Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Alliance MMA, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Go Fight Net, Inc. and SuckerPunch Holdings, Inc. Acquisitions are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of the acquisition. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates relate to revenue recognition, the assessment of recoverability of goodwill and intangible assets, range of possible outcomes of acquisition earn-out accruals, the assessment of useful lives and the recoverability of property and equipment, the valuation and recognition of stock-based compensation expense, loss contingencies, and income taxes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

 

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with various financial institutions.

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash deposits. Accounts at each institution are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250,000. Amounts in excess of the FDIC insured limit was $0.1 million and $4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

 

 

 

We record a liability when we believe that it is both probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If we determine that a loss is reasonably possible and the loss or range of loss can be estimated, we disclose the possible loss in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. We review the developments in our contingencies that could affect the amount of the provisions that has been previously recorded, and the matters and related possible losses disclosed. We make adjustments to our provisions and changes to our disclosures accordingly to reflect the impact of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and updated information. Significant judgment is required to determine both the probability and the estimated amount.

 

Legal costs associated with loss contingencies are accrued based upon legal expenses due at the end of the reporting period.

 

 

The Company continually monitors customer payments and maintains a reserve for estimated losses resulting from its customers’ inability to make required payments. In determining the reserve, the Company evaluates the collectability of its accounts receivable based upon a variety of factors. In cases where the Company becomes aware of circumstances that may impair a specific customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations, the Company records a specific allowance against amounts due. For all other customers, the Company recognizes allowances for doubtful accounts based on its historical write-off experience in conjunction with the length of time the receivables are past due, customer creditworthiness, geographic risk and the current business environment. Actual future losses from uncollectible accounts may differ from the Company’s estimates.

 

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the allowance was zero.

 

 

Property and equipment are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the related assets’ estimated useful lives:

 

 

Expenditures that materially increase asset life are capitalized, while ordinary maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. The Company capitalizes the costs of purchased software licenses and consulting costs to implement the software for internal use. These costs are included in the caption “equipment, furniture and other” in the consolidated balance sheets. Depreciation expense is included in the caption “general and administrative expense” in the consolidated statements of operations.  

 

 

 

 

The Company acts as an agent for ticket sales for promoters and records revenue upon receipt of cash from the credit card companies and accrues for approved credit card transactions which have not been deposited into our bank account. The Company charges a fee per transaction for collecting the cash on ticket sales and remits the remaining net amount to the promoter upon completion of the event or request from the promoter. The Company’s fee is non-refundable and is recognized immediately as it is not tied to the completion of the event. The Company recognizes revenue upon receipt from the credit card companies and for approved transactions pending deposit due to the following: the fee is fixed and determined and the service of collecting the cash for the promoter has been rendered and collection has occurred.

 

The Company records fighter commission revenue upon the completion of the contracted athlete’s related event including sponsor support, at which time the fighter’s services have been deemed rendered, the contractual amount due to the fighter is known and the commission due to the Company related to these activities is fixed and determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.

 

 

The Company includes the results of operations of the businesses that it has acquired in its consolidated results as of the respective dates of acquisition.

 

The Company allocates the fair value of the purchase consideration of its acquisitions to the tangible assets, liabilities and intangible assets acquired, based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. The primary items that generate goodwill include the value of the synergies between the acquired businesses and Alliance as well as the acquired assembled workforce, neither of which qualifies as an identifiable intangible asset. The fair value of contingent consideration associated with acquisitions is remeasured each reporting period and adjusted accordingly. Acquisition and integration related costs are recognized separately from the business combination and are expensed as incurred.

 

We allocate goodwill to the reporting units of the business that are expected to benefit from the business combination.

 

For additional information regarding the Company's acquisitions, refer to "Note 4–Business Combinations."

  

  

Goodwill

 

Goodwill is recorded as the difference, if any, between the aggregate consideration paid for an acquisition and the fair value of the net tangible and identified intangible assets acquired under a business combination. Goodwill also includes acquired assembled workforce, which does not qualify as an identifiable intangible asset. The Company reviews impairment of goodwill annually in the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the goodwill might be impaired. The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, the Company determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the quantitative goodwill impairment test is unnecessary. If, based on the qualitative assessment, it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the Company proceeds to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. The Company first determines the fair value of a reporting unit using weighted results derived from an income approach and a market approach. The income approach is estimated through the discounted cash flow method based on assumptions about future conditions such as future revenue growth rates, new product and technology introductions, gross margins, operating expenses, discount rates, future economic and market conditions, and other assumptions. The market approach estimates the fair value of the Company’s equity by utilizing the market comparable method which is based on revenue multiples from comparable companies in similar lines of business. The Company then compares the derived fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss will be recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge within the promotion segment of $2.4 million.

 

Purchased Identified Intangible Assets

 

Identified finite-lived intangible assets consist of acquired video library intellectual property, venue contracts/relationships, ticketing software, tradename, fighter contracts, promoter relationships and sponsor relationships resulting from business combinations. The Company’s identified intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, ranging from three to ten years. The Company makes judgments about the recoverability of finite-lived intangible assets whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the useful life is shorter than originally estimated or that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. If such facts and circumstances exist, the Company assesses recoverability by comparing the projected undiscounted net cash flows associated with the related asset or group of assets over their remaining lives against their respective carrying amounts. Impairments, if any, are based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of those assets. If the useful life is shorter than originally estimated, the Company would accelerate the rate of amortization and amortize the remaining carrying value over the new shorter useful life. The Company evaluates the carrying value of indefinite-lived intangible assets on an annual basis, and an impairment charge would be recognized to the extent that the carrying amount of such assets exceeds their estimated fair value. For further discussion of goodwill and identified intangible assets, see “Note 5–Goodwill and Purchased Identified Intangible Assets.”

 

 

 

Long-lived assets that are held and used by the Company are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability of long-lived assets is based on an estimate of the undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. Measurement of an impairment loss for long-lived assets that management expects to hold and use is based on the difference between the fair value of the asset and its carrying value. Long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value.

 

  

 

 

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation expense in accordance with the authoritative guidance on share-based payments. Under the provisions of the guidance, stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the option or warrant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model and is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. The fair value of the Company’s stock awards for non-employees is estimated based on the fair market value on each vesting date, accounted for under the variable-accounting method.

 

The authoritative guidance on share-based payments also requires that the Company measure and recognize stock-based compensation expense upon modification of the term of the stock award. The stock-based compensation expense for such modification is the sum of any unamortized expense of the award before modification and the modification expense. The modification expense is the incremental amount of the fair value of the award before the modification and the fair value of the award after the modification, measured on the date of modification. In the case when the modification results in a longer requisite period than in the original award, the Company has elected to apply the pool method where the aggregate of the unamortized expense and the modification expense is amortized over the new requisite period on a straight-line basis. In addition, any forfeiture will be based on the original requisite period prior to the modification.

 

Calculating stock-based compensation expense requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected term of the stock-based awards, stock price volatility, and the pre-vesting option forfeiture rate. The Company estimates the expected life of options granted based on the life of the underlying award. The Company estimates the volatility of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant based on historical volatility. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards represent the Company’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. As a result, if factors change and the Company uses different assumptions, its stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future. In addition, the Company is required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and only recognize expense for those shares expected to vest. The Company estimates the forfeiture rate based on historical experience of its stock-based awards that are granted, exercised and cancelled. If the actual forfeiture rate is materially different from the estimate, stock-based compensation expense could be significantly different from what was recorded in the current period. The expected levels of achievement are reassessed over the requisite service periods and, to the extent that the expected levels of achievement change, stock-based compensation is adjusted in the period of change and recorded on the statements of operations and the remaining unrecognized stock-based compensation is recorded over the remaining requisite service period. See “Note 8–Stockholders’ Equity” for additional detail.

 

 

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s segment revenue, operating expenses and operating (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2017		Promotion			Ticket Service			Athlete Management			Corporate			Total
Revenue		$	3,026,148		$	221,183		$	934,043		$	36,330		$	4,217,704
Operating expenses			8,854,001			333,584			1,041,002			5,262,716			15,491,303
Operating loss		$	(5,827,853)		$	(112,401)		$	(106,959)		$	(5,226,386)		$	(11,273,599)

 

The Company allocated goodwill to the segments as follows: $6,876,230 Promotion, $1,522,605 Athlete Management. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment change within the Promotion segment of $2,435,298. As a result, goodwill allocated to the Promotion, net of impairment, totaled $4,440,932.

Revenue is derived from customers within the United States and it is expected to continue to be a significant portion of revenue in future periods. Operating segments do not record inter-segment revenue.

 

As of December 31, 2017, all assets were held in the United States. The CODM does not evaluate operating segments using discrete asset information and we do not identify or allocate assets by operating segments.

 

 

The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes.” Under this method, income tax expense is recognized for the amount of: (i) taxes payable or refundable for the current year and (ii) deferred tax consequences of temporary differences resulting from matters that have been recognized in an entity’s financial statements or tax returns. 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. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date.

  

A valuation allowance is provided to reduce the deferred tax assets reported if based on the weight of the available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

 

ASC Topic 740.10.30 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC Topic 740.10.40 provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. The Company has no material uncertain tax positions for any of the reporting periods presented.

 

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (ASU 2014-09), which amends the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, which delays the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. The FASB also agreed to allow entities to choose to adopt the standard as of the original effective date. In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net) (ASU 2016-08) which clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. The guidance includes indicators to assist an entity in determining whether it controls a specified good or service before it is transferred to the customers. The new standard further requires new disclosures about contracts with customers, including the significant judgments the company has made when applying the guidance. We will adopt the new standard effective January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective transition method. We finalized our analysis and the adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (ASU 2016-02), which generally requires companies to recognize operating and financing lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets on the balance sheet. This guidance will be effective for us in the first quarter of 2019 on a modified retrospective basis and early adoption is permitted. We will adopt the new standard effective January 1, 2019. While we continue to evaluate the effect of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, we expect our operating leases, as disclosed in “Note 7 — Commitments and Contingencies”, will be subject to the new standard. We will recognize right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets upon adoption, which will increase our total assets and liabilities.

 

In November 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (ASU 2016-18), which requires companies to include amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in cash and cash equivalents when reconciling beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. We will adopt the new standard effective January 1, 2018, using the retrospective transition approach for all periods presented. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business (ASU 2017-01), which revises the definition of a business and provides new guidance in evaluating when a set of transferred assets and activities is a business. We will adopt the new standard effective January 1, 2018, on a prospective basis and do not expect the standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (ASU 2017-04), which eliminates step two from the goodwill impairment test. Under ASU 2017-04, an entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value up to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. This guidance will be effective for us in the first quarter of 2020 on a prospective basis, and early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

 

In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-11, Earnings per Share (Topic 260); Distinguishing form Equity (Topic 480); Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): (Part I) Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features, (Part II) Replacement of the Indefinite Deferral for Mandatory Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest with a Scope Exception. Topic 815, Part I of this update addresses the complexity of accounting for certain financial instruments with down round features. The amendments in Part I of this Update change the classification of certain equity-linked financial instruments (or embedded features) with down round features. When determining whether certain financial instruments should be classified as equity instruments, a down round feature no longer precludes equity classification when assessing whether the instrument is indexed to an entity’s own stock. The amendments also clarify existing disclosure requirements for equity-classified instruments.

 

As a result, a freestanding equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded conversion option) no longer would be accounted for as a derivative liability at fair value as a result of the existence of a down round feature. For freestanding equity-linked classified financial instruments, the amendments require entities that present earnings per share in accordance with Topic 260 to recognize the effect of the down round feature when it is triggered. That effect is treated as a dividend and a reduction of income available to common shareholders in basic earnings per share.

 

The amendments in Part II of this Update recharacterize the indefinite deferral of certain provisions of Topic 480 that are now presented as pending content in the Codification, to a scope exception. These amendments do not have an accounting effect.

 

The Company adopted the provisions of the update in its December 31, 2017 consolidated financial statements and elected the retrospective transition method.

 

In March 2018, the FASB updated the Income Taxes Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification. The amendments were effective upon issuance. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements.