UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Filed by the Registrant
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement
Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as Permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
Definitive Proxy Statement
Definitive Additional Materials
Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

No fee required.
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

(1)Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2)Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(3)Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
(4)Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5)Total fee paid:

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as providedFee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2)Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.0-11

 

(1)Amount previously paid:
(2)Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3)Filing Party:
(4)Date Filed:

 

 

 

ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

November 22, 2021

January [●], 2024

 

Dear Fellow Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. Stockholders:

 

We invite you to attend the 20212023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. to be held virtually at the offices of the corporate counsel of Esports Entertainment Group located at 101 Wood Avenue South, 5th Floor, Woodbridge, NJ 08830www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GMBL2023 on Monday, December 20, 2021,[●], 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

 

The Notice of the Annual Meeting and proxy statement (“Proxy StatementStatement”) accompanying this letter provide information concerning matters to be considered and acted upon at the meeting. Immediately following the meeting, a report on our operationsThere will be presented, including a question-and-answer and discussion period.period as part of the meeting. Our 20202023 results are presented in detail in our Annual Report.Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, which is accessible as indicated in the Proxy Statement.

 

Your vote is very important. We encourage you to read all of the important information in the Proxy Statement and vote your shares as soon as possible. Whether or not you plan to attend, you can be sure your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting by promptly submitting your vote by the Internet, by telephone or if you requestmail using a paper copy of the proxy materials and receive a proxy card, by mail.card.

 

On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for your continued confidence and investment in Esports Entertainment Group.Group, Inc.

 

 Sincerely,
  
 /s/ Grant JohnsonJan Jones Blackhurst
 Grant JohnsonJan Jones Blackhurst
 ChairmanChair of the Board of Directors
/s/ Alex Igelman
Alex Igelman
Chief Executive Officer

 

 

ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

Block 6, Triq Paceville

St. Julians, Malta, STJ 3109

Telephone: 356 2713 1276

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

to be held on Monday, December 20, 2021[●], 2024

 

To the Stockholders of Esports Entertainment Group, Inc.:

 

The 20212023 Annual Meeting of the Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Esports Entertainment Group, Inc., a Nevada corporation (together with its subsidiaries, “Company”, “Esports”, “we”, “us” or “our”), will be held on Monday, December 20, 2021,[●], 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time virtually at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GMBL2023. You or your proxy holder will be able to participate and vote, by visiting the offices ofmeeting link above and entering the Company’s corporate counsel located at 101 Wood Avenue South, 5th Floor, Woodbridge, NJ 08830. control number on the proxy card you received. You are not required to register before the meeting starts.

The purpose of the meetingAnnual Meeting is to consider and act upon the following matters:

 

 1.To elect eightfour directors to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and qualified (Proposal No. 1);
   
 2.To approve, in a non-binding advisory vote, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the accompanying this proxy statement (“Proxy StatementStatement”) (Proposal No. 2);
   
 3.To approve, in a non-binding advisory vote, the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers (Proposal No. 3);
4.To ratify the selection of FriedmanMarcum LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 20222024 (Proposal No. 3);
4.To approve the potential issuance of an excess of 19.99% of our outstanding common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), under the Company’s Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock Warrants and Common Stock Warrants issued on May 22, 2023 (Proposal No. 4);
   
 5.To approve an amendment to the potential issuanceCompany’s Articles of an excessIncorporation to increase the Company’s authorized shares of 19.99% of our outstanding Common Stock upon the conversion of an outstanding convertible notefrom 1.25 million to 500 million shares. (Proposal No. 5); and
   
 6.To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement that is attached and made a part of this Notice. Only stockholders of record of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”),Common Stock at the close of business on October 25, 2021[●] (the “Record Date”) will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

 

All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting. We are providing proxy material access to our stockholders via mail and the Internet at www.proxyvote.com. Please give the proxy materials your careful attention.

 

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

/s/ Grant JohnsonJan Jones Blackhurst /s/ Alex Igelman
Grant JohnsonJan Jones Blackhurst Alex Igelman

Chair of the Board of Directors

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the
Board of Directors

New York, NY

[●] 
November 22, 2021[●]

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERSSTOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 20, 2021[●], 2024

 

The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at www.proxyvote.com.

 

Your vote is important. We encourage you to review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 Page
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANNUAL MEETING1
Revocability of Proxies1
Soliciting Proxies1
Voting Securities1
Voting of Proxies2
Voting Procedures and Votes Required2
Uninstructed Shares23
Votes Required to Approve a Proposal3
Tabulation and Reporting of Voting Results34
Proxy Materials Are Available on the Internet4
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING45
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE78
Board of Directors78
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports10
Board Committees11
Code of Ethics1213
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION1415
Summary Compensation Table1415
Agreements with Named Executive Officers1517
Outstanding Equity Awards at Year End1719
Director Compensation1822
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT1923
Transactions with Related Persons2024
AUDIT-RELATED MATTERS2026
Audit Committee Report2026
Audit Fees and Services21
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures2127
MATTERS TO BE VOTED ON2127
Proposal No. 1: Election of Directorsdirectors2127
Proposal No. 2: Non-Binding Advisory VoteNon-binding advisory vote to Approveapprove the Compensationcompensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officersnamed executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement2228
Proposal No. 3: Non-Binding Advisory Vote to ApproveRatify the Frequencyselection of Future Advisory Votes on the Compensation ofMarcum LLP as the Company’s Named Executive Officersindependent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 20242329
Proposal No. 4: Ratification of Friedman LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 202224
Proposal No. 5: To approve the potential issuance of an excess of 19.99% of our outstanding common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), under the Company’s Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock Warrants and Common Stock upon the conversion of an outstanding convertible noteWarrants issued on May 22, 20232430
Proposal No. 5: To approve an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the authorized shares of Common Stock from 1.25 million to 500 million shares35
STOCKHOLDER NOMINATIONS AND OTHER BUSINESS38
OTHER MATTERS2638
Householding of Annual Meeting Materials2739

 

i 

 

ESPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.

Block 6, Triq Paceville

St. Julians, Malta, STJ 3109

Telephone: 356 2713 1276

 

PROXY STATEMENT

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 20, 2021[●], 2024

 

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROXY

STATEMENT AND ANNUAL MEETING

 

General

 

The enclosedThis proxy statement (“Proxy Statement”) is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. (the “Company,” “we” or “us”), for use at the 20212023 Annual Meeting of the Company’s shareholdersstockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held virtually at 101 Wood Avenue South, 5th Floor, Woodbridge, NJ 08830,www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GMBL2023, on Monday December 20, 2021,[●], 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Accompanying this Proxy Statement is a proxy/voting instruction form (the “Proxy”) for the Annual Meeting, which you may use to indicate your vote as to the proposals contained in this Proxy Statement. Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting in person,Annual Meeting, please vote your shares as promptly as possible to ensure that your vote is counted. It is contemplated that this Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of Proxy will first be mailed to the Company’s shareholdersstockholders on or about November 17, 2021.[●], 2024.

 

Revocability of Proxies

 

All Proxies which are properly completed, signed and returned prior to the Annual Meeting, and which have not been revoked, will be voted in favor of the proposals described in this Proxy Statement unless otherwise directed. A shareholderstockholder of record may revoke his, her or herits Proxy at any time before it is voted either by filing withdelivering to the Chief Executive OfficerSecretary of the Company, at its principal executive offices located at Block 6, Triq Paceville, St. Julians, Malta, STJ 3109, a written notice of revocation or a duly-executed Proxy bearing a later date or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.during the meeting via the virtual meeting platform.

If your shares are held by your broker or bank as a nominee or agent, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker or bank.

 

Solicitation of Proxies

 

The Company will solicit stockholders by mail through its regular employees and will request banks and brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries, to solicit their customers who have stock of the Company registered in the names of such persons and will reimburse them for reasonable, out-of-pocket costs. In addition, the Company may use the service of its officers and directors to solicit proxies, personally or by electronic mail or telephone, without additional compensation.

 

Record Date

 

ShareholdersStockholders of record at the close of business on October 25, 2021[●] (the “Record Date”), will be entitled to receive notice of, attend and vote at the meeting.Annual Meeting.

 

Voting Securities

 

As of October 25, 2021,[●], 2024, there were 22,090,423[●] shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding, which constitutes all of the outstanding capital stock of the Company entitled to vote. Shareholdersoutstanding. Stockholders are entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held by them. In addition, as of [●], there were 100 shares of series E mirroring preferred stock (“Series E Preferred Stock”) issued and outstanding. The Series E Preferred Stock has voting rights on the authorized share increase (Proposal No. 5) equal to six (6) million common votes per share, provided that any votes cast by the Series E Preferred Stock with respect to Proposal No. 5 must be counted by the Company in the same proportion as the shares of common stock voted on this proposal. For example, if 50.5% of the shares of Common Stock voted by proxy or during the Annual Meeting are voted “FOR” Proposal No. 5, then the Company will count 50.5% of the votes cast (or votes) by the holder of the Series E Preferred Stock as votes “FOR” Proposal No. 5. Holders of Common Stock and Series E Preferred Stock will vote on Proposal 5 as a single class.

 

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The

Under our bylaws, the presence in personat the Annual Meeting or by proxy of the holders of a majority in interestthirty-three and 34/100 percent (33.34%) of all stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present during the Annual Meeting or represented by proxy, is necessary to constitute a quorum at this meeting.the Annual Meeting. In the absence of a quorum at the meeting,Annual Meeting, the meetingAnnual Meeting may be postponed or adjourned from time to time without notice, other than announcement at the meeting,except as required by law, until a quorum is formed. The enclosed Proxy reflects the number of shares that you are entitled to vote. For purposes of the quorum and the discussion below regarding the vote necessary to take shareholderstockholder action, shareholdersstockholders of record who are present at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy and who abstain, including broker non-votes (as described below), and brokers holding customers’ shares of record who cause abstentions to be recorded at the meeting,Annual Meeting, are considered shareholdersstockholders who are present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.

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Why am I being provided with these proxy materials?

 

We have delivered printed versions of these proxy materials to you by mail in connection with the solicitation by our Board of proxies for the matters to be voted on at our Annual Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

What do I do if my shares are held in “street name”?

 

If your shares are held in a brokerage account or by a bank or other holder of record, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of shares held in “street name.” As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other holder of record on how to vote your shares by following their instructions for voting. Please refer to information from your bank, broker or other nominee on how to submit your voting instructions.

 

What if other matters come up at the Annual Meeting?

 

AtAs of the date of this Proxy Statement, went to press, we did not know of any matters to be properly presented at the Annual Meeting other than those referred to in this Proxy Statement. If other matters are properly presented at the meetingAnnual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof for consideration, and you are a stockholder of record and have submitted a proxy card, the persons named in your proxy card will have the discretion to vote on those matters for you.

 

Voting of Proxies

 

All valid proxiesProxies received prior to the Annual Meeting will be voted. The Board of Directors recommends that you vote by proxyProxy even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. You can vote your shares by proxyProxy via Internet, via telephone, or, if you request a paper copy of the proxy materials and receive a proxy card, by mail. To vote via Internet, go to www.proxyvote.com and follow the instructions. To vote by telephone, follow the instructions provided on the proxy card or voting card, as applicable. To vote by mail, fill out the enclosed Proxy, sign and date it, and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope to Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. Voting by proxyprior to the Annual Meeting will not limit your right to vote at the Annual Meeting if you attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person.via the virtual meeting platform. However, if your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record, you must obtain a proxy executed in your favor, from the holder of record to be able to vote at the Annual Meeting.

 

Voting Procedures and Vote Required

 

Your vote is important no matter how many shares you own. Please take the time to vote. Take a moment to read the instructions below. Choose the way to vote that is easiest and most convenient for you, and cast your vote as soon as possible.

 

If you are the “record holder” of your shares, meaning that you own your shares in your own name and not through a bank, broker or other nominee, you may vote in one of three ways:

You may vote over the Internet.
You may vote your shares by following the “Vote by Internet” instructions on the accompanying proxy card. If you vote over the Internet, you do not need to vote by telephone or complete and mail your proxy card.

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You may vote via the telephone.
If you are a stockholder of record, you can submit your Proxy by calling the telephone number specified on the paper copy of the proxy card you received. You must have the control number that appears on your proxy card available when submitting your Proxy over the telephone.
Most stockholders who hold their shares in street name may submit voting instructions by calling the number specified on the paper copy of the voting instruction form provided by their bank, broker, or other nominee. Those stockholders should check the voting instruction form for telephone voting availability.
  
You may vote in Person.during the Annual Meeting. You or your proxy holder may vote your shares in person if you attendduring the Annual Meeting.Meeting via the virtual meeting platform.
  
You may vote by mail. If you requestedreceived a proxy card by mail, you may vote by completing, dating and signing the proxy card delivered and promptly mailing it in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you vote by mail, you do not need to vote over the Internet or by telephone.

 

Uninstructed Shares

 

All proxiesProxies that are executed or are otherwise submitted over the Internet or by telephone will be voted on the matters set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders in accordance with the instructions set forth herein.therein. However, if no choice is specified on a proxyProxy as to one or more of the proposals, the proxyProxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors’Board’s recommendations on such proposals as set forth in this proxy statement.Proxy Statement.

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Votes Required to Approve a Proposal

 

TheUnder our bylaws, the holders of a majority in interestthirty-three and 34/100 percent (33.34%) of all stock issued, outstanding and entitled to vote at a meeting, present in personat the Annual Meeting or represented by proxy will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Shares of common stockCommon Stock and Series E Preferred Stock represented in personat the Annual Meeting or by proxy (including shares which abstain or do not vote with respect to one or more of the matters presented for stockholder approval) will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting. If a quorum is not present, the meetingAnnual Meeting may be adjourned until a quorum is obtained.

If you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” by a broker, then the broker, as the record holder of the shares, is required to vote those shares in accordance with your instructions. If you do not give instructions to the broker, then the broker will be entitled to vote the shares with respect to “discretionary” items (such as Proposal No. 2) but will not be permitted to vote the shares with respect to “non-discretionary” items (all other proposals in this Proxy Statement, in which case, each share will be treated as a “broker non-vote”).

 

The following votes are required for approval of the proposals being presented at the Annual Meeting:

 

Proposal No. 1: Election of Directors. Votes may be cast: “FOR ALL” nominees, “WITHHOLD ALL” nomineesFOR,” “AGAINST or “FOR ALL EXCEPT” thoseABSTAIN nominees noted by you on the appropriate portion of your proxyProxy or voting instruction card. At the Annual Meeting, eightfour directors are to be elected, which number shall constitute four of the total five seats of our entire Board, to hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified. Pursuant to our bylaws, as amended, directors are to be elected by a majority of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.plurality. This means that the eightfour candidates receiving the highest number of affirmative votes at the Annual Meeting will be elected as directors. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named or for persons other than the named nominees. Withholding a vote from a director nomineeAbstentions and votes against will not be voteddeemed a vote with respect to the director nominee indicated and will have no impact on the election of directors although it will be counted for the purposes of determining whether there is a quorum. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.

 

Proposal No. 2: To ApproveNon-binding advisory vote to approve the Compensationcompensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers. named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement.Votes may be cast: “FOR,FOR,“AGAINST”AGAINST or “ABSTAIN.ABSTAIN.” The affirmative vote of the holders of shares of common stockCommon Stock representing a majority of the shares of Common Stock cast at the meeting in personAnnual Meeting or by proxy is required for the approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the accompanying proxy statement.this Proxy Statement. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.

 

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Proposal No. 3: To Recommendratify the Frequency of Future Advisory Votes on Compensation. Votes may be cast: “1 YEAR,” “2 YEARS,” “3 YEARS” or “ABSTAIN.” The selection of the three options presented receiving the highest number of votes for such option will be the option recommended by stockholders, on a non-binding advisory basis, for the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.

Proposal No. 4: To Ratify the Selection of FriedmanMarcum LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.2024. Votes may be cast: FOR,“FOR,“AGAINST” or AGAINSTABSTAIN.or “ABSTAIN.” theThe affirmative vote of the holders of shares of common stockCommon Stock representing a majority of the shares of Common Stock cast at the meeting in personAnnual Meeting or by proxy is required for the ratification of the selection of FriedmanMarcum LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year. Abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. There will be no broker non-votes with respect to this proposal.

 

Proposal No. 5:4: To approve the potential issuance of an excess of 19.99% of our outstanding Common Stock, uponpar value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), under the conversion of an outstanding convertible noteCompany’s Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock Warrants and Common Stock Warrants issued on May 22, 2023. . Votes may be cast: “FOR,FOR,“AGAINST”AGAINST or “ABSTAIN.ABSTAIN.” The affirmative vote of the holders of shares of common stockCommon Stock representing a majority of the shares of Common Stock cast at the meeting in personAnnual Meeting or by proxy is required for the approval on a non-binding advisory basis, of the compensationpotential issuance of in excess of 19.99% of outstanding Common Stock under the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the accompanying proxy statement.Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series D Preferred Stock”). Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.

Proposal No. 5: To approve an amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the authorized shares of Common Stock from 1.25 million to 500 million shares. Votes may be cast: “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN.” The affirmative vote of the holders of shares of Common Stock representing a majority of the voting power of all issued and outstanding Common Stock is required for the approval of the amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the authorized shares of Common Stock. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the proposal as they will not be counted toward reaching a majority of the issued and outstanding shares. The Series E Preferred Stock is voted in proportion to the Common Stock vote for this proposal.

 

Tabulation and Reporting of Voting Results

 

Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. Final voting results will be tallied by the inspector of election after the taking of the vote at the Annual Meeting. The Company will publish the final voting results in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)SEC within four business days followingfrom the date of the Annual Meeting.

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This proxy statement, the accompanying proxy card and our 2020 annual reportAnnual Report to stockholders were first made available to stockholders on or about November 17, 2021.[●], by way of our definitive proxy filing.

 

A copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 20212023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, except for exhibits, will be furnished without charge to any stockholder upon written or oral request to Esports Entertainment Group, Inc., Block 6, Triq Paceville, St. Julians, Malta, STJ 3109.3109, Attention: Secretary.

 

Proxy Materials Are Available on the Internet

 

The Company uses the Internet as the primarya means of furnishing proxy materials to stockholders. We send a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice of Internet Availability” toare sending our stockholders with instructions on how to access the proxy materials online at www.proxyvote.com or request a printed copy of materials.materials and how to submit a Proxy electronically using the Internet.

 

Stockholders may follow the instructions in the Notice of Internet Availability to elect to receive future proxy materials in print by mail or electronically by email. We encourage stockholders to take advantage of the availability of the proxy materials online to reduce environmental impact and mailing costs.

 

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THESE PROXY MATERIALS AND VOTING

 

Why am I receiving these materials?

 

We have sent youmade these proxy materials available to you on the Internet because the Board is soliciting your proxyProxy to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.Meeting. According to our records, you were a shareholderstockholder of the Company as of the end of business on October 25, 2021.[●].

 

You are invited to attend the Annual Meeting to vote on the proposals described in this Proxy Statement. However, you do not need to attend the meetingAnnual Meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may simply complete, signvote by the Internet, or, if you request a paper copy of the proxy materials and return the enclosedreceive a proxy card.card, by telephone or mail.

 

The Company intends to mail thesethe proxy materials on or about November 17, 2021[●], 2024, to all shareholdersstockholders of record on the Record Date entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

 

What is included in these materials?

These materials include this proxy statement for the Annual Meeting and the proxy card.

What is the proxy card?

 

TheIf you received a printed set of the proxy materials, the proxy card enables you to appoint Grant Johnson, ourJan Jones Blackhurst, Chair of the Board of Directors, Alex Igelman, Chief Executive Officer, or Lydia Roy, Group General Counsel and Compliance, Corporate Secretary, as your representative at the Annual Meeting. By completing and returning a proxy card, you are authorizing Grant JohnsonJan Jones Blackhurst, Alex Igelman, or Lydia Roy to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting in accordance with your instructions on the proxy card. This way, your shares will be voted whether or not you attend the Annual Meeting.

 

When and where is the Annual Meeting being held?

 

The Annual Meeting will be held on December 20, 2021,[●], 2024, commencing at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, virtually at 101 Wood Avenue South, 5th Floor, Woodbridge, NJ 08830.

Can I view thesewww.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GMBL2023. You or your proxy materials overholder will be able to participate and vote, by visiting the Internet?

Yes. The Notice of Meeting, this Proxy Statementmeeting link above and accompanyingentering the control number on the proxy card or notice of the meeting you received. You are available at www.proxyvote.com.not required to register before the meeting starts. Stockholders participating in the virtual meeting will be in a listen-only mode and will not be able to speak during the live audio webcast. However, in order to maintain the interactive nature of the meeting, virtual attendees are able to vote and submit questions or comments to the Company’s officers and directors during the meeting via the online meeting website.

 

Who can vote at the Annual Meeting?

 

Only shareholdersstockholders of record at the close of business on October 25, 2021[●], will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

On thisthe Record Date, there were 22,090,423[●] shares of Common Stock outstanding and entitled to vote.vote and there were 100 shares of Series E Preferred Stock outstanding that have voting rights on the authorized share increase proposal (Proposal No. 5).

 

The Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. Check-in will begin one-half hour prior to the meeting.Annual Meeting. Please allow ample time for the check-in procedures.

 

ShareholderStockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

If on October 25, 2021[●], your shares were registered directly in your name with Esports Entertainment Group, Inc.’s transfer agent, VStock Transfer, LLC, then you are a shareholderstockholder of record. As a shareholderstockholder of record, you may vote in person atduring the Annual Meeting using the virtual meeting orplatform, vote by proxy.the Internet or, if you request a paper copy of the proxy materials and receive a proxy card, by telephone or mail. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting,Annual Meeting, we urge you to fill out and return the enclosed proxy.vote.

 

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Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank

If on October 25, 2021[●], your shares were held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer, or other similar organization, rather than in your name, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered to be the shareholderstockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent regarding how to vote the shares in your account. You are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting. However, since you are not the shareholderstockholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the meetingAnnual Meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker or other agent.

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What am I voting on?

 

The following matters are scheduled for a vote:

 

1.To elect eightfour directors to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and qualified (Proposal No. 1);
  
2.To approve, in a non-binding advisory vote, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the accompanyingthis Proxy Statement (Proposal No. 2);
  
3.To recommend, in a non-binding advisory vote, the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers (Proposal No. 3);
 
4.3.To ratify the selection of FriedmanMarcum LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 20222024 (Proposal No. 4)3);
  
5.4.To approve the potential issuance of an excess of 19.99% of our outstanding common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), under the Company’s Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock Warrants and Common Stock uponWarrants issued on May 22, 2023 (Proposal No. 4)
5.To approve an amendment to the conversionCompany’s Articles of an outstanding convertible noteIncorporation to increase the authorized shares of Common Stock from 1.25 million to 500 million shares (Proposal No. 5); and
  
6.To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

The Board is not currently aware of any other business that will be brought before the Annual Meeting.

 

How do I vote?

 

You may vote “For” or “Against” or abstain from voting. The procedures for voting are fairly simple:Please see Voting Procedures on page 2.

Shareholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name

If you are a shareholder of record as of the Record Date, you may vote in person at the Annual Meeting or vote by proxy using the enclosed proxy card. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted. You may still attend the meeting and vote in person even if you have already voted by proxy.

To vote in person, come to the Annual Meeting and we will give you a ballot when you arrive. You should be prepared to present photo identification for admittance. A list of shareholders eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for inspection at the Annual Meeting and for a period of ten days prior to the Annual Meeting during regular business hours at our principal executive offices, which are located at Block 6, Triq Paceville, St. Julians, Malta, STJ 3109.
To vote using the proxy card, simply complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the envelope provided. If you return your completed and signed proxy card to us before the Annual Meeting, we will vote your shares as you direct.

Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of Broker or Bank

If you are a beneficial owner of shares registered in the name of your broker, bank, or other agent, you should have received voting instructions with these proxy materials from that organization rather than from us. Simply complete and mail your voting instructions as directed by your broker or bank to ensure that your vote is counted. Alternatively, you may be able to vote by telephone or over the Internet by following instructions provided by your broker or bank. To vote in person at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a valid proxy from your broker, bank, or other agent. Follow the instructions from your broker or bank included with these proxy materials, or contact your broker or bank to request a proxy form.

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How many votes do I have?

 

On each matter to be voted upon, youowners of Common Stock have one vote for each share of Common Stock you ownas of the Record Date. The Series E Preferred Stock has six (6) million votes for each share of Series E Preferred Stock as of the Record Date.

 

What is a quorum for purposes of conducting the Annual Meeting?

 

The presence, in personat the Annual Meeting or by proxy, of the holders of a majority in interestthirty-three and 34/100 percent (33.34%) of all stock issued and outstanding or 11,045,212 shares,and entitled to vote at the meetingAnnual Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum to transact business. As there were [●] shares of voting power from the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock and Series E Preferred Stock entitled to vote as of the Record Date, the quorum for the Annual Meeting is [●] shares. If a quorum is not present or represented at the Annual Meeting, the shareholdersstockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in personat the Annual Meeting or by proxy, may adjourn the Annual Meeting from time to time without notice or other announcement, except as required by law, until a quorum is present or represented.

 

What if I return a proxy card but do not make specific choices?

 

If you return a signed and dated proxy card without marking any voting selections, your shares will be voted “FOR” FORthe election of the directors (Proposal No. 1), “FOR” FORapproval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement (Proposal No. 2), to recommend, on a non-binding advisory basis, that the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers will be THREE YEARS” (Proposal No. 3), “FOR” ratification of the appointmentselection of FreidmanMarcum LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 20222024 (Proposal No. 4)3), “FOR” the approval of the potential issuance of an excess of 19.99% of our outstanding common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), under the Company’s Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock Warrants and Common Stock uponWarrants issued on May 22, 2023 (Proposal No. 4), “FOR the conversionapproval of an outstanding convertible noteamendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the authorized shares of Common Stock from 1.25 million to 500 million shares (Proposal No. 5), and “FOR” approval of any adjournment of the Annual Meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to transact such other business as may properly come before the meetingAnnual Meeting and all adjournments and postponements thereof; and if any other matter is properly presented at the meeting,Annual Meeting, your proxy holder (one of the individuals(the individual named on your proxy card) will vote your shares using his best judgment.

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How does the Board recommend that I vote?

 

Our Board recommends that you vote your shares “FORFOR” the election of the directors (Proposal No. 1), “FOR” FORapproval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement (Proposal No. 2), to recommend, on a non-binding advisory basis, that the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers will be THREE YEARS” (Proposal No. 3), “FOR” ratification of the appointmentselection of FriedmanMarcum LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 20222023 (Proposal No. 4)3), “FOR” the approval of the potential issuance of an excess of 19.99% of our outstanding common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), under the Company’s Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock Warrants and Common Stock uponWarrants issued on May 22, 2023 (Proposal No. 4), “FOR the conversionapproval of an outstanding convertible noteamendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the authorized shares of Common Stock from 1.25 million to 500 million shares (Proposal No. 5), and “FOR” approval of any adjournment of the Annual Meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to transact such other business as may properly come before the meetingAnnual Meeting and all adjournments and postponements thereof. Unless you provide other instructionsIf no choice is specified on your proxy card,Proxy as to one or more of the persons named as proxy holders onproposals, the proxy cardProxy will votebe voted in accordance with the Board’s recommendations of the Boardon such proposals as set forth in this Proxy Statement.

 

Who is paying for this proxy solicitation?

 

We will bear the cost of mailing and solicitation of proxies. Proxies may be solicited by mail or personally by our directors, officers or employees, none of whom will receive additional compensation for such solicitation. Those holding shares as of record for the benefit of others, or nominee holders, are being asked to distribute proxy soliciting materials to, and request voting instructions from, the beneficial owners of such shares. We will reimburse nominee holders for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

 

What does it mean if I receive more than one setProxy Statement and annual report or Notice of proxy materials?Internet Availability, as applicable?

 

If you receive more than one set of proxy materials,Proxy Statement and annual report, your shares may be registered in more than one name or in different accounts. Please complete, signsubmit a vote for each Proxy Statement and return each proxy cardannual report received to ensure that all of your shares are voted.

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I share the same address with another Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. shareholder.stockholder. Why has our household only received one setProxy Statement and annual report or Notice of proxy materials?Internet Availability, as applicable?

 

The SEC’s rules permit us to deliver a single setProxy Statement and annual report or Notice of proxy materialsInternet Availability, as applicable, to one address shared by two or more of our shareholders.stockholders. This practice, known as “householding,” is intended to reduce the Company’s printing and postage costs. We and some brokers have delivered only one setProxy Statement and annual report or Notice of proxy materialsAvailability, as applicable, to shareholdersstockholders who hold their shares through a bank, broker or other holder of record and share a single address, unless we or the applicable broker received contrary instructions from any shareholderstockholder at that address. However, any such street name holderstockholder residing at the same address who wishes to receive a separate copy of the proxy materialsProxy Statement and annual report or Notice of Availability, as applicable, may make such a request by contactingnotifying the bank, broker or other holder of record, or Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. at 866-540-7095 or in writing at Broadridge, Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. Street name holders residing11717 if the shares are held in a brokerage account or us if the shares are registered shares. Stockholders can notify us by sending a written request addressed to Attn: Secretary, Esports Entertainment Group, Inc., Block 6, Triq Paceville, St. Julians, Malta, STJ 3109 or by calling us at the same address who would like to request householding of Company materials may do so by contacting the bank, broker or other holder of record or Broadridge at the phone number or address listed above.+356 2713 1276.

 

Can I change my vote after submitting my proxy?

 

Yes. You can revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the meeting.Annual Meeting. If you are the record holder of your shares, you may revoke your proxy in any one of three ways:

 

You may change your proxy by Internet or telephone or submit another properly completed proxy card with a later date;
  
You may send a timely written notice that you are revoking your proxy to the Company at Block 6, Triq Paceville, St. Julians, Malta, STJ 3109, Attn: Chief Executive Officer;Secretary; or
  
You may attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person.during the meeting via the virtual meeting platform. Simply attending the meetingAnnual Meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy.

 

If your shares are held by your broker or bank as a nominee or agent, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker or bank.

 

How are votes counted?

 

Votes will be counted by the inspector of elections appointed for the meeting,Annual Meeting, who will separately count “ForFOR,” “AbstainAGAINST” and “AgainstABSTAIN” votes, and broker non-votes. Abstentions will not be counted as votes for any matter.

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Is my vote kept confidential?

 

Proxy instructions, ballots and voting tabulations that identify individual shareholdersstockholders are handled in a manner that protects your voting privacy. Your vote will not be disclosed either within the Company or to third parties, except:

 

as necessary to meet applicable legal requirements;
  
to allow for the tabulation and certification of votes; and
  
to facilitate a successful proxy solicitation.

 

Occasionally, shareholdersstockholders provide written comments on their proxy cards, which may be forwarded to the Company’s management and the Board.

 

How can I find out the results of the voting at the Annual Meeting?

 

Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting. Final voting results will be disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed after the Annual Meeting.

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

Board of Directors

 

Set forth below are the names of and certain biographical information about each member of our Board as of Directors.December 31, 2023. The information presented includes each director’s principal occupation and business experience for the past five years and the names of other public companies of which he or she has served as a director during the past five years.

 

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The Board, of Directors, upon the recommendation of our Compensation, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “CNCG Committee”), has nominated: Grant Johnson, Daniel Marks,Jan Jones Blackhurst, Damian Mathews, Chul Woong Lim, Alan Alden, Warwick Bartlett, Mark Nielsen and Stuart TillyRobert Soper for election as directors, each to hold office until their successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Chul Woong Lim was not nominated by the CNCG Committee and therefore is not included within certain sections below. No nominee recommendations were received by the CNCG Committee from any stockholder or group of stockholders who beneficially own more than five percent of our Common Stock.

 

Name 

Current

Age

 Position
Grant JohnsonJan Jones Blackhurst 6074 President, Secretary/Treasurer, Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and ChairmanChair of the Board of Directors
Daniel MarksDamian Mathews 4252 Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) (Principal Accounting Officer) and Director
Damian Mathews49Director
Chul Woong Lim38Chief Operating Officer and Director
Alan Alden 5862 Director
Warwick BartlettRobert Soper 7451 Director
Mark Nielsen45Director
Stuart Tilly43Chief Legal Officer and Director

 

There are currently five authorized board seats and the Board has only nominated four individuals to fill the five board seats at this meeting.

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The following noteworthy experience, qualifications, attributes and skills for each Board member, led to our conclusion that the person should serve as a director in light of our business and structure:

 

The following noteworthy experience, qualifications, attributes and skills for each Board member, together with the biographical information for each person described below, led to our conclusion that the person should serve as a director in light of our business and structure:

 

Grant JohnsonJan Jones Blackhurst

 

Mr. JohnsonMs. Jones Blackhurst has been the Chief Executive Officerserved as a director of the Company since 2013. From 2007 to 2013, Mr. Johnson advised several development stage companiesMay 2022 and as Chair of the Board of Directors since December 3, 2022. Ms. Jones Blackhurst has served as a sales managementdirector of Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: CZR) since October 2019. Ms. Jones Blackhurst served as Executive Vice President, Public Policy and business development consultant. From 2003 to 2007, Mr. Johnson was co-founder, President, Chief Operating Officer and a DirectorCorporate Responsibility of Swiss Medica Inc., a US publicly listed company which manufactured and sold nutraceutical products online. From 2000 to 2003, Mr. Johnson was founder, President, ChiefCaesars from May 2017 through September 2019. Ms. Jones Blackhurst also served as Executive Officer and a Director of Healthnet International Inc., a US publicly listed company which sold nutraceutical products online. From early 1996 to 1999, Mr. Johnson was Vice President of Starnet Communications International, Inc. and Softec Systems Inc., a market leaderGovernment Relations of Caesars from November 2011 until May 2017 and as Senior Vice President of Communications and Government Relations of Caesars from November 1999 to November 2011. Ms. Jones Blackhurst has over 20 years of experience in the B2B sectorgaming industry and has played a key role in innovating responsible gaming programs that are now used throughout the industry. Ms. Jones Blackhurst serves as the Chairwoman of the online gambling industry. Mr. Johnson obtained his BachelorPublic Education Foundation and as Chief Executive-In-Residence of Arts degreethe UNLV International Gaming Institute. Ms. Jones Blackhurst became Executive Director, UNLV Black Fire Leadership Initiative in economicsJanuary 2022. Since February 2022, Ms. Jones Blackhurst has served as a director of Gaming & Hospitality Acquisition Corp. Prior to joining Caesars, Ms. Jones Blackhurst served two terms as Mayor of Las Vegas, from 1991 until 1999. Ms. Blackhurst was selected to serve as a director because of her extensive experience in the gaming industry and history from the University of Western Ontario in Canada.proven leadership abilities.

 

Daniel Marks

Mr. Marks combines over twenty (20) years of experience of senior management in online gambling and corporate banking. From 2016 through the present, Mr. Marks has served as Chief Financial Officer of Argyll Entertainment AG, an online gambling operator licensed in the UK and Ireland. From 2014 to 2016, he was Chief Financial Officer for Large and Mid-Market Corporates for HSBC, North America, a British multinational banking and financial services organization. From 2008 through 2014, Mr. Marks held multiple financial and operational leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer for UK Coverage at Barclays plc, a British multinational investment bank and financial services company. He has an undergraduate degree from the University of Bristol, UK, and is a CIMA qualified accountant.

Damian Mathews

 

Mr. Mathews is the Company’s Chief Operating Offer, reappointed effective May 29, 2023. Mr. Mathews joined as a Director in June 2020 and was the chair of the Audit Committee until he took on other roles at the Company in 2022. Mr. Mathews previously served as our Chief Financial Officer of the Company since April 2022 and added the role of Chief Operating Officer in June 2022 until his resignation from those positions on December 31, 2022. Mr. Mathews combines over 25 years of experience in senior finance positions within investment management, banking and accounting. Previously, he had been involved withMr. Mathews served as Group Chief Operating Officer at Auckland Real Estate Co. from 2021 to 2022 and as Chief Financial Officer at the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Investment Company (a sovereign wealth fund owned investment company) as Chief Financial Officer from 2014 to 2020. From 2012 to 2014 he was a Director of his own consultancy business, NZ Pacific Investments, in New Zealand. From 2009 to 2012 he held senior management positions including General Manager Finance (New Zealand); Head of Finance and Operations Americas (United States); and Head of Change Management (Australia) at Commonwealth Bank of Australia Group. From 2007 to 2008, DamianMr. Mathews was a Director in Product Control at ABN Amro bankBank in London. From 2002 to 2006 he held various senior financial controller positions at Royal Bank of Scotland Group in London. From 1998 to 2002 he was an Assistant Vice President at Credit Suisse First Boston investment bank in London and the Bahamas. From 1994 to 1998, he was an Assistant Manager at KPMG accountants in London. He has a joint honors undergraduate degree in Economics and Politics from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Mr. Matthews was selected to serve as a director due to his extensive financial experience and valuable operational and strategic insights to the Board’s decision-making process from his term as Chief Financial Officer of the Company.

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Chul Woong Lim

Since June 2018 Mr. Lim has been Director of Global Business for Loud Communications based in Seoul, South Korea. Between 2014 and 2018 Mr. Lim was the Secretary General of the International e-Sports Federation (IeSF) based in Seoul, South Korea where he was responsible for relations with 47 national federations, international sports authorities, and global partners, in addition to organizing and operating the eSports World Championship and other international esports tournaments. During 2010, Mr. Lim was Deputy Manager of Sports Marketing with FIRSONS Inc., a Seoul, South Korea based sports events marketing firm. Mr. Lim was one of our Directors between January 30, 2015 and October 26, 2016. Mr. Lim received a B.S. in Physical Education from Seoul National University.

Alan Alden

 

Mr. Alden has served as a director of the Company since October 2020. Mr. Alden has been a specialist in advising remote gaming companies located in Malta since 2000, when he advised the first remote gaming companies as the Senior Manager of Enterprise Risk Services at Deloitte & Touche (Malta). In 2006, Mr. Alden established Kyte Consultants Ltd, a company that specialized in the remote gaming and payment card sectors, to assist companies located in Malta. In 2009, Mr. Alden became a founding director in Contact Advisory Services Ltd, a licensed Company Service Provider (CSP) that offers a complete service to its customers, from company incorporation, to licensing for gaming and financial institutions. Since 2010, Mr. Alden has served as the General Secretary of the Malta Remote Gaming Council. Mr. Alden is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (“CISSP”) and a Certified Information Systems Auditor (“CISA”).Auditor. Mr. Alden was also the founding President of the ISACA Malta Chapter between 2005 and 2008. In 2015, Mr. Alden became a Part Time Lecturer on IT Auditing at the University of Malta. Mr. Alden was selected to serve as a director because of his extensive experience in the gaming industry.

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Warwick BartlettRobert Soper

 

Mr. Bartlett combines over fifty (50) years of experience in the gaming industry. From 1999 through the present,Soper has served as a director since June 2023. Mr. BartlettSoper has served as Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Global BettingSun Gaming & Hospitality LLC since April 2017. Mr. Soper also served as International President for Mohegan Gaming Consultants Ltd, a company that provides data& Entertainment from March 2021 to June 2022. Prior to this, Mr. Soper spent over 20 years serving in various executive roles, including as President and market reportsChief Executive Officer of various Mohegan Sun entities. Mr. Soper previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Mohegan Sun Pocono in Wilkes-Barre, PA, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. As President and Chief Executive Officer of these properties, Mr. Soper was responsible for overseeing the successful launch of the first casino in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as well as the launch of online gaming for the global gambling industry. From 1989 to 2019,organization. In addition, Mr. BartlettSoper served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Mohegan parent company, Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority (MTGA) where he oversaw all business development efforts and day-to-day operations of MTGA. Mr. Soper graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics from the University of Georgia, and graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia Law with honors, also serving on the Editorial Board of the Georgia Law Review. Mr. Soper currently serves on the board of directors of Cashline Pawnbrokers Ltd. From 2002Playgon Games, a Toronto-based public company. Mr. Soper was selected to 2013, Mr. Bartlett servedserve as Non-Executive Chairman of the Association of British Bookmakers a trade organization for betting shop operators in the United Kingdom which represents its members and their interests through legislative advocacy and media relations. From 2004director due to 2010, Mr. Bartlett served as Member of the Horserace Betting Levy Board a UK statutory body that was established by the Betting Levy Act 1961. From 1992 to 2000, Mr. Bartlett served as Chairman of the British Betting Office Association.

Mark Nielsen

Mr. Neilsen co-founded ggCircuit, LLC in 2017, a cloud based esports software solution for LAN centers around the world. At ggCircuit Mark was the Chief Marketing Officer and then Chief Operating Officer before it was purchased by Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. Mr. Neilsen founded and now serves as the Chief Evangelist for Nieley, LLC, a B2B sales, marketing and operations support agency for the games industry. Mr. Nielsen is also the founder and President of iGames, Inc., which builds and manages gaming based communities. One of iGames first projects was supporting over 1000 LAN centers and executing over 200 tournaments including the official Halo National Championships. Mr. Neilsen has lead iGames to power some of the largest gaming communities for clients such as Alienware Arena and the Intel Gaming Access Program, reaching more than 100 million monthly participants. Prior to iGames, Mark served in similar evangelical roles at Intel, Silicon Graphics, Inc, 3D graphics pioneer Rendition and GIobal VR. He holds a BA in Business Administration-Finance from California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) at San Luis Obispo, where he was also a 4-time All-American tennis player voted “Best All-Around Athlete” of the school and a winner of National Tennis Magazine’s prestigious Arthur Ashe Leadership Award.

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Stuart Tilly

Mr. Tilly combines over 15 years ofhis extensive experience in the online gaming industry having previously trained and qualified as a Solicitor. Previously, he had been involved in several online gaming companies, holding positions including Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Legal Officer and Non-Executive Director and board member. From 2016 through 2020, Stuart was the Chief Executive Officer for Argyll Entertainment AG, a UK licensed online sports betting and gaming company. From 2014 to 2020, he was also Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Flip Sports Limited, a mobile games development company. From 2012 to 2016 he was Founder and Executive Director of iGaming Counsel, a legal and commercial advisory firm to the online gaming industry. From 2005 to 2012 he held senior legal positions in the online gaming industry. Stuart was also a founding member of the International Social Games Association, an industry trade body for the social gaming industry and a non-executive advisor to Game Sparks Limited, a games platform as a service company. He has a law degree from the University of Exeter and an LPC Masters Degree from Nottingham Trent Law School. Stuart trained and qualified as a solicitor at Magic Circle law firm, Allen & Overy LLP.

 

We believe ourthe following directors nominated for re-election at the Annual Meeting are qualified to serve for the following reasons:

 

Name Reason
Grant JohnsonJan Jones Blackhurst Experience in online gambling.
Daniel MarksExperience in financialwith casinos, gambling, and operational leadership roles.industry boards.
Damian Mathews Experience in financial and accounting leadership roles
Chul Woong LimExperience with esports.roles.
Alan Alden Experience advising companies in gaming.
Warwick BartlettExperience in the gaming industry.
Mark NielsenRobert Soper Experience with Esports
Stuart TillyExperience in online gamblingcasinos and gambling.

 

Family Relationships

 

There are no family relationships between any of our directors or executive officers.

 

Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors, executive officers and persons who beneficially own 10% or more of a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act to file reports of beneficial ownership and changes in beneficial ownership with the SEC. Directors, executive officers and greater than 10% stockholders are required by the rules and regulations of the SEC to furnish the Company with copies of all reports filed by them in compliance with Section 16(a). To the Company’s knowledge, based solely on a review of reports furnished to it, for the year ended June 30, 2021,2023, all of the Company’s officers, directors and ten percent holders have made the required filings other than Mr. Lefèvre’s Form 3 upon his becoming an executive officer.  filings.

 

Board Composition and Director Independence

 

Our Common Stock and warrants are listed on The NASDAQNasdaq Capital Market. Under the rules of NASDAQ,Nasdaq, “independent” directors must make up a majority of a listed company’s boardBoard of directors.Directors. In addition, applicable NASDAQNasdaq rules require that, subject to specified exceptions, each member of a listed company’s audit and compensation committees be independent within the meaning of the applicable NASDAQNasdaq rules. Audit committee members must also satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

OurCurrently, there are five individuals who make up our five-member Board of Directors. We have chosen to nominate only four members at the annual meeting so that a thorough search can be made and candidates can be evaluated for the board seat to be vacated by Chul Woong Lim, as of directors consiststhe date of 7 members.the Company’s Annual Meeting. The directors elected at this meeting will serve until our next annual meeting andor until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

The Company defines “independent” as that term is defined in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Stock Market rules.

 

In making the determination of whether a member of the board is independent, our board considers, among other things, transactions and relationships between each director and his immediate family and the Company, including those reported under the caption “Related Party Transactions.” The purpose of this review is to determine whether any such relationships or transactions are material and, therefore, inconsistent with a determination that the directors are independent. On the basis of such review and its understanding of such relationships and transactions, our board affirmatively determined that Damian Mathews,Alan Alden, Jan Jones Blackhurst, Robert Soper and Chul Woong Lim Alan Alden , Mark Nielsen and Warwick Bartlett are qualified as independent and do not have any material relationships with us that might interfere with histhe exercise of independent judgment.

 

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Board Committees

 

Our boardBoard of directorsDirectors has established an audit committee, a compensation committeeAudit Committee and a nominatingCompensation, Nominating and corporate governance committee.Corporate Governance Committee (the “CNCG Committee”). Each committee has its own charter, which is available on our website at www.esportsentertainmentgroup.com.https://esportsentertainmentgroup.com/governance-documents/. Each of the board committees has the composition and responsibilities described below.

 

Members will serve on these committees until their resignation or until otherwise determined by our Board of Directors.

 

Warwick Bartlett, Damian Mathews,Alan Alden, Jan Jones Blackhurst, Robert Soper, and Chul Woong Lim and Alan Alden are independent directors as that term is defined in Section 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Stock Market rules  .rules.

 

The members of each committee are, as follows:

 

Audit Committee: Damien Matthews, AlanMr. Alden, Ms. Jones Blackhurst and Warwick Bartlett with Mr. Matthews servingLim. Mr. Alden serves as the Chairman. Chair.

Our Board has determined that the Mr. Matthews isCompany does not currently qualified ashave an “audit committee financial expert”, as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Company continues to search for a candidate with the qualifications as defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K. At least one member of the Audit Committee has experience as a senior officer with financial oversight responsibilities.

 

CompensationCNCG Committee: Alan Alden, Chul Woong Lim, and Warwick Bartlett.Ms. Jones Blackhurst, Mr. Alden and Mr. Lim. Ms. Jones Blackhurst serves as Compensation Committee Chairman.

Nominating and Governance Committee: Warwick Bartlett, Alan Alden and Damian Matthews. Mr. Bartlett serves as Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee.Chair.

 

Audit Committee

 

The Audit Committee oversees ourthe Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes and overseeoversees the audit of ourthe Company’s consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. The specific functions of this Committee include, but are not limited to:

 

 selecting and recommending to our boardBoard of directorsDirectors the appointment of an independent registered public accounting firm and overseeing the engagement of such firm;
   
 approving the fees to be paid to the independent registered public accounting firm;

 helping to ensure the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm;
   
 overseeing the integrity of our financial statements;
   
 preparing an audit committee report as required by the SEC to be included in our annual proxy statement;Proxy Statement;
   
 resolving any disagreements between management and the auditors regarding financial reporting;
   
 reviewing with management and the independent auditors any correspondence with regulators and any published reports that raise material issues regarding the Company’s accounting policies;
   
 reviewing and approving all related-party transactions; and
   
 overseeing compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

 

Compensation, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

OurDuring the year ended June 30, 2023, the Board merged the Compensation Committee assistsand the board of directors inNominating and Corporate Governance Committee into the discharge of its responsibilities relatingCompensation, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the “CNCG Committee”) to streamline the compensationoperations of the board of directors and our executive officers.Board.

 

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The Committee’s compensation-relatedCNCG Committee is responsible for setting compensation levels for the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), and all other Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”) of the Company and members of the Company’s Board of Directors, establishes compensation, incentive and benefit plans for such individuals and approves payments under the Company’s incentive plans. In addition, the Committee is responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures that relate to the Board’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:for general corporate governance including Board organization, membership and evaluation to meet its fiduciary obligations to Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. and its stockholders.

The Committee will have the following duties and responsibilities:

Compensation Levels for Named Executive Officers and Directors

 

 Establish compensation packages for the Company’s CEO, CFO, and other NEOs and directors with consideration of pay ranges for comparable positions in similar size companies. Data for such comparisons is obtained from nationwide surveys conducted by independent compensation consulting firms and from reviewing and approving on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives with respect toother companies’ compensation for our Chief Executive Officer;information included in their proxy statements.
   
 reviewing, approvingSet compensation for the Company’s CEO, CFO, and recommendingother NEOs within competitive ranges considering performance related factors including the Company’s overall results during the past year and its performance relative to our boarda budgeted plan or stated goals and objectives. Consideration also is given to an individual’s contribution to the Company and the accomplishments of directors on an annual basisdepartments for which that individual has management responsibility as well as potential for future contributions to the evaluation process and compensation structure for our other executive officers;Company.
   
 determiningThe Committee will review and approve goals and objectives of the need forCEO, CFO and other NEOs in consultation with the appropriatenessfull Board, evaluate CEO, CFO, and other NEOs and directors’ performance in light of employment agreementsthose objectives, and change in control agreements for each of our executive officersset CEO, CFO and any other officers recommended by the Chief Executive Officer or board of directors;NEOs compensation levels consistent with those objectives.
   
 providing oversightThe Committee will review and approve the consideration paid to non-employee directors for any annual retainers and/or meeting fees. No member of management’s decisions concerning the performance andCommittee will act to fix his or her own compensation of other company officers, employees, consultants and advisors;except for uniform compensation paid to all directors for their services as such.
   
 reviewing our incentiveThe Committee will review and approve compensation packages for new NEOs and directors and termination or severance packages for the same and may also approve compensation for other equity-based plans and recommending changes in such plans to our board of directorscompany employees as needed, and exercising all the authority of our board of directors with respect to the administration of such plans;requested by management.
   
 reviewingThe Committee will review and recommendingapprove the awards made under any executive officer bonus plan and provide an appropriate report to our boardthe Board.

Compensation Plans

Review the competitiveness of directors the Company’s executive compensation programs and director compensation to: (a) attract and retain qualified individuals, (b) provide motivation to achieve the Company’s business objectives, and (c) align the interest of independent directors, including incentive and equity-based compensation; andkey leadership with the long-term interests of the Company’s stockholders.
   
 selecting, retainingReview trends in management and terminating suchdirector compensation, consultants, outside counsel or other advisors as it deemsoversee the development of new compensation plans and, when necessary, or appropriate.approve the revision of existing plans.

 

Review and make recommendations concerning long-term incentive compensation plans, including the use of stock options and other equity-based plans. Except as otherwise delegated by the Board, the Committee will act on behalf of the Board as the “Committee” established to administer equity-based and employee benefit plans, and as such will discharge any responsibilities imposed on the Committee under those plans, including making and authorizing grants, in accordance with the terms of those plans.
Evaluation and selection of recipients of stock awards and options, establishing the timing of grants, and setting the option exercise price within the terms of the Option Plan, if any.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

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The purpose of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is to recommend to the board nominees for election as directors and persons to be elected to fill any vacancies on the board, develop and recommend a set of corporate governance principles and oversee the performance of the board.

The Committee’s responsibilities include:Resource Planning

 

 recommendingEnsures compensation policies are designed to attract and retain highly skilled individuals, reward outstanding individual performance, encourage cooperative team efforts and provide an incentive to enhance long term stockholder value.
Review and discuss with the Board and senior officers’ plans for officer development and corporate succession plans for the CEO, CFO and other NEOs.
Review periodic reports from management on matters relating to the boardCompany’s personnel appointments and practices.
Produce an annual Report of the Committee on Executive and Director Compensation for the Company’s annual proxy statement.

Nomination of Directors

Sole authority to retain and terminate any search firm, at the company’s expense, to be used to identify director candidates and has the sole authority to approve any such firm’s fees and other retention and termination terms.
Determine the skills and qualifications in accordance with search criteria required of potential directors, nominees for election as directors at any meetingidentify, screen potential candidates and make recommendations to the Board of stockholders and nomineesDirectors to fill vacancies on the board;Board. Full Board approval is required for nominees to stand for election at the annual meeting of the stockholders.
 consideringAnnually, evaluate candidates proposed by stockholders in accordance withto be nominated to serve on the requirements inBoard and recommend the Committee charter;slate of nominees to stand for election at the annual meeting of the stockholders. In evaluating candidates, the committee shall take into account the following: whether a candidate is independent, relevant experience, leadership qualities, diversity, and ability to represent stockholders.
 overseeingAnnually review and recommend to the administrationBoard for approval the appointment of directors to Board committees and the selection of the Company’s codeChair for each committee.

Corporate Governance

Develop and recommend to the Board for approval a set of business conductcorporate governance principles and ethics;practices applicable to the company and review such principles annually and recommend amendments as necessary.
 reviewing withOversee the entire boardevaluation of directors, onthe Board and its committees, which may include developing and recommending an annual basis, the requisite skills and criteria for board candidates and the composition of the board as a whole;review process.
 Annually review the authorityCommittee’s Charter to retain search firms to assist in identifying board candidates, approve the terms of the search firm’s engagement,assess adequacy and cause the Company to pay the engaged search firm’s engagement fee;
recommending to the board of directors on an annual basis the directors to be appointed to each committee of the board of directors;
overseeing an annual self-evaluation of the board of directors and its committees to determine whether it and its committees are functioning effectively; and
developing and recommending to the board a set of corporate governance guidelines applicable to the Company.update and/or amend as appropriate.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may delegate any of its responsibilities to subcommittees as it deems appropriate. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is authorized to retain independent legal and other advisors, and conduct or authorize investigations into any matter within the scope of its duties.

 

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

 

We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics applicable to our principal executive, financial and accounting officers and all persons performing similar functions. A copy of that code is available on our corporate website at www.esportsentertainmentgroup.comwww. http://esportsentertainmentgroup.com/governance-documents. We expect that any amendments to such code, or any waivers of its requirements, will be disclosed on our website.

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Board Diversity

 

We seek diversity in experience, viewpoint, education, skill, and other individual qualities and attributes to be represented on our Board of Directors. We believe directors should have various qualifications, including individual character and integrity; business experience; leadership ability; strategic planning skills, ability, and experience; requisite knowledge of our industry and finance, accounting, and legal matters; communications and interpersonal skills; and the ability and willingness to devote time to our company. We also believe the skill sets, backgrounds, and qualifications of our directors, taken as a whole, should provide a significant mix of diversity in personal and professional experience, background, viewpoints, perspectives, knowledge, and abilities. Nominees are not to be discriminated against on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or any other basis proscribed by law. The assessment of prospective directors is made in the context of the perceived needs of our Board of Directors from time to time.

 

All of our directors have held high-level positions in business or professional service firms and have experience in dealing with complex issues. We believe that all our directors are individuals of high character and integrity, are able to work well with others, and have committed to devote sufficient time to the business and affairs of our company. In addition to these attributes, the description of each director’s background set forth above indicates the specific qualifications, skills, perspectives, and experience necessary to conclude that each individual should continue to serve as a director of our company.

 

Total Number of Directors   5  
         
  Female Male Non-Binary 

Did Not

Disclose

Gender

Part I: Gender Identity        
Directors 1 4    
Part II: Demographic Background        
African American or Black        
Alaskan Native or Native American        
Asian   1    
Hispanic or Latinx        
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander        
White 1 3    
Two or More Races or Ethnicities        
LGBTQ+        
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background        

Board and Committee Meetings

 

Our Board of Directors held 10twenty formal board meetings, six formal Audit Committee meetings, one formal CNCG Committee meeting and three formal Compensation Committee meetings during year ended June 30, 2023. Our Board of Directors held eleven formal board meetings and 4four formal Audit Committee meetings during year ended June 30, 2021.  2022.

 

Disclosure of Commission Position on Indemnification of Securities Act LiabilitiesBoard Leadership Structure and Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

 

Our directors and officers are indemnified as provided by the Nevada corporate law and our bylaws. We have agreed to indemnify each of our directors and certain officers against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuantBoard has no policy with respect to the provisions described above, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinionseparation of the SEC such indemnificationoffices of Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board (“Chair”). It is against publicthe Board’s view that rather than having a rigid policy, as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than our payment of expenses incurred or paid by our director, officer or controlling person in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connectionit, with the securities being registered, weadvice and assistance of the CNCG Committee, and upon consideration of all relevant factors and circumstances, will unless indetermine, as and when appropriate, whether the opinion of our counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and willtwo offices should be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.separate.

 

InvolvementThe Company currently does not have a named Lead Independent Director; however, Ms. Jones Blackhurst, since her appointment to the Board on May 3, 2022, has served in Certain Legal Proceedingsa capacity similar to that of a Lead Independent Director, although has not formally been designated as such. On December 3, 2022, Ms. Jones Blackhurst was appointed as Chair of the Board of Directors and in this capacity performs the following activities in providing oversight at the

To the best of our knowledge, none of our directors or executive officers has, during the past ten years:board-level:

 

 been convicted in a criminal proceeding or been subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violationssetting of agendas and other minor offenses);schedules of Board and Board committee meetings;
   
 had any bankruptcy petition filed by or againstscheduling, setting the business or propertyagenda for and serving as chair of the person, ormeetings of any partnership, corporation or business association of which he was a general partner or executive officer, either at the time of the bankruptcy filing or within two years prior to that time;independent directors;
   
 been subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction or federal or state authority, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting, his involvement in any type of business, securities, futures, commodities, investment, banking, savingsserving as principal liaison between the independent directors and loan, or insurance activities, or to be associated with persons engaged in any such activity;

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been found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated;senior management;
   
 beenpresiding at all meetings of the subjectBoard including executive sessions of or a party to, any federal or state judicial or administrative order, judgment, decree, or finding, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated (not including any settlement of a civil proceeding among private litigants), relating to an alleged violation of any federal or state securities or commodities law or regulation, any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies including, but not limited to, a temporary or permanent injunction, order of disgorgement or restitution, civil money penalty or temporary or permanent cease-and-desist order, or removal or prohibition order, or any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud or fraud in connection with any business entity; orthe independent directors; and
   
 been the subject of, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization (as defined in Section 3(a)(26)ensuring that she is available for consultation and direct communications on behalf of the Exchange Act), any registered entity (as defined in Section 1(a)(29) of the Commodity Exchange Act), or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associatedindependent directors with a member.major stockholders as appropriate.

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Our Board plays an active role in the oversight of risks impacting our Company, and the management team is charged with managing such risks. Our Board works closely with management to ensure that integrity, security and accountability are integrated into our operations. Our Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to our executive compensation plans and arrangements. Our Audit Committee oversees the management of financial accounting and regulatory risks and is tasked with focusing on, and analyzing, risks related to cybersecurity and, for that purpose, receiving reports from management regarding cybersecurity risks and countermeasures being undertaken or considered by the Company to prevent information security incidents, detect unusual activity, and to be prepared to respond appropriately should an incident occur. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing the risks associated with the independence of the Board and other corporate governance matters. While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, our full Board is regularly informed regarding such risks through committee reports and otherwise.

Communications with the Board

The Board believes it is important for stockholders and others to have a process to send communications to the Board. Stockholders who wish to communicate with directors should do so by writing to Attn: Secretary, Esports Entertainment Group, Inc., Block 6, Triq Paceville, St. Julians, Malta, STJ 3109. The Secretary of the Company reviews all such correspondence and forwards to the Board a summary of all such correspondence and copies of all correspondence that, in the opinion of the Secretary, deals with the functions of the Board or Board committees or that she otherwise determines requires their attention. Concerns relating to accounting, internal controls or auditing matters will be brought to the attention of the Company’s Audit Committee.

Hedging and Pledging

We prohibit our officers and directors from hedging and pledging of our securities of the Company. Officers and Directors are prohibited from (i) engaging in any hedging transactions (including short-selling, options, puts, and calls, as well as derivatives such as swaps, forwards, and futures transactions) with respect to securities of the Company, and (ii) making or maintaining any pledges of securities of the Company or otherwise holding securities of the Company in a margin account.

 

Except as set forth in our discussion below in “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions,” none of our directors or executive officers has been involved in any transactions with us or any of our directors, executive officers, affiliates or associates which are required to be disclosed pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

For the year ended June 30, 2023, our named executive officers (“Named Executive Officers” or “NEOs”) were:

Alex Igelman, Chief Executive Officer
Damian Mathews, Chief Operating Officer and Director
Jennifer Pace, Chief Human Resources Officer
Lydia Roy, Group General Counsel, Compliance and Corporate Secretary
Michael Villani, Chief Financial Officer
John Brackens, Chief Information Officer and Chief Technology Officer, through May 2023
Grant Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, through December 2022

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The following table summarizes information concerning the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to, our Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer or PEO) and our two most highly compensated executive officers other than the Principal Executive Officer during fiscal years 20212023 and 2020 (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”)2022 who served in such capacities. We have included the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Chief Information Officer and Chief Technology Officer, who resigned from their positions during the year. We also included Damian Mathews, who resigned from his position as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer on December 31, 2022 and later rejoined the Company as the Chief Operating Officer on May 29, 2023.

 

Name and 
Principal Position
 Year  Salary  Bonus  

Stock

Awards(1)

  

Option

Awards(1)

  

Other

Annual

Compensation

  

All Other

Compensation

  Total 
Grant Johnson,  2021  $300,000      92,000   276,000      14,800  $682,800 
CEO and President(2)  2020  $150,000                 $150,000 
                                 
Brackens John  2021  $207,400      52,794   184,000        $444,194 

CTO(3)

  2020  $94,000      83,645           $177,645 
                                 
Stuart Tilly,  2021  $320,013      23,000   46,000        $389,013 
Chief Legal Counsel (4)  2020  $11,510                 $11,510 
                                 
Daniel Marks,  2021  $216,000      23,000   69,000        $308,000 
CFO(5)  2020  $9,000                 $9,000 
Name and Principal Position Year  

Salary

($)

  Bonus  

Stock

Awards ($)(1)

  

Option

Awards
($)(1)

  

Other

Annual

Compensation ($)

  

All Other

Compensation

($)

  

Total

($)

 
Alex Igelman,  2023  $150,000      184,000   84,312        $418,312 
Chief Executive Officer (2)  2022  $                 $ 
                                 
Damian Mathews,  2023  $173,334                 $173,334 
Chief Operating Officer and former Chief Financial Officer (3)  2022  $68,811      142,400   160,054      11,500  $382,765 
                                 
Lydia Roy,  2023  $250,000                 $250,000 
Group General Counsel, Compliance and Corporate Secretary (4)  2022  $205,000         107,769        $312,769 
                                 
Michael Villani,  2023  $227,500                 $227,500 
Chief Financial Officer (5)  2022  $205,000         106,702        $311,702 
                                 
John Brackens,  2023  $175,000               66,667  $241,667 
Former Chief Information Officer and Chief Technology Officer (6)  2022  $200,000        ��164,321        $364,321 
                                 
Grant Johnson,  2023  $125,000                 $125,000 
Former Chief Executive Officer and President (7)  2022  $300,000         164,321      14,800  $479,121 

 

(1)TheFor awards of stock and options, the aggregate grant date fair value of options grantedwas computed in accordance with ASC718ASC 718 on the date of grant.

(2)Mr. Igelman has an annual salary of $300,000. Mr. Igelman was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Company on January 3, 2023. In connection with his appointment, he received inducement equity awards outside the Company’s Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). Mr. Igelman was granted an award of 63 shares of common stock at a $2,920.63 grant price per share and an award of 63 time-based stock options at a $1,338.29 grant date fair value per share on January 3, 2023.
  
(2)(3)AnnualMr. Mathews has an annual salary of $280,000 following his appointment as Chief Operating Officer on May 29, 2023. Previously, Mr. Mathews earned a salary of $300,000 in his role as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer until his resignation from those positions on December 31, 2022. During the year ended June 30, 2022, and in connection with his appointment as Chief Financial Officer on April 4, 2022, Mr. Mathews was issued 5 shares of Common Stock at a $28,480 grant price. As part of his role as non-executive director Mr. Mathews received director fees of $11,500 and was issued 1 stock option at a $160,054 fair value grant price during the year ended June 30, 2022.

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(4)Ms. Roy has an annual salary of $250,000. Ms. Roy was appointed Group General Counsel, Compliance and Corporate Secretary for the Company from February 2022. Ms. Roy joined the Company in 2021 as Head of Legal, Esports. During the year ended June 30, 2022, Ms. Roy was issued 1 stock option at a $107,769 fair value grant price.
(5)Mr. Villani has an annual salary of $227,500 during the year ended June 2023 and $205,000 during the year ended June 30, 2022. Mr. Villani was appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer and Financial Controller on January 6, 2023 and subsequently as permanent Chief Financial Officer on August 29, 2023. During the year ended June 30, 2022, Mr. Villani was issued 1 stock option at $106,702 fair value grant price.
(6)Mr. Brackens had an annual salary of approximately $200,000. Mr. John Brackens served as the Company’s Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) from September 20, 2019 to May 15, 2023. During the year ended June 30, 2022, Mr. Brackens was issued 1 stock option at $164,321 fair value grant price.
(7)Mr. Johnson had an annual salary of $300,000. During the year ended June 30, 2021, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)2022, Mr. Johnson was issued 20,000 shares of common1 stock option at $4.60 granted price, and 60,000 stock options at $4.82 granted$164,321 fair value grant price. All other compensation includes $4,800 for office rent reimbursement and $10,000 for car allowance.

 

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(3)Annual salary of approximately $207,000. Mr. John Brackens was appointed as the Company’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO) on September 20, 2019. During the year ended June 30, 2021, Mr. John Brackens was issued 300 shares, 7,500 shares and 2,367 shares of common stock at $4.25, $4.60 and $7.19 granted price, respectively. Mr. John Brackens was issued 40,000 stock options at $4.82 granted price.
(4)Annual salary of approximately $320,000. Mr. Stuart Tilly was appointed as the Company’s Chief Legal Counsel on June 15, 2020. Mr. Stuart Tilly is compensated through a legal consultancy agreement that requires payments of £18,000 per month to his legal consultancy firm, and he also receives $500 per month through an employment agreement as Legal Counsel and Company Secretary. During the year ended June 30, 2021, Mr. Stuart Tilly was issued 5,000 shares of common stock at $4.60 granted price, and 10,000 stock options at $4.82 granted price.
(5)Annual salary of $216,000. Mr. Daniel Marks was appointed as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) on June 15, 2020. During the year ended June 30, 2021 the CFO was issued 5,000 shares of common stock at $4.60 granted price, and 15,000 stock options at $4.82 granted price.

Employment Agreements

 

Grant JohnsonAlex Igelman

 

On June 1, 2017, weDecember 23, 2022, Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. (the “Company”) announced the appointment of Alex Igelman as Chief Executive Officer, effective January 3, 2023. Mr. Igelman joins the Company with more than 30 years of experience in the gaming industry. He is a gaming lawyer and the co-founder of FairP2P and Esports Capital Corp., entities which have been leaders in their respective sectors. During his career, Mr. Igelman worked across the gambling and gaming industry in a variety of senior leadership positions.

In connection with Mr. Igelman’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Igelman and the Company entered into an Employment Agreement with Grant Johnson to serve as our Chief Executive, President, Financial and Accounting Officer. Theemployment agreement (the “Agreement”) on December 22, 2022, which provides for an annual salary of $150,000. On September 29, 2020, we entered into an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Grant Johnson to serve as our Chief Executive Officer (the “Johnson Employment Agreement”). We will continue to employ Mr. Johnson for the period beginning retroactively on May 1, 2020 (the “Commencement Date”) and ending on January 31, 2025, (the “Initial Term”). The Initial Term shall be automatically renewed for successive consecutive one (1) year periods (each, a “Renewal Term” and the Initial Term and Renewal Term are collectively referred to as the “term of employment”) thereafter unless either party sends written notice to the other party, not more than 270 days and not less than 180 days before the end of the then-existing term of employment, of such party’s desire to terminate the Johnson Employment Agreement at the end of the then-existing term, in which case the Johnson Employment Agreement will terminate at the end of the then-existing term.

The Johnson Employment Agreement provides for an annualbase salary of $300,000 (the “Base Salary”)and the grant of common stock and stock options. These stock awards are being granted as inducement equity awards outside the Company’s Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). In additionPursuant to the Base Salary, Mr. Johnson may receive a cash bonus up to 150%terms of the Base Salary determined byAgreement, subject to the relationship between our annual performancecommencement of his employment, the Company will grant Mr. Igelman an award of 25,000 shares of common stock and an annual target performance set each year by mutualaward of 25,000 time-based stock options. Mr. Igelman’s shares of common stock may not be sold or transferred until the six-month anniversary of the date of grant. Mr. Igelman’s stock options will vest in equal quarterly installments over a one-year period subject to his continued employment with the Company on the applicable vesting dates. The stock awards are subject to the terms of an award agreement betweenoutlining the Boardspecific terms of Directors.

the stock awards. Mr. Johnson participatesIgelman may also participate in the executive stock option plan consistent with other C-level officers. In addition, the Mr. Johnson shall receive 100,000 sharesIgelman is eligible to earn an annual bonus of our common stock for each stock or asset acquisition consummated during the term50% of his employment that increases the gross revenuesbase salary, subject to satisfaction of the Companygoals and objectives to be set each year by $10,000,000 or more, as determined by the auditors and the Board of Directors. He will also be issued 200,000 of our common stock if we reach positive cash flow EBIDTA, as determined our auditors and the Board of Directors. Mr. Johnson will further receive a common stock issuance of 200,000 shares if our market capitalization exceeds $500,000,000 for a period of 30 consecutive trading days. In addition, the Mr. Johnson will receive a 200,000 common stock issuance if our market capitalization exceeds $1,000,000,000 for a period of 30 consecutive trading days. Further, Mr. Johnson will receive an issuance of 200,000 shares of common stock if our market capitalization exceeds $1,500,000,000 for a period of 30 consecutive trading days. Mr. Johnson will also be entitled receive an additional 100,000 shares of common stock for each additional $100,000,000 increase in market capitalization thereafter, provided that such increase is sustained for a period of 30 consecutive trading days.Directors (the “Board”).

 

Mr. JohnsonThe Agreement is entitled to receive various employee benefits generally made available to other C-level officersat-will and senior managers of the Company. Ifeither the Company wereor Mr. Igelman may terminate the employment at any time for any reason or no reason with 90 days advanced written notice. Upon termination of Mr. Igelman’s employment because of disability, the Company shall pay or provide Mr. Igelman, subject to terminate Mr. Johnson’s employment without cause, Mr. Johnson would be entitled to receive all compensation earned butcontinued compliance with applicable restrictive covenants, (i) any unpaid base fee and any accrued vacation through the date of termination; (ii) any unpaid annual bonus accrued with respect to the fiscal year ending on or preceding the date of termination; (iii) reimbursement for any unreimbursed expenses properly incurred through the date of termination; and (iv) any accrued benefits. Upon the termination andof Mr. Igelman’s employment because of death, Mr. Igelman’s estate shall be entitled to any accrued benefits. Upon the termination of Mr. Igelman’s employment by the Company for cause or by either party in connection with a severance payment equalfailure to two (2) years’ worth of his then-existing Base Salary and previous years’ bonus.renew the employment agreement, subject to continued compliance with applicable restrictive covenants, the Company shall pay Mr. Igelman any accrued benefits.

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John BrackensDamian Mathews

 

On May 9, 2019,29, 2023, the Company entered into an employmentagreement with agreement with Mr. John BrackensMathews to serve as the Company’s Chief Information with aOperating Officer. Mr. Mathews salary of $120,000 per annum. On September 20, 2019, the Company entered in a new employment agreement with Mr. Brackens to update Mr. Brackens position with the Company as its Chief Technology Officer. Under this amended agreement, Mr. Brackens was to receive an initial base salary of $120,000is approximately $280,000 per annum with his salary increased to $144,000 per annum upon the Company’s completion of financingpaid in excess of $5,000,000. On May 1, 2020, the Company further amended the employment agreement with Mr. Brackens to update Mr. Bracken’s salary to $144,000 per annum. On February 22, 2021 the employment agreement with Mr. Brackens was amended further to increase Mr. Bracken’s salary effective from March 1, 2021 to approximately $200,000 payablemonthly payments in U.S. dollars and Euro.

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NZD. The employment agreement with Mr. BrackensMathews is for one year and is automatically extended for an additional one year term unless the Company or Mr. BrackensMathews provides written notice within 60 days notice prior to the end of the current employment term. Mr. BrackensMathews is eligible to earn an annual employee stock option bonus in such amount, if any, as determined in the sole discretion of the Board. Mr. Mathews participates in the executive stock option plan consistent with other C-level officers. The employment agreement with Mr. BrackensMathews may be terminated with or without cause. Upon termination Mr. Brackens’Mathews’ employment because of disability, the Company shall pay or provide Mr. BrackensMathews (i) any unpaid base fee and any accrued vacation through the date of termination; (ii) any unpaid annual bonus accrued with respect to the fiscal year ending on or preceding the date of termination; (iii) reimbursement for any unreimbursed expenses properly incurred through the date of termination; and (iv) any Accrued Benefits. Upon the termination of Mr. Brackens’Mathews’ employment because of death, Mr. Brackens’Mathews’ estate shall be entitled to any Accrued Benefits. Upon the termination of Mr. Brackens’Mathews’ employment by the Company for cause or by either party in connection with a failure to renew the employment agreement, the Company shall pay Mr. BrackensMathews any Accrued Benefits.

 

Daniel MarksLydia Roy

 

On June 11, 2020, Mr. Marks entered into an engagementFebruary 7, 2022, the Company appointed Ms. Roy Group General Counsel, Compliance and Corporate Secretary. In connection with the appointment, Ms. Roy received a base salary of $250,000. The employment agreement with the Company. The Engagement AgreementMs. Roy is for a term of one year (the “Initial Term”) and shall beis automatically extended for an additional terms of successive one-year periods (the “Additional Term”)term unless the Company or Mr. Marks gives at least 30Ms. Roy provides written notice within 60 days written notice prior to the expirationend of the Initial Term or each Additional Term. Mr. Marks is to receive a base salary of $18,000 per month. Mr. Markscurrent employment term. Ms. Roy is eligible to earn an annual employee stock option bonus in such amount, if any, as determined in the sole discretion of the Board. Ms. Roy is also eligible to participate in the executive stock option plan consistent with other executive officers. The Engagement Agreementemployment agreement with Ms. Roy may be terminated with or without cause. The Company can terminate Mr. Marks without cause at any time during the first ninety (90) days of the Initial Term of the Engagement Agreement. Upon termination of Mr. MarksMs. Roy’s employment because of disability, the Company shall pay or provide to Mr. Marks (1)Ms. Roy (i) any unpaid salarybase fee and any accrued vacation through the date of termination; (2)(ii) any unpaid annual bonus accrued with respect to the fiscal year ending on or preceding the date of termination; (3)(iii) reimbursement for any unreimbursed expenses properly incurred through the date of termination; and (4) all other payments or benefits to which he may(iv) any Accrued Benefits. Upon the termination of Ms. Roy’s employment because of death, Ms. Roy’s estate shall be entitled underto any Accrued Benefits. Upon the termstermination of any applicable employee benefit plan, program or arrangement.

As a full-time employee ofMs. Roy’s employment by the Company Mr. Marks will be eligiblefor cause or by either party in connection with a failure to participate in all ofrenew the Company’s benefit programs.employment agreement, the Company shall pay Ms. Roy any Accrued Benefits.

 

Stuart TillyMichael Villani

 

On June 11, 2020,Effective August 29, 2023, Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. (the “Company”) announced the appointment of Michael Villani, 47, as the permanent Chief Financial Officer, from his previous role as Interim Chief Financial Officer and Financial Controller. Mr. TillyVillani serves as the Company’s Principal Financial Officer. In connection with Mr. Villani’s appointment as the Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Villani and the Company entered into an engagementemployment agreement with(the “Agreement”) on August 29, 2023, which provides for a base salary of $250,000. Mr. Villani may also participate in the Company to serve at the Chief Legal Counsel. The Company also entered into a consulting agreement with Mr. Tilly through the legal consulting firm Rivington Law, whereby Mr. Tilly provides additional legal and other professional services to the Company. Mr. Tilly receives $500 per month in his role as Chief Legal Counsel and £18,000 ($24,842 translated using the exchange rate in effect at June 30, 2021) pursuant to the consulting agreement.

In his role as Chief Legal Counsel, Mr. Tilly is entitled to discretionary cash bonuses as determined from time to time by the Board or Compensation Committee as well as participation in any executive stock option plan consistent with other C-level officers. Either partyMr. Villani is eligible to earn an annual discretionary bonus, subject to satisfaction of goals and objectives to be set each year by the Board.

The Agreement is at-will and either the Company or Mr. Villani may terminate the engagement agreement upon 60employment at any time, with or without Cause (as defined in the Agreement), or for any or no Cause, with 90 days written notice.

The Company or Mr. Tilly may terminate the consulting agreement upon six monthsadvance written notice . Underrequired to be provided by Mr. Villani to the consulting agreement,Company. Upon termination of Mr. Villani’s employment, other than for Cause, the Company may, at is sole discretion, terminateshall pay or provide Mr. Villani, subject to continued compliance with applicable restrictive covenants, three months’ salary continuation to be paid in accordance with the agreement immediately by paying all amounts that otherwise would have been due owing during the notice period for termination. On the date of termination, for any reason whatsoever, Mr. Tilly will only be entitled to any outstanding fees or consideration earned and owed though the date of such termination.Company’s payroll practices.

 

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Outstanding Equity Awards at June 30, 20212023

 

The following table summarizes the outstanding equity award holdings held by our named executive officers and directors atas of June 30, 2021.2023. The shares issuable upon exercise of options as well as the option exercise price have been adjusted for the one-hundred-to-one reverse split completed by the Company on February 22, 2023.

 

Name Shares issuable
upon exercise
of options
  

Option

exercise

price ($)

  

Option

expiration

date

Alan Alden (1)  20,000  $4.82  January 7, 2026
Damien Matthews (2)  20,000  $4.82  January 7, 2026
Chul Wong Lim (3)  20,000  $4.82  January 7, 2026
Warwick Bartlett (4)  20,000  $4.82  January 7, 2026
Grant Johnson, Chief Executive Officer  60,000  $4.82  January 7, 2026
Stuart Tilly, Chief Legal Counsel  10,000  $4.82  January 7, 2026
Daniel Marks, Chief Financial Officer  15,000  $4.82  January 7, 2026
John Brackens, Chief Technology Officer  40,000  $4.82  January 7, 2026
Adrien Lefevre, Chief Compliance Officer  10,000  $4.82  January 7, 2026
Name Grant date Shares
issuable
upon exercise
of options
  Option
exercise
price ($)
  Option
expiration
date
Non-Executive Directors:            
Alan Alden, October 8, 2020  1  $192,800  January 7, 2026
Director (1) October 1, 2021  1  $268,400  October 1, 2026
Jan Jones Blackhurst N/A       N/A
Director and Chair of the Board (2)            
Chul Wong Lim, October 8, 2020  1  $192,800  January 7, 2026
Director (3) October 1, 2021  1  $268,400  October 1, 2026
Robert Soper, N/A       N/A
Director (4)            
Named-Executive Officers:            
Alex Igelman, January 3, 2023  63  $2,944  January 3, 2033
Chief Executive Officer (5)            
Damian Mathews, October 8, 2020  1  $192,800  January 7, 2026
Chief Operating Officer and Director (6) October 1, 2021  1  $268,400  October 1, 2026
Jennifer Pace, October 8, 2020  1  $192,800  January 7, 2026
Chief People Officer (7) October 1, 2021  1  $268,400  October 1, 2026
Lydia Roy, October 1, 2021  1  $268,400  October 1, 2026
Group General Counsel, Compliance and Corporate Secretary (8)            
Michael Villani, October 1, 2021  1  $268,400  October 1, 2026
Chief Financial Officer (9)            

 

(1)Mr. Alden was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. and Chair of the Compensation committee asCommittee from October 1, 2020.
  
(2)Mr. MatthewsMs. Jones Blackhurst was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. from May 3, 2022 and as Chair of the Audit committee asBoard of Director from October 1, 2020.December 3, 2022. Ms. Jones Blackhurst has not been issued stock or options in connection with her appointments at the Company.
  
(3)Mr. Lim was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. and a member of the Compensation committee asCommittee from October 1, 2020.
  
(4)Mr. BartlettSoper was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. from June 6, 2023. Mr. Soper has not been issued stock or options in connection with his appointment at the Company.
(5)Mr. Igelman was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Company from January 3, 2023. Mr. Igelman received the options in connection with his appointment.
(6)Mr. Mathews was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. and Chair of the Governance committee asAudit Committee from October 1, 2020. Mr. Mathews resigned from his role as Non-Executive Director on appointment as Chief Financial Officer on April 2, 2022 and as an Executive Directory. Mr. Mathews also took on the role of Chief Operating Officer on June 1, 2022. Mr. Mathews resigned from his role as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer on December 31, 2022 and rejoined the Company as Chief Operating Officer from May 29, 2023. Mr. Mathews remained on the Board of Directors throughout the year and continues to serve as director in addition to his Chief Operating Officer role.

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(7)Ms. Pace was appointed Chief People Officer of the Company from September 1, 2022.
(8)Ms. Roy was appointed Group General Counsel, Compliance and Corporate Secretary of the Company from February 7, 2022.
(9)Mr. Villani was appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer and Financial Controller on January 6, 2023 and subsequently as permanent Chief Financial Officer on August 29, 2023.

 

Stock Incentive Plans

 

On September 10, 2020, the Company’s board of directorsBoard adopted the 2020 Equity and Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”) that provides for the issuance of incentive and non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock appreciation rights to officers, employees, directors, consultants, and other key persons. Under the 2020 Plan, the maximum number of shares of common stockCommon Stock authorized for issuance was 1,500,00038 shares. Each year on January 1, for a period of up to nine years, the maximum number of shares authorized for issuance under the 2020 Plan is automatically increased by 233,9686 shares. At June 30, 2021,2023, there was a maximum of 1,733,96856 shares of common stockCommon Stock authorized for issuance under the 2020 Plan. There were no additional equity awards eligible for issuance from the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan that had been adopted by the Company on August 1, 2017. The outstanding stock options granted under the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan were transferred to the 2020 Plan. As of June 30, 2021,2023, there were 1,281,95941 shares of common stockCommon Stock available for future issuance under the 2020 Plan. On January 3, 2023, the Company issued an award of 63 time-based stock options to the Chief Executive Officer with an exercise price of $2,944 per option outside of the 2020 Plan. The Chief Executive Officer’s stock options will vest in equal quarterly installments over a one-year period subject to his continued employment with the Company on the applicable vesting dates.

 

Incentive Stock Options

 

All of our employees are eligible to be granted Incentive Stock Options pursuant to the 2020 Plan as may be determined by our Board of Directors which administers the Plan.

 

Options granted pursuant to the 2020 Plan terminate at such time as may be specified when the option is granted.

 

The total fair market value of the shares of common stockCommon Stock (determined at the time of the grant of the option) for which any employee may be granted options which are first exercisable in any calendar year may not exceed $100,000.

 

In the discretion of the Board, of Directors, options granted pursuant to the 2020 Plan may include instalmentinstallment exercise terms for any option such that the option becomes fully exercisable in a series of cumulating portions. The Board of Directors may also accelerate the date upon which any option (or any part of any option) is first exercisable. However, no option, or any portion thereof may be exercisable until one year following the date of grant. In no event shall an option granted to an employee then owning more than l0% of our common stockCommon Stock be exercisable by its terms after the expiration of five years from the date of grant, nor shall any other option granted pursuant to 2020 Plan be exercisable by its terms after the expiration of ten years from the date of grant.

 

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Non-Qualified Stock Options

 

Our employees, directors and officers, and consultants or advisors are eligible to be granted Non-Qualified Stock Options pursuant to 2020 Plan as may be determined by our Board of Directors which administers the Plan, provided however that bona fide services must be rendered by such consultants or advisors and such services must not be in connection with a capital-raising transaction or promoting our common stock.Common Stock.

 

Options granted pursuant to 2020 Plan terminate at such time as may be specified when the option is granted.

 

In the discretion of the Board of Directors options granted pursuant to the Plan may include instalment exercise terms for any option such that the option becomes fully exercisable in a series of cumulating portions. The Board of Directors may also accelerate the date upon which any option (or any part of any option) is first exercisable. In no event shall an option be exercisable by its terms after the expiration of ten years from the date of grant.

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Stock Bonuses

 

Our employees, directors and officers, and consultants or advisors are eligible to receive a grant of our shares, provided however that bona fide services must be rendered by such consultants or advisors and such services must not be in connection with a capital-raising transaction or promoting our common stock.Common Stock. The grant of the shares rests entirely with our Board of Directors which administers the Plan. It is also left to the Board of Directors to decide the type of vesting and transfer restrictions which will be placed on the shares.

 

Employee Pension, Profit Sharing or other Retirement Plan

 

We do not have a defined benefit, pension plan, profit sharing or other retirement plan, although we may adopt one or more of such plans in the future.

 

Pay vs. Performance

As required by Section 953(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the following disclosure (the “Pay Versus Performance Disclosure”) describes the relationship between executive compensation and the Company’s performance with respect to select financial measures.

                    Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based On:    
Year Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO (1)  Compensation Actually Paid to PEO (2)  Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO-2 (1)  Compensation Actually Paid to PEO-2 (2)  Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs (1)  Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs (2)  Total Stockholder Return  Net Loss 
2023 $418,312  $320,899  $125,000  $84,042  $209,940  $175,099  $0.11  $(32,285,479)
2022 $-  $-  $479,121  $206,267  $328,798  $102,487  $3.78  $(102,232,090)

(1)The NEOs for each year presented above are comprised of the following: 2023: Alex Igelman, who is currently and was the Company’s Principal Executive Officer (the “PEO”) from January 3, 2022 and Grant Johnson, who was the Company’s PEO (“PEO-2) during the fiscal period starting July 1, 2022 through December 3, 2022, and Michael Villani, Damian Mathews, Jennifer Pace, Lydia Roy and John Brackens (collectively, the “non-PEO NEOs”). 2022: Grant Johnson, who was the Company’s PEO during the fiscal period starting July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022, and Michael Villani, Damian Mathews, Jennifer Pace, Lydia Roy and John Brackens (collectively, the “non-PEO NEOs”).
(2)SEC rules require that certain adjustments be made to the totals set forth in the Summary Compensation Table included in this Proxy Statement (the “Summary Compensation Table”) in order to determine “compensation actually paid” for purposes of this Pay Versus Performance Disclosure. “Compensation actually paid” does not represent cash and/or equity value transferred to the applicable NEO, but rather is a value calculated under applicable SEC rules for purposes of this Pay Versus Performance Disclosure. In general, “compensation actually paid” is calculated as total compensation set forth in the Summary Compensation Table, as adjusted to include the fair market value of equity awards as of June 30 of the applicable year or, if earlier, the vesting date (rather than the grant date). None of the NEOs participate in a defined benefit plan, so the following table does not include an adjustment for pension benefits. The below table reflects the required adjustments to reconcile total compensation as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table to “Compensation actually paid” for purposes of the Pay Versus Performance Disclosure.

Year NEO(s) Summary Compensation Table Total  Subtract Stock Awards(a)  Add Year-End Granted Award Fair Value(b)  Change in Value of Prior Awards(c)  Value of Awards Granted and Vested in Same Year(d)  Change in Value of Prior Awards that Vested in Year(e)  Compensation Actually Paid 
2023 PEO $418,312  $(268,312) $11,870       -   $159,029  $-  $320,899 
  PEO (Former)  125,000   -   -   -   -   (40,958)  84,042 
  Total PEO (Current/Former)  543,312   (268,312)  11,870   -   159,029   (40,958)  404,941 
                               
  Average of Non-PEO NEOs $209,940.00  $-  $-  $-  $-  $(34,841) $175,099 
                               
2022 PEO $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $- 
  PEO (Former)  479,121   (164,321)  1,119   -   (99,671)  (9,981)  206,267 
  Total PEO (Current/Former)  479,121   (164,321)  1,119   -   (99,671)  (9,981)  206,267 
                               
  Average of Non-PEO NEOs $328,798  $(168,260) $916  $-  $(56,305) $(2,662) $102,487 

(a)Deduction for the amounts reported in the “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” columns of the Summary Compensation Table.
(b)Fair value, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718, as of the end of the reported fiscal year of equity awards granted in the reported fiscal year that were outstanding and unvested as of the end of the reported fiscal year.

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(c)Change in fair value, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718, as of the end of the reported fiscal year from the end of the prior fiscal year, of equity awards granted in prior years that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the reported fiscal year.
(d)Fair value, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718, as of the vesting date for awards that are granted and vest in the same reported fiscal year.
(e)Change in fair value, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718, from the end of the prior fiscal year to the vesting date for awards granted in prior years that vest in the reported year.

Relationships Between Executive Compensation Actually Paid and Select Financial Performance Measures

The charts below are based on the information provided in the above table to illustrate the relationships between the Company’s compensation actually paid to the PEO and the average compensation actually paid to the Company’s non-PEO NEOs, with (i) the Company’s cumulative total stockholder return, and (ii) the Company’s net income (loss) to link compensation actually paid to its NEOs for the most recently completed fiscal year and its performance.

 

Directors’ Compensation

 

During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, the Non-Executive Directors deferred certain cash payments to repurpose resources to operational matters of the Company. The table below shows the compensation paid to our non-executive directors during the year ended June 30, 2021.2023.

 

Name Year Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
 Stock
Awards(1)
 Option
Awards(2)
 Total  Year  Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
  Stock
Awards(1)
  Option
Awards(2)
  Total 
Chul Woong Lim (3)  2021  $20,000  $  $64,079  $84,079   2023  $10,000  $  $  $10,000 
  2020  $20,000  $  $  $20,000 
Alan Alden (4)  2021  $20,000  $  $64,079  $84,079   2023  $5,000  $  $  $5,000 
  2020  $20,000  $20,000  $  $40,000 
Warwick Bartlett (5)  2021  $20,000  $  $64,079  $84,079 
  2020  $5,000  $  $  $5,000 
Damian Mathews (6)  2021  $20,000  $  $64,079  $84,079 
  2020  $1,667  $  $  $1,667 
Damian Mathews (5)  2023  $2,500  $  $  $2,500 
Jan Jones Blackhurst (6)  2023  $  $  $  $ 
Kaitesi Munroe (7)  2023  $10,000  $  $  $10,000 
Robert Soper (8)  2023  $     $  $ 

 

(1)The fair value of stock issued for services computed in accordance with ASC718ASC 718 on the date of grant.
(2)The fair value of options granted computed in accordance with ASC718ASC 718 on the date of grant.
(3)Mr. Lim was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. and a member of the Compensation committeeCommittee (now CNCG Committee) as from October 1, 2020. Mr. Lim was appointed to the Audit Committee effective May 3, 2022.
(4)Mr. Alden was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. and Chair of the Compensation committee as from October 1, 2020. Mr. Alden was appointed to the Nominating and Governance Committee (now CNCG Committee) and as Chair of the Audit Committee on June 1, 2022.

22

(5)Mr. Bartlett was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. and Chair of the Governance committee as from October 1, 2020.
(6)Mr. MatthewsMathews was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. and Chair of the Audit committeeCommittee as from October 1, 2020. Mr. Mathews resigned from his role as Non-Executive Director on appointment as Chief Financial Officer on April 2, 2022 and as an Executive Director. Mr. Mathews also took on the role of Chief Operating Officer on June 1, 2022. Mr. Mathews resigned from his role as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer on December 31, 2022 and rejoined the Company as Chief Operating Officer from May 29, 2023. Mr. Mathews remained on the Board of Directors throughout the year and continues to serve as director in addition to his Chief Operating Officer role.
(6)Ms. Jones Blackhurst was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. from May 3, 2022. Ms. Jones Blackhurst was appointed to the Audit committee effective May 3, 2022, as Chair of the Compensation Committee and as Chair of the Nominating and Governance committee (both now the CNCG Committee) effective May 25, 2022.
(7)Ms. Munroe was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Esports Entertainment Group, Inc from May 17, 2022. Ms. Munroe was appointed to the Compensation Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee effective June 1, 2022. Ms. Munroe resigned from her position on October 17, 2022.
(8)Mr. Soper was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Esports Entertainment Group, Inc. from June 6, 2023. Mr. Soper did not receive any payments during the year ended June 30, 2023.

18

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding our voting shares beneficially owned as of October 11, 2021December 31, 2023 and is based on 21,985,1721,065,042 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, for (i) each stockholder known to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of our outstanding shares of Common Stock,common stock, (ii) each named executive officer and director, and (iii) all executive officers and directors as a group. A person is considered to beneficially own any shares: (i) over which such person, directly or indirectly, exercises sole or shared voting or investment power, or (ii) of which such person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time within 60 days through an exercise of stock options or warrants. Unless otherwise indicated, voting and investment power relating to the shares shown in the table for our directors and executive officers is exercised solely by the beneficial owner or shared by the owner and the owner’s spouse or children.

 

For purposes of this table, a person or group of persons is deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of any shares of Common Stockcommon stock that such person has the right to acquire within 60 days of October 11, 2021.December 31, 2023. For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares of our Common Stockcommon stock held by each person or group of persons, any shares that such person or persons has the right to acquire within 60 days of October 11, 2021December 31, 2023, is deemed to be outstanding, but is not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. The inclusion herein of any shares listed as beneficially owned does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership. Unless otherwise indicated, each of the shareholdersstockholders named in the table below, or his or her family members, has sole voting and investment power with respect to such shares of our Common Stock.common stock. Except as otherwise indicated, the address of each of the shareholdersstockholders listed below is: Block 6, Triq Paceville, St. Julians, Malta, STJ 3109.

 

The following shows the stock ownership of our named executive officers, directors, and any persons known to us who owns more than 5% of our common stock as of October 11, 2021.December 31, 2023.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner Number  Percent 
Grant Johnson(1)
1370 Pilgrims Way
Oakville, ON, Canada
  3,444,134   15.25%
Daniel Marks (2)
121 Lockwood Road
Riverside, CT, US
  119,439   * 
John Brackens (3)
The Terraces, Triq is-Simar, Apt.7A, Xemxija St Paul’s Bay, Malta
SPB9026
  89,092   * 
Chul Woong Lim (4)
204-804 Susaek Rd.
100 Seodaemun-gu Seoul, Korea
  70,780   * 
Damian Mathews (5)
69 De Luen Avenue
Tindalls Beach, Whangaparaoa
Auckland 0930
  58,000   * 
Stuart Tilly (6)
87 Luton Road
Harpenden, UK
  111,388   * 
Warwick Bartlett (7)        
Rose Cottage, 28 Bowling Green Road
Castletown, Isle of Man, British Isles, IM9 1EB
  49,500   * 
Alan Alden (8)
202, Yucca, Swieqi Road
Swieqi, SWQ 3454, Malta
  54,762   * 
Adrien Lefevre (9)        
31 Dudley Road, Kingston upon Thames        
Surrey, KT12UN UK  36,660   * 
Mark Nielsen (10)        
5271 E Sagewood Dr, Boise        
Indiana, 83716  25,000   * 
All Officers and Directors as a group (ten persons)  4,058,755   16.2%

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner    Amount and nature of beneficial ownership (9)  

Percent

of class (9)

 
Alex Igelman  16 Calvin Chambers Road, Thornhill, Ontario, Canada, L4J 1E7  (1)  126   * 
Michael Villani  84 Festival Court, White Plains, New York 10603  (2)  2   * 
Damian Mathews  69 De Luen Avenue Tindalls Beach, Whangaparaoa Auckland 0930  (3)  9   * 
Lydia Roy 9595 Highland Pointe Pass, Delray Beach, Florida 33446  (4)  1   * 
Jenny Pace Block 6, Triq Paceville, St. Julians 01 STJ3109  (5)  3   * 
Alan Alden  202, Yucca, Swieqi Road Swieqi, SWQ 3454, Malta  (6)  3   * 
Jan Jones Blackhurst 100 West Liberty Street, 12th Floor Reno, NV, 89501        -   * 
Chul Woong Lim  204-804 Susaek Rd. 100 Seodaemun-gu Seoul, Korea  (7)  5   * 
Robert Soper 3061 NW 125th Ave., Sunrise, Florida 33323        -   * 
Former Named Executive Officers (4 individuals)  (8)  94   * 
All Executive Officers and Directors as a group      243   *%

 

*less than 1%

19
 

(1)Mr. Grant Johnson and Next Generation Holdings Trust, controlled by Grant Johnson currently hold 3,353,334 shares of common stock and 90,800Includes 63 options to purchase shares of common stock currently exercisable.

23

 

(2)Includes 73,639 shares of common stock and 45,8001 options to purchase shares of common stock currently exercisable.
  
(3)Includes 18,292 shares of common stock and 70,8002 options to purchase shares of common stock currently exercisable.
  
(4)Includes 20,780 shares of common stock and 50,000 options1 option to purchase shares of common stock currently exercisable.
  
(5)Includes 8,000 shares of common stock and 50,0002 options to purchase shares of common stock currently exercisable.
  
(6)Includes 75,588 shares of common stock and 35,8002 options to purchase shares of common stock currently exercisable.
  
(7)Includes 4,500 shares of common stock and 45,0002 options to purchase shares of common stock currently exercisable.
  
(8)Includes 4,76286 shares of common stock and 50,000 options to purchasefor the former Chief Executive Officer. Also, includes 3 shares of common stock currently exercisable.for the former Chief Financial Officer, 2 shares of common stock for the former Chief Information Officer and Chief Technology Officer, and 3 shares of common stock for the former Chief Operating Officer, based on the most recently available information to the Company.
  
(9)(8)Includes 5,860Excludes the voting shares of common stockCommon Stock underlying the outstanding Series E Preferred Stock held by a member of management of the Company that is counted towards the quorum for the Annual Meeting and 30,800 options to purchaseis voted proportionately with the outstanding shares of common stock currently exercisable.
(10)Includes 25,000 options to purchase shares of common stock currently exercisable.Common Stock for Proposal No. 5.

 

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS

 

Under our written Related Party Transactions Policy, our Group General Counsel, Compliance and Corporate Secretary will review any potential Related Party Transaction to determine if it is subject to the policy. If the Group General Counsel, Compliance and Corporate Secretary determines that it is subject to the policy, the transaction will be referred to our Audit Committee for approval or ratification. Our Company’s policy with regard to related party transactions is for the Audit Committee of the Board as a whole to approve any material transactions involving our directors, executive officers or holders of more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock.

 

Fiscal Years Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022

The Company incurs home office expenses allowancesCompany’s Chief Executive Officer owns less than 5% of $4,800 per year charged by the PresidentOddin.gg, a vendor of the Company, that was owed $47,895 and $3,359 by the Company as of June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company incurred cost of revenue to Oddin.gg of $72,107 and $52,791 for use of a home office for himyears ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. On October 3, 2023, the Company signed an employeeagreement to integrate the Oddin.gg esports iFrame solution that will allow the Company to offer esports wagering to its iGaming customers. The integration of the Company.Oddin.gg’s esports iFrame solution is expected to be completed by the Company in the first half of fiscal 2024. The agreement requires the Company to pay Oddin.gg a revenue share based on the net gaming revenues generated from esports wagering.

On October 26, 2023, the Company signed a binding letter of intent to acquire a 30% minority interest, in furtherance of strategic collaboration and revenue sharing agreement with Drafted.gg, a leading wagerable esports content producer based in Czech Republic. The Company expects to purchase the remaining 70% of the business by the end of the fiscal year. The purchase price for the initial 30% minority interest is $300,000. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer has an indirect immaterial interest in Drafted.gg.

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The Company reimbursed the former Chief Executive Officer for office rent and related expenses. The Company incurred charges owed to the former Chief Executive Officer for office expense reimbursement of $2,400 and $4,800 for the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of June 30, 2021, the Company did not have a balance2023 and 2022, there were no amounts payable to the President relatedformer Chief Executive Officer. The former Chief Executive Officer was terminated for cause by the Board from his position as Chief Executive Officer on December 3, 2022. The former Chief Executive Officer resigned from the Board on December 23, 2022.

On May 4, 2017, the Company entered into a services agreement and a referral agreement with Contact Advisory Services Ltd., an entity that is partly owned by a member of the Board. The Company incurred general and administrative expenses of $18,521 and $26,148 for years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, in accordance with these agreements. As of June 30, 2023 and 2022, there was approximately $12,700 and $0 amounts payable to rent payments.Contact Advisory Services Ltd, respectively.

 

The Company has entered intohad retained services from a consultingformer member of its Board who remained as an advisor to the Company with an annual fee of $60,000. The member was previously retained through a consultancy agreement with its Chief Legal Counsel through the legaldated August 1, 2020 and an employment agreement dated June 15, 2020. The consultancy firm Rivington Law resulting in monthlyagreement required payments of £18,000 ($24,84221,920 translated using the exchange rate in effect at June 30, 2021) for legal and other professional services provided2022) per month to the firm that is controlled by this member of the Board. The individual also received payroll of $500 per month through the consultingemployment agreement as Chief Operating Officer. The member resigned from the Board and from his role as Chief Operating Officer on May 31, 2022 and the consultancy agreement and the employment agreement were terminated.

The Company retained the services of its former Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer through a consultancy agreement dated April 2, 2022 and an employment agreement dated April 2, 2022. The Company remitted monthly payments to its former Chief Financial Officer of NZD 36,995 ($23,524 translated using the exchange rate in effect at June 30, 2022) under the consultancy agreement and $500 per month under the employment agreement. In connection with this appointment the Company provided a one-time issuance of 5 shares of Common Stock to the former Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. The former Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer resigned from his roles on December 31, 2022, and the consultancy agreement and employment agreement were terminated. He later rejoined the Company as the Chief Operating Officer on May 29, 2023 under a new employment agreement.

 

During the year ended June 30, 2022, the Company engaged in transactions with Tilt, LLC a game center operator controlled by the head of GGC. This included net sales to Tilt, LLC in the amount of $222,559 for game center equipment, and amounts paid to Tilt, LLC of $33,600 for equipment leased, $16,589 for services, $20,128 for cryptocurrency mining and $140,000 for purchases of computer inventory. The individual was no longer employed by the Company during the year ended June 30, 2023.

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AUDIT-RELATED MATTERS

 

Audit Committee Report

 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is comprised of independent directors and operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors.Board. The Audit Committee Charter is reviewed and updated as needed per applicable rules of the SEC and The Nasdaq Stock Market.

 

The Audit Committee serves in an oversight capacity. Management is responsible for the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. The independent auditors are responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company’s financial statements per the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and issuing a report thereon. The Audit Committee’s primary responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes and to select and retain the Company’s independent auditors. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed with management the Company’s audited financial statements and discussed not only the acceptability but also the quality of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of the significant judgments and estimates, critical accounting policies, and the clarity of disclosures in the audited financial statements prior to issuance.

 

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The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements as of and for the year ended June 30, 2021,2023, with the Company’s independent auditors, FriedmanMarcum LLP, and discussed not only the acceptability but also the quality of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of the significant judgments and estimates, critical accounting policies and the clarity of disclosures in the audited financial statements prior to issuance. The Audit Committee discussed with FriedmanMarcum LLP the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB and the SEC. The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from FriedmanMarcum LLP required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding independent auditor communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and has discussed with Friedman LLP.Marcum LLP its independence.

 

Based on the review and discussions with management and our independent registered public accounting firm, FriedmanMarcum LLP, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board, of Directors, and the Board has approved, that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2021,2023, for filing with the SEC.

 

MEMBERS OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE:

Damian MathewsAlan AldenChairmanChair of the Committee

Alan AldenJan Jones Blackhurst

Warwick BartlettChul Woong Lim

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PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

 

Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed by our independent registered public accounting firm,firms, for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements for the years ended June 30, 20212023 and 2020,2022, including review of our interim financial statements were $104,250$946,050 and $84,350,$968,883, respectively. This includes $399,000 and $547,050 billed from Marcum LLP and Friedman LLP for the year ended June 30, 2023. All amounts were billed from Friedman LLP for the year ended June 30, 2022.

 

Audit Related Fees. We incurred fees to our independent registered public accounting firmfirms of $282,404$351,800 and $53,850$245,000 for audit related fees during the fiscal years ended June 30, 20212023 and 2020,2022, respectively, which related to filings with the SEC and audits of acquisitions by the Company during the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. This includes $331,800 and $20,000 billed from Marcum LLP and Friedman LLP for the year ended June 30, 2021.2023. All amounts were billed from Friedman LLP for the year ended June 30, 2022.

 

Tax Fees. We did not incur fees to our independent registered public accounting firms for tax during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.

All Other Fees. We did not incur fees to our independent registered public accounting firmfirms for taxproducts and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported above, during the fiscal years ended June 30, 20212023 and 2020.2022.

 

The Audit Committee pre-approves all auditing services and all permitted non-auditing services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm.

 

MATTERS TO BE VOTED ON

 

PROPOSAL NO. 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

The Company’sCurrently, the Company has authorized a five-member Board of DirectorsDirectors. The Board has chosen, however, to nominate only four members for election at this annual meeting while a search is currently comprisedconducted for a person to fill the board position to be vacated by Chul Woong Lim upon the date of eight directors. A total of eight directors will be elected at the Annual Meeting toon [●], 2024. Thus, there will be one vacant seat on our Board following the Annual Meeting. The directors will serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2022,stockholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Of the Board members whose term expires at the Annual Meeting, Grant Johnson, Daniel Marks,Jan Jones Blackhurst, Damian Mathews, Chul Woong Lim, Alan Alden, Warwick Bartlett, Mark Nielsen and Stuart TillyRobert Soper are all standing for reelection.

The personsperson named as “Proxies”“Proxy” in the enclosed Proxy will vote the shares represented by all valid returned proxies in accordance with the specifications of the shareholdersstockholders returning such proxies. If no choice has been specified by a shareholder,stockholder, the shares will be voted FOR“FOR” the nominees. If at the time of the Annual Meeting any of the nominees named below should be unable or unwilling to serve, which event is not expected to occur, the discretionary authority provided in the Proxy will be exercised to vote for such substitute nominee or nominees, if any, as shall be designated by the Board of Directors.Board. If a quorum is present and voting, the nominees for directors receiving the highest number of votes will be elected. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote.

 

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NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTOR

Nominees

 

The persons nominated as directors are as follows:

 

Name

 Age Position(s)
Grant JohnsonJan Jones Blackhurst 6074 President, Secretary/Treasurer, Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and ChairmanChair of the Board of Directors
Daniel Marks42Chief Financial Officer, (Principal Financial Officer) (Principal Accounting Officer) and Director
Damian Mathews 4952 Director
Chul Woong Lim38Chief Operating Officer and Director
Alan Alden 5862 Director
Warwick BartlettRobert Soper 7451 Director
Mark Nielsen45Director
Stuart Tilly43Chief Legal Officer and Director

 

Vote Required

 

The eightfour nominees for director receiving the highest number of votes “FOR”“FOR” election will be elected as directors. This is called a plurality. Withholding a vote fromAbstentions or votes against a director nominee will not be voteddeemed a vote with respect to the director nominee indicated and will have no impact on the election of directors although it will be counted for the purposes of determining whether there is a quorum. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.

 

Recommendation of our Board

 

Our Board unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the election of each of the nominees for directors.

 

PROPOSAL NO. 2: NON-BINDING ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.OFFICERS AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.

 

Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are conducting a stockholder advisory vote on the compensation paid to our named executive officers. This proposal, commonly known as “say-on-pay,” gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on our named executive officers’ compensation. The vote is advisory, and, therefore, it is not binding on our Board, our Compensation Committee, or the Company. Nevertheless, our Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation decisions. We currently intend to conduct this advisory vote every three years, subject toyear based on the outcomeresults of the advisorya vote on the frequency of future advisory votesthe “say-on-pay” proposal in the 2021 Annual Proxy Statement until the Company holds another vote on named executive officer compensation, as discussed in Proposal No. 3.such frequency.

 

Our executive compensation program is designed to attract, motivate and retain our named executive officers who are critical to our success. Our Board believes that our executive compensation program is well tailored to retain and motivate key executives while recognizing the need to align our executive compensation program with the interests of our stockholders and our “pay-for-performance” philosophy. Our CompensationCNCG Committee continually reviews the compensation programs for our named executive officers to ensure they achieve the desired goals of aligning our executive compensation structure with our stockholders’ interests and current market practices.

 

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We encourage our stockholders to read the “Summary Compensation Table” and other related compensation tables and narrative disclosures in the “Executive Compensation” section of this Proxy Statement, which describe the 20212023 compensation of our named executive officers.

 

We are asking our stockholders to approve,requesting your advisory vote on a non-binding advisory basis,the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the compensation tables and the narrative disclosures that accompany the compensation tables.tables, is hereby approved.

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Vote Required

 

The affirmative vote of the holders of shares of common stockCommon Stock representing a majority of the shares of Common Stock cast at the Annual Meeting via the virtual meeting in personplatform or by proxy is required for the approval, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.

 

Recommendation of our Board

 

Our Board unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the approval, In a non-binding advisory VOTE, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in THIS proxy statement.

 

PROPOSAL NO. 3: NON-BINDING ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

In Proposal No. 2, we are providing our stockholders the opportunity to vote to approve, on an advisory, non-binding basis, the compensation of our named executive officers. In this Proposal No. 3, we are asking our stockholders to cast a non-binding advisory vote regarding the frequency of future executive compensation advisory votes. Stockholders may vote for a frequency of every one, two, or three years, or may abstain. This vote is required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act.

Our Board will take into consideration the outcome of this vote in making a determination about the frequency of future executive compensation advisory votes. However, because this vote is advisory and non-binding, our Board may decide that it is in the best interests of our stockholders and the Company to hold the advisory vote to approve executive compensation more or less frequently.

In the future, we will propose an advisory vote on the frequency of the executive compensation advisory vote at least once every six calendar years.

After careful consideration, our Board believes that the executive compensation advisory vote should be held every three years, and therefore our Board unanimously recommends that you vote for a frequency of THREE YEARS for future executive compensation advisory votes. Our Board believes that an annual executive compensation advisory vote will facilitate more direct stockholder input about executive compensation. An annual executive compensation advisory vote is consistent with our policy of reviewing our compensation program annually, as well as seeking frequent input from our stockholders on corporate governance and executive compensation matters.

The approval of this Proposal No. 3 requires the affirmative vote of the holders of shares of common stock representing a majority of the shares of Common Stock cast at the meeting in person or by proxy. However, because stockholders have several voting choices with respect to this proposal, it is possible that no single choice will receive a majority vote. In light of the foregoing, our Board will consider the outcome of the vote when determining the frequency of future non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation. Moreover, because this vote is non-binding, our Board may determine the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation in its discretion.

Vote Required

The selection of the three options presented receiving the highest number of votes for such option will be the option recommended by stockholders, on a non-binding advisory basis, for the frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.

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Recommendation of our Board

Our Board unanimously recommends that you vote FOR “THREE YEARS” as the preferred frequency of future advisory votes on the compensation of our named executive officers.

PROPOSAL NO. 4: RATIFICATION OFRATIFY THE SELECTION OF FRIEDMANMARCUM LLP AS THE COMPANY’S

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 20222024.

 

The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors has selected the firm of FriedmanMarcum LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022. Friedman2024. Marcum LLP has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020.2021, and such date takes into account the acquisition of certain assets of Friedman LLP by Marcum LLP effective September 1, 2022. Although stockholder ratification of the selection of FriedmanMarcum LLP is not required by law or Nevada rules, our Audit Committee believes that it is advisable and has decided to give our stockholders the opportunity to ratify this selection. If this proposal is not approved at the Annual Meeting, our Audit Committee may reconsider this selection. Representatives of Marcum LLP are expected to attend the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

 

Vote Required

 

The affirmative vote of the holders of shares of common stockCommon Stock representing a majority of the shares of Common Stock cast is required for the ratification of the selection of FriedmanMarcum LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year. Abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. There will be no broker non-votes with respect to this proposal.

 

Recommendation of our Board

 

OUR BOARD unanimously RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF FRIEDMANMARCUM LLP AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2022.2023.

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PROPOSAL NO. 5: TO APPROVE THE4: POTENTIAL ISSUANCE OF AN EXCESS OF 19.99% OF OUR OUTSTANDING COMMON STOCK, UPONPAR VALUE $0.001 PER SHARE, UNDER THE CONVERSION OF AN OUSTANDING CONVERTIBLE NOTE.COMPANY’S OUTSTANDING SERIES D PREFERRED STOCK, SERIES D PREFERRED WARRANTS AND COMMON STOCK WARRANTS ISSUED ON MAY 22, 2023.

 

Background and Description of Senior Convertible NoteSeries D Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Warrants, and Common Stock Warrants

 

You are being asked to consider and vote upon a proposal (the “Share“Common Share Issuance Proposal”) that provides for the potential issuance of a number of shares of our Common Stock in excess of 19.99% of our outstanding shares of Common Stock, uponunder the Company’s Series D Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Warrants (as defined below) and Common Stock Warrants (as defined below) (collectively, the “Securities”), assuming conversion or exercise of a Senior Convertible Note (“Convertible Note”) that we issuedthe Securities into shares of Common Stock in connectionaccordance with a private placement on May 28, 2021. All capitalizedtheir terms, below are defined inby the Convertible Note transaction documents. holder.

The Common Share Issuance Proposal, if passed, will allow us to issue shares of Common Stock that are potentially issuable under each of the (1) approximately $4.2 million outstanding Series D Preferred Stock (as of December 31, 2023), (2) Series D Preferred Stock that is issuable under the Series D Preferred Warrants (up to approximately $4.3 million if fully exercised as of December 31, 2023), and (3) Common Stock Warrants (currently exercisable for 3,584 shares of Common Stock). Each of the outstanding Series D Preferred Stock, the Series D Preferred Warrants and Common Stock Warrants, in and of themselves, could, if the Common Share Issuance Proposal is approved by our stockholders, result in the issuance of more than 4,104,478 shares (19.99%19.99% of the 20,532,655 shares of Common Stock outstanding on May 28, 2021)the date of execution of the Series D SPA (as defined below). The Series D SPA obligates the Company to seek stockholder approval of resolutions providing for the approval of the issuance of all of the shares of Common Stock in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market (without regard to any limitations on conversion or exercise set forth in the Series D Preferred Stock Certificate of Designations or the Common Stock Warrants, respectively). Issuances of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Series D Preferred Stock, the Series D Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the Series D Preferred Warrants, and upon exercise of the Common Stock Warrants, in excess of 19.99% of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock, would require approval by the Company’s stockholders pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market and the Series D Certificate of Designations.

 

On May 28, 2021,The Company issued the Company entered intoSecurities to an institutional investor and the holder of its outstanding Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Holder”), in connection with a Securities Purchase Agreement (“Purchase Agreement”(the “Series D SPA”) with an institutional investordated April 30, 2023, which subsequently closed on May 22, 2023. The Company designated 10,000 shares of preferred stock as Series D Preferred Stock. The Series D SPA contemplated a direct offering to the Holder that included (i) 4,300 shares of new Series D Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share, for a price of $1,000 per share, (ii) common warrants to purchase 3,584 shares of our Common Stock at a price of $784 per share (the “Investor”“Common Stock Warrants”) pursuant, and (iii) preferred warrants to which it soldpurchase 4,300 shares of our Series D Preferred Stock at a Senior Convertible Note, with an initial principal amountprice of $35 million$1,000 per share (the “Convertible Note”)“Series D Preferred Warrants).

The terms and provisions of the Series D Preferred Stock were set forth in a transaction exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2)Series D Convertible Preferred Stock Certificate of Designations (the “Series D Certificate of Designations”), filed and effective with the Secretary of State of the Securities ActState of 1933, as amended, and Rule 506 of RegulationNevada in connection with the closing on May 22, 2023.

Series D promulgated thereunder. Preferred Stock

Ranking

The Convertible Note bears interest at a rate of 8% per annum and matures two years following the date of issuance (the “Maturity Date”, subject to extension in certain circumstances, including bankruptcy and outstanding events of default). In additionSeries D Preferred Stock, with respect to the principal amountpayment of dividends, distributions and payments upon the liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Company, ranks equal to the 10% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock and is requiredsenior to payall Common Stock of the Company unless the Investor consents to the creation of other capital stock of the Company that is senior or equal in rank to the Series D Preferred Stock.

Adjustments

In the event that the Company grants, issues or sells (or enters into any agreement to grant, issue or sell), or is deemed to have granted, issued or sold, any shares of Common Stock, but excluding certain excluded issuances as described in the Series D Certificate of Designations, for a consideration per share (the “New Issuance Price”) less than a price equal to the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such granting, issuance or sale or deemed granting, issuance or sale (the foregoing a “Dilutive Issuance”), then, immediately after such Dilutive Issuance, the Conversion Price then in effect shall be reduced to an additional amount equal to 6% of the outstanding principal amount. After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default (as definedNew Issuance Price, subject to certain exceptions described in the Convertible Note), the Convertible Note will accrue interest at the rateSeries D Certificate of 12.0% per annum.Designations.

 

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The Convertible Note is convertible, atIf the option ofCompany effects any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or otherwise or any combination, reverse stock split or otherwise then in each such case the holder, into shares ofcalculations with respect to the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $17.50 per share. The Convertible Note is subject to a most favored nations provisionConversion Price and standard adjustmentssimilar terms shall be adjusted accordingly, all as more fully described in the eventSeries D Certificate of Designations. If there occurs any stock split, stock dividend, stock combination recapitalization or other similar transaction. If we enter intotransaction involving the Common Stock (each, a “Stock Combination Event”, and such date thereof, the “Stock Combination Event Date”) and the Event Market Price (as defined below) is less than the Conversion Price then in effect (after giving effect to the automatic adjustment above), then on the sixteenth (16th) trading day immediately following such Stock Combination Event Date, the Conversion Price then in effect on such sixteenth (16th) trading day (after giving effect to the automatic adjustment above) shall be reduced to the Event Market Price. “Event Market Price” means, with respect to any agreement to issue (or issue) any variable rate securities,Stock Combination Event Date, 80% of the noteholder hasquotient determined by dividing (x) the additional right to substitutesum of the VWAP (as defined in the Series D Certificate of Designations) of the Common Stock for each of the three (3) lowest trading days during the twenty (20) consecutive trading day period ending and including the trading day immediately preceding the sixteenth (16th) trading day after such variable price (or formula) for the conversion price.Stock Combination Event Date, divided by (y) three (3).

Purchase Rights

 

If an Eventat any time the Company grants, issues or sells any options, convertible securities, or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to all or substantially all of Default has occurred under the Convertible Note,record holders of any class of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then each holder of Series D Preferred Stock will be entitled to acquire, upon the noteholder may electterms applicable to alternatively convertsuch Purchase Rights, the Convertible Note (includingaggregate Purchase Rights which such holder of Series D Preferred Stock could have acquired if such holder of Series D Preferred Stock had held the 15% premiumnumber of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete conversion of all the Series D Preferred Stock held by such holder of Series D Preferred Stock immediately prior to the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights; subject to certain limitations on beneficial ownership.

Conversion

The Series D Certificate of Designations contemplates that would otherwisethe Series D Preferred Stock will be payable inconvertible into Common Stock (the “Conversion Shares”) at the option of the holder of Series D Preferred Stock at any time from time to time after the date of issuance thereof. The number of Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of any share of Series D Preferred Stock shall be determined by dividing (x) the Conversion Amount (as defined below) of a cash acceleration thereof) atshare of Series D Preferred Stock by (y) the lower of (i) the Conversion Price (as defined below); and (ii) the Alternate Conversion Price (as defined below), subject to the Floor Price (as defined below). “Conversion Amount” shall mean, with respect to each share of Series D Preferred Stock, the sum of (A) $1,000 per share (such amount, subject to adjustment, the “Stated Value”) and (B) all declared and unpaid dividends with respect to such Stated Value and all declared and unpaid dividends as of such date of determination and any other amounts owed under the Series D Certificate of Designations. “Conversion Price” means, with respect to each Series D Preferred Stock, as of any conversion date or other date of determination, a price that is $3.00, subject to adjustment as provided in the Convertible Note)Series D Certificate of Designations. “Alternate Conversion Price” shall mean with respect to any Alternate Conversion (as defined in the Series D Certificate of Designations) that price which shall be the lowest of (i) the applicable Conversion Price as in effect on the applicable conversion date of the applicable Alternate Conversion, and (ii) the greater of (x) the Floor Price and (y) 90% of the lowest VWAP of the Common Stock during the ten (10) consecutive trading day period ending and including the trading day of the applicable Conversion Notice (such period, the “Alternate Conversion Measuring Period”). All such determinations to be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, reclassification or similar transaction that proportionately decreases or increases the Common Stock during such Alternate Conversion Measuring Period. “Floor Price” shall mean $0.39.

Liquidation

In connectionthe event of a liquidation, the holders of Series D Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive in cash out of the assets of the Company, whether from capital or from earnings available for distribution to its stockholders (the “Liquidation Funds”), before any amount shall be paid to the holders of any of shares of Common Stock or other junior stock, but pari passu with any parity stock then outstanding, such as the Series A Preferred Stock, an amount per preferred share equal to the greater of (A) 125% of the Conversion Amount of such preferred share on the date of such payment and (B) the amount per share such Holder would receive if such Holder converted such preferred share into Common Stock (at the Alternate Conversion Price then in effect) immediately prior to the date of such payment, provided that if the Liquidation Funds are insufficient to pay the full amount due to the Holders and holders of shares of parity stock, then each Holder and each holder of parity stock shall receive a percentage of the Liquidation Funds equal to the full amount of Liquidation Funds payable to such Holder and such holder of parity stock as a liquidation preference, in accordance with their respective Certificate of Designations (or equivalent), as a percentage of the full amount of Liquidation Funds payable to all holders of preferred shares and all holders of shares of parity stock.

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In addition, the Company will provide the holders of Series D Preferred Stock with notice of certain triggering events as defined in the Series D Certificate of Designations (each a “Triggering Event”) or if a holder of Series D Preferred Stock may become aware of a Triggering Event as a result of Default,which the noteholderholder of Series D Preferred Stock may require uschoose to convert the Series D Preferred Stock they hold into Conversion Shares at the Series D Alternate Conversion Price for the Triggering Event Conversion Right Period (as defined in the Series D Certificate of Designations).

Mandatory Redemption on Bankruptcy Triggering Event

Upon any Bankruptcy Triggering Event, the Company shall immediately redeem, in cash, any or alleach share of Series D Preferred Stock then outstanding at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) the product of (A) the Conversion Amount to be redeemed multiplied by (B) 115% and (ii) the product of (X) the Conversion Rate (calculated using the lowest Alternate Conversion Price during the period commencing on the 20th trading day immediately preceding such public announcement and ending on the date the Company makes the entire redemption payment with respect to the Conversion Amount in effect immediately following the date of initial public announcement (or public filing of bankruptcy documents, as applicable) of such Bankruptcy Triggering Event multiplied by (Y) the product of (1) 115% multiplied by (2) the greatest closing sale price of the Convertible Note. Common Stock on any trading day during the period commencing on the date immediately preceding such Bankruptcy Triggering Event and ending on the date the Company makes the entire redemption payment required to be made.

Dividends

Dividends on the Series D Preferred Stock will accrue daily at a rate equal to 8.0% per annum, increasing 0.50% each 135 day anniversary from the date of issuance and be payable by way of inclusion of the dividends in the Conversion Amount on each conversion date in accordance with an optional conversion or upon any redemption hereunder (including, without limitation, upon any required payment upon any Bankruptcy Triggering Event).

Beneficial Ownership Limitation

The redemption price will equal 115%Series D Preferred Stock cannot be converted into Common Stock if the holder of Series D Preferred Stock and its affiliates would beneficially own more than 9.99% of the outstanding principalCommon Stock. However, any holder of Series D Preferred Stock may increase or decrease such percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99% upon notice to us, provided that any increase in this limitation will not be effective until 61 days after delivery of such notice from the holder to us and such increase or decrease will apply only to the holder providing notice.

Voting Rights

The holders of the Convertible NoteSeries D Preferred Stock shall have no voting power and no right to vote on any matter at any time, either as a separate series or class or together with any other series or class of share of capital stock, and shall not be redeemed, and accrued and unpaid interest and unpaid late charges thereon,entitled to call a meeting of such holders of Series D Preferred Stock for any purpose nor shall they be entitled to participate in any meeting of the holders of Common Stock except as provided in the Series D Certificate of Designations or an amount equalas otherwise required by applicable law. To the extent that under applicable law, the vote of the holder of the Series D Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class or series, as applicable, is required to market valueauthorize a given action of the Company, the affirmative vote or consent of the Investor of the shares of our commonthe Series D Preferred Stock, voting together in the aggregate and not in separate series unless required under applicable law, represented at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is presented or by written consent of the Investor (except as otherwise may be required under the applicable law), voting together in the aggregate and not in separate series unless required under the applicable law, shall constitute the approval of such action by both the class or the series, as applicable. Holders of the Series D Preferred Stock shall be entitled to written notice of all stockholder meetings or written consents (and copies of proxy materials and other information sent to stockholders) with respect to which they would be entitled to vote, which notice would be provided pursuant to the Bylaws and the applicable law.

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Without first obtaining the affirmative vote of the Holder, voting together as a single class, the Company shall not: (a) amend or repeal any provision of, or add any provision to, its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, or file any Certificate of Designations or articles of amendment of any series of shares of preferred stock, underlyingif such action would adversely alter or change in any respect the preferences, rights, privileges or powers, or restrictions provided for the benefit of the Series D Preferred Stock hereunder, regardless of whether any such action shall be by means of amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation or by merger, consolidation or otherwise; (b) increase or decrease (other than by conversion) the authorized number of Series D Preferred Stock; (c) create or authorize (by reclassification or otherwise) any new class or series of Senior Preferred Stock or Parity Stock (other than the Series C Convertible Note,Preferred Stock); (d) purchase, repurchase or redeem any shares of Junior Stock (other than pursuant to the terms of the Company’s equity incentive plans and options and other equity awards granted under such plans (that have in good faith been approved by the Board)); (e) pay dividends or make any other distribution on any shares of any Junior Stock; (f) issue any preferred stock other than as determined in accordance withcontemplated thereby or pursuant to the Convertible Note, if greater.Series D SPA; or (g) whether or not prohibited by the terms of the Series D Preferred Stock, circumvent a right of the Series D Preferred Stock under the Series D Certificate of Designations.

Other Terms

 

The noteholder will not haveterms of the rightSeries D Preferred Stock prohibit the Company from subsequent financings at a price below the Conversion Price, unless approved by the holder of Series D Preferred Stock.

The Holder has the option to convertrequire the Company to use 50% of the proceeds from any portionsubsequent financing to redeem the Series D Preferred Stock at the greater of a Convertible Note,(a) the Conversion Amount of such Subsequent Placement Optional Redemption Share being redeemed as of the Subsequent Placement Optional Redemption Date and (b) solely if any Equity Conditions Failure (as defined in the Series D Certificate of Designations) then exists, the product of (1) the Conversion Rate of an Alternate Conversion of such share being redeemed multiplied by (2) the greatest closing sale price of the Common Stock on any trading day during the period commencing on the date immediately preceding such the date of notice of the redemption and ending on the trading day immediately prior to the extent that, after giving effectdate the Company makes the entire payment required to be made.

The holder of Series D Preferred Stock may convert the Series D Preferred Stock into any subsequent financing thereby receiving securities issued in such conversion, the noteholder (together with certain related parties) would beneficially ownsubsequent financing in excessexchange for cancellation of 4.99%all or part of the sharesSeries D Preferred Stock.

The Conversion price has been subsequently lowered pursuant to the terms of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effectthe August 2023 Settlement Agreement, dated August 15, 2023 (the “August 2023 Settlement Agreement”) and the October 2023 Settlement Agreement, dated October 6, 2023 (the “October 2023 Settlement Agreement”) and the full ratchet anti-dilution adjustment contained in the Series D Certificate of Designations.

Common Stock Warrants and Series D Preferred Stock Warrants

The Common Stock Warrants and the Series D Preferred Stock Warrants expire in five years. The Common Stock Warrants have a cashless exercise provision. The exercise of the Common Stock Warrants are subject to such conversion. The noteholdera beneficial ownership limitation for the Holder of 4.99%, which may from timebe increased to time increase this limit to 9.99%, provided that any suchthe increase will not be effective until the 61st day after delivery of a notice to us of such increase.the Company.

 

In connection with a Change of Control (as defined inIf and when the Convertible Note),Series D Preferred Stock Warrants are exercised, pursuant to the noteholder may require us to redeem all or any portionterms of the Convertible Note. The redemption price per shareCommon Stock Warrants, the number of shares of Common Stock that will be issuable under the Common Stock Warrants will increase by an amount equal to the greatest of (i) 115% of the outstanding principal of the Convertible Note to be redeemed, and accrued and unpaid interest and unpaid late charges thereon, (ii) 115% of the marketaggregate value of the shares of our common stockSeries D Preferred Stock (including any dividends or other amounts thereon), divided by the Alternate Conversion Price (as defined in the Series D Certificate of Designations). The Series D Preferred Warrants and the Common Stock Warrants contain customary anti-dilution protection for the Holder and the Common Stock Warrants contain full ratchet anti-dilution protection in the event of certain dilutive issuances. In addition, the Common Stock Warrants provide the Holder with certain purchase rights in subsequent issuances or sales of securities by the Company.

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Registration Right Agreement

Pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Series D RRA”) between the Holder and the Company, the Company intends to grant certain registration rights to the Investor. The Series D RRA requires the Company to file a registration statement covering the resale of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Convertible Note, as determinedshares of Series D Preferred Stock to be issued in the offering and the shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of the Common Stock Warrants. The Series D RRA also covers the conversion of any shares of Series D Preferred Stock issued upon exercise of the Series D Preferred Warrants. The Company was required to file the registration statement within 60 days from the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Series D SPA and cause the registration statement to be declared effective within 120 days after the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Series D SPA. The Series D RRA contains mutual customary indemnification provisions among the parties and requires the Company to make certain cash payments (“RRA Fees”) in connection with any delay in the filing of a registration statement for the purpose of registering the resale of the Common Stock issuable under the Securities, despite the Company’s best efforts. As of December 31, 2023, the Company was obligated to pay to the Holder RRA Fees of approximately $98,000 (subject to increase with respect to any additional RRA Fees that may accrue, from time to time, under the Series D RRA, and subject to decrease in accordance with the Convertible Note,August 2023 Settlement Agreement and (iii) 115% of the aggregate cash consideration that would have been payable in respect of the shares of our common stock underlying the Convertible Note, as determined in accordanceOctober 2023 Settlement Agreement, each entered into with the Convertible Note.Holder).

At any time after the date we provide notice to the holder of our incurring of additional debt, the noteholder will have the right to have us redeem all or a portion of the Convertible at a redemption price of 106% of the portion of the Convertible Note subject to redemption.

In connection with the sale of the Convertible Note, the Company issued two warrants to the Investor, the Series A Warrant and Series B Warrant (the “Warrants”). Pursuant to the Warrants, issued by the Company in favor of the Investor, the investor shall have the right to purchase up to a total of 4,000,000 shares (2 million shares pursuant to each Warrant) of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $17.50 per share. The Series A Warrant expires in 4 years. The Series B Warrant expires in 2 years. The Warrants each have a cashless exercise provision that provides that no effective registration statement exists and a beneficial ownership limitation of 4.99% which may be increased or decreased up to 9.99%, provided that any such increase will not be effective until the 61st day after delivery of a notice to us of such increase. The Series B Warrant is only exercisable to the extent that the indebtedness owing under the Convertible Note is redeemed. For every share of common stock issuable upon conversion of the redemption amount on the Convertible Note, one warrant share will vest and be eligible for exercise.

The Company evaluated its compliance with the debt covenants in the Convertible Note as of June 30, 2021 and the period from July 1, 2021 through October 13, 2021 and determined that it had not maintained compliance with certain covenants in the Convertible Note. The Company therefore requested and received a waiver for (i) any known breaches or potential breaches of financial covenants in effect related to the available cash test and minimum cash flow test through December 25, 2021, (ii) any known breach resulting from the existing lien on the shares of Prozone Limited obtained in the acquisition of the Bethard Business and (iii) any known breach which would result from the issuances of up to 200,000 shares common stock in connection with the Company’s proposed purchase of certain equity interests in Game Fund Partners Group LLC. In addition, the Company requested and received an amendment to the Convertible Note wherein the permitted ratio of outstanding debt to market capitalization was increased temporarily from 25% to 35% through December 25, 2021.

In consideration for the waiver, the Company agreed to permit the immediate conversion of up to $7,500,000 of the outstanding balance of the Convertible Note at the Alternate Conversion Price into shares of common stock of the Company (the “Waiver Amount”). In the event of default following December 25, 2021, the holder may exercise any and all rights available to it following such a default that includes redemption of the Convertible Note for cash. The holder may also choose to convert any outstanding indebtedness in the form of the Alternate Conversion Price as provided in the Convertible Note, subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, until such time as the Company is in compliance with the above-mentioned Sections.

As of October 25, 2021, (i) $468,500 of the $7,500,000 Waiver Amount has been converted into 100,001 shares of Common Stock (at a conversion price of $5.73) and the outstanding balance of the Waiver Amount is $7,031,500; and (ii) the outstanding balance of the Convertible Note was $34,531,500 million in principal and $4,611,873.67 accrued but unpaid interest.

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Why We Need Stockholder Approval

 

Because our Common Stock is traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market, we are subject to the Nasdaq Listing Rules, including Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d)(2). Pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d)(2), stockholder approval is required prior to the issuance of securities in connection with a transaction (or a series of related transactions) other than a public offering involving the sale, issuance or potential issuance of Common Stock (or securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock) equal to 20% or more of the Common Stock or 20% or more of the voting power outstanding before the issuance at a conversion price lower than the “Minimum Price.” “Minimum Price” is defined under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d)(1)(A) as a price that is less than the lower ofof: (i) the closing price of our Common StockNasdaq Official Closing Price (as reflected on Nasdaq.com) immediately preceding the executionsigning of the Convertible Note andbinding agreement; or (ii) the average closing priceNasdaq Official Closing Price of our Common Stockthe common stock (as reflected on Nasdaq.com) for the five trading days immediately preceding the executionsigning of the Convertible Note. binding agreement. Under the terms of the October 2023 Settlement Agreement and the Series D Certificate of Designations, the Series D Preferred Stock may be convertible at a price lower than 90% of the lowest VWAP (as defined in the Series D Certificate of Designations) of the 10 trading days ending and including the date of conversion, in accordance with Section 31(g) of the Series D Certificate of Designations and the October 2023 Settlement Agreement. Consequently, shares of Common Stock are issuable upon conversion of the Series D Preferred Stock at prices below the Minimum Price.

In addition, because the Common Stock Warrants contain full ratchet anti-dilution protection for the Holder, the exercise price per share of Common Stock is required to be adjusted to the issuance price of the Company’s securities in the event of a dilutive issuance, at a price lower than the then applicable exercise price. Consequently, shares of Common Stock are issuable upon exercise of the Common Stock Warrants at prices below the Minimum Price.

The stockholder approval requirement for issuances of the shares of Common Stock potentially issuable under the Series D Preferred Stock, Common Stock Warrants and Series D Preferred Warrants was incorporated into the Convertible NoteSeries D SPA in order to comply with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d)(2).

Our Board has determined to recommend that it would be advisable and inour stockholders approve the best interestCommon Share Issuance Proposal because the terms of the CompanySeries D SPA require us to seek stockholder approval for the Common Share Issuance Proposal. Moreover, if the Common Share Issuance Proposal does not pass, the Series D Preferred Stock will continue to remain without an ability to meaningfully convert into shares of Common Stock and our stockholders to enablereduce its value. Instead, the Investor to be partially repaid under the Convertible Note through exercisevalue of the Investor’s conversion rights thereunder rather than in cash.Series D Preferred Stock will increase while it continues to accrue dividends, among other fees and penalties that the Company may incur while it remains outstanding.

 

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Potential Effects of Approval of this Proposal

 

If the Common Share Issuance Proposal is approved, the issuance of shares of our Common Stock upon conversion wouldof the outstanding Series D Preferred Stock and upon conversion of any shares of Series D Preferred Stock issued under the Series D Preferred Warrants, will reduce the value of the Series D Preferred Stock, as amounts converted will avoid the accrual of dividends, other fees and penalties that the Company may incur if it were to remain outstanding. The Common Share Issuance Proposal, if approved by our stockholders, and used by the Holder to issue shares in excess of the 19.99% threshold, will significantly dilute, and thereby reduce, each existing stockholder’s proportionate ownership in our Common Stock. For example, ifSuch issuances will also negatively impact the entire principal balance and accrued but unpaid interest under the Convertible Note as of October 25, 2021 in the amount of $39,143,373.67 were converted at a Conversion Price of $17.50 per share, then the conversion would result in the issuance of 2,236,764 sharesprice of our Common Stock which would increasewhen shares are issued below the market price of our Common Stock outstanding as of October 25, 2021 from 22,090,423 shares to 24,327,187 shares (an increase of 10%). Either a decrease inStock. Excess issuances beyond the Conversion Price below $17.50 or an increase in the unpaid interest under the Convertible Note would increase the number of shares of Common Stock issued in a conversion under the Convertible Note. As of October 25, 2021, $468,500 of the $7,500,000 Waiver Amount has been converted into 100,001 shares of Common Stock (at a conversion price of $5.73) and the outstanding balance of the Waiver Amount is $7,031,500.

The stockholders do not have preemptive rights to subscribe to additional shares that may be issued by the Company in order to maintain their proportionate ownership of the Common Stock. Such issuances could19.99% threshold will also significantly dilute the voting power of a person seeking control of the Company, thereby deterring, or rendering more difficult a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or an extraordinary corporate transaction opposed by the Company. The stockholders do not have preemptive rights to subscribe to additional shares that may be issued by the Company in order to maintain their proportionate ownership of the Common Stock.

 

Potential Effects of Non-Approval of this Proposal

 

IfThe Company is not seeking the approval of its stockholders to authorize its entry into the Securities, as the Company has already done so and the transaction documents relating to the Securities are already binding obligations of the Company. The failure of the Company’s stockholders to approve the Common Share Issuance Proposal iswill not approved bynegate the stockholders,existing terms of the Convertible NoteSecurities, however, the Securities would not be convertible over the 19.99% threshold. All obligations to facilitate the issuances of the shares of Common Stock issuable under the Securities would remain in effect and there will be adverse direct and indirect impacts on the Company’s financial condition and operations. If the Holder is not able to convert its Securities into shares of Common Stock in excess of the 19.99% threshold andwhen the Company otherwise would have been obligated to do so under the terms of the Securities, dividends will continue to accrue on the outstanding balance of Series D Preferred Stock, thereby increasing the Company’s obligations to the Holder. As the outstanding obligations due to the Holder increase, the Company will be obligated to settle additional amounts owed to the Holder in securities of the Company, which would result in further future dilution to holders of Common Stock. Also, it may become due and payable. increasingly difficult for the Company to raise capital in public or private offerings, to effect attractive acquisitions or other transactions of strategic importance. Additionally, it may be necessary for the Company to acquire additional financing in order to repay the obligations under the Securities, which may result in additional transaction expenses, more dilution to holders of Common Stock or the granting of additional preferential rights to future investors.

In suchaddition in the event the Company maydoes not have the resources to satisfy the Convertible Note at maturity, or the Company’s satisfactionobtain stockholder approval of the Convertible Note may materially impairCommon Share Issuance Proposal, the Company’sCompany would then be required to call a stockholder meeting at the end of each quarter subsequent to this Annual Meeting until the date the stockholder approval is obtained, which would require additional Company resources, including use of available working capital. The inabilitycapital associated with holding one or more stockholder meetings to dischargeseek such indebtedness may also materially adversely affect the Company’s ability to raise capital from third parties on attractive terms, if at all. stockholder approval.

 

Vote Required

 

The affirmative vote of the holders of shares of common stockCommon Stock representing a majority of the shares of Common Stock cast at the Annual Meeting via the virtual meeting in personplatform or by proxy is required for the approval of the potential issuance of in excess of 19.99% of our outstanding Common Stock upon the conversion of the Convertible Note.Share Issuance Proposal. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote “Against” and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of this Share Issuance Proposal.

 

Recommendation of our Board

 

Pursuant to the Series D SPA, the Company is obligated to present the Common Share Issuance Proposal to the stockholders through a special or annual meeting along with the Board’s recommendation to vote “For” the proposal until such proposal is approved.

Our Board unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the approval of the CoMMON SHARE ISsuance PROPOSAL.

PROPOSAL NO. 5 APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK FROM 1.25 MILLION TO 500 MILLION SHARES.

Background

On December 21, 2023, the Company implemented a one-for-four-hundred (1-for-400) reverse stock split (the “Reverse Split”) as part of the Company’s ongoing plan of compliance with the Nasdaq Listing Rules, and more specifically, to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), as the minimum bid price of our common stock had been below $0.10 per share for 10 consecutive business days. The Company implemented the Reverse Split following approval through resolution adopted by the Board of Directors under the Nevada Revised Statute NRS 78.207 without stockholder approval, which proportionally reduced the number of authorized shares in the same one-for-four-hundred ratio from 500 million to 1.25 million shares. The Company seeks stockholder approval of an amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation to increase the authorized shares of Common Stock from 1.25 million to 500 million (the “Authorized Share Increase Proposal”).

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Reasons for the Authorized Share Increase

Following the Reverse Split, the Company does not have sufficient authorized shares to raise capital in a public offering of common stock, or to accommodate conversions of its Series A Preferred Stock, Series C Convertible Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock, to common stock. The Series A Preferred Stock has a liquidation value of $11.00 and is convertible into common stock and the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock and the Series D Preferred Stock require a reserve of a minimum of 100% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be necessary to effect the conversions.

The Company’s primary reasons for approving and recommending the Authorized Share Increase proposal are to (i) allow the Company to issue more shares of common stock to increase its stockholders’ equity to maintain long term compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b), the minimum stockholders’ equity requirement of $2.5 million, (ii) allow the Company to raise additional capital to support operations and grow the business; (iii) ensure sufficient shares to allow for the conversion of the Company’s outstanding classes of convertible preferred stock, warrants and other convertible instruments, (iv) ensure sufficient shares are available to award our management team and board of directors to incentivize retention and performance, and (v) allow for available shares to effect potential merger and acquisition activities.

The Authorized Share Increase, if approved by our stockholders, would become effective upon the filing of the amendment to our Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada, or at the later time set forth in the amendment.

The Board of Directors believes the Authorized Share Increase is necessary and advisable for the reasons stated above. If the Authorized Share Increase Proposal is passed, we intend to raise capital through public or private offerings of common stock, warrants or other convertible securities and may effect additional equity conversions under the terms of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock and Series D Certificate of Designations and the October 2023 Settlement Agreement.

Potential Effects of the Proposal

If our stockholders approve the Authorized Share Increase and the Board of Directors effects it, the number of shares of common stock issuable will be increased from 1.25 million to 500 million shares. The Authorized Share Increase itself will have no direct or immediate effect on the holders of our Common Stock at the time of the increase and uniformly and will not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership interest in the Company nor will it affect any stockholder’s proportionate voting power.

The additional authorized shares of common stock will have the same rights as the presently authorized shares of common stock, including the right to cast one vote per share of common stock. Although the authorization of additional shares will not, in itself, have any effect on the rights of any holder of our common stock, the future issuance of additional shares of common stock (other than by way of a stock split or dividend) will have the effect of diluting the voting rights and could have the effect of diluting earnings per share and book value per share of existing stockholders. The Board of Directors expects to issue some or all of the additional shares of common stock authorized by amendment of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or held in reserve for investors for potential future issuance, as needed, for existing obligations as disclosed in the Company’s annual and quarterly reports, and our registration statements on Form S-3 and Form S-1. It is also possible that some of these additional shares could be used in the future for various other purposes without further stockholder approval, except as such approval may be required in particular cases by our charter documents, applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or other quotation system on which our securities may then be listed. Additional shares of common stock so authorized will be available for issuance by the Company for raising additional capital, conversions of preferred stock and debt into equity, to allow exercise of outstanding warrants and stock options, as incentives to employees, officers or directors, and as inducements for possible acquisitions, establishing strategic partnerships with other companies, or other corporate purposes. The Company does not anticipate that it would seek authorization from the stockholders for issuance of any additional authorized shares unless required by applicable law or regulations. The increase in authorized common stock will not have any immediate effect on the rights of existing stockholders, but it would have a dilutive effect on our existing stockholders when the additional shares are issued.

We could also use the additional shares of common stock to oppose a hostile takeover attempt or to delay or prevent changes in control or management of the Company. Although the Board’s approval of the Authorized Share Increase proposal was not prompted by the threat of any hostile takeover attempt (nor is the Board currently aware of any such attempts directed at the Company), nevertheless, stockholders should be aware that the Authorized Share Increase could facilitate future efforts by us to deter or prevent changes in control of the Company, including transactions in which stockholders of the Company might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over then current market prices. This increase in the authorized number of shares of common stock and the subsequent issuance of such shares could have the effect of delaying or preventing a hostile change in control of the Company without further action by the Company’s stockholders. Shares of authorized and unissued common stock could (within the limits imposed by applicable law and stock exchange regulations) be issued in one or more transactions which would make a hostile change in control of the Company more difficult, and therefore less likely. Management’s use of additional shares to resist or frustrate a hostile third-party transaction favored by a majority of the independent stockholders would likely result in an above-market premium being paid in that transaction. Any such issuance of the additional shares of common stock would likely have the effect of diluting the earnings per share and book value per share of outstanding shares of Company common stock, and such additional shares could be used to dilute the stock ownership or voting rights of a person seeking to obtain control of the Company.

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The Company’s increase in authorized common stock will become effective upon the filing of an amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation with the Nevada Secretary of State, which we would intend to complete promptly if we receive stockholder approval of the Authorized Share Increase proposal. Information with respect to the filing of the amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation and the increase in authorized common stock would be included in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Vote Required

The affirmative vote of the holders of shares of Common Stock representing a majority of the voting power of all issued and outstanding Common Stock is required for the approval of the amendment to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to increase the authorized shares of Common Stock from 1.25 million to 500 million shares. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the proposal as they will not be counted toward reaching a majority of the issued and outstanding shares. The Series E Preferred Stock votes proportionately to the Common Stock.

Even if the Authorized Share Increase proposal were to receive the affirmative vote of more than a majority of the shares of Common Stock present at the Annual Meeting or by proxy, there may not be sufficient votes to approve the Authorized Share Increase proposal because of the higher voting standard of approval by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares of Common Stock representing a majority of the voting power of all issued and outstanding Common Stock. As a result, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the proposal as they will not be counted toward reaching a majority of the issued and outstanding shares. In order to attempt to procure the vote necessary to affect the Authorized Share Increase proposal, on January 5, 2024, we issued 100 shares of our Series E Preferred Stock to a member of the Company’s management. The terms of the Series E Preferred Stock are set forth in a Certificate of Designation of Series E Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designation”), filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada, and effective on January 5, 2024. The Series E Preferred Stock does not have any voting rights except with respect to the Authorized Share Increase proposal presented at the Annual Meeting, or otherwise as required by law. With respect to the Authorized Share Increase proposal, the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock is entitled to 600,000,000 votes on such proposal in the aggregate, which is referred to as supermajority voting; however the votes by the holder of Series E Preferred Stock will be counted in the same “mirrored” proportion as the aggregate votes cast by the holders of Common Stock who vote on the Authorized Share Increase proposal. For example, if 50.5% of the shares of Common Stock cast at the Annual Meeting or by proxy are voted “FOR” Proposal No. 5, then the Company will count 50.5% of the votes cast (or votes) by the holder of the Series E Preferred Stock as votes “FOR” Proposal No. 5. Holders of Common Stock and Series E Preferred Stock will vote on the Authorized Share Increase proposal as a single class.

The Board of Directors determined that it was in the best interests of the Company to provide for supermajority voting of the Series E Preferred Stock in order to obtain sufficient votes on the Authorized Share Increase proposal. Due to the required proportional voting structure of the Series E Preferred Stock that mirrors the actual voting by holders of the Common Stock, the supermajority voting will serve to reflect the voting preference of the holders of Common Stock that actually vote on the matter, whether for or against the proposal, and therefore will not override the stated preference of the holders of Common Stock.

If the Authorized Share Increase proposal is approved, the outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock will be automatically redeemed upon the stockholders’ approval of the Authorized Share Increase proposal and will have no further rights, voting or otherwise.

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Recommendation of our Board

Our Board UNANIMOUSLY recommends that you vote “FOR” the approval of the AUTHORIZED SHARE INCREASE Proposal BECAUSE IT IS IN THE BEST INTERESTSINTEREST OF THE coMPANY AND OUR STOCKHOLDERS.

STOCKHOLDER NOMINATIONS OF DIRECTORS AND OTHER BUSINESS

Under our bylaws, as amended, notice of any director nomination or stockholder proposal intended to be presented by a stockholder at the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders must be delivered to our Secretary at our principal executive offices not earlier than the close of business on [●], 2024, nor later than the close of business on [●], 2024; provided that in the event that the date of the 2024 annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than seventy (70) days after [●], 2025, notice must be delivered not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by us. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

The deadline for any stockholder proposal for inclusion in our proxy materials for the 2024 annual meeting pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act is [●], 2024; provided that a proposal will not be considered properly brought before the Annual Meeting if notice thereof is provided after any applicable deadline in our bylaws, as amended, regardless of whether the stockholder is seeking to include the proposal in our proxy materials. Any notice regarding any stockholder nomination must include the information specified in Article III, Section 1 of our bylaws, as amended. In addition, we will be required under Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act to include on our proxy card all nominees for director for whom we have received notice under the rule, which must be received no later than 60 calendar days prior to the anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting. For any such director nominee to be included on our proxy card for next year’s annual meeting, we must receive notice under SEC Rule 14a-19 no later than [●], 2024. Please note that the notice requirement under SEC Rule 14a-19 is in addition to the applicable notice requirements under the advance notice provisions of our bylaws, as amended, as described above.

 

OTHER BUSINESSMATTERS

 

We have not received notice of and do not expect any other matters to be presented for vote at the Annual Meeting, other than the proposals described in this Proxy Statement. However, if any other matters are properly presented to the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote, or otherwise act, in accordance with their judgment on such matters. If you grant a proxy, the personpersons named as proxy holder, Grant Johnson,Jan Jones Blackhurst, Alex Igelman, or their nominees or substitutes,Lydia Roy, will have the discretion to vote your shares on any additional matters properly presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting. If for any unforeseen reason, any of our nominees are not available as a candidate for director, the proxy holder will vote your proxy for such other candidate or candidates nominated by our Board.

 

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HOUSEHOLDING OF ANNUAL MEETING MATERIALS

 

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries such as brokers to satisfy delivery requirements for the proxy statements and annual reports or Notices of Internet Availability, of Proxy Materials, as applicable, with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement and annual report or the Notice of Internet Availability, of Proxy Materials, as applicable, addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially provides extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies. We and some brokers household proxy materials, delivering a single proxy statement and annual report or the Notice of Internet Availability, of Proxy Materials, as applicable, to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from one or more of the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker or us that they or we will be householding materials to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement and annual report, or the Notice of Internet Availability, of Proxy Materials, as applicable, or if you are receiving multiples copies of the proxy statement and annual report or the Notice of Internet Availability, of Proxy Materials, as applicable, and wish to receive only one, please notify your broker or Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. at 866-540-7095 or in writing at Broadridge, Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717 if your shares are held in a brokerage account or us if you hold registered shares. You can notify us by sending a written request addressed to Attn: Chief Executive Officer,Secretary, Esports Entertainment Group, Inc., Block 6, Triq Paceville, St. Julians, Malta, STJ 3109.3109 or by calling us at +356 2713 1276. We will deliver promptly, upon written or oral request, a separate copy of the proxy statementProxy Statement and annual report or the Notice of Internet Availability, of Proxy Materials, as applicable, to a registered stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the applicable document(s) was delivered.

 

In addition, we are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and in accordance therewith, we file periodic reports, documents and other information with the SEC relating to our business, financial statements and other matters. Such reports and other information may be inspected and are available for copying at the offices of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549 or may be accessed at www.sec.gov. Information regarding the operation of the public reference rooms may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. You are encouraged to review our Annual Report on Form 10-K, together with any subsequent information we filed or will file with the SEC and other publicly available information.

 

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It is important that the proxies be returned promptly and that your shares be represented. Stockholders are urged to mark, date, execute and promptly return the accompanying proxy card.

November 22, 2021[●], 2024By Order of the Board of Directors,
  
 /s/ Grant JohnsonJan Jones Blackhurst
 Grant JohnsonJan Jones Blackhurst
 Chief Executive Officer and
ChairmanChair of the Board of Directors
/s/ Alex Igelman
Alex Igelman
Chief Executive Officer

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