FaZe
Holdings Inc.
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In
thousands)
(unaudited)
| |
Three months ended March 31, | |
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |
| | |
| |
Net loss | |
$ | (14,040 | ) | |
$ | (9,542 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | |
| | | |
| | |
Provision for doubtful accounts | |
| 789 | | |
| 8 | |
Additions to content asset | |
| — | | |
| (313 | ) |
Depreciation & amortization expense | |
| 667 | | |
| 236 | |
Amortization of operating lease right of use assets | |
| 373 | | |
| 329 | |
Stock-based compensation expense | |
| 2,673 | | |
| 1,150 | |
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities | |
| (13 | ) | |
| — | |
Non-cash interest expense | |
| — | | |
| 1,851 | |
Other | |
| — | | |
| (37 | ) |
Change in operating assets and liabilities: | |
| | | |
| | |
Accounts receivable | |
| 3,849 | | |
| (774 | ) |
Inventory | |
| — | | |
| 6 | |
Prepaid expenses and other assets | |
| 1,888 | | |
| 180 | |
Contract assets | |
| (1,017 | ) | |
| 1,563 | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | |
| (5,143 | ) | |
| (698 | ) |
Contract liabilities | |
| (998 | ) | |
| (3,333 | ) |
Other current liabilities | |
| — | | |
| (7 | ) |
Operating lease liabilities | |
| (366 | ) | |
| (329 | ) |
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES | |
| (11,338 | ) | |
| (9,710 | ) |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |
| | | |
| | |
Purchase of property, plant and equipment | |
| (101 | ) | |
| (1,903 | ) |
Purchase of intangible assets | |
| (13 | ) | |
| (164 | ) |
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES | |
| (114 | ) | |
| (2,067 | ) |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | |
| | | |
| | |
Proceeds from issuance of loans payable | |
| — | | |
| 10,000 | |
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | |
| 783 | | |
| 64 | |
Value of shares withheld for taxes | |
| 169 | | |
| — | |
Taxes paid related to net shares settlement of equity awards | |
| 127 | | |
| — | |
Payment of deferred transaction costs | |
| — | | |
| (725 | ) |
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES | |
| 1,079 | | |
| 9,339 | |
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH | |
| (10,373 | ) | |
| (2,438 | ) |
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period | |
| 37,807 | | |
| 17,618 | |
CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH AT END OF PERIOD | |
$ | 27,434 | | |
$ | 15,180 | |
RECONCILIATION TO CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | |
| | | |
| | |
Cash | |
$ | 26,834 | | |
$ | 14,580 | |
Restricted cash | |
| 600 | | |
| 600 | |
Cash and restricted cash | |
$ | 27,434 | | |
$ | 15,180 | |
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE FOR OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |
| | | |
| | |
Cash paid for interest | |
$ | — | | |
$ | — | |
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE FOR NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |
| | | |
| | |
Capitalization of deferred transaction costs included in accounts payable | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 2,406 | |
Purchase of property, plant and equipment in accrued expenses | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 1,019 | |
The accompanying
notes are an integral part of these financial statements
FAZE HOLDINGS
INC.
NOTES
TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF
AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2023 AND 2022
1. | DESCRIPTION
OF THE BUSINESS |
FaZe Holdings Inc. (“FaZe” or the “Company”),
is a lifestyle and media platform rooted in gaming and youth culture. The Company’s premium brand, talent network, and large audience
can be monetized across a variety of products and services.
On July 19, 2022 (the “Closing Date”), pursuant
to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) dated as of October 24, 2021 (as amended in December 2021 and
March 2022), by and among B. Riley 150 Merger Corp. (“B. Riley 150”), a special purpose acquisition company, and BRPM Merger
Sub, Inc., a directly wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley 150 (“Merger Sub”) and FaZe Clan, Inc. (“Legacy FaZe”),
the parties consummated the merger of Merger Sub with and into Legacy FaZe, with Legacy FaZe continuing as the surviving corporation
(the “Merger”), as well as the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the Merger and such other transactions,
the “Business Combination”). In connection with the closing of the Business Combination (the “Closing”), Legacy
FaZe became a wholly owned subsidiary of B. Riley 150, which changed its name to “FaZe Holdings Inc.”
Legacy FaZe determined that it was the accounting acquirer
in the Business Combination based on an analysis of the criteria outlined in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805,
Business Combinations. The Merger was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles (“U.S. GAAP”). Under this method of accounting, B. Riley 150 was treated as the acquired company for financial
reporting purposes. Accordingly, the Business Combination was treated as the equivalent of Legacy FaZe issuing stock for the net assets
of B. Riley 150, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of B. Riley 150 were stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or
other intangible assets recorded. Operations prior to the Business Combination are those of Legacy FaZe.
In accordance with guidance applicable to these circumstances,
the equity structure has been retroactively restated in all comparative periods up to the Closing Date, to reflect the number of shares
of the Company’s common stock issued to Legacy FaZe’s common stockholders in connection with the Business Combination. As
a result, these financial statements represent the continuation of Legacy FaZe and the historical shareholders’ deficit. Common
stock, preferred stock and loss per share of Legacy FaZe prior to the Business Combination have been retrospectively adjusted for the
Business Combination using an exchange ratio of 2.2267 (“Equity Value Exchange Ratio”). The accumulated deficit of Legacy
FaZe has been carried forward after the Business Combination.
Notice of Delisting
On March 23, 2023, the Company received a letter (the “Letter”)
from the Listing Qualifications Department (the “Staff”) of The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) informing the
Company that its common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), failed to comply with the $1 minimum bid
price required for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) based upon the closing bid price
of the Common Stock for the 30 consecutive business days prior to the date of the Letter. The notice has no immediate effect on the listing
of the Common Stock or warrants, and the Common Stock and warrants will continue to trade on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols
“FAZE” and “FAZEW,” respectively.
In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the
Company has been provided an initial period of 180 calendar days, or until September 19, 2023 (the “Compliance Date”), by
which the Company must regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement. To regain compliance, the closing bid price of the Common
Stock must meet or exceed $1.00 per share for a minimum of ten consecutive business days at any time prior to the Compliance Date, unless
the Staff exercises its discretion to extend this ten-day period pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(H).
If the Company does not regain compliance with the minimum
bid price requirement by the Compliance Date, the Company may be eligible for an additional 180-calendar day compliance period. If the
Company does not qualify for, or fails to regain compliance during, the second compliance period, then the Staff will provide written
notification to the Company that the Common Stock will be subject to delisting. At that time, the Company may appeal the Staff’s
delisting determination to the Nasdaq Hearings Panel.
As shown in the accompanying consolidated financial statements,
the Company has incurred significant recurring losses resulting in an accumulated deficit. The Company anticipates further losses in
the development of its business. The Company also had negative cash flows used in operations. These factors raise substantial doubt about
the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Based on its cash resources and positive working capital as of March
31, 2023, the Company believes it has sufficient resources to fund its operations at least until twelve months from the date of issuance
of these financial statements. The positive working capital as of March 31, 2023 was mainly due to funds from the PIPE offering and from
the Business Combination.
On May 10, 2023, Company, and YA
II PN, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempt limited partnership managed by Yorkville Advisors Global, LP (the “Investor”), entered
into a Standby Equity Purchase Agreement (the “SEPA”).
The Company will have the right
to issue and sell to the Investor, from time to time, as provided in the SEPA, and the Investor shall purchase from the Company, up to
$25 million in aggregate gross purchase price (the “Commitment Amount”) of the newly issued shares of the Company’s
common stock, par value $0.0001 (the “Common Stock”) (each such sale, an “Advance”) by delivering written notice
to the Investor (each, an “Advance Notice” and the date on which the Company is deemed to have delivered an Advance Notice,
the “Advance Notice Date”). The Common Stock purchased pursuant to an Advance will be purchased at a price equal to 97% of
the lowest daily VWAP of the Common Stock during the three consecutive trading days commencing on the Advance Notice Date. “VWAP”
means, for any trading day, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such trading day on the Nasdaq Stock Market
during regular trading hours as reported by Bloomberg L.P.
The issuance of the Common Stock under the SEPA will be subject to certain limitations, including that (i) the Investor may not purchase
any Common Stock that would result in it owning more than 4.99% of the Company’s Common Stock or (ii) the aggregate number of Common
Stock issued pursuant to the SEPA cannot exceed 19.9% of the Company’s Common Stock as of as of the date of the SEPA (referred to
as the “Exchange Cap”). The Exchange Cap shall not be applicable if: (i) the Company’s stockholders have approved the
issuance of Common Stock in excess of the Exchange Cap in accordance with the applicable rules of the Principal Market or (ii) to the
extent that (and only for so long as) the average price for the issuance of Common Stock equals or exceed the lower of (i) the Nasdaq
Official Closing Price (as reflected on Nasdaq.com) immediately preceding the date of the SEPA; or (ii) the average Nasdaq Official Closing
Price for the five Trading Days immediately preceding the date of the SEPA.
Pursuant to the terms of the SEPA, the Company shall prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement (the “Registration Statement”)
or multiple Registration Statements registering for resale of the Common Stock issuable to the Investor under the SEPA. The Company in
its sole discretion may choose when to file such Registration Statements; provided, however, that the Company shall not have the ability
to request any Advances until the effectiveness of a Registration Statement.
As consideration for the Investor’s commitment to purchase Common Stock at the Company’s direction upon the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth in the SEPA, the Company will issue 487,995 shares of Common Stock to the Investor.
The SEPA shall terminate automatically
on the earliest of (i) the first day of the month next following the 36-month anniversary of the date of the SEPA and (ii) the date on
which the Investor shall have made payment of Common Stock pursuant to the SEPA for Common Stock equal to the Commitment Amount. The SEPA
may be terminated at any time by the mutual written consent of the parties to the SEPA, effective as of the date of such mutual written
consent unless otherwise provided in such written consent, or by the Company upon five trading days’ prior written notice to the
Investor subject to the terms of the SEPA. Because of these factors, the Company believes that this alleviates the substantial doubt in
connection with the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
3. | SUMMARY
OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
of the Company have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”)
and are consistent in all material respects with those applied in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 4, 2023. These Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements are unaudited and have been prepared by the Company following the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information and
footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted as
permitted by such rules and regulations; however, the Company believes the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented
not misleading.
The interim financial information is unaudited, but reflects all normal
recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the information set forth herein. The interim
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and related
notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Interim results are not necessarily
indicative of the results for a full year. The preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S.
GAAP requires management to make estimates and judgements that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and
accompanying notes. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts,
and intangible asset impairments, share-based compensation expense, valuation allowance for deferred income taxes and amortization of
intangible assets. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that the Company believes
to be reasonable under the circumstances. On a regular basis, the Company evaluates the assumptions, judgements and estimates. Actual
results may differ from these estimates.
There have been no material changes in the Company’s
significant accounting policies as compared to the significant accounting policies described in the Company’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Principles of consolidation
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the
accounts of FaZe Holdings Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the Company’s Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts
of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and
the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates are based on information available as of the
date of the consolidated financial statements. The inputs into certain of these estimates and assumptions include the consideration of
the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Significant estimates include revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts, warrant
liabilities, valuation of the Company’s common stock before the Business Combination, stock-based compensation expense, and income
taxes. These estimates generally involve complex issues and require management to make judgments, involve analysis of historical and
future trends, can require extended periods of time to resolve, and are subject to change from period to period. In all cases, actual
results could differ materially from management’s estimates.
COVID-19
The continuing presence of COVID-19 around the world has affected the
United States and global economies and has affected the Company’s operations and those of third parties upon which the Company relies,
including disruption in staffing, order fulfillment, and demand for product. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has and may continue to
affect the Company’s revenues. Additionally, while the duration and potential economic impact brought by the COVID-19 pandemic are
difficult to assess or predict, the COVID-19 pandemic may reduce the Company’s ability to access capital, which could negatively
impact the Company’s short-term and long-term liquidity. The continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is highly uncertain and
subject to change. The Company continues to monitor COVID-19 and the extent to which the continued spread of the virus adversely affects
the Company’s customer base and revenue. The Company’s plans as described above may change as needed. As restrictions and
lockdowns related to COVID-19 have ended the Company does not anticipate further disruptions to its business, but new strains and outbreaks
could have a material adverse impact on the business, results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.
Content Asset, net
The Company produces programming content which it plans
to broadcast on online video and streaming platforms. Costs of produced content consist of development and production costs. These costs
are capitalized as “Content Asset, net” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Each title is predominantly monetized on its own. At the
specific title level, the Company tests the content asset for impairment when events and circumstances indicate that its fair value may
be less than its unamortized cost. If the carrying value of a content asset exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment charge will
be recorded in the amount of the difference.
The Company’s policy is to amortize the content asset
once the content airs. Given that the content was fully written off prior to airing, no amortization expense was recorded for the three
months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. The Company does not own any purchased or licensed programming content.
Exploitation costs such as marketing, advertising, publicity,
promotion, and other distribution expenses directly connected with the distribution of the content asset are expensed as incurred.
Fixed Assets
Fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.
Cost includes expenditures for furniture, computer equipment, vehicles, leasehold improvements, and other assets. Maintenance and repairs
are charged to expense as incurred. When assets are sold, retired, or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are
removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in operations. The costs of fixed assets are depreciated using
the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives or lease life of the related assets.
Revenue Recognition and Contract Balances
Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods
or services is transferred to the Company’s customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled
to in exchange for those goods or services. The Company’s payment terms and conditions vary by customer and contract type. In instances
where the timing of revenue recognition differs from the timing of invoicing, the Company does not adjust the promised amount of consideration
for the effects of a significant financing component when the Company expects, at contract inception, that the period between the Company’s
transfer of a promised product or service to the Company’s customer and payment for that product or service will be one year or
less.
The Company generally records a receivable related to revenue
when the Company has an unconditional right to invoice and receive payment. Contract assets arise from contracts when revenue is recognized
over time and the amount of revenue recognized, including management’s estimate of variable consideration that has been included
in the transaction price exceeds the amount billed to the customer. These amounts are included in contract assets until the right to
payment is no longer conditional on events other than the passage of time. These contract assets are reclassified to receivables when
the right to consideration becomes unconditional. For the three months ending March 31, 2023, and 2022, no impairment was recorded from
contract assets.
The Company’s allowances for doubtful accounts are
typically immaterial and, if required, are based on management’s best estimate of expected credit losses inherent in the Company’s
accounts receivable balance.
Contract
liabilities are recorded in the event that the Company bills for services in advance of the time the services are performed, or when
cash payments are received or due in advance of satisfying the Company’s performance obligations, even if amounts are refundable.
Contract liabilities recorded at March 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, represent the Company’s accounting for the timing difference
between when the customer is billed or funds are received and when the performance obligation is satisfied. During the three months ended
March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized $2.6 million and $3.0 million as revenue that was relating to the contract liability
balance as of January 1, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The following table disaggregates the Company’s revenue
by major type for the three months ended March 31, 2023, and 2022:
| |
(In thousands) | |
| |
Three months ended March 31, | |
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
Brand sponsorships | |
$ | 6,263 | | |
$ | 8,060 | |
Content | |
| 3,028 | | |
| 4,681 | |
Consumer products | |
| 388 | | |
| 403 | |
Esports | |
| 2,847 | | |
| 2,426 | |
Other | |
| 24 | | |
| 234 | |
Total revenue | |
$ | 12,550 | | |
$ | 15,804 | |
The section below describes the Company’s revenue
recognition policies and significant judgments in further detail for each major revenue source of the Company.
Brand Sponsorships
The Company offers advertisers a full range of promotional
vehicles, including but not limited to online advertising, livestream announcements, content generation, social media posts, logo placement
on the Company’s official merchandise, and special appearances of members of the Company’s talent roster. The Company’s
brand sponsorship agreements may include multiple services that are capable of being individually distinct; however the intended benefit
is an association with the Company’s brand, and the services are not distinct within the context of the contracts. Revenues from
brand sponsorship agreements are recognized ratably over the contract term. Payment terms and conditions vary, but payments are generally
due periodically throughout the term of the contract. In instances where the timing of revenue recognition differs from the timing of
billing, management has determined the brand sponsorship agreements generally do not include a significant financing component.
Content
The Company and our talent roster generates and produces
original content which the Company monetizes through Google’s AdSense service. Revenue is variable and is earned when the visitor
views or “clicks through” on the advertisement. The amount of revenue earned is reported to the Company monthly and is recognized
upon receipt of the report of viewership activity. Payment terms and conditions vary, but payments are generally due within 30 to 45
days after the end of each month.
The Company grants exclusive licenses to customers for certain
content produced by the Company’s talent. The Company grants the customer a license to the intellectual property, which is the
content and its use in generating advertising revenues, for a pre-determined period, for an amount paid by the customer, in most instances,
upon execution of the contract. The Company’s only performance obligation is to license the content for use in generating advertising
revenues, and the Company recognizes the full contract amount at the point at which the Company provides the customer access to the content,
which is at the execution of the contract. The Company has no further performance obligations under these types of contracts and does
not anticipate generating any additional revenue from these arrangements apart from the contract amount.
Principal Versus Agent Considerations
A significant amount of the Company’s brand sponsorship
and content revenues are generated from the Company’s talent, who are under exclusive, multi-year contracts. The Company’s
talent consists of independent contractors, whose compensation is tied to the revenue that they generate. Management has evaluated the
terms of the Company’s brand sponsorship and content agreements and has concluded the Company is the principal. Brand sponsorship
and content revenues are reported on a gross basis, while revenue-sharing and other fees paid to the Company’s talent are recorded
as cost of revenues. The Company owns the brand and intellectual property, takes primary responsibility for delivery of services, and
exercises control over content generation and monetization. The Company contracts directly with Google on its Company operated channels,
and the talent contracts directly with Google on their own channels. As part of the Company’s contracts with its talent, the Company
agrees to serve as the talent’s exclusive management company as it relates to any and all type of work the talent may perform,
including content creation and advertising revenue generated from the content. While the talent owns the content they create while they
are under contract with the Company, the talent grants the Company an exclusive perpetual license to the content, and the Company grants
limited usage rights of that content back to the talent, conditional upon them complying with their contract. Furthermore, all income
earned from services provided by the talent related to gaming, Esports, content creation, or the business of the Company, which includes
revenue from advertising via talent content, is subject to the talent agreement and is payable to the Company. In addition, the Company’s
contracts with its talent specify rules and restrictions on the content the talent can create and post. As such, through its contracts
with talent, the Company is the principal because the Company is the entity exercising primary control over the content generated in
the YouTube channels being monetized.
Consumer Products
The Company earns consumer products revenue from sales of
the Company’s consumer products on the Company’s website or at live or virtual events. Revenues are recognized at a point
in time, as control is transferred to the customer upon shipment. The Company offers customer returns and discounts through a third-party
distributor and accounts for this as a reduction to revenue. The Company does not offer loyalty programs or other sales incentive programs
that are material to revenue recognition. Payment is due at the time of sale. The Company has outsourced the design, manufacturing, fulfillment,
distribution, and sale of the Company’s consumer products to a third party in exchange for royalties based on the amount of revenue
generated. Management evaluated the terms of the agreement to determine whether the Company’s consumer products revenues should
be reported gross or net of royalties paid. Key indicators that management evaluated in determining whether the Company is the principal
in the sale (gross reporting) or an agent (net reporting) include, but are not limited to:
| ● | the
Company is the party that is primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide
the specified good or service, |
| ● | the
Company has inventory risk before the good is transferred to the customer, and |
| ● | the
Company is the party that has discretion in establishing pricing for the specified good or
service. |
Based on management’s evaluation of the above indicators,
the Company reports consumer products revenues on a gross basis.
Esports
League Participation:
Generally, The Company has one performance obligation to participate in the overall Esport event because the underlying activities
do not have standalone value absent the Company’s participation in the tournament or event. Revenue from prize winnings and profit-share
agreements is variable and is highly uncertain. The Company recognizes revenue at the point in time when the uncertainty is resolved.
Player Transfer Fees: Player transfer agreements
include a fixed fee and may include a variable fee component. The Company recognizes the fixed portion of revenue from transfer fees
upon satisfaction of the Company’s performance obligation, which coincides with the execution of the related agreement. The variable
portion of revenue is considered highly uncertain and is recognized at the point in time when the uncertainty is resolved.
Licensing of Intellectual Property: The Company’s
licenses of intellectual property generate royalties that are recognized in accordance with the royalty recognition constraint. That
is, royalty revenue is recognized at the time when the sale occurs.
Transaction Price Allocated to the Remaining Performance
Obligations
For the estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the
future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) as of March 31, 2023, the Company applies the
allowable practical expedient and does not disclose information about remaining performance obligations that have original expected durations
of one year or less. Revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that have original expected durations
greater than one year that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) as of March 31, 2023 were not material.
Warrants
The Company accounts for warrants as either equity-classified
or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance
in ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Warrants that meet the definition of a derivative
financial instrument and the equity scope exception in ASC 815-10-15-74(a) are classified as equity, and are not subject to remeasurement
provided that the Company continues to meet the criteria for equity classification. Warrants that are accounted for as equity-classified
are further discussed in Note 7, Equity. Warrants that are classified as liabilities are accounted for at fair value and remeasured at
each reporting date until exercise, expiration, or modification that results in equity classification. Any change in the fair value of
the warrants is recognized as change in fair value of warrant liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The classification
of warrants, including whether warrants should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is re-assessed at the end of each reporting period.
The fair value of liability-classified warrants is determined using the Black-Scholes options pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”)
which includes Level 3 inputs as further discussed in Note 6, Private Placement Warrants and Recurring Fair Value Measurements.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for its stock-based awards in accordance
with ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, which requires fair value measurement on the grant date and recognition of compensation
expense for all stock-based payment awards.
Legacy FaZe has issued stock options before there was an
active market for the Company’s common stock. The Board of Directors (the “Board”) was required to estimate the fair
value of the Company’s common stock at the time of each award. The Board considered numerous objective and subjective factors in
determining the value of the Company’s common stock at each grant date, including the following: (1) the per-share price of issuances
of the Company’s preferred stock, which the Company sold to outside investors in arm’s-length transactions, and the rights,
preferences, and privileges of the Company’s preferred stock and common stock; (2) valuations performed by an independent valuation
specialist; (3) the Company’s stage of development and revenue growth; (4) the fact that the awards involved illiquid securities
in a private company; and (5) the likelihood of achieving a liquidity event for the shares of common stock underlying the awards, such
as an initial public offering or sale of the Company, given prevailing market conditions. The Company believed this to have been a reasonable
methodology based on certain arm’s-length transactions involving the Company’s preferred stock, supported by the results
produced by this valuation methodology. Since the Business Combination, the Company’s common stock is now actively traded, so the
fair value of the common stock is readily available.
For stock options, the Company estimates the fair value
using the Black-Scholes model. The fair value is expensed over the requisite service periods of the awards (usually one to four years),
in the period of grant for awards that vest immediately and have no future service condition, or in the period the awards vest immediately
after meeting a performance condition becomes probable (i.e., the occurrence of a change in control event). As there was no public market
for its common stock at the time of the stock option grant, the Company determined the volatility for options granted based on an analysis
of reported data for a peer group of companies. The expected volatility of options granted has been estimated based on an average of
the historical volatility measures of this peer group of companies. The expected life of options has been estimated utilizing the “simplified
method” due to the lack of available or sufficient historical exercise data for the Company for the applicable options terms. The
simplified method is based on the average of the vesting tranches and the contractual life of each grant. The risk-free interest rate
is based on a treasury instrument whose term is consistent with the expected life of the stock options. The Company has not paid, and
does not anticipate paying, cash dividends on its common stock; therefore, the expected dividend yield is assumed to be zero. As the
Company’s stock is now publicly traded after the Business Combination, the fair value of the Company’s stock and the volatility
is readily available.
The Black-Scholes model requires the input of certain assumptions
that require the Company’s judgment, including the fair value of common shares before the Business Combination, expected term,
and the expected price volatility of the underlying stock. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based compensation
represent the Company’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of judgment. As
a result, if factors change resulting in the use of different assumptions, stock-based compensation expense could be materially different
in the future. The Company accounts for forfeitures of stock-based awards as they occur.
Fair Value Measurement
The fair value hierarchy requires the Company to maximize
the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s classification
within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value
hierarchy consists of the following three levels:
Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets
or liabilities
Level 2: Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities
in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices which are observable for the assets or liabilities
Level 3: Unobservable inputs which are supported by little
or no market activity
The carrying amount of the Company’s financial instruments,
including cash, accounts receivable, notes receivable, and accounts payable, approximate fair value due to their short-term nature.
The Company’s private placement warrants (the “Private
Placement Warrants”) are accounted for as liabilities in accordance with ASC 815-40 and are presented within warrant liabilities
on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The warrant liabilities are measured at fair value at inception and on a recurring basis, with changes
in fair value presented within change in fair value of warrant liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
See Note 6, Private Placement Warrants and Recurring Fair
Value Measurements, for additional information on the Company’s liabilities measured at fair value.
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing
net earnings (loss) attributable to the Company by the number of weighted average shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding
during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) attributable to the Company by the number
of weighted-average shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding during the period after adjusting for the impact of securities
that would have a dilutive effect on earnings (loss) per share. As the Company has incurred losses in all periods presented, all potentially
dilutive securities are antidilutive. See Note 11, Loss Per Share, for additional information on dilutive securities.
Segment Reporting
Operating segments are defined as components of an entity
for which separate financial information is available and is regularly reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”)
in deciding how to allocate resources to an individual segment and in assessing performance. The Company has determined that its Chief
Executive Officer is the CODM. The Company operates and reports financial information in one segment, as the CODM reviews financial information
presented on a consolidated basis, at the Company level, for the purposes of making operating decisions, allocation of resources, and
evaluating financial performance.
As
of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company did not have material assets located outside of the United States. For the three
months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had international Esports revenue of $2.3 million and no material revenue, respectively,
earned outside of the United States.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In
September 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on
Financial Instruments. This guidance requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting
data based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This guidance also requires enhanced
disclosures regarding significant estimates and judgements used in estimating credit losses. The new guidance is effective for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this standard did not have
a material impact on the Company’s financial statements
and related disclosures.
Out-of-Period Adjustment
During the three months ended March
31, 2023, the Company recorded an out-of-period expense of $1.3 million related to stock based compensation. The adjustment resulted in
an increased of stock based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The Company evaluated the quantitative and
qualitative aspects of this out of period adjustment and determined that the adjustment did not have a material impact to any previously
reported quarterly or annual financial statements.
4. | PROPERTY,
EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS |
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements as of March
31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 consisted of the following:
| |
(In thousands) | |
| |
March 31, | | |
December 31, | |
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
Furniture / Fixtures | |
$ | 897 | | |
$ | 897 | |
Computer equipment | |
| 3,681 | | |
| 3,640 | |
Vehicles | |
| 106 | | |
| 106 | |
Leasehold improvements | |
| 862 | | |
| 801 | |
Subtotal | |
| 5,546 | | |
| 5,444 | |
Less: Accumulated depreciation | |
| (2,087 | ) | |
| (1,623 | ) |
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net | |
$ | 3,459 | | |
$ | 3,821 | |
Depreciation expense totaled $0.5 million and $0.1 million
for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company disposed
of certain leasehold improvements that were fully depreciated at the time of disposal, and there was no gain or loss on disposal.
Intangible assets as of March 31, 2023 and December 31,
2022 consisted of the following:
| |
| |
(In thousands) | |
| |
| |
Gross | | |
| | |
Net | |
| |
| |
Carrying | | |
Accumulated | | |
Carrying | |
As of March 31, 2023 | |
Useful Life | |
Value | | |
Amortization | | |
Value | |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| |
Website development | |
3 years | |
$ | 416 | | |
$ | 208 | | |
$ | 208 | |
Talent acquisition | |
2 – 3 years | |
| 1,054 | | |
| 603 | | |
| 451 | |
Intangible assets, net | |
| |
$ | 1,470 | | |
$ | 811 | | |
$ | 659 | |
| |
| |
(In thousands) | |
| |
| |
Gross | | |
| | |
Net | |
| |
| |
Carrying | | |
Accumulated | | |
Carrying | |
As of December 31, 2022 | |
Useful Life | |
Value | | |
Amortization | | |
Value | |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| |
Website development | |
3 years | |
$ | 377 | | |
$ | 175 | | |
$ | 202 | |
Talent acquisition | |
2 – 3 years | |
| 1,201 | | |
| 555 | | |
| 646 | |
Intangible assets, net | |
| |
$ | 1,578 | | |
$ | 730 | | |
$ | 848 | |
Amortization expense totaled $0.2 million and $0.1 million
for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The following table presents the estimated future amortization
of intangible assets:
Years ending December 31, | |
(In thousands) | |
2023 (remainder) | |
$ | 308 | |
2024 | |
| 299 | |
2025 | |
| 51 | |
2026 | |
| 1 | |
Total future amortization of amortizable intangible assets | |
$ | 659 | |
The Company did not have any fully amortized intangible
assets as of March 31, 2023 and as of March 31, 2022.
6. | PRIVATE
PLACEMENT WARRANTS AND RECURRING FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS |
Warrant Liability
Prior to the Business Combination, B. Riley 150 issued 173,333
Private Placement Warrants with an exercise price of $11.50 per share. The Private Placement Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants,
as described in Note 7, Equity, except that the Private Placement Warrants (including the common stock underlying the Private Placement
Warrants) were not transferable, assignable or salable until August 18, 2022, and they are not redeemable by the Company for cash so
long as they are held by the sponsor or its permitted transferees. The sponsor, or its permitted transferees, has the option to exercise
the Private Placement Warrants on a cashless basis. If the Private Placement Warrants are held by holders other than the sponsor or its
permitted transferees, the Private Placement Warrants can be redeemable by the Company in all redemption scenarios and exercisable by
the holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants. Upon the Closing of the Business Combination, the Company has determined that the
Private Placement Warrants are classified as liabilities and marked to market at each reporting period.
A Black-Scholes model is used to value the Private Placement
Warrants at each reporting period. The change in fair value of warrants is recognized as part of change in fair value of warrant liabilities
in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Inherent in a binomial options pricing model are assumptions related to expected share-price
volatility, expected life, risk-free interest rate, discount rate and dividend yield. The Company estimates the volatility of its common
stock based on a binomial lattice model using the stock price and the price of the Public Warrants as of the valuation date, risk-free
interest rate, and the expected life of the warrants. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury zero-coupon yield curve
on the grant date for a maturity similar to the expected remaining life of the warrants. The expected life of the Private Placement Warrants
is assumed to be equivalent to their remaining contractual term. The dividend rate is based on the historical rate, which the Company
anticipates to remain at zero.
The key inputs into the Black-Scholes model in determining
the fair value of the Private Placement Warrants were as follows at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| |
March 31, | | |
December 31, | |
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
Risk-free interest rate | |
| 3.7 | % | |
| 4.0 | % |
Expected term (years) | |
| 4.3 | | |
| 4.5 | |
Expected volatility | |
| 91.5 | % | |
| 53.3 | % |
Exercise price | |
$ | 11.50 | | |
$ | 11.50 | |
Dividend yield | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | |
The following table presents a summary of the changes in
the fair value of the Private Placement Warrants liability since the Closing Date:
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
Warrant liabilities at July 19,
2022 |
|
$ |
114 |
|
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities |
|
|
(90 |
) |
Warrant liabilities at December 31, 2022 |
|
|
24 |
|
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities |
|
|
(13 |
) |
Warrant liabilities at March 31, 2023 |
|
$ |
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table presents information about the Company’s
assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, and indicates
the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques the Company utilized to determine such fair value.
|
|
(In
thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quoted Prices in |
|
|
Significant Other |
|
|
Significant Other |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
Active Markets |
|
|
Observable Inputs |
|
|
Observable Inputs |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
(Level
1) |
|
|
(Level
2) |
|
|
(Level
3) |
|
Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Private Placement Warrants |
|
$ |
11 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
11 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
11 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
11 |
|
|
|
(In
thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quoted Prices in |
|
|
Significant Other |
|
|
Significant Other |
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
Active Markets |
|
|
Observable Inputs |
|
|
Observable Inputs |
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
(Level
1) |
|
|
(Level
2) |
|
|
(Level
3) |
|
Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Private Placement Warrants |
|
$ |
24 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
24 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
24 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
24 |
|
Prior to the Business Combination, Legacy FaZe had two classes
of capital stock outstanding: common stock and preferred stock. Following the Business Combination, the Company has one class of capital
stock outstanding: common stock. The following summarizes the terms of the Company’s capital stock.
Preferred Stock
The Company had 3,545,529 shares of Legacy FaZe preferred
stock authorized for issuance with a par value of $0.00001 per share as of December 31, 2021 and prior to the Closing of the Business
Combination.
The Company had 3,237,800 shares of Legacy FaZe’s
preferred stock issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021. As a result of the Business Combination, 3,237,800 shares of Legacy FaZe’s
preferred stock outstanding as of the Closing Date were converted into shares of Legacy FaZe’s common stock on a one-to-one basis.
Pursuant to the Company’s second amended and restated certificate of incorporation, the Company is authorized to issue up to 1,000,000
shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had no shares of preferred stock issued and
outstanding.
Common Stock
The Company had 31,900,878 shares of Legacy FaZe common
stock authorized for issuance with a par value of $0.00001 per share as of December 31, 2021 and prior to the Closing of the Business
Combination.
Pursuant to the Company’s second amended and restated
certificate of incorporation, the Company is authorized to issue up to 500,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.0001
per share.
The Company had 74,046,058 of common stock and 71,551,887
shares of Legacy FaZe’s common stock issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 respectively.
Earn-out Shares
As a result of the Business Combination, a number of shares
of the Company’s common stock (the “Seller Earn Out”) equal to 6% of the sum of i) the total number of shares of the
Company’s common stock issued and outstanding as of immediately after the Closing and ii) the total number of shares of the Company’s
common stock equal to the product of the total number of net vested company option shares calculated as of immediately prior to the Closing
and the Equity Value Exchange Ratio were issued and are subject to vesting and forfeiture conditions upon reaching certain volume-weighted
average price (“VWAP”) per share during the period commencing 90 days after the Closing Date and ending five years after
the Closing Date (“Earn-out Period”). Among other things further disclosed in the Merger Agreement, if the following events
(“Trigger Event”) occurs on or before the five-year anniversary of the Business Combination:
| ● | the
VWAP per share of the Company’s common stock at any point during the trading hours
of a trading day is equal to or greater than $12.00 for any 20 trading days within any period
of 30 consecutive trading days, one-third (“First Target Earn-Out Shares”) shall
immediately vest and no longer be subject to the forfeiture conditions; |
| ● | the
VWAP per share of the Company’s common stock at any point during the trading hours
of a trading day is equal to or greater than $14.00 for any 20 trading days within any period
of 30 consecutive trading days, one-third (“Second Target Earn-Out Shares” and,
together with the First Target Earn-Out Shares and the Second Target Earn-Out Shares, the
“Earn-Out Shares”) shall immediately vest and no longer be subject to the forfeiture
conditions; |
| ● | the
VWAP per share of the Company’s common stock at any point during the trading hours
of a trading day is equal to or greater than $16.00 for any 20 trading days within any period
of 30 consecutive trading days, one-third (“Third Target Earn-Out Shares”) shall
immediately vest and no longer be subject to the forfeiture conditions; |
| ● | in
the event of a sale during the Earn-out Period, to the extent that the holders of the Company’s
common stock receive sale price that is greater than or equal to the applicable closing price,
any Earn-Out Shares that have not previously vested shall be deemed to have vested immediately
prior to the closing of such sale, and the holders of any Earn-Out Shares deemed vested shall
be eligible to participate in such sale with respect to the Sponsor Earn-Out Shares (as defined
below) on the same terms, and subject to the same conditions, as apply to the holders of
the Company’s common stock. Upon the consummation of the sale, the Earn-out Period
shall terminate. |
As a result of the Business Combination, among other things
further disclosed in the Sponsor Support Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2021, by and among B. Riley Principal 150 Merger Corp., B.
Riley Principal 150 Sponsor Co. LLC, and FaZe Clan Inc., the sponsors agreed that (x) an aggregate of 2,156,250 sponsor shares shall
be fully vested and (y) an aggregate of 2,156,250 sponsor shares (the “Sponsor Earn-Out Shares”) shall be subject to vesting
or forfeiture, during the Earn-out Period, at the time the Trigger Event mentioned above occurs.
The Earn-out Shares meet the accounting definition of a
derivative financial instrument, are considered to be indexed to the Company’s common stock and meet other the conditions in ASC
815-40, Derivatives and Hedging: Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity, to be classified as equity.
As of March 31, 2023, the Earn-Out Period had begun but
vesting conditions had not yet been met.
Public Warrants to Acquire Common Stock
Prior to the Business Combination, there were 5,750,000
Public Warrants issued and outstanding in connection with the initial public offering of B. Riley 150 with an exercise price of $11.50
per share. The Public Warrants became exercisable 30 days after the Business Combination. Each whole share of the warrant is exercisable
for one share of the Company’s common stock.
The Company may redeem the outstanding Public Warrants for
$0.01 per warrant upon at least 30 days’ prior written notice of redemption given after the warrants become exercisable, if the
reported last sale price of the common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for stock dividends, sub-divisions, reorganizations,
recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within a 30-trading day period commencing after the warrants become exercisable
and ending on the third trading day before the Company sends the notice of redemption to the warrant holders. Upon issuance of a redemption
notice by the Company, the warrant holders may, at any time after the redemption notice, exercise the Public Warrants on a cashless basis.
The Public Warrants meet the definition of a derivative
financial instrument and the equity scope exception in ASC 815-10-15-74(a) to be classified as equity, and are not subject to remeasurement
provided that the Company continues to meet the criteria for equity classification.
As of March 31, 2023, all 5,750,000 Public Warrants remain
outstanding.
8. | STOCK
COMPENSATION EXPENSE |
2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan
On October 24, 2021, the stockholders of the Company approved
the 2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “OIP”), which became effective as of the Closing Date of the Business Combination. The
OIP allows grants of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stocks, restricted stock
units, stock bonuses, other stock-based awards, cash awards, and substitute awards (“the “OIP Awards”) to selected
officers, employees, partners, non-employee directors, independent contractors, and consultants. The Company has 12,358,689 shares of
the Company’s common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to awards that may be granted under the OIP. As of March 31, 2023, 536,250
shares of the Company’s common stock are subject to restricted stock awards.
2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
On October 24, 2021, the stockholders of the Company approved
the 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), which became effective as of the Closing Date of the Business Combination.
An aggregate of 1,791,416 shares of the Company’s common stock has been reserved for issuance or transfer pursuant to rights granted
under the ESPP (“Aggregate Number”). The Aggregate Number represents 2% of the aggregate number of shares of the Company’s
fully diluted shares outstanding immediately after the Closing and is subject to increase each year over a ten-year period. The maximum
aggregate number of shares of common stock available for issuance under ESPP shall not exceed 75,000,000 shares. The ESPP will be implemented
through a series of offerings of purchase rights to eligible employees. Each eligible employee may authorize payroll deductions at a
minimum of 1% up to a maximum of 15% on a pro rata basis for each pay period during an offering. Under the ESPP, the Company’s
Board may designate the period of each offering, but no offering shall exceed 27 months in duration. Unless otherwise determined, the
offering shall be for a purchase period of 6 months, beginning on the offering date and ending on the exercise date. The purchase price
for each share shall be 85% of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the offering date or the exercise date, whichever
is less. As of March 31, 2023, no awards have been granted under this plan.
Amended and Restated 2019 Equity Incentive Plan
The Company maintains an equity incentive plan established
in October 2019, the Amended 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Legacy FaZe Plan”). The Legacy FaZe Plan allows grants of incentive
stock options, non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units, generally to directors,
employees, consultants and service providers. In July 2021, the Company’s Board amended the Legacy FaZe Plan and increased the
maximum aggregate number of shares authorized to be issued to 10,500,000 shares of Legacy FaZe common stock, which is equivalent to 23,380,173
shares of the Company’s common stock calculated using the Equity Value Exchange Ratio. As of March 31, 2023, 16,378,227 shares
of the Company’s common stock are issuable upon the vesting and exercise of stock options originally granted under the Legacy FaZe
Plan, and 1,064,968 shares of the Company’s common stock are subject to restricted stock awards originally granted under the Legacy
FaZe Plan.
The following table contains information about the Company’s
equity compensation plans as of March 31, 2023:
| |
Awards | | |
| | |
Awards | |
| |
Reserved for | | |
Awards | | |
Available for | |
| |
Issuance | | |
Outstanding | | |
Grant | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| |
2022 Omnibus Incentive Plan | |
| 12,358,689 | | |
| 1,271,917 | | |
| 11,086,772 | |
2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan | |
| 75,000,000 | | |
| — | | |
| 75,000,000 | |
Amended 2019 Equity Incentive Plan | |
| 23,380,173 | | |
| 22,440,250 | | |
| 939,923 | |
Stock Compensation Expense
Stock-based compensation expense for the periods presented
was comprised of the following, which were included in general and administrative expenses within the Consolidated Statements of Operations:
|
|
(In
thousands) |
|
|
|
For the three
months ended March 31, |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
Stock options |
|
$ |
6 |
|
|
$ |
56 |
|
Restricted stock awards |
|
|
2,666 |
|
|
|
1,094 |
|
Total stock-based compensation expense |
|
$ |
2,672 |
|
|
$ |
1,150 |
|
Options
The following is an analysis of the stock option grant activity
during the three months ended March 31, 2023:
Vested and Nonvested Stock Options | |
Number | | |
Weighted Average Exercise Price | | |
Weighted Average Remaining Life | |
Outstanding December 31, 2022 | |
| 18,863,654 | | |
$ | 0.38 | | |
| 4.13 | |
Granted | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Exercised | |
| (2,050,920 | ) | |
| 0.38 | | |
| - | |
Expired or forfeited | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Outstanding March 31, 2023 | |
| 16,812,734 | | |
$ | 0.38 | | |
| 3.88 | |
Nonvested Stock Options | |
Number | | |
Weighted- Average Exercise Price | |
Nonvested on December 31, 2022 | |
| 670,008 | | |
$ | 0.38 | |
Granted | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Vested | |
| (81,101 | ) | |
| 0.38 | |
Forfeited | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Nonvested on March 31, 2023 | |
| 588,907 | | |
$ | 0.38 | |
The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense
related to options granted and vesting expense of $6 thousand during the three months ended March 31, 2023, which is included in general
and administrative expenses. The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense related to options issued and vesting of $56 thousand
during the three months ended March 31, 2022, which is included in general and administrative expenses.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the
Company granted a total of 0 and 0 options, respectively.
Warrants
The following is an analysis of the warrant grant activity
during the three months ended March 31, 2023:
Vested and Nonvested Stock Warrants | |
Number | | |
Weighted Average Exercise Price | | |
Weighted Average Remaining Life | |
Outstanding December 31, 2022 | |
| 5,923,333 | | |
$ | 11.50 | | |
| 4.55 | |
Granted | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Exercised | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Expired or forfeited | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Outstanding March 31, 2023 | |
| 5,923,333 | | |
$ | 11.50 | | |
| 4.30 | |
During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company
granted a total of 0 and 0 warrants, respectively. As of March 31, 2023 there are no Nonvested Stock Warrants outstanding.
Restricted Stock Awards
A summary of Restricted Stock Awards (“RSAs”)
issuances during the three months ended March 31, 2023 is as follows:
Nonvested RSAs | |
Number | | |
Weighted Average Price | |
Nonvested December 31, 2022 | |
| 1,649,962 | | |
$ | 6.27 | |
Granted | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Vested | |
| (48,744 | ) | |
| 6.00 | |
Forfeited | |
| - | | |
| | |
Nonvested March 31, 2023 | |
| 1,601,218 | | |
$ | 6.28 | |
The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense
related to RSAs granted and vesting expense of $2.5 million and $1.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively,
which is included in general and administrative expenses.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the
Company granted a total of 0 and 212,827 RSAs, respectively.
Restricted Stock Units
A summary of Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”)
issuances during the three months ended March 31, 2023 is as follows:
Nonvested RSUs | |
Number | | |
Weighted Average Price | |
Nonvested December 31, 2022 | |
| 702,417 | | |
$ | 2.79 | |
Granted | |
| 95,000 | | |
| 1.09 | |
Vested | |
| (57,250 | ) | |
| 2.63 | |
Forfeited | |
| (4,500 | ) | |
| | |
Nonvested March 31, 2023 | |
| 735,667 | | |
$ | 2.48 | |
The Company recognized stock-based compensation
expense related to RSUs granted and vesting expense of $0 million and $0 during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively,
which is included in general and administrative expenses.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the
Company granted a total of 95,000 and 0 RSUs, respectively.
9. | COMMITMENTS
AND CONTINGENCIES |
Operating Leases
The Company leases certain business and residential facilities
under operating lease agreements that specify minimum rentals with lease terms ranging from two to two and a half years. The Company’s
rent expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $0.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Rent expense is included
in general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Scheduled rent increases, if any, are amortized on
a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Our lease agreements generally do not provide an implicit
borrowing rate; therefore, an internal incremental borrowing rate is determined based on information available at lease commencement
date for purposes of determining the present value of lease payments. We used the incremental borrowing rate on March 31, 2023 and December
31, 2022 for all leases that commenced prior to that date. In determining this rate, which is used to determine the present value of
future lease payments, we estimate the rate of interest we would pay on a collateralized basis, with similar payment terms as the lease
and in a similar economic environment.
Lease Costs
(In thousands) | |
Three months Ended March 31, 2023 | | |
Three months Ended March 31, 2022 | |
Components of total lease costs: | |
| | |
| |
Operating lease expense | |
$ | 397 | | |
$ | 407 | |
Total lease costs | |
$ | 397 | | |
$ | 407 | |
Lease Positions as of March 31, 2023 and December 31,
2022
ROU lease assets and lease liabilities for our operating
leases are recorded on the balance sheet as follows:
| |
March 31, | | |
December 31, | |
(In thousands) | |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
Assets | |
| | |
| |
Right of use asset – long term | |
$ | 2,319 | | |
$ | 2,693 | |
Total right of use asset | |
$ | 2,319 | | |
$ | 2,693 | |
Liabilities | |
| | | |
| | |
Operating lease liabilities – short term | |
$ | 1,488 | | |
$ | 1,488 | |
Operating lease liabilities – long term | |
| 718 | | |
| 1,084 | |
Total lease liability | |
$ | 2,206 | | |
$ | 2,572 | |
Lease Terms and Discount Rate
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years) – operating leases | |
| 1.4 | |
Weighted average discount rate – operating leases | |
| 4 | % |
Future minimum lease payments, which include non-cancelable
operating leases at March 31, 2023, are as follows:
Year ending March 31, | |
(In thousands) | |
2023 (remainder) | |
$ | 1,184 | |
2024 | |
| 1,087 | |
2025 | |
| 5 | |
2026 | |
| 3 | |
Thereafter | |
| - | |
Total minimum lease payment | |
$ | 2,279 | |
From time to time, in the normal course of operations, the
Company is subject to litigation matters and claims, including claims relating to employee relations and business practices. The Company
expenses legal fees as incurred. The Company records a provision for contingent losses when it is both probable that a liability has
been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. An unfavorable outcome to any legal matter, if material, could
have an adverse effect on the Company’s operations or its financial position, liquidity, or results of operations.
On November 30, 2020, Adult Use Holdings, Inc. (“Adult
Use”) and Zola Ventures Ltd. (“Zola”) initiated arbitration claiming that the Company owed CA$ 3 million to Adult Use
and Zola in connection with alleged funding to the Company of CA$ 30.0 million by Bridging Finance Group. On December 21, 2020, the Company
brought counterclaims against Adult Use, Zola, and their principals Adam Salman and Igor Gimelshtein. On May 14, 2021, the Company applied
for summary disposition of the claim for CA$ 3 million brought by Adult Use and Zola. On August 4, 2021, the arbitrator granted the Company’s
application and issued a Partial Final Award dismissing Adult Use’s and Zola’s claim. The United States District Court for
the Southern District of New York subsequently affirmed the Partial Final Award and its dismissal of Adult Use’s and Zola’s
claims against the Company in a decision issued September 28, 2022. On November 8 and November 11, 2022, the arbitrator held hearings
in connection with the Company’s counterclaims. On December 23, 2022, the Company filed an application for costs and attorneys’
fees. The Company does not believe a material loss is probable at this time. As result, the Company has not recorded a reserve with respect
to this litigation.
In accordance with the provisions of ASC 260, Earnings Per
Share, net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding during the period.
The results of operations were net losses of $14,040 and $9,542 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. The following table
sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to common stockholders for the three months ended March
31, 2023 and 2022:
|
|
(In
thousands, except shares and per-share information) |
|
|
|
Three
months ended
March 31, |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
Basic and diluted loss per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss attributable to FaZe Holdings
Inc., basic and diluted |
|
$ |
(14,040 |
) |
|
$ |
(9,542 |
) |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and
diluted |
|
|
64,071,686 |
|
|
|
20,640,022 |
|
Net loss per share, basic and diluted |
|
$ |
(0.22 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.46 |
) |
During a loss period, the effect of the potential exercise
of stock options, warrants, convertible preferred stock, and convertible debt are not considered in the diluted loss per share calculation
since the effect would be antidilutive. The Company did not have any participating securities in the periods presented. The Company had
1,680,774 fully vested warrants in which common shares were issuable for little to no consideration outstanding as of the Closing Date
and for the year ended December 31, 2021. These warrants were exercised during the Business Combination. The Company considered these
warrants outstanding in the context of basic loss per share and included these warrants in the weighted-average shares of common stock
outstanding for the period until converted.
The Company had antidilutive shares for the three months
ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. The following securities were not included in the computation of diluted shares outstanding for the three
months ended March 31, 2023, and 2022 because the effect would be antidilutive:
| |
As of March 31, 2023 | | |
As of March 31, 2022 | |
Convertible preferred stock | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Public Warrants | |
| 5,750,000 | | |
| 5,750,000 | |
Private Placement Warrants | |
| 173,333 | | |
| 173,333 | |
Seller Earn-out | |
| 5,312,098 | | |
| 5,312,098 | |
Sponsor Earn-out Shares | |
| 2,156,250 | | |
| 2,156,250 | |
Legacy FaZe preferred warrant | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Unvested restricted stock award | |
| 1,601,218 | | |
| 1,649,962 | |
Unvested restricted stock units | |
| 735,667 | | |
| 1,124,674 | |
Stock options | |
| 16,812,734 | | |
| 18,863,654 | |
Total potentially dilutive common stock equivalents | |
| 32,541,300 | | |
| 35,029,971 | |
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the
Company has evaluated subsequent events through May 12, 2023, which is the date the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements were
available for issuance.
On May 10, 2023, Company, and YA
II PN, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempt limited partnership managed by Yorkville Advisors Global, LP (the “Investor”), entered
into a Standby Equity Purchase Agreement (the “SEPA”).
The Company will have the right
to issue and sell to the Investor, from time to time, as provided in the SEPA, and the Investor shall purchase from the Company, up to
$25 million in aggregate gross purchase price (the “Commitment Amount”) of the newly issued shares of the Company’s
common stock, par value $0.0001 (the “Common Stock”) (each such sale, an “Advance”) by delivering written notice
to the Investor (each, an “Advance Notice” and the date on which the Company is deemed to have delivered an Advance Notice,
the “Advance Notice Date”). The Common Stock purchased pursuant to an Advance will be purchased at a price equal to 97% of
the lowest daily VWAP of the Common Stock during the three consecutive trading days commencing on the Advance Notice Date. “VWAP”
means, for any trading day, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such trading day on the Nasdaq Stock Market
during regular trading hours as reported by Bloomberg L.P.
The issuance of the Common Stock under the SEPA will be subject to certain limitations, including that (i) the Investor may not purchase
any Common Stock that would result in it owning more than 4.99% of the Company’s Common Stock or (ii) the aggregate number of Common
Stock issued pursuant to the SEPA cannot exceed 19.9% of the Company’s Common Stock as of as of the date of the SEPA (referred to
as the “Exchange Cap”). The Exchange Cap shall not be applicable if: (i) the Company’s stockholders have approved the
issuance of Common Stock in excess of the Exchange Cap in accordance with the applicable rules of the Principal Market or (ii) to the
extent that (and only for so long as) the average price for the issuance of Common Stock equals or exceed the lower of (i) the Nasdaq
Official Closing Price (as reflected on Nasdaq.com) immediately preceding the date of the SEPA; or (ii) the average Nasdaq Official Closing
Price for the five Trading Days immediately preceding the date of the SEPA.
Pursuant to the terms of the SEPA, the Company shall prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement (the “Registration Statement”)
or multiple Registration Statements registering for resale of the Common Stock issuable to the Investor under the SEPA. The Company in
its sole discretion may choose when to file such Registration Statements; provided, however, that the Company shall not have the ability
to request any Advances until the effectiveness of a Registration Statement.
As consideration for the Investor’s commitment to purchase Common Stock at the Company’s direction upon the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth in the SEPA, the Company will issue 487,995 shares of Common Stock to the Investor.
The SEPA shall terminate automatically
on the earliest of (i) the first day of the month next following the 36-month anniversary of the date of the SEPA and (ii) the date on
which the Investor shall have made payment of Common Stock pursuant to the SEPA for Common Stock equal to the Commitment Amount. The SEPA
may be terminated at any time by the mutual written consent of the parties to the SEPA, effective as of the date of such mutual written
consent unless otherwise provided in such written consent, or by the Company upon five trading days’ prior written notice to the
Investor subject to the terms of the SEPA.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction
with our historical Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this report.
This report contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All statements, other than statements of present
or historical fact included in this report, including statements regarding the Company’s strategy, future operations and
financial performance, estimated financial position, estimated revenue and losses, projections of market opportunity and market
share, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements generally are identified by the words “budget,” “could,” “forecast,”
“future,” “might,” “outlook,” “plan,” “possible,”
“potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seem,” “seek,” “strive,”
“would,” “should,” “may,” “believe,” “intend,” “expect,”
“will,” “continue,” “increase,” and/or similar expressions that concern strategy, plans or
intentions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Such statements are based on
management’s belief or interpretation of information currently available. These forward-looking statements are based on
various assumptions, whether or not identified herein, and on the current expectations of management and are not predictions of
actual performance. Because forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that
are based on current expectations and assumptions, whether or not identified in this report, they are subject to inherent
uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Many factors could cause actual results and
conditions (financial or otherwise) to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, including but not
limited to: the sufficiency of our cash, cash equivalents and investments to meet our liquidity needs; litigation and regulatory
proceedings relating to our business, including the ability to adequately protect our intellectual property rights; our limited
operating history and uncertain future prospects and rate of growth due to our limited operating history; our ability to continue to
monetize our platform; our ability to grow market share in our existing markets or any new markets we may enter; our ability to
maintain and grow the strength of our brand reputation; our ability to manage our growth effectively; our ability to retain existing
and attract new Esports professionals, content creators and influencers; our success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required
in, our officers, directors and other key employees or independent contractors; our ability to maintain and strengthen our community
of brand partners, engaged consumers, content creators, influencers and Esports professionals, and the success of our strategic
relationships with these and other third parties; risks related to data security and privacy, including the risk of cyber-attacks or
other security incidents; our ability to secure future financing, if needed, and our ability to repay any future indebtedness when
due; the impact of the regulatory environment in our industry and complexities with compliance related to such environment,
including our ability to comply with complex regulatory requirements; our ability to maintain an effective system of internal
control over financial reporting; our ability to respond to general economic conditions, including market interest rates; and other
risks identified in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and
our other filings with the SEC.
These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes
only and are not intended to serve as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive
statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions.
Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they
are made. While the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically
disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s assessments
as of any date subsequent to the date of this report. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements.
Our Business
We are a digitally-native lifestyle and media brand founded and rooted
in gaming and youth culture.
We are at the forefront of the global creator economy, which is an
industry centered around innovative digital content development fueled by social media influencers, creators and businesses who monetize
their content online. With a leading digital content platform created for and by Generation Z and Millennials, we have established a
highly engaged and growing global fanbase, with social media reach (see our key performance indicator, “Total Reach”) of
over 509 million as of March 31, 2023, which number, as explained in our discussion of “Key Performance Indicators” also
includes the accounts of individual members of FaZe’ talent team.
We produce engaging content, merchandise, consumer products and experiences,
and create advertising and sponsorship programs for leading national brands. With approximately 84% of our audience between the ages
of 13-34 as of March 31, 2023, we have unlocked key relationships with a coveted demographic that has long proven difficult to reach
for traditional media companies and advertisers. We have several revenue streams including brand sponsorships, content, consumer products,
and Esports.
As the recognition of our brand is an important component to our success,
we have obtained and protected a strategic set of intellectual property registrations and applications, including for our brand, throughout
the world.
Our principal business operations are located in the United States,
and we also have a location in Canada. We are assessing potential opportunities to expand our operational footprint in North America
and internationally through strategic initiatives, including M&A transactions.
On July 19, 2022, we completed the Business Combination. At the closing
of the Business Combination, we received approximately $113.7 million in gross proceeds and $57.8 million in net proceeds in connection
with the Business Combination.
Compared to 2022, our revenues and gross profit in 2023 decreased.
This change was primarily driven by decrease in the Brand sponsorship business and secondarily by Content business. Brand sponsorship
revenue decreased by $1.8 million primarily due to the timing of the execution of new sponsorship deals for the financial period 2023.
Content revenue decreased by $1.7, this reduction is related to a content library sale which occurred in 2022, in 2023 no content library
sales have occurred. In addition, the Company had increased costs in compensation and benefits, stock compensation expense and professional
services fees as a result of the growth of the business and of becoming a public company. As a result, Net Loss for the three months
ended March 31, 2023 increased to $14.0 million, compared to $9.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. See the “Results
of Operations” subsection for further details. The following table summarizes our financial results for the three months ended
March 31, 2023 and 2022.
|
|
Three months
ended |
|
|
|
March
31, |
|
(In thousands) |
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
Total Revenues |
|
$ |
12,550 |
|
|
$ |
15,804 |
|
Gross Profit |
|
|
469 |
|
|
|
3,593 |
|
Net Loss |
|
|
(14,040 |
) |
|
|
(9,542 |
) |
Adjusted EBITDA(1) |
|
|
(9,962 |
) |
|
|
(6,133 |
) |
(1) |
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP Information” below for
our definition of, and additional information about, adjusted EBITDA and for a reconciliation to net loss, the most directly comparable
U.S. GAAP financial measure. |
Key Performance Indicators
In addition to U.S. GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures, we
regularly review several metrics, including the following key metrics, to evaluate our business, measure our performance, identify
trends affecting our business, formulate financial plans and make strategic decisions. Our key metrics are calculated using internal
company data based on the activity of fan accounts and the metrics described below. While these numbers are based on what we believe
to be reasonable estimates of our fanbase for the applicable period of measurement, there are inherent challenges in measuring usage
of our platform across large online and mobile populations around the world. The methodologies used to measure these metrics require
significant judgment. Increases or decreases in our key performance indicators may not correspond with increases or decreases in our
revenue.
Our Total Reach represents the aggregate number of user accounts,
or “fans,” that subscribe to or follow FaZe content across YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Twitch, measured at the
end of the reporting period and based on publicly available data. Our calculation of Total Reach may count the same individual multiple
times if an individual follows or subscribes to FaZe content on multiple platforms; therefore, our Total Reach metric may inflate the
number of individuals, as opposed to user accounts, reached by our content. Therefore, we supplement our understanding of the reach of
our content, as well as our monetization opportunities, with the Aggregate YouTube Subscribers metric, which only includes subscribers
on our primary platform and is explained further in the following section. Nonetheless, we believe that Total Reach is a useful metric
because, regardless of whether our content reaches an individual through one or multiple platforms or channels, we view each such instance
as a unique opportunity to strengthen and, ultimately, to monetize our relationship with the individual accountholder, whether by selling
consumer products online, by incrementally increasing our advertising revenue due to viewership or by inspiring attendance at our live
events, among other opportunities. Further, one individual following us across multiple platforms could generally signal higher audience
engagement, and as such may lead to higher monetization potential, than one individual following us on only one platform.
We find Total Reach to be a useful metric for predicting future revenues
because, as an audience-driven company, we generally interpret an increase in our Total Reach to signal an overall increase in the strength
of our brand and to represent a corresponding increase in the number of opportunities for our content to reach our audience and expose
them to our brand, content and products, which may drive additional monetization opportunities through increased engagement with FaZe.
Further, we believe the fact that an individual follows FaZe across multiple platforms or follows several FaZe content creators may signal
their amenability to purchase our products, grow the FaZe community by engaging with other fans and continue consuming our content in
the future. In addition, we believe each fan added to our Total Reach represents a new avenue through which we can reach additional fans
as they spread awareness of our brand by sharing and posting about FaZe content to their own followers. Individuals who follow or subscribe
to FaZe content on multiple platforms represent multiple such avenues, and the more their followers differ between platforms, the more
avenues are opened to FaZe content. We believe an increase in Total Reach also signals our ability to attract additional sponsorships
and sponsorship deals or sell consumer products. However, an increase in Total Reach may not directly result in an increase in content
revenues. Our Total Reach includes fans of the channels of certain popular celebrity members of FaZe that we have contractually agreed
not to directly monetize, including Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Cordozar Broadus Jr. An increase in Total Reach from fans on such
channels will not directly result in an increase in content revenue. Nonetheless, we expect our partnerships with these celebrity members
of FaZe to result in increased engagement as a result of cross-exposure to our brand through their channels, which strengthens the FaZe
brand and which we believe will further increase our Total Reach and can indirectly increase our revenue over time. Additionally, when
our Total Reach increases, our content and other revenues may not increase immediately given the lag time between when subscriptions
are recorded and when we are able to monetize subscriptions, including generating Google AdSense revenues, selling consumer products
and leveraging our Total Reach metric to attract additional sponsors and sponsorship deals. Conversely, a decrease in our Total Reach
may be an indicator of an unfavorable trend in future revenues. Therefore, we use the Total Reach metric for revenue planning, although
the numerical correlation between Total Reach and future revenues varies and cannot be precisely predicted in either the short term or
long term.
The timing difference between a change in Total Reach and change in
revenues may be particularly pronounced if the change in Total Reach metric reflects a large spike or large drop as the result of adding
a channel to our network or removing a channel from our network. That is, if we sign a contract with a new talent member who has a large
pre-existing pool of social media subscribers, our Total Reach will also increase as these pre-existing subscribers are added to our
Total Reach metric. For example, our Total Reach increased significantly between March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2023, primarily due to
Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Cordozar Broadus Jr. joining as a member of FaZe’s talent network. Conversely, if talent members
leave the FaZe network due to contract expiration or termination, we record an immediate decrease in our Total Reach in an amount equal
to the Total Reach of the talent that left the FaZe network. When we have a spike or drop in Total Reach due to the various circumstances
described above, we do not expect to necessarily see immediate spikes or drops in content and other revenues but may see future changes
in revenues given the lag time described in the preceding paragraph.
| |
As of March 31, | |
(In thousands) | |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
Total Reach(1) | |
| 508,799 | | |
| 498,142 | |
YouTube | |
| 131,628 | | |
| 130,513 | |
Twitter | |
| 177,516 | | |
| 173,634 | |
Instagram | |
| 80,410 | | |
| 80,962 | |
TikTok | |
| 35,796 | | |
| 37,314 | |
Twitch | |
| 83,449 | | |
| 75,719 | |
(1) |
The Total Reach amount includes subscribers of channels for Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Cordozar
Broadus Jr. and certain other celebrity talent that FaZe is not contractually allowed to directly monetize. Such channels contributed
to a Total Reach of 208.6 million and 188.0 million as of March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, respectively. Therefore, channels that
FaZe is contractually allowed to directly monetize contributed to a Total Reach of 300.2 million and 310.1 million as of March 31,
2023 and March 31, 2022, respectively. Subscribers of channels for Snoop Dogg will no longer be included in these numbers
starting April 1, 2023 which will result in a substantial decease of total reach. |
Aggregate YouTube Subscribers
Our Aggregate YouTube Subscribers metric is the number of subscribers
our total talent pool has on their FaZe co-branded YouTube channels, the company programmed FaZe Clan YouTube channel, as well as the
FaZe Affiliated channels measured at the end of the reporting period and based on publicly available data. Aggregate YouTube Subscribers
includes subscribers for each YouTube channel programmed by talent members as well as company programmed YouTube channels. We consider
each YouTube Subscriber to be a subscriber on YouTube, measured separately for each individual talent member. As such, one hypothetical
subscriber may be included in several instances within the Aggregate YouTube Subscribers metric if that individual were to subscribe
to the channels of multiple members of our talent pool.
We believe Aggregate YouTube Subscribers is a better approximation
of our unique audience than other measures of reach available to us. That is, although Aggregate YouTube Subscribers may count the same
individual subscriber multiple times if that individual subscribes to multiple FaZe talent members on YouTube, this metric does not include
individuals who subscribe to FaZe across multiple platforms in the calculation. Also, the potential for inflation of Aggregate YouTube
Subscribers due to the same individual subscribing to multiple FaZe talent members is partially offset by the omission of individuals
who subscribe to FaZe only on platforms other than YouTube.
We believe an increase in Aggregate YouTube Subscribers signals an
overall increase in the strength of our brand, which in turn signals our ability to attract additional sponsorships and sponsorship deals
or sell consumer products. An increase in Aggregate YouTube Subscribers may not directly result in an increase in content revenues because
our Aggregate YouTube Subscribers includes subscribers on channels that we are not contractually allowed to monetize. If the channels
contributing to the increase in our Aggregate YouTube Subscribers are channels that FaZe is contractually allowed to monetize, then an
increase in Aggregate YouTube Subscribers may directly result in an increase in content revenues, but if the channels contributing to
the increase in Aggregate YouTube Subscribers are not channels that FaZe is contractually allowed to monetize, then an increase in Aggregate
YouTube Subscribers would not directly result in an increase in content revenues but can indirectly result in an increase in overall
revenue over time because we believe the increase in Aggregate YouTube Subscribers strengthens the FaZe brand. Additionally, an increase
in our Aggregate YouTube Subscribers may not correlate with current or historic revenues but may represent additional monetization opportunities
across our various revenue streams. When our Aggregate YouTube Subscribers increase, our content and other revenues may not increase
immediately, given the additional lag time before we are able to monetize the subscriptions, including generating Google AdSense revenues,
selling consumer products, and leveraging our Aggregate YouTube Subscribers metric to attract additional sponsors and sponsorship deals.
Conversely, a decrease in our Aggregate YouTube Subscribers may be an indicator of an unfavorable trend in future revenues. Therefore,
we find the use of the Aggregate YouTube Subscribers metric useful for our revenue planning, although the numerical correlation between
Aggregate YouTube Subscribers and future revenues varies and cannot be precisely predicted in either the short term or long term.
The timing difference between a change in Aggregate YouTube Subscribers
and a change in revenues may be particularly pronounced if the change in Aggregate YouTube Subscribers metric reflects a large spike
or large drop as the result of adding a channel to our network or removing a channel from our network. For example, if we sign a contract
with a new talent member who has a large pre-existing pool of YouTube subscribers, our Aggregate YouTube Subscribers will also increase
as these pre-existing subscribers are added to our Aggregate YouTube Subscribers metric. Conversely, if talent members leave the FaZe
network due to contract expiration or termination, we record an immediate decrease in our Aggregate YouTube subscribers metric in an
amount equal to the YouTube subscribers of the talent that left the FaZe network. When we have a spike or drop in Aggregate YouTube Subscribers
due to the various circumstances described above including, for instance, the addition of Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Cordozar Broadus,
Jr. to FaZe’s talent network in the first quarter of 2022, we do not expect to necessarily see immediate spikes or drops in content
and other revenues but may see future changes in revenues given the lag time described in the preceding paragraph.
|
|
As of March 31, |
|
(In thousands) |
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
Aggregate YouTube Subscribers |
|
|
131,628 |
|
|
|
130,513 |
|
Company Programmed FaZe Clan YouTube Channel Subscribers |
|
|
8,924 |
|
|
|
8,820 |
|
FaZe Co-branded Channel Subscribers |
|
|
112,730 |
|
|
|
112,638 |
|
FaZe Affiliated Channels(1) |
|
|
9,974 |
|
|
|
9,055 |
|
(1) |
FaZe Affiliated Channels are channels that are not co-branded but are
closely affiliated with our talent. This includes Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Cordozar Broadus Jr., All Grown Up, and Nuke Squad. |
Average Revenue per YouTube Subscriber (“ARPU”)
ARPU is defined as our total consolidated U.S. GAAP revenues for
the selected period divided by our total Aggregate YouTube Subscribers as of period end. We believe ARPU is an indicator of how
effective we are at monetizing our Aggregate YouTube Subscribers. A high ARPU may reflect that we are monetizing our audience
effectively and, conversely, a low ARPU may reflect the opportunity for additional monetization with respect to our Aggregate
YouTube Subscribers. Please see above for the assumptions underlying the calculation of our Aggregate YouTube Subscribers.
While we believe changes in our total consolidated U.S. GAAP
revenues are correlated with our Aggregate YouTube Subscribers over the long term, there may be short term dislocations in the
metric due to timing differences in audience growth and monetization. For example, our Aggregate YouTube Subscribers may grow more
quickly when compared to our revenues due to the lag time related to the monetization of our Aggregate YouTube Subscribers, as
described in the “Aggregate YouTube Subscribers” subsection above, resulting in lower or unchanged period over period
ARPU, especially if we gain additional Aggregate YouTube Subscribers toward the end of a reporting period. Conversely, if we lose
Aggregate YouTube Subscribers toward the end of a reporting period, we may see decreased or relatively flat Aggregate YouTube
Subscribers, whereas the full period will not reflect the revenue impact of the decreased monetization potential.
Additionally, because ARPU is measured as revenue for a particular
period over a point-in-time metric, Aggregate YouTube Subscribers, ARPU will generally be smaller for interim time periods than annual
periods. Therefore, ARPU for interim periods should only be compared to interim periods of the same length, and annual periods should
only be compared to other annual periods.
In future periods, we expect to increase the monetization of our Aggregate
YouTube Subscribers through growth in our existing monetization channels and expansion into new ways of monetizing our audience, all
of which we believe will be aided by additional access to capital and a more established brand. Therefore, we expect our ARPU to increase
over time.
| |
Three months ended | |
| |
March 31, | |
(In thousands) | |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
ARPU | |
$ | 0.10 | | |
$ | 0.54 | |
Total Number of Significant Sponsors
Total Number of Significant Sponsors is defined as the number of sponsorship
deals directly contracted with FaZe that have a contractual value of over $0.5 million and are active during the reported period. This
metric helps us forecast future revenue, since we know the contract value of a sponsorship when the contract is signed but recognize
the revenue ratably over the sponsorship term. At the same time, if we sign a significant sponsorship deal towards the end of a reportable
period, we may not recognize a significant portion of the revenue until the following period.
We believe this metric provides insight into the drivers of changes
in our brand sponsorships revenue. Our brand sponsorships revenue is most closely aligned with this metric, as our brand sponsorship
revenue is correlated with increases in Total Number of Significant Sponsors.
| |
Three months ended | |
| |
March 31, | |
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
Total Significant Sponsors | |
| 9 | | |
| 9 | |
Key Factors Affecting Our Current and Future Results
Our financial position and results of operations depend to a significant
extent on the following factors:
Evolving Digital Economy
Our success has depended and will continue to depend on our ability
to remain at the forefront in digital-entertainment trends, including social media.
We believe we are well-positioned as a digitally native lifestyle
and media platform in the global content industry, which continues to evolve towards digital and social platforms each of which are poised
for further growth.
We attribute our growth in part to the diverse content we have developed
and produced in the form of digital media, social media, consumer products sales, and livestreaming events distributed across several
platforms including YouTube, Twitch,, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Further, our brand, which is a digital native lifestyle brand rooted
in gaming and youth culture, is well-positioned for future opportunities in areas such as subscription offerings, live events, fan clubs,
virtual dining concepts, game publisher collaborations, Web3 and the general growth and adoption of the metaverse, and interconnected
digital reality.
As a leading digital content platform created for and by Generation
Z and Millennials, we have established a highly engaged growing global fanbase, with a Total Reach of over 509 million as of March 31,
2023, including those of individual members of FaZe (see “Key Performance Indicators — Total Reach”).
Ability to Recruit and Retain Talent
Our talent pool creates content for, and forms
other partnerships with, our brand. Our diverse talent pool of creators and players are the face of our brand. Therefore, our current
and future growth depends on our ability to retain our current talent and attract new talent. However, as we have grown our talent roster,
we have made sure to not rely on any single individual to carry the brand, but rather have worked to develop a broad talent base, where
each person is able to grow their own brand within the overall FaZe platform.
Competitive Landscape
Due to our digitally native lifestyle and media platform and diverse
sources of monetization, our business may face competition from online content creators, lifestyle brands, digital media companies, traditional
sports teams, or other Esports companies. If more direct competitors emerge in the marketplace, our performance and results of operations
will depend on our ability to retain market share through activities including generating innovative content and forming and retaining
strategic partnerships.
COVID-19
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our operating results for the three
months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 may not be comparable to past and future periods. As a result of changed consumer behavior under
COVID-19 lock-down orders, the already-growing online gaming and digital content industries saw a major uptick in video game usage, streaming
viewership, content viewership, console sales, and more users on many gaming platforms. This helped further accelerate the pre-pandemic
growth in popularity of our content creators and the FaZe content channels, and made the content we offer a bigger part of mainstream
digital entertainment. On average, our content creators have seen an increase in viewership since the start of the pandemic and while
still strong, viewership on FaZe’s YouTube channel and certain of FaZe’s talent YouTube channels is down from the highest
levels experienced during pandemic stay-at-home measures.
Moreover, the fact that most of our products and services do not involve
physical customer interaction may have provided us a competitive advantage during the COVID-19 pandemic, as customers can access most
of our services and product offerings while social distancing or without any physical presence. As in-person entertainment has re-gained
popularity, we may face increased competition and see drops in engagement as it relates to our content and brand sponsorship revenue
streams. Esports revenues increased as government restrictions surrounding in-person events decreased.
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted our supply chain operations and continues
to do so to a limited extent. However, we expect supply chain costs and delivery times to return at or near pre-pandemic levels in the
near-term. Such COVID-19 related supply chain issues have not materially affected our results of operations, capital resources, outlook
or business goals and have had marginal and immaterial impact on our sales, profits and liquidity.
We will continue to actively monitor the impact of the pandemic on
our business and may take further actions to modify our practices accordingly.
Overall Market and Economic Conditions
Changing market and economic conditions, including as a result of
the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, rising interest rates and inflation, may positively or negatively impact our revenues, which depend on
discretionary spending from consumers and corporate sponsors. Much of our business is resistant to changes in disposable consumer income,
as consumers do not currently need to pay to access most of our content. However, in periods of slowing economic recovery or recession,
decreases in disposable corporate income could negatively impact our revenues if companies decrease sponsorship and advertising spend.
Our consumer products business is dependent on consumer discretionary spending, which is highly sensitive to changing market conditions,
and a decline in discretionary spending could have an adverse impact on our results.
Key Components of Sales and Expenses
Revenue
We have the following major revenue types:
|
● |
Brand Sponsorships: We offer advertisers an association with the FaZe brand, which we deliver
through various promotional vehicles that are highly tailored to reach our target audience. These vehicles include, but are not limited
to, online advertising, livestream announcements, content generation, social media posts, logo placement on FaZe’s official
merchandise, and special appearances by members of our talent network. Brand deals are made through the FaZe sales team and provide
the sponsor an association with our brand across the FaZe platform, including the full roster of FaZe talent. Revenues from our larger
brand sponsorship agreements are typically based on a term and are recognized ratably over the contract term. Payment terms and conditions
vary by contract type, but payments are generally due periodically throughout the term of the contract. Some smaller sponsorship
deals are based on a specific deliverable and not a term, and are recognized and invoiced when delivered. |
We also offer talent deals, which are typically smaller
in size than brand deals. Talent deals are made directly with individual FaZe talent members to promote a brand or product within content
created by the selected talent. These deals are often sourced and negotiated by FaZe employees and include FaZe as a counterparty. Payment
terms are similar to our brand deals, with talent receiving a contractually negotiated percent of the revenue as a fee.
|
● |
Content: We generate original content that we monetize through Google’s AdSense service,
which permits Google to place paid advertisements on FaZe branded YouTube sites. Revenue is generated when the advertisement is viewed
on a “cost per view” or “cost per click” basis. Each time a fan views a FaZe-programmed YouTube page, Google
will display an advertisement to the fan. Depending on the type of advertisement the advertiser agrees to with Google, the advertiser
agrees to pay Google based on the number of views or the number of times a fan clicks on the advertisement. This cost per view or
cost per click can vary substantially depending on the channel, content, and seasonality. Google pays us a percentage of what Google
charges the advertiser, and we receive reporting from Google, which we use to recognize revenue on a revenue-per-thousand playbacks
basis, which represents a blend of cost per view and cost per click advertisements. |
|
● |
Consumer Products: We sell consumer products directly to end users online (predominantly
on our website but also on other websites, including those of our partners) and at events. |
|
● |
Esports: Our Esports revenue consists of league participation revenue, prize money, player
transfer fee revenue, and licensing of intellectual property revenue. League participation revenue is generated from our participation
in closed Esports leagues, which historically share net revenue between all partnered teams on a pro rata basis, with FaZe receiving
between 4% and 8%, subject to a minimum guarantee. Prize money is earned by competing in organized competitions and successfully
placing at a level where the organizer has offered a prize. Prize money is typically paid to FaZe by the competition organizer and
we will then distribute a percentage of the money to players based on contractually agreed terms. Player transfer fee revenue is
earned through player transfer agreements which compensate FaZe for the release of a team member from their agreement with FaZe.
Licensing of intellectual property revenue is royalty revenue in connection with the usage of our brand logo during each game or
tournament. |
We expect continued growth in revenues primarily due to increased
organic growth as our brand builds momentum, which results from engagement of our talent with our audience, building strategic partnerships
and generating new, innovative content and products.
Cost of Revenue
Cost of revenue primarily consists of amounts paid to talent and other
contractors, as we perform the underlying services related to satisfying the performance obligations under our agreements. It also includes
other costs, such as those related to textiles, labor, and license fees associated with consumer products.
We expect our cost of revenue to increase primarily due to the increased
volume of new strategic partnerships and the organic growth of our other revenue initiatives.
General and Administrative
General and administrative costs consist primarily of personnel-related
expenses, rent and premises costs, professional service fees, and other general corporate expenses.
We are incurring higher general and administrative expenses as a result
of operating as a public company, including expenses related to compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and stock exchange
listing standards, additional insurance expenses, investor relations activities, and other administrative and professional services.
We are constantly reviewing the size of our general and administrative function to support the growth of our business and other costs
associated with being a public company and have implemented cost savings initiatives to reduce general and administrative expenses. It
is possible, however, that our general and administrative expenses will increase in absolute dollars as our business grows.
Sales and Marketing
Sales and marketing costs consist primarily of promotional, public
relations, and advertising expenses. Sales and marketing costs also include other general marketing expenses.
Interest Expense, Net
We incurred interest expense from our outstanding debt obligations,
including our senior convertible promissory note issued in 2020, our other convertible promissory notes issued in 2020 and 2021, the
PPP loan (defined below) and the 2022 B. Riley Term Loan (defined below). On July 19, 2022, we completed the Business Combination, upon
which all convertible notes were converted into common stock and other debts were paid in full with the proceeds of the Merger. After
the consummation of the Business Combination on July 19, 2022 and as of March 31, 2023, the Company does not have any outstanding debt
long-term. Debt agreements are explained further in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section below.
Change in Fair Value of Warrant Liabilities
We incur a change in fair value of warrant liabilities as a result
of remeasuring our warrant liabilities each reporting period. See “Note 6, Private Placement Warrants and Recurring Fair Value
Measurements, of the notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Other (Income)/Expense
Other (income)/expense consists primarily of miscellaneous expenses
and foreign currency gain or loss.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth a summary of our consolidated results
of operations for the periods indicated, and the respective changes between comparative periods.
| |
The three months ended March 31, | |
(In thousands, except for percentages) | |
2023 | | |
2022 | | |
$ Change | | |
% Change | |
Total revenues | |
| 12,550 | | |
| 15,804 | | |
| (3,254 | ) | |
| (20.6 | )% |
Cost of revenues | |
| 12,081 | | |
| 12,211 | | |
| (130 | ) | |
| (1.1 | )% |
Gross Profit | |
| 469 | | |
| 3,593 | | |
| (3,124 | ) | |
| (86.9 | )% |
Operating Expenses: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
General and administrative | |
| 13,877 | | |
| 10,128 | | |
| 3,749 | | |
| 37.0 | % |
Sales and marketing | |
| 213 | | |
| 1,145 | | |
| (932 | ) | |
| (81.4 | )% |
Loss from operations | |
| (13,621 | ) | |
| (7,680 | ) | |
| (5,941 | ) | |
| 77.4 | % |
Other (income)/expense: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Interest expense, net | |
| (162 | ) | |
| 1,851 | | |
| (2,013 | ) | |
| (108.8 | )% |
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities | |
| (13 | ) | |
| - | | |
| (13 | ) | |
| (100.0 | )% |
Other (income)/expense | |
| 594 | | |
| 11 | | |
| 583 | | |
| 5300.0 | % |
Total other (income)/expense: | |
| 419 | | |
| 1,862 | | |
| (1,443 | ) | |
| (77.5 | )% |
Net Income (Loss) | |
| (14,040 | ) | |
| (9,542 | ) | |
| (4,498 | ) | |
| (47.1 | )% |
Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022
Net Income (Loss)
Net loss increased by $4.5 million for the three months ended March
31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. The Company’s revenues decreased by $3.3 million while general and
administrative expenses increased by $1.5 million in total.
Revenues
Revenues decreased by $3.3 million, or 21% for the three months ended
March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. This change was primarily driven by decrease in the Brand sponsorships
business and secondarily by Content business. Brand sponsorships revenue decreased by $1.8 million primarily due to the timing of the
execution of new sponsorship deals for the financial period 2023. Content revenue decreased by $1.7 million, the reduction is related
to a content library sale which occurred in 2022, in 2023 no content library sales have occurred.
The following table presents the Company’s revenue by type for
the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:
| |
Three months ended | | |
| | |
| |
| |
March 31, | | |
| | |
| |
(In thousands, except for percentages) | |
2023 | | |
2022 | | |
$ Change | | |
% Change | |
Brand sponsorships | |
$ | 6,263 | | |
$ | 8,060 | | |
| (1,797 | ) | |
| (22.3 | )% |
Content | |
| 3,028 | | |
| 4,681 | | |
| (1,653 | ) | |
| (35.3 | )% |
Consumer products | |
| 388 | | |
| 403 | | |
| (15 | ) | |
| (3.7 | )% |
Esports | |
| 2,847 | | |
| 2,426 | | |
| 421 | | |
| 17.4 | % |
Other | |
| 24 | | |
| 234 | | |
| (210 | ) | |
| (89.7 | )% |
Total revenue | |
$ | 12,550 | | |
$ | 15,804 | | |
| (3,254 | ) | |
| (20.6 | )% |
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenue decreased by $0.1 million, or 1% for the three months
ended March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. Content costs decreased by $1.3 million primarily as a function
of lower content revenues, which decreased year-over-year due to the normalization of post-pandemic viewing habits of our audience on
YouTube, our most important content platform. The consumer products costs of $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 has
relatively stayed the same compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase in Esports costs of $1.4 million was due prize
money costs provided to talent members of $1.3 million.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses increased by $3.7 million, or
37% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, primarily due to the cost of becoming
a public company, and an increase in compliance and operational staffing. Our compensation and benefits costs increased by $2 million
due to increased salaries and one time severance with respect to company restructuring. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, we
also experienced a $1.5 million increase in non-cash stock compensation expense due to the vesting of stock option grants made in the
first quarter of 2023. Legal professional fees increased by $0.4 million. Non-legal professional service fees decreased $0.3 million,
in connection with better cost management of our business. Insurance expenses increased by $1 million, rent and premises costs decreased
by $0.1 million, depreciation and amortization increased by $0.4 million.
Sales and Marketing
Sales and marketing expenses decreased by $0.9 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, primarily due to an overall decrease in marketing
activities.
Interest Expense, Net
Net interest expense decreased by $2.0 million, for the three
months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. As result of the Business Combination, all convertible
notes were converted into common stock and other debts were paid in cash with the proceeds from the Business Combination. After the consummation
of the Business Combination on July 19, 2022 and as of March 31, 2023, the Company does not have any outstanding long-term debt. Debt
agreements are explained further in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section below.
Other (Income)/Expense
Other expense increased by $0.6 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, other expense primarily includes a legal settlement related to miscellaneous
expenses related to Pre-SPAC matter during the period, details about the settlement are confidential.
Non-GAAP Information
Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, is a performance measure that
we use to supplement our results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net loss before share-based compensation
expense, foreign currency gains and losses, interest expense, impairment of content assets, depreciation and amortization, change in
fair value of warrant liabilities, loss on debt extinguishment, and non-recurring, non-operating expenses, such as severance. Adjusted
EBITDA is used by the FaZe board and management as a key factor in determining the quality of our earnings (loss).
Adjusted EBITDA is a performance measure that we believe is useful
to investors and analysts because it helps illustrate the underlying financial and business trends relating to our core, recurring results
of operations and also enhances comparability between periods.
Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized measure under U.S. GAAP and is
not intended to be a substitute for any U.S. GAAP financial measure and, as calculated, may not be comparable to other similarly titled
measures of performance of other companies in other industries or within the same industry. Investors should exercise caution in comparing
our non-GAAP measure to any similarly titled measure used by other companies. This non-GAAP measure excludes certain items required by
U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to information reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The table below presents our adjusted EBITDA, reconciled to our net
loss for the periods indicated.
| |
March 31, | |
(In thousands) | |
2023 | | |
2022 | |
Net loss | |
$ | (14,040 | ) | |
$ | (9,542 | ) |
Adjusted for: | |
| | | |
| | |
Share-based compensation expense | |
| 2,673 | | |
| 1,150 | |
Restructuring severance/recruiting/retention expense | |
| 318 | | |
| 161 | |
Foreign exchange loss | |
| 1 | | |
| — | |
Interest expense | |
| (162 | ) | |
| 1,851 | |
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment | |
| 464 | | |
| 122 | |
Amortization of intangible asset | |
| 203 | | |
| 114 | |
Change
in fair value of warrant liabilities (1) | |
| (13 | ) | |
| — | |
Other, net | |
| 594 | | |
| 11 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | |
$ | (9,962 | ) | |
$ | (6,133 | ) |
(1) |
Represents the change in the fair value of the Private Placement Warrants
liability. (See Note 6) |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our ability to expand and grow our business in the short and long
term will depend on many factors, including our working capital needs and the evolution of our operating cash flows.
We measure liquidity in terms of our ability to fund the cash requirements
of our business operations, including working capital and capital expenditure needs, contractual obligations and other commitments, with
cash flows from operations and other sources of funding. We have financed our operations primarily through the proceeds from the Business
Combination and PIPE offering, the sale of convertible preferred stock, and through debt agreements with third party lenders prior to
the closing of the Business Combination. See below for a summary of our material debt and equity financing arrangements.
While the potential economic impact brought by, and the duration of,
the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a more uncertain macro-economic environment than during the closing of the Business Combination are
difficult to assess or predict, the impact of these events may reduce our ability to access capital, which could negatively impact our
short-term and long-term liquidity. Nonetheless, the Company believes it has sufficient resources to fund its operations at least until
twelve months from the date of issuance of these financial statements.
Our future short- and long-term capital requirements will depend on
several factors, including but not limited to, the rate of our growth, our ability to attract and retain fans and brand sponsorships
and their willingness to pay for our services. Further, we may enter into future arrangements to acquire or invest in businesses, products,
services and strategic partnerships. To the extent that our current resources are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements, we may
need to seek additional equity or debt financing. If the needed financing is not available, or if the terms of financing are less desirable
than we expect, we may be forced to scale back our existing operations and growth plans, which could have an adverse impact on our business
and financial prospects and could raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
As of March 31, 2023, our principal sources of liquidity were our
cash in the amount of $26.8 million.
As of March 31, 2023, the Company had 173,333 private placement warrants
outstanding with an exercise price of $11.50 per share. The Private Placement Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants, described
in Note 7, Equity, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements, except that the Private Placement Warrants (including the common
stock underlying the Private Placement Warrants) were not transferable, assignable or salable until August 18, 2022 and they are not
redeemable by the Company for cash so long as they are held by the sponsor or its permitted transferees. During the three months ended
March 31, 2023, there was no exercise of any Private Placement Warrants.
Other Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies
We may be party to various claims in the normal course of business.
Legal fees and other costs associated with such actions are expensed as incurred. We assess the need to record a liability for litigation
and other loss contingencies, with reserve estimates recorded if we determine that a loss related to the matter is both probable and
reasonably estimable. Legal settlements were immaterial for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and for the three months ended March
31, 2022.
Our future contractual commitments related to future minimum payments
for non-cancelable operating lease obligations at March 31, 2023 are $1.2 million, $1.1 million for 2024, and $0.0 million for 2025 and
thereafter.
Cash Flows — The three months ended March 31, 2023 and March
31, 2022
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the periods indicated
(In thousands):
| |
Three months ended March 31, | |
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | | |
$ Change | | |
% Change | |
Net cash used in operating activities | |
$ | (11,338 | ) | |
$ | (9,710 | ) | |
| (1,628 | ) | |
| (16.8 | )% |
Net cash used in investing activities | |
| (114 | ) | |
| (2,067 | ) | |
| 1,953 | | |
| 94.5 | % |
Net cash provided by financing activities | |
| 1,079 | | |
| 9,339 | | |
| (8,260 | ) | |
| (88.4 | )% |
Net increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash | |
| (10,373 | ) | |
| (2,438 | ) | |
| (7,935 | ) | |
| (325.5 | )% |
Cash and restricted cash, beginning of period | |
| 37,807 | | |
| 17,618 | | |
| 20,189 | | |
| 114.6 | % |
Cash and restricted cash, end of period | |
$ | 27,434 | | |
$ | 15,180 | | |
| 12,254 | | |
| 80.7 | % |
Cash Flows Used in Operating Activities
We used $11.3 million more in cash for operating activities in the
three months ended March 31, 2023 compared with $9.7 million used in the three months ended March 31, 2022, an increase of $1.6 million.
This change was largely related to the changes in net loss of $14.0 million explained in the “Results of Operations” section,
offset by the impact of various non-cash charges of $4.4 million explained in further detail below.
Net cash used in operating activities was $11.3 million for the three
months ended March 31, 2023. Our net loss of $14.0 million was partially comprised of non-cash charges: stock-based compensation expense
of $2.5 million, depreciation and amortization of $0.7 million, and bad debt expense of $0.8 million. Additionally, during the three months
ended March 31, 2023, changes in operating assets and liabilities decreased cash flows used in operations by $1.4 million, primarily due
to a combination of an increase in accounts receivable of $3.8 million, a decrease in contract assets of $1.0 million, an increase in
prepaid expenses and other assets of $1.9 million, a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $5.1 million and a decrease
in contract liabilities of $1.0 million.
Net cash used in operating activities was $9.7 million for the three
months ended March 31, 2022. Our net loss of $9.5 million was partially offset by non-cash interest expenses of $1.9 million, stock-based
compensation expense of $1.2 million, and depreciation and amortization of $0.2 million. Additionally, during the three months ended
March 31, 2022, changes in operating assets and liabilities used cash flows from operations of $3.1 million, primarily due to an increase
in accounts receivable, and prepaid expenses of $0.8 million and $0.2 million, respectively, as well as an increase in accounts payable
and accrued expenses of $0.7 million and contract liabilities of $3.3 million.
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
We generated $2.0 million more in cash from investing activities in
the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared with the three months ended March 31, 2022 primarily due to decrease in purchases of property,
plant and equipment of $1.8 million and purchases of intangible assets of $0.2 million.
Net cash used in investing activities of $0.1 million for the three
months ended March 31, 2023 was due to purchases and leasehold improvements of property, plant and equipment of $0.2 million.
Net cash used in investing activities of $2.1 million for the three
months ended March 31, 2022, was primarily due to purchases of property, plant, and equipment of $1.9 million and purchases of intangible
assets of $0.1 million.
Cash Flows Provided by Financing Activities
We generated $8.3 million less cash from financing activities in the
three months ended March 31, 2023 compared with the three months ended March 31, 2022, primarily due to proceeds from issuance of term
loan of $10.0 million and proceeds from the issuance of common stock in connection with the exercise of stock options of $0.1 million.
Net cash provided by financing activities of $1.1 million for the three
months ended March 31, 2023 was due to proceeds from the issuance of common stock in connection with the exercise of stock options of
$0.8 million.
Net cash provided by financing activities of $9.3 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2022, was primarily due to proceeds from loan principal of $10 million and debt issuance costs of $0.7 million.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared
in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP. Preparation of the financial statements requires our
management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that impact the reported amount of net sales and expenses, assets and liabilities
and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We consider an accounting judgment, estimate or assumption to be critical when
(1) the estimate or assumption is complex in nature or requires a high degree of judgment and (2) the use of different judgments, estimates
and assumptions could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Our significant accounting policies are described
in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements. Our critical accounting
policies are described below.
Revenue Recognition and Contract Balances
Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted the new accounting standard
under ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”) and related amendments, using the modified retrospective
transition method for all contracts. Based on our assessment, the adoption of ASC 606 did not have a material impact to the Company’s
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and there were no material differences between the Company’s adoption of ASC 606 and
its historic accounting under ASC 605, Revenue Recognition. For further information regarding the impact of the adoption of this standard,
refer to Note 3, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
The below describes our revenue recognition policies and significant
judgments in further detail:
Brand Sponsorships
The Company offers advertisers a full range of promotional initiatives,
including but not limited to online advertising, livestream announcements, content generation, social media posts, logo placement on
the Company’s official merchandise, and special appearances of members of the Company’s talent roster. The Company’s
brand sponsorship agreements may include multiple services that are capable of being individually distinct; however, the intended benefit
is an association with the Company’s brand, and the services are not distinct within the context of the contracts. Revenues from
brand sponsorship agreements are recognized ratably over the contract term. Payment terms and conditions vary, but payments are generally
due periodically throughout the term of the contract. In instances where the timing of revenue recognition differs from the timing of
billing, management has determined the brand sponsorship agreements generally do not include a significant financing component.
Content
The Company and our talent roster generate and produce original content,
which the Company monetizes through Google’s AdSense service. Revenue is variable and is earned when the visitor views or “clicks
through” on the advertisement. The amount of revenue earned is reported to the Company monthly and is recognized upon receipt of
the report of viewership activity. Payment terms and conditions vary, but payments are generally due within 30 to 45 days after the end
of each month.
The Company grants exclusive licenses to customers for certain content
produced by the Company’s talent. The Company grants the customer a license to the intellectual property, which is the content
and its use in generating advertising revenues, for a pre-determined period, for an amount paid by the customer, in most instances, upon
execution of the contract. The Company’s only performance obligation is to license the content for use in generating advertising
revenues, and the Company recognizes the full contract amount at the point at which the Company provides the customer access to the content,
which is at the execution of the contract. The Company has no further performance obligations under these types of contracts and does
not anticipate generating any additional revenue from these arrangements apart from the contract amount.
Principal Versus Agent Considerations
A significant amount of the Company’s brand sponsorship and
content revenues are generated from the Company’s talent, who are under multi-year contracts. The Company’s talent consists
of independent contractors, whose compensation is tied to the revenue that they generate. Management has evaluated the terms of the Company’s
brand sponsorship and content agreements and has concluded the Company is the principal. Brand sponsorship and content revenues are reported
on a gross basis, while revenue-sharing and other fees paid to the Company’s talent are recorded as cost of revenues. The Company
owns the brand and intellectual property, takes primary responsibility for delivery of services, and exercises control over content generation
and monetization. The Company contracts directly with Google on its Company operated channels, and the talent contracts directly with
Google on their own channels. As part of the Company’s contracts with its talent, the Company agrees to serve talent’s management
company as it relates to specific types of work the talent may perform, including content creation and advertising revenue generated
from the content. While the talent owns the content they create while they are under contract with the Company, the talent grants the
Company an exclusive perpetual license to the content, and the Company grants limited usage rights of that content back to the talent,
conditional upon them complying with their contract. Furthermore, all income earned from services provided by the talent related to gaming,
Esports, content creation, or the business of the Company, which includes revenue from advertising via talent content, is subject to
the talent agreement and is payable to the Company. In addition, the Company’s contracts with its talent specify rules and restrictions
on the content the talent can create and post. As such, through its contracts with talent, the Company is the principal because the Company
is the entity exercising primary control over the content generated in the YouTube channels being monetized.
Consumer Products
The Company earns consumer products revenue from sales of the Company’s
consumer products on the Company’s website or at live or virtual events. Revenues are recognized at a point in time, as control
is transferred to the customer upon shipment. The Company offers customer returns and discounts through a third-party distributor and
accounts for this as a reduction to revenue. The Company does not offer loyalty programs or other sales incentive programs that are material
to revenue recognition. Payment is due at the time of sale. The Company has outsourced the design, manufacturing, fulfillment, distribution,
and sale of the Company’s consumer products to a third party in exchange for royalties based on the amount of revenue generated.
Management evaluated the terms of the agreement to determine whether the Company’s consumer products revenues should be reported
gross or net of royalties paid. Key indicators that management evaluated in determining whether the Company is the principal in the sale
(gross reporting) or an agent (net reporting) include, but are not limited to:
|
● |
the Company is the party that is primarily responsible for fulfilling
the promise to provide the specified good or service, |
|
● |
the Company has inventory risk before the good is transferred to the
customer, and |
|
● |
the Company is the party that has discretion in establishing pricing
for the specified good or service. |
Based on management’s evaluation of the above indicators, the
Company reports consumer products revenues on a gross basis.
Esports
League Participation: Generally, the Company has one performance
obligation—to participate in the overall Esport event—because the underlying activities do not have standalone value absent
the Company’s participation in the tournament or event. Revenue from prize winnings and profit-share agreements is variable and
is highly uncertain. The Company recognizes revenue at the point in time when the uncertainty is resolved.
Player Transfer Fees: Player transfer agreements
include a fixed fee and may include a variable fee component. The Company recognizes the fixed portion of revenue from transfer fees
upon satisfaction of the Company’s performance obligation, which coincides with the execution of the related agreement. The variable
portion of revenue is considered highly uncertain and is recognized at the point in time when the uncertainty is resolved.
Licensing of Intellectual Property: The Company’s licenses of
intellectual property generate royalties that are recognized in accordance with the royalty recognition constraint. Royalty revenue is
recognized at the time when the sale occurs.
Transaction Price Allocated to the Remaining Performance Obligations
For the estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the future
related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) as of March 31, 2022, the Company applies the allowable
practical expedient and does not disclose information about remaining performance obligations that have original expected durations of
one year or less. Revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that have original expected durations
greater than one year that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) as of March 31, 2022 were not material.
Warrants
The Company accounts for warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified
instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in ASC 480, Distinguishing
Liabilities from Equity and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Warrants that meet the definition of a derivative financial instrument
and the equity scope exception in ASC 815-10-15-74(a) are classified as equity, and are not subject to remeasurement provided that the
Company continues to meet the criteria for equity classification. Warrants that are accounted for as equity-classified are further discussed
in Note 7, Equity, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements. Warrants that are classified as liabilities are accounted for
at fair value and remeasured at each reporting date until exercise, expiration, or modification that results in equity classification.
Any change in the fair value of the warrants is recognized as change in fair value of warrant liabilities in the Consolidated Statements
of Operations. The classification of warrants, including whether warrants should be recorded as liabilities or as equity, is re-assessed
at the end of each reporting period. The fair value of liability-classified warrants is determined using the Black-Scholes options pricing
model (“Black-Scholes model”) which includes Level 3 inputs as further discussed in Note 6, Private Placement Warrants and
Recurring Fair Value Measurements, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Stock-Based Compensation
We recognize the cost of stock-based awards granted to FaZe employees,
directors, and nonemployee consultants based on the estimated grant-date fair value of the awards. Cost is recognized on a straight-line
basis over the service period, which is generally the vesting period of the award. We have elected to recognize the effect of forfeitures
in the period they occur.
Based on the early stage of our company’s development and other
relevant factors, we determined that an Option Pricing Model (“OPM”) was the most appropriate method for allocating FaZe’s
enterprise value to determine the estimated fair value of common stock. Application of the OPM involves the use of estimates, judgment,
and assumptions that are highly complex and subjective, such as those regarding the Company’s expected future revenue, expenses,
and cash flows, discount rates, market multiples, the selection of comparable companies, and the probability of future events. Specifically,
we have historically used the back solve analysis to estimate the fair value of our common stock, which derives the implied equity value
for one type of equity security from a contemporaneous transaction involving another type of security (shares of our preferred stock
in this instance).
The estimates utilized in determining the grant date fair value for
new awards are no longer necessary now that our shares are publicly traded. The grant date fair value of our common stock was determined
with the assistance of an independent third-party valuation specialist.
We specifically determine the fair value of FaZe stock options using
the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which is impacted by the following assumptions:
| ● | Expected
Term — We use the simplified method when calculating the expected term due to insufficient
historical exercise data. |
| ● | Expected
Volatility — As our stock has recently become publicly traded, the volatility is based
on a benchmark of comparable companies within our peer group. |
| ● | Expected
Dividend Yield — The dividend rate used is zero as we have never paid cash dividends
on our common stock and do not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future. |
| ● | Risk-Free
Interest Rate — The interest rates used are based on the implied yield available on
a U.S. Treasury zero-coupon instrument with an equivalent remaining term equal to the expected
life of the award. |
Income Taxes
We record a tax provision for the anticipated tax consequences of
the reported results of operations. In accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, the provision for income taxes is computed using the asset
and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences attributable
to differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective
tax bases, operating losses and tax credit carryforwards.
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 due to a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the
enactment date. We evaluate deferred tax assets each period for recoverability. For those assets that do not meet the threshold of “more
likely than not” that they will be realized in the future, a valuation allowance is recorded. We have considered our history of
cumulative tax and book losses incurred since inception, and other positive and negative evidence, and have concluded that it is more
likely than not that the Company will not realize the benefits of the net deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2023 or as of March 31,
2022.
We report a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from
uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. We recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized
tax benefits in income tax expense, if applicable income tax returns remain open for examination by applicable authorities, generally
three years from filing for federal and four years for state. We would classify interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions
as income tax expense, if applicable. There was no interest expense or penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits recorded through
March 31, 2023.
Income tax expense for the three
months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 is based on the estimated annual effective tax rate. The Company expects a 0% estimated annual effective
tax rate for 2023. No income tax expense was recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2023 or 2022.
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 3, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the notes
to the consolidated financial statements, for recently adopted accounting pronouncements and recently issued accounting pronouncements
that may have an impact on future results but that have not yet been adopted as of the date of the consolidated financial statements.
Emerging Growth Company Accounting Election
Section 102(b)(1) of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies
from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies are required to comply with
the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect not to take advantage of the extended
transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies, and any such election to not take advantage
of the extended transition period is irrevocable. We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, and have elected to take advantage of the benefits of this extended transition period. This may make it difficult
to compare our financial results with the financial results of other public companies that are either not emerging growth companies or
emerging growth companies that have chosen not to take advantage of the extended transition period.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
About Market Risk
As of March 31, 2023, we were not subject to any market or interest
rate risk. We have not engaged in any hedging activities since our inception. We do not expect to engage in any hedging activities with
respect to the market risk to which we are exposed.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls
and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the
Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure
controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed
in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, our
management carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures under
the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer and concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures
were not effective as of March 31, 2023 because of the identification of two material weakness in our internal control over financial
reporting relating to the following: Inadequate design of information technology (IT) general and application controls resulting from
inappropriate access given to certain individuals within finance, including the Chief Financial Officer and Controller; lack of adequate
segregation of duties within a significant account of processes; and lack of adequate and timely review of accounts and reconciliations
resulting in material audit adjustments and significant post-closing adjustments. A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination
of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement
of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. In light of this material
weakness, we performed additional analysis as deemed necessary to ensure that our financial statements were prepared in accordance with
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There was no change in our internal control over
financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2023 covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that has
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting, except as described
below. In light of the material weaknesses discussed above, we are enhancing our processes to identify and appropriately apply applicable
accounting requirements to better evaluate and understand the nuances of the complex accounting standards that apply to our financial
statements. Our remediation plans and the steps taken at this time include hiring experienced personnel, providing enhanced access to
accounting literature, research materials and documents and increasing communication among our personnel and third-party professionals
with whom we consult regarding complex accounting applications. The material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting
will not be considered remediated until these modifications are implemented and after being in operation for a sufficient period of time,
tested, and concluded by management to be designed and operating effectively. In addition, as we continue to evaluate and work to improve
our internal control over financial reporting, management may determine to take additional measures to address control deficiencies or
may determine to modify our remediation plan. Management will test and evaluate the implementation of these modifications to ascertain
whether they are designed and operating effectively to provide reasonable assurance that they will prevent or detect a material misstatement
in the Company’s financial statements.