,465 | ) |
Balance
Sheet Data:
December
31, 2009 (1)
|
September
30, 2010
|
|||||||
Working
capital (deficit)
|
$ | (30,551 | ) | $ | 2,159,865 | |||
Total
assets
|
15,386 | 3,404,060 | ||||||
Total
liabilities
|
45,937 | 304,852 | ||||||
Accumulated
deficit
|
(53,051 | ) | (1,503,516 | ) | ||||
Total
shareholders’ equity (deficit)
|
(30,551 | ) | 3,099,208 | |||||
(1)
|
Represents
financial statement data of Golden Empire, LLC, the predecessor of The
Empire Sports & Entertainment,
Co.
|
- 6
-
RISK
FACTORS
There
are numerous and varied risks, known and unknown, that may prevent us from
achieving our goals. If any of these risks actually occur, our business,
financial condition or results of operation may be materially adversely
affected. In such case, the trading price of our common stock could decline and
investors could lose all or part of their investment.
Risks Relating to Our
Business and Industry
Our
business is highly sensitive to public tastes and dependent on our ability to
secure popular artists and athletes and other events. We may be unable to
anticipate or respond to changes in consumer preferences, which may result in
decreased demand for our services.
Our
ability to generate revenue from music and sports operations is highly sensitive
to rapidly changing public tastes and dependent on the availability of popular
artists, athletes and events. Our success depends in part on our ability to
anticipate the tastes of consumers and to offer events that appeal to them.
Since we rely on unrelated parties to create and perform live content, any
unwillingness to tour or lack of availability of popular artists or athletes
could limit our ability to generate revenue. In particular, there are a limited
number of artists and athletes that can headline a North American or global tour
or event who can sell out larger venues, including many of our anticipated
amphitheaters. If those key artists do not continue to tour, or athletes are not
willing or able to obtain successful matches, or if we are unable to secure the
rights to their future tours or matches, then our business would be adversely
affected.
In
addition, live music is typically booked for music tours from one to four months
in advance of the beginning of the tour and often an agreement to pay an artist
a fixed guaranteed amount is required prior to our receiving any operating
income. Therefore, if the public is not receptive to the tour, or we or a
performer cancel the tour, we may incur a loss for the tour depending on the
amount of the fixed guarantee or incurred costs relative to any revenue earned,
as well as foregone revenue we could have earned at booked venues. We may be
able to secure cancellation insurance policies but such policies to cover a
portion of our losses if a performer cancels a tour may not be sufficient, we
may choose not to procure such policies, and they are subject to deductibles.
Furthermore, consumer preferences change, from time to time, and our failure to
anticipate, identify or react to these changes could result in reduced demand
for our services, which would adversely affect our operating results and
profitability.
We
have incurred net losses and may experience future net losses.
Our
operating results from continuing operations have been adversely affected by,
among other things, event profitability and overhead costs. Many of our
competitors who are significantly larger have incurred significant net losses
despite their larger scale of operations and we may face the same outcome which
may continue or increase as we grow. We may face reduced demand for our events
and other factors that could adversely affect our results of operations in the
future. We cannot predict whether we will achieve profitability in future
periods or at all.
Our
operations are seasonal and our results of operations may vary from quarter to
quarter and year over year, so our financial performance in certain financial
quarters or years may not be indicative of, or comparable to, our financial
performance in subsequent financial quarters or years.
Our
financial results and cash needs will vary from quarter to quarter and year to
year depending on, among other things, the timing of tours and events,
cancellations, capital expenditures, seasonal and other fluctuations in our
operating results, the timing of guaranteed payments and receipt of ticket
sales, financing activities, acquisitions and investments and receivables
management. Because our results will vary significantly from quarter to quarter
and year to year, our financial results for one quarter or year cannot
necessarily be compared to another quarter or year and may not be indicative of
our future financial performance in subsequent quarters or years. Typically, the
financial performance for live entertainment is in the first and fourth quarters
of the calendar year as outdoor venues are primarily used, and festivals
primarily occur, during May through September. In addition, the timing of tours
of top grossing acts can impact comparability of quarterly results year over
year and potentially annual results.
We
may be adversely affected by the current, or any future, general deterioration
in economic conditions, which could affect consumer and corporate spending and,
therefore, significantly adversely impact our operating results.
A decline
in attendance at or reduction in the number of live events may have an adverse
effect on our revenue and operating income. In addition, during past economic
slowdowns and recessions, many consumers reduced their discretionary spending
and advertisers reduced their advertising expenditures. The impact of slowdowns
on our business is difficult to predict, but they may result in reductions in
ticket sales, sponsorship opportunities and our ability to generate revenue. The
risks associated with our businesses may become more acute in periods of a
slowing economy or recession, which may be accompanied by a decrease in
attendance at live events.
Our
business depends on discretionary consumer and corporate spending. Many factors
related to corporate spending and discretionary consumer spending, including
economic conditions affecting disposable consumer income such as employment,
fuel prices, interest and tax rates and inflation which can significantly impact
our operating results. Business conditions, as well as various industry
conditions, including corporate marketing and promotional spending and interest
levels, can also significantly impact our operating results. These factors can
affect attendance at our events, premium seat sales, sponsorship, advertising
and hospitality spending, concession and souvenir sales, as well as the changes
in our industry. Negative factors such as challenging economic conditions,
public concerns over terrorism and security incidents, particularly when
combined, can impact corporate and consumer spending, and one negative factor
can impact our results more than another. There can be no assurance that
consumer and corporate spending will not be adversely impacted by current
economic conditions, or by any further or future deterioration in economic
conditions, thereby possibly impacting our operating results and
growth.
- 7
-
Loss
of our management and other personnel could result in the loss of key events and
negatively impact our business.
The event
business is uniquely dependent upon personal relationships, as promoters and
executives within the company leverage their existing network of relationships
with artists, athletes, agents and managers in order to secure the rights to the
live tours and events which are critical to our success. Due to the importance
of those industry contacts to our business, the loss of any of our officers or
other key personnel could adversely affect our operations.
Our
future success depends, to a significant extent, on the continued services of
our senior management, particularly Sheldon Finkel, our Chief Executive Officer.
Moreover, we do not have key-man insurance on Mr. Finkel. We also rely heavily
on the services of Gregory D. Cohen, our President and Chief Operating Officer.
The loss of Mr. Finkel or Mr. Cohen or certain other employees, would have a
material and adverse effect on our business. Competition for talented personnel
throughout our industry is intense and we may be unable to retain our current
key employees or attract, integrate or retain other highly qualified employees
in the future. We have in the past experienced, and we expect to continue to
experience, difficulty in hiring and retaining highly skilled employees with
appropriate qualifications. If we do not succeed in attracting new personnel or
retaining and motivating our current personnel, our business could be adversely
affected.
We
face intense competition in live music and entertainment, ticketing and
artist/athlete services industries, and we may not be able to maintain or
increase our current revenue, which could adversely affect our financial
performance.
The
industry in which we compete is a rapidly evolving, highly competitive and
fragmented. Sports and entertainment competition includes companies such as
LiveNation, ClearChannel, AEG, Ticketmaster, Madison Square Garden and others,
each of which has a long-established reputation with entertainment and sports.
We expect competition to intensify in the future. There can be no assurance that
we will be able to compete effectively. We believe that the main competitive
factors in the sports, entertainment and media industries include personal and
professional relationships, trust and access to capital in order to develop a
roster of talent and media relationships that provide returns on the Company’s
investments. Many of our competitors are established, profitable and have strong
attributes in many, most or all of these areas. They may be able to leverage
their existing relationships to offer alternative products or services at more
attractive pricing or with better organizational or financial support. Other
companies may also enter our markets with better athletes, greater financial and
human resources and/or greater brand recognition. Competitors may continue to
evolve and improve or expand current offerings and introduce new talent. We may
be perceived as relatively too small, untested or possessing a poor track record
inasmuch as similar business models developed in the past have failed to produce
successful performance or returns to investors to succeed, which may be hurtful
to our success relative to the competition. To be competitive, we will have to
invest significant resources in business development, advertising and marketing.
We may also have to rely on strategic partnerships for critical branding and
relationship leverage, which partnerships may or may not be available or
sufficient. There are no assurances that we will have sufficient resources to
make these investments or that we will be able to make the advances necessary to
be competitive. Increased competition may result in price inflation for talent,
reduced gross margins from our media and other relationships and loss of market
share. Failure to compete successfully against current or future competitors
could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operating
results and financial condition.
We
compete in the live music and sports industries and within these industries we
compete with venues to book performers, athletes and events, and, in the markets
in which we promote concerts and events, we face competition from other
promoters and venue operators. Our competitors compete with us for key employees
who have relationships with popular artists and athletes that have a history of
being able to book such artists for concerts and tours or athletes for fights or
other events. These competitors have already and may continue to engage in
extensive development efforts, undertake more far-reaching marketing campaigns,
adopt more aggressive pricing policies and make more attractive offers to
existing and potential artists and athletes. Our competitors have already
developed many of the elements that are important to our success, as we are a
newcomer in the industry, and they may continue to develop services, advertising
options or venues that are equal or superior to those we utilizeor that achieve
greater market acceptance and brand recognition than we achieve. It is possible
that new competitors may emerge and rapidly acquire significant market
share.
We
compete in the ticketing industry and the intense competition that we face in
the ticketing industry could cause the volume of our ticketing services to
decline, which since we are a new company, is immaterial at present. There can
be no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully in the future with
existing or potential competitors or that competition will not have an adverse
effect on our business and financial condition. We may face direct competition
in the live music industry with our prospective or current primary ticketing
clients, who primarily include live event content providers (such as owners or
operators of live event venues) and face similar competition in the sporting
event industry. This direct competition with our prospective or current primary
ticketing clients could result in a decline in the number of clients we may
obtain and a decline in the volume of our ticketing services business, which
could adversely affect our business and financial condition, although at the
present, our ticketing services business revenue is immaterial.
Other
variables that could adversely affect our financial performance by, among other
things, leading to decreases in overall revenue, the number of sponsors, event
attendance, ticket prices or profit margins include:
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an
increased level of competition for advertising dollars, which may lead to
lower sponsorships as we attempt to retain advertisers or which may cause
us to lose advertisers to our competitors offering better programs that we
are unable or unwilling to match;
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unfavorable
fluctuations in operating costs, including increased guarantees to
performers and athletes, which we may be unwilling or unable to pass
through to our customers via ticket
prices;
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our
competitors may offer more favorable terms than we do in order to obtain
agreements for new venues or to obtain events for the venues they
operate;
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technological
changes and innovations that we are unable to adopt or are late in
adopting that offer more attractive entertainment alternatives than we
currently offer, which may lead to reduction in attendance at live events,
a loss of ticket sales or to lower ticket
prices;
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other
entertainment options available to our audiences that we do not
offer;
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unfavorable
changes in labor conditions which may require us to spend more to retain
and attract key employees; and
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unfavorable
shifts in population and other demographics which may cause us to lose
audiences as people migrate to markets where we have a smaller presence,
or which may cause sponsors to be unwilling to pay for sponsorship and
advertising opportunities if the general population shifts into a less
desirable age or geographical demographic from an advertising
perspective.
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We
believe that barriers to entry into the live music and into the sports promotion
business are low and that local promoters and others are increasingly expanding
the geographic scope of their operations.
The
speculative nature of the industry may result in our inability to develop
performers or athletes that receive sufficient market acceptance for us to be
successful.
Certain
segments of the entertainment industry are highly speculative and historically
have involved a substantial degree of risk. If we are unable to produce products
or services that receive sufficient market acceptance we may not generate
sufficient revenues to maintain our operations and our business will be
unsuccessful.
We
may not be able to successfully implement our business model which is subject to
inherent uncertainties.
Our
business is predicated on our ability to attract athletes and artists,
advertisers and persons willing to pay subscriptions in order to view our events
in the appropriate medium. We cannot assure that there will be a large enough
audience for our programs or that prospective fans or participants will agree to
pay the prices that we propose to charge. In the event our customers resist
paying the prices we set for our programs, our business, financial condition,
and results of operations will be materially and adversely
affected.
We
must respond to and capitalize on rapid changes in consumer behavior resulting
from new technologies and distribute programs and media content in order to
become and remain competitive and exploit new opportunities.
Technology
in the entertainment and sports arenas is changing rapidly and Internet and
mobile viewership is still relatively new and untested. We must adapt to
advances in technologies, distribution outlets and content transfer and storage
(legally or illegally) to ensure that our programs remain desirable and widely
available to our audiences while protecting our intellectual property interests.
The ability to anticipate and take advantage of new and future sources of
revenue from these technological developments will affect our ability to
continue to increase our revenue and expand our business. If we cannot ensure
that our content is responsive to the lifestyles of our target audiences and
capitalize on technological advances, our revenues will decline which may cause
us to curtail operations or be unable to take advantage of
opportunities.
The
success of ticketing operations depends, in part, on the integrity of systems
and infrastructures. System interruption and the lack of integration and
redundancy in these systems and infrastructures may have an adverse impact on
our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The
success of ticketing depends, in part, on the ability to maintain the integrity
of systems and infrastructures, both ours and third-parties, including websites,
information and related systems, call centers and distribution and fulfillment
facilities. System interruption and the lack of integration and redundancy in
the information systems and infrastructures of ticketing operations may
adversely affect our ability to operate websites, process and fulfill
transactions, respond to customer inquiries and generally maintain
cost-efficient operations. We and our ticketing partners may experience
occasional system interruptions that make some or all systems or data
unavailable or prevent us from efficiently providing services or fulfilling
orders. We also rely on affiliate and third-party computer systems, broadband
and other communications systems and service providers in connection with the
provision of services generally, as well as to facilitate, process and fulfill
transactions. Any interruptions, outages or delays in the systems and
infrastructures of our business, our affiliates and/or third parties, or
deterioration in the performance of these systems and infrastructures, could
impair the ability of our business to provide services, fulfill orders and/or
process transactions. Fire, flood, power loss, telecommunications failure,
hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, acts of war or terrorism, acts of God and
similar events or disruptions may damage or interrupt computer, broadband or
other communications systems and infrastructures at any time. Any of these
events could cause system interruption, delays and loss of critical data, and
could prevent us from providing services, fulfilling orders and/or processing
transactions. We do not have backup systems for certain aspects of our
operations, these systems are not fully redundant and disaster recovery planning
is not sufficient for all eventualities. In addition, we may not have adequate
insurance coverage to compensate for losses from a major interruption. If any of
these adverse events were to occur, it could adversely affect our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
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The
processing, storage, use and disclosure of personal data could give rise to
liabilities as a result of governmental regulation, conflicting legal
requirements or differing views of personal privacy rights.
In the
processing of consumer transactions, we may receive, transmit and store a large
volume of personally identifiable information and other user data. The sharing,
use, disclosure and protection of this information are governed by the
respective privacy and data security policies maintained by our business.
Moreover, there are federal, state and international laws regarding privacy and
the storing, sharing, use, disclosure and protection of personally identifiable
information and user data. Specifically, personally identifiable information is
increasingly subject to legislation and regulations in numerous jurisdictions
around the world, the intent of which is to protect the privacy of personal
information that is collected, processed and transmitted in or from the
governing jurisdiction. We could be adversely affected if legislation or
regulations are expanded to require changes in business practices or privacy
policies, or if governing jurisdictions interpret or implement their legislation
or regulations in ways that negatively affect our business, financial condition
and results of operations.
We may
also become exposed to potential liabilities as a result of differing views on
the privacy of the consumer and other user data collected by our business. The
failure of us and/or the various third-party vendors and service providers with
which we do business, to comply with applicable privacy policies or federal,
state or similar international laws and regulations or any compromise of
security that results in the unauthorized release of personally identifiable
information or other user data could damage the reputation of our business,
discourage potential users from trying the products and services that we offer
and/or result in fines and/or proceedings by governmental agencies and/or
consumers, one or all of which could adversely affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
Poor
weather may adversely affect attendance at our events, which could negatively
impact our financial performance from period to period.
We expect
to promote many outdoor events. Weather conditions surrounding these events
affect sales of tickets, concessions and merchandise, among other things. Poor
weather conditions can have a material effect on our results of operations
particularly because we expect to promote a finite number of events. Due to
weather conditions, we may be required to reschedule an event to another
available day or a different venue, which would increase our costs for the event
and could negatively impact the attendance at the event, as well as food,
beverage and merchandise sales. Poor weather can affect current periods as well
as successive events in future periods. If we are unable to reschedule events
due to poor weather, we may be forced to refund the ticket revenue for those
events.
We
may be adversely affected by the occurrence of extraordinary
events.
The
occurrence and threat of extraordinary events, such as terrorist attacks,
intentional or unintentional mass-casualty incidents, natural disasters or
similar events, may substantially decrease the use of and demand for our
services and the attendance at events, which may decrease our revenue or expose
us to substantial liability. The terrorism and security incidents in the past,
military actions in foreign locations, and periodic elevated terrorism alerts
can be expected to negatively impact us, including public concerns regarding air
travel, military actions and additional national or local catastrophic
incidents, causing a nationwide disruption of commercial and leisure
activities.
Following
past extraordinary events, some performers and athletes refused to travel or
book tours or events, which if it were to occur to our performers or athletes,
could adversely affect our business. The occurrence or threat of future
terrorist attacks, military actions by the United States, contagious disease
outbreaks, natural disasters such as earthquakes and severe floods or similar
events cannot be predicted, and their occurrence can be expected to negatively
affect the economies of the United States and other foreign countries where we
expect to do business.
Costs
associated with, and our ability to obtain adequate insurance could adversely
affect our profitability and financial condition.
Heightened
concerns and challenges regarding property, casualty, liability, business
interruption and other insurance coverage have resulted from terrorist and
related security incidents, as to which there is enhanced risk related to live
events. As a result, we may experience increased difficulty obtaining high
policy limits of coverage at reasonable costs, including coverage for acts of
terrorism. We may have a material investment in property and equipment that may
be located at venues, which are generally located near major cities and which
hold events typically attended by a large number of fans.
These
operational, geographical and situational factors, among others, may result in
significant increases in insurance premium costs and difficulties obtaining
sufficiently high policy limits with deductibles that we believe to be
reasonable. We cannot assure that future increases in insurance costs and
difficulties obtaining high policy limits will not adversely impact our
profitability, thereby possibly impacting our operating results and
growth.
In
addition, we enter into various agreements with artists and athletes from time
to time, including long-term artist rights arrangements. The profitability of
those arrangements depends upon those artists’ willingness and ability to
continue performing, and we may not be able to obtain sufficient insurance
coverage at reasonable costs to adequately protect us against the death,
disability or other failure to continue engaging in revenue-generating
activities under those agreements.
We cannot
guarantee that our insurance policy coverage limits, including insurance
coverage for property, casualty, liability, artists and business interruption
losses and acts of terrorism, would be adequate under the circumstances should
one or multiple events occur at or near any of our events, or that our insurers
would have adequate financial resources to sufficiently or fully pay our related
claims or damages. We cannot guarantee that adequate coverage limits will be
available, offered at reasonable costs, or offered by insurers with sufficient
financial soundness. The occurrence of such an incident or incidents affecting
any one or more venues could have a material adverse effect on our financial
position and future results of operations if asset damage and/or company
liability were to exceed insurance coverage limits or if an insurer were unable
to sufficiently or fully pay our related claims or damages.
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There
is the risk of personal injuries and accidents in connection with events, which
could subject us to personal injury or other claims and increase our expenses,
as well as reduce attendance at events, causing a decrease in our
revenue.
There are
inherent risks involved with producing live events. As a result, personal
injuries and accidents have, and may, occur from time to time, which could
subject us to claims and liabilities for personal injuries. Incidents in
connection with our live events at any venue or venues that we rent could also
result in claims, reducing operating income or reducing attendance at our
events, causing a decrease in our revenue. While we may maintain insurance
policies that provide coverage within limits that are sufficient, in
management’s judgment there can be no assurance that such insurance will be
adequate at all times and in all circumstances.
We
are subject to extensive governmental regulation, and our failure to comply with
these regulations could adversely affect our business, results of operations and
financial condition.
Our live
music operations are subject to federal, state and local laws, both domestically
and internationally, governing matters such as construction, renovation and
operation, as well as:
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licensing,
permitting and zoning, including noise
ordinances;
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human
health, safety and sanitation
requirements;
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requirements
with respect to the service of food and alcoholic
beverages;
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working
conditions, labor, minimum wage and hour, citizenship and employment
laws;
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compliance
with the ADA and the DDA;
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sales
and other taxes and withholding of
taxes;
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privacy
laws and protection of personally identifiable
information;
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historic
landmark rules; and
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environmental
protection laws.
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We cannot
predict the extent to which any future laws or regulations will impact our
operations. The regulations relating to food service in venues are many and
complex. Although we generally contract with a third-party vendor for these
services, we cannot assure that we or our third-party vendors are in compliance
with all applicable laws and regulations at all times or that we or our
third-party vendors will be able to comply with any future laws and regulations
or that we will not be held liable for violations by third-party vendors.
Furthermore, additional or amended regulations in this area may significantly
increase the cost of compliance.
Alcoholic
beverages will be served at many of venues during live events and must comply
with applicable licensing laws, as well as state and local service laws,
commonly called dram shop statutes. Dram shop statutes generally prohibit
serving alcoholic beverages to certain persons such as an individual who is
intoxicated or a minor. If we violate dram shop laws, we may be liable to third
parties for the acts of the customer. Although we generally hire outside vendors
to provide these services at venues and regularly sponsor training programs
designed to minimize the likelihood of such a situation, we cannot guarantee
that intoxicated or minor customers will not be served or that liability for
their acts will not be imposed on us. We cannot assure that additional
regulation in this area would not limit our activities in the future or
significantly increase the cost of regulatory compliance. We must also obtain
and comply with the terms of licenses in order to sell alcoholic beverages in
the states in which we serve alcoholic beverages.
From time
to time, governmental bodies have proposed legislation that could have an effect
on our business. For example, some legislatures have proposed laws in the past
that would impose potential liability on us and other promoters and producers of
live events for entertainment taxes and for incidents that occur at our events,
particularly relating to drugs and alcohol.
We and
the venues are subject to extensive environmental laws and regulations relating
to the use, storage, disposal, emission and release of hazardous and
non-hazardous substances, as well as zoning and noise level restrictions which
may affect, among other things, the hours of operations of the venues.
Additionally, certain laws and regulations could provide strict, joint and
several responsibility for the remediation of hazardous substance contamination
at facilities or at third-party waste disposal sites, which could hold us
responsible for any personal or property damage related to any
contamination.
We
depend upon unionized labor for the provision of some services and any work
stoppages or labor disturbances could disrupt our business.
The
stagehands at some venues and other employees are subject to collective
bargaining agreements. Union agreements regularly expire and require
negotiation. Whether or not our employees become subject to collective
bargaining agreements or employees of third parties are subject to collective
bargaining agreements, our operations may be interrupted as a result of labor
disputes or difficulties and delays in the process of renegotiating collective
bargaining agreements. In addition, our business operations at one or more of
our facilities may also be interrupted as a result of labor disputes by outside
unions attempting to unionize. A work stoppage at one or more venues or at our
promoted events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations and financial condition. We cannot predict the effect that a
potential work stoppage will have.
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We
are dependent upon venues, and if we are unable to secure access to venues on
acceptable terms, or at all, our results of operations could be adversely
affected.
We
require access to venues to generate revenue. We expect to operate in a number
of venues under various agreements which include leases with third parties or
equity or booking agreements, which are agreements where we contract to book
events at a venue for a specific period of time. Our long-term success will
depend in part on the availability of venues, our ability to lease venues and
our ability to enter into booking agreements. As many of these agreements are
with third parties over whom we have little or no control, we may be unable to
renew agreements or enter into new agreements on acceptable terms or at all, and
may be unable to obtain favorable agreements with venues. Our ability to renew
agreements or obtain new agreements on favorable terms depends on a number of
other factors, many of which are also beyond our control, such as national and
local business conditions and competition from other promoters. If the cost of
renewing agreements is too high or the terms of any new agreement with a new
venue are unacceptable or incompatible with our existing operations, we may
decide to forego these opportunities. There can be no assurance that we will be
able to renew agreements on acceptable terms or at all, or that we will be able
to obtain attractive agreements with substitute venues, which could have a
material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Costs
associated with capital improvements could adversely affect our profitability
and liquidity.
Although
we do not currently own any venues, growth or maintenance of our revenue may
come to depend on consistent investment. Therefore, we may need to anticipate
making capital improvements in venues to meet long-term demand, entertainment
value and revenue. We may have a number of capital projects underway
simultaneously. Numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, may
influence the ultimate costs and timing of various capital improvements at
venues, including:
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availability
of financing on favorable terms;
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unforeseen
changes in design;
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increases
in the cost of construction materials and
labor;
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additional
land acquisition costs;
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fluctuations
in foreign exchange rates;
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litigation,
accidents or natural disasters affecting the construction
site;
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national
or regional economic changes;
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environmental
or hazardous conditions; and
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undetected
soil or land conditions.
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The
amount of capital expenditures can vary significantly. In addition, actual costs
could vary materially from our estimates if the factors listed above and our
assumptions about the quality of materials or workmanship required or the cost
of financing such construction were to change. Construction is also subject to
governmental permitting processes which, if changed, could materially affect the
ultimate cost.
Our
revenues, which are presently immaterial, depend in part on the promotional
success of our marketing campaigns, and there can be no assurance that such
advertising, promotional and other marketing campaigns will be successful or
will generate revenue or profits.
We plan
to spend significant amounts on advertising, promotional and other marketing
campaigns for events and other business activities. Such marketing activities
include, among others, promotion of ticket sales, premium seat sales,
hospitality and other services for events and venues and may include advertising
associated with souvenir merchandise and apparel. There can be no assurance that
our advertising, promotional and other marketing campaigns will be successful or
will generate revenue or profits.
If
we are unable to integrate the operations of our various businesses, our overall
business may suffer.
The
acquisition and successful integration of additional entertainment and related
businesses are key elements of our operating strategy. There are many risks
associated with integration of acquired businesses, including:
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the
distraction of management's attention from other business
concerns;
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our
entry into markets and geographic areas where we have limited or no
experience;
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the
potential loss of key employees or customers of the acquired businesses;
and
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the
potential inability to integrate controls, standards, systems and
personnel.
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We may be
unable to effectively integrate our acquired businesses or those businesses we
expect to acquire in the future without encountering the difficulties described
above. Failure to effectively integrate such businesses could have a material
adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations or financial
condition. In addition, the combined companies may not benefit as expected from
the integration.
Promotion
requires significant up front outlays that may not be capable of being
recouped.
We intend
to invest heavily in development and marketing which will require a significant
expenditure of funds for rehearsal, practice, and for athletes, training,
housing, and promotion. As a result, there can be no assurance that such
investments will yield the anticipated returns.
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Changes
in technology may reduce the demand for the products or services traditionally
associated with sports and entertainment programs and promotion.
Online
digital media may present a challenge to our expected sources of revenue from
pay per view and other media relations. Cable, satellite and broadcast
television are substantially affected by rapid and significant changes in
technology, including the increasing use and access to the Internet for media
and entertainment, and the increasing use and access to technologies that may
defeat copyright protections, reducing our income. These changes may reduce the
demand for certain existing services and technologies used in these industries
or render them obsolete. We cannot assure you that the technologies used by or
relied upon or produced by our business. While many attempt to adapt and apply
the services provided by the target business to newer technologies, we cannot
assure you that we will have sufficient resources to fund these changes or that
these changes will ultimately prove successful or produce revenue. If we are
unable to respond quickly to changes in technology our business could
fail.
A
decline in media or advertising expenditures could cause our revenues and
operating results to decline significantly in any given period or in specific
markets.
We
anticipate deriving a portion of our revenues from the sale of media content
which is dependent on advertising. A decline in advertising expenditures
generally or in specific markets could significantly adversely affect our
revenues and operating results in any given period. Declines can be caused by
the economic conditions and sentiment, prospects of advertisers or the economy
in general could alter current or prospective media consumer or advertisers’
spending priorities. Disasters, acts of terrorism, political uncertainty or
hostilities could lead to a reduction in media advertising expenditures as a
result of economic uncertainty. Our advertising revenues may also be adversely
affected by changes in audience traffic, which advertisers rely upon in making
decisions to purchase advertising. A decrease in our media or in advertising
revenues will adversely impact our results of operations.
If
we are unable to obtain additional funding, our business operations will be
harmed and if we do obtain additional financing, our then existing shareholders
may suffer substantial dilution.
There is
no assurance that we will not incur debt in the future, that we will have
sufficient funds to repay any indebtedness or that we will not default on our
debt obligations, jeopardizing our business viability. Furthermore, we may not
be able to borrow or raise additional capital in the future to meet our needs or
to otherwise provide the capital necessary to conduct our business. There can be
no assurance that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable
to us, if at all. The inability to obtain additional capital will restrict our
ability to grow and may reduce our ability to continue to conduct business
operations. If we are unable to obtain additional financing, we will likely be
required to curtail our marketing and development plans and possibly cease our
operations. Any additional equity financing may involve substantial dilution to
our then existing shareholders.
We
may incur liabilities that we might be unable to repay in the
future.
We may
incur liabilities with affiliated or unaffiliated lenders. These liabilities
would represent fixed costs which would be required to be paid regardless of the
level of our business or profitability. There is no assurance that we will be
able to pay all of our liabilities. Furthermore, we are always subject to the
risk of litigation from customers, suppliers, employees, and others because of
the nature of our business, including but not limited to consumer lawsuits.
Litigation can cause us to incur substantial expenses and, if cases are lost,
judgments, and awards can add to our costs. An increase in our costs may cause
us to increase the prices at which we charge our customers which may lead to our
customers to seek alternatives to our products. In such event, our revenues will
decrease and we may be forced to curtail our operations.
We
may incur unanticipated cost overruns which may significantly affect our
operations.
We may
incur substantial cost overruns in the acquisition, development and enhancement
of our talent. Management is not obligated to contribute capital to us.
Unanticipated costs may force us to obtain additional capital or financing from
other sources if we are unable to obtain the additional funds necessary to
implement our business plan. There is no assurance that we will be able to
obtain sufficient capital to implement our business plan successfully. If a
greater investment is required in the business, the probability of earning a
profit or a return of the stockholders’ investment will be
diminished.
Because
our operating results are difficult to predict, our operating results may fall
below the expectations of securities analysts and investors. If this happens,
the trading price of our common stock may fall significantly. Factors that
affect our quarterly and annual operating results include, among other things,
the following:
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our
ability to establish and strengthen brand
awareness;
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our
success in promoting our performers and
events;
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the
amount and timing of costs relating to our marketing efforts or other
initiatives;
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our
ability to enter into favorable contracts with entertainers, athletes and
venues, content distributors, developers, and other
parties;
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acquisition-related
costs;
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our
ability to compete in a highly competitive market;
and
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economic
trends specifically affecting the entertainment and sports business, as
well as general economic conditions in the markets we
serve.
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If
we do not manage our growth efficiently, we may not be able to operate our
business effectively.
We expect
to expand our operations and we will seek additional financing to fund such
expansion. If we expand our operations, we may strain our management,
operations, systems and financial resources. To manage our future growth, we
must improve and effectively utilize our existing operational, management,
marketing and financial systems, successfully recruit, hire and manage personnel
and maintain close coordination among our performers, and athletes, technical,
finance, marketing, sales and production staffs. We may need to hire additional
personnel in all areas of our business during 2011. In addition, we may also
need to improve our accounting systems, internal control procedures, and
computer software and hardware systems in order to operate our business more
effectively and manage our expansion. We also will need to manage an increasing
number of complex relationships with performers and athletes, strategic
partners, advertisers and other third parties. Our failure to effectively manage
our growth could disrupt our operations and ultimately prevent us from
generating the revenues we anticipate.
Many
of our agreements may be short-term and we face the risk of losing relationships
to competitors with greater resources.
We
believe that our future success depends in large part upon our ability to
maintain our existing relationships. Our agreements that are for a fixed term
have the option for a party electing whether or not to renew their contracts
upon expiration. If we become unable to provide valuable services, or if we
otherwise fail to maintain good relations or are in breach of our agreements,
our performers or athletes may elect to terminate or fail to renew their
agreements with us. In addition, if we cannot provide adequate incentives to
remain with us, our efforts to sign new performer or athletes may be impaired.
Furthermore, historically, when performers or athletes have achieved substantial
commercial success they have sought to renegotiate the terms of their
agreements. This may adversely affect our future profitability.
We
are dependent on our entertainers and athletes.
Our
success depends, in large part, upon our ability to recruit and retain
entertainers and athletic talent. There can be no assurance that we will be able
to continue to identify and retain such talent in the future. Additionally, we
cannot assure you that we will be able to retain our current talent when their
contracts expire. Our failure to attract and retain key talent, or a serious or
untimely injury to, or the death of, any of our key talent, would likely lead to
a decline in the appeal of our events, which would adversely affect our ability
to generate revenues.
We
partially depend upon our existing performers and athletes to attract new
performers and athletes.
In order
for us to sign new performers and athletes, our principal existing or
prospective performers and athletes must remain with us and sustain their
success and popularity. Our business would be adversely affected
by:
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our
inability to recruit new performers and athletes with commercial promise
and to enter into production and promotional agreements with
them;
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the
loss of talent and/or popularity of our existing performers and
athletes;
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increased
competition to maintain relationships with existing performers and
athletes;
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non-renewals
of current agreements with existing performers and athletes;
and
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poor
performance or negative publicity of existing performers and
athletes.
|
We
may be unsuccessful in our future acquisition endeavors, if any, which may have
an adverse effect on our business. Our compliance with antitrust, competition
and other regulations may limit our operations and future
acquisitions.
Our
future growth depends in part on our selective acquisition of additional
businesses. We may be unable to identify other suitable targets for further
acquisition or make further acquisitions at favorable prices. If we identify a
suitable acquisition candidate, our ability to successfully implement the
acquisition would depend on a variety of factors, including our ability to
obtain financing on acceptable terms and requisite government approvals.
Acquisitions involve risks, including those associated with:
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•
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integrating
the operations, financial reporting, technologies and personnel of
acquired companies;
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•
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managing
geographically dispersed
operations;
|
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•
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the
diversion of management’s attention from other business
concerns;
|
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•
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the
inherent risks in entering markets or lines of business in which we have
either limited or no direct experience;
and
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•
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the
potential loss of key employees, customers and strategic partners of
acquired companies.
|
We may
not successfully integrate any businesses we may acquire in the future and may
not achieve anticipated revenue and cost benefits. Acquisitions may be
expensive, time consuming and may strain our resources. Acquisitions may not be
accretive to our earnings and may negatively impact our results of operations as
a result of, among other things, expenses to pursue the acquisition, the
incurrence of debt, one-time write-offs of goodwill and amortization expenses of
other intangible assets. In addition, future acquisitions that we may pursue
could result in dilutive issuances of equity securities.
- 14
-
We are
also subject to laws and regulations, including those relating to antitrust,
that could significantly affect our ability to expand our business through
acquisitions. For example, the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust
Division of the United States Department of Justice with respect to our domestic
acquisitions have the authority to challenge our acquisitions on antitrust
grounds before or after the acquisitions are completed. State agencies may also
have standing to challenge these acquisitions under state or federal antitrust
law. Comparable authorities in other jurisdictions also have the ability to
challenge our foreign acquisitions. Our failure to comply with all applicable
laws and regulations could result in, among other things, regulatory actions or
legal proceedings against us, the imposition of fines, penalties or judgments
against us or significant limitations on our activities. In addition, the
regulatory environment in which we operate is subject to change. New or revised
requirements imposed by governmental regulatory authorities could have adverse
effects on us, including increased costs of compliance. We also may be adversely
affected by changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing laws and
regulations by these governmental authorities.
In
addition, credit agreements and the terms of any preferred stock we may issue
may restrict our ability to make acquisitions.
Future
acquisitions or expansions may disrupt our business or distract our
management.
Our
operations have consisted of marketing, promoting and distributing our live and
televised events. Our current strategic objectives include not only further
developing and enhancing our existing business, but also entering into new or
complementary businesses, such as the creation of new forms of entertainment and
brands, the development of new programming and the development of branded,
location-based entertainment businesses. The following risks are associated with
expanding into new or complementary businesses by acquisition, strategic
alliance, investment, licensing or other arrangements:
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·
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potential
diversion of management's attention and resources from our existing
business and an inability to recruit or develop the necessary management
resources to manage new businesses;
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·
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unanticipated
liabilities or contingencies from new or complementary businesses or
ventures;
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reduced
earnings due to increased goodwill amortization, increased interest costs
and additional costs related to the integration of
acquisitions;
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·
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potential
reallocation of resources due to the growing complexity of our business
and strategy;
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competition
from companies then engaged in the new or complementary businesses that we
are entering;
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possible
additional regulatory requirements and compliance
costs;
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dilution
of our stockholders' percentage ownership and/or an increase of our
leverage when issuing equity or convertible debt securities or incurring
debt; and
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potential
unavailability of acceptable terms, or at all, of additional financing
necessary for expansion.
|
Because
a substantial portion of our revenues will be derived from the sale of license
rights and/or advertising of our events and programs, an economic downturn that
results in a reduction in discretionary spending by consumers on entertainment
could adversely affect our business.
A
substantial portion of our revenues will be derived from, and our future success
will be dependent upon sales of license rights, advertising and other
merchandise. If the economy suffers a recession or other long-term disruption,
and consumers reduce their discretionary spending on entertainment-related
products and services, it is likely that we would experience a decline in
revenues, which would materially harm our profits, results of operations,
financial condition and future prospects.
Unless
we develop a strong brand identity, our business may not continue to grow and
our financial results may suffer.
We
believe that historical growth and brand recognition are important factors not
only in persuading performers and athletes to choose us as their promoter, but
also in our ability to effectively utilize the dominant marketing resources in
the entertainment and sports industry (television, radio, Internet, public
relations, trade publications, etc.). We believe that continuing to strengthen
our brand will be critical to attracting performers and athletes. However, brand
promotion activities may not yield increased revenues, and even if they do, any
increased revenues may not offset the expenses we incur in building our
brand.
Our
sports entertainment offerings may not be commercially successful.
We expect
a significant amount of our revenue to come from the production and distribution
of our events and programs, as well as the use of our events in televised
programs. The success of these offerings depends primarily upon their acceptance
by the public, which is difficult to predict. The commercial success of an event
or program depends on the quality and acceptance of competing offerings released
into the marketplace at or near the same time, the availability of alternative
forms of entertainment and leisure-time activities, general economic conditions
and other tangible and intangible factors, all of which can change quickly.
Because we expect the popularity of our offerings to be a significant factor
driving the growth of our company, our failure to produce events and programs
with broad consumer appeal could materially harm our business and prospects for
growth.
- 15
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Our
failure to continue to create popular events and programs would likely lead to a
decline in our ability to generate revenues.
The
creation, marketing and distribution of our live and televised entertainment,
including pay-per-view events, are the core of our business and are critical to
our ability to generate revenues. Our failure to continue to create popular live
events and televised programming would likely lead to a decline in our
television ratings and attendance at our live events. Such a decline would
adversely affect our ability to generate revenues.
We
compete for attendance, broadcast audiences and advertising
revenue.
We
compete for entertainment and advertising dollars with professional and college
sports and with other entertainment and leisure activities. We face competition
from professional and college baseball, basketball, hockey and/or football,
among other activities, in most cities in which we hold live events. We also
compete for attendance, broadcast audiences and advertising revenue with a wide
range of alternative entertainment and leisure activities.
This
competition could result in a significant loss of viewers, venues, distribution
channels or performers and fewer entertainment and advertising dollars spent on
our form of sports entertainment, any of which could have a material adverse
effect on our revenues, profits, results of operations, financial condition and
future prospects.
We
may be liable to third parties for certain license rights and other content that
we produce and distribute.
We may be
liable to third parties for certain license rights and other content that we
produce and distribute. We attempt to minimize these types of liabilities by
requiring representations and warranties relating to our ownership of and rights
to use and distribute such material. However, alleged liability could harm our
business by damaging our reputation, requiring us to incur legal costs in
defense, exposing us to awards of damages and costs and diverting management's
attention away from our business.
We
rely on intellectual and other property rights.
We regard
the protection of our copyrights, trademarks and service marks as critical to
our future success, and, in particular, to our ability to create and exploit
boxing-related content. We rely on federal and international copyright and
trademark statutes, as well as contractual restrictions, to establish and
protect our intellectual property and other proprietary rights in products and
services. However, there can be no assurance that these contractual arrangements
or the other steps taken by us to protect our intellectual property and
proprietary rights will prove sufficient to prevent misappropriation of them, or
to deter independent third-party development of similar rights which may infer
upon ours. We plan to pursue the registration of its trademarks, service marks
and copyrights in the United States and internationally to the extent feasible,
however, effective trademark and copyright protection may not be economically
viable, and even if it is, we may not have the financial capacity in the future
to protect, enforce and defend our rights against competitors with greater
resources.
It is
possible that in the future, we may license some of our proprietary rights, such
as trademarks or copyrighted material, to third parties. While we will attempt
to ensure that the quality of our brand is maintained by such licensees, there
can be no assurance that such licensees will not take actions that might
materially adversely affect the value of our proprietary rights or reputation,
which could have a materially adverse effect on our revenues, profits, results
of operations, financial condition and future prospects.
To date,
we have not been notified that our intellectual properties infringe on the
proprietary rights of any third party, but there can be no assurance that third
parties will not claim infringement by us with respect to the past, current or
future use of these assets. Any such claim, whether meritorious or not, could be
time-consuming, result in costly legal proceedings and/or settlement
arrangements, or require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements. Such
royalty or licensing agreements may not be available on terms acceptable to us,
or at all. As a result, any such claim can have a materially adverse effect upon
our revenues, profits, results of operations, financial condition and future
prospects.
Our
operations are affected by general economic conditions and public
tastes.
Our
operations are affected by general economic conditions and, therefore, our
future success is unpredictable. The demand for entertainment and leisure
activities tends to be highly sensitive to consumers' disposable incomes, and
thus a decline in general economic conditions could result in our fans or
potential fans having less discretionary income to spend on our live and
televised entertainment and branded merchandise, which could have an adverse
effect on our business and/or prospects. Public tastes are unpredictable and
subject to change and may be affected by changes in the country's political and
social climate. A change in public tastes or decline in general economic
conditions may adversely affect our future success.
The
physical nature of our events and extensive travel exposes us to
risks.
Our
liability resulting from any accident or injury not covered by our insurance
could have a material adverse effect on our revenues, profits, results of
operations, financial condition and future prospects.
We
rely on certain licenses to operate.
In
various states in the United States and some foreign countries, athletic
commissions and other applicable regulatory agencies require us to obtain
promoters licenses, performers’ licenses, medical licenses and/or event permits
in order for us to promote and conduct our live events. In the event that we
fail to comply with the regulations of a particular jurisdiction, we may be
prohibited from promoting and conducting our live events in that jurisdiction.
The inability to present our live events over an extended period of time or in a
number of jurisdictions would lead to a decline in the various revenue streams
generated from our live events, which could have an adverse effect on our
profits, results of operations, financial condition and future
prospects.
- 16
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We
acquired certain rights and agreements of Golden Empire.
Certain of our assets, including
promotional contracts, were acquired from Golden Empire. Golden Empire is owned
by our President and Chief Operating Officer. In the event that a dispute
involving Golden Empire asserted that we were a successor in interest to Golden
Empire we could face potential successor liability type claims and potential
liability for acts or actions of Golden Empire.
Risks Relating to Our
Organization and Common Stock
Our
principal stockholders, officers and directors own a substantial interest in our
voting stock and investors will have limited voice in our
management.
Our
principal stockholders, officers and directors, in the aggregate, beneficially
own in excess of approximately 36% of our outstanding common stock.
As a
result of their ownership and positions, our principal stockholders, directors
and executive officers collectively are able to influence all matters requiring
stockholder approval, including the election of directors and approval of
significant corporate transactions. Their stock ownership may discourage a
potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain
control of us, which in turn could reduce our stock price or prevent our
stockholders from realizing a premium over our stock price.
We
may need to raise additional capital, which may not be available on acceptable
terms or at all.
We may be
required to raise additional funds, particularly if we are unable to generate
positive cash flow as a result of our operations. We estimate that based on
current plans and assumptions, that our available cash will be sufficient to
satisfy our cash requirements under our present operating expectations, without
further financing, for less than 9 months. There can be no assurance that
financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all.
The inability to obtain additional capital may reduce our ability to continue to
conduct business operations. In addition, any additional equity financing may
involve substantial dilution to our existing shareholders.
We
have a limited operating history upon which to base an investment decision in
our Company.
Empire
was formed under the laws of the State of Nevada on February 10, 2010. Until
June 2010, Empire was principally involved in the business of boxing promotion
related to Golden Empire, a company owned by our President and Chief Operating
Officer, Gregory D. Cohen.
Our
operating results may prove unpredictable, and our share price may decrease or
fluctuate significantly.
Our
operating results may prove unpredictable, and our common stock price may
decrease or fluctuate significantly, due to a variety of factors, many of which
are outside of our control.
Investor
Relations Activities, Nominal “Float” and Supply and Demand Factors May Affect
the Price of our Stock.
We expect
to utilize various techniques such as non-deal road shows and investor relations
campaigns in order to create investor awareness for our Company. These campaigns
may include personal, video and telephone conferences with investors and
prospective investors in which our business practices are described. We may
directly provide, or others may provide, compensation to investor relations
firms and pay for newsletters, websites, mailings and email campaigns that are
produced by third-parties based upon publicly-available information concerning
our Company. We will not be responsible for the content of analyst reports and
other writings and communications by investor relations firms not authored by us
or from publicly available information. We do not intend to review or approve
the content of such analysts’ reports or other materials based upon analysts’
own research or methods and as a result the dissemination of inaccurate or
misleading information may require us to comment or issue a corrective
announcement. Investor relations firms should generally disclose when they are
compensated for their efforts, but whether such disclosure is made or complete
is not under our control. In addition to public relations costs, we may issue
shares of restricted stock, and budget cash compensation to consultants and
advisors for these activities, and such amounts may be increased in the future.
In addition, investors in our Company may be willing, from time to time, to
encourage investor awareness through similar activities, including payment of
cash or stock compensation. Investor awareness activities may also be suspended
or discontinued which may impact the trading market in our Common Stock. During
January 2011, the Company raised $600,000 from four investors, including Barry
Honig, our Co-Chairman of the Board or Directors. The funds are required to be
held in escrow and may be released only in order to assist the Company in paying
third party expenses, which may include activities related to broadening the
Company’s shareholder base through shareholder awareness campaigns and other
activities, as described above.
- 17
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The SEC
and FINRA enforce various statutes and regulations intended to prevent
manipulative or deceptive devices in connection with the purchase or sale of any
security and carefully scrutinize trading patterns and company news and other
communications for false or misleading information, particularly in cases where
the hallmarks of improper activities may exist, such as rapid share price
increases or decreases. As a small public company with a public market
established through a reverse merger, it is likely our activities, and our
shareholders’ activities, will be subjected to enhanced regulatory scrutiny due
regulatory skepticism and potential bias against this manner of becoming
publicly traded. These factors, as well as because of the small number of
holders who initially own the registered shares of our Common Stock publicly
available for resale, and the limited trading markets in which such shares may
be offered or sold (which markets have historically been associated by
regulatory bodies with improper activities concerning penny-stocks, such as the
OTC Bulletin Board (“OTCBB”) or the OTCQB Marketplace (Pink OTC), may lead to
regulatory and investor perceptions that are unfavorable.
During
2010 Empire conducted a private placement (the “Offering”) which, following
acquisition by our Company, resulted in 7,112,000 shares of our Common Stock
being issued to purchasers in the Offering. Until such time as the Empire shares
sold in the Offering are registered or available for resale under Rule 144,
there will continue to be a small number and percentage of our shares
(2,513,800) held by a small number of investors, many of whom acquired such
shares in privately negotiated purchase and sale transactions, that will
constitute the entire available trading market.
The
United States Supreme Court has stated that manipulative action is a “term of
art” connoting intentional or willful conduct designed to deceive or defraud
investors by controlling or artificially affecting the price of securities.
Often times, manipulation is associated by regulators and the courts with forces
that upset the supply and demand factors that would normally determine trading
prices. As described above, a small number and percentage of our outstanding
common stock will initially be available for trading, held by a small number of
individuals or entities. Accordingly, the supply of our common stock for resale
will be extremely limited for an indeterminate amount of time (for example,
under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act until one year following the
date of this Report if we are considered a “shell” and prior to such time, our
shares issued to Empire shareholders may not be able to be sold absent a
registration statement under the Securities Act), which could result in higher
bids, asks/offers or sales prices than would otherwise exist. Securities
regulators have often cited thinly-traded markets, small numbers of holders, and
investor awareness campaigns as components of their claims of price manipulation
and other violations of law when combined with manipulative trading, such as
wash sales, matched orders or other manipulative trading timed to coincide with
false or touting press releases. There can be no assurance that our activities
or third-parties’ activities, or the small number of potential sellers or small
percentage of stock in the “float,” or determinations by purchasers or holders
as to when or under what circumstances or at what prices they may be willing to
buy or sell stock will not artificially impact (or would be claimed by
regulators to have affected) the normal supply and demand factors that determine
the price of the stock. Further, this is an evolving area of the law and
regulators may adopt new or different interpretations of the foregoing factors
which could impact the market for our shares in various respects.
As
a result of the Share Exchange, Empire became a subsidiary of ours and since we
are subject to the reporting requirements of federal securities laws, this can
be expensive and may divert resources from other projects, thus impairing our
ability grow.
As a
result of the Share Exchange, Empire became a subsidiary of ours and,
accordingly, is subject to the information and reporting requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and other
federal securities laws, including compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”). The costs of preparing and filing annual and
quarterly reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC and
furnishing audited reports to stockholders will cause our expenses to be higher
than they would have been if Empire had remained privately held and did not
consummate the Share Exchange.
It may be
time consuming, difficult and costly for us to develop and implement the
internal controls and reporting procedures required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
We will need to hire additional financial reporting, internal controls and other
finance personnel in order to develop and implement appropriate internal
controls and reporting procedures. If we are unable to comply with the internal
controls requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, then we may not be able to
obtain the independent accountant certifications required by such act, which may
preclude us from keeping our filings with the SEC current and interfere with the
ability of investors to trade our securities and for our shares to continue to
be quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board or to list on any national securities
exchange.
If
we fail to establish and maintain an effective system of internal control, we
may not be able to report our financial results accurately or to prevent fraud.
Any inability to report and file our financial results accurately and timely
could harm our reputation and adversely impact the trading price of our common
stock.
Effective
internal control is necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and
prevent fraud. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud,
we may not be able to manage our business as effectively as we would if an
effective control environment existed, and our business and reputation with
investors may be harmed. As a result, our small size and any current internal
control deficiencies may adversely affect our financial condition, results of
operation and access to capital. We have not performed an in-depth analysis to
determine if historical un-discovered failures of internal controls exist, and
may in the future discover areas of our internal control that need
improvement.
Public
company compliance may make it more difficult to attract and retain officers and
directors.
The
Sarbanes-Oxley Act and rules implemented by the SEC have required changes in
corporate governance practices of public companies. As a public company, we
expect these rules and regulations to increase our compliance costs in 2010 and
beyond and to make certain activities more time consuming and costly. As a
public company, we also expect that these rules and regulations may make it more
difficult and expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability
insurance and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or
incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. As a
result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons
to serve on our Board of Directors or as executive officers, and to maintain
insurance at reasonable rates, or at all.
- 18
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Because
we became public by means similar to a reverse merger, we may not be able to
attract the attention of major brokerage firms.
There may
be risks associated with us becoming public through a “reverse merger.”
Securities analysts of major brokerage firms may not provide coverage of us
since there is no incentive to brokerage firms to recommend the purchase of our
common stock. No assurance can be given that brokerage firms will, in the
future, want to conduct any offerings on behalf of our post-Share Exchange
company.
Our
stock price may be volatile.
The
market price of our common stock is likely to be highly volatile and could
fluctuate widely in price in response to various factors, many of which are
beyond our control, including the following:
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changes
in our industry;
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competitive
pricing pressures;
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our
ability to obtain working capital
financing;
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additions
or departures of key personnel;
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limited
“public float” following the Share Exchange, in the hands of a small
number of persons whose sales or lack of sales could result in positive or
negative pricing pressure on the market price for our common
stock;
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·
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sales
of our common stock;
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our
ability to execute our business
plan;
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operating
results that fall below
expectations;
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loss
of any strategic relationship;
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regulatory
developments;
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economic
and other external factors;
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period-to-period
fluctuations in our financial results;
and
|
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·
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inability
to develop or acquire new or needed
technology.
|
In
addition, the securities markets have from time to time experienced significant
price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of
particular companies. These market fluctuations may also materially and
adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
We
have not paid cash dividends in the past and do not expect to pay dividends in
the future. Any return on investment may be limited to the value of our common
stock.
We have
never paid cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate doing so in
the foreseeable future. The payment of dividends on our common stock will depend
on earnings, financial condition and other business and economic factors
affecting us at such time as our Board of Directors may consider relevant. If we
do not pay dividends, our common stock may be less valuable because a return on
your investment will only occur if our stock price appreciates.
There
is currently a very limited trading market for our common stock and we cannot
ensure that one will ever develop or be sustained.
Our
shares of common stock are very thinly traded, only a small percentage of our
common stock is available to be traded and is held by a small number of holders
and the price, if traded, may not reflect our actual or perceived value. There
can be no assurance that there will be an active market for our shares of common
stock either now or in the future. The market liquidity will be dependent on the
perception of our operating business, among other things. We will take certain
steps including utilizing investor awareness campaigns, press releases, road
shows and conferences to increase awareness of our business and any steps that
we might take to bring us to the awareness of investors may require we
compensate consultants with cash and/or stock. There can be no assurance that
there will be any awareness generated or the results of any efforts will result
in any impact on our trading volume. Consequently, investors may not be able to
liquidate their investment or liquidate it at a price that reflects the value of
the business and trading may be at an inflated price relative to the performance
of our company due to, among other things, availability of sellers of our
shares. If a market should develop, the price may be highly volatile. Because
there may be a low price for our shares of common stock, many brokerage firms or
clearing firms may not be willing to effect transactions in the securities or
accept our shares for deposit in an account. Even if an investor finds a broker
willing to effect a transaction in the shares of our common stock, the
combination of brokerage commissions, transfer fees, taxes, if any, and any
other selling costs may exceed the selling price. Further, many lending
institutions will not permit the use of low priced shares of common stock as
collateral for any loans.
We
anticipate having our common stock continue to be quoted for trading on the OTC
Bulletin Board, however, we cannot be sure that such quotations will continue.
As soon as is practicable, we anticipate applying for listing of our common
stock on either the NYSE Amex, The NASDAQ Capital Market or other national
securities exchange, assuming that we can satisfy the initial listing standards
for such exchange. We currently do not satisfy the initial listing standards,
and cannot ensure that we will be able to satisfy such listing standards or that
our common stock will be accepted for listing on any such exchange. Should we
fail to satisfy the initial listing standards of such exchanges, or our common
stock is otherwise rejected for listing and remain listed on the OTC Bulletin
Board or suspended from the OTC Bulletin Board, the trading price of our common
stock could suffer and the trading market for our common stock may be less
liquid and our common stock price may be subject to increased
volatility.
- 19
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Our
common stock may be deemed a “penny stock,” which would make it more difficult
for our investors to sell their shares.
Our
common stock may be subject to the “penny stock” rules adopted under Section
15(g) of the Exchange Act. The penny stock rules generally apply to companies
whose common stock is not listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market or other national
securities exchange and trades at less than $4.00 per share, other than
companies that have had average revenue of at least $6,000,000 for the last
three years or that have tangible net worth of at least $5,000,000 ($2,000,000
if the company has been operating for three or more years). These rules require,
among other things, that brokers who trade penny stock to persons other than
“established customers” complete certain documentation, make suitability
inquiries of investors and provide investors with certain information concerning
trading in the security, including a risk disclosure document and quote
information under certain circumstances. Many brokers have decided not to trade
penny stocks because of the requirements of the penny stock rules and, as a
result, the number of broker-dealers willing to act as market makers in such
securities is limited. If we remain subject to the penny stock rules for any
significant period, it could have an adverse effect on the market, if any, for
our securities. If our securities are subject to the penny stock rules,
investors will find it more difficult to dispose of our securities.
Offers
or availability for sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock
may cause the price of our common stock to decline.
If our
stockholders sell substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market
or upon the expiration of any statutory holding period, under Rule 144, or upon
expiration of lock-up periods applicable to outstanding shares, or issued upon
the exercise of outstanding options or warrants, it could create a circumstance
commonly referred to as an “overhang” and in anticipation of which the market
price of our common stock could fall. The existence of an overhang, whether or
not sales have occurred or are occurring, also could make more difficult our
ability to raise additional financing through the sale of equity or
equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that we deem
reasonable or appropriate.
Exercise
of options may have a dilutive effect on our common stock.
If the
price per share of our common stock at the time of exercise of any options, or
any other convertible securities is in excess of the various exercise or
conversion prices of such convertible securities, exercise or conversion of such
convertible securities would have a dilutive effect on our common stock. As of
January
27, 2011, we had reserved options to purchase 2,850,000 shares of our
common stock at an exercise price of $0.60 per share. Further, any additional
financing that we secure may require the granting of rights, preferences or
privileges senior to those of our common stock and which result in additional
dilution of the existing ownership interests of our common
stockholders.
Our
certificate of incorporation allows for our board to create new series of
preferred stock without further approval by our stockholders, which could
adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock.
Our Board
of Directors has the authority to fix and determine the relative rights and
preferences of preferred stock. Our Board of Directors also has the authority to
issue preferred stock without further stockholder approval. As a result, our
Board of Directors could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock
that would grant to holders the preferred right to our assets upon liquidation,
the right to receive dividend payments before dividends are distributed to the
holders of common stock and the right to the redemption of the shares, together
with a premium, prior to the redemption of our common stock. In addition, our
Board of Directors could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock
that has greater voting power than our common stock or that is convertible into
our common stock, which could decrease the relative voting power of our common
stock or result in dilution to our existing stockholders.
- 20
-
We
estimate that we will receive up to $_______ in net proceeds from the sale of
shares of common stock in this offering, based on an assumed offering price of $
per share and after deducting estimated placement agent fees and estimated
offering expenses in the approximate aggregate amount of $______.
MARKET
FOR OUR COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Our
common stock has been quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol EXCX.OB
since June 23, 2009. Prior to August 20, 2009, there was no active market for
our common stock. Trading of our common stock commenced on August 20, 2009. As
of January 27, 2011, there were 119 holders of record of our common
stock.
The
following table sets forth the high and low bid prices for our common stock for
the periods indicated, as reported by the OTC Bulletin Board. The quotations
reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission,
and may not represent actual transactions.
Year
Ended December 31, 2010
|
High
|
Low
|
||||||
1st
Quarter Ended March 31, 2010
|
$ | 0.32 | $ | 0.22 | ||||
2nd
Quarter Ended June 30, 2010
|
$ | 0.32 | $ | 0.32 | ||||
3rd
Quarter Ended September 30, 2010
|
$ | 0.58 | 0.32 | |||||
4th
Quarter Ended December 31, 2010
|
$ | 2.00 | 0.58 |
Year
Ended December 31, 2011
|
High
|
Low
|
||||||
1st
Quarter Ended March 31, 2011 (through January 27, 2011)
|
$ | 2.50 | $ | 0.60 |
The last
reported sales price of our common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board on January
27, 2011 was $1.25 per share.
DIVIDEND
POLICY
We have
not declared nor paid any cash dividend on our common stock, and we currently
intend to retain future earnings, if any, to finance the expansion of our
business, and we do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable
future. The decision whether to pay cash dividends on our common stock will be
made by our board of directors, in their discretion, and will depend on our
financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other
factors that our board of directors considers significant.
- 21
-
Selected
Consolidated Financial Data
The
following tables set forth our summary statement of operations data for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, for the period from February 10, 2010
(inception) to September 30, 2010 and our summary balance sheet data as of
September 30, 2010. Our statement of operations data for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2009 was derived from our audited consolidated financial statements
included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our statement of operations data for the
period from February 10, 2010 (inception) to September 30, 2010 and our
balance sheet data as of September 30, 2010 were derived from our unaudited
interim consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.
In the opinion of management the unaudited interim consolidated financial
statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated
financial statements and include all adjustments, consisting of only normal
recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of our operating
results and financial position for those periods and as of such dates. The
results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results
that may be expected for a full year.
The
results indicated below and elsewhere in this prospectus are not necessarily
indicative of our future performance. You should read this information together
with “Description of Securities,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” our consolidated financial
statements and related notes and our unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.
Statement
of Operations Data:
Year
Ended December 31, 2009 (1)
|
For
the Period From February 10, 2010 (Inception) to September 30,
2010
|
|||||||
Net
revenues
|
$ | - | $ | 288,584 | ||||
Operating
expenses
|
53,051 | 1,725,618 | ||||||
Loss
from operations
|
(53,051 | ) | (1,437,034 | ) | ||||
Other
(expense) income
|
- | (13,431 | ) | |||||
Net
loss
|
(53,051 | ) | (1,450,465 | ) |
Balance
Sheet Data:
December
31, 2009 (1)
|
September
30, 2010
|
|||||||
Working
capital (deficit)
|
$ | (30,551 | ) | $ | 2,159,865 | |||
Total
assets
|
15,386 | 3,404,060 | ||||||
Total
liabilities
|
45,937 | 304,852 | ||||||
Accumulated
deficit
|
(53,051 | ) | (1,503,516 | ) | ||||
Total
shareholders’ equity (deficit)
|
(30,551 | ) | 3,099,208 | |||||
(1)
|
Represents
financial statement data of Golden Empire, LLC, the predecessor of The
Empire Sports & Entertainment,
Co.
|
MANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
Recent
Events
We
believe that on September 29, 2010, we were a public shell company, as defined
by the Securities and Exchange Commission, without material assets or
activities. As a result, on October 4, 2010, we filed an amendment to our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2010 in order to
indicate that we were a shell company. On September 29, 2010, we entered into
the Share Exchange Agreement with The Empire Sports & Entertainment, Co., a
privately held Nevada corporation, and the shareholders of Empire (the “Empire
Shareholders”). Upon closing of the transaction contemplated under the Exchange
Agreement (the “Share Exchange”), the Empire Shareholders transferred all of the
issued and outstanding capital stock of Empire to the Company in exchange for
shares of common stock of the Company. Such Share Exchange caused Empire to
become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The Share Exchange is being
accounted for as a reverse-merger and recapitalization. Empire is the acquirer
for financial reporting purposes and the Company is the acquired company.
Consequently, the assets and liabilities and the operations that will be
reflected in the historical financial statements prior to the Share Exchange
will be those of Empire and will be recorded at the historical cost basis of
Empire, and the consolidated financial statements after completion of the Share
Exchange will include the assets and liabilities of the Company and Empire,
historical operations of Empire and operations of the Company from the closing
date of the Share Exchange.
- 22
-
Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates
The
discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are
based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The
preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and
judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and
expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an
on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates based on historical experience and on
various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the
circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about
the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from
other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different
assumptions or conditions. Significant estimates made by management include, but
are not limited to, the useful life of property and equipment, the fair values
of certain promotional contracts and the assumptions used to calculate fair
value of options granted and common stock issued for services.
A summary
of significant accounting policies is included in Note 1 to the audited
financial statements included for the period from November 30, 2009 (Inception)
to December 31, 2009 and notes thereto contained in Form 8-K as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Management believes that the application of
these policies on a consistent basis enables us to provide useful and reliable
financial information about the Company’s operating results and financial
condition.
Management
believes the following critical accounting policies affect the significant
judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the financial
statements.
Principles of
consolidation
The
consolidated condensed financial statements are prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and
present the financial statements of the Company and our wholly-owned subsidiary.
All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in
consolidation.
Revenue Recognition
We follow
the guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting
Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605-10-S99 “Revenue Recognition Overall – SEC
Materials”. We record revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists,
services have been rendered or product delivery has occurred, the sales price to
the customer is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably
assured.
We, in
accordance with ASC Topic 605-45 “Revenue Recognition – Principal Agent
Considerations” report revenues for transactions in which it is the primary
obligor on a gross basis and revenues in which it acts as an agent on and earns
a fixed percentage of the sale on a net basis, net of related costs. Credits or
refunds are recognized when they are determinable and estimable.
We earn
revenue primarily from live event ticket sales, sponsorship, advertising,
concession fees, promoter fees, television rights fee and pay per view fees for
events broadcast on television or cable.
The
following policies reflect specific criteria for our various revenue
streams:
|
·
|
Revenue
from ticket sales is recognized when the event occurs. Advance ticket
sales and event-related revenues for future events are deferred until
earned, which is generally once the events are conducted. The recognition
of event-related expenses is matched with the recognition of event-related
revenues.
|
|
·
|
Revenue
from sponsorship, advertising, television/cable distribution agreements
and promoter/service agreements is recognized in accordance with the
contract terms, which are generally at the time events
occur.
|
|
·
|
Revenue
from the sale of products is recognized at the point of sale at the live
event concession stands.
|
Stock-Based
Compensation
Stock-based
compensation is accounted for based on the requirements of the Share-Based
Payment Topic of ASC 718 which requires recognition in the financial statements
of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award
of equity instruments over the period the employee or director is required to
perform the services in exchange for the award (presumptively, the vesting
period). The FASB ASC also requires measurement of the cost of employee and
director services received in exchange for an award based on the grant-date fair
value of the award. Pursuant to ASC Topic 505-50, for share-based payments to
consultants and other third-parties, compensation expense is determined at the
“measurement date.” The expense is recognized over the vesting period of the
award. Until the measurement date is reached, the total amount of compensation
expense remains uncertain. We record compensation expense based on the fair
value of the award at the reporting date. The awards to consultants and other
third-parties are then revalued, or the total compensation is recalculated based
on the then current fair value, at each subsequent reporting
date.
- 23 -
Accounts
Receivable
We have a
policy of reserving for questionable accounts based on its best estimate of the
amount of probable credit losses in its existing accounts receivable. We
periodically review our accounts receivable to determine whether an allowance is
necessary based on an analysis of past due accounts and other factors that may
indicate that the realization of an account may be in doubt. Account balances
deemed to be uncollectible are charged to bad debt expense after all means of
collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered
remote.
Property and
equipment
Property
and equipment are carried at cost. The cost of repairs and maintenance is
expensed as incurred; major replacements and improvements are capitalized. When
assets are retired or disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are
removed from the accounts, and any resulting gains or losses are included in
income in the year of disposition. We examine the possibility of decreases in
the value of fixed assets when events or changes in circumstances reflect the
fact that their recorded value may not be recoverable. Depreciation is
calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the
assets, generally one to five years.
Long-Lived
Assets
We review
for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying
amount of assets may not be recoverable, pursuant to guidance established in ASC
360-10-35-15, “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”. We recognize an
impairment loss when the sum of expected undiscounted future cash flows is less
than the carrying amount of the asset. The amount of impairment is measured as
the difference between the asset’s estimated fair value and its book
value.
Results
of Operations
Our
business began on November 30, 2009. Accordingly, no comparisons exist for the
prior period. We were incorporated in Nevada on February 10, 2010 to succeed to
the business of the predecessor company, Golden Empire, LLC (“Golden Empire”),
which was formed and commenced operations on November 30, 2009. We assumed
certain assets, liabilities and certain promotion rights agreements entered into
by Golden Empire at carrying value which approximates fair value on February 10,
2010. Golden Empire ceased operations on that date.
For
the period from November 30, 2009 (Inception) to December 31, 2009
Net
Revenues
We have
not generated revenues during the period from November 30, 2009 (Inception) to
December 31, 2009.
Operating
Expenses
Total
operating expenses for the period from November 30, 2009 (Inception) to December
31, 2009 were $53,051 and consisted of the following:
Live
events expenses
|
$ | 2,000 | ||
Sales
and marketing
|
7,800 | |||
General
and administrative
|
43,251 | |||
Total
|
$ | 53,051 |
|
·
|
Live events
expenses. For the period from November 30, 2009
(Inception) to December 31, 2009, live events operations expenses were
$2,000. Live events operations expenses consist primarily of wages and
consultants’ fees related to day-to-day administration of the Company’s
live events, fighter recruiting and signing
bonuses.
|
·
|
Sales and
marketing. For the period from November 30, 2009 (Inception) to
December 31, 2009, sales and marketing costs were $7,800. Sales and
marketing expenses primarily consist of marketing, advertising and
promotion expenses directly and indirectly related to live events.
Indirect expenses consist of Internet and print
advertising.
|
|
·
|
General and
administrative expense. For the period from November 30, 2009
(Inception) to December 31, 2009, general and administrative expenses were
$43,251. General and administrative expenses include consulting, travel
expense, office expense, supplies, telephone and communications expenses,
and other expenses. In addition, this also includes compensation expense
of $22,500 which were primarily attributable to contributed services
provided by one of our officers valued at
$22,500.
|
- 24 -
Loss
from Operations
We
reported a loss from operations of $53,051 for the period from November 30, 2009
(Inception) to December 31, 2009.
Net
Loss
As a
result of these factors, we reported a net loss of $53,051 for the period from
November 30, 2009 (Inception) to December 31, 2009.
Golden Empire ceased operations on
February 9, 2010. The results of operations for the period from January 1, 2010
to February 9, 2010 of Golden Empire were not material.
For
the Period from February 10, 2010 (Inception) to September 30, 2010
Net
Revenues
Revenue
from live and televised events, consisting primarily of ticket sales, television
rights fee and sponsorship, was $288,584 for the period from February 10, 2010
(Inception) to September 30, 2010.
The
following table provides data regarding the source of our net revenues for the
period from February 10, 2010 (Inception) to September 30, 2010:
|
$
|
% of Total
|
||||||
Live
events – ticket sales and related revenues
|
$
|
154,195
|
53
|
%
|
||||
Television
rights fee
|
101,889
|
35
|
%
|
|||||
Advertising
– sponsorships
|
32,500
|
12
|
%
|
|||||
Total
|
$
|
288,584
|
100
|
%
|
For the
period from February 10, 2010 (Inception) to September 30, 2010, we recognized
revenues from television rights fee and advisory fee from live events of
approximately $152,000 from one company that accounted for 53% of our total net
revenues.
Operating
Expenses
Total
operating expenses for the period from February 10, 2010 (Inception) to
September 30, 2010 were $1,725,618 and consisted of the following:
Cost
of revenues
|
$
|
144,332
|
||
Sales
and marketing
|
117,783
|
|||
Live
events expenses
|
323,478
|
|||
Compensation
expense and related taxes
|
428,973
|
|||
Consulting
fees
|
313,093
|
|||
General
and administrative
|
397,959
|
|||
Total
|
$
|
1,725,618
|
|
·
|
Cost
of revenues: Cost of revenues for live event production was $144,332 for
the period from February 10, 2010 (Inception) to September 30, 2010. Live
event production costs consist principally of fighters’ purses, production
cost of live events, venue rental and related expenses. We expect cost of
revenues for live events to increase for the remainder of our current
fiscal year as we promote more events.
|
·
|
Sales and marketing: For the period from February 10, 2010 (Inception) to September 30, 2010, sales and marketing costs were $117,783. Sales and marketing expenses primarily consist of marketing, advertising and promotion expenses directly and indirectly related to live events. Indirect expenses consist of internet and print advertising. |
- 25 -
|
·
|
Live
events expenses: For the period from February 10, 2010 (Inception) to
September 30, 2010, live events operations expenses were $323,478. Live
events operations expenses consist primarily of wages and consultants’
fees related to day-to-day administration of the Company’s live events,
fighter recruiting and signing
bonuses.
|
|
·
|
Compensation
expense and related taxes: Compensation expense includes salaries and
stock-based compensations to our employees. For the period from February
10, 2010 (Inception) to September 30, 2010, compensation expense and
related taxes were $428,973 and were primarily attributable to contributed
services provided by one of our officers valued at $90,000 and stock-based
compensation expense of $123,333 which is attributable to stock options
granted to our chief executive officer and two directors. Such increase is
also due to the hiring of two executive employees and three additional
support staff. We anticipate that compensation expense will increase
during the remainder of our current fiscal year due to the hiring of
additional employees in June 2010.
|
|
·
|
Consulting
fees: For the period from February 10, 2010 (Inception) to September 30,
2010, we incurred consulting fees of $313,093 which were primarily
attributable with the issuance of our common stock for services rendered
to consultants for investor relations and advisory services of $240,000
and stock-based compensation expense of $63,337 which is attributable to
stock options granted to four
consultants.
|
|
·
|
General
and administrative expenses: For the period from February 10, 2010
(Inception) to September 30, 2010, general and administrative expenses
were $397,959. For the period from February 10, 2010 (Inception) to
September 30, 2010, general and administrative expenses consisted of the
following:
|
Rent
|
$
|
16,668
|
||
Professional
fees
|
114,823
|
|||
Telephone
|
8,398
|
|||
Travel/Entertainment
|
198,288
|
|||
Depreciation
|
4,799
|
|||
Other
general and administrative
|
54,983
|
|||
$
|
397,959
|
Loss
from Operations
We
reported a loss from operations of $1,437,034 for the period from February 10,
2010 (Inception) to September 30, 2010.
Other
Income (Expenses)
Total
other income (expense) was ($13,431) for the period from February 10, 2010
(Inception) to September 30, 2010 and is primarily attributable to:
• $2,761
of interest income on cash for the period from February 10, 2010 (Inception) to
September 30, 2010 attributable to our certificate of deposits.
•
$16,192 in interest expense for the period from February 10, 2010 (Inception) to
September 30, 2010 in connection with the 5% note payable to a related
party.
Net
Loss
As a
result of these factors, we reported a net loss of $1,450,465 for the period
from February 10, 2010 (Inception) to September 30, 2010, which translates to
basic and diluted net loss per common share of $0.08.
For
the Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
Net
Revenues
Revenue
from live and televised events, consisting primarily of ticket sales, television
rights fee and sponsorship, was $74,000 for the three months ended September 30,
2010.
The
following table provides data regarding the source of our net revenues for the
three months ended September 30, 2010:
|
$
|
% of Total
|
||||||
Live
events – ticket sales and related revenues
|
$
|
74,000
|
100
|
%
|
||||
Total
|
$
|
74,000
|
100
|
%
|
- 26 -
For the
three months ended September 30, 2010, we recognized revenues of approximately
$50,000 of advisory fee from live events from one company that accounted for 68%
of our total net revenues.
Operating
Expenses
Total
operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2010 were $717,028
and consisted of the following:
Cost
of revenues
|
$
|
9,000
|
||
Sales
and marketing
|
8,098
|
|||
Live
events expenses
|
121,112
|
|||
Compensation
expense and related taxes
|
308,140
|
|||
Consulting
fees
|
47,502
|
|||
General
and administrative
|
223,176
|
|||
Total
|
$
|
717,028
|
|
·
|
Cost
of revenues: Cost of revenues for live event production was $9,000 for the
three months ended September 30, 2010. Live event production costs consist
principally of fighters’ purses, production cost of live events, venue
rental and related expenses. We expect cost of revenues for live events to
increase for the remainder of our current fiscal year as we promote more
events.
|
·
|
Sales and marketing: For the three months ended September 30, 2010, sales and marketing costs were $8,098. Sales and marketing expenses primarily consist of marketing, advertising and promotion expenses directly and indirectly related to live events. Indirect expenses consist of internet and print advertising. |
|
·
|
Live
events expenses: For the three months ended September 30, 2010, live
events operations expenses were $121,112. Live events operations expenses
consist primarily of wages and consultants’ fees related to day-to-day
administration of the Company’s live events, fighter recruiting and
signing bonuses.
|
|
·
|
Compensation
expense and related taxes: Compensation expense includes salaries and
stock-based compensations to our employees. For the three months ended
September 30, 2010, compensation expense and related taxes were $308,140
and were primarily due to the hiring of two executive employees and three
additional support staff and stock-based compensation expense of $92,500
which is attributable to stock options granted to our chief executive
officer and two directors. We anticipate that compensation expense will
increase during the remainder of our current fiscal year due to the hiring
of additional employees in June 2010.
|
|
·
|
Consulting
fees: For the three months ended September 30, 2010, we incurred
consulting fees of $47,502 which were primarily attributable to
stock-based compensation expense related to stock options granted to four
consultants.
|
|
·
|
General
and administrative expenses: For the three months ended September 30,
2010, general and administrative expenses were $223,176. For the three
months ended September 30, 2010, general and administrative expenses
consisted of the following:
|
Rent
|
$
|
11,626
|
||
Professional
fees
|
98,498
|
|||
Telephone
|
4,900
|
|||
Travel/Entertainment
|
74,426
|
|||
Depreciation
|
2,711
|
|||
Other
general and administrative
|
31,015
|
|||
$
|
223,176
|
Loss
from Operations
We
reported a loss from operations of $643,028 for the three months ended September
30, 2010.
Other
Income (Expenses)
Total
other income (expense) was ($13,431) for the period from February 10, 2010
(Inception) to September 30, 2010 and is primarily attributable
to:
- 27 -
• $2,761
of interest income on cash for the period from February 10, 2010 (Inception) to
September 30, 2010 attributable to our certificate of deposits.
•
$16,192 in interest expense for the period from February 10, 2010 (Inception) to
September 30, 2010 in connection with the 5% note payable to a related
party.
Net
Loss
As a
result of these factors, we reported a net loss of $656,459 for the three months
ended September 30, 2010, which translates to basic and diluted net loss per
common share of $0.03.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Liquidity
is the ability of a company to generate funds to support its current and future
operations, satisfy its obligations, and otherwise operate on an ongoing basis.
At September 30, 2010, we had a cash balance of $1,449,696 and a working capital
of $2,159,865. We have been funding our operations though the sale of our common
stock and proceeds from loans payable for operating capital purposes. For the
period from February 10, 2010 (Inception) to September 30, 2010, we sold
6,512,000 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $3,690,349. Our
balance sheet at September 30, 2010 reflects a convertible note payable -
related party amounting to $198,935, which was to mature on the earlier of (i)
on demand by the lender upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to the
Company or (ii) the two-year anniversary of the date of this convertible
promissory note. This convertible note bears annual interest at 5% and is
unsecured.
Our net
revenues are not sufficient to fund our operating expenses. At September 30,
2010, we had a cash balance of $1,449,696 and a working capital of $2,159,865.
Between June 2010 and August 2010, Empire conducted private placements pursuant
to which it sold an aggregate of 6,512,000 shares of common stock for net
proceeds of $3,690,349, which we expect to utilize to fund our operating
expenses, pay our obligations, and grow our Company. We currently have no
material commitments for capital expenditures. We may be required to raise
additional funds, particularly if we are unable to generate positive cash flow
as a result of our operations. We estimate that based on current plans and
assumptions, that our available cash will be sufficient to satisfy our cash
requirements under our present operating expectations, without further
financing, for up to 12 months. Other than working capital, we presently have no
other alternative source of working capital. We may not have sufficient working
capital to fund the expansion of our operations and to provide working capital
necessary for our ongoing operations and obligations after 12 months. We may
need to raise significant additional capital to fund our future operating
expenses, pay our obligations, and grow our Company. We do not anticipate we
will be profitable in 2010. Therefore our future operations will be dependent on
our ability to secure additional financing. Financing transactions may include
the issuance of equity or debt securities, obtaining credit facilities, or other
financing mechanisms. The trading price of our common stock and a downturn in
the U.S. equity and debt markets could make it more difficult to obtain
financing through the issuance of equity or debt securities. Even if we are able
to raise the funds required, it is possible that we could incur unexpected costs
and expenses, fail to collect significant amounts owed to us, or experience
unexpected cash requirements that would force us to seek alternative financing.
Furthermore, if we issue additional equity or debt securities, stockholders may
experience additional dilution or the new equity securities may have rights,
preferences or privileges senior to those of existing holders of our common
stock. The inability to obtain additional capital may restrict our ability to
grow and may reduce our ability to continue to conduct business operations. If
we are unable to obtain additional financing, we will likely be required to
curtail our marketing and development plans and possibly cease our
operations.
Operating
activities
Net cash
flows used in operating activities for the period from February 10, 2010
(Inception) to September 30, 2010 amounted to $2,692,979 and was primarily
attributable to our net losses of $1,450,465, offset by depreciation of $4,799,
amortization of promotional advances of $28,632, contributed officer services of
$90,000, common stock and stock-based compensations of $438,667 and add-back of
total changes in assets and liabilities of $1,804,612. These changes in assets
and liabilities is primarily attributable to an increase in restricted cash –
current and long-term portion for a total of $1,060,000 and an increase in
prepaid expenses and advances and other receivables of $791,060.
Investing
activities
Net cash
used in investing activities for the period from February 10, 2010 (Inception)
to September 30, 2010 was $61,877 and represented an investment in note
receivable of $25,000 and the purchase of property and equipment of
$36,877.
Financing
activities
Net cash
flows provided by financing activities was $4,204,552 for the period from
February 10, 2010 (Inception) to September 30, 2010. We received net proceeds
from sale of common stock of $3,690,349, proceeds from issuance of founders’
shares $1,205, proceeds from loan and note payable of $628,500, advances from a
related party of $163,364 and offset by payments on note payable and related
party advances of $278,866.
- 28 -
Contractual
Obligations
We have
certain fixed contractual obligations and commitments that include future
estimated payments. Changes in our business needs, cancellation provisions,
changing interest rates, and other factors may result in actual payments
differing from the estimates. We cannot provide certainty regarding the timing
and amounts of payments. We have presented below a summary of the most
significant assumptions used in our determination of amounts presented in the
tables, in order to assist in the review of this information within the context
of our consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash
flows.
The
following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of September 30, 2010,
and the effect these obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash
flows in future periods:
Payments Due by Period
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Total
|
Less than 1
year
|
1-3 Years
|
3-5
Years
|
5 Years
+
|
||||||||||||||||
Contractual
Obligations:
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating
lease
|
$
|
309,805
|
$
|
16,106
|
$
|
168,405
|
$
|
125,294
|
$
|
-
|
||||||||||
Note
payable – related party
|
198,935
|
198,935
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||||||
Total
Contractual Obligations
|
$
|
508,740
|
$
|
215,041
|
$
|
168,405
|
$
|
125,294
|
$
|
-
|
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
Since our
inception, we have not engaged in any off-balance sheet arrangements, including
the use of structured finance, special purpose entities or variable interest
entities.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In June
2009, the FASB issued ASC Topic 810-10, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No.
46(R)”. This updated guidance requires a qualitative approach to identifying a
controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity (“VIE”), and
requires ongoing assessment of whether an entity is a VIE and whether an
interest in a VIE makes the holder the primary beneficiary of the VIE. It is
effective for annual reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2009. The
adoption of ASC Topic 810-10 did not have a material impact on the results of
operations and financial condition.
In
January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06, “Improving Disclosures about Fair
Value Measurements” an amendment to ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and
Disclosures.” This amendment requires an entity to: (i) disclose separately the
amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value
measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers and (ii) present
separate information for Level 3 activity pertaining to gross purchases, sales,
issuances, and settlements. ASU No. 2010-06 is effective for our interim and
annual reporting beginning after December 15, 2009, with one new disclosure
effective after December 15, 2010. The adoption of ASU No. 2010-06 did not have
a material impact on the results of operations and financial
condition.
In July
2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-20, "Receivables (Topic 310): Disclosures
about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit
Losses". ASU 2010-20 requires additional disclosures about the credit quality of
a company’s loans and the allowance for loan losses held against those loans.
Companies will need to disaggregate new and existing disclosures based on how it
develops its allowance for loan losses and how it manages credit exposures.
Additional disclosure is also required about the credit quality indicators of
loans by class at the end of the reporting period, the aging of past due loans,
information about troubled debt restructurings, and significant purchases and
sales of loans during the reporting period by class. The new guidance is
effective for interim- and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010.
Management anticipates that the adoption of these additional disclosures will
not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of
operations.
Other
accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB that do not
require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact
on the financial statements upon adoption.
- 29 -
BUSINESS
Our
Business – Entertainment
We are
engaged in the business of live entertainment as a promoter and producer for
music and sports. Our goal is to become a leader in integrated promotion,
production, venue and event management services for a broad variety of live
events. We intend to promote or produce both live music and entertainment shows
and sporting events, including professional boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA).
We expect to generate revenue primarily through promoter fees and sharing
arrangements with performers and athletes, production of concerts and events.
These revenues are expected to consist primarily of sponsorship, advertising and
concession fees, ticket sales (“gate”), televised revenue (Pay-Per-View),
television licensing and media distribution.
As of
July 1, 2010, famed entertainment manager Sheldon Finkel joined Empire as its
Chief Executive Officer. Sheldon Finkel has, for over 30 years, been involved
with many name brand music entertainers such as The Grateful Dead, The Allman
Brothers, The Doors, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, and Cream. In addition, he was the
organizer of the biggest rock concert of all time, the Watkins Glen Summer Jam.
Mr. Finkel has been a boxing manager since 1980, representing Mike Tyson,
Evander Holyfield and Manny Pacquiao. On June 13, 2010, Mr. Finkel was inducted
into the Boxing Hall of Fame.
We expect
to be a supplier of live music, entertainment and athletic events for domestic
and foreign venues and to the world's leading television networks, including
HBO, Showtime, Fox and ESPN.
Our
business will include creation, distribution (domestically and internationally)
and maintenance of our media holdings, including a media library of videotaped
events and original television programming.
We
anticipate our core business will be the promotion and production of live
entertainment events, most significantly for concert and other music
performances in venues leased and/or operated by us. As a result of our
management’s historically involvement in boxing, our sports promotion has
initially had an emphasis on boxing and is currently expanding into mixed
martial arts (MMA).
As
promoter, we typically would be providing the following services:
• Book
talent or tours in an individual market;
• Sell
tickets and advertise the event to attract ticket buyers;
• Rent or
otherwise provide event venues;
• Arrange
for local production services, such as stage, set, sound;
•
Lighting; and
• Sell
event sponsorships.
As
producer, we typically would be providing the following services:
• Develop
event content;
• Hire
artistic talent;
•
Schedule performances in select venues;
• Promote
tours; and
• Sell
sponsorships.
Our
Business – Sports Promotion
The
sports promoter is one of the most important figures in sports. The difference
between a skilled unheard of athlete and one of fame and repute is often a good
promoter. A promoter is in charge of setting up and paying for everything
involved and making sure all legal requirements are met. The promoter assumes
all financial risk associated with the event, whether paying for the event or
securing secondary investors to pay or guarantee the costs. The promoter may be
responsible for costs of recruiting, training, housing and travel as well as
everything involved in an event, from the plastic cups to the chairs for each
corner of the boxing ring to the ring itself, the referee, the ticket sales,
advertising, licenses and making sure the scales used for weigh-in are properly
calibrated.
A
promoter will often contract out a lot of the details but the promoter is
ultimately responsible if anything doesn't meet legal requirements or if
something goes wrong.
A
promoter is not a manager. The manager's job is to look out for the interests of
the athlete. The promoter's job is to look out for the interests of the
promoter. Sometimes those interests align with the athlete’s interests, but many
times they do not.
Our
mission is to endeavor to align our interests more with the athlete than
traditional promoters by creating incentives for our success that also benefit
the athlete. This may be through equity ownership, incentives and similar
arrangements with athletes who hire us as their promoter.
Since the
promoter is assuming all of the financial risk in setting up an event, it means
the promoter also expects a large portion of the profit from an event. This is
where the promoter's interests traditionally diverge from and become opposed to
the athlete’s interests. The promoter and the athlete's manager, for example,
negotiate the boxer's "purse" for a fight — how much money the boxer takes home
for stepping in the ring. The boxers' respective purses are a cost involved in
setting up the fight, just like supplying an ambulance and food vendors are
costs. The larger the boxer's purse, the smaller the profit the promoter takes
home. So the promoter's financial interests are best served by minimizing the
boxer's purse as much as possible. We seek to realign interests and reduce those
conflicts and align the interests of athletes more with ours, even though the
promoter has no actual duty to be fair.
- 30 -
We will
utilize our executive’s skills and know-how to market and advertise an event so
that it appeals to the broadest possible demographic and to attract the most
paying customers. We will be responsible for the pay-per-view system and
obtaining other revenue generating activities. We intend to seek relationships
with athletes of various calibers, for boxing and MMA from developing young
amateurs to heavyweight champions, and develop new and innovative strategies
that enhance our value while providing an equity interest to the athlete in our
company. In this manner, we seek to be the first choice for athletes to
associate with in order to obtain a promoter that maintains relationships and is
operated by people who know the business of boxing, and other sports which we
may in the future enter.
Boxing
and MMA are among the world's most popular spectator sports and has broad-based
international appeal. The sport is an essential programming asset of many of the
major television networks and has proven to be a powerful vehicle for
subscription and pay television in particular. Domestically, the two leading
premium networks, HBO and Showtime, use boxing and MMA as core programming.
Boxing is one of the highest rated program groupings for both of these networks.
Boxing and MMA drive the pay per view ("PPV") industry. The top 10 PPV events of
all time are professional boxing matches.
Business Growth
Strategy
Our
growth plans focus on the following strategies:
•
|
Expanding
our core business, both domestically and
internationally;
|
|
•
|
Signing,
developing and acquiring new talent that can achieve marquee or star
status and become premium cable and PPV attractions;
|
|
•
|
Increasing
the sales of media rights, site rights, and sponsorship for existing
series;
|
|
•
|
Acquiring
other promotional companies in an effort to increase market
share;
|
|
•
|
Extending
our core brand into related merchandising through licensing arrangements
with established merchandisers;
|
|
•
|
Creating
and distributing other content;
|
|
•
|
Acquiring
video libraries;
|
|
•
|
Developing
our presence in other entertainment and sports-driven categories (not
related to boxing) in the areas of merchandising consulting services and
properties;
|
|
•
|
Consideration
of corporate acquisitions of companies in the sports marketing, management
(athletes, entertainers, and television production);
and
|
|
•
|
Rights-generating
businesses (other event-driven sport/entertainment
products).
|
Competition
We
operate in a highly competitive and fragmented industry. Sports and
entertainment competition includes companies such as LiveNation, ClearChannel,
AEG, Ticketmaster, Madison Square Garden and others, each of which has a
long-established reputation with entertainment and sports.
We may
acquire or lease or enter into agreements to operate venues in which our events
will take place. In markets where we will lease or operate a venue, we compete
with other venues to serve artists likely to perform in that general location.
In markets where we do not operate venues, we compete with other venues for
dates for popular national tours. Consequently, touring artists have significant
alternatives to our venues in scheduling tours. In addition, in the markets in
which we promote musical concerts and events, we face competition from other
promoters, as well as from artists that promote their own concerts. We believe
that barriers to entry into the promotion services business are low and that
local promoters are increasingly expanding the geographic scope of their
operations.
The
marketing and athlete representation industry is highly competitive. Competitors
include a few large companies that operate in the areas in which we operate, as
well as many smaller entities which operate similarly to us.
Professional
boxing and mixed martial arts are dominated by a small number of promoters who
work with and are known to the leading television networks and venues. There are
approximately 10 major boxing promoters in the world, most of which are based in
the United States. Our major boxing competitors in the U.S. are Don King
Productions, Top Rank Boxing and Golden Boy.
All of
the business development and targeted businesses we may launch are highly
competitive with established companies with significantly greater infrastructure
and financial resources that our company.
Employees
As of
January 27, 2011, we had 5 active full-time employees, and 1 contractor. We are
not represented by labor unions. We believe that our relationship with our
employees is satisfactory, but there can be no assurances that we will continue
to maintain good relations with our employees.
Legal
Proceedings
We are
not involved in any pending legal proceeding or litigations and, as far as we
are aware, no governmental authority is contemplating any proceeding to which we
are a party or to which any of our properties is subject, which would reasonably
be likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
- 31
-
MANAGEMENT
Set forth
below is certain information regarding our executive officers and directors.
Each of the directors listed below was elected to our board of directors to
serve until our next annual meeting of stockholders or until his successor is
elected and qualified. All directors hold office for one-year terms until the
election and qualification of their successors. The following table sets forth
information regarding the members of our board of directors and our executive
officers:
Name
|
Age
|
Position with the Company
|
||
Sheldon
Finkel
|
66
|
Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer
|
||
Barry
Honig
|
39
|
Co-Chairman
|
||
Gregory
D. Cohen
|
41
|
President,
Chief Operating Officer, Secretary and Director
|
||
Adam
Wasserman
|
46
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
||
Peter
Levy
|
49
|
Executive
Vice President
|
Sheldon Finkel, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, was appointed as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer on
September 29, 2010 upon the closing. He has been the premier manager of fighters
since 1980. He has represented some of the biggest names in the sport during
that time, including Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Pernell Whitaker, Manny
Pacquiao, and many more. Finkel was selected by the Boxing Writers Association
of America as manager of the year in 1990 and 1993. In June 2010, he was
inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame. Before beginning his career in boxing,
Finkel was in the music industry, first in the mid-sixties running a club called
“The Action House,” featuring legends such as Cream, The Doors, Mitch Ryder,
Procol Harem and some of the more progressive groups of the time. He began
promoting and worked with the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who, The
Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Elton John, and many others. He produced
the Watkins Glen Summer Jam concert in 1973, that featured the Grateful Dead,
Allman Brothers and The Band and is one of the greatest rock concerts of all
time.
Barry Honig, Co-Chairman, was
appointed as our Co-Chairman on September 29, 2010. He has served as Co-Chairman
of InterCLICK, Inc. (NASDAQ:ICLK) since August 2007. Since January 2004, Mr.
Honig has been the President of GRQ Consultants, Inc., and is a private investor
and consultant to early stage companies and sits on the board of several private
companies. Mr. Honig serves as a director on our Board of Directors due to his
success as an investor, extensive knowledge of the capital markets, his judgment
in assessing business strategies, and his knowledge of sports and
marketing.
Gregory D. Cohen,
President, Chief Operating Officer, Secretary and Director, was appointed as our
President, Chief Operating Officer, Secretary and as a member of our board of
directors on September 29, 2010. He received his introduction to boxing in the
late 1980’s while working for Triple Threat Enterprises. The team signed
heavyweight gold medalist Ray “Merciless” Mercer, junior welterweight Charles
“The Natural” Murray, and light heavyweight Al “Ice” Cole out of the 1988
Olympics, who all went on to win World Titles as professionals. Cohen has
promoted a number of heavyweight champions and top contenders, including linear
and WBO Champion Shannon “The Cannon” Briggs, Chris Byrd, David Tua, Hasim
Rahman, Samuel Peter, Ike Ibeabuchi, Oleg Maskaev, Joel Casamayor, and future
hall of famer “Sugar” Shane Mosley. Greg has consulted various companies and has
assisted in capital introductions, strategic planning and business
development. Mr. Cohen
also has served as executive producer on several feature-length
films.
Adam Wasserman, Chief Financial
Officer, was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer on November 11,
2010. He has been an integral member of executive management responsible for
financial and accounting. He has a strong background in financial reporting,
budgeting and planning, mergers and acquisitions, auditing, accounting,
automated systems, banking relations and internal controls. Mr. Wasserman has
substantial experience with SEC filings such as initial public offerings, 10-Ks
and 10-Qs. Mr. Wasserman has a strong background in serving companies located in
China, and has been extensively involved in managing private-to-public projects
and providing consulting services to public companies in China since
1999.
Mr.
Wasserman is chief executive officer for CFO Oncall, Inc. and CFO Oncall Asia,
Inc. (collectively “CFO Oncall”), where he owns 80% and 60% of such businesses,
respectively. CFO Oncall, Inc. provides chief financial officer services to
various companies. Mr. Wasserman has served as Chief Financial Officer of
Oriental Dragon Corporation since July 2010 to the present. In addition, Mr.
Wasserman has served as the Chief Financial Officer of Transax International
Limited since May 2005 and Gold Horse International, Inc. since July 2007 to the
present. Mr. Wasserman also served as Chief Financial Officer for Lotus
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from October 2006 to April 2009, China Wind Systems, Inc.
in 2007 and 2008, Genesis Pharmaceuticals Enterprises, Inc. from October 2001
until October 2007, and all under the terms of the consulting agreement with CFO
Oncall, Inc.
- 32
-
From 1991
to 1999, he was Senior Audit Manager at American Express Tax and Business
Services, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where his responsibilities included
supervising, training and evaluating senior staff members, work paper review,
auditing, maintaining positive client relations, preparation of tax returns and
preparation of financial statements and the related footnotes. From 1986 to
1991, he was employed by Deloitte & Touche, LLP. During his employment, his
significant assignments included audits of public (SEC reporting) and private
companies, tax preparation and planning, management consulting, systems design,
staff instruction, and recruiting.
Mr.
Wasserman holds a Bachelor of Science from the State University of New York at
Albany. He is a CPA (New York) and a member of The American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants, is a director, treasurer and an executive board
member of Gold Coast Venture Capital Association and is a director and audit
committee member of China Direct Industries, Inc., a NASDAQ listed company,
since January 2010 and Bohai Pharmaceuticals Group, Inc, since July 12,
2010.
Peter Levy, Executive Vice President,
was appointed as our Executive Vice President on September 29, 2010. He
commenced his career as a practicing attorney with the New York law firm,
Rosenman Colin Freund Lewis and Cohen. In 1989, Mr. Levy joined AT&T, first
as a technology attorney in the Computer Systems Business Unit, and subsequently
as an attorney and Senior Attorney in the Consumer Business Unit and AT&T
EasyLink Services, AT&T Internet Division. Peter Levy was chosen as the
lawyer responsible for the Launch Team of the AT&T Universal Card, the first
affinity credit card of its kind and the fastest growing credit card in U.S.
history. His abilities in business planning and strategy became apparent, and he
became the Division Head of AT&T Advanced Consumer Enterprises, AT&T's
strategic planning group responsible for researching and developing new consumer
services aligned with telecommunications. From 1999 until April of 2010, Peter
Levy was a partner and principal of Sobel & Co., LLC, Certified Public
Accountants and Consultants, a leading regional CPA firm, where Mr. Levy was
responsible for the firm's Sarbanes-Oxley practice, Strategic Planning, and the
Corporate Integrity Unit. Most recently prior to joining our Company, Mr. Levy
was head of Research and Development for JMP Holdings, a premier real estate
development firm maintaining a stellar portfolio of retail, entertainment,
sports, education, government projects, and residential properties. A renowned
speaker on strategic planning and internal controls, Mr. Levy is also the author
of Corporate Topography, a proprietary strategic planning tool used throughout
the business community. Mr. Levy graduated from Harvard University in 1982 and
Cornell Law School in 1985.
There are
no family relationships among our executive officers and directors.
Tom Arnold, Advisory Board,
has established himself to both television and film audiences worldwide, having
won such awards as the Peabody Award and a Golden Globe Award. Additionally, he
helped put Fox Sports Network on the map with his hosting duties on “BEST DAMN
SPORTS SHOW PERIOD.” He recently returned to Fox Sports Network as both producer
and host of the kids’ baseball show “KID PITCH”. Arnold cornered the market
playing comic relief in films like “NINE MONTHS” with Hugh Grant, Julianne
Moore, and Robin Williams, “TRUE LIES” with Arnold Schwarzenegger, “HERO” with
Dustin Hoffman, and “AUSTIN POWERS: INTERNATIONAL MAN OF MYSTERY” with Mike
Myers. Arnold is becoming a fixture at film festivals by landing more mature and
dramatic roles. He received critical praise for his role in “GARDENS OF THE
NIGHT,” opposite John Malkovich, “THE GREAT BUCK HOWARD” starring John Malkovich
and Tom Hanks, “GOOD DICK” opposite Jason Ritter, and “THE YEAR OF GETTING TO
KNOW US”.
Independent
Directors
We do not
believe that any of our directors is an “independent director,” as that term is
defined by listing standards of the national exchanges and SEC rules, including
the rules relating to the independence standards of an audit committee and the
non-employee director definition of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange
Act.
Board
Committees
Our Board
of Directors may appoint an audit committee, nominating committee and
compensation committee, and to adopt charters relative to each such committee,
in the future. We intend to appoint such persons to the committees of the Board
of Directors as are expected to be required to meet the corporate governance
requirements imposed by a national securities exchange, although we are not
required to comply with such requirements until we elect to seek listing on a
national securities exchange, and we are under no obligation to do
so.
Code of Ethics
The Board
of Directors has approved, and we have adopted, a Code of Ethics that applies to
all of our directors, officers and employees. We will provide a copy of the Code
of Ethics free of charge upon request to any person submitting a written request
to our Chief Executive Officer.
Director
Compensation
Except
for the options granted as set forth below, we have not had compensation
arrangements in place for members of our Board of Directors and have not
finalized any plan to compensate directors in the future for their services as
directors. We may develop a compensation plan for our independent directors in
order to attract qualified persons and to retain them. We expect that the
compensation arrangements may be comprised of a combination of cash and/or
equity awards.
- 33
-
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
Summary
Compensation Table
The table
below sets forth, for the last two fiscal years, the compensation earned by (i)
each individual who served as our principal executive officer or principal
financial officer during the last fiscal year and (ii) our most highly
compensated executive officer, other than those listed in clause (i) above, who
was serving as executive officers at the end of the last fiscal year (together,
the “Named Executive Officers”). No other executive officer had annual
compensation in excess of $100,000 during the last fiscal year.
Name
and Principal Position
|
Year
|
Salary
|
Bonus
|
Option
Awards
|
All
Other Compensation
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||
($)
|
($)
|
($)
|
($)
|
($)
|
($)
|
||||||||||||||||
Sheldon
Finkel,
|
2010
|
250,000 | - | 510,000 | - | 760,000 | |||||||||||||||
Chairman
of the Board of Directors of the Company and Chief Executive Officer
(1)
|
2009
|
- | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
Adam
Wasserman, Chief Financial Officer (2)
|
2010
|
- | - | - | 41,250 | 41,250 | |||||||||||||||
Gregory
D. Cohen,
|
2010
|
90,000 | - | 360,000 | - | 450,000 | |||||||||||||||
President,
Chief Operating Officer, Secretary and Director
|
2009
|
- | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Peter
Levy
|
2010
|
37,500 | - | 150,000 | - | 187,500 | |||||||||||||||
Executive
Vice President
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Betty
Soumakh, former
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
2009
|
- | - | - | - | - |
(1)
|
Mr.
Finkel was appointed as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer on
September 29, 2010.
|
(2)
|
Mr.
Wasserman was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer on November 11,
2010.
|
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
Other
than as set forth below, there were no outstanding unexercised options, unvested
stock, and/or equity incentive plan awards issued to our named executive
officers as of December 31, 2010.
Option Award
|
|||||||||||||||||
Name
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable
|
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options (1)
|
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
|
Option
Expiration
Date
|
||||||||||||
Sheldon
Finkel
|
0 | 0 | 850,000 | $ | 0.60 |
September
29, 2020
|
|||||||||||
Gregory
D. Cohen
|
0 | 0 | 600,000 | $ | 0.60 |
September
29, 2020
|
|||||||||||
Peter Levy | 0 | 0 | 250,000 | $ | 0.60 | September 29, 2020 |
(1)
Upon closing of the Share Exchange, we reserved 10-year options to purchase an
aggregate of 2,800,000 shares of our common stock at $0.60 per share, which
options vest over a three-year period.
All
options described are subject to and have been issued under our 2010 Equity
Incentive Plan except for the options and were issued to Peter Levy pursuant to
his employment agreement.
- 34
-
ADAM
WASSERMAN FINANCIAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
We
entered into an engagement letter with Adam Wasserman in September 2010.
Pursuant to the terms of this engagement letter, Mr. Wasserman is paid a monthly
retainer fee of $4,000 for accounting services performed beginning October 2010
and a onetime fee of 20,000 shares of common stock upon execution of this
agreement. Mr. Wasserman agreed to act as our Chief Financial Officer. During
fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, fees amounted to
$41,250.
Employment
Agreements
On May
19, 2010 (the “Effective Date”), we entered into a 3 year employment agreement
with Sheldon Finkel, our Chief Executive Officer (the “Employment Agreement”).
As Chief Executive, Mr. Finkel is solely and exclusively responsible for all
operations of the Company, and exclusive authority to hire employees and
consultants, within the budget for such activities, reporting directly to the
Board of Directors. Unless notice of non-renewal is provided sixty days prior to
the end of the term, the term of employment will be continued for an additional
3 years. Mr. Finkel receives a base salary of $500,000 per year, plus
reimbursement of expenses and shall participate in an incentive compensation
plan to be established for an annual bonus (“Bonus”). Executive will be entitled
to a Bonus amount equal to ten percent (10%) of our audited annual Net Income
(prior to the acquisition, of Empire), determined in accordance with US
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, consistently applied (“GAAP”). Net
Income shall be as reported for each fiscal year as filed on the Annual Report
on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or if no such
report is required to be filed, by mutual agreement on or prior to February 28
of each year, and if not agreed then by an accounting firm mutually agreed to by
the parties (whose fees and expenses shall be paid by Empire), and prepared in
accordance with GAAP. Each Bonus payment shall be made to Mr. Finkelno later
than 95 days following the last day of the fiscal year for which Net Income has
been determined.
Pursuant
to the Employment Agreement, Mr. Finkel is also entitled to subscribe for
1,252,000 shares of common stock of Empire for consideration of $100,000, which
equates to 10% of the fully diluted common stock of Empire as of the effective
date of the Employment Agreement. The initial grant (as described below) and any
subsequent antidilution shares (as described below) are subject to repurchase by
us at the price paid by Mr. Finkel as follows: (i) 100% of the initial grant and
any subsequent antidilution shares are subject to repurchase if Mr. Finkel is
not employed on the date of the Share Exchange or on the first anniversary of
the effective date of the Employment Agreement; (ii) 2/3 of the initial grant
and any antidilution shares are subject to repurchase if Mr. Finkel is not
employed by Empire or us on the second anniversary of the effective date; and
(iii) 1/3 of the initial grant and any antidilution shares are subject to
repurchase if Mr. Finkel is not employed by Empire or us on the second
anniversary of the effective date of the Employment Agreement. The Board of
Directors made an initial grant of restricted stock to Mr. Finkel on the date
that is the earlier of: (i) the date on which our common stock shall be quoted
on the OTC Bulletin Board, the OTCQB or any national securities exchange or
acquired by any such company; or (ii) the date on which we shall become
obligated to file reports with the SEC. The initial grant shall be equal to ten
(10%) percent of the fully-diluted common stock issued and outstanding on the
grant date, without giving effect to any securities issued in any financing
transaction(s) or issuances or offerings for cash which close following the date
hereof.
In
addition, under the terms of the Employment Agreement the Company shall secure
and post an irrevocable Letter of Credit, satisfactory in form and substance,
and issued by a financial institution satisfactory, by May 31, 2010 in the
amount of one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000.00). This Letter
of Credit may be reduced after six (6) months, and after each six (6) month
period thereafter, in increments of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars
($250,000.00). At any time base compensation or additional compensation under
this Agreement is not timely paid, or if Empire otherwise is in material breach
of the Agreement, Mr. Finkel shall be entitled to draw the full remaining amount
of the Letter of Credit. The Letter of Credit has been posted including
collateral in the amount of $1,500,000 from the Company.
On August
27, 2010, we entered into an employment agreement with Gregory D. Cohen,
pursuant to which Mr. Cohen agreed to serve as our President and Chief Operating
Officer for a term of three years. Unless notice of non-renewal is provided
sixty days prior to the end of the term, the term of employment will be
continued for an additional one year. Mr. Cohen receives a base salary of
$180,000 per year, plus reimbursement of expenses and shall participate in an
incentive compensation plan to be established for an annual bonus (“Bonus”). Mr.
Cohen was also granted options to purchase an aggregate of 600,000 shares of our
common stock at an exercise price of $0.60 per share.
On
September 17, 2010, we entered into an employment agreement with Peter Levy,
pursuant to which Mr. Levy agreed to serve as our Executive Vice President for a
term of one year. Unless notice of non-renewal is provided sixty days prior to
the end of the term, the term of employment will be continued for an additional
one year. Mr. Levy receives a base salary of $150,000 per year, plus
reimbursement of expenses and shall participate in an incentive compensation
plan to be established for an annual bonus (“Bonus”). Mr.
Levy was also granted options to purchase an aggregate of 250,000
shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.60 per
share. Mr. Levy’s options vest over a three year
period.
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
Equity
Incentive Plan
On
September 29, 2010, our Board of Directors and stockholders adopted the 2010
Stock Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”). Under the 2010 Plan, options may be
granted which are intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options under Section
422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") or which are not intended
to qualify as Incentive Stock Options there under. In addition, direct grants of
stock or restricted stock may be awarded. The 2010 Plan has reserved 2,800,000
shares of common stock for issuance.
(a) Purpose. The primary
purpose of the 2010 Plan is to attract and retain the best available personnel
in order to promote the success of our business and to facilitate the ownership
of our stock by employees and others who provide services to us.
(b) Administration. The
2010 Plan will be administered by our Board of Directors until such time as such
authority has been delegated to a committee of the Board of
Directors.
(c) Eligibility. Under
the 2010 Plan, options may be granted to employees, officers, directors or
consultants of the Company, as provided in the 2010 Plan.
- 35
-
(d) Terms of Options. The
term of each option granted under the 2010 Plan shall be contained in a stock
option agreement between the optionee and the Company and such terms shall be
determined by the Board of Directors consistent with the provisions of the 2010
Plan, including the following:
|
·
|
Purchase Price.
The purchase price of the common stock subject to each incentive stock
option shall not be less than the fair market value (as set forth in the
2010 Plan), or in the case of the grant of an incentive stock option to a
principal stockholder, not less that 110% of fair market value of such
common stock at the time such option is
granted;
|
|
·
|
Vesting. The
dates on which each option (or portion thereof) shall be exercisable and
the conditions precedent to such exercise, if any, shall be fixed by the
Board of Directors, in its discretion, at the time such option is granted.
Unless otherwise provided in the grant agreement, in the event of a change
of control (as set forth in the Incentive Stock Plan ) all unvested shares
shall immediately become vested;
|
|
·
|
Expiration. Any
option granted to an employee of the Company shall become exercisable over
a period of no longer than five years. No option shall in any event be
exercisable after ten years from, and no Incentive Stock Option granted to
a ten percent shareholder shall become exercisable after the expiration of
five years from, the date of the
option;
|
|
·
|
Transferability.
No option shall be transferable, except by will or the laws of descent and
distribution, and any option may be exercised during the lifetime of the
optionee only by such optionee. No option granted under the 2010 Plan
shall be subject to execution, attachment or other
process;
|
|
·
|
Option
Adjustments. In the event of any change in the outstanding
Company’s stock by reason of a stock split, stock dividend, combination or
reclassification of shares, recapitalization, merger, or similar event,
the Board or the Committee may adjust proportionally (a) the number of
shares of common stock (i) reserved under the 2010 Plan, (ii) available
for Incentive Stock Options and Nonstatutory Options and (iii) covered by
outstanding stock awards or restricted stock purchase offers; (b) the
exercise prices related to outstanding grants; and (c) the appropriate
fair market value and other price determinations for such grants. In the
event of a corporate merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or
stock, separation, reorganization or liquidation, the Board or the
Committee shall be authorized to issue or assume stock options, whether or
not in a transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code applies, and
other grants by means of substitution of new grant agreements for
previously issued grants or an assumption of previously issued
grants.
|
(e) Termination, Modification
And Amendment. The Board may, insofar as permitted by law, from time to
time, suspend or terminate the 2010 Plan or revise or amend it in any respect
whatsoever, except that without the approval of the shareholders of the Company,
no such revision or amendment shall (i) increase the number of shares subject to
the 2010 Plan, (ii) decrease the price at which grants may be granted, (iii)
materially increase the benefits to participants, or (iv) change the class of
persons eligible to receive grants under the 2010 Plan; provided, however, no
such action shall alter or impair the rights and obligations under any option,
or stock award, or restricted stock purchase offer outstanding as of the date
thereof without the written consent of the participant thereunder.
On the
closing date of the Share Exchange, the following options to purchase shares of
our common stock were granted:
Name
|
Shares
|
Vesting
Schedule
|
Exercise
Price
|
Expiration
|
|||||||||
Sheldon
Finkel
|
850,000 |
(1)
|
$ | 0.60 |
September
29, 2020
|
||||||||
Gregory
D. Cohen
|
600,000 |
(1)
|
|
$ | 0.60 |
September
29, 2020
|
|||||||
Barry
Honig
|
400,000 |
(1)
|
|
$ | 0.60 |
September
29, 2020
|
|||||||
Tom
Arnold
|
600,000 |
(1)
|
$ | 0.60 |
September
29, 2020
|
||||||||
Shannon
Briggs (2)
|
100,000 |
(1)
|
$ | 0.60 |
September
29, 2020
|
||||||||
Eddie
Mustafa
|
150,000 |
(1)
|
$ | 0.60 |
September
29, 2020
|
||||||||
Herman
Caicedo (2)
|
100,000 |
(1)
|
$ | 0.60 |
September
29,
2020
|
(1)
|
One-third
at the end of each of the first three years, provided the holder is
continuing to provide services to the Company
|
(2) | This individual ceased to be employed by the Company prior to the vesting at any of his options. |
In addition, pursuant to his employment
agreement, Peter Levy was granted options to purchase an aggregate of 250,000
shares of our common stock with an exercise price of $0.60 per share. His
options vest over a three year period and expire on September 29, 2020.
- 36
-
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Except as
set forth below, during the past three years, there have been no transactions,
whether directly or indirectly, between the Company and any of its officers,
directors or their family members.
Due
to related party
Between
December 2009 and June 2010, one of our directors loaned a total of $498,935, to
the Company. For the period from December 2009 to June 30, 2010, these loans
were non interest bearing and were due on demand. On June 30, 2010, we issued
333,333 shares in connection with the conversion of $200,000 of this loan
payable. On June 30, 2010, we issued a demand promissory note in the amount of
$298,935 which represents the unpaid loan balance to the director. This
promissory note shall accrue interest at the annual rate of five percent (5%)
and shall be payable on the earlier of (i) on demand by the lender upon thirty
(30) days prior written notice to us or (ii) the two-year anniversary of the
date of the note.
During
2010 Barry Honig posted certain collateral for the purpose of issuance of a
letter of credit in the amount of $1,500,000 in favor of Sheldon Finkel, as
required under his employment agreement. The Letter of Credit was subsequently
replaced by the Company and the collateral was returned to Mr.
Honig.
Certain
of our officers and directors have, from time to time, provided advances to us
for operating expenses. At January 15, 2011, we had no amounts owing to our
officers and directors from such loans.
Office
rent
We are
sharing our office space with a formerly affiliated company in which our
President, Gregory D. Cohen, has been a director until January 2011. During the
year ended December 31, 2010, we were reimbursed a portion of the leasehold
improvements cost of $2,700, a portion of the security deposit of $8,500, and
rent of $12,117 from such affiliated company.
- 37
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SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following table sets forth certain information as of January 21, 2011 regarding
the beneficial ownership of our common stock, taking into account the
consummation of the Share Exchange and the Split-Off, by (i) each person or
entity who, to our knowledge, owns more than 5% of our common stock; (ii) our
executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table above; (iii) each
director, and (iv) all of our executive officers and directors as a group.
Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to the following table, each person
named in the table has sole voting and investment power and that person’s
address is c/o The Empire Sports & Entertainment Group Holdings Co., 110
Green Street, Suite 403, New York, New York 10012. Shares of common stock
subject to options, warrants, or other rights currently exercisable or
exercisable within 60 days of January 11, 2011, are deemed to be beneficially
owned and outstanding for computing the share ownership and percentage of the
stockholder holding the options, warrants or other rights, but are not deemed
outstanding for computing the percentage of any other stockholder.
Name of
Beneficial Owner
|
Number of Shares Beneficially
Owned
|
Percentage
Beneficially Owned(1)
|
||||||
|
||||||||
Executive Officers and
Directors :
|
||||||||
Sheldon
Finkel
|
2,150,000 | (2) | 9.7 | % | ||||
Barry
Honig
|
3,803,333 | (3) | 17.2 | % | ||||
Gregory
D. Cohen
|
2,100,000 | (4) | 11.7 | % | ||||
Adam
Wasserman
|
0 | 0 | ||||||
Peter
Levy
|
0 | (5) | 0 | |||||
All
executive officers and directors as a group (five persons)
|
8,053,333 | (2)(3)(4)(5) | 36.4 | % |
(1)
|
Based
on 22,135,805 shares of our common stock outstanding on January 27,
2011.
|
(2)
|
Does
not include (i) 850,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise
of exercisable options that are not currently exercisable, and (ii)
400,000 shares of common stock held by Mr. Finkel’s adult son, William
Finkel.
|
(3)
|
Does
not include 400,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of
outstanding options that are not currently
exercisable.
|
(4)
|
Does
not include 600,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of
exercisable options that are not currently
exercisable.
|
(5)
|
Does
not include 250,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of
options that are not currently
exercisable.
|
DESCRIPTION
OF SECURITIES
Authorized
Capital Stock
We have
authorized 550,000,000 shares of capital stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of
which 500,000,000 are shares of common stock and 50,000,000 are shares of
“blank-check” preferred stock.
Capital
Stock Issued and Outstanding
As or
January 27, 2011 we have issued and outstanding securities on a fully diluted
basis:
|
·
|
22,135,800
shares of common stock;
|
|
·
|
No
shares of preferred stock; and
|
|
·
|
Options
to purchase 2,850,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.60
per share.
|
- 38
-
Common
Stock
The
holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share. In addition, the
holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive ratably such dividends,
if any, as may be declared by our Board of Directors out of legally available
funds; however, the current policy of our Board of Directors is to retain
earnings, if any, for operations and growth. Upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to share ratably in
all assets that are legally available for distribution. The holders of our
common stock will have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion
rights. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock
will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders
of any series of preferred stock, which may be designated solely by action of
our Board of Directors and issued in the future.
Preferred
Stock
Our Board
of Directors will be authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by law,
without further vote or action by our stockholders, to issue from time to time
shares of preferred stock in one or more series. Each series of preferred stock
will have such number of shares, designations, preferences, voting powers,
qualifications and special or relative rights or privileges as shall be
determined by our Board of Directors, which may include, among others, dividend
rights, voting rights, liquidation preferences, conversion rights and preemptive
rights.
Options
On the
closing date of the Exchange, we reserved options to purchase an aggregate of
2,800,000 shares of our common stock, pursuant to our 2010 Plan. See “Executive
Officers and Directors – Equity Incentive Plan.” In
additions, pursuant to his employment agreement, Peter Levy was also granted
options to purchase an aggregate of 250,000 shares of our common
stock.
Dividend
Policy
We have
not previously paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate
or contemplate paying dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.
We currently intend to utilize all available funds to develop our business. We
can give no assurances that we will ever have excess funds available to pay
dividends.
Transfer
Agent
Our
transfer agent is Olde Monmouth Stock Transfer Co, Inc., 200 Memorial Parkway,
Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716.
Indemnification
of Directors and Officers
Under the
Nevada Revised Statutes and our Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and our
Bylaws, as amended, our directors will have no personal liability to us or our
stockholders for monetary damages incurred as the result of the breach or
alleged breach by a director of his "duty of care." This provision does not
apply to the directors' (i) acts or omissions that involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing and culpable violation of law, (ii) acts or omissions
that a director believes to be contrary to the best interests of the corporation
or its stockholders or that involve the absence of good faith on the part of the
director, (iii) approval of any transaction from which a director derives an
improper personal benefit, (iv) acts or omissions that show a reckless disregard
for the director's duty to the corporation or its stockholders in circumstances
in which the director was aware, or should have been aware, in the ordinary
course of performing a director's duties, of a risk of serious injury to the
corporation or its stockholders, (v) acts or omissions that constituted an
unexcused pattern of in attention that amounts to an abdication of the
director's duty to the corporation or its stockholders, or (vi) approval of an
unlawful dividend, distribution, stock repurchase or redemption. This provision
would generally absolve directors of personal liability for negligence in the
performance of duties, including gross negligence.
The
effect of this provision in our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws is to
eliminate the rights of our Company and our stockholders (through stockholder's
derivative suits on behalf of our Company) to recover monetary damages against a
director for breach of his fiduciary duty of care as a director (including
breaches resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior) except in the
situations described in clauses (i) through (vi) above. This provision does not
limit nor eliminate the rights of our Company or any stockholder to seek
non-monetary relief such as an injunction or rescission in the event of a breach
of a director's duty of care.
Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling our Company pursuant to
the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion
of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable.
Limitiation
of Liability of Directors
Our
articles of incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by the
law, no director of the Company will be personally liable to the Company or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a
director.
Disclosure
of Commission Position on Indemnification for Securities Act
Liabilities
Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to our directors, officers, and persons controlling us, we have been
advised that it is the SEC’s opinion that such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable.
- 39
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PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
We are
offering up to shares of common stock for a per share
price of $ . We intend to engage a licensed broker-dealer as our
placement agent for this offering. The placement agent will not purchase or sell
any shares of common stock, nor will they be required to arrange for the
purchase and sale of any specific number or dollar amount of shares of common
stock, other than to use their “best efforts” to arrange for the sale of shares
of common stock by us. Therefore, we may not sell the entire amount of shares of
common stock being offered.
Upon the
closing of the offering, we expect to pay the placement agent a cash transaction
fee equal to approximately 8% of the gross proceeds to us from the sale of the
shares of common stock in the offering. In addition to this transaction fee, we
expect to grant a five year compensation warrant to the placement agent to
purchase a number of shares of our common stock equal to approximately 8% of the
number of shares of common stock sold by us in the offering. The compensation
warrants are expected to be exercisable for a period of five years from issuance
and will comply with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(1) in that for a period of six months
after the issuance date of the compensation warrants (which shall not be earlier
than the closing date of the offering pursuant to which the compensation
warrants are being issued), the compensation may not be (A) sold, transferred,
assigned, pledged, or hypothecated, or (B) the subject of any hedging, short
sale, derivative, put, or call transaction that would result in the effective
economic disposition of the securities by any person for a period of 180 days
immediately following the date of effectiveness or commencement of sales of the
offering pursuant to which the compensation warrants are being issued, except
the transfer of any security as permitted by the FINRA rules.
The
placement agent may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Section
2(a)(11) of the Securities Act and any commissions received by it and any profit
realized on the sale of the securities by them while acting as principal might
be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act.
The placement agent would be required to comply with the requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, including, without
limitation, Rule 10b-5 and Regulation M under the Exchange Act. These rules and
regulations may limit the timing of purchases and sales of shares of common
stock by the placement agent. Under these rules and regulations, the placement
agent may not (i) engage in any stabilization activity in connection with our
securities; and (ii) bid for or purchase any of our securities or attempt to
induce any person to purchase any of our securities, other than as permitted
under the Exchange Act, until they have completed their participation in the
distribution.
Each
selling stockholder and any of their pledgees, assignees and
successors-in-interest may, from time to time, sell any or all of their shares
of common stock on the over-the-counter market or any other stock exchange,
market or trading facility on which the shares are traded, or in private
transactions. These sales may be at fixed or negotiated prices. A selling
stockholder may use any one or more of the following methods when selling
shares:
|
•
|
ordinary
brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer
solicits purchasers;
|
|
•
|
block
trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent
but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to
|
facilitate the transaction; |
|
•
|
purchases
by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its
account;
|
|
•
|
conducting
business in places where business practices and customs are unfamiliar and
unknown;
|
|
•
|
an
exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable
exchange;
|
|
•
|
privately
negotiated transactions;
|
|
•
|
settlement
of short sales entered into after the date of this
prospectus;
|
|
•
|
broker-dealers
may agree with the selling stockholders to sell a specified number of the
shares at a stipulated price per
share;
|
|
•
|
a
combination of any of these methods of
sale;
|
|
•
|
through
the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions,
whether through an options exchange or otherwise;
or
|
|
•
|
any
other method permitted pursuant to applicable
law.
|
The
selling stockholders may also sell shares under Rule 144 under the Securities
Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus.
Broker-dealers
engaged by the selling stockholders may arrange for other brokers-dealers to
participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions or discounts from
the selling stockholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent for the
purchaser of shares, from the purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated. Each
selling stockholder does not expect these commissions and discounts relating to
its sales of shares to exceed what is customary in the types of transactions
involved.
- 40
-
FINRA
Rule 2710 requires FINRA member firms (unless an exemption applies) to satisfy
the filing requirements of Rule 2710 in connection with the resale, on behalf of
selling stockholders, of the securities on a principal or agency basis. FINRA
Notice to Members 88-101 states that in the event a selling stockholder intends
to sell any of the shares registered for resale in this Prospectus through a
member of FINRA participating in a distribution of our securities, the member is
responsible for ensuring that a timely filing, if required, is first made with
the Corporate Finance Department of FINRA and disclosing to FINRA the
following:
|
•
|
it
intends to take possession of the registered securities or to facilitate
the transfer of the certificates;
|
|
•
|
the
complete details of how the selling shareholders shares are and will be
held, including location of the particular
accounts;
|
|
•
|
whether
the member firm or any direct or indirect affiliates thereof have entered
into, will facilitate or otherwise participate in any type of payment
|
transaction with the selling shareholders, including details regarding these transactions; and |
|
|
|
• |
in
the event any of the securities offered by the selling shareholders are
sold, transferred, assigned or hypothecated by any selling shareholder in
a transaction that directly or indirectly involves a member firm of FINRA
or any affiliates thereof, that prior to or at the time of said
transaction the member firm will timely file for review with the Corporate
Finance Department of FINRA all relevant documents with respect to these
transactions.
|
FINRA has
recently proposed rule changes to FINRA Rule 2710 which may, if approved, modify
the requirements of its members to make filings under FINRA Rule 2710. Further,
no FINRA member firm may receive compensation in excess of that allowable under
FINRA rules, including Rule 2710, in connection with the resale of the
securities by the selling shareholders, which total compensation may not exceed
8%.
We have
advised the selling stockholders that the anti-manipulation rules of Regulation
M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of shares in the market and to the
activities of the selling stockholders and their affiliates. In addition, we
will make copies of this Prospectus available to the selling stockholders for
the purpose of satisfying the Prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act.
In
connection with the sale of our common stock or interests therein, the selling
stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other
financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the common
stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The selling
stockholders may also sell shares of our common stock short and deliver these
securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the common
stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The selling
stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with
broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more
derivative securities which require the delivery to these broker-dealers or
other financial institutions of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares
these broker-dealers or other financial institutions may resell pursuant to this
prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect these
transactions).
The
selling stockholders and any broker-dealers or agents that are involved in
selling the shares may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the
Securities Act in connection with these sales. In this event, any commissions
received by these broker-dealers or agents and any profit on the resale of the
shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or
discounts under the Securities Act. Each selling stockholder has informed us
that it does not have any agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly,
with any person to distribute the common stock. In no event shall any
broker-dealer receive fees, commissions and markups which, in the aggregate,
would exceed eight percent (8%).
We are
required to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by us incident to the
registration of the shares. We have agreed to indemnify the selling stockholders
against certain losses, claims, damages and liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act.
The
selling stockholders may agree to indemnify any agent, dealer or broker-dealer
that participates in transactions involving sales of the shares against certain
liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities
Act.
Because
selling stockholders may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of
the Securities Act, they will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements
of the Securities Act. In addition, any securities covered by this prospectus
which qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act may be sold
under Rule 144 rather than under this prospectus. There is no underwriter or
coordinating broker acting in connection with the proposed sale of the shares by
the selling stockholders.
Under
applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person engaged in
the distribution of the shares may not simultaneously engage in market making
activities with respect to our common stock for a period of two business days
prior to the commencement of the distribution. In addition, the selling
stockholders will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and
the rules and regulations thereunder, including Regulation M, which may limit
the timing of purchases and sales of shares of our common stock by the selling
stockholders or any other person. We will make copies of this prospectus
available to the selling stockholders and have informed them of the need to
deliver a copy of this prospectus to each purchaser at or prior to the time of
the sale.
- 41
-
LEGAL
MATTERS
Sichenzia
Ross Friedman and Ference LLP (“SRFF”), New York, New York, will pass upon the
validity of the shares of our common stock to be sold in this offering.
SRFF beneficially owns shares of our common stock.
EXPERTS
The
financial statements of Golden Empire LLC as of and for the year ended December
31, 2009 included in this registration statement has been audited by J.H. Cohn
LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm as set forth in their
report, and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of
such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have
filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1, together with any
amendments and related exhibits, under the Securities Act with respect to our
shares of common stock offered by this prospectus. The registration statement
contains additional information about us and our shares of common stock that we
are offering in this prospectus.
We file
annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC under
the Exchange Act. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet
at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any
document we file at the SEC’s public reference room located at 100 F Street,
N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further
information on the public reference rooms and their copy charges. You may also
request a copy of those filings, excluding exhibits, from us at no cost. These
requests should be addressed to us at: Peter Levy, Executive Vice President, The
Empire Sports & Entertainment Holdings Co., 110 Greene Street, Suite 403,
New York, New York 10012.
- 42
-
INDEX
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Golden
Empire, LLC
|
||
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
F-2
|
|
Balance
Sheets as at December 31, 2009
|
F-3
|
|
Statements
of Operations for the period from November 30, 2009 (Inception) to
December 31, 2009
|
F-4
|
|
Statements
of Changes in Members’ Deficit for the period from November 30, 2009
(Inception) to December 31, 2009
|
F-5
|
|
Statement
of Cash Flows for the period from November 30, 2009 (Inception) to
December 31, 2009
|
F-6
|
|
Notes
to Financial Statements
|
F-7
|
|
The
Empire Sports & Entertainment Holdings Co.
|
||
Consolidated
Condensed Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2010 (Unaudited) and December
31, 2009
|
F-12
|
|
Consolidated
Condensed Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended September
30, 2010 and for the Period from February 10, 2010 (Inception) to
September 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
|
F-13
|
|
Consolidated
Condensed Statement of Cash Flows for the Period from February 10, 2010
(Inception) to September 30, 2010 (Unaudited)
|
F-14
|
|
Notes
to Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
|
F-15
|
F-1
REPORT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the
Board of Directors and Members
Golden
Empire, LLC
We have audited the accompanying
balance sheet of Golden Empire, LLC (A Limited Liability Company) as of December
31, 2009, and the related statements of operations, changes in members’ deficit
and cash flows for the period from November 30, 2009 (Inception) to December 31,
2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance
with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our
opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Golden Empire, LLC as of December
31, 2009, and its results of operations and cash flows for the period from
November 30, 2009 (Inception) to December 31, 2009, in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America.
/s/ J.H. Cohn
LLP
|
Jericho,
New York
|
October
5, 2010
|
F-2
GOLDEN
EMPIRE, LLC
BALANCE
SHEET
December
31, 2009
ASSETS
|
||||
CURRENT
ASSETS:
|
||||
Advances
receivable
|
$ | 15,386 | ||
Total
Assets
|
$ | 15,386 | ||
LIABILITIES
AND MEMBERS' DEFICIT
|
||||
CURRENT
LIABILITIES:
|
||||
Loan
payable - related party
|
$ | 30,435 | ||
Due
to related party
|
15,502 | |||
Total
Liabilities
|
45,937 | |||
MEMBERS'
DEFICIT:
|
||||
Members'
interest
|
22,500 | |||
Accumulated
deficit
|
(53,051 | ) | ||
Total
Members' Deficit
|
(30,551 | ) | ||
Total
Liabilities and Members' Deficit
|
$ | 15,386 |
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-3
GOLDEN
EMPIRE, LLC
STATEMENT
OF OPERATIONS
FOR
THE PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 30, 2009 (INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 2009
Net
revenues
|
$ | - | ||
Operating
expenses:
|
||||
Live
events expenses
|
2,000 | |||
Sales
and marketing expenses
|
7,800 | |||
General
and administrative expenses
|
43,251 | |||
Total
operating expenses
|
53,051 | |||
Net
loss
|
$ | (53,051 | ) |
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-4
GOLDEN
EMPIRE, LLC
STATEMENT
OF CHANGES IN MEMBERS' DEFICIT
FOR
THE PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 30, 2009 (INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 2009
Total
|
||||||||||||
Members'
|
Accumulated
|
Members'
|
||||||||||
Interest
|
Deficit
|
Deficit
|
||||||||||
Balance,
November 30, 2009 (Inception)
|
$ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||
Members'
contribution
|
22,500 | - | 22,500 | |||||||||
Net
loss
|
- | (53,051 | ) | (53,051 | ) | |||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2009
|
$ | 22,500 | $ | (53,051 | ) | $ | (30,551 | ) |
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-5
GOLDEN
EMPIRE, LLC
STATEMENT
OF CASH FLOWS
FOR
THE PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 30, 2009 (INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 2009
CASH
FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||
Net
loss
|
$ | (53,051 | ) | |
Adjustments
to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating
activities:
|
||||
Contributed
member services
|
22,500 | |||
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
|
||||
Advances
receivable
|
(15,386 | ) | ||
NET
CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
(45,937 | ) | ||
CASH
FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||
Proceeds
from loan payable - related party
|
30,435 | |||
Proceeds
from related party advances
|
15,502 | |||
NET
CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
45,937 | |||
NET
INCREASE IN CASH
|
- | |||
CASH -
beginning of period
|
- | |||
CASH
- end of year
|
$ | - | ||
SUPPLEMENTAL
DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
|
||||
Cash
paid for:
|
||||
Interest
|
$ | - | ||
Income
taxes
|
$ | - |
See
accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-6
GOLDEN
EMPIRE, LLC
NOTES TO
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2009
NOTE 1 –
ORGANIZATION AND
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Organization
Golden
Empire, LLC (the “Company”), a New Jersey limited liability company, was formed
and commenced operations on November 30, 2009. The Company is an entertainment
company, principally engaged in the production and promotion of music and
sporting events. For the period from November 30, 2009 (Inception) to December
31, 2009, the Company had no revenues and recorded a limited number of
transactions related to the commencement of its operations. The liability of the
members of the Company is limited to the members’ total capital
contributions.
Basis of
presentation
The
financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles in the United States of America ("US GAAP").
Use of
estimates
In
preparing the financial statements, management is required to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the
date of the balance sheet, and revenues and expenses for the period then ended.
Actual results may differ significantly from those estimates.
Cash and cash
equivalents
The
Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of
three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents. The Company places
its cash with a high credit quality financial institution. The Company’s account
at this institution is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
("FDIC") up to $250,000. For the period ended December 31, 2009, the Company had
no cash and cash equivalents. To reduce its risk associated with the failure of
such financial institution, the Company evaluates at least annually the rating
of the financial institution in which it holds deposits.
Fair value of financial
instruments
The
Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting
Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”,
for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. ASC 820
establishes a common definition for fair value to be applied to existing US GAAP
that require the use of fair value measurements which establishes a framework
for measuring fair value and expands disclosure about such fair value
measurements.
ASC 820
defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid
to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at
the measurement date. Additionally, ASC 820 requires the use of valuation
techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of
unobservable inputs. These inputs are prioritized below:
|
Level 1:
|
Observable
inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets
or liabilities
|
|
Level 2:
|
Observable
market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market
data
|
|
Level 3:
|
Unobservable
inputs for which there is little or no market data, which require the use
of the reporting entity’s own
assumptions.
|
The
carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for due to related party
approximate their estimated fair market value based on the short-term maturity
of this instrument. The carrying amount of the loan payable - related party at
December 31, 2009, approximate their respective fair value based on the
Company’s incremental borrowing rate.
F-7
GOLDEN
EMPIRE, LLC
NOTES TO
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2009
NOTE 1 –
ORGANIZATION AND
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
In
addition, FASB ASC 825-10-25 “Fair Value Option” was effective for January 1,
2008. ASC 825-10-25 expands opportunities to use fair value measurements in
financial reporting and permits entities to choose to measure many financial
instruments and certain other items at fair value. The Company did not elect the
fair value options for any of its qualifying financial instruments.
Accounts
receivable
The
Company has a policy of reserving for questionable accounts based on its best
estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in its existing accounts
receivable. The Company periodically reviews its accounts receivable to
determine whether an allowance is necessary based on an analysis of past due
accounts and other factors that may indicate that the realization of an account
may be in doubt. Account balances deemed to be uncollectible are charged to bad
debt expense after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential
for recovery is considered remote.
Advances
receivable
Advances
receivable represent cash paid in advance to athletes for their training. The
Company has the right to offset the advances against the amount payable to such
athletes for their future sporting events. The amounts advanced under such
arrangements are short-term in nature which totaled $15,386 as of December 31,
2009.
Property and
equipment
Property
and equipment are carried at cost. The cost of repairs and maintenance is
expensed as incurred; major replacements and improvements are capitalized. When
assets are retired or disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are
removed from the accounts, and any resulting gains or losses are included in
income in the year of disposition. The Company examines the possibility of
decreases in the value of fixed assets when events or changes in circumstances
reflect the fact that their recorded value may not be recoverable. Depreciation
is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the
assets.
Impairment of long-lived
assets
Long-lived
assets of the Company are reviewed for impairment whenever events or
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of assets may not be
recoverable. The Company recognizes an impairment loss when the sum of expected
undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset.
The amount of impairment is measured as the difference between the asset’s
estimated fair value and its book value. The Company did not consider it
necessary to record any impairment charges during the period ended December 31,
2009.
Income
taxes
The
Company is organized as a limited liability company whereby elements of income
taxation including income, expense, credits and allowances of the Company are
reflected in a proportional basis on the members’ individual income tax returns.
Accordingly, there is no provision for income taxes in these financial
statements.
F-8
GOLDEN
EMPIRE, LLC
NOTES TO
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2009
NOTE 1 –
ORGANIZATION AND
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Revenue
recognition
The
Company records revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists,
services have been rendered or product delivery has occurred, the sales price to
the customer is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably
assured.
The
Company will earn revenue primarily from live event ticket sales, sponsorship,
advertising, concession fees, television rights fee and pay per view fees for
events broadcast on television or cable.
The
following policies reflect specific criteria for the various revenues streams of
the Company:
|
·
|
Revenue
from ticket sales are recognized when the event occurs. Advance ticket
sales and event-related revenues for future events are deferred until
earned, which is generally once the events are conducted. The recognition
of event-related expenses is matched with the recognition of event-related
revenues.
|
|
·
|
Revenue
from sponsorship, advertising and television/cable distribution agreements
is recognized in accordance with the contract terms, which are generally
at the time events occur.
|
|
·
|
Revenues
from the sale of products are recognized at the point of sale at the live
event concession stands.
|
Cost of
revenue
Costs
related to live events are recognized when the event occurs. Event costs paid
prior to an event are capitalized to prepaid costs and then charged to expense
at the time of the event. Cost of other revenue streams are recognized at the
time the related revenues are realized.
Advertising
Advertising
is expensed as incurred and is included in sales and marketing expenses on the
accompanying statement of operations. Such expenses for the period from November
30, 2009 (Inception) to December 31, 2009 totaled $7,800.
Stock - based
compensation
Stock -
based compensation is accounted for based on the requirements of the Share-Based
Payment Topic of ASC 718 which requires recognition in the financial statements
of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award
of equity instruments over the period the employee or director is required to
perform the services in exchange for the award (presumptively, the vesting
period). The FASB ASC also requires measurement of the cost of employee and
director services received in exchange for an award based on the grant-date fair
value of the award.
Pursuant
to ASC Topic 505-50, for share-based payments to consultants and other
third-parties, compensation expense is determined at the “measurement date.” The
expense is recognized over the vesting period of the award. Until the
measurement date is reached, the total amount of compensation expense remains
uncertain. The Company initially records compensation expense based on the fair
value of the award at the reporting date. The awards to consultants and other
third-parties are then revalued, or the total compensation is recalculated based
on the then current fair value, at each subsequent reporting
date.
F-9
GOLDEN
EMPIRE, LLC
NOTES TO
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2009
NOTE 1 –
ORGANIZATION AND
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Related
parties
Parties
are considered to be related to the Company if the parties directly or
indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by, or
are under common control with the Company. Related parties also include
principal owners of the Company, its management, members of the immediate
families of principal owners of the Company and its management and other parties
with which the Company may deal if one party controls or can significantly
influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that
one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own
separate interests. The Company discloses all related party transactions. All
transactions shall be recorded at fair value of the goods or services exchanged.
Property purchased from a related party is recorded at the cost to the related
party and any payment to or on behalf of the related party in excess of the cost
is reflected as a distribution to related party.
Recent accounting
pronouncements
In June
2009, the FASB issued ASC Topic 810-10, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No.
46(R)”. This updated guidance requires a qualitative approach to identifying a
controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity (“VIE”), and
requires ongoing assessment of whether an entity is a VIE and whether an
interest in a VIE makes the holder the primary beneficiary of the VIE. ASC Topic
810-10 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after November 15,
2009. The adoption of ASC Topic 810-10 did not have a material impact on the
results of operations and financial condition.
In
October 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) No. 2009-13,
“Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements.” The ASU establishes the accounting
and reporting guidance for arrangements including multiple revenue-generating
activities and provides amendments to the criteria for separating deliverables,
measuring and allocating arrangement consideration to one or more units of
accounting. The amendments in this ASU also establish a selling price hierarchy
for determining the selling price of a deliverable. Significantly enhanced
disclosures are also required to provide information about a vendor’s
multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements, including information about the
nature and terms, significant deliverables, and its performance within
arrangements. The amendments also require providing information about the
significant judgments made and changes to those judgments and about how the
application of the relative selling-price method affects the timing or amount of
revenue recognition. The amendments in this ASU are effective prospectively for
revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in the fiscal years
beginning on or after June 15, 2010. The adoption of this standard will not have
a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In
January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06, “Improving Disclosures about Fair
Value Measurements” an amendment to ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and
Disclosures.” This amendment requires an entity to: (i) disclose separately the
amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value
measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers and (ii) present
separate information for Level 3 activity pertaining to gross purchases, sales,
issuances and settlements. ASU No. 2010-06 is effective for the Company for
interim and annual reporting beginning after December 15, 2009, with one new
disclosure effective after December 15, 2010. The adoption of ASU No. 2010-06
did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations and
financial condition.
In
February 2010, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting standards related
to the accounting for, and disclosure of, subsequent events in an entity’s
financial statements. This standard amends the authoritative guidance for
subsequent events that was previously issued and among other things exempts
Securities and Exchange Commission registrants from the requirement to disclose
the date through which it has evaluated subsequent events for either original or
restated financial statements. This standard does not apply to subsequent events
or transactions that are within the scope of other applicable US GAAP that
provides different guidance on the accounting treatment for subsequent events or
transactions. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on
the Company’s financial statements.
F-10
GOLDEN
EMPIRE, LLC
NOTES TO
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2009
NOTE 1 –
ORGANIZATION AND
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (concluded)
In July
2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-20, Receivables (Topic 310) “Disclosures
about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit
Losses”. ASU 2010-20 requires additional disclosures about the credit quality of
a company’s loans and the allowance for loan losses held against those loans.
Companies will need to disaggregate new and existing disclosures based on how it
develops its allowance for loan losses and how it manages credit exposures.
Additional disclosure is also required about the credit quality indicators of
loans by class at the end of the reporting period, the aging of past due loans,
information about troubled debt restructurings, and significant purchases and
sales of loans during the reporting period by class. The new guidance is
effective for interim- and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010. The
Company anticipates that adoption of these additional disclosures will not have
a material effect on its financial position or results of
operations.
Other
accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB that do not
require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact
on the financial statements upon adoption.
NOTE 2 –
RELATED PARTY
TRANSACTIONS
Loan
payable - related party
In
December 2009, one of the Company’s directors loaned $30,435 to the Company.
This loan is noninterest bearing and is due on demand.
Due
to related party
The
President of the Company, from time to time, provided advances to the Company
for operating expenses. At December 31, 2009, the Company had a payable to the
President of the Company amounting to $15,502. These advances are short-term in
nature and noninterest bearing.
NOTE 3–
MEMBER
CONTRIBUTION
One of
the members of the Company contributed services amounting to $22,500 during the
period of inception through December 31, 2009. These services were for general
corporate purposes and represented contributed capital from this
member.
NOTE 4–
SUBSEQUENT
EVENTS
The
Company transferred all assets, liabilities and assigned certain promotion
rights agreements to The Empire Sports and Entertainment Co., a newly formed
entity. On February 10, 2010, the assets (including promotion agreements) were
transferred at carrying value which approximated fair value. The Empire Sports
and Entertainment Co. was incorporated in Nevada on February 10, 2010. The
Company transferred all assets, liabilities and certain promotion rights
agreements to the Empire Sports and Entertainment at carrying value of ($30,551)
which approximated fair value on February 10, 2010. Golden Empire ceased
operations on that date. The results of operations for the period from January
1, 2010 to February 9, 2010 of Golden Empire were not material.
F-11
THE
EMPIRE SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS CO. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
September 30,
|
December 31,
|
|||||||
2010
|
2009
|
|||||||
(Unaudited)
|
(see Note 1)
|
|||||||
ASSETS
|
||||||||
CURRENT
ASSETS:
|
||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$ | 1,449,696 | $ | - | ||||
Restricted
cash - current portion
|
560,000 | - | ||||||
Accounts
and note receivable
|
40,000 | - | ||||||
Advances
and other receivables
|
390,812 | 15,386 | ||||||
Prepaid
expenses - current portion
|
24,209 | - | ||||||
Total
Current Assets
|
2,464,717 | 15,386 | ||||||
OTHER
ASSETS:
|
||||||||
Restricted
cash - long term portion
|
500,000 | - | ||||||
Property
and equipment, net
|
32,078 | - | ||||||
Prepaid
expenses - long term portion
|
305,000 | - | ||||||
Advances
- net of current portion
|
57,796 | - | ||||||
Deposits
|
44,469 | - | ||||||
Total
Other Assets - Net
|
939,343 | - | ||||||
Total
Assets
|
$ | 3,404,060 | $ | 15,386 | ||||
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
||||||||
CURRENT
LIABILITIES:
|
||||||||
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
$ | 105,917 | $ | - | ||||
Convertible
promissory note - related party
|
198,935 | - | ||||||
Loan
payable - related party
|
- | 30,435 | ||||||
Due
to related party
|
- | 15,502 | ||||||
Total
Liabilities
|
304,852 | 45,937 | ||||||
Commitments
and Contingencies
|
||||||||
STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY:
|
||||||||
Preferred
stock ($.0001 Par Value; 50,000,000 Shares Authorized; None Issued
and Outstanding)
|
- | - | ||||||
Common
stock ($.0001 Par Value; 500,000,000 Shares Authorized; 22,135,805
shares issued and outstanding)
|
2,213 | |||||||
Additional
paid-in capital
|
4,600,511 | 22,500 | ||||||
Accumulated
deficit
|
(1,503,516 | ) | (53,051 | ) | ||||
Total
Stockholders' Equity
|
3,099,208 | (30,551 | ) | |||||
Total
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
|
$ | 3,404,060 | $ | 15,386 |
See
accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated condensed financial
statements.
F-12
THE
EMPIRE SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS CO. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Period from
|
||||||||
Three Months Ended
|
February 10, 2010 (Inception)
|
|||||||
September 30, 2010
|
to September 30, 2010
|
|||||||
(Unaudited)
|
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||
Net
revenues
|
$ | 74,000 | $ | 288,584 | ||||
Operating
expenses:
|
||||||||
Cost
of revenues
|
9,000 | 144,332 | ||||||
Sales
and marketing expenses
|
8,098 | 117,783 | ||||||
Live
events expenses
|
121,112 | 323,478 | ||||||
Compensation
and related taxes
|
308,140 | 428,973 | ||||||
Consulting
fees
|
47,502 | 313,093 | ||||||
General
and administrative expenses
|
223,176 | 397,959 | ||||||
Total
operating expenses
|
717,028 | 1,725,618 | ||||||
Loss
from operations
|
(643,028 | ) | (1,437,034 | ) | ||||
Other
(expense) income:
|
||||||||
Interest
expense, net of interest income of $2,761
|
(13,431 | ) | (13,431 | ) | ||||
Net
loss
|
$ | (656,459 | ) | $ | (1,450,465 | ) | ||
NET
LOSS PER COMMON SHARE:
|
||||||||
Basic
and Diluted
|
$ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) | ||
WEIGHTED
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING - Basic and Diluted
|
21,115,768 | 17,348,763 |
See
accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated condensed financial
statements.
F-13
THE
EMPIRE SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS CO. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE
PERIOD FROM FEBRUARY 10, 2010 (INCEPTION) TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
(Unaudited)
CASH
FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||
Net
loss
|
$ | (1,450,465 | ) | |
Adjustments
to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating
activities:
|
||||
Depreciation
|
4,799 | |||
Amortization
of promotional advances
|
28,632 | |||
Contributed
officer services
|
90,000 | |||
Common
stock issued for services
|
252,000 | |||
Stock-based
compensation
|
186,667 | |||
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
|
||||
Restricted
cash - current portion
|
(560,000 | ) | ||
Accounts
receivable
|
(15,000 | ) | ||
Advances
and other receivables
|
(461,851 | ) | ||
Prepaid
expenses
|
(329,209 | ) | ||
Other
assets
|
(44,469 | ) | ||
Restricted
cash - long term portion
|
(500,000 | ) | ||
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
105,917 | |||
NET
CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
(2,692,979 | ) | ||
CASH
FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||
Investment
in note receivable
|
(25,000 | ) | ||
Purchase
of property and equipment
|
(36,877 | ) | ||
NET
CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
(61,877 | ) | ||
CASH
FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||
Proceeds
from issuance of common stock to founders
|
1,205 | |||
Proceeds
from sale of common stock, net of issuance cost
|
3,690,349 | |||
Proceeds
from loan payable
|
160,000 | |||
Proceeds
from note payable - related party
|
468,500 | |||
Principal
repayments on note payable
|
(100,000 | ) | ||
Payments
on related party advances
|
(178,866 | ) | ||
Proceeds
from related party advances
|
163,364 | |||
NET
CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
4,204,552 | |||
NET
INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
1,449,696 | |||
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS- beginning of period
|
- | |||
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS- end of period
|
$ | 1,449,696 | ||
SUPPLEMENTAL
DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
|
||||
Cash
paid for:
|
||||
Interest
|
$ | - | ||
Income
taxes
|
$ | - | ||
SUPPLEMENTAL
DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
||||
Issuance
of common stock for payment of loans payable
|
$ | 360,000 | ||
Carrying
value of assumed assets, liabilities and certain promotion rights
agreement from Golden Empire, LLC
|
$ | (30,551 | ) |
See
accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated condensed financial
statements.
F-14
THE
EMPIRE SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS CO. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September
30, 2010
NOTE 1 –
ORGANIZATION AND
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Organization
The
Empire Sports & Entertainment Holdings Co. (the “Company”), formerly Excel
Global, Inc. (the “Shell”), was incorporated under the laws of the State of
Nevada on August 2, 2007. The Company operated as a web-based service provider
and consulting company. In September 2010, the Company changed its name to The
Empire Sports & Entertainment Holdings Co.
On
September 29, 2010, the Company entered into a Share Exchange Agreement (the
“Exchange Agreement”) with The Empire Sports & Entertainment, Co., a
privately held Nevada corporation (“Empire”), and the shareholders of Empire
(the “Empire Shareholders”). Upon closing of the transaction contemplated under
the Exchange Agreement (the “Exchange”), the Empire Shareholders transferred all
of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Empire to the Company in exchange
for shares of common stock of the Company. Such Exchange caused Empire to become
a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
At the
closing of the Exchange, each share of Empire’s common stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the closing of the Exchange was exchanged for
the right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock. Accordingly, an
aggregate of 19,602,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were issued to the
Empire Shareholders. Additionally, pursuant to the Agreement of Conveyance,
Transfer of Assets and Assumption of Obligations (the “Conveyance Agreement”),
the Company’s former officers and directors cancelled 17,596,603 of the
Company’s common stock they owned. Such shares were administratively cancelled
subsequent to the Exchange pursuant to the Conveyance Agreement (see below).
After giving effect to the cancellation of shares, the Company had a total of
2,513,805 shares of common stock outstanding immediately prior to Closing. After
the Closing, the Company had a total of 22,115,805 shares of common stock
outstanding, with the Empire Shareholders owning 89% of the total issued and
outstanding shares of the Company's common stock.
On
October 8, 2010, the Company entered into a series of agreements with the
purpose of transferring certain of the residual assets and liabilities which
were owned by the shell with which the Company did a reverse merger on September
29, 2010. The agreements transferred certain assets and liabilities in
connection with a website business to the former shareholders of the Shell in
exchange for 17,596,603 shares of the Company's common stock. Management
believes that the fair value of the shares received for those assets and
liabilities was not material. The shares were cancelled immediately upon
receipt.
Prior to
the Exchange, the Company was a shell company with no business
operations.
The
Exchange is being accounted for as a reverse-merger and recapitalization. Empire
is the acquirer for financial reporting purposes and the Company is the acquired
company. Consequently, the assets and liabilities and the operations that will
be reflected in the historical financial statements prior to the Exchange will
be those of Empire and will be recorded at the historical cost basis of Empire,
and the consolidated financial statements after completion of the Exchange will
include the assets and liabilities of the Company and Empire, historical
operations of Empire and operations of the Company from the closing date of the
Exchange.
F-15
THE
EMPIRE SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS CO. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September
30, 2010
NOTE 1 –
ORGANIZATION AND
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Empire
was incorporated in Nevada on February 10, 2010 to succeed to the business of
its predecessor company, Golden Empire, LLC (“Golden Empire”), which was formed
and commenced operations on November 30, 2009. The audited consolidated
condensed balance sheet presented as of December 31, 2009, represents the
accounts of Golden Empire. Empire is principally engaged in the production and
promotion of music and sporting events. The Company assumed all assets,
liabilities and certain promotion rights agreements entered into by Golden
Empire at carrying value of ($30,551) which approximated fair value on February
10, 2010. Golden Empire ceased operations on that date. The results of
operations for the period from January 1, 2010 to February 9, 2010 of Golden
Empire were not material. As a result of the Exchange, Empire became a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and the Company succeeded to the business
of Empire as its sole line of business.
Basis of
presentation
The
consolidated condensed financial statements are prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("US
GAAP") and present the financial statements of the Company and its wholly-owned
subsidiary.
All
significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in
consolidation. All adjustments (consisting of normal recurring items) necessary
to present fairly the Company's financial position as of September 30, 2010, and
the results of operations and cash flows for the period from February 10, 2010
(inception) to September 30, 2010 have been included. The results of operations
for the period from February 10, 2010 (inception) to September 30, 2010 are not
necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The
accounting policies and procedures employed in the preparation of these
consolidated financial statements have been derived from the audited financial
statements of the predecessor company for the period ended December 31, 2009,
which are contained in Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on October 5, 2010.
Use of
estimates
In
preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities as of the date of the consolidated balance sheet, and revenues and
expenses for the period then ended. Actual results may differ significantly from
those estimates. Significant estimates made by management include, but are not
limited to, the useful life of property and equipment, the fair values of
certain promotional contracts and the assumptions used to calculate fair value
of options granted and common stock issued for services.
Cash and cash equivalents
The
Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of
three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents. The Company places
its cash with a high credit quality financial institution. The Company’s account
at this institution is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
("FDIC") up to $250,000. For the period from February 10, 2010 (inception) to
September 30, 2010, the Company has reached bank balances exceeding the FDIC
insurance limit. To reduce its risk associated with the failure of such
financial institution, the Company evaluates at least annually the rating of the
financial institution in which it holds deposits.
Fair value of financial
instruments
The
Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting
Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”,
for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. ASC 820
establishes a common definition for fair value to be applied to existing US GAAP
that require the use of fair value measurements which establishes a framework
for measuring fair value and expands disclosure about such fair value
measurements.
ASC 820
defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid
to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at
the measurement date. Additionally, ASC 820 requires the use of valuation
techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of
unobservable inputs. These inputs are prioritized below:
|
Level 1:
|
Observable
inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets
or liabilities
|
|
Level 2:
|
Observable
market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market
data
|
|
Level 3:
|
Unobservable
inputs for which there is little or no market data, which require the use
of the reporting entity’s own
assumptions.
|
Fair
value measurements are applied with respect to our nonfinancial assets and
liabilities measured on a nonrecurring basis, which consists of assets,
liabilities and certain promotion rights agreement assumed by the Company from
Golden Empire. The valuation of the assumed assets, liabilities and certain
promotion rights agreement are classified as a Level 3 measurement, because it
was based on significant unobservable inputs and involved management judgment
and assumptions. Significant unobservable inputs include future cash flows to be
generated from these promotion rights agreements and the terms of the related
party liabilities such as the rate and repayment terms. In determining the fair
value of the assumed assets, liabilities and certain promotion rights agreement,
the Company determined that the carrying amount for such assets and liabilities
(including promotion rights agreements) approximates fair
value.
F-16
THE
EMPIRE SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS CO. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September
30, 2010
NOTE 1 –
ORGANIZATION AND
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
The
following tables present the assets and liabilities that are measured and
recognized at fair value on a nonrecurring basis classified under the
appropriate level of the fair value hierarchy as of the date of transfer on
February10, 2010:
Level 1
|
Level 2
|
Level 3
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||
Assets:
|
||||||||||||||||
Advances
receivable (including promotion rights agreements)
|
$ | — | $ | — | $ | 15,386 | $ | 15,386 | ||||||||
Liabilities:
|
||||||||||||||||
Note
payable
|
$ | — | $ | — | $ | 30,435 | $ | 30,435 | ||||||||
Due
to related party
|
$ | — | $ | — | $ | 15,502 | $ | 15,502 |
Cash and
cash equivalents include certificates of deposit that are considered to be
highly liquid and easily tradable as of September 30, 2010. These securities are
valued using inputs observable in active markets for identical securities and
are therefore classified as Level 1 within our fair value
hierarchy.
The
carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash, restricted cash,
accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, due to related party
approximate their estimated fair market value based on the short-term maturity
of these instruments. The carrying amount of the note payable - related party at
September 30, 2010 approximates its respective fair value based on the Company’s
incremental borrowing rate. The Company did not identify any other assets or
liabilities that are required to be presented on the consolidated balance sheets
at fair value in accordance with the accounting guidance.
ASC
825-10 “Financial Instruments”, allows entities to voluntarily choose to measure
certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value (fair value option). The
fair value option may be elected on an instrument-by-instrument basis and is
irrevocable, unless a new election date occurs. If the fair value option is
elected for an instrument, unrealized gains and losses for that instrument
should be reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The Company
did not elect to apply the fair value option to any outstanding
instruments.
Restricted
cash
The
Company considers cash that is held as a compensating balance for letter of
credit arrangements and cash held in escrow as restricted cash. At September 30,
2010, restricted cash current and long-term portion was $560,000 and $500,000,
respectively, and was held primarily in certificates of deposit to be used as
security in accordance with the terms of the employment agreements with the
Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President. The Letter of
Credit may be reduced after six months, and after each six month period
thereafter, in increments of $250,000. Restricted cash long-term portion
represents the amount that may be reduced after 1 year.
Accounts receivable
The
Company has a policy of reserving for accounts receivable based on its best
estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in its existing accounts
receivable. The Company periodically reviews its accounts receivable to
determine whether an allowance is necessary based on an analysis of past due
accounts and other factors that may indicate that the realization of an
account may be in doubt. Account balances deemed to be uncollectible are charged
to bad debt expense after all means of collection have been exhausted and the
potential for recovery is considered remote. The Company did not consider it
necessary to record any allowance for doubtful accounts for the period from
February 10, 2010 (inception) to September 30, 2010.
F-17
THE
EMPIRE SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS CO. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September
30, 2010
NOTE 1 –
ORGANIZATION AND
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
Property and
equipment
Property
and equipment are carried at cost. The cost of repairs and maintenance is
expensed as incurred; major replacements and improvements are capitalized. When
assets are retired or disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are
removed from the accounts, and any resulting gains or losses are included in
income in the year of disposition. The Company examines the possibility of
decreases in the value of fixed assets when events or changes in circumstances
reflect the fact that their recorded value may not be recoverable. Depreciation
is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the
assets, generally one to five years.
Impairment of long-lived assets
Long-lived
assets of the Company are reviewed for impairment whenever events or
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of assets may not be
recoverable. The Company recognizes an impairment loss when the sum of expected
undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset.
The amount of impairment is measured as the difference between the asset’s
estimated fair value and its book value. The Company did not consider it
necessary to record any impairment charges for the period from February 10, 2010
(inception) to September 30, 2010.
Income
taxes
Income
taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method as prescribed by
ASC Topic 740: “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”). Deferred tax assets and liabilities
are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences
between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and
liabilities, and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit
carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted
tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those
temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Deferred tax
assets are reduced by a valuation allowance, when in the Company's opinion it is
likely that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be
realized.
Pursuant
to ASC Topic 740-10 related to the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes,
the evaluation of a tax position is a two-step process. The first step is to
determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be
sustained upon examination, including the resolution of any related appeals or
litigation based on the technical merits of that position. The second step is to
measure a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not threshold to
determine the amount of benefit to be recognized in the consolidated financial
statements. A tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is
greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Tax
positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition
threshold should be recognized in the first subsequent period in which the
threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the
more-likely-than-not criteria should be de-recognized in the first subsequent
financial reporting period in which the threshold is no longer met.
The
accounting standard also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification,
interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosures and
transition. The Company's U.S. Federal and state income tax returns for the tax
year 2009 are open and management continually evaluates expiring statutes of
limitations, audits, proposed settlements, changes in tax law and new
authoritative rulings. The adoption had no effect on the Company’s consolidated
financial statements.
The
Company accounts for potential interest and penalties on tax matters as a
component of the income tax provision.
Revenue
recognition
The
Company records revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists,
services have been rendered or product delivery has occurred, the sales price to
the customer is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably
assured.
The
Company, in accordance with ASC Topic 605-45“Revenue Recognition – Principal
Agent Considerations” reports revenues for transactions in which it is the
primary obligor on a gross basis and revenues in which it acts as an agent on
and earns a fixed percentage of the sale on a net basis, net of related costs.
Credits or refunds are recognized when they are determinable and
estimable.
F-18
THE
EMPIRE SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS CO. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September
30, 2010
NOTE 1 –
ORGANIZATION AND
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
The
Company earns revenue primarily from live event ticket sales, sponsorship,
advertising, concession fees, promoter fees, television rights fee and pay per
view fees for events broadcast on television or cable.
The
following policies reflect specific criteria for the various revenue streams of
the Company:
|
·
|
Revenue
from ticket sales is recognized when the event occurs. Advance ticket
sales and event-related revenues for future events are deferred until
earned, which is generally once the events are conducted. The recognition
of event-related expenses is matched with the recognition of event-related
revenues.
|
|
·
|
Revenue
from sponsorship, advertising, television/cable distribution agreements
and promoter/service agreements is recognized in accordance with the
contract terms, which are generally at the time events
occur.
|
|
·
|
Revenue
from the sale of products is recognized at the point of sale at the live
event concession stands.
|
Cost of revenue and prepaid
expenses
Costs
related to live events are recognized when the event occurs. Event costs paid
prior to an event are capitalized to prepaid expenses and then charged to
expense at the time of the event. Cost of other revenue streams are recognized
at the time the related revenues are realized. Prepaid expenses – current
portion of $24,209 at September 30, 2010 consist primarily of costs paid for
future events which will occur within a year. Prepaid expenses – long-term
portion of $305,000 at September 30, 2010 consist primarily of costs paid for
future events which will occur after 1 year.
Advances and other
receivables
Advances
receivable represent cash paid in advance to athletes for their training. The
Company has the right to offset the advances against the amount payable to such
athletes for their future sporting events. The amounts advanced under such
arrangements are short-term in nature which totaled $203,346 as of September 30,
2010. Promotional advances represents signing bonuses paid to athletes upon
signing the promotional agreements with the Company. Promotional advances are
amortized over the terms of the promotional agreements, generally from three to
four years. As of September 30, 2010, promotional advances - current and
long-term portion amounted to $34,572 and $57,796, respectively, and is included
in the accompanying consolidated condensed balance sheet under advances and
other receivables. For the period from February 10, 2010 (inception) to
September 30, 2010, amortization of these promotional advances amounted to
$28,632which has been included in live events expenses on the accompanying
consolidated statement of operations. Also included in this caption was a
receivable for a participation guarantee of $152,500 at September 30,
2010.
Concentrations of
credit risk and major customers
Financial
instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit
risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable.
Management believes the financial risks associated with these financial
instruments are not material. The Company places its cash with high credit
quality financial institutions. The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit
accounts that, at times, may exceed Federally insured limits.
For the
period from February 10, 2010 (inception) to September 30, 2010, two customers
accounted for 53% of net revenues.
Advertising
Advertising
is expensed as incurred and is included in sales and marketing expenses on the
accompanying statement of operations. Such expenses for the period from February
10, 2010 (inception) to September 30, 2010 totaled $27,843. Such expenses for
the three month period ended September 30, 2010 totaled $7,098.
Net loss per common share
Net loss
per common share is calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 260: Earnings Per
Share (“ASC 260”). Basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the
weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period.
The computation of diluted net loss per share does not include dilutive common
stock equivalents in the weighted average shares outstanding as they would be
anti-dilutive. As of September 30, 2010, there were 2,800,000 stock options and
331,558 shares equivalent issuable pursuant to embedded conversion features
which could potentially dilute future earnings per share.
F-19
NOTES TO
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September
30, 2010
NOTE 1 –
ORGANIZATION AND
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
The
following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted loss per
share:
Three month
period ended
September 30, 2010
|
For the Period from
February 10, 2010 to September 30, 2010
|
|||||||
Numerator:
|
||||||||
Net
loss
|
$ | (656,459 | ) | $ | (1,450,465 | ) | ||
Denominator:
|
||||||||
Denominator
for basic loss per share
|
||||||||
(weighted-average
shares)
|
21,115,768 | 17,348,763 | ||||||
Denominator
for dilutive loss per share
|
||||||||
(adjusted
weighted-average)
|
21,115,768 | 17,348,763 | ||||||
Basic
and diluted loss per share
|
$ | ( 0.03 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) |
Stock-based
compensation
Stock-based
compensation is accounted for based on the requirements of the Share-Based
Payment Topic of ASC 718 which requires recognition in the consolidated
financial statements of the cost of employee and director services received in
exchange for an award of equity instruments over the period the employee or
director is required to perform the services in exchange for the award
(presumptively, the vesting period). The ASC also requires measurement of the
cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award based
on the grant-date fair value of the award.
Pursuant
to ASC Topic 505-50, for share-based payments to consultants and other
third-parties, compensation expense is determined at the “measurement date.” The
expense is recognized over the vesting period of the award. Until the
measurement date is reached, the total amount of compensation expense remains
uncertain. The Company initially records compensation expense based on the fair
value of the award at the reporting date. The awards to consultants and other
third-parties are then marked to market at each subsequent reporting
date.
Related
parties
Parties
are considered to be related to the Company if the parties, directly or
indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by, or
are under common control with the Company. Related parties also include
principal owners of the Company, its management, members of the immediate
families of principal owners of the Company and its management and other parties
with which the Company may deal if one party controls or can significantly
influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that
one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own
separate interests. The Company discloses all related party transactions. All
transactions are recorded at the fair value of the goods or services exchanged.
Property purchased from a related party is recorded at the cost to the related
party and any payment to or on behalf of the related party in excess of the cost
is reflected as a distribution to related party.
Recent accounting pronouncements
In June
2009, the FASB issued ASC Topic 810-10, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No.
46(R)”. This updated guidance requires a qualitative approach to identifying a
controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity (“VIE”), and
requires ongoing assessment of whether an entity is a VIE and whether an
interest in a VIE makes the holder the primary beneficiary of the VIE. ASC Topic
810-10 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after November 15,
2009. The adoption of ASC Topic 810-10 did not have a material impact on the
consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
F-20
THE
EMPIRE SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS CO. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September
30, 2010
NOTE 1 –
ORGANIZATION AND
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (concluded)
In
January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06, “Improving Disclosures about Fair
Value Measurements” an amendment to ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and
Disclosures.” This amendment requires an entity to: (i) disclose separately the
amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value
measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers and (ii) present
separate information for Level 3 activity pertaining to gross purchases, sales,
issuances and settlements. ASU No. 2010-06 is effective for the Company’s
interim and annual reporting beginning after December 15, 2009, with one new
disclosure effective after December 15, 2010. The adoption of ASU No. 2010-06
did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of
operations and financial condition.
In July
2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-20, “Receivables (Topic 310): Disclosures
about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit
Losses”. ASU 2010-20 requires additional disclosures about the credit quality of
a company’s loans and the allowance for loan losses held against those loans.
Companies will need to disaggregate new and existing disclosures based on how it
develops its allowance for loan losses and how it manages credit exposures.
Additional disclosure is also required about the credit quality indicators of
loans by class at the end of the reporting period, the aging of past due loans,
information about troubled debt restructurings, and significant purchases and
sales of loans during the reporting period by class. The new guidance is
effective for interim- and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010.
Management anticipates that the adoption of these additional disclosures will
not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of
operations.
Other
accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB that do not
require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact
on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
NOTE 2 –
ACCOUNTS AND NOTE
RECEIVABLE
On June
28, 2010, the Company issued a demand promissory note of $25,000 to an unrelated
party. The note is due on demand and bears interest at 6% per annum. The
Borrower shall have the option of paying the principal sum to the Company in
advance in full or in part at any time and from time to time without premium or
penalty. Accrued interest receivable on this note receivable amounted to $375 as
of September 30, 2010 and is included in other receivables.
At
September 30, 2010, there were accounts receivable in the amount of
approximately $15,000 from one customer.
NOTE 3 –
RELATED PARTY
TRANSACTIONS
Note
payable - related party
Between
December 2009 and June 2010, one of the Company’s Directors provided loans of
$498,935 to the Company. For the period from December 2009 to June 30, 2010,
these loans were noninterest bearing and were due on demand. On June 30, 2010,
the Company issued 333,333 shares of its common stock valued at $0.60 in payment
of $200,000 of such loans and issued an unsecured demand promissory note in the
amount of $298,935 for the balance of the obligation. This promissory note shall
accrue interest at the annual rate of five percent (5%) and shall be payable on
the earlier of (i) on demand by the lender upon thirty (30) days prior written
notice to the Company or (ii) the two-year anniversary of the date of this
promissory note (the “Maturity Date”). On September 1, 2010, the Company made a
payment of $100,000 towards this promissory note. In September 2010, the Company
issued a demand convertible promissory note (the “convertible promissory note”)
for the balance of this promissory note and such prior note is deemed canceled
and null and void. This convertible promissory note shall accrue interest at the
annual rate of five percent (5%) and shall be payable on the earlier of (i) on
demand by the lender upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Company
or (ii) the two-year anniversary of the date of this promissory note (the
“Maturity Date”). This convertible promissory note including interest shall be
convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at a fixed conversion
price per share equal to $0.60 at the option of the lender. The Company
evaluated whether the convertible note was considered to have an embedded
beneficial conversion feature and has concluded that there is no beneficial
conversion feature since the fixed conversion price of $0.60 is equal to the
fair value of the Company’s common stock based on recent sales of the Company’s
common stock in a private placement. Accrued interest on this convertible note
payable amounted to $3,320 as of September 30, 2010 and is included in accrued
expenses.
F-21
THE
EMPIRE SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS CO. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September
30, 2010
Office
rent
The
Company is sharing its office space pursuant to an informal sublease on a month
to month basis with an affiliated company for which the Company’s President is a
director. For the period from February 10, 2010 (inception) to September 30,
2010, the Company was reimbursed a portion of the leasehold improvements cost of
$2,700, a portion of the security deposit of $10,000, and rent of $10,626 from
such affiliated company.
NOTE 4 –
STOCKHOLDERS’
EQUITY
Common
Stock
On
February 10, 2010, the Company granted an aggregate of 12,090,000 restricted
shares of common stock to the founders of the Company pursuant to common stock
subscription agreements. The Company received gross proceeds of $1,205 and a
subscription receivable of $4 from such issuance of shares of the Company's
common stock. The Company valued these common shares at par value.
Between
January 2010 and June 2010, one of the Company’s directors loaned $468,500 to
the Company. On June 30, 2010, the Company issued 333,333 shares in connection
with the conversion of $200,000 of this loan payable. The fair value of such
shares issued amounted to $200,000 or $0.60 per share based on recent sales of
the Company’s common stock in a private placement.
Between
February 2010 and June 2010, two unrelated parties loaned an aggregate amount of
$160,000 to the Company. On June 30, 2010, the Company issued 266,667 shares in
connection with the conversion of these loans payable for a total amount of
$160,000. The fair value of such shares issued amounted to $160,000 or $0.60 per
share based on recent sales of the Company’s common stock in a private
placement.
In June
2010, the Company issued an aggregate of 400,000 shares of the Company’s common
stock to four persons for consulting services rendered. The Company valued these
common shares at the fair market value on the date of grant at $0.60 per share
or $240,000 based on the recent sales of the Company’s common stock in a private
placement which has been recognized as consulting expense for the period from
February 10, 2010 (inception) to September 30, 2010.
Between
June 2010 and August 2010, the Company issued 6,512,000 shares of common stock
at $0.60 per share pursuant to a private placement which generated net proceeds
of approximately $3,690,000. In connection with these private placements, the
Company paid in cash private placement commissions of approximately $163,350,
legal fees of $50,000 and related private placements fees of
$3,470.
On
September 22, 2010, prior to the Exchange, the Company’s Board of Directors
declared a dividend of an additional 1.51380043 shares of the Company’s common
stock on each share outstanding on September 26, 2010. Except as otherwise
noted, all share amounts referenced hereunder have been adjusted to reflect the
number of the Company’s shares of common stock on a post-dividend
basis.
F-22
THE
EMPIRE SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS CO. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September
30, 2010
NOTE 4 –
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(continued)
At the
closing of the Exchange, each share of Empire’s common stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the closing of the Exchange was exchanged for
the right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock. Accordingly, an
aggregate of 19,602,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were issued to the
Empire Shareholders. Additionally, pursuant to the Agreement of Conveyance,
Transfer of Assets and Assumption of Obligations (the “Conveyance Agreement”),
the Company’s former officers and directors cancelled 17,596,603 of the
Company’s common stock they owned. Such shares were administratively cancelled
subsequent to the Exchange pursuant to the Conveyance Agreement (see Note 1).
After giving effect to the cancellation of shares, the Company had a total of
2,513,805 shares of common stock outstanding immediately prior to Closing. After
the Closing, the Company had a total of 22,115,805 shares of common stock
outstanding, with the Empire Shareholders owning 89% of the total issued and
outstanding shares of the Company's common stock.
In
September 2010, the Company issued 20,000 shares of the Company’s common stock
in connection with accounting services rendered. The Company valued these common
shares at the fair market value on the date of grant at $0.60 per share or
$12,000 based on the recent sales of the Company’s common stock in a private
placement which has been recognized as professional expense for the period from
February 10, 2010 (inception) to September 30, 2010.
Common Stock
Options
On
September 29, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors and stockholders adopted
the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”). Under the 2010 Plan, options
may be granted which are intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options under
Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") or which are not
intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options thereunder. In addition, direct
grants of stock or restricted stock may be awarded. The 2010 Plan has reserved
2,800,000 shares of common stock for issuance. Upon the closing of the Exchange,
the Company has outstanding options to purchase 2,800,000 shares of the
Company’s common stock under the 2010 Plan which represents an exchange of
2,800,000 options previously granted prior to the reverse merger and
recapitalization with similar terms as discussed below.
On June
1, 2010, the Company granted an aggregate of 1,850,000 10-year options to
purchase shares of common stock at $0.60 per share which vests at the end of
three years to three officers of the Company. The 1,850,000 options were valued
on the grant date at $0.60 per option or a total of $1,110,000 using a
Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: stock price
of $0.60 per share (based on recent sales of the Company’s common stock in a
private placement), volatility of 209% (estimated using volatilities of similar
companies), expected term of 6.5 years, and a risk free interest rate of 3.29%.
For the period from February 10, 2010 (inception) to September 30, 2010, the
Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $123,333. For the three
months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded stock-based compensation
expense of $92,500. At September 30, 2010, there was $986,667 of total
unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested option-based
compensation arrangements under the 2010 Plan.
On June
1, 2010, the Company granted an aggregate of 950,000 10-year options to purchase
shares of common stock at $0.60 per share which vests at the end of three years
to four consultants of the Company. The 950,000 options were valued on the grant
date at $0.60 per option or a total of $570,000 using a Black-Scholes option
pricing model with the following assumptions: stock price of $0.60 per share
(based on recent sales of the Company’s common stock in a private placement),
volatility of 209% (estimated using volatilities of similar companies), expected
term of ten years, and a risk free interest rate of 3.29%. For the period from
February 10, 2010 (inception) to September 30, 2010, the Company recorded
stock-based consulting expense of $63,334. For the three months ended September
30, 2010, the Company recorded stock-based consulting expense of
$47,500.
F-23
THE
EMPIRE SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS CO. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September
30, 2010
NOTE 4 –
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(continued)
A summary
of the stock options as of September 30, 2010 and changes during the period are
presented below:
For the period from February 10, 2010
(inception) to September 30, 2010
|
||||||||||||
Number of
Options and
Warrants
|
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
|
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(Years)
|
||||||||||
Stock options
|
||||||||||||
Balance
at beginning of period
|
- | $ | - | - | ||||||||
Granted
|
2,800,000 | 0.60 | 9.67 | |||||||||
Exercised
|
- | - | - | |||||||||
Forfeited
|
- | - | - | |||||||||
Balance
outstanding and expected to vest at the end of period
|
2,800,000 | $ | 0.60 | 9.67 | ||||||||
Options
exercisable at end of period
|
- | $ | - | |||||||||
Weighted
average fair value of options granted during the period
|
$ | 0.60 |
Stock
options outstanding at September 30, 2010 as disclosed in the above table have
no intrinsic value at the end of the quarter.
NOTE 5 –
COMMITMENTS
In March
2010, the Company signed a five year lease agreement for office space which will
expire in March 2015. The lease requires the Company to pay a monthly base rent
of $5,129 plus a pro rata share of operating expenses. The base rent is subject
to annual increases beginning on April 1, 2011 as defined in the lease
agreement.
In May
2010, the Company entered into a 3 year employment agreement with one of its
founders and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) commencing on July 1, 2010. The CEO
receives a base salary of $500,000 per year, plus reimbursement of expenses and
shall participate in an incentive compensation plan to be established for an
annual bonus (“Bonus”). In addition, under the terms of the Employment Agreement
(the “Agreement”), the Company shall secure and post an irrevocable Letter of
Credit by May 31, 2010 in the amount of $1,500,000. This Letter of Credit may be
reduced after six months, and after each six month period thereafter, in
increments of $250,000. At any time base compensation or additional compensation
under this Agreement is not timely paid, or if the Company otherwise is in
material breach of the Agreement, the CEO shall be entitled to draw the full
remaining amount of the Letter of Credit. In June 2010, the Letter of Credit has
been posted by one of the Company’s directors and is expected to be replaced
with a Letter of Credit from the Company following the closing of the private
placement, including collateral in the amount of $1,500,000 as a temporary
accommodation to the Company and the CEO.
In August
2010, the Company replaced the Letter of Credit posted by its director. In
connection with the Agreement, the Company’s banking institution issued a 1-year
irrevocable standby Letter of Credit
for the benefit of the CEO. In August 2010, the Company opened an
account with its banking institution in the amount of $1,000,000 and pledged to
the Letter of Credit. This Letter of Credit may be reduced after six months, and
after each six month period thereafter, in increments of $250,000. At any time
base compensation or additional compensation under the Agreement is not timely
paid, or if the Company otherwise is in material breach of this agreement, the
CEO shall be entitled to draw the full remaining amount of the Letter of Credit.
The Company and the CEO have mutually agreed to decrease the amount of the
Letter of Credit to $1,000,000.
F-24
THE
EMPIRE SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS CO. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September
30, 2010
NOTE 5 –
COMMITMENTS
(continued)
In August
2010, the Company entered into a three year employment agreement with one of its
founders, President and Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) commencing in August
2010. The COO receives a base salary of $180,000 per year, plus reimbursement of
expenses and shall be entitled to a bonus compensation which is determined by
the Company’s board of directors.
In
September 2010, the Company entered into a one year employment agreement with
the Company’s Executive Vice President (“EVP”) commencing on October 1, 2010.
EVP receives a base salary of $150,000 per year, plus reimbursement of expenses
and shall be entitled to a bonus compensation which is determined by the
Company’s board of directors. In addition, EVP was granted stock options to
purchase 250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of
$0.60 per share which vests at the end of three years. The Company obtained a
three month certificate of deposit to be used as a security in accordance with
the terms of this employment agreement. The 250,000 options were valued on the
grant date at $0.60 per option or a total of $150,000 using a Black-Scholes
option pricing model with the following assumptions: stock price of $0.60 per
share (based on recent sales of the Company’s common stock in a private
placement), volatility of 209% (estimated using volatilities of similar
companies), expected term of 6.5 years, and a risk free interest rate of
2.75%.
NOTE 6 –
SUBSEQUENT
EVENTS
In
November 2010, the Company issued promissory notes for a total of $18,000 to an
unrelated party. The notes are due on August 31, 2011 and bear interest at 4%
per annum. The Borrower shall have the option of paying the principal sum to the
Company prior to the due date without penalty. August 31, 2011 and bear interest
at 4% per annum. The Borrower shall have the option of paying the principal sum
to the Company prior to the due date without penalty.
F-25
The
information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not
sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell
these securities and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in
any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT
TO COMPLETION, DATED JANUARY 28, 2011
PRELIMINARY
PROSPECTUS
OFFERING
UP TO ______ SHARES
The
Empire Sports & Entertainment Holdings Co.
This
prospectus relates to the resale of up to ________ shares of our common stock by
the selling stockholders identified under the section entitled “Selling
Stockholders” in this prospectus. The shares of common stock offered by the
selling stockholders consist of _______________________________.
It is
anticipated that the selling stockholders will sell these shares of common stock
from time to time in one or more transactions, in negotiated transactions or
otherwise, at prevailing market prices or at prices otherwise negotiated (see
“Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 48). We will not receive any proceeds
from the sales of common stock offered by the selling stockholders. We have
agreed to pay all the costs of this offering other than customary brokerage and
sales commissions. The selling stockholders will pay no offering expenses other
than those expressly identified in this prospectus.
Our
common stock is quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “EXCX.OB”. The
last reported sale price of our common stock as reported by the OTC Bulletin
Board on January
27, 2011, was $1.25 per share.
Investing
in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning
on page 4 of this prospectus for a discussion of information that you should
consider before investing in our common stock.
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is
truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
The date
of this prospectus is ______, 2011
Page
|
||
Prospectus
Summary
|
3
|
|
Special
Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
|
5
|
|
Summary Consolidated Financial Data |
6
|
|
Risk
Factors
|
7
|
|
Use
of Proceeds
|
21
|
|
Market
for Our Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters
|
21
|
|
Dividend
Policy
|
21
|
|
Selected Consolidated Financial Data |
22
|
|
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
|
22
|
|
Business
|
30
|
|
Management
|
32
|
|
Executive
Compensation
|
34
|
|
Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions
|
37
|
|
Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
|
38
|
|
Description
of Securities
|
38
|
|
Plan
of Distribution
|
40
|
|
Legal
Matters
|
42
|
|
Experts
|
42
|
|
Where
You Can Find Additional Information
|
42
|
|
Index
to Financial Statements
|
|
F-1
|
You
should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not
authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone
provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on
it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction
where an offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information
appearing in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover
of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and
prospects may have changed since that date.
- 44
-
The
Offering
Common
stock offered by the selling stockholders:
|
__________
shares
|
|
Common
stock outstanding:
|
22,135,805
shares
|
|
Use
of proceeds:
|
We
will not receive any proceeds from the sales of common stock offered by
the selling stockholders.
|
|
Risk
factors:
|
An
investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should
carefully consider the information set forth in this prospectus and, in
particular, the specific factors set forth in the “Risk Factors” section
beginning on page 4 of this prospectus before deciding whether or not to
invest in shares of our common stock.
|
|
OTC
Bulletin Board symbol:
|
EXCX.OB
|
- 45
-
USE
OF PROCEEDS
We will
not receive any proceeds from the sales of common stock offered by the selling
stockholders
We intend
to use the estimated net proceeds received upon exercise of the warrants, if
any, for working capital and general corporate purposes.
DESCRIPTION
OF SECURITIES
We have
authorized 550,000,000 shares of capital stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of
which 500,000,000 are shares of common stock and 50,000,000 are shares of
“blank-check” preferred stock.
Capital
Stock Issued and Outstanding
As or
January 21, 2011 we have issued and outstanding securities on a fully diluted
basis:
|
·
|
22,135,800
shares of common stock;
|
|
·
|
No
shares of preferred stock; and
|
|
·
|
Options
to purchase 2,850,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.60
per share.
|
Common
Stock
The
holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share. In addition, the
holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive ratably such dividends,
if any, as may be declared by our Board of Directors out of legally available
funds; however, the current policy of our Board of Directors is to retain
earnings, if any, for operations and growth. Upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to share ratably in
all assets that are legally available for distribution. The holders of our
common stock will have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion
rights. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock
will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders
of any series of preferred stock, which may be designated solely by action of
our Board of Directors and issued in the future.
Preferred
Stock
Our Board
of Directors will be authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by law,
without further vote or action by our stockholders, to issue from time to time
shares of preferred stock in one or more series. Each series of preferred stock
will have such number of shares, designations, preferences, voting powers,
qualifications and special or relative rights or privileges as shall be
determined by our Board of Directors, which may include, among others, dividend
rights, voting rights, liquidation preferences, conversion rights and preemptive
rights.
Options
On the
closing date of the Exchange, we reserved options to purchase an aggregate of
2,800,000 shares of our common stock, pursuant to our 2010 Plan. See “Executive
Officers and Directors – Equity Incentive Plan.” In
additions, pursuant to his employment agreement, Peter Levy was also
granted options to purchase an aggregate of 250,000 shares of our common
stock.
Dividend
Policy
We have
not previously paid any cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate
or contemplate paying dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.
We currently intend to utilize all available funds to develop our business. We
can give no assurances that we will ever have excess funds available to pay
dividends.
Transfer
Agent
Our
transfer agent is Olde Monmouth Stock Transfer Co, Inc., 200 Memorial Parkway,
Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716.
Indemnification
of Directors and Officers
Under the
Nevada Revised Statutes and our Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and our
Bylaws, as amended, our directors will have no personal liability to us or our
stockholders for monetary damages incurred as the result of the breach or
alleged breach by a director of his "duty of care." This provision does not
apply to the directors' (i) acts or omissions that involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing and culpable violation of law, (ii) acts or omissions
that a director believes to be contrary to the best interests of the corporation
or its stockholders or that involve the absence of good faith on the part of the
director, (iii) approval of any transaction from which a director derives an
improper personal benefit, (iv) acts or omissions that show a reckless disregard
for the director's duty to the corporation or its stockholders in circumstances
in which the director was aware, or should have been aware, in the ordinary
course of performing a director's duties, of a risk of serious injury to the
corporation or its stockholders, (v) acts or omissions that constituted an
unexcused pattern of inattention that amounts to an abdication of the director's
duty to the corporation or its stockholders, or (vi) approval of an unlawful
dividend, distribution, stock repurchase or redemption. This provision would
generally absolve directors of personal liability for negligence in the
performance of duties, including gross negligence.
- 46
-
The
effect of this provision in our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws is to
eliminate the rights of our Company and our stockholders (through stockholder's
derivative suits on behalf of our Company) to recover monetary damages against a
director for breach of his fiduciary duty of care as a director (including
breaches resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior) except in the
situations described in clauses (i) through (vi) above. This provision does not
limit nor eliminate the rights of our Company or any stockholder to seek
non-monetary relief such as an injunction or rescission in the event of a breach
of a director's duty of care.
Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling our Company pursuant to
the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion
of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable.
Limitiation
of Liability of Directors
Our
articles of incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by the
law, no director of the Company will be personally liable to the Company or its
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a
director.
Disclosure
of Commission Position on Indemnification for Securities Act
Liabilities
Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to our directors, officers, and persons controlling us, we have been
advised that it is the SEC’s opinion that such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable.
SELLING
STOCKHOLDERS
The table
below sets forth information concerning the resale by the selling stockholders
of up to ________ shares of our common stock, all of which are being registered
for sale for the accounts of the selling stockholders and include
_______________.
The
shares of common stock referred to above are being registered to permit public
sales of the shares, and the selling stockholders may offer the shares for
resale from time to time pursuant to this prospectus. The selling stockholders
may also sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or a portion of their shares
in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act
or pursuant to another effective registration statement covering those shares.
We may from time to time include additional selling stockholders in supplements
or amendments to this prospectus.
- 47
-
Name
of Selling
Stockholder
|
Total
Shares Held
Including
Shares
of
Common
Stock
and
Shares
Issuable
Upon
Full
Conversion of the Preferred Stock
and/or
exercise
of
warrants
(2)(3)
|
Total
Percentage of Outstanding Shares Assuming Full Conversion and/or exercise(2) |
Shares
of
Common
Stock
Included in Prospectus (3) |
Beneficial
Ownership
Before
Offering
(1)(2)
|
Percentage
of
Common
Stock
Before
Offering(1)(2)
|
Beneficial
Ownership
After
the
Offering(1)(2)(4)
|
Percentage
of Common
Stock
Owned After
Offering(1)(2)(4)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
- 48
-
We are
registering up to ________ shares of common stock in order to permit the resale
of these shares of common stock by our selling stockholders from time to time
after the date of this prospectus, which shares include ___________. We will not
receive any of the proceeds from the sale by the selling stockholders of the
shares of common stock. We will bear all fees and expenses incident to our
obligation to register the shares of common stock.
The
selling stockholders may sell all or a portion of the shares of common stock
beneficially owned by them and offered hereby from time to time directly or
through one or more underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. If the shares of
common stock are sold through underwriters or broker-dealers, the selling
stockholders will be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or
agent’s commissions. The shares of common stock may be sold in one or more
transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of the
sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices.
These sales may be effected in transactions, which may involve crosses or block
transactions,
|
·
|
on any national securities
exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or
quoted at the time of sale;
|
|
·
|
in the over-the-counter
market;
|
|
·
|
in transactions otherwise than on
these exchanges or systems or in the over-the-counter
market;
|
|
·
|
through the writing of options,
whether such options are listed on an options exchange or
otherwise;
|
|
·
|
including ordinary brokerage
transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits
purchasers;
|
|
·
|
including block trades in which
the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent but may
position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the
transaction;
|
|
·
|
including purchases by a
broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its
account;
|
|
·
|
including an exchange
distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable
exchange;
|
|
·
|
including privately negotiated
transactions;
|
|
·
|
including short sales made after
the date the registration statement is declared effective by the SEC,
subject to any applicable limitations on short sales contained in any
agreement between a selling stockholder and
us;
|
|
·
|
including sales pursuant to Rule
144;
|
|
·
|
and broker-dealers may agree with
the selling security holders to sell a specified number of such shares at
a stipulated price per
share;
|
|
·
|
including a combination of any of
the foregoing methods of sale;
and
|
|
·
|
any other method permitted
pursuant to applicable law.
|
- 49
-
If the
selling stockholders effect such transactions by selling shares of common stock
to or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, such underwriters,
broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions in the form of discounts,
concessions or commissions from the selling stockholders or commissions from
purchasers of the shares of common stock for whom they may act as agent or to
whom they may sell as principal (which discounts, concessions or commissions as
to particular underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may be in excess of those
customary in the types of transactions involved). In connection with sales of
the shares of common stock or otherwise, the selling stockholders may enter into
hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short
sales of the shares of common stock in the course of hedging the positions they
assume. The selling stockholders may also sell shares of common stock short and
deliver shares of common stock covered by this prospectus to close out short
positions and to return borrowed shares in connection with such short sales. The
selling stockholders may also loan or pledge shares of common stock to
broker-dealers that in turn may sell such shares.
The
selling stockholders may pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of
the shares of series A convertible preferred stock, warrants or shares of common
stock owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured
obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of
common stock from time to time pursuant to this prospectus or any amendment to
this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, amending, if necessary, the list of selling
stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest
as selling stockholders under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may
transfer and donate the shares of common stock in other circumstances in which
case the transferees, donees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be
the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.
The
selling stockholders and any broker-dealer participating in the distribution of
the shares of common stock may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning
of the Securities Act, and any commission paid, or any discounts or concessions
allowed to, any such broker-dealer may be deemed to be underwriting commissions
or discounts under the Securities Act. At the time a particular offering of the
shares of common stock is made, a prospectus supplement, if required, will be
distributed which will set forth the aggregate amount of shares of common stock
being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any
broker-dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions and other terms
constituting compensation from the selling stockholders and any discounts,
commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to
broker-dealers.
Under the
securities laws of some states, the shares of common stock may be sold in such
states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in
some states the shares of common stock may not be sold unless such shares have
been registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from
registration or qualification is available and is complied with.
There can
be no assurance that any selling stockholder will sell any or all of the shares
of common stock registered pursuant to the registration statement, of which this
prospectus forms a part.
The
selling stockholders and any other person participating in such distribution
will be subject to applicable provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, including, without
limitation, to the extent applicable, Regulation M of the Exchange Act, which
may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the shares of common stock
by the selling stockholders and any other participating person. To the extent
applicable, Regulation M may also restrict the ability of any person engaged in
the distribution of the shares of common stock to engage in market-making
activities with respect to the shares of common stock. All of the foregoing may
affect the marketability of the shares of common stock and the ability of any
person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the
shares of common stock.
We will
pay all expenses of the registration of the shares of common stock pursuant to
the registration rights agreement entered into with the selling stockholders,
estimated to be $100,000 in total, including, without limitation, U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission filing fees and expenses of compliance with
state securities or “blue sky” laws; provided, however , that a
selling stockholder will pay all underwriting discounts and selling commissions,
if any. We will indemnify the selling stockholders against liabilities,
including some liabilities under the Securities Act, in accordance with the
registration rights agreement entered into with the selling stockholders and, to
the extent indemnification is not available, the selling stockholders will be
entitled to contribution. We may be indemnified by the selling stockholders
against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, that
may arise from any written information furnished to us by the selling
stockholders specifically for use in this prospectus, in accordance with the
registration rights agreement and, to the extent indemnification is not
available, we may be entitled to contribution. Once sold under the registration
statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, the shares of common stock
will be freely tradable in the hands of persons other than our
affiliates.
- 50
-
THE
EMPIRE SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS CO.
[____________]
Shares
Common
Stock
PROSPECTUS
*,
2011
[____________]
Shares
Common
Stock
PROSPECTUS
*,
2011
INFORMATION
NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM
13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
The
following table sets forth the costs and expenses payable by us in connection
with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered. None of
the following expenses are payable by the selling stockholders. All of the
amounts shown are estimates, except for the SEC registration fee.
SEC
registration fee
|
$ | 5,224.50 | ||
Legal
fees and expenses
|
$ | 50,000.00 | ||
Accounting
fees and expenses
|
$ | 15,000 | ||
Miscellaneous
|
$ | 50,000 | ||
TOTAL
|
$ | 120,224.50 |
ITEM
14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
Under the
Nevada Revised Statutes and our Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and our
Bylaws, as amended, our directors will have no personal liability to us or our
stockholders for monetary damages incurred as the result of the breach or
alleged breach by a director of his "duty of care." This provision does not
apply to the directors' (i) acts or omissions that involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing and culpable violation of law, (ii) acts or omissions
that a director believes to be contrary to the best interests of the corporation
or its stockholders or that involve the absence of good faith on the part of the
director, (iii) approval of any transaction from which a director derives an
improper personal benefit, (iv) acts or omissions that show a reckless disregard
for the director's duty to the corporation or its stockholders in circumstances
in which the director was aware, or should have been aware, in the ordinary
course of performing a director's duties, of a risk of serious injury to the
corporation or its stockholders, (v) acts or omissions that constituted an
unexcused pattern of inattention that amounts to an abdication of the director's
duty to the corporation or its stockholders, or (vi) approval of an unlawful
dividend, distribution, stock repurchase or redemption. This provision would
generally absolve directors of personal liability for negligence in the
performance of duties, including gross negligence.
The
effect of this provision in our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws is to
eliminate the rights of our Company and our stockholders (through stockholder's
derivative suits on behalf of our Company) to recover monetary damages against a
director for breach of his fiduciary duty of care as a director (including
breaches resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior) except in the
situations described in clauses (i) through (vi) above. This provision does not
limit nor eliminate the rights of our Company or any stockholder to seek
non-monetary relief such as an injunction or rescission in the event of a breach
of a director's duty of care.
Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the
"Act" or "Securities Act") may be permitted to directors, officers or persons
controlling our Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we
have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission,
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable.
II-1
Sales
by Empire
During
July 2010 and August 2010, Empire conducted a private placement, pursuant to
which it issued an aggregate of 3,791,668 shares of common stock to investors
for total gross proceeds of $2,274,969. Empire paid commissions to placement
agent of $125,850 in connection with the private placement. The shares were
issued in a transaction that was exempt from the registration requirements of
the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, which exempts
transactions by any issuer not involving a public offering.
Sales
by the Company
In July
2007, we sold 77,928 to one unaffiliated investor. The shares have been
cancelled and the sale rescinded.
On August
2, 2007, our board of directors approved the issuance of 17,596,603 shares of
common stock to our officers for services provided.
On
November 28, 2007, we issued 251,380 of common stock for licensing
rights.
On
December 29, 2009, we terminated a contract with a licensor. Pursuant to the
termination agreement, we issued 25,138 shares of our common stock.
On
September 22, 2010, our Board of Directors declared a dividend of an additional
1.51380043 shares of our common stock on each share of our common stock
outstanding on September 26, 2010. Except as otherwise noted, all share amounts
referenced hereunder have been adjusted to reflect the number of our shares of
common stock on a post-dividend basis.
On
September 29, 2010, upon effectiveness of the Share Exchange, we issued an
aggregate of 19,602,000 shares of our common stock to the shareholders of
Empire.
The
shares were issued in transactions that were exempt from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities
Act.
II-2
Exhibit No.
|
Description
|
|
2.1
|
Share
Exchange Agreement dated as of September 29, 2010, by and among The Empire
Sports & Entertainment Holdings Co., The Empire Sports &
Entertainment, Co.and the shareholders of The Empire Sports &
Entertainment Co. (1)
|
|
3.1
|
Amended
and Restated Articles of Incorporation (2)
|
|
3.2
|
Amended
and Restated Bylaws (2)
|
|
5.1
|
Opinion
of Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP*
|
|
10.1
|
The
Empire Sports & Entertainment Holdings Co. 2010 Equity Incentive Plan
(1)
|
|
10.2
|
Form
of 2010 Incentive Stock Option Agreement (1)
|
|
10.3
|
Form
of 2010 Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (1)
|
|
10.4
|
Employment
Agreement Sheldon Finkel (1)
|
|
10.5
|
Employment
Agreement Gregory D. Cohen (1)
|
|
16.1
|
Letter
from Gumbiner Savett Inc. dated October 21, 2010 (3)
|
|
23.1
|
Consent
of J.H. Cohn LLP**
|
|
23.2
|
Consent
of Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP (included in Exhibit
5.1)*
|
|
24.1
|
Powers
of Attorney (included on signature
page)
|
* To be
filed by amendment.
** Filed
herewith
(1)
|
Incorporated
herein by reference to the copy of such document included as an exhibit to
our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 5,
2010.
|
(2)
|
Incorporated
herein by reference to the copy of such document included as an exhibit to
our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 4,
2010.
|
(3)
|
Incorporated
herein by reference to the copy of such document included as an exhibit to
our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 26,
2010.
|
ITEM
17. UNDERTAKINGS.
The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
|
(i)
|
To
include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act
of 1933;
|
(ii) To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date
of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change
in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum
offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the
Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume
and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate
offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the
effective registration statement;
(iii) To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to
such information in the registration statement.
II-3
(2) That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933,
each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
(3) To
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
(4) That,
for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any
purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a
registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration
statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on
Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration
statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided,
however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that
is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or
deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus
that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time
of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement
that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the
registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such
date of first use.
(5) Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may
be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been
advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
II-4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has
duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New
York on the 28th day of January 2011.
THE
EMPIRE SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
HOLDINGS
CO.
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Sheldon Finkel |
Name:
Sheldon Finkel
|
|
Title:
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal
Executive Officer)
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Adam Wasserman |
Name:
Adam Wasserman
|
|
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal
Financial and Accounting
Officer)
|
POWER
OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL
PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby
constitutes and appoints Sheldon Finkel his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person
and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all
further amendments or supplements (including post-effective amendments filed
pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933) to this registration
statement and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents
in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully as to all
intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
Signature
|
Title
|
Date
|
||
/s/
Sheldon Finkel
|
Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
|
January
28, 2011
|
||
Sheldon
Finkel
|
||||
/s/ Adam Wasserman |
Chief
Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer)
|
January
28, 2011
|
||
Adam
Wasserman
|
||||
/s/
Barry Honig
|
Co-Chairman
|
January
28, 2011
|
||
Barry
Honig
|
||||
/s/
Gregory D. Cohen
|
President,
Chief Operating Officer, Secretary and Director
|
January
28, 2011
|
||
Gregory
D. Cohen
|
II-5
Exhibit No.
|
Description
|
|
2.1
|
Share
Exchange Agreement dated as of September 29, 2010, by and among The Empire
Sports & Entertainment Holdings Co., The Empire Sports &
Entertainment, Co.and the shareholders of The Empire Sports &
Entertainment Co. (1)
|
|
3.1
|
Amended
and Restated Articles of Incorporation (2)
|
|
3.2
|
Amended
and Restated Bylaws (2)
|
|
5.1
|
Opinion
of Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP*
|
|
10.1
|
The
Empire Sports & Entertainment Holdings Co. 2010 Equity Incentive Plan
(1)
|
|
10.2
|
Form
of 2010 Incentive Stock Option Agreement (1)
|
|
10.3
|
Form
of 2010 Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (1)
|
|
10.4
|
Employment
Agreement Sheldon Finkel (1)
|
|
10.5
|
Employment
Agreement Gregory D. Cohen (1)
|
|
16.1
|
Letter
from Gumbiner Savett Inc. dated October 21, 2010 (3)
|
|
23.1
|
Consent
of J.H. Cohn LLP**
|
|
23.2
|
Consent
of Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP (included in Exhibit
5.1)*
|
|
24.1
|
Powers
of Attorney (included on signature
page)
|
* To be
filed by amendment.
** Filed
herewith
(1)
|
Incorporated
herein by reference to the copy of such document included as an exhibit to
our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 5,
2010.
|
(2)
|
Incorporated
herein by reference to the copy of such document included as an exhibit to
our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 4,
2010.
|
(3)
|
Incorporated
herein by reference to the copy of such document included as an exhibit to
our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 26,
2010.
|
II-6