Document And Entity Information
Document And Entity Information - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Feb. 01, 2022 | Jun. 30, 2021 | |
Document Information [Line Items] | |||
Document Type | 10-K/A | ||
Amendment Flag | true | ||
Document Annual Report | true | ||
Document Fiscal Period Focus | FY | ||
Document Period End Date | Dec. 31, 2021 | ||
Current Fiscal Year End Date | --12-31 | ||
Document Fiscal Year Focus | 2021 | ||
Document Transition Report | false | ||
Entity File Number | 001-16131 | ||
Entity Registrant Name | WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC. | ||
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | DE | ||
Entity Tax Identification Number | 04-2693383 | ||
Entity Address, Address Line One | 1241 East Main Street | ||
Entity Address, City or Town | Stamford | ||
Entity Address, State or Province | CT | ||
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 06902 | ||
City Area Code | 203 | ||
Local Phone Number | 352-8600 | ||
Title of 12(b) Security | Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share | ||
Trading Symbol | WWE | ||
Security Exchange Name | NYSE | ||
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer | Yes | ||
Entity Voluntary Filers | No | ||
Entity Current Reporting Status | Yes | ||
Entity Interactive Data Current | Yes | ||
Entity Filer Category | Large Accelerated Filer | ||
Entity Small Business | false | ||
Entity Emerging Growth Company | false | ||
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag | true | ||
Entity Shell Company | false | ||
Entity Public Float | $ 2,549,597,516 | ||
Documents Incorporated by Reference | Portions of the Registrant's definitive proxy statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K. | ||
Entity Central Index Key | 0001091907 | ||
Auditor Name | Deloitte & Touche LLP | ||
Auditor Location | Stamford, Connecticut | ||
Auditor Firm ID | 34 | ||
Amendment Description | In accordance with Rule 12b-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is filing this Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A (this “Form 10-K/A”) to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, originally filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 3, 2022 (the “Form 10-K” or the “Original Filing”), to amend and revise the following Items of our Original Filing:Part I – Item 1. Business Part I – Item 1A. Risk FactorsPart II – Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsPart II – Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary DataPart II – Item 9A. Controls and ProceduresPart IV – Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement SchedulesThe complete text of those Items is revised in this Annual Report on Form 10-K/A. The other Items of the Original Filing have not been amended and, accordingly, have not been repeated in this Form 10-K/A.The only changes to the Original Filing are those related to the matters described below and only in the items listed above. Except as described herein, this Form 10-K/A does not modify, amend or update any of the other financial information or other information contained in the Original Filing. In addition, in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules, this Form 10-K/A includes updated certifications from our co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial and Administrative Officer as Exhibits 31.1, 31.2, 32.1 and 32.2. Otherwise, the information contained in this Form 10-K/A is as of the date of the Original Filing and does not reflect any information or events occurring after the date of the Original Filing. Such subsequent information or events include, among other things, the information and events described in our originally filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2022 (the “Original Quarterly Filing”) and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A (“Form 10-Q/A”) for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2022, which is being filed concurrently with this Form 10-K/A, and the information and events described in our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed subsequent to the date of the Original Filing. For a description of such subsequent information and events, please read our reports filed pursuant to the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of the Original Filing, which update and supersede certain information contained in the Original Filing and this Form 10-K/A.On June 17, 2022, the Company and its Board of Directors announced that a special committee of independent members of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Special Committee”) was formed to investigate alleged misconduct by the Company’s former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Vincent K. McMahon, who resigned from all positions held with the Company on July 22, 2022 but remains a stockholder with a controlling interest (“Mr. McMahon”), and another executive, who is also no longer with the Company.The findings of the investigation identified agreements executed by Mr. McMahon which were previously unknown to the Company. On July 25, 2022, the Company announced that it had determined that certain payments that Mr. McMahon agreed to make during the period from 2006 through 2022 (including amounts paid and payable in the future totaling $14.6 million) were not appropriately recorded as expenses in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company subsequently identified two additional payments totaling $5.0 million, unrelated to the alleged misconduct by Mr. McMahon that led to the Special Committee investigation, that Mr. McMahon made in 2007 and 2009 that were not appropriately recorded as expenses in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. Together, these unrecorded expenses total $19.6 million (the “Unrecorded Expenses”). The Company has evaluated the Unrecorded Expenses and has determined that such amounts should have been recorded as expenses in each of the periods in which they became probable and estimable. All payments underlying the Unrecorded Expenses were or will be paid by Mr. McMahon personally. The Special Committee investigation is substantially complete. Management evaluated the quantitative and qualitative impact of these accounting errors on the Company’s previously issued Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Original Filing and unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Original Quarterly Filing (collectively, the “previously issued financial statements”) and concluded that the errors were not material to its previously issued financial statements. The Company has determined that, while the amount of Unrecorded Expenses was not material in any individual period in which the Unrecorded Expenses arose, the aggregate amount of Unrecorded Expenses would be material if recorded entirely in the second quarter of 2022. Accordingly, the Company is revising its previously issued financial statements to record the Unrecorded Expenses in the applicable periods for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, as well as the first quarter of 2021 and 2022.In addition, the Company re-evaluated the effectiveness of its internal controls over financial reporting and identified control deficiencies associated with the accounting errors, which the Company has concluded represent material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021. Accordingly, the Company is filing this Form 10-K/A and is concurrently filing the Form 10-Q/A to amend management’s assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and its disclosure controls and procedures to indicate that they were not effective as of December 31, 2021 and March 31 2022, respectively. Further, included in this Form 10-K/A, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP (“Deloitte”), is amending the Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting within its Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm to reflect the identification of material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021. As a result of the determination to file this Form 10-K/A, for the reasons outlined in the preceding paragraph, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Audit Committee”) of the Company, after discussion with management and Deloitte, determined that the Company will revise its (i) Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, included in the Original Filing, and (ii) unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements for the quarters ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 included in the Original Quarterly Filing, to disclose the existence of the related material weaknesses and to correct the accounting errors for all periods presented. The correction of these accounting errors does not impact the Company’s previously reported revenue during any financial statement period. For a more detailed description of the correction of the accounting errors refer to Note 22, Revision of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements, to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company included in Part II-Item 8 of this Form 10-K/A. | ||
Common Class A [Member] | |||
Document Information [Line Items] | |||
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in Shares) | 43,766,276 | ||
Common Class B [Member] | |||
Document Information [Line Items] | |||
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in Shares) | 31,099,011 |
Consolidated Statements Of Oper
Consolidated Statements Of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | |||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | ||
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract] | ||||
Net revenues | $ 1,095,174 | $ 974,207 | $ 960,442 | |
Operating expenses | 608,174 | 549,480 | 638,199 | |
Marketing and selling expenses | 69,242 | 71,385 | 84,713 | |
General and administrative expenses | 120,840 | 102,182 | 86,893 | |
Depreciation and amortization | [1] | 40,901 | 42,616 | 34,127 |
Operating income | 256,017 | 208,544 | 116,510 | |
Interest expense | 33,610 | 35,601 | 26,121 | |
Other income (expense), net | 7,455 | (1,834) | 4,289 | |
Income before income taxes | 229,862 | 171,109 | 94,678 | |
Provision for income taxes | 52,454 | 39,338 | 17,617 | |
Net income | $ 177,408 | $ 131,771 | $ 77,061 | |
Earnings per share: basic | $ 2.32 | $ 1.70 | $ 0.99 | |
Earnings per share: diluted | $ 2.09 | $ 1.56 | $ 0.85 | |
Weighted average common shares outstanding: | ||||
Basic | 76,324 | 77,564 | 78,157 | |
Diluted | 84,943 | 84,219 | 90,231 | |
Dividends declared per common share (Class A and B) | $ 0.48 | $ 0.48 | $ 0.48 | |
[1] Depreciation and amortization for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 includes $ 9,210 , $ 9,103 and $ 4,535 , respectively, of amortization related to the right-of-use asset for the Company’s new global headquarters lease, which commenced on July 1, 2019 and is accounted for as a finance lease. |
Consolidated Statements Of Comp
Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] | |||
Net income | $ 177,408 | $ 131,771 | $ 77,061 |
Other comprehensive income (loss): | |||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | (180) | 107 | 63 |
Unrealized holding (losses) gains on available-for-sale debt securities (net of tax expense (benefit) of $(122), $4 and $410, respectively) | (385) | 14 | 1,299 |
Total other comprehensive (loss) income | (565) | 121 | 1,362 |
Comprehensive income | $ 176,843 | $ 131,892 | $ 78,423 |
Consolidated Statements Of Co_2
Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] | |||
Unrealized holding losses on available-for-sale debt securities, tax benefit | $ (122) | $ 4 | $ 410 |
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2021 | Oct. 26, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 |
Current assets: | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 134,828 | $ 462,102 | |
Short-term investments, net | 280,957 | 131,295 | |
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts and returns of $5,155 and $4,050, respectively) | 171,196 | 52,007 | |
Inventory | 8,033 | 8,386 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 32,242 | 73,062 | |
Total current assets | 627,256 | 726,852 | |
Property and equipment, net | 172,677 | 161,545 | |
Finance lease right-of-use assets, net | 313,360 | 310,844 | |
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net | 8,973 | $ 16,639 | 13,476 |
Content production assets, net | 13,781 | 15,425 | |
Investment securities | 11,618 | 11,148 | |
Deferred income tax assets, net | 13,100 | 10,052 | |
Other assets, net | 43,302 | 47,980 | |
Total assets | 1,204,067 | 1,297,322 | |
Current liabilities: | |||
Current portion of long-term debt | 430 | 100,412 | |
Finance lease liabilities | 12,190 | 9,587 | |
Operating lease liabilities | 4,755 | 3,963 | |
Convertible debt | 201,093 | 194,683 | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 122,716 | 125,942 | |
Deferred revenues | 74,633 | 62,887 | |
Total current liabilities | 415,817 | 497,474 | |
Long-term debt | 21,284 | 21,700 | |
Finance lease liabilities | 374,681 | 379,894 | |
Operating lease liabilities | 5,063 | 9,723 | |
Other non-current liabilities | 12,562 | 4,537 | |
Total liabilities | 829,407 | 913,328 | |
Commitments and contingencies | |||
Stockholders' equity: | |||
Additional paid-in capital | 422,884 | 436,558 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 2,420 | 2,985 | |
Accumulated deficit | (51,393) | (56,327) | |
Total stockholders' equity | 374,660 | 383,994 | |
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | 1,204,067 | 1,297,322 | |
Common Class A [Member] | |||
Stockholders' equity: | |||
Common stock | 438 | 467 | |
Common Class B [Member] | |||
Stockholders' equity: | |||
Common stock | $ 311 | $ 311 |
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 |
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts and returns | $ 5,155 | $ 4,050 |
Common Class A [Member] | ||
Common stock, par value | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 |
Common stock, shares authorized | 180,000,000 | 180,000,000 |
Common stock, shares issued | 43,732,977 | 46,694,963 |
Common stock, shares outstanding | 43,732,977 | 46,694,963 |
Common Class B [Member] | ||
Common stock, par value | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 |
Common stock, shares authorized | 60,000,000 | 60,000,000 |
Common stock, shares issued | 31,099,011 | 31,099,011 |
Common stock, shares outstanding | 31,099,011 | 31,099,011 |
Consolidated Statements Of Stoc
Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Equity [Member] Common Class A [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance [Member] | Equity [Member] Common Class A [Member] | Equity [Member] Common Class B [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance [Member] | Equity [Member] Common Class B [Member] | Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member] | Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance [Member] | Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance [Member] | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Retained Earnings [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member] | Retained Earnings [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance [Member] | Retained Earnings [Member] | Common Class A [Member] | Common Class B [Member] | Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member] | Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance [Member] | Total |
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2018 | 43,721,000 | 43,721,000 | 34,303,000 | 34,303,000 | |||||||||||||
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018 | $ 437 | $ 437 | $ 343 | $ 343 | $ 9,100 | $ 424,381 | $ 415,281 | $ 1,502 | $ 1,502 | $ (16,600) | $ (117,926) | $ (101,326) | $ (7,500) | $ 308,737 | $ 316,237 | ||
Net income | 77,061 | 77,061 | |||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | 1,362 | $ 1,362 | |||||||||||||||
Repurchases and retirements of common stock, Shares | (1,398,000) | (1,398,385) | |||||||||||||||
Repurchases and retirements of common stock | $ (14) | (12,436) | (70,991) | $ (83,441) | |||||||||||||
Stock issuances and other, net, Shares | 654,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Stock issuances and other, net | $ 7 | 3,818 | 3,825 | ||||||||||||||
Conversion of Class B common stock by shareholder (See Note 17), Shares | 3,204,000 | (3,204,000) | |||||||||||||||
Conversion of Class B common stock by shareholder (See Note 17) | $ 32 | $ (32) | |||||||||||||||
Taxes paid related to net settlement upon vesting of equity awards | (30,183) | (30,183) | |||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared | 977 | (38,408) | (37,431) | ||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 29,396 | 29,396 | |||||||||||||||
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2019 | 46,181,000 | 31,099,000 | |||||||||||||||
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019 | $ 462 | $ 311 | 415,953 | 2,864 | (150,264) | 269,326 | |||||||||||
Net income | 131,771 | 131,771 | |||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | 121 | $ 121 | |||||||||||||||
Repurchases and retirements of common stock, Shares | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
Stock issuances and other, net, Shares | 514,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Stock issuances and other, net | $ 5 | 3,825 | $ 3,830 | ||||||||||||||
Taxes paid related to net settlement upon vesting of equity awards | (11,082) | (11,082) | |||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared | 585 | (37,834) | (37,249) | ||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 27,277 | 27,277 | |||||||||||||||
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2020 | 46,695,000 | 31,099,000 | 46,694,963 | 31,099,011 | |||||||||||||
Balance at Dec. 31, 2020 | $ 467 | $ 311 | 436,558 | 2,985 | (56,327) | 383,994 | |||||||||||
Net income | 43,832 | ||||||||||||||||
Stock issuances and other, net | 3,163 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at Mar. 31, 2021 | 433,014 | (83,015) | |||||||||||||||
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2020 | 46,695,000 | 31,099,000 | 46,694,963 | 31,099,011 | |||||||||||||
Balance at Dec. 31, 2020 | $ 467 | $ 311 | 436,558 | 2,985 | (56,327) | 383,994 | |||||||||||
Net income | 73,033 | ||||||||||||||||
Stock issuances and other, net | 3,167 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at Jun. 30, 2021 | 432,239 | (78,570) | |||||||||||||||
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2020 | 46,695,000 | 31,099,000 | 46,694,963 | 31,099,011 | |||||||||||||
Balance at Dec. 31, 2020 | $ 467 | $ 311 | 436,558 | 2,985 | (56,327) | 383,994 | |||||||||||
Net income | 116,519 | ||||||||||||||||
Stock issuances and other, net | 4,173 | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at Sep. 30, 2021 | 428,054 | (62,422) | |||||||||||||||
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2020 | 46,695,000 | 31,099,000 | 46,694,963 | 31,099,011 | |||||||||||||
Balance at Dec. 31, 2020 | $ 467 | $ 311 | 436,558 | 2,985 | (56,327) | 383,994 | |||||||||||
Net income | 177,408 | 177,408 | |||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | (565) | $ (565) | |||||||||||||||
Repurchases and retirements of common stock, Shares | (3,251,000) | (3,251,313) | |||||||||||||||
Repurchases and retirements of common stock | $ (32) | (29,923) | (135,675) | $ (165,630) | |||||||||||||
Stock issuances and other, net, Shares | 289,000 | ||||||||||||||||
Stock issuances and other, net | $ 3 | 4,170 | 4,173 | ||||||||||||||
Taxes paid related to net settlement upon vesting of equity awards | (5,640) | (5,640) | |||||||||||||||
Cash dividends declared | 386 | (36,799) | (36,413) | ||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 17,333 | 17,333 | |||||||||||||||
Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2021 | 43,733,000 | 31,099,000 | 43,732,977 | 31,099,011 | |||||||||||||
Balance at Dec. 31, 2021 | $ 438 | $ 311 | $ 422,884 | $ 2,420 | $ (51,393) | $ 374,660 |
Consolidated Statements Of Cash
Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |||
Net income | $ 177,408 | $ 131,771 | $ 77,061 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||
Amortization and impairments of content production assets | 19,714 | 26,309 | 35,708 |
Depreciation and amortization | 48,785 | 48,533 | 39,552 |
Other amortization | 18,849 | 17,998 | 13,905 |
Loss on equity investments, net | 808 | 5,720 | 3,309 |
Stock-based compensation | 19,086 | 27,989 | 29,396 |
(Benefit from) provision for deferred income taxes | (2,993) | (3,015) | 9,921 |
Other non-cash adjustments | (3,302) | 22,398 | 8,189 |
Cash provided by (used in) changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||
Accounts receivable | (120,629) | 70,037 | (41,486) |
Inventory | 1,160 | (1,287) | (499) |
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 3,011 | (12,171) | 2,642 |
Content production assets | (17,738) | (25,645) | (34,349) |
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | 22,719 | 5,088 | (31,954) |
Deferred income | 11,718 | 6,149 | 10,297 |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 178,596 | 319,874 | 121,692 |
INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |||
Purchases of property and equipment and other assets | (39,231) | (27,662) | (69,086) |
Purchases of short-term investments | (374,502) | (153,904) | (124,282) |
Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments | 222,060 | 182,316 | 157,487 |
Purchase of investment securities | (1,470) | (589) | (1,366) |
Proceeds from sale of investment securities | 11,715 | ||
Other | 4,329 | 1,438 | |
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities | (188,814) | 11,876 | (35,809) |
FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |||
Repayment of debt | (100,398) | (103,599) | (5,103) |
Repayment of finance leases | (11,948) | (10,795) | (8,352) |
Dividends paid | (36,413) | (37,249) | (37,431) |
Debt issuance costs | (708) | ||
Proceeds from borrowings under the credit facility | 200,000 | ||
Taxes paid related to net settlement upon vesting of equity awards | (5,640) | (11,082) | (30,183) |
Proceeds from issuance of stock and other | 2,973 | 2,630 | 2,325 |
Repurchase and retirement of common stock | (165,630) | (83,441) | |
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (317,056) | 39,905 | (162,893) |
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | (327,274) | 371,655 | (77,010) |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | 462,102 | 90,447 | 167,457 |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD | 134,828 | 462,102 | 90,447 |
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: | |||
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds | 55,500 | 45,586 | 7,386 |
Cash paid for interest | 9,927 | 12,262 | 10,706 |
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING TRANSACTIONS: | |||
Purchases of property and equipment recorded in accounts payable and accrued expenses (See Note 12) | 22,207 | 4,365 | 4,997 |
Principal stockholder contributions (See Note 17) | $ 1,200 | $ 1,200 | $ 1,500 |
Basis Of Presentation And Busin
Basis Of Presentation And Business Description | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Basis Of Presentation And Business Description [Abstract] | |
Basis Of Presentation And Business Description | 1. Basis of Presentation and Business Description The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of WWE. “WWE” refers to World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires. References to “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company” refer to WWE. We are an integrated media and entertainment company, principally engaged in the production and distribution of wrestling entertainment content through various channels, including our premium over-the-top network (“WWE Network”), content rights agreements, premium live event programming, filmed entertainment, live events, licensing of various WWE themed products, and the sale of consumer products featuring our brands. Our operations are organized around the following principal activities: Media : The Media segment reflects the production and monetization of long-form and short-form video content across various platforms, including WWE Network, broadcast and pay television, digital and social media, as well as filmed entertainment. Across these platforms, revenues principally consist of content rights fees associated with the distribution of our programming content, subscriptions to WWE Network, and advertising and sponsorships. Effective March 18, 2021, the domestic monetization of WWE Network is generated from content license fees and certain shared sponsorship revenues from NBC Universal (“NBCU”). Media segment revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021 include the upfront revenue recognition related to the delivery of certain intellectual property rights under this agreement. Live Events : Live events provide ongoing content for our media platforms. Live Event segment revenues consist primarily of ticket sales, revenues from events for which we receive a fixed fee, as well as the sale of travel packages associated with the Company’s global live events. As a result of the global spread of the coronavirus pandemic (“COVID-19”), these revenues had been greatly limited from March 2020 through the first half of 2021. We held our annual WrestleMania events on April 10 and 11, 2021 with ticketed audiences, and on July 16, 2021, we resumed our domestic and international live event touring schedules. Consumer Products : The Consumer Products segment engages in the merchandising of WWE branded products, such as video games, toys and apparel, through licensing arrangements and direct-to-consumer sales. Revenues principally consist of royalties and licensee fees related to WWE branded products, and sales of merchandise distributed at our live events and through eCommerce platforms. Note on the COVID-19 Pandemic The global spread of COVID-19 and the various attempts to contain it resulted in restrictions, postponements and cancellations of various sports and other events and required us to cancel, postpone or relocate certain of our live events since March 2020. While restrictions have lessened and we have resumed our domestic and international live event touring schedules, COVID-19 and its variants continue to create significant uncertainty and the full extent of the impact will depend on numerous evolving factors that we can neither predict nor control, including the pandemic’s duration and severity and the governmental, business and individual responses to it. We will continue to actively monitor the issues raised by the COVID-19 pandemic and may take further actions that alter our business operations that are required by applicable governmental authorities and/or that we determine to be in the best interests of our employees, talent, customers, partners and stockholders. Any of the foregoing could have a material negative effect on our business and results of operations. |
Summary Of Significant Accounti
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies | 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Basis of Consolidation — The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of WWE and all of its domestic and foreign subsidiaries. Included in Corporate are intersegment eliminations recorded in consolidation. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Cash and Cash Equivalents — Cash and cash equivalents include cash on deposit in overnight deposit accounts, investments in Treasury bills and investments in money market accounts with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase. Short-term Investments, Net — Our short-term investments consist of U.S. Treasury securities, corporate bonds and government agency bonds. We classify and account for these securities as available-for-sale debt securities and carry these securities at fair value. We report the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, as other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity, with the exception, if applicable, of unrealized losses due to loss of credit worthiness or unrealized gains due to recovery of credit worthiness, which are recorded to other income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Realized gains and losses on investments are included in earnings and are derived using the specific identification method for determining the cost of securities sold. Accounts Receivable, Net — Accounts receivable relate principally to amounts due to us from distributors of our content, as well as from licensees that produce consumer products containing our intellectual property and/or trademarks. We estimate the collectability of our receivables and establish allowances for the amount of accounts receivable that we estimate to be uncollectible. We base these allowances on our historical collection experience, the length of time our accounts receivable are outstanding, the financial condition of individual customers and current economic conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay. An individual balance is charged to the allowance when all collection efforts have been exhausted and it is deemed likely to be uncollectible, taking into consideration the financial condition of the customer and other factors. Inventory — Inventory consists of merchandise sold on our websites and on distribution platforms, including Amazon, and merchandise sold at live events. Substantially all of our inventory is comprised of finished goods. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The valuation of our inventories requires management to make market estimates assessing the quantities and the prices at which we believe the inventory can be sold. Property and Equipment, Net — Property and equipment are carried at historical cost net of benefits associated with tax incentives less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets or, when applicable, the life of the lease, whichever is shorter. Vehicles and equipment are depreciated based on estimated useful lives varying from three years to five years . Buildings and related improvements are depreciated based on estimated useful lives varying from five years to thirty-nine years . Our corporate aircraft is depreciated over ten years on a straight-line basis less an estimated residual value. Leases — The Company determines if a contract contains a lease at the inception of the arrangement. The Company has elected the short-term lease exemption, whereby leases with initial terms of one year or less are not capitalized and instead expensed generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The depreciable life of the underlying leased assets are generally limited to the expected lease term inclusive of any optional lease terms where we conclude at the inception of the lease that we are reasonably certain of exercising those renewal options. The Company is primarily a lessee with a lease portfolio comprised mainly of real estate and equipment leases. Operating and finance lease assets are included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets in non-current assets as an operating or finance right-of-use asset. Operating and finance lease liabilities are included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets in non-current liabilities for the portion that is due on a long-term basis and in current liabilities for portion that is due within 12 months of the financial statement date. The right-of-use assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date of the lease based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term using an appropriate discount rate. Since the implicit rate is not readily available for our leases, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The right-of-use asset also may include any initial direct costs paid and is reduced by any lease incentives provided by the lessor. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term for our operating leases and for our finance leases, we record interest expense on the lease liability and straight-line amortization of the right-of-use asset over the lease term. Content Production Assets, Net — The Company is primarily a content producer with content production assets consisting of feature films, non-live event episodic television series, and original programming content for WWE Network. Feature film titles are predominantly monetized on their own through exploitation and exhibition through individual film distribution arrangements or by sale to a third party. The non-live event episodic television series are predominantly monetized on their own through individual television distribution arrangements. The original WWE Network programming content are predominantly monetized as a film group through the collection of licensing fees from distribution partners or through the collection of monthly subscription fees from WWE Network. Amounts capitalized for content production assets typically include development costs, production costs, production overhead, and employee salaries and are net of any film production incentives associated with our feature films. Content production assets related to our feature films are amortized in the proportion that revenues bear to management’s estimates of the ultimate revenue expected to be recognized from exploitation, exhibition or sale. Content production assets related to non-live event episodic television series are expensed upon delivery of the completed programming content to the individual television distributors. Our programming content distributed on the WWE Network is expensed based upon delivery to distribution partners or based on viewership consumption patterns if on the subscription-based WWE Network. Unamortized content production costs are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a film predominantly monetized on its own or a film group may be less than its unamortized costs. As it relates to our unamortized feature film production assets, if estimates for a feature film’s ultimate revenues and/or costs are revised and indicate a significant decline in a film’s profitability or if events or circumstances change that indicate we should assess whether the fair value of a film is less than its unamortized film costs, we calculate the film's estimated fair value using a discounted cash flows model. If fair value is less than the unamortized cost, the film is written down to fair value. Our estimate of ultimate revenues for feature films includes revenues from all sources for ten years from the date of a film’s initial release. We estimate the ultimate revenues based on industry and Company specific trends, the historical performance of similar films, the star power of the lead actors, and the genre of the film. Prior to the release of a feature film and throughout its life, we revise our estimates of revenues based on expected future results, actual results and other known factors affecting the various distribution markets. As it relates to our unamortized non-live event episodic television series content assets, if conditions indicate a potential impairment, and the estimated future cash flows using a discounted cash flow model are not sufficient to recover the unamortized asset, the asset is written down to fair value. As it relates to our unamortized original WWE Network programming content assets, which are predominantly monetized as film group, we review in aggregate at a group level when an event or change in circumstances indicates a change in the expected usefulness of the content or that the fair value may be less than unamortized cost. In addition, if we determine that a program will not likely air, we expense the remaining unamortized asset. Valuation of Long-Lived Assets — We periodically evaluate the carrying amount of long-lived assets for impairment when events and circumstances warrant such a review. Investment Securities — Equity investments that are marketable and have a readily determinable fair value are carried at fair value with changes in the fair value recorded through income and reflected in Other income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For nonmarketable equity securities (those without a readily determinable fair value), the Company elected to apply the practicality exception to apply fair value measurement, under which such securities will be measured at cost, less impairment, plus or minus observable price changes for identical or similar securities of the same issuer with such changes recorded in Other income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For equity investments where the Company does not control the investee, and where it is not the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity but can exert significant influence over the financial and operating policies of the investee, the Company applies the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company’s share of the investee’s underlying net income or loss is recorded as investment income or loss within Other income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, and is also included, net of cash dividends received, in Equity in earnings of affiliate, net of dividends received, on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Dividend distributions received from the investee reduces the Company’s carrying value of the investee and the cost basis if deemed a return of capital. Nonmarketable equity securities and equity method investments are also subject to periodic impairment evaluations, and when factors indicate that a significant decrease in value has occurred. Factors considered in making such assessments may include near-term prospects of the investees, subsequent rounds of financing activities of the investees, and the investees’ capital structure as well as other economic variables, which reflect assumptions market participants may use in pricing these assets. If an equity method investment is deemed to have experienced an other-than-temporary decline below its carrying amount, we reduce the carrying amount of the equity method investment to its quoted or estimated fair value, as applicable, and establish a new carrying amount for the investment. For nonmarketable equity securities that are accounted for under the measurement alternative to fair value, the Company applies the impairment model that does not require the Company to consider whether the impairment is other-than-temporary. We record these impairment charges on our equity investments in Other income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Income Taxes — Deferred tax liabilities and assets are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Amounts are determined based on the differences between the book and tax bases of particular assets and liabilities and operating loss carry forwards, using tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided to offset deferred tax assets if, based upon the available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets within the jurisdiction from which they arise, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If we determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes. Conversely, if we determine we might not be able to realize our deferred tax assets, we would record a valuation allowance which would result in a charge to the provision for income taxes. We use a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return by assessing whether they are more likely than not sustainable, based solely on their technical merits, upon examination, and including resolution of any related appeals or litigation process. The second step is to measure the associated tax benefit of each position, as the largest amount that we believe is more likely than not realizable. Differences between the amount of tax benefits taken or expected to be taken in our income tax returns and the amount of tax benefits recognized in our financial statements represent our unrecognized income tax benefits, which we record as a liability. Our policy is to include interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. Revenue Recognition — Revenues are generally recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, either at a point in time or over time, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Most of our contracts have one performance obligation and all consideration is allocated to that performance obligation. In contracts that have multiple performance obligations, we allocate the transaction price to each identified performance obligation based upon their relative standalone selling price. The standalone selling prices are determined using observable standalone selling prices when available as well as estimates of standalone selling prices using adjusted market assessment and expected cost plus margin approaches to estimate the price for individual components. Our revenues do not include material estimated amounts of variable consideration. The variable consideration contained in our contracts relates primarily to sales or usage-based royalties earned on consumer product licensing contracts. The variability related to these sales or usage-based royalties will be resolved in the periods when the licensee generates sales related to the intellectual property license. As it relates to our Consumer Products segment, the Company accounts for shipping and handling activities as fulfillment activities. We derive our revenues principally from the following sources: (i) content rights fees associated with the distribution of WWE’s media content, (ii) content license fees and subscriptions to WWE Network, (iii) fees for viewing our premium live event programming, (iv) feature film distribution, (v) advertising and sponsorship sales, (vi) live event ticket sales, (vii) consumer product licensing royalties from the sale by third-party licensees of WWE branded merchandise, (viii) direct-to-consumer sales of merchandise at our live event venues, and (ix) direct-to-consumer sales of our merchandise through eCommerce platforms. The below describes our revenue recognition policies in further detail for each major revenue source of the Company. Content rights fees: Rights fees received from distributors of our programming, both domestically and internationally, are recorded when the program (functional intellectual property) has been delivered and control has been transferred to the distributor and the license period has begun. Any advance payments received from the distributors are deferred upon collection and recognized into revenue as content is delivered. Our content rights distribution agreements are generally between one year and five years in length and frequently provide for contractual increases over their terms. WWE Network Subscriptions: Revenues from the sale of subscriptions to WWE Network are recognized ratably over each paid monthly membership period. Deferred revenues consist of subscription fees billed to members that have not been recognized and gift memberships that have not been redeemed. Pay-per-view programming: Revenues from our pay-per-view programming are recorded when the event is aired/performed and are based upon our initial estimate of the number of buys achieved. This initial estimate is based on preliminary buy information received from our pay-per-view distributors. These estimates are updated each reporting period based on the latest information available. Advertising and sponsorships: Through our sponsorship packages, we offer advertisers a full range of our promotional vehicles, including online and print advertising, on-air announcements and special appearances by our Superstars. We allocate the transaction price to all performance obligations contained within a sponsorship and advertising arrangement based upon their relative standalone selling price. Standalone selling prices are determined generally based on a rate card used to determine pricing for individual components. Revenues are recognized as each performance obligation is satisfied, which generally occurs when the sponsorship and advertising is aired, exhibited, performed or played on the applicable WWE platform. We are generally the principal in our advertising and sponsorship arrangements because we control the advertising and sponsorship inventory before it is transferred to our customers. Our control is evidenced by our sole ability to monetize the advertising and sponsorship inventory and being primarily responsible to our customers. Live event ticket sales: Revenues from our live event ticket sales are recognized upon the occurrence of the related live event. Consumer product licensing royalties: Licensing revenues consist principally of royalties or license fees related to various WWE themed products, such as video games, toys and apparel, which are created using WWE brands and marks (symbolic intellectual property). Revenues from our licensed products are recognized in the period of the underlying product sales based on estimates from licensees and adjustments to the estimated amounts are recorded when final statements are received. The estimates are derived from the best available recent information from our licensees of underlying sales performance and represent the most likely amount of revenues expected. Any upfront license fees or minimum guarantees received from the licensee are deferred upon collection and recognized into revenue over the contract term as the amounts are earned. Direct-to-consumer venue merchandise sales: Direct-to-consumer merchandise sales consist of sales of merchandise at our live events. Revenues are recognized at the point of sale, as control is transferred to the customer. Direct-to-consumer eCommerce sales: Direct-to-consumer eCommerce revenues consist of sales of merchandise on our websites, including through our WWEShop Internet storefront, and on distribution platforms, including Amazon. Revenues are recognized at a point in time, as control is transferred to the customer upon shipment. Operating Expenses — Operating expenses consist of our production costs associated with developing our content, venue rental and related costs associated with the staging of our live events, compensation costs for our talent, and material and related costs associated with our consumer product merchandise sales, and costs associated with operating WWE Network. In addition, operating expenses include the operating costs associated with talent development, data analytics, data engineering, business strategy and real estate and facilities functions. Included within operating expenses are the following depreciation and amortization expenses: Amortization and impairment of feature film production assets: We amortize feature film production assets based on the estimated future cash flows. Unamortized feature film production assets are evaluated for impairment each reporting period. Amortization and impairment of television production assets: Television production assets consist primarily of non-live event episodic television series we have produced for distribution through a variety of platforms, including on WWE Network. Costs to produce episodic programming for television or distribution on WWE Network are amortized in the proportion that revenues bear to management's estimates of the ultimate revenue expected to be recognized from exploitation, exhibition or sale. Unamortized television production assets are evaluated for impairment each reporting period. Program amortization for WWE Network is included in operating expenses as a component of amortization of television production assets. For episodic programming debuting and currently expected to air exclusively on WWE Network, the cost of the programming is expensed upon delivery of the content to distribution partners or the initial release on the subscription-based WWE Network, as the vast majority of viewership occurs in close proximity to the initial release. Depreciation and amortization of costs related to content delivery and technology assets utilized for WWE Network: These costs are depreciated or amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the expected useful life or the term of the respective assets. Amortization of right-of-use assets on finance leases of equipment: The amortization expense associated with the right-of-use assets pertain predominantly to equipment utilized to produce and distribute our live event programming and are therefore included in operating expenses. Depreciation on equipment used directly in revenue generating activities: We capitalize equipment consisting primarily of television set components and related equipment that is utilized as part of our programming content. These assets are depreciated over their respective estimated useful lives. The following table presents the depreciation and amortization expense amounts included within Operating expenses for the periods presented: Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Amortization and impairment of content production assets $ 19,714 $ 26,309 $ 35,708 Depreciation and amortization of WWE Network content delivery and technology assets 7,530 5,632 5,317 Amortization of right-of-use assets - finance leases of equipment 9,149 11,070 8,020 Depreciation on equipment used directly to support operations 630 561 108 Total depreciation and amortization included in operating expenses $ 37,023 $ 43,572 $ 49,153 Costs to produce our live event programming are expensed when the event is first broadcast, and are not included in the depreciation and amortization table noted above. These costs include production-related costs, such as lighting, pyrotechnics and staging, associated with our weekly, in-ring televised programming as well as our premium live events, which are included as a component of our Media segment operating expenses. We also incur event-related costs, such as venue rental, security and travel, associated with our premium live events as well as our televised and non-televised events, which are included as a component of our Live Events segment operating expenses. Talent-related costs primarily associated with our premium live events and televised programming are included within our Media segment, while talent-related costs associated with our non-televised events are included within our Live Events segment. Marketing and Selling Expenses – Marketing and selling expenses consist of costs associated with the promotion and marketing of our services and products. These expenses include advertising and promotional costs, and the costs associated with our sales and marketing functions, creative services functions and our international offices. General and Administrative Expenses – General and administrative expenses are unallocated and include costs associated with our corporate administrative functions, including finance, investor relations, community relations, corporate communications, information technology, legal, human resources and our Board of Directors. We record all Company-wide severance expenses as unallocated corporate general and administrative expenses. Content Production Incentives — The Company has access to various governmental programs that are designed to promote content production within the United States and certain international jurisdictions. Tax credits earned with respect to expenditures on qualifying content production activities, including qualifying capital projects, are included as an offset to the related asset or as an offset to production expenses when we have reasonable assurance regarding the realizable amount of the tax credits. Advertising Expense — Advertising costs are expensed as incurred, except for costs related to the development of a major commercial or media campaign, which are expensed in the period in which the commercial or campaign is first presented. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, we recorded advertising expenses of $ 9,219 , $ 13,539 and $ 21,165 , respectively. Foreign Currency Translation — For the translation of the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries whose functional currencies are non-U.S. Dollars, assets and liabilities are translated at the year-end exchange rate, and income statement accounts are translated at monthly average exchange rates for the year. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ equity, and also in comprehensive income. Foreign currency transactions are recorded at the exchange rate prevailing at the transaction date, with any gains/losses recorded in other income/expense. Stock-Based Compensation — Equity awards are granted to directors, officers and employees of the Company. Stock-based compensation costs associated with our restricted stock units ("RSUs") are determined using the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of the grant. These costs are recognized over the requisite service period using the graded vesting method, net of estimated forfeitures. RSUs have a service requirement typically over a 3.5 years vesting schedule and vest in equal annual installments. Unvested RSUs accrue dividend equivalents at the same rate as are paid on our shares of Class A common stock. The dividend equivalents are subject to the same vesting schedule as the underlying RSUs. Stock-based compensation costs associated with our performance stock units ("PSUs") are initially determined using the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date the awards are approved by our Compensation Committee (service inception date). The vesting of these PSUs are subject to certain performance conditions and a service requirement of typically 3.5 years. Until such time as the performance conditions are met, stock compensation costs associated with these PSUs are re-measured each reporting period based upon the fair market value of the Company's common stock and the estimated performance attainment on the reporting date. The ultimate number of PSUs that are issued to an employee is the result of the actual performance of the Company at the end of the performance period compared to the performance conditions. Stock compensation costs for our PSUs are recognized over the requisite service period using the graded vesting method, net of estimated forfeitures. Unvested PSUs accrue dividend equivalents once the performance conditions are met at the same rate as are paid on our shares of Class A common stock. The dividend equivalents are subject to the same vesting schedule as the underlying PSUs. During the third quarter of 2020, the Compensation Committee approved an agreement to grant PSUs to an executive management member for an aggregate value of $ 15,000 . The award vests in two tranches of 40 %, and 60 %, during the years 2022 and 2025, respectively. The first award tranche of $ 6,000 has performance conditions tied to results through September 2022, and the second award tranche of $ 9,000 has performance conditions tied to results through September 2025. The Company began expensing the second award of $ 9,000 concurrent with the first award beginning on the service inception date in August 2020. The Company accounts for the first award as an equity award since the target shares are known at inception, while the second award is classified as a liability award until the number of shares is determined upon settlement of the award. The liability and the corresponding expense are adjusted at the end of each quarter until the date of settlement, considering the probability that the performance conditions will be satisfied. As of December 31, 2021, the liability portion of the award was $ 2,466 , which is included in Other non-current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. We estimate forfeitures based on historical trends when recognizing compensation expense and adjust the estimate of forfeitures when they are expected to differ or as forfeitures occur. Earnings Per Share (EPS) — Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period plus dilutive potential common shares which are calculated using the treasury-stock method. Under the treasury-stock method, potential common shares are excluded from the computation of EPS in periods in which they have an anti-dilutive effect. Net income per share of Class A and Class B common stock is computed in accordance with a two-class method of earnings allocation. As such, any undistributed earnings for each period are allocated to each class of common stock based on the proportionate share of cash dividends that each class is entitled to receive. During 2021, 2020 and 2019, the dividends declared and paid per share of Class A and Class B common stock were the same. Treasury Stock Retirement — The Company accounts for treasury stock transactions using the cost method. All share repurchases to date have been retired by the Company. When the Company retires its own common stock, the excess of the repurchase price of the common stock over the par value of the common stock is allocated between additional paid-in capital and retained earnings. The portion allocated to additional paid-in capital is determined by applying a percentage, determined by dividing the number of shares to be retired by the number of shares issued and outstanding as of the retirement date, to the balance of additional paid-in capital as of the retirement date. Direct costs incurred to repurchase the common stock are not material and are expensed in the period incurred. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In August 2020, the Financial Accounting |
Earnings Per Share
Earnings Per Share | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Earnings Per Share [Abstract] | |
Earnings Per Share | 3. Earnings Per Share For purposes of calculating basic and diluted earnings per share, we used the following weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Net income $ 177,408 $ 131,771 $ 77,061 Weighted average basic common shares outstanding 76,324 77,564 78,157 Dilutive effect of restricted and performance stock units 447 492 1,361 Dilutive effect of convertible debt instruments 8,166 6,160 10,707 Dilutive effect of employee share purchase plan 6 3 6 Weighted average dilutive common shares outstanding 84,943 84,219 90,231 Earnings per share: Basic $ 2.32 $ 1.70 $ 0.99 Diluted $ 2.09 $ 1.56 $ 0.85 Anti-dilutive shares (excluded from per-share calculations): Net shares received on purchased call of convertible debt hedge 4,641 3,762 5,756 Outstanding restricted and performance stock units — — — Effect of Convertible Notes and Related Convertible Note Hedge and Warrants In connection with the issuance of the Convertible Notes, the Company entered into Convertible Note Hedge and Warrants transactions as described further in Note 11, Convertible Debt . The collective impact of the Convertible Note Hedge and Warrants effectively eliminates any economic dilution that may occur from the actual conversion of the Convertible Notes between the conversion price of $ 24.91 per share and the strike price of the Warrants of $ 31.89 per share. For reporting periods with net income, the denominator of our diluted earnings per share calculation includes the effect of additional shares issued using the treasury stock method since the average price of our common stock exceeded the conversion price of the Convertible Notes of $ 24.91 per share. In addition, the denominator also includes the additional shares issued related to the Warrants using the treasury stock method since the average price of our common stock exceeded the strike price of the Warrants of $ 31.89 per share. The dilution from the Convertible Notes had a $ 0.22 , $ 0.13 and $ 0.12 impact on diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Prior to actual conversion, the Convertible Note Hedges are not considered for purposes of the calculation of diluted earnings per share, as their effect would be anti-dilutive. |
Revenues
Revenues | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Revenues [Abstract] | |
Revenues | 4. Revenues See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Revenue Recognition for information on our revenue recognition accounting policies. Disaggregated Revenues The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by primary revenue sources. Sales and usage-based taxes are excluded from revenues. Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Net revenues: Media Segment : Network (including pay-per-view) (1) $ 215,404 $ 185,667 $ 184,553 Core content rights fees (2) 575,812 538,334 348,593 Advertising and sponsorships (3) 71,495 65,333 72,428 Other (4) 73,501 78,882 137,525 Total Media Segment net revenues 936,212 868,216 743,099 Live Events Segment : North American ticket sales 46,301 15,206 93,812 International ticket sales 4,639 210 19,048 Advertising and sponsorships (5) 896 354 2,072 Other (6) 5,967 4,151 10,653 Total Live Events Segment net revenues 57,803 19,921 125,585 Consumer Products Segment : Consumer product licensing 51,982 41,675 43,197 eCommerce 39,085 41,196 29,882 Venue merchandise 10,092 3,199 18,679 Total Consumer Products Segment net revenues 101,159 86,070 91,758 Total net revenues $ 1,095,174 $ 974,207 $ 960,442 (1) Network revenues consist primarily of license fees associated with the domestic distribution of WWE Network content to NBCU (effective March 18, 2021), as well as subscription fees from customers of WWE Network and license fees associated with our international licensed partner agreements. Network revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021 include the upfront revenue recognition related to the delivery of certain WWE Network intellectual property rights to NBCU during the first quarter of 2021. (2) Core content rights fees consist primarily of licensing revenues from the distribution of our flagship programs, Raw and SmackDown , as well as our NXT programming, through global broadcast, pay television and digital platforms. (3) Advertising and sponsorships revenues within our Media segment consist primarily of advertising revenues from the Company’s content on third-party social media platforms and sponsorship fees from sponsors who promote their products utilizing the Company’s media platforms, including promotion on the Company’s digital websites and on-air promotional media spots. (4) Other revenues within our Media segment reflect revenues earned from the distribution of other WWE content, including, but not limited to, certain live in-ring programming in international markets, scripted, reality and other programming, as well as theatrical and direct-to-home video releases. (5) Advertising and sponsorships revenues within our Live Events segment primarily consists of fees from advertisers and sponsors who promote their products utilizing the Company’s live events (i.e., presenting sponsor of fan engagement events and advertising signage at the event). (6) Other revenues within our Live Events segment primarily consists of the sale of travel packages associated with the Company’s global live events, as well as revenues from events for which the Company receives a fixed fee . WWE Network subscriptions revenues for international subscribers, and domestic subscribers through March 17, 2021, are recorded over time during the subscription term, and our consumer product licensing revenues which are recorded over time during the licensing period. Other revenue streams identified in the table above are generally recognized at a point-in-time when the performance obligations are satisfied. Payment Terms and Other Our revenues do not include material amounts of variable consideration, other than the sale or usage-based royalties earned related to our consumer product licensing and certain other content rights contracts. Our payment terms vary by the type of products or services offered and may be subject to contractual payment terms, which may include advance payment requirements. The time between invoicing and when payment is due is not significant, generally within 30 to 60 days. We have elected the practical expedient to not adjust the total consideration within a contract to reflect a financing component when the duration of the financing is one year or less. Our contracts do not generally include a significant financing component. Our contracts with customers do not generally result in significant obligations associated with returns, refunds or warranties. Remaining Performance Obligations As of December 31, 2021, for contracts greater than one year, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations is $ 3,351,340 , comprised of our multi-year content distribution, consumer product licensing and sponsorship contracts. We will recognize rights fees related to our multi-year content distribution contracts as content is delivered to the distributors during the periods 2022 through 2028. We will recognize the revenues associated with the minimum guarantees on our multi-year consumer product licensing arrangements by the end of the licensing periods, which range from 2022 through 2026. For our multi-year sponsorship arrangements, we will recognize sponsorship revenues as the sponsorship obligations are satisfied during the periods 2022 through 2028. The transaction prices related to these future obligations do not include any variable consideration, which generally consists of sales or usage-based royalties earned on consumer product licensing and certain other content rights contracts. The variability related to these sales or usage-based royalties will be resolved in the periods when the licensee generates sales related to the intellectual property license. Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities (Deferred Revenues) A contract asset results when goods or services have been transferred to the customer, but payment is contingent upon a future event, other than the passage of time. The Company does not have any material contract assets, only accounts receivable as disclosed on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We record deferred revenues (also referred to as contract liabilities under Topic 606) when cash payments are received or due in advance of our performance. Our deferred revenues balance primarily relates to advance payments received related to our content distribution rights agreements, our consumer product licensing agreements, and our sponsorship and advertising arrangements. The Company’s deferred revenues (i.e. contract liabilities) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $ 74,661 and $ 62,943 , respectively, and are included within Deferred income and Other non-current liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The net increase in the deferred revenue balance for the year ended December 31, 2021 of $ 11,718 is primarily driven by advances received, partially offset by revenue recognized in 2021 as a result of satisfying our performance obligations. The balance of the current portion of deferred revenue recorded as of December 31, 2020 of $ 62,887 was recognized into revenue during 2021. Contract Costs (Costs of Obtaining a Contract) Except for certain multi-year television content arrangements, we generally expense sales commissions when incurred because the amortization period would have been one year or less. These costs are recorded within Marketing and selling expenses on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Capitalized commission fees of $ 625 and $ 725 at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, relate primarily to incremental costs of obtaining our long-term content distribution arrangements and these costs are being amortized over the duration of the underlying content agreements on a straight-line basis to Marketing and selling expenses. The amount of amortization was $ 100 , $ 100 and $ 1,061 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and there was no impairment in relation to the costs capitalized. |
Investment Securities And Short
Investment Securities And Short-Term Investments | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Investment Securities And Short-Term Investments [Abstract] | |
Investment Securities And Short-Term Investments | 5. Investment Securities and Short-Term Investments Investment Securities Included within Investment Securities are the following: As of December 31, 2021 2020 Equity method investments $ — $ 1,000 Nonmarketable equity investments without readily determinable fair values 11,618 10,148 Total investment securities $ 11,618 $ 11,148 Equity Method Investments Our equity method investments related primarily to an investment in an apparel and lifestyle brand. To the extent the investees recorded income or losses, the Company recorded our share proportionate to our ownership percentage, and any dividends received reduced the carrying value amount of the investments. Net equity method earnings from our equity method investments are included as a component of Other income (expense), net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Net dividends received from our equity method investments are reflected on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows within Net cash provided by operating activities. We evaluated our equity method investments for impairment when events indicated that the fair value of the investments may be below the carrying value. When such a condition is deemed to be other than temporary, the carrying value of the investment is written down to its fair value. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company exited its equity method investment in an apparel and lifestyle brand and recorded an impairment charge of $ 808 to write-down the carrying value of the investment to zero as a result of the settlement with the investee. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded impairment charges of $ 13,231 on our equity method investments for the excess of the carrying value over its estimated fair value as a result of our impairment evaluation. We determined fair value using a discounted cash flow model using recent forecasts from the investee, which indicated a decline in the value of the investment. The decline in value is due to the significant adverse impact on retail market conditions caused by COVID-19 combined with lower sales forecasts. These impairment charges are included as a component of Other income (expense), net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company did no t record any impairment charges related to our equity method investments during the year ended December 31, 2019. The following table presents the net equity method earnings from our equity method investments and net dividends received from our equity method investments for the periods presented: Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Net equity method earnings $ 445 $ 760 $ 911 Net dividends received ( 638 ) ( 872 ) ( 1,061 ) Equity in earnings of affiliate, net of dividends received $ ( 193 ) $ ( 112 ) $ ( 150 ) Nonmarketable Equity Investments Without Readily Determinable Fair Values We evaluate our nonmarketable equity investments without readily determinable fair values for impairment if factors indicate that a significant decrease in value has occurred. The Company has elected to use the measurement alternative to fair value that will allow these investments to be recorded at cost, less impairment, and adjusted for subsequent observable price changes. The following table summarizes the impairments and observable price change event adjustments recorded on our nonmarketable equity investments without readily determinable fair values for the periods presented: Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Impairments (1) $ — $ ( 2,715 ) $ — Observable price change upward adjustments (2) — — 1,151 Observable price change downward adjustments — ( 29 ) — Total income (loss) from adjustments to nonmarketable equity investments $ — $ ( 2,744 ) $ 1,151 (1) During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded an impairment charge on our investment in a themed attraction touring company for the excess of the carrying value over its estimated fair value resulting from significant adverse changes in the economic and market conditions caused by COVID-19. These charges are reflected in Other income, net on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. (2) During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded upward adjustments to the carrying value related to two of the Company’s equity investments. The adjustments were the result of an observable price change events in connection with financing rounds completed by the investees where the underlying value of the preferred shares issued were greater than the value of WWE’s substantially similar preferred shares in the investees. These upward adjustments are reflected in Other income, net on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Marketable Equity Investments With Readily Determinable Fair Value In November 2020, the Company sold all of its common shares of our investments in DraftKings, Inc. and Phunware, Inc., receiving cash proceeds totaling $ 11,715 , which are reflected in cash flows from investing activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2020. The Company recorded net realized gains of $ 10,254 on the securities during the year ended December 31, 2020. We recorded net unrealized holding losses of $ 4,444 during the year ended December 31, 2019. Realized and unrealized holding gains and losses are included as a component of Other income (expense), net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Short-Term Investments Our short-term investments consist of available-for-sale debt securities which are measured at fair value and consist of the following: December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Gross Unrealized Gross Unrealized Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Cost Gain (Loss) Value Cost Gain (Loss) Value U.S. Treasury securities $ 90,278 $ — $ ( 57 ) $ 90,221 $ 99,973 $ 21 $ — $ 99,994 Corporate bonds 147,102 1 ( 269 ) 146,834 25,078 6 ( 1 ) 25,083 Government agency bonds 44,026 1 ( 125 ) 43,902 6,187 31 — 6,218 Total $ 281,406 $ 2 $ ( 451 ) $ 280,957 $ 131,238 $ 58 $ ( 1 ) $ 131,295 The Company evaluates its individual available-for-sale debt securities that are in an unrealized loss position each reporting period and determines whether the decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis results from a credit loss or other factors. The amount of the decline related to credit losses are recorded as a credit loss expense in earnings with a corresponding allowance for credit losses and the amount of the decline not related to credit losses are recorded through other comprehensive income, net of tax. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the aggregate total amount of unrealized losses (that is, the amount by which amortized cost basis exceeds fair value) was insignificant. We did not record an allowance for credit losses on these securities. Accordingly, during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the entire amount of the decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis was recorded as an unrealized loss, net of tax, in other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Unrealized gains are also reflected, net of tax, as other comprehensive income (loss) on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Our U.S. Treasury securities, corporate bonds and government agency bonds are included in Short-term investments, net on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Realized gains and losses on investments are included in earnings and are derived using the specific identification method for determining the cost of securities sold. As of December 31, 2021, contractual maturities of these securities are as follows: Maturities U.S. Treasury securities 3 months - 2 years Corporate bonds 1 month - 2 years Government agency bonds 1 month - 2 years During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, we recognized $ 395 , $ 1,819 and $ 4,728 , respectively, of interest income on our short-term investments. Interest income is reflected as a component of Other income, net on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. The following table summarizes the short-term investment activity: Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Proceeds from sale of short-term investments $ 27,911 $ 22,613 $ — Proceeds from maturities and calls of short-term investments $ 194,149 $ 159,703 $ 157,487 Purchases of short-term investments $ 374,502 $ 153,904 $ 124,282 Gross realized (losses) gains on sale of short-term investments $ ( 2 ) $ 64 $ — |
Fair Value Measurement
Fair Value Measurement | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Fair Value Measurement [Abstract] | |
Fair Value Measurement | 6. Fair Value Measurement Fair value is determined based on the exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The accounting guidance establishes a three-level hierarchy that ranks the quality and reliability of information used in developing fair value estimates. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable data. In cases where two or more levels of inputs are used to determine fair value, a financial instrument's level is determined based on the lowest level input that is considered significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are summarized as follows: Level 1- Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2- Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities that are directly or indirectly observable; or Level 3- Unobservable inputs, such as discounted cash flow models or valuations, in which little or no market data exists. Certain financial instruments are carried at cost on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, which approximates fair value due to their short-term, highly liquid nature. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, money market accounts, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of such instruments. We have classified our investments in U.S. Treasury securities, corporate bonds and government agency bonds, which collectively are investments in available-for-sale debt securities, within Level 2, as their valuation requires quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and/or model-based valuation techniques for which all significant inputs are observable in the market or can be corroborated by observable market data. The U.S. Treasury securities, corporate bonds and government agency bonds are valued based on model-driven valuations. A third-party service provider assists the Company with compiling market prices from a variety of industry standard data sources, security master files from large financial institutions and other third-party sources that are used to value our corporate bond, U.S. Treasury securities and government agency bond investments. The Company did not have any transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 fair value investments during the periods presented. The fair value measurements of our equity investments without readily determinable fair values and our equity method investments are classified within Level 3 as significant unobservable inputs are used as part of the determination of fair value. Significant unobservable inputs may include variables such as near-term prospects of the investees, recent financing activities of the investees, and the investees’ capital structure, as well as other economic variables, which reflect assumptions market participants would use in pricing these assets. For our equity investments without readily determinable fair values, the Company has elected to use the measurement alternative to fair value that will allow these investments to be recorded at cost, less impairment, and adjusted for subsequent observable price changes. See Note 5, Investment Securities and Short-Term Investments , for details on impairments and observable pricing event adjustments related to our equity investments without readily determinable fair values. The Company's long-lived property and equipment and content production assets are required to be measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis if it is determined that indicators of impairment exist. These assets are recorded at fair value only when an impairment is recognized. During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, we recorded non-cash abandonment charges of $ 175 , $ 1,783 and $ 940 , respectively, to write off the carrying value of certain assets included within property and equipment that we deemed will no longer be used by the Company and had no further alternative use. These charges are included as a component of Operating expenses on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Apart from these charges, the Company did not record any other impairment charges on long lived property and equipment and television production assets during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. The Company classifies these assets as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy due to significant unobservable inputs. During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded impairment charges of $ 313 , $ 3,171 and $ 1,301 on content production assets based upon fair value measurements of $ 528 , $ 3,276 , and $ 943 , respectively. See Note 9, Content Production Assets , for further discussion. The Company classifies these fair values as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy due to significant unobservable inputs. The Company utilizes a discounted cash flows model to determine the fair value of content production assets where indicators of impairment exist. The fair value of the Company's debt, consisting of a mortgage loan assumed in connection with a building purchase, is estimated based upon quoted price estimates for similar debt arrangements. At December 31, 2021, the face amount of the mortgage loan approximates its fair value. The convertible debt is not marked to fair value at the end of each reporting period, but instead is reported at amortized cost. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the calculation of the fair value of the debt component of the Company’s convertible debt required the use of Level 3 inputs, and was determined by calculating the fair value of similar debt without the associated conversion feature based on market conditions at that time: December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Fair Value Carrying Value (1) Fair Value Carrying Value (1) Convertible senior notes $ 210,076 $ 203,032 $ 208,437 $ 197,475 (1) The carrying value of the convertible debt instrument presented in the table above represents the face value of the convertible note less unamortized debt discount. |
Property And Equipment
Property And Equipment | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Property And Equipment [Abstract] | |
Property And Equipment | 7. Property and Equipment Property and equipment consist of the following: As of December 31, 2021 2020 Land, buildings and improvements $ 154,826 $ 163,597 Equipment 148,193 145,243 Corporate aircraft 32,249 32,249 Vehicles 993 1,007 Projects in progress 49,660 17,681 385,921 359,777 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization ( 213,244 ) ( 198,232 ) Total $ 172,677 $ 161,545 Depreciation expense for property and equipment totaled $ 38,609 , $ 38,411 and $ 30,190 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. |
Leases
Leases | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Leases [Abstract] | |
Leases | 8. Leases Information about the Nature of WWE’s Lease Portfolio As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s lease portfolio consists of operating and finance real estate leases for its sales offices, performance centers, warehouses and corporate related facilities. In addition, we have various live event production service arrangements that contain operating and finance equipment leases. With the exception of our new global headquarters lease that commenced on July 1, 2019 with an 18 -month free rent period followed by an initial base term of 15 years with options to renew, our other real estate leases have remaining lease terms of approximately one year to seven years , some of which may include options to extend the leases. Our equipment leases, which are included as part of various operating service arrangements, generally have remaining lease terms of approximately one year to five years . Generally, no covenants are imposed by our lease agreements. As it relates to the Company’s new global headquarters lease, in November 2020, the landlord granted a rent deferral of $ 6,590 for a portion of the rental payments due during 2021. The rent deferral amount will be payable over a five year period from 2022 through 2026. The FASB has provided relief under ASC 842, “ Leases ,” related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under this relief, companies can make an accounting policy election on how to treat lease concessions resulting directly from COVID-19, provided that the modified lease contract results in total cash flows that are substantially the same or less than the cash flows in the original lease contract. The Company has elected to account for the rent deferral resulting directly from COVID-19 as though the enforceable rights and obligations to the deferral existed in the original lease contract at lease inception, and will not account for the concession as a lease modification. In lieu of applying lease modification accounting, the Company will account for the rent deferral by accruing an accounts payable during the rent concession periods in 2021 and relieve the payable during 2022 through 2026 when the deferred rents are due. The amount of this deferral, including interest, was $ 6,793 as of December 31, 2021, with $ 5,567 included as a component of Other non-current liabilities and $ 1,226 included as a component of Accounts payable and accrued expenses on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. On October 26, 2021, the Company amended its Stamford headquarters lease to reduce the leased space by approximately 33,000 rentable square feet. The lease reduction will result in rental savings of approximately $ 31,000 over the remainder of the initial 15 -year base term. The lease amendment requires a partial termination fee of $ 3,875 to be paid through June 30, 2023. No other material changes were made to the existing lease terms. The lease amendment was accounted for as a lease modification, which resulted in upward remeasurements of the right-of-use asset and lease liability of $ 16,639 and $ 9,919 , respectively. As a result, the Company recognized a gain on the partial termination of $ 6,720 , which is included as a component of Other income (expense), net within our Statement of Operations. Key Estimates and Judgments Key estimates and judgments made in applying the lease accounting rules include how the Company determines (i) the discount rate it uses to discount the unpaid lease payments to present value, (ii) lease term and (iii) lease payments. ASC 842 requires a lessee to discount its unpaid lease payments using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, its incremental borrowing rate. Generally, the Company cannot readily determine the interest rate implicit in the lease and therefore uses the incremental borrowing rate for its leases. The incremental borrowing rate reflects the rate of interest that the Company would pay on a collateralized basis to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments under similar terms. The incremental borrowing rates were generally determined by estimating the appropriate collateralized borrowing rates to be used for our leases and considered certain factors, including the lease term, economic environment, and the assumed credit rating profile of the Company. The lease term for all of the Company’s lease arrangements include the noncancelable period of the lease plus, if applicable, any additional periods covered by an option to extend the lease that is reasonably certain to be exercised by the Company. Quantitative Disclosures Related to Leases The following table provides quantitative disclosure about the Company’s operating and financing leases for the periods presented: For the year ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Lease costs Finance lease costs: Amortization of right-of-use assets $ 18,360 $ 20,172 $ 12,556 Interest on lease liabilities 18,299 18,359 10,020 Operating lease costs 6,185 5,695 8,693 Other short-term and variable lease costs 1,805 1,678 1,914 Sublease income (1) ( 69 ) ( 16 ) ( 64 ) Total lease costs $ 44,580 $ 45,888 $ 33,119 Other information Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from finance leases $ 11,506 $ 1,244 $ 607 Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 5,548 $ 4,850 $ 7,945 Finance cash flows from finance leases $ 11,948 $ 10,795 $ 8,352 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities $ 174 $ 40,212 $ 286,330 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities $ 3,457 $ 2,518 $ 6,283 As of December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Weighted-average remaining lease term - finance leases 27.0 years 28.8 years 29.8 years Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases 3.0 years 4.3 years 4.3 years Weighted-average discount rate - finance leases 4.0 % 4.8 % 4.8 % Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases 3.5 % 4.3 % 4.6 % (1) Sublease income excludes rental income from owned properties. Maturity of lease liabilities as of December 31, 2021 were as follows: Operating Finance Leases Leases 2022 $ 5,034 $ 27,229 2023 2,747 27,418 2024 1,186 24,319 2025 590 21,149 2026 338 21,480 Thereafter 507 536,840 Total lease payment 10,402 658,435 Less: imputed interest ( 584 ) ( 271,564 ) Total future minimum lease payments $ 9,818 $ 386,871 |
Content Production Assets, Net
Content Production Assets, Net | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Content Production Assets, Net [Abstract] | |
Content Production Assets, Net | 9. Content Production Assets, Net See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Content Production Assets, Net for information on our content production accounting policies. Content production assets consisted of the following: Predominantly Monetized Individually Predominantly Monetized as a Film Group As of December 31, As of December 31, 2021 2020 2021 2020 In release $ 3,291 $ 6,608 $ 139 $ 173 In production 9,581 7,926 627 340 In development 143 378 — — Total $ 13,015 $ 14,912 $ 766 $ 513 As of December 31, 2021, approximately 70 % of the “in release” content assets monetized individually are estimated to be amortized over the next three years. As of December 31, 2021, all of the “in release” content assets monetized as a film group are estimated to be amortized over the next 12 months. Amortization and impairment of content production assets consisted of the following: Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Content production amortization expense - assets monetized individually $ 13,720 $ 17,676 $ 28,950 Content production amortization expense - assets monetized as a film group 5,316 5,333 5,175 Content production impairment charges (1) 313 3,171 1,301 Content production development write-offs (2) 365 129 282 Total amortization and impairment of content production assets $ 19,714 $ 26,309 $ 35,708 (1) Unamortized content production assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a film predominantly monetized on its own or as part of a film group may be less than its unamortized costs. If conditions indicate a potential impairment, and the estimated future cash flows are not sufficient to recover the unamortized asset, the asset is written down to fair value. In addition, if we determine that content will not likely air, we will expense the remaining unamortized asset. (2) Capitalized script development costs are evaluated at each reporting period for impairment and to determine if a project is deemed to be abandoned. Amortization and impairment expenses related to content production assets are included in the Company’s Media segment, and as a component of Operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Costs to produce our live event programming are expensed immediately when the event is first broadcast and are not included in the content asset amortization amounts above. |
Accounts Payable And Accrued Ex
Accounts Payable And Accrued Expenses | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Accounts Payable And Accrued Expenses [Abstract] | |
Accounts Payable And Accrued Expenses | 10. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following: As of December 31, 2021 2020 Trade related $ 11,150 $ 7,274 Staff related 15,558 17,682 Management incentive compensation 30,604 14,266 Talent related 4,428 4,605 Accrued WWE Network related expenses 10,950 4,253 Accrued event and television production 9,687 12,888 Accrued legal and professional 5,506 4,614 Accrued legal settlements (1) 2,200 40,200 Accrued purchases of property and equipment 22,207 4,365 Accrued film liability 29 6,100 Accrued other 10,397 9,695 Total $ 122,716 $ 125,942 (1) Accrued legal settlements as of December 31, 2020 included a $ 39,000 settlement that was fully covered by an insurance recovery through the Company’s insurance carriers. Accordingly, an insurance loss recovery asset was recorded as a component of Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020. Accrued legal settlements as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 include certain amounts of $ 2,200 and $ 1,200 , respectively, to be paid by the Company’s principal stockholder (see Note 22, Revision of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements , for further information). Accrued other includes accruals for our international and licensing business activities, as well as other miscellaneous accruals, none of which categories individually exceeds 5 % of current liabilities. |
Convertible Debt
Convertible Debt | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Convertible Debt [Abstract] | |
Convertible Debt | 11. Convertible Debt In December 2016 and January 2017, we issued $ 215,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.375 % convertible senior notes due 2023 (the “Convertible Notes”). The Convertible Notes are due December 15, 2023 , unless earlier repurchased by us or converted. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on June 15, 2017. The Convertible Notes are governed by an Indenture between us, as issuer, and U.S. Bank, National Association, as trustee. The Convertible Notes will be our general unsecured obligations and will rank senior in right of payment to any of our indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Convertible Notes; equal in right of payment to any of our unsecured indebtedness that is not so subordinated; effectively junior in right of payment to any of our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of our subsidiaries. In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other winding up, our assets that secure secured debt will be available to pay obligations on the Convertible Notes only after all indebtedness under such secured debt has been repaid in full from such assets. Upon conversion of the Convertible Notes, we will pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of our Class A common stock or a combination of cash and shares of Class A common stock, at our election, at a conversion rate of approximately 40.1405 shares of common stock per $1 principal amount of the Convertible Notes, which corresponds to an initial conversion price of approximately $ 24.91 per share of Class A common stock. At any time, prior to the close on the business day immediately preceding June 15, 2023 , the Convertible Notes will be convertible under the following circumstances: a) During any calendar quarter beginning after the calendar quarter ending on December 31, 2016 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price of our Class A common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding quarter is greater than or equal to 130 % of the conversion price on each applicable trading day; b) During the 5 business day period after any 10 consecutive trading day period (the “measurement period”) in which the trading price per $1 principal amount of Convertible Notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98 % of the product of the last reported sale price of our Class A common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day; c) Upon the occurrence of specified corporate events; or d) On or after June 15, 2023 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert all or any portion of their Convertible Notes, in multiples of $1 principal amount, at the option of the holder regardless of the foregoing circumstances. Pursuant to item (a) noted above, the Convertible Notes have been convertible since April 1, 2018, and holders of the Convertible Notes have the right to convert their notes at any time through at least March 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2021, since the Convertible Notes are convertible at the option of the holders, the Convertible Notes are reflected in current liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2021, no actual conversions have occurred. See Note 3, Earnings Per Share , for a description of the dilutive nature of the Convertible Notes. As a result of our cash conversion option, we separately accounted for the value of the embedded conversion option as a debt discount at its issuance date estimated fair value. The debt discount is amortized as additional non-cash interest expense over the term of the Convertible Notes using the effective interest method. The equity component is not remeasured as long as it continues to meet the conditions for equity classification. In accounting for the transaction costs related to the Note issuances, we allocated the total amount of offering costs incurred to the debt and equity components based on their relative values. Offering costs attributable to the debt component are amortized as non-cash interest expense over the term of the Convertible Notes. Offering costs attributable to the equity component were netted with the equity component in stockholders' equity. The Convertible Notes consisted of the following components: As of December 31, 2021 2020 Debt component : Principal $ 215,000 $ 215,000 Less: Unamortized debt discount ( 11,968 ) ( 17,525 ) Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs ( 1,939 ) ( 2,792 ) Net carrying amount $ 201,093 $ 194,683 Equity component (1) $ 35,547 $ 35,547 (1) Recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets within Additional paid-in capital. The following table sets forth total interest expense recognized related to the Convertible Notes: For the year ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 3.375 % contractual coupon $ 7,256 $ 7,256 $ 7,256 Amortization of debt discount 5,557 5,213 4,891 Amortization of debt issuance costs 852 803 686 Additional interest on Convertible Notes (1) — — 1,370 Interest expense $ 13,665 $ 13,272 $ 14,203 (1) During the year ended December 31, 2019, additional nonrecurring interest expense was incurred pursuant to the notes’ indenture related to the removal of the restrictive legend and assignment of the unrestricted CUSIP on the Convertible Notes. Convertible Note Hedge In connection with the pricing of the Convertible Notes in December 2016 and January 2017, we entered into convertible note hedge transactions with respect to our Class A common stock (the “Note Hedge”). The Note Hedge transactions cover approximately 8.63 million shares of our Class A common stock and are exercisable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes. The Note Hedge will expire on December 15, 2023, unless earlier terminated. The Note Hedge transactions have been accounted for as part of additional paid-in capital. Warrant Transactions In connection with entering into the Note Hedge transactions described above, we also concurrently entered into separate warrant transactions (the “Warrants”), to sell warrants to acquire approximately 8.63 million shares of our Class A common stock in connection with the Note Hedge transactions at an initial strike price of approximately $ 31.89 per share, which represented a premium of approximately 60.0 % over the last reported sale price of our Class A common stock of $ 19.93 on December 12, 2016 (initial issuance date of the Convertible Notes). The Warrants transactions have been accounted for as part of Additional paid-in capital. |
Long-Term Debt And Credit Facil
Long-Term Debt And Credit Facility | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Long-Term Debt And Credit Facility [Abstract] | |
Long-Term Debt And Credit Facility | 12. Long-Term Debt and Credit Facility Long-Term Debt I ncluded within Long-Term Debt are the following: As of December 31, December 31, 2021 2020 Current portion of long-term debt : Revolving Credit Facility $ — $ 100,000 Mortgage 430 412 Total current portion of long-term debt 430 100,412 Long-term debt : Mortgage $ 21,284 $ 21,700 Total long-term debt 21,284 21,700 Total $ 21,714 $ 122,112 Revolving Credit Facility In May 2019, the Company entered into an amended and restated $ 200,000 senior unsecured revolving credit facility with a syndicated group of banks, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. acting as Administrative Agent (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). The Revolving Credit Facility has a maturity date of May 24, 2024 . Applicable interest rates for the borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility are based on the Company's current consolidated leverage ratio. As of December 31, 2021, the LIBOR-based rate plus margin was 1.21 %, and the Company is required to pay a commitment fee calculated at a rate per annum of 0.15 % on the average daily unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility. Under the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility, the Company is subject to certain financial covenants and restrictions, including restrictions on our ability to pay dividends and limitations with respect to our indebtedness, liens, mergers and acquisitions, dispositions of assets, investments, capital expenditures and transactions with affiliates. In April 2020, as a precautionary measure to further strengthen liquidity due to the impact of COVID-19, the Company borrowed $ 200,000 under its Revolving Credit Facility. In December 2020, the Company repaid $ 100,000 of the borrowings, and in January 2021, the Company repaid the remaining $ 100,000 . As of December 31, 2021, the Company was in compliance with the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility and had available debt capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility of $ 200,000 . As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, there was $ 0 and $ 100,000 outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility, respectively. Mortgage In September 2016, the Company acquired real property and assumed future obligations under a loan agreement, dated June 8, 2015, in the principal amount of $ 23,000 , which loan is secured by a mortgage on the property. The loan bears interest at the rate of 4.50 % per annum and required monthly interest only payments of $ 86 until June 2018 and interest and principal payments of $ 117 per month thereafter, with a balloon payment upon maturity on July 5, 2025 . There is a significant yield maintenance premium for prepayments. Pursuant to the loan agreement, since the assets of WWE Real Estate, a subsidiary of the Company, represent collateral for the underlying mortgage, these assets will not be available to satisfy debts and obligations due to any other creditors of the Company. As of December 31, 2021, the scheduled principal repayments under our mortgage obligation for the remaining term of the mortgage are as follows: December 31, 2022 $ 430 December 31, 2023 450 December 31, 2024 471 December 31, 2025 20,363 $ 21,714 |
Income Taxes
Income Taxes | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Income Taxes [Abstract] | |
Income Taxes | 13. Income Taxes For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the effective tax rate on income from continuing operations was 22.8 %, 23.0 % and 18.6 %, respectively. The components of our tax provision are as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Current taxes: Federal $ 40,389 $ 9,386 $ ( 294 ) State and local 7,985 8,843 1,422 Foreign 7,126 23,945 7,028 Deferred taxes: Federal ( 2,499 ) ( 1,391 ) 8,015 State and local ( 528 ) ( 1,445 ) 1,412 Foreign ( 19 ) — 34 Total income tax expense $ 52,454 $ 39,338 $ 17,617 Within the current foreign tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 is $ 6,840 , $ 24,106 and $ 7,587 , respectively, of foreign withholding taxes paid on income included within the US pre-tax book income below. Components of income before income taxes are as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 United States $ 228,578 $ 170,668 $ 92,701 Foreign 1,284 441 1,977 Total income before income taxes $ 229,862 $ 171,109 $ 94,678 The following sets forth the difference between the provision/(benefit) for income taxes computed at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 21 % and that reported for financial statement purposes: Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Statutory U.S. federal tax $ 48,271 $ 35,930 $ 19,880 State and local taxes, net of federal tax benefit 5,890 5,061 3,962 Foreign rate differential ( 5 ) 38 ( 53 ) Tax exempt interest income — — ( 16 ) Nondeductible executive compensation 3,159 2,427 1,669 Unrecognized tax benefits ( 56 ) ( 127 ) ( 23 ) Meals and entertainment 2 119 261 Employee Stock Purchase Plan 122 53 ( 87 ) Foreign-derived intangible income (FDII) ( 5,628 ) ( 4,892 ) ( 422 ) Global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) 231 175 273 Excess tax benefits related to the vesting of share-based compensation 524 388 ( 9,394 ) Other ( 56 ) 166 1,567 Provision for income taxes $ 52,454 $ 39,338 $ 17,617 The tax effects of temporary differences and net operating losses that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities consisted of the following: As of December 31, 2021 2020 Deferred tax assets: Accounts receivable $ 1,150 $ 869 Inventory 384 615 Deferred income 7,815 8,020 Stock compensation 3,323 3,955 Net operating loss carryforward 1,118 1,187 Investments 121 257 Intangible assets 1,700 1,645 Capitalized content production costs 2,164 1,857 Accrued liabilities and reserves 1,737 2,857 Lease obligations 10,719 11,513 Federal benefit related to uncertain tax positions 23 29 Deferred tax assets, gross 30,254 32,804 Valuation allowance ( 1,118 ) ( 1,187 ) Deferred tax assets, net 29,136 31,617 Deferred tax liabilities: Property and equipment depreciation ( 12,514 ) ( 15,927 ) Deferred revenue — ( 781 ) Right-of-use assets ( 1,778 ) ( 2,587 ) Investments ( 1,744 ) ( 2,270 ) Deferred tax liabilities ( 16,036 ) ( 21,565 ) Total deferred tax assets, net $ 13,100 $ 10,052 The temporary differences described above represent differences between the tax basis of assets or liabilities and amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years when the reported amounts of the assets or liabilities are recovered or settled. The Company received tax deductions from the vesting of restricted stock units and performance stock units of $ 11,234 , $ 27,349 and $ 65,885 in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had $ 13,100 and $ 10,052 , respectively, of deferred tax assets, net, included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The increase in our net deferred tax asset balance was primarily driven by a reduction in deferred tax liabilities related to bonus depreciation for fixed assets. During the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, we recognized $ 524 and $ 388 of excess tax expenses, respectively, related to the Company’s share-based compensation awards at vesting. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we recognized $ 9,394 of excess tax benefits related to the Company’s share-based compensation awards at vesting. Income tax effects of vested awards are included within the provision for income taxes on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The tax expenses and benefit recorded are driven by the change in the Company’s stock price between the original grant date of the awards and their subsequent vesting date. The corresponding offset of these tax expenses and benefits is included as a component of Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Discrete tax items, including the aforementioned excess tax expenses and benefits, resulted in a net tax benefit of $ 887 , $ 351 and $ 7,919 during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Excluding these items, our effective tax rate was 23 %, 23 % and 27 % for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had valuation allowances of $ 1,118 and $ 1,187 respectively, to reduce our deferred tax assets to an amount more likely than not to be recovered. This valuation allowance relates to foreign income taxes and the resulting net operating losses in foreign jurisdictions where we have ceased operations. The Company considers all available evidence, both positive and negative, to determine whether, based on the weight of that evidence, a valuation allowance is required to reduce the net deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized in future periods. The Company believes that based on past performance, expected future taxable income and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies, it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets will be realized. Changes in these factors may cause us to increase our valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, which would impact our income tax expense in the period we determine that these factors have changed. We are subject to periodic audits of our various tax returns by government agencies which could result in possible tax liabilities. Although the outcome of these matters cannot currently be determined, we believe the outcome of these audits will not have a material effect on our financial statements. Unrecognized Tax Benefits For the year ended December 31, 2021, we recognized $ 70 of previously unrecognized tax benefits. This primarily relates to the statute of limitations expiring in certain state and local jurisdictions. Included in the amount recognized was $ 34 of potential interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions. For the year ended December 31, 2020, we recognized $ 169 of previously unrecognized tax benefits relating to the statute of limitations expiring in certain state and local jurisdictions. Included in the amount recognized was $ 30 of potential interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions. The recognition of these amounts contributed to our effective tax rate of 22.8 % for the year ended December 31, 2021 as compared to 23.0 % for the year ended December 31, 2020. At December 31, 2021, we had $ 68 of unrecognized tax benefits, which if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate, which is classified in Other non-current liabilities. At December 31, 2020, we had $ 130 of unrecognized tax benefits, which is classified in Other non-current liabilities. Unrecognized tax benefit activity is as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 Beginning Balance- January 1 $ 130 $ 251 Increase to unrecognized tax benefits recorded for positions taken during the current year 8 41 (Decrease) Increase to unrecognized tax benefits recorded for positions taken during a prior period — ( 2 ) Decrease to unrecognized tax benefits resulting from a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations ( 70 ) ( 160 ) Ending Balance- December 31 $ 68 $ 130 We recognize potential accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. We have $ 23 of accrued interest and $ 11 of accrued penalties related to uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2021 classified in Other non-current liabilities. At December 31, 2020, we had $ 25 of accrued interest and $ 15 of accrued penalties related to uncertain tax positions classified in Other non-current liabilities. Based upon the expiration of statutes of limitations and possible settlements in several jurisdictions, we believe it is reasonably possible that the total amount of previously unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by $ 28 within 12 months after December 31, 2021. We file income tax returns in the United States and various state, local, and foreign jurisdictions. During 2021 and 2020, the Company settled audits with various state and local jurisdictions. We are generally subject to examination by the IRS for years ending on or after December 31, 2016. We are also subject to examination by various state and local jurisdictions for years ending on or after December 31, 2016. |
Content Production Incentives
Content Production Incentives | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Content Production Incentives [Abstract] | |
Content Production Incentives | 14. Content Production Incentives The Company has access to various governmental programs that are designed to promote content production within the United States of America and certain international jurisdictions. Incentives earned with respect to expenditures on qualifying film production activities and capital projects are recorded as an offset to the related asset balances. Incentives earned with respect to television and other production activities are recorded as an offset to production expenses. The Company recognizes these benefits when we have reasonable assurance regarding the realizable amount of the incentives. We recorded the following incentives during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019: Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Television production incentives $ 13,845 $ 18,367 $ 13,539 Feature film production incentives — — 288 Infrastructure improvement incentives on qualifying capital projects (1) 4,329 — 1,438 Total $ 18,174 $ 18,367 $ 15,265 (1) Of this amount, $ 3,290 was recorded as a reduction in property and equipment, with the remainder recorded as a reduction to depreciation expense. |
Commitments And Contingencies
Commitments And Contingencies | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract] | |
Commitments And Contingencies | 15. Commitments and Contingencies We have certain commitments, including various service contracts with certain vendors and various talent. Our future commitments related to our operating and finance leases are separately disclosed in Note 8, Leases . Future minimum payments as of December 31, 2021 under the agreements described above were as follows: Service Contracts and Talent Commitments 2022 $ 39,710 2023 18,460 2024 13,351 2025 10,773 2026 8,385 Thereafter — Total $ 90,679 Legal Proceedings On October 23, 2014, a lawsuit was filed in the U. S. District Court for the District of Oregon, entitled William Albert Haynes III, on behalf of himself and others similarly situated, v. World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. This complaint was amended on January 30, 2015 and alleged that the Company ignored, downplayed, and/or failed to disclose the risks associated with traumatic brain injuries suffered by WWE’s performers and sought class action status. On March 31, 2015, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the first amended class action complaint in its entirety or, if not dismissed, to transfer the lawsuit to the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. Without addressing the merits of the Company’s motion to dismiss, the Court transferred the case to Connecticut on June 25, 2015. The plaintiffs filed an objection to such transfer, which was denied on July 27, 2015. On January 16, 2015, a second lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, entitled Evan Singleton and Vito LoGrasso, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, v. World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. , alleging many of the same allegations as Haynes . On February 27, 2015, the Company moved to transfer venue to the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut due to forum-selection clauses in the contracts between WWE and the plaintiffs and that motion was granted on March 23, 2015. The plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on May 22, 2015 and, following a scheduling conference in which the court ordered the plaintiffs to cure various pleading deficiencies, the plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint on June 15, 2015. On June 29, 2015, WWE moved to dismiss the second amended complaint in its entirety. On April 9, 2015, a third lawsuit was filed in the U. S. District Court for the Central District of California, entitled Russ McCullough, a/k/a “Big Russ McCullough,” Ryan Sakoda, and Matthew R. Wiese a/k/a “Luther Reigns,” individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, v. World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. , asserting similar allegations to Haynes . The Company again moved to transfer the lawsuit to Connecticut due to forum-selection clauses in the contracts between WWE and the plaintiffs, which the California court granted on July 10, 2015. On September 21, 2015, the plaintiffs amended this complaint, and, on November 16, 2015, the Company moved to dismiss the amended complaint. Each of these suits sought unspecified actual, compensatory and punitive damages and injunctive relief, including ordering medical monitoring. The Haynes and McCullough cases purported to be class actions. On February 18, 2015, a lawsuit was filed in Tennessee state court and subsequently removed to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, entitled Cassandra Frazier, individually and as next of kin to her deceased husband, Nelson Lee Frazier, Jr., and as personal representative of the Estate of Nelson Lee Frazier, Jr. Deceased, v. World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. A similar suit was filed in the U. S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas entitled Michelle James, as mother and next friend of Matthew Osborne, minor child, and Teagan Osborne, a minor child v. World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. These lawsuits contained many of the same allegations as the other lawsuits alleging traumatic brain injuries and further alleged that the injuries contributed to these former talents’ deaths. WWE moved to transfer the Frazier and Osborne lawsuits to the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut based on forum-selection clauses in the decedents’ contracts with WWE, which motions were granted by the respective courts. On November 23, 2015, amended complaints were filed in Frazier and Osborne , which the Company moved to dismiss on December 16, 2015 and December 21, 2015, respectively. On November 10, 2016, the Court granted the Company’s motions to dismiss the Frazier and Osborne lawsuits in their entirety. On June 29, 2015, the Company filed a declaratory judgment action in the U. S. District Court for the District of Connecticut entitled World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. v. Robert Windham, Thomas Billington, James Ware, Oreal Perras and various John and Jane Does seeking a declaration against these former performers that their threatened claims related to alleged traumatic brain injuries and/or other tort claims were time-barred. On September 21, 2015, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss this complaint, which the Company opposed. The Court previously ordered a stay of discovery in all cases pending decisions on the motions to dismiss. On January 15, 2016, the Court partially lifted the stay and permitted discovery only on three issues in the case involving Singleton and LoGrasso. Such discovery was completed by June 1, 2016. On March 21, 2016, the Court issued a memorandum of decision granting in part and denying in part the Company’s motions to dismiss the Haynes, Singleton/LoGrasso, and McCullough lawsuits. The Court granted the Company’s motions to dismiss the Haynes and McCullough lawsuits in their entirety and granted the Company’s motion to dismiss all claims in the Singleton/LoGrasso lawsuit except for the claim of fraud by omission. On March 22, 2016, the Court issued an order dismissing the Windham lawsuit based on the Court’s memorandum of decision on the motions to dismiss. On April 4, 2016, the Company filed a motion for reconsideration with respect to the Court’s decision not to dismiss the fraud by omission claim in the Singleton/LoGrasso lawsuit and, on April 5, 2016, the Company filed a motion for reconsideration with respect to the Court’s dismissal of the Windham lawsuit. On July 21, 2016, the Court denied the Company’s motion in the Singleton/LoGrasso lawsuit and granted in part the Company’s motion in the Windham lawsuit. On April 20, 2016, the plaintiffs filed notices of appeal of the Haynes and McCullough lawsuits. On April 27, 2016, the Company moved to dismiss the appeals for lack of appellate jurisdiction, which motions were granted, and the appeals were dismissed with leave to appeal upon the resolution of all of the consolidated cases. The Company filed a motion for summary judgment on the sole remaining claim in the Singleton/LoGrasso lawsuit, which was granted on March 28, 2018. The Company also filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings against the Windham defendants. Lastly, on July 18, 2016, a lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, entitled Joseph M. Laurinaitis, et al. vs. World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. and Vincent K. McMahon, individually and as the trustee of certain trusts . This lawsuit contains many of the same allegations as the other lawsuits alleging traumatic brain injuries and further alleges, among other things, that the plaintiffs were misclassified as independent contractors rather than employees denying them, among other things, rights and benefits under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), federal tax law, and various state Worker’s Compensation laws. This lawsuit also alleged that the booking contracts and other agreements between the plaintiffs and the Company were unconscionable and should be declared void, entitling the plaintiffs to certain damages relating to the Company’s use of their intellectual property. The lawsuit alleged claims for violation of RICO, unjust enrichment, and an accounting against Mr. McMahon. The Company and Mr. McMahon moved to dismiss and for sanctions with respect to this complaint on October 19, 2016. On November 9, 2016, the Laurinaitis plaintiffs filed an amended complaint. On December 23, 2016, the Company and Mr. McMahon moved to dismiss and for sanctions with respect to the amended complaint. On September 29, 2017, the Court issued an order on the motion to dismiss pending in the Laurinaitis case and on the motion for judgment on the pleadings pending in the Windham case. The Court reserved judgment on the pending motions and ordered that within thirty-five (35) days of the date of the order the Laurinaitis plaintiffs and the Windham defendants file amended pleadings that comply with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The Court further ordered that each of the Laurinaitis plaintiffs and the Windham defendants submit to the Court for in camera review affidavits signed and sworn under penalty of perjury setting forth facts within each plaintiff’s or declaratory judgment-defendant’s personal knowledge that form the factual basis of their claim or defense. On November 3, 2017, the Laurinaitis plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint. The Company and Mr. McMahon believed that the second amended complaint failed to comply with the Court’s September 29, 2017 order and otherwise remained legally defective for all of the reasons set forth in their motion to dismiss the amended complaint. Also on November 3, 2017, the Windham defendants filed a second answer. On November 17, 2017, the Company and Mr. McMahon filed a response that, among other things, urged the Court to grant the motion for judgment on the pleadings against the Windham defendants and dismiss the Laurinaitis plaintiffs’ complaint with prejudice and award sanctions against the Laurinaitis plaintiffs’ counsel because the amended pleadings failed to comply with the Court’s September 29, 2017 order and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. On September 17, 2018, the Court granted the motion to dismiss filed by the Company and Mr. McMahon in the Laurinaitis case in its entirety, awarded sanctions against the Laurinaitis plaintiffs’ counsel, and granted the Company’s motion for judgment on the pleadings against the Windham defendants. The plaintiffs attempted to appeal these decisions. On November 16, 2018, the Company moved to dismiss all of the appeals, except for the appeal of the dismissal of the Laurinaitis case, for being filed untimely. On April 4, 2019, the Second Circuit issued an order referring the Company’s motions to dismiss to the panel that was going to determine the merits of the appeals. The plaintiffs-appellants’ opening brief was filed on July 8, 2019. The Company and Mr. McMahon filed their appellees’ brief on October 7, 2019. The plaintiffs-appellants filed a reply brief on October 28, 2019. The Second Circuit held oral argument on June 5, 2020. On September 9, 2020, the Second Circuit issued a summary order, dismissing the appeals of the sanctions orders and the merits appeals of the dismissal of all claims in the Haynes , McCullough , Frazier , and Singleton cases for lack of appellate jurisdiction and affirming the judgment of the district court on all other claims. On September 23, 2020, the plaintiffs-appellants filed a petition for rehearing/rehearing en banc, which was denied on October 15, 2020. On February 24, 2021, the plaintiffs-appellants filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court. On March 26, 2021, the Company filed an opposition to the petition for writ of certiorari. On April 26, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the plaintiffs-appellants’ petition for writ of certiorari. On September 2, 2021, the magistrate judge recommended that fees be awarded to the Company in respect of the Company’s pending motions for sanctions in the amount of $ 312 , and on September 30, 2021, the Court adopted that recommendation. On December 24, 2021, Attorney Konstantine Kyros appealed the sanctions ruling to the Second Circuit; on December 28, 2021, the Company cross-appealed with respect to the amount of sanctions. The Company believes all claims and threatened claims against the Company in these various lawsuits were prompted by the same plaintiffs’ lawyer and that all are without merit. On March 6, 2020, the Company along with its former Chairman and CEO, Vince McMahon, and former-WWE officers and directors, Michelle Wilson and George Barrios (collectively, the “Individual Defendants”), were sued in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in a case captioned City of Warren Police and Fire Retirement System, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, v. World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Vincent K. McMahon, George A. Barrios, and Michelle D. Wilson , No. 1:20-cv-02031-JSR. The complaint alleges that the Company and the Individual Defendants made materially false and misleading statements in violation of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regarding WWE’s strategic relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Specifically, the complaint alleges that various public statements made by the Company and the Individual Defendants were false and misleading because they failed to disclose certain adverse facts regarding WWE’s strategic relationship with Saudi Arabia that supposedly was known by them and, as a result, the plaintiff class allegedly purchased WWE stock at artificially inflated prices. On March 12, 2020 a nearly-identical lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York captioned Paul Szaniawski, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, v. World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Vincent K. McMahon, George A. Barrios, and Michelle D. Wilson , No. 1:20-cv-02223-JSR. This lawsuit was filed as related to the City of Warren case and was assigned to the same judge handling the City of Warren case. By Order dated May 12, 2020, the City of Warren and Szaniawski lawsuits were consolidated for all purposes. After multiple parties filed motions to be appointed lead plaintiff for the putative class in the consolidated action, on May 22, 2020, the Court issued a memorandum order selecting the Firefighters’ Pension System of the City of Kansas City, Missouri to be lead plaintiff and their attorneys, Labaton Sucharow LLP, to be lead counsel for the putative class. On May 26, 2020, the Company served Rule 11 motion for sanctions on the attorneys for the City of Warren Police and Fire Retirement System, the attorneys for Paul Szaniawski, and Labaton Sucharow LLP. The Rule 11 motion identified false allegations in the originally filed complaints and was supported by six declarations from Company executives and third-parties with direct first-hand knowledge of the matters at issue. Following service of the Rule 11 motion, the attorneys for the City of Warren Police and Fire Retirement System and the attorneys for Paul Szaniawski voluntarily dismissed their complaints before the expiration of the Rule 11 safe-harbor period. On June 8, 2020, the Firefighters’ Pension System of the City of Kansas City, Missouri filed a consolidated amended class action complaint. On June 26, 2020, the Company moved to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint in its entirety. The Court held oral argument on the Company’s motion to dismiss on July 30, 2020. On August 6, 2020, the Court denied the Company’s motion to dismiss. On November 18, 2020, the Company entered into a term sheet (the “Term Sheet”) to settle this action, subject to notice to the class and preliminary and final approval by the Court. The settlement includes a full release of all Defendants in connection with the allegations made in the lawsuit, and does not contain any admission of liability or admission as to the validity or truth of any or all allegations or claims by any of the Defendants. The Term Sheet provided for a settlement payment of $ 39,000 (inclusive of all Plaintiffs’ attorneys fees and expenses and settlement costs), which was paid by the Company’s insurance carriers. The Company believed that resolving the matter is the right business decision and that it is prudent to end the protracted and uncertain class action process. On December 23, 2020, lead plaintiff filed an unopposed motion for preliminary approval of settlement with the Court. On March 8, 2021, the Court granted preliminary approval of the class action settlement, and on July 1, 2021, the Court granted final approval of the class action settlement and entered final judgment. Additionally, six purported shareholder derivative suits have been filed against the members of the Company’s Board of Directors and former-senior executives of the Company patterned after the securities class action complaints filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Merholz et al. v. Vincent K. McMahon et al , No. 3:20-cv-00557-VAB, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut and assigned to the Honorable Victor A. Bolden. On May 29, 2020, the Defendants served Merholz’s counsel with a Rule 11 motion that identified the false allegations in the complaint. On May 19, 2020, Merholz filed an amended complaint prior to the expiration of the Rule 11 safe-harbor period, which is substantially similar to the consolidated amended class action complaint filed in the securities class action. Because Merholz’s amended complaint continued to assert allegations that were proven to be false by the Defendants’ Rule 11 motion regarding the original complaint, the Defendants served Merholz’s counsel with a Rule 11 motion regarding the amended complaint on July 2, 2020. On July 28, 2020, Merholz filed a second amended complaint. Kooi et al. v. Vincent K. McMahon et al. , No. 3:20-cv-00743-VAB, was originally filed in Connecticut Superior Court and was removed by the Defendants to the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut on June 1, 2020. The Kooi lawsuit was deemed to be related to the Merholz lawsuit and transferred to Judge Bolden. On June 8, 2020, Kooi filed a motion to remand the lawsuit to state court. The Defendants filed its opposition to the motion to remand on June 29, 2020. Following Kooi’s affirmation of the allegations of the complaint in federal court by filing the motion to remand, on June 12, 2020, the Defendants served Kooi’s counsel with a Rule 11 motion similar to that served on counsel in the Merholz lawsuit. On July 3, 2020, Kooi filed an amended complaint that withdrew the false allegations identified in the Defendants’ Rule 11 motion. Nordstrom et al. v. Vincent K. McMahon et al. , No. 3:20-cv-00904-VAB, was originally filed in Connecticut Superior Court, and also removed by the Defendants to the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut on July 1, 2020. The Nordstrom lawsuit was deemed to be related to the Merholz and Kooi lawsuits and was also transferred to Judge Bolden. Following Nordstrom’s affirmation of the allegations of the complaint in federal court, on July 24, 2020, the Defendants served Nordstrom’s counsel with a Rule 11 motion similar to that served on counsel in the Merholz and Kooi lawsuits. On July 31, 2020, Nordstrom filed a motion to remand the lawsuit to state court, which the Defendants opposed. On August 14, 2020, Nordstrom filed an amended complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. On July 2, 2020, the Defendants moved to consolidate the Merholz , Kooi , and Nordstrom lawsuits for all purposes. Following a status conference held on July 24, 2020, on August 1, 2020, the Court denied the Defendants’ motion to consolidate without prejudice to renew following resolution of any motions to dismiss and motions to remand. The Defendants filed a consolidated motion to dismiss the complaints in the Merholz , Kooi , and Nordstrom lawsuits on August 28, 2020. Merholz, Kooi, and Nordstrom filed oppositions to the motion to dismiss on September 18, 2020 and the Defendants filed its reply on October 2, 2020. On October 23, 2020, another shareholder, Dennis Palkon, moved to intervene in the proceedings before Judge Bolden, to have his counsel appointed as lead counsel, to designate the proposed complaint that he filed with his motion to intervene as the operative complaint, and to deny as moot Defendants’ pending motions to dismiss in light of the newly-filed complaint. On November 7, 2020, the Court granted the Defendants’ motion to dismiss the Merholz , Kooi , and Nordstrom actions without prejudice, while reserving a determination on whether the dismissal would be with prejudice pending resolution of the motion to intervene. On November 20, 2020, the Defendants filed their Opposition to Palkon’s motion to intervene and Palkon filed his reply on December 4, 2020. On October 28, 2020, another shareholder, Bernard Leavy, filed a notice of joinder in Palkon’s motion to intervene, which the Defendants opposed. On May 13, 2021, Merholz, along with another shareholder, Nicholas Jiminez, filed a new complaint in Connecticut Superior Court containing substantially similar allegations to those in the Merholz federal action. Defendants removed the Merholz/Jiminez state court action to the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut on June 9, 2021, and it was transferred to Judge Bolden as a related case. Merholz/Jiminez moved to remand the case to state court on June 22, 2021. Defendants filed an opposition to the motion to remand on July 13, 2021. On June 16, 2021, Defendants moved to dismiss the new complaint in its entirety. Merholz/Jiminez filed an opposition to the motion to dismiss on July 7, 2021. On June 7, 2021, another shareholder, City of Pontiac Police and Fire Retirement System, filed a complaint in Connecticut Superior Court, asserting substantially similar allegations as in the other derivative actions. Defendants removed that action to the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut on July 7, 2021 and, the same day, filed a motion to dismiss that complaint in its entirety. The City of Pontiac lawsuit also was transferred to Judge Bolden as a related case. On June 10, 2021, another shareholder, Jesse Rezendez, filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, asserting substantially similar allegations as in the other derivative actions. On August 17, 2021, the parties in all of the shareholder derivative lawsuits pending in Connecticut and Delaware filed a joint notice that they had reached a settlement in principle. On August 18, 2021, the Court ordered all of the pending cases to be administratively closed in light of the parties’ settlement in principle. On September 17, 2021, the parties entered into a Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement. On September 20, 2021, the plaintiffs in all of the pending cases moved for preliminary approval of the parties’ settlement. On October 20, 2021, the Court preliminarily approved the parties’ settlement and authorized dissemination of the notice of settlement. On November 17, 2021, the plaintiffs in all of the pending cases moved for final approval of the parties’ settlement. Following a hearing on December 22, 2021, the Court issued an Order and Final Judgment Approving Settlement of Derivative Actions on December 23, 2021, granting the plaintiffs’ motions for final approval of settlement, dismissing the derivative actions with prejudice, and directing that judgment be entered and the cases be closed. On January 11, 2022, a complaint was filed against the Company by MLW Media LLC (“MLW”) alleging that the Company supposedly interfered with MLW’s contractual relationship with Tubi, a streaming service owned by Fox Corp., and MLW’s prospective economic advantage with respect to its relationship with VICE TV, and supposedly engaged in unfair business practices in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act and California law. Such supposedly unfair business practices are alleged to include cutting off competitors’ access to viewers and licensing opportunities, interfering with contracts, poaching talent, eliminating price competition, and misappropriating and attempting to misappropriate confidential information of its competitors. The Company believes that all claims in the lawsuit are without merit and intends to defend itself vigorously against them. As previously announced, a special committee of independent members of the Board of Directors (the “Special Committee”) was formed to investigate alleged misconduct by the Company’s former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Vincent K. McMahon. Mr. McMahon resigned from all positions held with the Company on July 22, 2022 but remains a stockholder with a controlling interest. The Company has received, and may receive in the future, regulatory, investigative and enforcement inquiries, subpoenas or demands arising from, related to, or in connection with these matters. The Special Committee investigation is substantially complete. In addition to the foregoing, from time to time we become a party to other lawsuits and claims. By its nature, the outcome of litigation is not known, but the Company does not currently expect this ordinary course litigation to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. |
Related Party Transactions
Related Party Transactions | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Related Party Transactions [Abstract] | |
Related Party Transactions | 16. Related Party Transactions Vincent K. McMahon, the Company’s former Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, who resigned from all positions held with the Company on July 22, 2022, controls a substantial majority of the voting power of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock. Through the beneficial ownership of a substantial majority of our Class B common stock, Mr. McMahon can effectively exercise control over our affairs. See Note 22, Revision of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements , for a discussion of certain payments that Mr. McMahon agreed to make during the period from 2006 through 2022 (including amounts paid and payable in the future) that were not appropriately recorded as expenses in the Company’s previously issued Consolidated Financial Statements. As previously announced, in April 2018, the Company entered into transactions with Alpha Entertainment, LLC (“Alpha”), an entity controlled by Vincent K. McMahon, granting Alpha rights to launch a professional football league under the name “XFL”. Under these agreements, WWE received, among other things, an equity interest in Alpha without payment by, or other financial obligation on the part of, WWE. The investment was accounted for under the equity method of accounting. WWE’s equity interest in the net assets of Alpha at the transaction closing date on April 3, 2018 was insignificant. After Alpha’s formation, we recorded our proportionate share of Alpha’s reported net losses which exceeded the carrying amount of the investment and reduced the investment value to zero as of June 30, 2018. In connection with the Alpha transactions, WWE also entered into a support services agreement to provide Alpha with certain administrative support services with such services billed to Alpha on a cost-plus margin basis. On April 13, 2020, Alpha filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and the support services agreement was subsequently amended and assigned to Alpha’s successor. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company billed Alpha $ 1,006 and $ 3,250 , respectively, for services rendered under the support services agreement. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had $ 0 and $ 506 , respectively, of current receivables for amounts billed to Alpha. All amounts due from Alpha under the support services agreement have been recouped. |
Stockholders' Equity
Stockholders' Equity | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] | |
Stockholders' Equity | 17. Stockholders’ Equity Stock Repurchase Program In February 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program of up to $ 500,000 of our common stock. Repurchases may be made from time to time at management’s discretion subject to certain pre-approved parameters and in accordance with all applicable securities and other laws and regulations. The stock repurchase program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any minimum dollar amount or number of shares and may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company repurchased 3,251,313 shares of common stock in the open market at an average price of $ 50.94 for an aggregate amount of $ 165,630 . The Company did no t repurchase any shares of common stock in the open market during the year ended December 31, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company repurchased 1,398,385 shares of common stock in the open market at an average price of $ 59.67 for an aggregate amount of $ 83,441 . All share repurchases have been retired. As of December 31, 2021, $ 250,929 of common stock may be repurchased under the stock repurchase program announced in February 2019. Class B Convertible Common Stock Our Class B common stock is fully convertible into Class A common stock, on a one for one basis, at any time at the option of the holder. The two classes are entitled to equal per share dividends and distributions and vote together as a class with each share of Class B entitled to ten votes and each share of Class A entitled to one vote, except when separate class voting is required by applicable law. If, at any time, any shares of Class B common stock are beneficially owned by any person other than Vincent K. McMahon, Linda McMahon, any descendant of either of them, any entity which is wholly owned and is controlled by any combination of such persons or any trust, all the beneficiaries of which are any combination of such persons, each of those shares will automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2019, Class B shares were sold, resulting in their conversion to Class A shares. Through his beneficial ownership of a substantial majority of our Class B common stock, our controlling stockholder, Vincent K. McMahon, can effectively exercise control over our affairs, and his interests could conflict with the holders of our Class A common stock. Dividends We declared and paid quarterly dividends of $ 0.12 per share, totaling $ 36,413 , $ 37,249 , and $ 37,431 on all Class A and Class B shares for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Stock issuances and other, net During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, stock issuances and other, net in our Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity include non-cash capital contributions of $ 1,200 , $ 1,200 and $ 1,500 , respectively, from our majority stockholder. These non-cash capital contributions represent amounts paid personally by Mr. McMahon, our majority stockholder, to certain counterparties. See Note 22, Revision of Previously Issued Consolidation Financial Statements , for additional information. |
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-Based Compensation | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract] | |
Stock-Based Compensation | 18. Stock-based Compensation Our 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”) provides for the grant of incentive or non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, other stock-based awards and performance awards to eligible participants as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Awards may be granted as incentives and rewards to encourage officers, employees, consultants, advisors and independent contractors of the Company and its affiliates and to non-employee directors of the Company to participate in our long-term success. As of December 31, 2021, there were approximately 3.2 million shares available for future grants under the 2016 Plan. It is our policy to issue new shares to satisfy option exercises and the vesting of RSUs, PSUs and PSU-TSRs. Stock-based compensation costs related to RSUs, PSUs and PSU-TSRs totaled $ 17,503 , $ 26,737 and $ 28,025 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Restricted Stock Units The Company grants RSUs to officers and employees under the 2016 Plan. Stock-based compensation costs associated with our RSUs are determined using the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of the grant. These costs are recognized over the requisite service period using the graded vesting method, net of estimated forfeitures. RSUs have a service requirement typically over a 3.5 years vesting schedule and vest in equal annual installments. We estimate forfeitures based on historical trends when recognizing compensation expense and adjust the estimate of forfeitures when they are expected to differ or as forfeitures occur. Unvested RSUs accrue dividend equivalents at the same rate as are paid on our shares of Class A common stock. The dividend equivalents are subject to the same vesting schedule as the underlying RSUs. During the first quarter of 2021, the Compensation Committee approved the grant of RSUs to certain eligible employees for an aggregate value of $ 1,666 . These awards vary from the typical RSU grant in that the awards vested immediately upon grant. The units associated with these awards are included in the table below. The following tables summarize the RSU activity for the year ended December 31, 2021: Units Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value Unvested at January 1, 2021 250,306 $ 53.78 Granted 283,646 $ 53.10 Vested ( 131,786 ) $ 53.88 Forfeited (1) ( 104,999 ) $ 51.53 Dividend equivalents 2,836 $ 53.66 Unvested at December 31, 2021 300,003 $ 55.03 (1) Of this amount, 38,266 shares were forfeited during the second quarter of 2021 as a result of certain terminations primarily associated with the combination of WWE’s television, digital and studios teams into one organization. Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Tax benefits realized $ 6,310 $ 14,319 $ 13,813 Weighted-average grant-date fair value of RSUs granted 15,061 16,106 7,327 Fair value of RSUs vested 7,101 13,434 4,763 As of December 31, 2021, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested RSUs net of estimated forfeitures was $ 10,161 before income taxes and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.8 years. Performance Stock Units The Company grants PSUs to officers and employees under the 2016 Plan. Stock-based compensation costs associated with our PSUs are initially determined using the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date the awards are approved by our Compensation Committee (service inception date). The vesting of these PSUs is subject to certain performance conditions and a service requirement of typically 3.5 years. Until the performance conditions are met, stock compensation costs associated with these PSUs are re-measured each reporting period based upon the fair market value of the Company's common stock and the estimated performance attainment on the reporting date. The ultimate number of PSUs that are issued to an employee is the result of the actual performance of the Company at the end of the performance period compared to the performance conditions and can range from 0 % to 200 % of the initial grant. Stock compensation costs for our PSUs are recognized over the requisite service period using the graded vesting method, net of estimated forfeitures. We estimate forfeitures based on historical trends when recognizing compensation expense and adjust the estimate of forfeitures when they are expected to differ or as forfeitures occur. Unvested PSUs accrue dividend equivalents once the performance conditions are met at the same rate as are paid on our shares of Class A common stock. The dividend equivalents are subject to the same vesting schedule as the underlying PSUs. During the third quarter of 2020, the Compensation Committee approved an agreement to grant PSUs to an executive management member for an aggregate value of $ 15,000 . The award vests in two tranches of 40 %, and 60 %, during the years 2022 and 2025, respectively. The first award tranche of $ 6,000 has performance conditions tied to results through September 2022, and the second award of $ 9,000 has performance conditions tied to results through September 2025. The Company began expensing the second award of $ 9,000 concurrent with the first award beginning on the service inception date in August 2020. The Company accounts for the first award as an equity award since the target shares are known at inception, while the second award is classified as a liability award until the number of shares is determined upon settlement of the award. The liability and the corresponding expense are adjusted at the end of each quarter until the date of settlement, considering the probability that the performance conditions will be satisfied. As of December 31, 2021, the liability portion of the award was $ 2,466 , which is included in Other non-current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. There are no units associated with the second award in the table below as of December 31, 2021 since the initial target number of shares will be determined by the Compensation Committee in 2022 based on the terms of the award. The following tables summarize the PSU activity for the year ended December 31, 2021: Units Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value Unvested at January 1, 2021 578,750 $ 57.13 Granted 304,726 $ 49.34 Achievement adjustment ( 97,532 ) $ 55.96 Vested ( 177,423 ) $ 73.39 Forfeited (1) ( 177,491 ) $ 61.10 Dividend equivalents 2,237 $ 59.84 Unvested at December 31, 2021 433,267 $ 50.14 (1) Of this amount, 66,702 shares were forfeited during the second quarter of 2021 as a result of certain terminations primarily associated with the combination of WWE’s television, digital and studios teams into one organization. Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Tax benefits realized $ 4,824 $ 13,030 $ 52,072 Weighted-average grant-date fair value of PSUs granted 15,035 19,592 10,111 Fair value of PSUs vested 13,021 20,830 32,523 During the year ended December 31, 2020 we granted 274,663 PSUs, which were subject to performance conditions. During the first quarter of 2021, it was determined that the performance conditions related to these PSUs were partially met, which resulted in an achievement adjustment decrease of 97,532 PSUs in 2021 relating to the initial 2020 PSU grant. As of December 31, 2021, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested PSUs, net of estimated forfeitures, was $ 11,798 before income taxes, and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.6 years. Performance Stock Units with a Market Condition Tied to Relative Total Shareholder Return In March 2018, the Compensation Committee approved certain agreements to grant PSU-TSRs with a market condition where vesting is conditioned upon the total shareholder return performance of the Company’s stock relative to the performance of a peer group over five distinct performance periods from 2018 through 2024. The five distinct performance periods end in March from 2020 to 2024, with the awards from each performance period vesting in July of each year. The payout for each performance period can vest at between 50 % and 175 % of the target award based on the percentile ranking of WWE’s total shareholder return performance with vesting capped at 100 % if WWE’s absolute total shareholder return is negative. The grant date fair value of the award was calculated using a Monte-Carlo simulation model which factors in the number of awards to be earned based on the achievement of the market condition. This model simulates the various stock price movements of the Company and peer group companies using certain assumptions, including the stock price of WWE and those of the peer group, stock price volatility, the risk-free interest rate, correlation coefficients, and expected dividend yield. The grant date fair value of the award is being amortized as compensation cost over the requisite service period using the graded vesting method. The following tables summarize the PSU-TSR activity for the year ended December 31, 2021: Units Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value Unvested at January 1, 2021 57,965 $ 47.30 Granted — $ — Achievement adjustment 5,319 $ 47.28 Vested ( 15,579 ) $ 46.97 Forfeited — $ — Dividend equivalents 31 $ 47.28 Unvested at December 31, 2021 47,736 $ 47.28 Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Tax benefits realized $ — $ — — Weighted-average grant-date fair value of PSU-TSRs granted — — — Fair value of PSU-TSRs vested 732 830 — As of December 31, 2021, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested PSU-TSRs, net of estimated forfeitures, was $ 666 before income taxes, and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.0 years. Employee Stock Purchase Plan We provide a stock purchase plan for our employees. Under the plan, all eligible regular full-time employees may contribute up to 10 % of their base compensation (subject to certain dollar limits) to the semi-annual purchase of shares of our common stock. The purchase price is 85 % of the fair market value at certain plan-defined dates. As this plan is defined as compensatory, a charge is recorded to General and administrative expenses for the difference between the fair market value and the discounted price. During 2021, 2020 and 2019, employees purchased 59,685 , 57,020 and 34,001 shares of our common stock which resulted in an expense of $ 598 , $ 473 , and $ 488 , respectively. As of December 31, 2021, approximately 1.4 million shares of the Company's common stock are available for issuance under the 2012 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. |
Employee Benefit Plans
Employee Benefit Plans | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract] | |
Employee Benefit Plans | 19. Employee Benefit Plans We sponsor a 401(k) defined contribution plan covering substantially all employees. Under this plan, participants are allowed to make contributions based on a percentage of their salary, subject to a statutorily prescribed annual limit. We make matching contributions of 50 % of each participant’s contributions, up to 6 % of eligible compensation. We may also make additional discretionary contributions to the 401(k) plan. Our expense for matching contributions to the 401(k) plan was $ 3,119 , $ 2,968 and $ 2,977 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company did no t make any discretionary contributions for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 or 2019. |
Segment Information
Segment Information | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Segment Information [Abstract] | |
Segment Information | 20. Segment Information The Company currently classifies its operations into three reportable segments: Media, Live Events and Consumer Products. Segment information is prepared on the same basis that our chief operating decision maker manages the business, evaluates financial results, and makes key operating decisions. Unallocated corporate general and administrative expenses largely relate to corporate functions such as finance, investor relations, community relations, corporate communications, information technology, legal, human resources and our Board of Directors . These unallocated corporate general and administrative expenses will be shown, as applicable, as a reconciling item in tables where segment and consolidated results are both shown. Revenues from transactions between our operating segments are not material. The Company presents Adjusted OIBDA as the primary measure of segment profit (loss). The Company defines Adjusted OIBDA as operating income before depreciation and amortization, excluding stock-based compensation, certain impairment charges and other non-recurring material items. Adjusted OIBDA includes depreciation and amortization expenses directly related to supporting the operations of our segments, including content production asset amortization, depreciation and amortization of costs related to content delivery and technology assets utilized for WWE Network, as well as amortization of right-of-use assets related to finance leases of equipment used to produce and broadcast our live events. The Company believes the presentation of Adjusted OIBDA is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to view our segment performance in the same manner as the primary method used by management to evaluate segment performance and make decisions about allocating resources. Additionally, we believe that Adjusted OIBDA is a primary measure used by media investors, analysts and peers for comparative purposes. We do not disclose assets by segment information. We do not provide assets by segment information to our chief operating decision maker, as that information is not typically used in the determination of resource allocation and assessing business performance of each reportable segment. The following tables present summarized financial information for each of the Company's reportable segments: Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Net revenues: Media $ 936,212 $ 868,216 $ 743,099 Live Events 57,803 19,921 125,585 Consumer Products 101,159 86,070 91,758 Total net revenues $ 1,095,174 $ 974,207 $ 960,442 Depreciation and amortization: Media $ 13,427 $ 15,119 $ 12,592 Live Events 43 23 — Consumer Products 178 8 — Corporate 27,253 27,466 21,535 Total depreciation and amortization $ 40,901 $ 42,616 $ 34,127 Adjusted OIBDA: Media $ 390,506 $ 367,818 $ 224,136 Live Events 7,652 ( 17,655 ) 9,376 Consumer Products 35,530 26,638 28,559 Corporate ( 109,577 ) ( 90,613 ) ( 82,038 ) Total Adjusted OIBDA $ 324,111 $ 286,188 $ 180,033 Reconciliation of Total Operating Income to Total Adjusted OIBDA Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Total operating income $ 256,017 $ 208,544 $ 116,510 Depreciation and amortization (1) 40,901 42,616 34,127 Stock-based compensation 19,086 27,989 29,396 Other adjustments (2) 8,107 7,039 — Total Adjusted OIBDA $ 324,111 $ 286,188 $ 180,033 (1) Depreciation and amortization for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 includes $ 9,210 , $ 9,103 and $ 4,535 , respectively, of amortization related to the right-of-use asset for the Company’s new global headquarters lease, which commenced on July 1, 2019 and is accounted for as a finance lease. (2) Other adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2021 include severance expenses primarily associated with the combination of WWE’s television, digital and studios teams into one organization. Other adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2020 include severance expenses associated with a reduction in our workforce as a result of COVID-19. Geographic Information Net revenues by major geographic region are based upon the geographic location of where our content is distributed. The information below summarizes net revenues to unaffiliated customers by geographic area: Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 North America $ 873,686 $ 764,938 $ 656,642 Europe/Middle East/Africa 147,978 135,876 223,471 Asia Pacific 61,852 62,327 67,493 Latin America 11,658 11,066 12,836 Total net revenues $ 1,095,174 $ 974,207 $ 960,442 The Company's property and equipment was almost entirely located in the United States at December 31, 2021 and 2020. During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, there were two customers with revenues individually in excess of 10% of total consolidated net revenues. Net revenues for these customers were approximately $ 412,000 and $ 200,000 in 2021, approximately $ 270,000 and $ 183,000 in 2020, and approximately $ 207,000 and $ 110,000 in 2019. These revenues are primarily reflected in our Media segment. |
Concentration Of Credit Risk
Concentration Of Credit Risk | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Concentration Of Credit Risk [Abstract] | |
Concentration Of Credit Risk | 21. Concentration of Credit Risk We continually monitor our position with, and the credit quality of, the financial institutions that are counterparties to our financial instruments. Our accounts receivable relates principally to a limited number of distributors, including WWE Network, television, and pay-per-view distributors, and licensees. We closely monitor the status of receivables with these customers and maintain allowances for anticipated losses as deemed appropriate. We believe credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited due to the generally high credit quality of the Company’s major customers. At December 31, 2021, our two largest receivable balances from customers were 38 % and 26 % of our gross accounts receivable. No other customers individually exceeded 10% of our gross accounts receivable balance. At December 31, 2020, there were no customers that individually exceeded 10% of our gross accounts receivable balance. |
Revision Of Previously Issued C
Revision Of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Revision Of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
Revision Of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements | 22. Revision of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements On June 17, 2022, the Company and its Board of Directors announced that a special committee of independent members of Company’s Board of Directors (the “Special Committee”) was formed to investigate alleged misconduct by the Company’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and director of the Company, Vincent K. McMahon, who resigned from these positions on July 22, 2022 but remains a stockholder with a controlling interest (“Mr. McMahon”), and another executive, who is also no longer with the Company. The findings of the investigation identified agreements executed by Mr. McMahon which were previously unknown to the Company. On July 25, 2022, the Company announced that it had determined that certain payments that Mr. McMahon agreed to make during the period from 2006 through 2022 (including amounts paid and payable in the future totaling $ 14,600 ) were not appropriately recorded as expenses in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company subsequently identified two additional payments totaling $ 5,000 , unrelated to the alleged misconduct by Mr. McMahon that led to the Special Committee investigation, that Mr. McMahon made in 2007 and 2009 that were not appropriately recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. Together, these unrecorded expenses total $ 19,600 (the “Unrecorded Expenses”). The Company has evaluated the Unrecorded Expenses and has determined that such amounts should have been recorded as expenses in each of the periods in which they became probable and estimable. All payments underlying the Unrecorded Expenses were or will be paid by Mr. McMahon personally. The Special Committee investigation is substantially complete. The Company evaluated the relevant guidance associated with the Unrecorded Expenses and concluded that these amounts should have been recognized by the Company as expenses in each of the periods in which they became probable and estimable in accordance with the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 5T, Miscellaneous Accounting, Accounting for Expenses or Liabilities Paid by Principal Stockholders (“Topic 5T”). As a result, the Company concluded its previously reported operating income and net income for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 was overstated by $ 3,000 , respectively, and the Company’s previously reported beginning accumulated deficit as of January 1, 2019 was overstated by $ 16,600 , for which the latter amount represents the aggregate impact of the Unrecorded Expenses on the Company’s previously reported operating income and net income between fiscal years 2006 and 2018. As prescribed by Topic 5T, the corresponding impact of the Unrecorded Expenses resulted in an understatement of the Company’s previously reported additional paid-in-capital of $ 9,100 , $ 10,600 , $ 11,800 , $ 13,000 , and $ 15,200 as of January 1, 2019, December 31, 2019, 2020, and 2021, and March 31, 2022, respectively, and an understatement of total liabilities, which represents the amounts that remained payable by Mr. McMahon, of $ 7,500 , $ 6,000 , $ 4,800 , $ 6,600 , and $ 4,400 as of January 1, 2019, December 31, 2019, 2020, and 2021, and March 31, 2022, respectively. Notwithstanding the foregoing accounting framework required by Topic 5T for the Unrecorded Expenses, all of the payments underlying the Unrecorded Expenses were or will be paid by Mr. McMahon personally. The impact of the Unrecorded Expenses on the Company’s previously reported income taxes was inconsequential. Based on management’s evaluation of the Unrecorded Expenses in consideration of the SEC Staff’s Accounting Bulletins Nos. 99 (“SAB 99”) and 108 (“SAB 108”) and interpretations therewith, the Company concluded that the impact of the Unrecorded Expenses is not material, on an individual or aggregate basis, to the Company’s previously reported consolidated financial statements included in the Original Filing and the previously filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the interim periods ended March 31, 2022, September 30, 2021, and June 30, 2021, respectively. However, the Company further concluded that the Unrecorded Expenses cannot be corrected as an out-of-period adjustment in the Company’s current period unaudited interim consolidated financial information as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 included in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the interim period ended June 30, 2022, because to do so would cause a material misstatement in those financial statements. Therefore, the Company referred to the guidance prescribed by SAB 108 which specifies that immaterial errors must be corrected the next time previously reported financial statements are filed. In this regard, the Company concluded that its previously reported internal control certification in Item 9A of the Original Filing and Item 4 of the Company’s Original Quarterly Filing was required to be amended to report the existence of certain material weaknesses in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting as a result of the Unrecorded Expenses and, as such, the Company further concluded that the Unrecorded Expenses were required to be immaterially revised as part of the Company’s amendment of its Original Filing and Original Quarterly Filing. Accordingly, the Company has corrected the Unrecorded Expenses in the accompanying consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019 and related notes hereto as an immaterial revision of these consolidated financial statements. The following tables present the impact of correcting the Unrecorded Expenses in the Company’s previously issued financial statements: Consolidated Statement of Operations Information For the Year Ended December 31, 2021 As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised General and administrative expenses $ 117,840 $ 3,000 $ 120,840 Operating income $ 259,017 $ ( 3,000 ) $ 256,017 Income before income taxes $ 232,862 $ ( 3,000 ) $ 229,862 Net income $ 180,408 $ ( 3,000 ) $ 177,408 Earnings per share: basic $ 2.36 $ ( 0.04 ) $ 2.32 Earnings per share: diluted $ 2.12 $ ( 0.03 ) $ 2.09 Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income Information For the Year Ended December 31, 2021 As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised Net income $ 180,408 $ ( 3,000 ) $ 177,408 Comprehensive income $ 179,843 $ ( 3,000 ) $ 176,843 Consolidated Balance Sheet Information As of December 31, 2021 As of December 31, 2020 As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 120,516 $ 2,200 $ 122,716 $ 124,742 $ 1,200 $ 125,942 Total current liabilities $ 413,617 $ 2,200 $ 415,817 $ 496,274 $ 1,200 $ 497,474 Other non-current liabilities $ 8,162 $ 4,400 $ 12,562 $ 937 $ 3,600 $ 4,537 Total liabilities $ 822,807 $ 6,600 $ 829,407 $ 908,528 $ 4,800 $ 913,328 Additional paid-in capital $ 409,884 $ 13,000 $ 422,884 $ 424,758 $ 11,800 $ 436,558 Accumulated deficit $ ( 31,793 ) $ ( 19,600 ) $ ( 51,393 ) $ ( 39,727 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 56,327 ) Total stockholders' equity $ 381,260 $ ( 6,600 ) $ 374,660 $ 388,794 $ ( 4,800 ) $ 383,994 As of March 31, 2021 As of June 30, 2021 As of September 30, 2021 As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 134,205 $ 1,200 $ 135,405 $ 128,121 $ 1,200 $ 129,321 $ 115,333 $ 1,200 $ 116,533 Total current liabilities $ 406,817 $ 1,200 $ 408,017 $ 396,323 $ 1,200 $ 397,523 $ 387,150 $ 1,200 $ 388,350 Other non-current liabilities $ 2,979 $ 2,400 $ 5,379 $ 5,082 $ 2,400 $ 7,482 $ 7,149 $ 2,400 $ 9,549 Total liabilities $ 819,775 $ 3,600 $ 823,375 $ 804,998 $ 3,600 $ 808,598 $ 793,850 $ 3,600 $ 797,450 Additional paid-in capital $ 420,014 $ 13,000 $ 433,014 $ 419,239 $ 13,000 $ 432,239 $ 415,054 $ 13,000 $ 428,054 Accumulated deficit $ ( 66,415 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 83,015 ) $ ( 61,970 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 78,570 ) $ ( 45,822 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 62,422 ) Total stockholders' equity $ 357,281 $ ( 3,600 ) $ 353,681 $ 360,939 $ ( 3,600 ) $ 357,339 $ 372,763 $ ( 3,600 ) $ 369,163 Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity Information As of December 31, 2021 As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised Additional paid-in capital, beginning of period $ 424,758 $ 11,800 $ 436,558 $ 405,353 $ 10,600 $ 415,953 $ 415,281 $ 9,100 $ 424,381 Accumulated deficit, beginning of period $ ( 39,727 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 56,327 ) $ ( 133,664 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 150,264 ) $ ( 101,326 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 117,926 ) Net income $ 180,408 $ ( 3,000 ) $ 177,408 $ 131,771 $ — $ 131,771 $ 77,061 $ — $ 77,061 Stock issuances and other, net $ 2,973 $ 1,200 $ 4,173 $ 2,630 $ 1,200 $ 3,830 $ 2,325 $ 1,500 $ 3,825 Additional paid-in capital, end of period $ 409,884 $ 13,000 $ 422,884 $ 424,758 $ 11,800 $ 436,558 $ 405,353 $ 10,600 $ 415,953 Accumulated deficit, end of period $ ( 31,793 ) $ ( 19,600 ) $ ( 51,393 ) $ ( 39,727 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 56,327 ) $ ( 133,664 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 150,264 ) As of March 31, 2021 As of June 30, 2021 As of September 30, 2021 As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised Additional paid-in capital, beginning of period $ 424,758 $ 11,800 $ 436,558 $ 424,758 $ 11,800 $ 436,558 $ 424,758 $ 11,800 $ 436,558 Accumulated deficit, beginning of period $ ( 39,727 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 56,327 ) $ ( 39,727 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 56,327 ) $ ( 39,727 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 56,327 ) Net income $ 43,832 $ — $ 43,832 $ 73,033 $ — $ 73,033 $ 116,519 $ — $ 116,519 Stock issuances and other, net $ 1,963 $ 1,200 $ 3,163 $ 1,967 $ 1,200 $ 3,167 $ 2,973 $ 1,200 $ 4,173 Additional paid-in capital, end of period $ 420,014 $ 13,000 $ 433,014 $ 419,239 $ 13,000 $ 432,239 $ 415,054 $ 13,000 $ 428,054 Accumulated deficit, end of period $ ( 66,415 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 83,015 ) $ ( 61,970 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 78,570 ) $ ( 45,822 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 62,422 ) |
Valuation And Qualifying Accoun
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract] | |
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts | W ORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC. SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (in thousands) Charges to Balance at Expense/ Beginning Against Deductions/ Balance at Description of Year Revenues Adjustments * End of Year For the Year Ended December 31, 2021 Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 3,660 $ 1,260 $ ( 79 ) $ 4,841 Home video allowance for returns 350 — ( 43 ) 307 Allowance for WWE Network refunds and chargebacks 40 158 ( 191 ) 7 For the Year Ended December 31, 2020 Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 419 $ 3,572 $ ( 331 ) $ 3,660 Home video allowance for returns 349 — 1 350 Allowance for WWE Network refunds and chargebacks 50 452 ( 462 ) 40 For the Year Ended December 31, 2019 Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 651 $ 31 $ ( 263 ) $ 419 Home video allowance for returns 343 — 6 349 Allowance for WWE Network refunds and chargebacks 15 410 ( 375 ) 50 * Includes deductions which are comprised primarily of write-offs of specific bad debts and returns of products, as well as certain adjustments to the allowance account, including reserves for amounts due from customers that have not been recognized as revenue. |
Summary Of Significant Accoun_2
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
Use of Estimates | Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. |
Basis Of Consolidation | Basis of Consolidation — The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of WWE and all of its domestic and foreign subsidiaries. Included in Corporate are intersegment eliminations recorded in consolidation. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | Cash and Cash Equivalents — Cash and cash equivalents include cash on deposit in overnight deposit accounts, investments in Treasury bills and investments in money market accounts with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase. |
Short-term Investments, Net | Short-term Investments, Net — Our short-term investments consist of U.S. Treasury securities, corporate bonds and government agency bonds. We classify and account for these securities as available-for-sale debt securities and carry these securities at fair value. We report the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, as other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity, with the exception, if applicable, of unrealized losses due to loss of credit worthiness or unrealized gains due to recovery of credit worthiness, which are recorded to other income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Realized gains and losses on investments are included in earnings and are derived using the specific identification method for determining the cost of securities sold. |
Accounts Receivable, Net | Accounts Receivable, Net — Accounts receivable relate principally to amounts due to us from distributors of our content, as well as from licensees that produce consumer products containing our intellectual property and/or trademarks. We estimate the collectability of our receivables and establish allowances for the amount of accounts receivable that we estimate to be uncollectible. We base these allowances on our historical collection experience, the length of time our accounts receivable are outstanding, the financial condition of individual customers and current economic conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay. An individual balance is charged to the allowance when all collection efforts have been exhausted and it is deemed likely to be uncollectible, taking into consideration the financial condition of the customer and other factors. |
Inventory | Inventory — Inventory consists of merchandise sold on our websites and on distribution platforms, including Amazon, and merchandise sold at live events. Substantially all of our inventory is comprised of finished goods. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The valuation of our inventories requires management to make market estimates assessing the quantities and the prices at which we believe the inventory can be sold. |
Property and Equipment, Net | Property and Equipment, Net — Property and equipment are carried at historical cost net of benefits associated with tax incentives less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets or, when applicable, the life of the lease, whichever is shorter. Vehicles and equipment are depreciated based on estimated useful lives varying from three years to five years . Buildings and related improvements are depreciated based on estimated useful lives varying from five years to thirty-nine years . Our corporate aircraft is depreciated over ten years on a straight-line basis less an estimated residual value. |
Leases | Leases — The Company determines if a contract contains a lease at the inception of the arrangement. The Company has elected the short-term lease exemption, whereby leases with initial terms of one year or less are not capitalized and instead expensed generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The depreciable life of the underlying leased assets are generally limited to the expected lease term inclusive of any optional lease terms where we conclude at the inception of the lease that we are reasonably certain of exercising those renewal options. The Company is primarily a lessee with a lease portfolio comprised mainly of real estate and equipment leases. Operating and finance lease assets are included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets in non-current assets as an operating or finance right-of-use asset. Operating and finance lease liabilities are included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets in non-current liabilities for the portion that is due on a long-term basis and in current liabilities for portion that is due within 12 months of the financial statement date. The right-of-use assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date of the lease based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term using an appropriate discount rate. Since the implicit rate is not readily available for our leases, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The right-of-use asset also may include any initial direct costs paid and is reduced by any lease incentives provided by the lessor. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term for our operating leases and for our finance leases, we record interest expense on the lease liability and straight-line amortization of the right-of-use asset over the lease term. |
Content Production Assets, Net | Content Production Assets, Net — The Company is primarily a content producer with content production assets consisting of feature films, non-live event episodic television series, and original programming content for WWE Network. Feature film titles are predominantly monetized on their own through exploitation and exhibition through individual film distribution arrangements or by sale to a third party. The non-live event episodic television series are predominantly monetized on their own through individual television distribution arrangements. The original WWE Network programming content are predominantly monetized as a film group through the collection of licensing fees from distribution partners or through the collection of monthly subscription fees from WWE Network. Amounts capitalized for content production assets typically include development costs, production costs, production overhead, and employee salaries and are net of any film production incentives associated with our feature films. Content production assets related to our feature films are amortized in the proportion that revenues bear to management’s estimates of the ultimate revenue expected to be recognized from exploitation, exhibition or sale. Content production assets related to non-live event episodic television series are expensed upon delivery of the completed programming content to the individual television distributors. Our programming content distributed on the WWE Network is expensed based upon delivery to distribution partners or based on viewership consumption patterns if on the subscription-based WWE Network. Unamortized content production costs are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a film predominantly monetized on its own or a film group may be less than its unamortized costs. As it relates to our unamortized feature film production assets, if estimates for a feature film’s ultimate revenues and/or costs are revised and indicate a significant decline in a film’s profitability or if events or circumstances change that indicate we should assess whether the fair value of a film is less than its unamortized film costs, we calculate the film's estimated fair value using a discounted cash flows model. If fair value is less than the unamortized cost, the film is written down to fair value. Our estimate of ultimate revenues for feature films includes revenues from all sources for ten years from the date of a film’s initial release. We estimate the ultimate revenues based on industry and Company specific trends, the historical performance of similar films, the star power of the lead actors, and the genre of the film. Prior to the release of a feature film and throughout its life, we revise our estimates of revenues based on expected future results, actual results and other known factors affecting the various distribution markets. As it relates to our unamortized non-live event episodic television series content assets, if conditions indicate a potential impairment, and the estimated future cash flows using a discounted cash flow model are not sufficient to recover the unamortized asset, the asset is written down to fair value. As it relates to our unamortized original WWE Network programming content assets, which are predominantly monetized as film group, we review in aggregate at a group level when an event or change in circumstances indicates a change in the expected usefulness of the content or that the fair value may be less than unamortized cost. In addition, if we determine that a program will not likely air, we expense the remaining unamortized asset. |
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets | Valuation of Long-Lived Assets — We periodically evaluate the carrying amount of long-lived assets for impairment when events and circumstances warrant such a review. |
Investment Securities | Investment Securities — Equity investments that are marketable and have a readily determinable fair value are carried at fair value with changes in the fair value recorded through income and reflected in Other income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For nonmarketable equity securities (those without a readily determinable fair value), the Company elected to apply the practicality exception to apply fair value measurement, under which such securities will be measured at cost, less impairment, plus or minus observable price changes for identical or similar securities of the same issuer with such changes recorded in Other income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For equity investments where the Company does not control the investee, and where it is not the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity but can exert significant influence over the financial and operating policies of the investee, the Company applies the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company’s share of the investee’s underlying net income or loss is recorded as investment income or loss within Other income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, and is also included, net of cash dividends received, in Equity in earnings of affiliate, net of dividends received, on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Dividend distributions received from the investee reduces the Company’s carrying value of the investee and the cost basis if deemed a return of capital. Nonmarketable equity securities and equity method investments are also subject to periodic impairment evaluations, and when factors indicate that a significant decrease in value has occurred. Factors considered in making such assessments may include near-term prospects of the investees, subsequent rounds of financing activities of the investees, and the investees’ capital structure as well as other economic variables, which reflect assumptions market participants may use in pricing these assets. If an equity method investment is deemed to have experienced an other-than-temporary decline below its carrying amount, we reduce the carrying amount of the equity method investment to its quoted or estimated fair value, as applicable, and establish a new carrying amount for the investment. For nonmarketable equity securities that are accounted for under the measurement alternative to fair value, the Company applies the impairment model that does not require the Company to consider whether the impairment is other-than-temporary. We record these impairment charges on our equity investments in Other income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. |
Income Taxes | Income Taxes — Deferred tax liabilities and assets are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Amounts are determined based on the differences between the book and tax bases of particular assets and liabilities and operating loss carry forwards, using tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided to offset deferred tax assets if, based upon the available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets within the jurisdiction from which they arise, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If we determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes. Conversely, if we determine we might not be able to realize our deferred tax assets, we would record a valuation allowance which would result in a charge to the provision for income taxes. We use a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return by assessing whether they are more likely than not sustainable, based solely on their technical merits, upon examination, and including resolution of any related appeals or litigation process. The second step is to measure the associated tax benefit of each position, as the largest amount that we believe is more likely than not realizable. Differences between the amount of tax benefits taken or expected to be taken in our income tax returns and the amount of tax benefits recognized in our financial statements represent our unrecognized income tax benefits, which we record as a liability. Our policy is to include interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. |
Revenue Recognition | Revenue Recognition — Revenues are generally recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, either at a point in time or over time, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Most of our contracts have one performance obligation and all consideration is allocated to that performance obligation. In contracts that have multiple performance obligations, we allocate the transaction price to each identified performance obligation based upon their relative standalone selling price. The standalone selling prices are determined using observable standalone selling prices when available as well as estimates of standalone selling prices using adjusted market assessment and expected cost plus margin approaches to estimate the price for individual components. Our revenues do not include material estimated amounts of variable consideration. The variable consideration contained in our contracts relates primarily to sales or usage-based royalties earned on consumer product licensing contracts. The variability related to these sales or usage-based royalties will be resolved in the periods when the licensee generates sales related to the intellectual property license. As it relates to our Consumer Products segment, the Company accounts for shipping and handling activities as fulfillment activities. We derive our revenues principally from the following sources: (i) content rights fees associated with the distribution of WWE’s media content, (ii) content license fees and subscriptions to WWE Network, (iii) fees for viewing our premium live event programming, (iv) feature film distribution, (v) advertising and sponsorship sales, (vi) live event ticket sales, (vii) consumer product licensing royalties from the sale by third-party licensees of WWE branded merchandise, (viii) direct-to-consumer sales of merchandise at our live event venues, and (ix) direct-to-consumer sales of our merchandise through eCommerce platforms. The below describes our revenue recognition policies in further detail for each major revenue source of the Company. Content rights fees: Rights fees received from distributors of our programming, both domestically and internationally, are recorded when the program (functional intellectual property) has been delivered and control has been transferred to the distributor and the license period has begun. Any advance payments received from the distributors are deferred upon collection and recognized into revenue as content is delivered. Our content rights distribution agreements are generally between one year and five years in length and frequently provide for contractual increases over their terms. WWE Network Subscriptions: Revenues from the sale of subscriptions to WWE Network are recognized ratably over each paid monthly membership period. Deferred revenues consist of subscription fees billed to members that have not been recognized and gift memberships that have not been redeemed. Pay-per-view programming: Revenues from our pay-per-view programming are recorded when the event is aired/performed and are based upon our initial estimate of the number of buys achieved. This initial estimate is based on preliminary buy information received from our pay-per-view distributors. These estimates are updated each reporting period based on the latest information available. Advertising and sponsorships: Through our sponsorship packages, we offer advertisers a full range of our promotional vehicles, including online and print advertising, on-air announcements and special appearances by our Superstars. We allocate the transaction price to all performance obligations contained within a sponsorship and advertising arrangement based upon their relative standalone selling price. Standalone selling prices are determined generally based on a rate card used to determine pricing for individual components. Revenues are recognized as each performance obligation is satisfied, which generally occurs when the sponsorship and advertising is aired, exhibited, performed or played on the applicable WWE platform. We are generally the principal in our advertising and sponsorship arrangements because we control the advertising and sponsorship inventory before it is transferred to our customers. Our control is evidenced by our sole ability to monetize the advertising and sponsorship inventory and being primarily responsible to our customers. Live event ticket sales: Revenues from our live event ticket sales are recognized upon the occurrence of the related live event. Consumer product licensing royalties: Licensing revenues consist principally of royalties or license fees related to various WWE themed products, such as video games, toys and apparel, which are created using WWE brands and marks (symbolic intellectual property). Revenues from our licensed products are recognized in the period of the underlying product sales based on estimates from licensees and adjustments to the estimated amounts are recorded when final statements are received. The estimates are derived from the best available recent information from our licensees of underlying sales performance and represent the most likely amount of revenues expected. Any upfront license fees or minimum guarantees received from the licensee are deferred upon collection and recognized into revenue over the contract term as the amounts are earned. Direct-to-consumer venue merchandise sales: Direct-to-consumer merchandise sales consist of sales of merchandise at our live events. Revenues are recognized at the point of sale, as control is transferred to the customer. Direct-to-consumer eCommerce sales: Direct-to-consumer eCommerce revenues consist of sales of merchandise on our websites, including through our WWEShop Internet storefront, and on distribution platforms, including Amazon. Revenues are recognized at a point in time, as control is transferred to the customer upon shipment. |
Operating Expenses | Operating Expenses — Operating expenses consist of our production costs associated with developing our content, venue rental and related costs associated with the staging of our live events, compensation costs for our talent, and material and related costs associated with our consumer product merchandise sales, and costs associated with operating WWE Network. In addition, operating expenses include the operating costs associated with talent development, data analytics, data engineering, business strategy and real estate and facilities functions. Included within operating expenses are the following depreciation and amortization expenses: Amortization and impairment of feature film production assets: We amortize feature film production assets based on the estimated future cash flows. Unamortized feature film production assets are evaluated for impairment each reporting period. Amortization and impairment of television production assets: Television production assets consist primarily of non-live event episodic television series we have produced for distribution through a variety of platforms, including on WWE Network. Costs to produce episodic programming for television or distribution on WWE Network are amortized in the proportion that revenues bear to management's estimates of the ultimate revenue expected to be recognized from exploitation, exhibition or sale. Unamortized television production assets are evaluated for impairment each reporting period. Program amortization for WWE Network is included in operating expenses as a component of amortization of television production assets. For episodic programming debuting and currently expected to air exclusively on WWE Network, the cost of the programming is expensed upon delivery of the content to distribution partners or the initial release on the subscription-based WWE Network, as the vast majority of viewership occurs in close proximity to the initial release. Depreciation and amortization of costs related to content delivery and technology assets utilized for WWE Network: These costs are depreciated or amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the expected useful life or the term of the respective assets. Amortization of right-of-use assets on finance leases of equipment: The amortization expense associated with the right-of-use assets pertain predominantly to equipment utilized to produce and distribute our live event programming and are therefore included in operating expenses. Depreciation on equipment used directly in revenue generating activities: We capitalize equipment consisting primarily of television set components and related equipment that is utilized as part of our programming content. These assets are depreciated over their respective estimated useful lives. The following table presents the depreciation and amortization expense amounts included within Operating expenses for the periods presented: Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Amortization and impairment of content production assets $ 19,714 $ 26,309 $ 35,708 Depreciation and amortization of WWE Network content delivery and technology assets 7,530 5,632 5,317 Amortization of right-of-use assets - finance leases of equipment 9,149 11,070 8,020 Depreciation on equipment used directly to support operations 630 561 108 Total depreciation and amortization included in operating expenses $ 37,023 $ 43,572 $ 49,153 Costs to produce our live event programming are expensed when the event is first broadcast, and are not included in the depreciation and amortization table noted above. These costs include production-related costs, such as lighting, pyrotechnics and staging, associated with our weekly, in-ring televised programming as well as our premium live events, which are included as a component of our Media segment operating expenses. We also incur event-related costs, such as venue rental, security and travel, associated with our premium live events as well as our televised and non-televised events, which are included as a component of our Live Events segment operating expenses. Talent-related costs primarily associated with our premium live events and televised programming are included within our Media segment, while talent-related costs associated with our non-televised events are included within our Live Events segment. |
Marketing And Selling Expenses | Marketing and Selling Expenses – Marketing and selling expenses consist of costs associated with the promotion and marketing of our services and products. These expenses include advertising and promotional costs, and the costs associated with our sales and marketing functions, creative services functions and our international offices. |
General And Administrative Expenses | General and Administrative Expenses – General and administrative expenses are unallocated and include costs associated with our corporate administrative functions, including finance, investor relations, community relations, corporate communications, information technology, legal, human resources and our Board of Directors. We record all Company-wide severance expenses as unallocated corporate general and administrative expenses. |
Content Production Incentives | Content Production Incentives — The Company has access to various governmental programs that are designed to promote content production within the United States and certain international jurisdictions. Tax credits earned with respect to expenditures on qualifying content production activities, including qualifying capital projects, are included as an offset to the related asset or as an offset to production expenses when we have reasonable assurance regarding the realizable amount of the tax credits. |
Advertising Expense | Advertising Expense — Advertising costs are expensed as incurred, except for costs related to the development of a major commercial or media campaign, which are expensed in the period in which the commercial or campaign is first presented. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, we recorded advertising expenses of $ 9,219 , $ 13,539 and $ 21,165 , respectively. |
Foreign Currency Translation | Foreign Currency Translation — For the translation of the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries whose functional currencies are non-U.S. Dollars, assets and liabilities are translated at the year-end exchange rate, and income statement accounts are translated at monthly average exchange rates for the year. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ equity, and also in comprehensive income. Foreign currency transactions are recorded at the exchange rate prevailing at the transaction date, with any gains/losses recorded in other income/expense. |
Stock-Based Compensation | Stock-Based Compensation — Equity awards are granted to directors, officers and employees of the Company. Stock-based compensation costs associated with our restricted stock units ("RSUs") are determined using the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of the grant. These costs are recognized over the requisite service period using the graded vesting method, net of estimated forfeitures. RSUs have a service requirement typically over a 3.5 years vesting schedule and vest in equal annual installments. Unvested RSUs accrue dividend equivalents at the same rate as are paid on our shares of Class A common stock. The dividend equivalents are subject to the same vesting schedule as the underlying RSUs. Stock-based compensation costs associated with our performance stock units ("PSUs") are initially determined using the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date the awards are approved by our Compensation Committee (service inception date). The vesting of these PSUs are subject to certain performance conditions and a service requirement of typically 3.5 years. Until such time as the performance conditions are met, stock compensation costs associated with these PSUs are re-measured each reporting period based upon the fair market value of the Company's common stock and the estimated performance attainment on the reporting date. The ultimate number of PSUs that are issued to an employee is the result of the actual performance of the Company at the end of the performance period compared to the performance conditions. Stock compensation costs for our PSUs are recognized over the requisite service period using the graded vesting method, net of estimated forfeitures. Unvested PSUs accrue dividend equivalents once the performance conditions are met at the same rate as are paid on our shares of Class A common stock. The dividend equivalents are subject to the same vesting schedule as the underlying PSUs. During the third quarter of 2020, the Compensation Committee approved an agreement to grant PSUs to an executive management member for an aggregate value of $ 15,000 . The award vests in two tranches of 40 %, and 60 %, during the years 2022 and 2025, respectively. The first award tranche of $ 6,000 has performance conditions tied to results through September 2022, and the second award tranche of $ 9,000 has performance conditions tied to results through September 2025. The Company began expensing the second award of $ 9,000 concurrent with the first award beginning on the service inception date in August 2020. The Company accounts for the first award as an equity award since the target shares are known at inception, while the second award is classified as a liability award until the number of shares is determined upon settlement of the award. The liability and the corresponding expense are adjusted at the end of each quarter until the date of settlement, considering the probability that the performance conditions will be satisfied. As of December 31, 2021, the liability portion of the award was $ 2,466 , which is included in Other non-current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. We estimate forfeitures based on historical trends when recognizing compensation expense and adjust the estimate of forfeitures when they are expected to differ or as forfeitures occur. |
Earnings Per Share (EPS) | Earnings Per Share (EPS) — Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period plus dilutive potential common shares which are calculated using the treasury-stock method. Under the treasury-stock method, potential common shares are excluded from the computation of EPS in periods in which they have an anti-dilutive effect. Net income per share of Class A and Class B common stock is computed in accordance with a two-class method of earnings allocation. As such, any undistributed earnings for each period are allocated to each class of common stock based on the proportionate share of cash dividends that each class is entitled to receive. During 2021, 2020 and 2019, the dividends declared and paid per share of Class A and Class B common stock were the same. |
Treasury Stock Retirement | Treasury Stock Retirement — The Company accounts for treasury stock transactions using the cost method. All share repurchases to date have been retired by the Company. When the Company retires its own common stock, the excess of the repurchase price of the common stock over the par value of the common stock is allocated between additional paid-in capital and retained earnings. The portion allocated to additional paid-in capital is determined by applying a percentage, determined by dividing the number of shares to be retired by the number of shares issued and outstanding as of the retirement date, to the balance of additional paid-in capital as of the retirement date. Direct costs incurred to repurchase the common stock are not material and are expensed in the period incurred. |
Recent Accounting Pronouncements | Recent Accounting Pronouncements In August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2020-06, “ Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity ” (ASU 2020-06). The new guidance eliminates two of the three models in ASC 470-20, “ Debt with Conversion and Other Options ”, that require separating embedded conversion features from convertible instruments. Specifically, the ASU removes the separation models for convertible debt with a cash conversion feature or convertible instruments with a beneficial conversion feature. The Company's existing 3.375% convertible senior notes due December 2023 ("Convertible Notes") are currently accounted for under the cash conversion feature model, which is one of the models being eliminated. As a result, after adopting the new guidance, the Company will no longer separately present in stockholders’ equity an embedded conversion feature of such debt. Instead, the Company will account for a convertible debt instrument wholly as debt unless (i) a convertible debt instrument contains features that require bifurcation as a derivative or (ii) a convertible debt instrument was issued at a substantial premium. Additionally, the ASU revises the scope exception from derivative accounting in ASC 815-40 for freestanding financial instruments (e.g., warrants) and embedded features (e.g., conversion features) that are both indexed to the issuer’s own stock and classified in stockholders’ equity, by removing certain criteria required for equity classification. The new guidance also requires the use of the if-converted method when calculating diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) for convertible instruments and the treasury stock method should no longer be used. Under the new guidance, convertible instruments that may be settled in cash or shares (e.g., the Company’s Convertible Notes) are to be included in the calculation of diluted EPS if the effect is more dilutive, with no option for rebutting the presumption of share settlement based on stated policy or past experience. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021 (fiscal year 2022 for the Company) and can be adopted on either a fully retrospective or modified retrospective basis. The Company intends to adopt the ASU using the modified retrospective approach. The adoption of the ASU will result in a reclassification of certain conversion feature-related balance sheet amounts from stockholders’ equity to liabilities related to the Company’s Convertible Notes. Subsequent to the adoption date, the ASU is expected to reduce reported interest expense and correspondingly, increase net income due to the elimination of non-cash interest amortization associated with the debt discount that was created under the prior cash conversion feature separation model. In March 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2019-02, “ Improvements to Accounting for Costs of Films and License Agreements for Program Materials ”, in order to align the accounting for production costs of an episodic television series with the accounting for production costs of films by removing the content distinction for capitalization. The amendments also require that an entity reassess estimates of the use of a film in a film group and account for any changes prospectively. In addition, the amendments require that an entity test films and license agreements for program material for impairment at a film group level when the film or license agreements are predominantly monetized with other films and license agreements. The Company evaluated its portfolio of content assets in order to determine the predominant monetization strategies which now dictates the appropriate impairment model to apply. In general, the Company’s content assets related to original programming content airing on WWE Network are predominantly monetized as a film group through monthly subscription fees collected from WWE Network subscribers, while the Company’s other content assets comprised largely of feature films and episodic television series which are licensed or sold to distributors are predominantly monetized individually through the underlying rights fees collected under the distribution arrangements. The Company previously provided separate captions within noncurrent assets on the face of the consolidated balance sheet for episodic television production assets and feature film production assets. With the adoption of the amendments, the Company now presents both episodic television and feature film production assets under one combined caption, Content production assets, net, within the noncurrent assets section of the consolidated balance sheet. To conform to the current period presentation, the Content productions assets, net balance of $ 20,045 as of December 31, 2019 is comprised of $ 15,873 of feature film production assets and $ 4,172 of television production assets. ASU 2019-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted the amendments on January 1, 2020 with no material impact to our Consolidated Financial Statements upon adoption. See Note 9, Content Production Assets, Net , for further details. In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-18, “ Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808) – Clarifying the Interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606 .” The amendments in this ASU clarifies that certain transactions between collaborative arrangement participants should be accounted for as revenue under Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , when the collaborative arrangement participant is a customer in the context of a unit of account and precludes recognizing as revenue consideration received from a collaborative arrangement participant if the participant is not a customer. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted the amendment on January 1, 2020 with no impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, “ Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract .” The new guidance aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). The accounting for the service element of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract is not affected by the amendments in this update. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted the amendments on January 1, 2020 with no material impact to our Consolidated Financial Statements and applied the amendments prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “ Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement ”, which modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Upon the effective date, certain provisions are to be applied prospectively, while others are to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. The amendments eliminated certain disclosure requirements such as the elimination of disclosing the valuation process for Level 3 fair value measurements. Other amendments in the update did not largely impact the Company. The Company adopted the amendments on January 1, 2020 with no impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “ Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ” (“ASU 2016-13”), which requires an entity to assess impairment of its financial instruments based on its estimate of expected credit losses. Since the issuance of ASU 2016-13, the FASB released several amendments to improve and clarify the implementation guidance. The provisions of ASU 2016-13 and the related amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Entities are required to apply these changes through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. The Company evaluated its financial instruments and determined that its trade accounts receivables are subject to the new current expected credit loss model and the Company’s available-for-sale debt securities are subject to the new modified credit impairment guidance. Based upon the application of the new current expected credit loss model on our opening balance of accounts receivable as of January 1, 2020, we determined that no material incremental credit loss reserve is needed and accordingly did not record a cumulative effect adjustment. As of the adoption date on January 1, 2020, the Company applied the new credit impairment guidance for available-for-sale debt securities on a prospective basis. See Note 5, Investment Securities and Short-Term Investments , for further information on our available-for-sale debt securities. |
Summary Of Significant Accoun_3
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
Schedule Of Operating Expenses | Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Amortization and impairment of content production assets $ 19,714 $ 26,309 $ 35,708 Depreciation and amortization of WWE Network content delivery and technology assets 7,530 5,632 5,317 Amortization of right-of-use assets - finance leases of equipment 9,149 11,070 8,020 Depreciation on equipment used directly to support operations 630 561 108 Total depreciation and amortization included in operating expenses $ 37,023 $ 43,572 $ 49,153 |
Earnings Per Share (Tables)
Earnings Per Share (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Earnings Per Share [Abstract] | |
Schedule Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share | Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Net income $ 177,408 $ 131,771 $ 77,061 Weighted average basic common shares outstanding 76,324 77,564 78,157 Dilutive effect of restricted and performance stock units 447 492 1,361 Dilutive effect of convertible debt instruments 8,166 6,160 10,707 Dilutive effect of employee share purchase plan 6 3 6 Weighted average dilutive common shares outstanding 84,943 84,219 90,231 Earnings per share: Basic $ 2.32 $ 1.70 $ 0.99 Diluted $ 2.09 $ 1.56 $ 0.85 Anti-dilutive shares (excluded from per-share calculations): Net shares received on purchased call of convertible debt hedge 4,641 3,762 5,756 Outstanding restricted and performance stock units — — — |
Revenues (Tables)
Revenues (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Revenues [Abstract] | |
Schedule Of Revenues Disaggregated By Source | Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Net revenues: Media Segment : Network (including pay-per-view) (1) $ 215,404 $ 185,667 $ 184,553 Core content rights fees (2) 575,812 538,334 348,593 Advertising and sponsorships (3) 71,495 65,333 72,428 Other (4) 73,501 78,882 137,525 Total Media Segment net revenues 936,212 868,216 743,099 Live Events Segment : North American ticket sales 46,301 15,206 93,812 International ticket sales 4,639 210 19,048 Advertising and sponsorships (5) 896 354 2,072 Other (6) 5,967 4,151 10,653 Total Live Events Segment net revenues 57,803 19,921 125,585 Consumer Products Segment : Consumer product licensing 51,982 41,675 43,197 eCommerce 39,085 41,196 29,882 Venue merchandise 10,092 3,199 18,679 Total Consumer Products Segment net revenues 101,159 86,070 91,758 Total net revenues $ 1,095,174 $ 974,207 $ 960,442 (1) Network revenues consist primarily of license fees associated with the domestic distribution of WWE Network content to NBCU (effective March 18, 2021), as well as subscription fees from customers of WWE Network and license fees associated with our international licensed partner agreements. Network revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021 include the upfront revenue recognition related to the delivery of certain WWE Network intellectual property rights to NBCU during the first quarter of 2021. (2) Core content rights fees consist primarily of licensing revenues from the distribution of our flagship programs, Raw and SmackDown , as well as our NXT programming, through global broadcast, pay television and digital platforms. (3) Advertising and sponsorships revenues within our Media segment consist primarily of advertising revenues from the Company’s content on third-party social media platforms and sponsorship fees from sponsors who promote their products utilizing the Company’s media platforms, including promotion on the Company’s digital websites and on-air promotional media spots. (4) Other revenues within our Media segment reflect revenues earned from the distribution of other WWE content, including, but not limited to, certain live in-ring programming in international markets, scripted, reality and other programming, as well as theatrical and direct-to-home video releases. (5) Advertising and sponsorships revenues within our Live Events segment primarily consists of fees from advertisers and sponsors who promote their products utilizing the Company’s live events (i.e., presenting sponsor of fan engagement events and advertising signage at the event). (6) Other revenues within our Live Events segment primarily consists of the sale of travel packages associated with the Company’s global live events, as well as revenues from events for which the Company receives a fixed fee . |
Investment Securities And Sho_2
Investment Securities And Short-Term Investments (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Investment Securities And Short-Term Investments [Abstract] | |
Schedule Of Investment Securities | As of December 31, 2021 2020 Equity method investments $ — $ 1,000 Nonmarketable equity investments without readily determinable fair values 11,618 10,148 Total investment securities $ 11,618 $ 11,148 |
Schedule Of Tapout Investment | Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Net equity method earnings $ 445 $ 760 $ 911 Net dividends received ( 638 ) ( 872 ) ( 1,061 ) Equity in earnings of affiliate, net of dividends received $ ( 193 ) $ ( 112 ) $ ( 150 ) |
Schedule Of Equity Instruments Without Readily Determinable Fair Value | Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Impairments (1) $ — $ ( 2,715 ) $ — Observable price change upward adjustments (2) — — 1,151 Observable price change downward adjustments — ( 29 ) — Total income (loss) from adjustments to nonmarketable equity investments $ — $ ( 2,744 ) $ 1,151 (1) During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded an impairment charge on our investment in a themed attraction touring company for the excess of the carrying value over its estimated fair value resulting from significant adverse changes in the economic and market conditions caused by COVID-19. These charges are reflected in Other income, net on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. (2) During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded upward adjustments to the carrying value related to two of the Company’s equity investments. The adjustments were the result of an observable price change events in connection with financing rounds completed by the investees where the underlying value of the preferred shares issued were greater than the value of WWE’s substantially similar preferred shares in the investees. These upward adjustments are reflected in Other income, net on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. |
Schedule Of Short-Term Investments Measured At Fair Value | December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Gross Unrealized Gross Unrealized Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Cost Gain (Loss) Value Cost Gain (Loss) Value U.S. Treasury securities $ 90,278 $ — $ ( 57 ) $ 90,221 $ 99,973 $ 21 $ — $ 99,994 Corporate bonds 147,102 1 ( 269 ) 146,834 25,078 6 ( 1 ) 25,083 Government agency bonds 44,026 1 ( 125 ) 43,902 6,187 31 — 6,218 Total $ 281,406 $ 2 $ ( 451 ) $ 280,957 $ 131,238 $ 58 $ ( 1 ) $ 131,295 |
Schedule Of Contractual Maturities Of Short-Term Investment Bonds | Maturities U.S. Treasury securities 3 months - 2 years Corporate bonds 1 month - 2 years Government agency bonds 1 month - 2 years |
Summary Of Short-Term Investment Activity | Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Proceeds from sale of short-term investments $ 27,911 $ 22,613 $ — Proceeds from maturities and calls of short-term investments $ 194,149 $ 159,703 $ 157,487 Purchases of short-term investments $ 374,502 $ 153,904 $ 124,282 Gross realized (losses) gains on sale of short-term investments $ ( 2 ) $ 64 $ — |
Fair Value Measurement (Tables)
Fair Value Measurement (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Fair Value Measurement [Abstract] | |
Schedule Of Fair Value Of Debt Instruments | December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Fair Value Carrying Value (1) Fair Value Carrying Value (1) Convertible senior notes $ 210,076 $ 203,032 $ 208,437 $ 197,475 (1) The carrying value of the convertible debt instrument presented in the table above represents the face value of the convertible note less unamortized debt discount. |
Property And Equipment (Tables)
Property And Equipment (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Property And Equipment [Abstract] | |
Schedule Of Property And Equipment | As of December 31, 2021 2020 Land, buildings and improvements $ 154,826 $ 163,597 Equipment 148,193 145,243 Corporate aircraft 32,249 32,249 Vehicles 993 1,007 Projects in progress 49,660 17,681 385,921 359,777 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization ( 213,244 ) ( 198,232 ) Total $ 172,677 $ 161,545 |
Leases (Tables)
Leases (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Leases [Abstract] | |
Quantitative Information About Leases | For the year ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Lease costs Finance lease costs: Amortization of right-of-use assets $ 18,360 $ 20,172 $ 12,556 Interest on lease liabilities 18,299 18,359 10,020 Operating lease costs 6,185 5,695 8,693 Other short-term and variable lease costs 1,805 1,678 1,914 Sublease income (1) ( 69 ) ( 16 ) ( 64 ) Total lease costs $ 44,580 $ 45,888 $ 33,119 Other information Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from finance leases $ 11,506 $ 1,244 $ 607 Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 5,548 $ 4,850 $ 7,945 Finance cash flows from finance leases $ 11,948 $ 10,795 $ 8,352 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities $ 174 $ 40,212 $ 286,330 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities $ 3,457 $ 2,518 $ 6,283 As of December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Weighted-average remaining lease term - finance leases 27.0 years 28.8 years 29.8 years Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases 3.0 years 4.3 years 4.3 years Weighted-average discount rate - finance leases 4.0 % 4.8 % 4.8 % Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases 3.5 % 4.3 % 4.6 % (1) Sublease income excludes rental income from owned properties. |
Maturity Of Lease Liabilities | Operating Finance Leases Leases 2022 $ 5,034 $ 27,229 2023 2,747 27,418 2024 1,186 24,319 2025 590 21,149 2026 338 21,480 Thereafter 507 536,840 Total lease payment 10,402 658,435 Less: imputed interest ( 584 ) ( 271,564 ) Total future minimum lease payments $ 9,818 $ 386,871 |
Content Production Assets, Net
Content Production Assets, Net (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Content Production Assets, Net [Abstract] | |
Schedule Of Content Production Assets | Predominantly Monetized Individually Predominantly Monetized as a Film Group As of December 31, As of December 31, 2021 2020 2021 2020 In release $ 3,291 $ 6,608 $ 139 $ 173 In production 9,581 7,926 627 340 In development 143 378 — — Total $ 13,015 $ 14,912 $ 766 $ 513 |
Schedule Of Amortization And Impairment Of Content Production Assets | Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Content production amortization expense - assets monetized individually $ 13,720 $ 17,676 $ 28,950 Content production amortization expense - assets monetized as a film group 5,316 5,333 5,175 Content production impairment charges (1) 313 3,171 1,301 Content production development write-offs (2) 365 129 282 Total amortization and impairment of content production assets $ 19,714 $ 26,309 $ 35,708 (1) Unamortized content production assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a film predominantly monetized on its own or as part of a film group may be less than its unamortized costs. If conditions indicate a potential impairment, and the estimated future cash flows are not sufficient to recover the unamortized asset, the asset is written down to fair value. In addition, if we determine that content will not likely air, we will expense the remaining unamortized asset. (2) Capitalized script development costs are evaluated at each reporting period for impairment and to determine if a project is deemed to be abandoned. |
Accounts Payable and Accrued _2
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Accounts Payable And Accrued Expenses [Abstract] | |
Schedule Of Accounts Payable And Accrued Expenses | As of December 31, 2021 2020 Trade related $ 11,150 $ 7,274 Staff related 15,558 17,682 Management incentive compensation 30,604 14,266 Talent related 4,428 4,605 Accrued WWE Network related expenses 10,950 4,253 Accrued event and television production 9,687 12,888 Accrued legal and professional 5,506 4,614 Accrued legal settlements (1) 2,200 40,200 Accrued purchases of property and equipment 22,207 4,365 Accrued film liability 29 6,100 Accrued other 10,397 9,695 Total $ 122,716 $ 125,942 (1) Accrued legal settlements as of December 31, 2020 included a $ 39,000 settlement that was fully covered by an insurance recovery through the Company’s insurance carriers. Accordingly, an insurance loss recovery asset was recorded as a component of Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020. Accrued legal settlements as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 include certain amounts of $ 2,200 and $ 1,200 , respectively, to be paid by the Company’s principal stockholder (see Note 22, Revision of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements , for further information). |
Convertible Debt (Tables)
Convertible Debt (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Convertible Debt [Abstract] | |
Schedule Of Convertible Notes | As of December 31, 2021 2020 Debt component : Principal $ 215,000 $ 215,000 Less: Unamortized debt discount ( 11,968 ) ( 17,525 ) Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs ( 1,939 ) ( 2,792 ) Net carrying amount $ 201,093 $ 194,683 Equity component (1) $ 35,547 $ 35,547 (1) Recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets within Additional paid-in capital. |
Schedule Of Interest Expense Recognized | For the year ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 3.375 % contractual coupon $ 7,256 $ 7,256 $ 7,256 Amortization of debt discount 5,557 5,213 4,891 Amortization of debt issuance costs 852 803 686 Additional interest on Convertible Notes (1) — — 1,370 Interest expense $ 13,665 $ 13,272 $ 14,203 (1) During the year ended December 31, 2019, additional nonrecurring interest expense was incurred pursuant to the notes’ indenture related to the removal of the restrictive legend and assignment of the unrestricted CUSIP on the Convertible Notes. |
Long-Term Debt And Credit Fac_2
Long-Term Debt And Credit Facility (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |
Schedule Of Debt | As of December 31, December 31, 2021 2020 Current portion of long-term debt : Revolving Credit Facility $ — $ 100,000 Mortgage 430 412 Total current portion of long-term debt 430 100,412 Long-term debt : Mortgage $ 21,284 $ 21,700 Total long-term debt 21,284 21,700 Total $ 21,714 $ 122,112 |
Mortgage [Member] | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |
Schedule of Principal Repayments Under Note Obligation | December 31, 2022 $ 430 December 31, 2023 450 December 31, 2024 471 December 31, 2025 20,363 $ 21,714 |
Income Taxes (Tables)
Income Taxes (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Income Taxes [Abstract] | |
Schedule of Components of Tax Provision | Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Current taxes: Federal $ 40,389 $ 9,386 $ ( 294 ) State and local 7,985 8,843 1,422 Foreign 7,126 23,945 7,028 Deferred taxes: Federal ( 2,499 ) ( 1,391 ) 8,015 State and local ( 528 ) ( 1,445 ) 1,412 Foreign ( 19 ) — 34 Total income tax expense $ 52,454 $ 39,338 $ 17,617 |
Schedule of Components of (Loss) Income Before Income Taxes | Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 United States $ 228,578 $ 170,668 $ 92,701 Foreign 1,284 441 1,977 Total income before income taxes $ 229,862 $ 171,109 $ 94,678 |
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation | Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Statutory U.S. federal tax $ 48,271 $ 35,930 $ 19,880 State and local taxes, net of federal tax benefit 5,890 5,061 3,962 Foreign rate differential ( 5 ) 38 ( 53 ) Tax exempt interest income — — ( 16 ) Nondeductible executive compensation 3,159 2,427 1,669 Unrecognized tax benefits ( 56 ) ( 127 ) ( 23 ) Meals and entertainment 2 119 261 Employee Stock Purchase Plan 122 53 ( 87 ) Foreign-derived intangible income (FDII) ( 5,628 ) ( 4,892 ) ( 422 ) Global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) 231 175 273 Excess tax benefits related to the vesting of share-based compensation 524 388 ( 9,394 ) Other ( 56 ) 166 1,567 Provision for income taxes $ 52,454 $ 39,338 $ 17,617 |
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liabilities | As of December 31, 2021 2020 Deferred tax assets: Accounts receivable $ 1,150 $ 869 Inventory 384 615 Deferred income 7,815 8,020 Stock compensation 3,323 3,955 Net operating loss carryforward 1,118 1,187 Investments 121 257 Intangible assets 1,700 1,645 Capitalized content production costs 2,164 1,857 Accrued liabilities and reserves 1,737 2,857 Lease obligations 10,719 11,513 Federal benefit related to uncertain tax positions 23 29 Deferred tax assets, gross 30,254 32,804 Valuation allowance ( 1,118 ) ( 1,187 ) Deferred tax assets, net 29,136 31,617 Deferred tax liabilities: Property and equipment depreciation ( 12,514 ) ( 15,927 ) Deferred revenue — ( 781 ) Right-of-use assets ( 1,778 ) ( 2,587 ) Investments ( 1,744 ) ( 2,270 ) Deferred tax liabilities ( 16,036 ) ( 21,565 ) Total deferred tax assets, net $ 13,100 $ 10,052 |
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefit Activity | Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 Beginning Balance- January 1 $ 130 $ 251 Increase to unrecognized tax benefits recorded for positions taken during the current year 8 41 (Decrease) Increase to unrecognized tax benefits recorded for positions taken during a prior period — ( 2 ) Decrease to unrecognized tax benefits resulting from a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations ( 70 ) ( 160 ) Ending Balance- December 31 $ 68 $ 130 |
Content Production Incentives (
Content Production Incentives (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Content Production Incentives [Abstract] | |
Schedule Of Content Production Incentives | Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Television production incentives $ 13,845 $ 18,367 $ 13,539 Feature film production incentives — — 288 Infrastructure improvement incentives on qualifying capital projects (1) 4,329 — 1,438 Total $ 18,174 $ 18,367 $ 15,265 (1) Of this amount, $ 3,290 was recorded as a reduction in property and equipment, with the remainder recorded as a reduction to depreciation expense. |
Commitments And Contingencies (
Commitments And Contingencies (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract] | |
Schedule of Future Minimum Payments Under Agreements | Service Contracts and Talent Commitments 2022 $ 39,710 2023 18,460 2024 13,351 2025 10,773 2026 8,385 Thereafter — Total $ 90,679 |
Stock-Based Compensation (Table
Stock-Based Compensation (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |
Summary Of RSU Activity | Units Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value Unvested at January 1, 2021 250,306 $ 53.78 Granted 283,646 $ 53.10 Vested ( 131,786 ) $ 53.88 Forfeited (1) ( 104,999 ) $ 51.53 Dividend equivalents 2,836 $ 53.66 Unvested at December 31, 2021 300,003 $ 55.03 (1) Of this amount, 38,266 shares were forfeited during the second quarter of 2021 as a result of certain terminations primarily associated with the combination of WWE’s television, digital and studios teams into one organization. |
Summary Of PSU Activity | Units Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value Unvested at January 1, 2021 578,750 $ 57.13 Granted 304,726 $ 49.34 Achievement adjustment ( 97,532 ) $ 55.96 Vested ( 177,423 ) $ 73.39 Forfeited (1) ( 177,491 ) $ 61.10 Dividend equivalents 2,237 $ 59.84 Unvested at December 31, 2021 433,267 $ 50.14 (1) Of this amount, 66,702 shares were forfeited during the second quarter of 2021 as a result of certain terminations primarily associated with the combination of WWE’s television, digital and studios teams into one organization. |
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |
Schedule Of Stock-Based Compensation Expense | Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Tax benefits realized $ 6,310 $ 14,319 $ 13,813 Weighted-average grant-date fair value of RSUs granted 15,061 16,106 7,327 Fair value of RSUs vested 7,101 13,434 4,763 |
Performance Stock Units (PSUs) | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |
Schedule Of Stock-Based Compensation Expense | Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Tax benefits realized $ 4,824 $ 13,030 $ 52,072 Weighted-average grant-date fair value of PSUs granted 15,035 19,592 10,111 Fair value of PSUs vested 13,021 20,830 32,523 |
Performance Stock Units, Market Condition [Member] | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |
Summary Of PSU Activity | Units Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value Unvested at January 1, 2021 57,965 $ 47.30 Granted — $ — Achievement adjustment 5,319 $ 47.28 Vested ( 15,579 ) $ 46.97 Forfeited — $ — Dividend equivalents 31 $ 47.28 Unvested at December 31, 2021 47,736 $ 47.28 |
Schedule Of Stock-Based Compensation Expense | Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Tax benefits realized $ — $ — — Weighted-average grant-date fair value of PSU-TSRs granted — — — Fair value of PSU-TSRs vested 732 830 — |
Segment Information (Tables)
Segment Information (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Segment Information [Abstract] | |
Summary Of Financial Information For Reportable Segments | Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Net revenues: Media $ 936,212 $ 868,216 $ 743,099 Live Events 57,803 19,921 125,585 Consumer Products 101,159 86,070 91,758 Total net revenues $ 1,095,174 $ 974,207 $ 960,442 Depreciation and amortization: Media $ 13,427 $ 15,119 $ 12,592 Live Events 43 23 — Consumer Products 178 8 — Corporate 27,253 27,466 21,535 Total depreciation and amortization $ 40,901 $ 42,616 $ 34,127 Adjusted OIBDA: Media $ 390,506 $ 367,818 $ 224,136 Live Events 7,652 ( 17,655 ) 9,376 Consumer Products 35,530 26,638 28,559 Corporate ( 109,577 ) ( 90,613 ) ( 82,038 ) Total Adjusted OIBDA $ 324,111 $ 286,188 $ 180,033 |
Reconciliation Of Total Operating Income To Total OIBDA | Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 Total operating income $ 256,017 $ 208,544 $ 116,510 Depreciation and amortization (1) 40,901 42,616 34,127 Stock-based compensation 19,086 27,989 29,396 Other adjustments (2) 8,107 7,039 — Total Adjusted OIBDA $ 324,111 $ 286,188 $ 180,033 (1) Depreciation and amortization for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 includes $ 9,210 , $ 9,103 and $ 4,535 , respectively, of amortization related to the right-of-use asset for the Company’s new global headquarters lease, which commenced on July 1, 2019 and is accounted for as a finance lease. (2) Other adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2021 include severance expenses primarily associated with the combination of WWE’s television, digital and studios teams into one organization. Other adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2020 include severance expenses associated with a reduction in our workforce as a result of COVID-19. |
Schedule Of Net Revenues By Major Geographic Region | Year Ended December 31, 2021 2020 2019 North America $ 873,686 $ 764,938 $ 656,642 Europe/Middle East/Africa 147,978 135,876 223,471 Asia Pacific 61,852 62,327 67,493 Latin America 11,658 11,066 12,836 Total net revenues $ 1,095,174 $ 974,207 $ 960,442 |
Revision Of Previously Issued_2
Revision Of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Revision Of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
Schedule Of Effect Of Correcting Accounting Error Of Previously Issued Financial Statements | Consolidated Statement of Operations Information For the Year Ended December 31, 2021 As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised General and administrative expenses $ 117,840 $ 3,000 $ 120,840 Operating income $ 259,017 $ ( 3,000 ) $ 256,017 Income before income taxes $ 232,862 $ ( 3,000 ) $ 229,862 Net income $ 180,408 $ ( 3,000 ) $ 177,408 Earnings per share: basic $ 2.36 $ ( 0.04 ) $ 2.32 Earnings per share: diluted $ 2.12 $ ( 0.03 ) $ 2.09 Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income Information For the Year Ended December 31, 2021 As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised Net income $ 180,408 $ ( 3,000 ) $ 177,408 Comprehensive income $ 179,843 $ ( 3,000 ) $ 176,843 Consolidated Balance Sheet Information As of December 31, 2021 As of December 31, 2020 As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 120,516 $ 2,200 $ 122,716 $ 124,742 $ 1,200 $ 125,942 Total current liabilities $ 413,617 $ 2,200 $ 415,817 $ 496,274 $ 1,200 $ 497,474 Other non-current liabilities $ 8,162 $ 4,400 $ 12,562 $ 937 $ 3,600 $ 4,537 Total liabilities $ 822,807 $ 6,600 $ 829,407 $ 908,528 $ 4,800 $ 913,328 Additional paid-in capital $ 409,884 $ 13,000 $ 422,884 $ 424,758 $ 11,800 $ 436,558 Accumulated deficit $ ( 31,793 ) $ ( 19,600 ) $ ( 51,393 ) $ ( 39,727 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 56,327 ) Total stockholders' equity $ 381,260 $ ( 6,600 ) $ 374,660 $ 388,794 $ ( 4,800 ) $ 383,994 As of March 31, 2021 As of June 30, 2021 As of September 30, 2021 As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 134,205 $ 1,200 $ 135,405 $ 128,121 $ 1,200 $ 129,321 $ 115,333 $ 1,200 $ 116,533 Total current liabilities $ 406,817 $ 1,200 $ 408,017 $ 396,323 $ 1,200 $ 397,523 $ 387,150 $ 1,200 $ 388,350 Other non-current liabilities $ 2,979 $ 2,400 $ 5,379 $ 5,082 $ 2,400 $ 7,482 $ 7,149 $ 2,400 $ 9,549 Total liabilities $ 819,775 $ 3,600 $ 823,375 $ 804,998 $ 3,600 $ 808,598 $ 793,850 $ 3,600 $ 797,450 Additional paid-in capital $ 420,014 $ 13,000 $ 433,014 $ 419,239 $ 13,000 $ 432,239 $ 415,054 $ 13,000 $ 428,054 Accumulated deficit $ ( 66,415 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 83,015 ) $ ( 61,970 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 78,570 ) $ ( 45,822 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 62,422 ) Total stockholders' equity $ 357,281 $ ( 3,600 ) $ 353,681 $ 360,939 $ ( 3,600 ) $ 357,339 $ 372,763 $ ( 3,600 ) $ 369,163 Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity Information As of December 31, 2021 As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019 As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised Additional paid-in capital, beginning of period $ 424,758 $ 11,800 $ 436,558 $ 405,353 $ 10,600 $ 415,953 $ 415,281 $ 9,100 $ 424,381 Accumulated deficit, beginning of period $ ( 39,727 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 56,327 ) $ ( 133,664 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 150,264 ) $ ( 101,326 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 117,926 ) Net income $ 180,408 $ ( 3,000 ) $ 177,408 $ 131,771 $ — $ 131,771 $ 77,061 $ — $ 77,061 Stock issuances and other, net $ 2,973 $ 1,200 $ 4,173 $ 2,630 $ 1,200 $ 3,830 $ 2,325 $ 1,500 $ 3,825 Additional paid-in capital, end of period $ 409,884 $ 13,000 $ 422,884 $ 424,758 $ 11,800 $ 436,558 $ 405,353 $ 10,600 $ 415,953 Accumulated deficit, end of period $ ( 31,793 ) $ ( 19,600 ) $ ( 51,393 ) $ ( 39,727 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 56,327 ) $ ( 133,664 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 150,264 ) As of March 31, 2021 As of June 30, 2021 As of September 30, 2021 As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised As Previously Issued Adjustment As Revised Additional paid-in capital, beginning of period $ 424,758 $ 11,800 $ 436,558 $ 424,758 $ 11,800 $ 436,558 $ 424,758 $ 11,800 $ 436,558 Accumulated deficit, beginning of period $ ( 39,727 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 56,327 ) $ ( 39,727 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 56,327 ) $ ( 39,727 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 56,327 ) Net income $ 43,832 $ — $ 43,832 $ 73,033 $ — $ 73,033 $ 116,519 $ — $ 116,519 Stock issuances and other, net $ 1,963 $ 1,200 $ 3,163 $ 1,967 $ 1,200 $ 3,167 $ 2,973 $ 1,200 $ 4,173 Additional paid-in capital, end of period $ 420,014 $ 13,000 $ 433,014 $ 419,239 $ 13,000 $ 432,239 $ 415,054 $ 13,000 $ 428,054 Accumulated deficit, end of period $ ( 66,415 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 83,015 ) $ ( 61,970 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 78,570 ) $ ( 45,822 ) $ ( 16,600 ) $ ( 62,422 ) |
Summary Of Significant Accoun_4
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||
Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) item | Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) | |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||||
Advertising expenses | $ 9,219 | $ 13,539 | $ 21,165 | ||
Content production assets, net | $ 13,781 | 15,425 | $ 20,045 | ||
Feature film production assets | 15,873 | ||||
Television production assets | $ 4,172 | ||||
Corporate aircraft | |||||
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||||
Estimated useful lives | 10 years | ||||
Minimum [Member] | Vehicles And Equipment [Member] | |||||
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||||
Estimated useful lives | 3 years | ||||
Minimum [Member] | Buildings And Related Improvements [Member] | |||||
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||||
Estimated useful lives | 5 years | ||||
Maximum [Member] | Vehicles And Equipment [Member] | |||||
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||||
Estimated useful lives | 5 years | ||||
Maximum [Member] | Buildings And Related Improvements [Member] | |||||
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||||
Estimated useful lives | 39 years | ||||
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | |||||
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||||
Requisite service period | 3 years 6 months | ||||
Authorized award | $ 1,666 | ||||
Performance Stock Units (PSUs) | |||||
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||||
Requisite service period | 3 years 6 months | ||||
Performance Stock Units (PSUs) | Executive Officers [Member] | |||||
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||||
Authorized award | $ 15,000 | ||||
Number of tranches | item | 2 | ||||
Liability portion of award | $ 2,466 | ||||
Performance Stock Units (PSUs) | Executive Officers [Member] | 20% Vested in First Year | |||||
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||||
Vesting per tranche | 40% | ||||
Award per tranche | $ 6,000 | ||||
Performance Stock Units (PSUs) | Executive Officers [Member] | 30% Vested in Second Year | |||||
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||||
Vesting per tranche | 60% | ||||
Award per tranche | $ 9,000 | ||||
Content Rights Fees [Member] | Minimum [Member] | |||||
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||||
Revenue recognition, contract term | 1 year | ||||
Content Rights Fees [Member] | Maximum [Member] | |||||
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||||
Revenue recognition, contract term | 5 years |
Summary Of Significant Accoun_5
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Operating Expenses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Operating Expenses [Line Items] | |||
Amortization and impairment of content production assets | $ 19,714 | $ 26,309 | $ 35,708 |
Depreciation and amortization of WWE Network content delivery and technology assets | 7,530 | 5,632 | 5,317 |
Amortization of right-of-use assets - finance leases of equipment | 18,360 | 20,172 | 12,556 |
Depreciation on equipment used directly to support operations | 630 | 561 | 108 |
Total depreciation and amortization included in operating expenses | 37,023 | 43,572 | 49,153 |
Equipment | |||
Operating Expenses [Line Items] | |||
Amortization of right-of-use assets - finance leases of equipment | $ 9,149 | $ 11,070 | $ 8,020 |
Summary Of Significant Accoun_6
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Impact On Adoption Of ASU 2020-06 On Opening Consolidated Balance Sheet) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2021 | Sep. 30, 2021 | Jun. 30, 2021 | Mar. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 |
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | |||||
Deferred income tax assets, net | $ 13,100 | $ 10,052 | |||
Additional paid-in-capital (conversion feature, net of tax) | 422,884 | $ 428,054 | $ 432,239 | $ 433,014 | 436,558 |
Accumulated deficit (cumulative effect adjustment, net of tax) | 51,393 | 62,422 | 78,570 | 83,015 | 56,327 |
As Reported [Member] | |||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | |||||
Additional paid-in-capital (conversion feature, net of tax) | 409,884 | 415,054 | 419,239 | 420,014 | 424,758 |
Accumulated deficit (cumulative effect adjustment, net of tax) | $ 31,793 | $ 45,822 | $ 61,970 | $ 66,415 | $ 39,727 |
Earnings Per Share (Narrative)
Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details) - $ / shares | 12 Months Ended | |||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 12, 2016 | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||
Warrant strike price | $ 31.89 | $ 31.89 | ||
3.375% Convertible Notes [Member] | ||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||
Conversion price | 24.91 | $ 24.91 | ||
Impact on diluted EPS | $ 0.22 | $ 0.13 | $ 0.12 |
Earnings Per Share (Schedule Of
Earnings Per Share (Schedule Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||
Mar. 31, 2021 | Jun. 30, 2021 | Sep. 30, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] | ||||||
Net income | $ 43,832 | $ 73,033 | $ 116,519 | $ 177,408 | $ 131,771 | $ 77,061 |
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding | 76,324 | 77,564 | 78,157 | |||
Dilutive effect of restricted and performance stock units | 447 | 492 | 1,361 | |||
Dilutive effect of convertible debt instruments | 8,166 | 6,160 | 10,707 | |||
Dilutive effect of employee share purchase plan | 6 | 3 | 6 | |||
Weighted average dilutive common shares outstanding | 84,943 | 84,219 | 90,231 | |||
Earnings Per Share, Basic | $ 2.32 | $ 1.70 | $ 0.99 | |||
Basic | 2.32 | 1.70 | 0.99 | |||
Diluted | $ 2.09 | $ 1.56 | $ 0.85 | |||
Net Shares Received On Purchased Call Of Convertible Debt Hedge [Member] | ||||||
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] | ||||||
Anti-dilutive shares (excluded from per-share calculations) | 4,641 | 3,762 | 5,756 |
Revenues (Narrative) (Details)
Revenues (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] (Deprecated 2022) | |||
Remaining performance obligations | $ 3,351,340,000 | ||
Contract liabilities | 74,661,000 | $ 62,943,000 | |
Increase in deferred revenue | 11,718,000 | ||
Revenue recognized | 62,887,000 | ||
Capitalized contract cost | 625,000 | 725,000 | |
Capitalized cost amortization | 100,000 | 100,000 | $ 1,061,000 |
Capitalized cost, impairment | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 0 |
Minimum [Member] | |||
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] (Deprecated 2022) | |||
Payment term | 30 days | ||
Maximum [Member] | |||
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] (Deprecated 2022) | |||
Payment term | 60 days |
Revenues (Schedule Of Revenues
Revenues (Schedule Of Revenues Disaggregated By Source) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] (Deprecated 2022) | |||
Net revenues | $ 1,095,174 | $ 974,207 | $ 960,442 |
Media [Member] | |||
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] (Deprecated 2022) | |||
Net revenues | 936,212 | 868,216 | 743,099 |
Media [Member] | Network (Including Pay-Per-View) [Member] | |||
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] (Deprecated 2022) | |||
Net revenues | 215,404 | 185,667 | 184,553 |
Media [Member] | Core Content Rights Fees [Member] | |||
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] (Deprecated 2022) | |||
Net revenues | 575,812 | 538,334 | 348,593 |
Media [Member] | Advertising And Sponsorships [Member] | |||
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] (Deprecated 2022) | |||
Net revenues | 71,495 | 65,333 | 72,428 |
Media [Member] | Other Media [Member] | |||
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] (Deprecated 2022) | |||
Net revenues | 73,501 | 78,882 | 137,525 |
Live Events | |||
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] (Deprecated 2022) | |||
Net revenues | 57,803 | 19,921 | 125,585 |
Live Events | Ticket Sales [Member] | North America | |||
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] (Deprecated 2022) | |||
Net revenues | 46,301 | 15,206 | 93,812 |
Live Events | Ticket Sales [Member] | International [Member] | |||
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] (Deprecated 2022) | |||
Net revenues | 4,639 | 210 | 19,048 |
Live Events | Advertising And Sponsorships [Member] | |||
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] (Deprecated 2022) | |||
Net revenues | 896 | 354 | 2,072 |
Live Events | Other Live Events [Member] | |||
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] (Deprecated 2022) | |||
Net revenues | 5,967 | 4,151 | 10,653 |
Consumer Products [Member] | |||
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] (Deprecated 2022) | |||
Net revenues | 101,159 | 86,070 | 91,758 |
Consumer Products [Member] | Consumer Product Licensing [Member] | |||
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] (Deprecated 2022) | |||
Net revenues | 51,982 | 41,675 | 43,197 |
Consumer Products [Member] | eCommerce [Member] | |||
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] (Deprecated 2022) | |||
Net revenues | 39,085 | 41,196 | 29,882 |
Consumer Products [Member] | Venue Merchandise | |||
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items] (Deprecated 2022) | |||
Net revenues | $ 10,092 | $ 3,199 | $ 18,679 |
Investment Securities And Sho_3
Investment Securities And Short-Term Investments (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | |||
Impairments on equity investments without readily determinable fair value | $ 2,715,000 | ||
Proceeds from sale of investment securities | 11,715,000 | ||
Unrealized holding gain (loss) | 10,254,000 | $ (4,444,000) | |
Short-term investments, interest income | $ 395,000 | 1,819,000 | 4,728,000 |
Tapout | |||
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | |||
Equity investment, impairment | $ 808,000 | $ 13,231,000 | $ 0 |
Investment Securities And Sho_4
Investment Securities And Short-Term Investments (Schedule Of Investment Securities ) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 |
Investment Securities And Short-Term Investments [Abstract] | ||
Equity method investments | $ 1,000 | |
Nonmarketable equity investments without readily determinable fair values | $ 11,618 | 10,148 |
Total investment securities | $ 11,618 | $ 11,148 |
Investment Securities And Sho_5
Investment Securities And Short-Term Investments (Schedule Of Tapout Investment ) (Details) - Tapout - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | |||
Net equity method earnings | $ 445 | $ 760 | $ 911 |
Net dividends received | (638) | (872) | (1,061) |
Equity in earnings of affiliate, net of dividends received | $ (193) | $ (112) | $ (150) |
Investment Securities and Sho_6
Investment Securities and Short-Term Investments (Schedule Of Equity Instruments Without Readily Determinable Fair Value) (Details) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) security | Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) | |
Investment Securities And Short-Term Investments [Abstract] | |||
Impairments | $ (2,715) | ||
Observable price change upward adjustments | $ 1,151 | ||
Observable price change downward adjustments | (29) | ||
Total income (loss) from adjustments to nonmarketable equity investments | $ (2,744) | $ 1,151 | |
Number of investments with upward adjustments | security | 2 |
Investment Securities And Sho_7
Investment Securities And Short-Term Investments (Schedule Of Short-Term Investments Measured at Fair Value) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] | ||
Amortized Cost | $ 281,406 | $ 131,238 |
Gross Unrealized Gain | 2 | 58 |
Gross Unrealized (Loss) | (451) | (1) |
Fair Value | 280,957 | 131,295 |
US Treasury Securities [Member] | ||
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] | ||
Amortized Cost | 90,278 | 99,973 |
Gross Unrealized Gain | 21 | |
Gross Unrealized (Loss) | (57) | |
Fair Value | 90,221 | 99,994 |
Corporate Bond Securities | ||
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] | ||
Amortized Cost | 147,102 | 25,078 |
Gross Unrealized Gain | 1 | 6 |
Gross Unrealized (Loss) | (269) | (1) |
Fair Value | 146,834 | 25,083 |
US Government Agencies Debt Securities | ||
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] | ||
Amortized Cost | 44,026 | 6,187 |
Gross Unrealized Gain | 1 | 31 |
Gross Unrealized (Loss) | (125) | |
Fair Value | $ 43,902 | $ 6,218 |
Investment Securities And Sho_8
Investment Securities And Short-Term Investments (Schedule Of Contractual Maturities Of Short-Term Investment Bonds) (Details) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 | |
US Treasury Securities [Member] | Minimum [Member] | |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] | |
Contractual maturities of bonds | 3 months |
US Treasury Securities [Member] | Maximum [Member] | |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] | |
Contractual maturities of bonds | 2 years |
Corporate Bond Securities | Minimum [Member] | |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] | |
Contractual maturities of bonds | 1 month |
Corporate Bond Securities | Maximum [Member] | |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] | |
Contractual maturities of bonds | 2 years |
US Government Agencies Debt Securities | Minimum [Member] | |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] | |
Contractual maturities of bonds | 1 month |
US Government Agencies Debt Securities | Maximum [Member] | |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] | |
Contractual maturities of bonds | 2 years |
Investment Securities And Sho_9
Investment Securities And Short-Term Investments (Summary Of Short-Term Investment Activity) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Investment Securities And Short-Term Investments [Abstract] | |||
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments | $ 27,911 | $ 22,613 | |
Proceeds from maturities and calls of short-term investments | 194,149 | 159,703 | $ 157,487 |
Purchases of short-term investments | 374,502 | 153,904 | $ 124,282 |
Gross realized (losses) gains on sale of short-term investments | $ (2) | $ 64 |
Fair Value Measurement (Narrati
Fair Value Measurement (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items] | |||
Loss on an abandoned project | $ 175 | $ 1,783 | $ 940 |
Feature Films | |||
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items] | |||
Asset impairment charges | 313 | 3,171 | 1,301 |
Fair value of assets | $ 528 | $ 3,276 | $ 943 |
Fair Value Measurement (Schedul
Fair Value Measurement (Schedule Of Fair Value Of Debt Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 |
Fair Value [Member] | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Convertible senior notes | $ 210,076 | $ 208,437 |
Carrying Value [Member] | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Convertible senior notes | $ 203,032 | $ 197,475 |
Property And Equipment (Narrati
Property And Equipment (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Property And Equipment [Abstract] | |||
Depreciation expense | $ 38,609 | $ 38,411 | $ 30,190 |
Property And Equipment (Schedul
Property And Equipment (Schedule Of Property And Equipment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | ||
Gross | $ 385,921 | $ 359,777 |
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization | (213,244) | (198,232) |
Total | 172,677 | 161,545 |
Land, Buildings and Improvements | ||
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | ||
Gross | 154,826 | 163,597 |
Equipment | ||
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | ||
Gross | 148,193 | 145,243 |
Corporate aircraft | ||
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | ||
Gross | 32,249 | 32,249 |
Vehicles | ||
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | ||
Gross | 993 | 1,007 |
Projects In Progress [Member] | ||
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | ||
Gross | $ 49,660 | $ 17,681 |
Leases (Narrative) (Details)
Leases (Narrative) (Details) ft² in Thousands, $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | |||
Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2020 | Oct. 26, 2021 USD ($) ft² | Nov. 30, 2020 USD ($) | |
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||||
Term of free rent | 18 months | |||
Finance lease term | 15 years | 15 years | ||
Deferred rent, including interest | $ 6,793 | $ 6,590 | ||
Deferred rent repayment term | 5 years | |||
Rentable square feet | ft² | 33 | |||
Rental savings from lease reduction over the remainder of the initial 15-year base term | $ 31,000 | |||
Partial termination fee | $ 6,720 | $ 3,875 | ||
Minimum [Member] | Land, Buildings and Improvements | ||||
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||||
Remaining lease terms | 1 year | |||
Minimum [Member] | Equipment | ||||
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||||
Lease term | 1 year | |||
Maximum [Member] | Land, Buildings and Improvements | ||||
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||||
Remaining lease terms | 7 years | |||
Maximum [Member] | Equipment | ||||
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||||
Lease term | 5 years | |||
Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | ||||
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||||
Deferred rent, including interest | $ 5,567 | |||
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member] | ||||
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||||
Deferred rent, including interest | $ 1,226 |
Leases (Quantitative Informatio
Leases (Quantitative Information About Leases) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Leases [Abstract] | |||
Amortization of right-of-use assets | $ 18,360 | $ 20,172 | $ 12,556 |
Interest on lease liabilities | 18,299 | 18,359 | 10,020 |
Operating lease costs | 6,185 | 5,695 | 8,693 |
Other short-term and variable lease costs | 1,805 | 1,678 | 1,914 |
Sublease income | (69) | (16) | (64) |
Total lease costs | 44,580 | 45,888 | 33,119 |
Operating cash flows from finance leases | 11,506 | 1,244 | 607 |
Operating cash flows from operating leases | 5,548 | 4,850 | 7,945 |
Finance cash flows from finance leases | 11,948 | 10,795 | 8,352 |
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities | 174 | 40,212 | 286,330 |
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities | $ 3,457 | $ 2,518 | $ 6,283 |
Weighted-average remaining lease term - finance leases | 27 years | 28 years 9 months 18 days | 29 years 9 months 18 days |
Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases | 3 years | 4 years 3 months 18 days | 4 years 3 months 18 days |
Weighted-average discount rate - finance leases | 4% | 4.80% | 4.80% |
Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases | 3.50% | 4.30% | 4.60% |
Leases (Maturity Of Lease Liabi
Leases (Maturity Of Lease Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2021 | Oct. 26, 2021 |
Operating Leases | ||
2023 | $ 5,034 | |
2024 | 2,747 | |
2025 | 1,186 | |
2026 | 590 | |
2026 | 338 | |
Thereafter | 507 | |
Total lease payment | 10,402 | |
Less: imputed interest | (584) | |
Total future minimum lease payments | 9,818 | $ 9,919 |
Finance Leases | ||
2023 | 27,229 | |
2024 | 27,418 | |
2025 | 24,319 | |
2026 | 21,149 | |
2026 | 21,480 | |
Thereafter | 536,840 | |
Total lease payment | 658,435 | |
Less: imputed interest | (271,564) | |
Total future minimum lease payments | $ 386,871 |
Content Production Assets, Ne_2
Content Production Assets, Net (Narrative) (Details) | Dec. 31, 2021 |
Content Production Assets, Net [Abstract] | |
Content assets monetized individually over the next year | 70% |
Content Production Assets, Ne_3
Content Production Assets, Net (Schedule Of Content Production Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 |
Predominantly Monetized Individually | ||
In release | $ 3,291 | $ 6,608 |
In production | 9,581 | 7,926 |
In development | 143 | 378 |
Total | 13,015 | 14,912 |
Predominantly Monetized as a Film Group | ||
In release | 139 | 173 |
In production | 627 | 340 |
Total | $ 766 | $ 513 |
Content Production Assets, Ne_4
Content Production Assets, Net (Schedule Of Amortization And Impairment Of Content Production Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Content Production Assets, Net [Abstract] | |||
Content production amortization expense - assets monetized individually | $ 13,720 | $ 17,676 | $ 28,950 |
Content production amortization expense - assets monetized as a film group | 5,316 | 5,333 | 5,175 |
Content production impairment charges | 313 | 3,171 | 1,301 |
Content production development write-offs | 365 | 129 | 282 |
Total amortization and impairment of content production assets | $ 19,714 | $ 26,309 | $ 35,708 |
Accounts Payable And Accrued _3
Accounts Payable And Accrued Expenses (Narrative) (Details) | Dec. 31, 2021 |
Maximum [Member] | |
Individual accrual categories percentage of current liabilities | 5% |
Accounts Payable And Accrued _4
Accounts Payable And Accrued Expenses (Schedule Of Accounts Payable And Accrued Expenses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2021 | Sep. 30, 2021 | Jun. 30, 2021 | Mar. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 |
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | |||||
Trade related | $ 11,150 | $ 7,274 | |||
Staff related | 15,558 | 17,682 | |||
Management incentive compensation | 30,604 | 14,266 | |||
Talent related | 4,428 | 4,605 | |||
Accrued WWE Network related expenses | 10,950 | 4,253 | |||
Accrued event and television production | 9,687 | 12,888 | |||
Accrued legal and professional | 5,506 | 4,614 | |||
Accrued legal settlements | 2,200 | 40,200 | |||
Accrued purchases of property and equipment | 22,207 | 4,365 | |||
Accrued film liability | 29 | 6,100 | |||
Accrued other | 10,397 | 9,695 | |||
Total | 122,716 | $ 116,533 | $ 129,321 | $ 135,405 | 125,942 |
Fully Covered By Insurance Recovery [Member] | |||||
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | |||||
Accrued legal settlements | 39,000 | ||||
Majority Shareholder [Member] | |||||
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | |||||
Accrued legal settlements | $ 2,200 | $ 1,200 |
Convertible Debt (Narrative) (D
Convertible Debt (Narrative) (Details) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | |||
Dec. 12, 2016 $ / shares shares | Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) item $ / shares | Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) shares | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||
Convertible note hedge, shares covered by hedge | shares | 8,630 | |||
Shares issuable under warrant agreement | shares | 8,630 | |||
Warrant strike price | $ / shares | $ 31.89 | $ 31.89 | ||
Percentage of warrant strike price in excess of stock price | 60% | |||
Share Price | $ / shares | $ 19.93 | |||
3.375% Convertible Notes [Member] | ||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||
Interest rate | 3.375% | |||
Maturity date | Jun. 15, 2023 | |||
Amortization of debt issuance costs | $ | $ 852,000 | $ 803,000 | $ 686,000 | |
Conversion ratio, shares | 40.1405 | |||
Conversion price | $ / shares | $ 24.91 | $ 24.91 | ||
Long-term debt, convertible notes | $ | $ 215,000,000 | $ 215,000,000 | ||
3.375% Convertible Notes [Member] | Initial Purchasers [Member] | ||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||
Convertible debt authorized for issuance | $ | $ 215,000,000 | |||
Maturity date | Dec. 15, 2023 | |||
3.375% Convertible Notes [Member] | Conversion Scenario 1 [Member] | ||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||
Threshold within consecutive trading days | 20 | |||
Threshold of consecutive trading days | 30 | |||
3.375% Convertible Notes [Member] | Conversion Scenario 1 [Member] | Minimum [Member] | ||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||
Stock price trigger percent | 130% | |||
3.375% Convertible Notes [Member] | Conversion Scenario 2 [Member] | ||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||
Threshold within consecutive trading days | 5 | |||
Threshold of consecutive trading days | 10 | |||
Threshold percentage of stock price and conversion rate | 98% |
Convertible Debt (Schedule Of C
Convertible Debt (Schedule Of Convertible Notes) (Details) - 3.375% Convertible Notes [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Principal | $ 215,000 | $ 215,000 |
Less: Unamortized debt discount | (11,968) | (17,525) |
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs | (1,939) | (2,792) |
Net carrying amount | 201,093 | 194,683 |
Equity component | $ 35,547 | $ 35,547 |
Convertible Debt (Schedule Of I
Convertible Debt (Schedule Of Interest Expense Recognized) (Details) - 3.375% Convertible Notes [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
3.375% contractual coupon | $ 7,256 | $ 7,256 | $ 7,256 |
Amortization of debt discount | 5,557 | 5,213 | 4,891 |
Amortization of debt issuance costs | 852 | 803 | 686 |
Additional interest on Convertible Notes | 1,370 | ||
Interest expense | $ 13,665 | $ 13,272 | $ 14,203 |
Interest rate | 3.375% |
Long-Term Debt And Credit Fac_3
Long-Term Debt And Credit Facility (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||
Jan. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Apr. 30, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Proceeds from borrowings under the credit facility | $ 200,000,000 | $ 200,000,000 | |||
Repayment of revolving credit facility | $ 100,000,000 | $ 100,000,000 | |||
Mortgage [Member] | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Principal amount | $ 23,000,000 | ||||
Interest rate | 4.50% | ||||
Monthly installments, interest only | $ 86,000 | ||||
Monthly installments, interest and principal | $ 117,000 | ||||
Maturity date | Jul. 05, 2025 | ||||
Revolving Credit Facility | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Credit Facility borrowing capacity | $ 200,000,000 | ||||
Credit Facility unutilized commitment fee rate | 0.15% | ||||
Credit Facility available debt capacity | $ 200,000,000 | ||||
Credit Facility amount outstanding | $ 100,000,000 | $ 0 | $ 100,000,000 | ||
Revolving Credit Facility | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Credit Facility interest rate | 1.21% | ||||
Maximum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility | |||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||
Credit Facility maturity date | May 24, 2024 |
Long-Term Debt And Credit Fac_4
Long-Term Debt And Credit Facility (Schedule Of Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Current portion of long-term debt | $ 430 | $ 100,412 |
Long-term debt | 21,284 | 21,700 |
Debt | 21,714 | 122,112 |
Revolving Credit Facility | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Current portion of long-term debt | 100,000 | |
Mortgage [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Current portion of long-term debt | 430 | 412 |
Long-term debt | 21,284 | $ 21,700 |
Debt | $ 21,714 |
Long-Term Debt And Credit Fac_5
Long-Term Debt And Credit Facility (Schedule of Principal Repayments Under Note Obligation) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
Debt | $ 21,714 | $ 122,112 |
Mortgage [Member] | ||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||
December 31, 2022 | 430 | |
December 31, 2023 | 450 | |
December 31, 2024 | 471 | |
December 31, 2025 | 20,363 | |
Debt | $ 21,714 |
Income Taxes (Narrative) (Detai
Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Income Taxes [Abstract] | |||
Deferred tax assets, net | $ 13,100 | $ 10,052 | |
U.S. federal statutory income tax rate | 21% | 21% | 21% |
Discrete tax items | $ 887 | $ 351 | $ 7,919 |
Effective income rate without adoption of new accounting standards | 23% | 23% | 27% |
Effective income tax rate on (loss) income from continuing operations | 22.80% | 23% | 18.60% |
Foreign withholding taxes paid on income | $ 6,840 | $ 24,106 | $ 7,587 |
Tax benefit from share based compensation | 11,234 | 27,349 | 65,885 |
Excess tax expenses (benefits) related to the vesting of share-based compensation | (524) | (388) | 9,394 |
Valuation allowances | 1,118 | 1,187 | |
Previously unrecognized tax benefits recognized | 70 | 169 | |
Potential interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions | 34 | 30 | |
Unrecognized tax benefits | 68 | 130 | $ 251 |
Accrued interest | 23 | 25 | |
Accrued penalties | 11 | $ 15 | |
Estimated decrease of previously unrecognized tax benefits | $ (28) |
Income Taxes (Schedule of Compo
Income Taxes (Schedule of Components of Tax Provision) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Income Taxes [Abstract] | |||
Current taxes: Federal | $ 40,389 | $ 9,386 | $ (294) |
Current taxes: State and local | 7,985 | 8,843 | 1,422 |
Current taxes: Foreign | 7,126 | 23,945 | 7,028 |
Deferred taxes: Federal | (2,499) | (1,391) | 8,015 |
Deferred taxes: State and local | (528) | (1,445) | 1,412 |
Deferred taxes: Foreign | (19) | 34 | |
Provision for income taxes | $ 52,454 | $ 39,338 | $ 17,617 |
Income Taxes (Schedule of Com_2
Income Taxes (Schedule of Components of (Loss) Income Before Income Taxes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Income Taxes [Abstract] | |||
United States | $ 228,578 | $ 170,668 | $ 92,701 |
Foreign | 1,284 | 441 | 1,977 |
Income before income taxes | $ 229,862 | $ 171,109 | $ 94,678 |
Income Taxes (Schedule of Effec
Income Taxes (Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Income Taxes [Abstract] | |||
Statutory U.S. federal tax | $ 48,271 | $ 35,930 | $ 19,880 |
State and local taxes, net of federal tax benefit | 5,890 | 5,061 | 3,962 |
Foreign rate differential | (5) | 38 | (53) |
Tax exempt interest income | (16) | ||
Nondeductible executive compensation | 3,159 | 2,427 | 1,669 |
Unrecognized tax benefits | (56) | (127) | (23) |
Meals and entertainment | 2 | 119 | 261 |
Employee Stock Purchase Plan | 122 | 53 | (87) |
Foreign-derived intangible income (FDII) | (5,628) | (4,892) | (422) |
Global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) | 231 | 175 | 273 |
Excess tax benefits related to the vesting of share-based compensation | 524 | 388 | (9,394) |
Other | (56) | 166 | 1,567 |
Provision for income taxes | $ 52,454 | $ 39,338 | $ 17,617 |
Income Taxes (Schedule of Defer
Income Taxes (Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 |
Income Taxes [Abstract] | ||
Accounts receivable | $ 1,150 | $ 869 |
Inventory | 384 | 615 |
Deferred income | 7,815 | 8,020 |
Stock compensation | 3,323 | 3,955 |
Net operating loss carryforward | 1,118 | 1,187 |
Investments | 121 | 257 |
Intangible assets | 1,700 | 1,645 |
Capitalized content production costs | 2,164 | 1,857 |
Accrued liabilities and reserves | 1,737 | 2,857 |
Lease obligations | 10,719 | 11,513 |
Federal benefit related to uncertain tax positions | 23 | 29 |
Deferred tax assets, gross | 30,254 | 32,804 |
Valuation allowance | (1,118) | (1,187) |
Deferred tax assets, net | 29,136 | 31,617 |
Property and equipment depreciaton | (12,514) | (15,927) |
Deferred revenue | (781) | |
Right-of-use assets | (1,778) | (2,587) |
Investments | (1,744) | (2,270) |
Deferred tax liabilities | (16,036) | (21,565) |
Total deferred tax assets, net | $ 13,100 | $ 10,052 |
Income Taxes (Schedule of Unrec
Income Taxes (Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefit Activity) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | |
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | |
Income Taxes [Abstract] | ||
Beginning Balance | $ 130 | $ 251 |
Increase to unrecognized tax benefits recorded for positions taken during the current year | 8 | 41 |
Decrease to unrecognized tax benefits recorded for positions taken during a prior period | (2) | |
Decrease to unrecognized tax benefits resulting from a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations | (70) | (160) |
Ending Balance | $ 68 | $ 130 |
Content Production Incentives_2
Content Production Incentives (Schedule Of Content Production Incentives) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Content Production Incentives [Abstract] | |||
Television production incentives | $ 13,845 | $ 18,367 | $ 13,539 |
Feature film production incentives | 288 | ||
Infrastructure improvement incentives on qualifying capital projects | 4,329 | 1,438 | |
Total | 18,174 | $ 18,367 | $ 15,265 |
Reduction in property and equipment | $ 3,290 |
Commitments And Contingencies_2
Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | |
Sep. 02, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | |
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract] | ||
Fees be awarded | $ 312 | |
Legal settlement | $ 39,000 |
Commitments And Contingencies_3
Commitments And Contingencies (Schedule of Future Minimum Payments Under Agreements) (Details) - Service Contracts And Talent Commitments [Member] $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) |
Other Commitments [Line Items] | |
2022 | $ 39,710 |
2023 | 18,460 |
2024 | 13,351 |
2025 | 10,773 |
2026 | 8,385 |
Total | $ 90,679 |
Related Party Transactions (Nar
Related Party Transactions (Narrative) (Details) - Alpha Entertainment, LLC [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | |
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | |
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | ||
Related party billings | $ 1,006 | $ 3,250 |
Related party accounts receivable | $ 0 | $ 506 |
Stockholders' Equity (Narrative
Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||
Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2021 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2021 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) item $ / shares shares | Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) $ / shares shares | Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) $ / shares shares | |
Authorized stock repurchase, amount | $ 500,000 | |||||
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, Shares | shares | 3,251,313 | 0 | 1,398,385 | |||
Average share price | $ / shares | $ 50.94 | $ 59.67 | ||||
Repurchase and retirement of common stock | $ 165,630 | $ 83,441 | ||||
Remaining authorized stock repurchase, amount | $ 250,929 | |||||
Common stock conversion basis | 1 | |||||
Quarterly dividends paid per share | $ / shares | $ 0.12 | $ 0.12 | $ 0.12 | |||
Dividends paid | $ 36,413 | $ 37,249 | $ 37,431 | |||
Stock issuances and other, net | $ 3,163 | $ 3,167 | $ 4,173 | $ 4,173 | 3,830 | $ 3,825 |
Common Class B [Member] | ||||||
Number of votes | item | 10 | |||||
Common Class A [Member] | ||||||
Number of votes | item | 1 | |||||
Equity [Member] | Common Class A [Member] | ||||||
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, Shares | shares | 3,251,000 | 1,398,000 | ||||
Repurchase and retirement of common stock | $ 32 | $ 14 | ||||
Stock issuances and other, net | 3 | 5 | 7 | |||
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] | ||||||
Repurchase and retirement of common stock | 29,923 | 12,436 | ||||
Dividends paid | (386) | (585) | (977) | |||
Stock issuances and other, net | 4,170 | 3,825 | 3,818 | |||
Retained Earnings [Member] | ||||||
Repurchase and retirement of common stock | 135,675 | 70,991 | ||||
Dividends paid | 36,799 | 37,834 | 38,408 | |||
Majority Shareholder [Member] | ||||||
Stock issuances and other, net | $ 1,200 | $ 1,200 | $ 1,500 |
Stock-Based Compensation (Narra
Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||
Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) item | Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) item shares | Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) shares | Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) shares | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||||
Shares available for future grants | shares | 3,200,000 | ||||
Stock-based compensation expense | $ 19,086 | $ 27,989 | $ 29,396 | ||
Common stock reserved for issuance | shares | 1,400,000 | ||||
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | |||||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||||
Authorized award | $ 1,666 | ||||
Requisite service period | 3 years 6 months | ||||
Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense | $ 10,161 | ||||
Weighted-average period of recognition | 1 year 9 months 18 days | ||||
Awards granted | shares | 283,646 | ||||
Performance Stock Units (PSUs) | |||||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||||
Requisite service period | 3 years 6 months | ||||
Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense | $ 11,798 | ||||
Weighted-average period of recognition | 1 year 7 months 6 days | ||||
Awards granted | shares | 304,726 | 274,663 | |||
Increase (decrease) in units | shares | (97,532) | ||||
Performance Stock Units (PSUs) | Executive Officers [Member] | |||||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||||
Authorized award | $ 15,000 | ||||
Number of tranches | item | 2 | ||||
Liability portion of award | $ 2,466 | ||||
Performance Stock Units (PSUs) | Minimum [Member] | |||||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||||
Performance issuance as percent or original grant | 0% | ||||
Performance Stock Units (PSUs) | Maximum [Member] | |||||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||||
Performance issuance as percent or original grant | 200% | ||||
Performance Stock Units, Market Condition [Member] | |||||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||||
Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense | $ 666 | ||||
Weighted-average period of recognition | 2 years | ||||
Performance issuance as percent or original grant, in the event of negative shareholder return | 100% | ||||
Increase (decrease) in units | shares | 5,319 | ||||
Number of performance periods | item | 5 | ||||
Performance Stock Units, Market Condition [Member] | Minimum [Member] | |||||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||||
Performance issuance as percent or original grant | 50% | ||||
Performance Stock Units, Market Condition [Member] | Maximum [Member] | |||||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||||
Performance issuance as percent or original grant | 175% | ||||
RSUs, PSUs and PSU-TSRs [Member] | |||||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||||
Stock-based compensation expense | $ 17,503 | $ 26,737 | $ 28,025 | ||
20% Vested in First Year | Performance Stock Units (PSUs) | Executive Officers [Member] | |||||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||||
Vesting per tranche | 40% | ||||
Award per tranche | $ 6,000 | ||||
30% Vested in Second Year | Performance Stock Units (PSUs) | Executive Officers [Member] | |||||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||||
Vesting per tranche | 60% | ||||
Award per tranche | $ 9,000 | ||||
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member] | |||||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||||
Employee base compensation contribution percentage | 10% | ||||
Purhcase price percentage of fair market value | 85% | ||||
Shares of common stock purchased | shares | 59,685 | 57,020 | 34,001 | ||
Stock-based compensation expense | $ 598 | $ 473 | $ 488 |
Stock-Based Compensation (Summa
Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of RSU Activity) (Details) - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) - $ / shares | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
Jun. 30, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | ||
Units, Unvested at January 1, 2022 | 250,306 | |
Units, Granted | 283,646 | |
Units, Vested | (131,786) | |
Units, Forfeited | (104,999) | |
Units, Dividend equivalents | 2,836 | |
Units, Unvested at June 30, 2022 | 300,003 | |
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Unvested at January 1, 2022 | $ 53.78 | |
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Granted | 53.10 | |
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Vested | 53.88 | |
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Forfeited | 51.53 | |
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Dividend equivalents | 53.66 | |
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Unvested at June 30, 2022 | $ 55.03 | |
Associated With Combination Television, Digital And Studios Teams Into One Organization [Member] | ||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | ||
Units, Forfeited | (38,266) |
Stock-Based Compensation (Sched
Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule of RSU Stock-Based Compensation Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Tax benefits realized | $ 11,234 | $ 27,349 | $ 65,885 |
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | |||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Tax benefits realized | 6,310 | 14,319 | 13,813 |
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of units granted | 15,061 | 16,106 | 7,327 |
Fair value of units vested | $ 7,101 | $ 13,434 | $ 4,763 |
Stock-Based Compensation (Sum_2
Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of PSU Activity) (Details) - Performance Stock Units (PSUs) - $ / shares | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |
Jun. 30, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Units, Unvested at January 1, 2022 | 578,750 | ||
Units, Granted | 304,726 | 274,663 | |
Units, Achievement adjustment | (97,532) | ||
Units, Vested | (177,423) | ||
Units, Forfeited | (177,491) | ||
Units, Dividend equivalents | 2,237 | ||
Units, Unvested at June 30, 2022 | 433,267 | 578,750 | |
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Unvested at January 1, 2022 | $ 57.13 | ||
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Granted | 49.34 | ||
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Achievement adjustment | 55.96 | ||
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Vested | 73.39 | ||
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Forfeited | 61.10 | ||
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Dividend equivalents | 59.84 | ||
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Unvested at June 30, 2022 | $ 50.14 | $ 57.13 | |
Associated With Combination Television, Digital And Studios Teams Into One Organization [Member] | |||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Units, Forfeited | (66,702) |
Stock-Based Compensation (Sum_3
Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of PSU-TSR Activity) (Details) - Performance Stock Units, Market Condition [Member] | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2021 $ / shares shares | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |
Units, Unvested at January 1, 2022 | shares | 57,965 |
Units, Achievement adjustment | shares | 5,319 |
Units, Vested | shares | (15,579) |
Units, Dividend equivalents | shares | 31 |
Units, Unvested at June 30, 2022 | shares | 47,736 |
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Unvested at January 1, 2022 | $ / shares | $ 47.30 |
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Achievement adjustment | $ / shares | 47.28 |
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Vested | $ / shares | 46.97 |
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Dividend equivalents | $ / shares | 47.28 |
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Unvested at June 30, 2022 | $ / shares | $ 47.28 |
Stock-Based Compensation (Sch_2
Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule of PSU Stock-Based Compensation Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Tax benefits realized | $ 11,234 | $ 27,349 | $ 65,885 |
Performance Stock Units (PSUs) | |||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Tax benefits realized | 4,824 | 13,030 | 52,072 |
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of units granted | 15,035 | 19,592 | 10,111 |
Fair value of units vested | $ 13,021 | $ 20,830 | $ 32,523 |
Stock-Based Compensation (Sch_3
Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule Of PSU-TSR Stock-Based Compensation Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Tax benefits realized | $ 11,234 | $ 27,349 | $ 65,885 |
Performance Stock Units, Market Condition [Member] | |||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Tax benefits realized | |||
Fair value of units vested | $ 732 | $ 830 |
Employee Benefit Plans (Narrati
Employee Benefit Plans (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract] | |||
Matching contributions | 50% | ||
Percentage of eligible compensation | 6% | ||
Expense for matching contributions | $ 3,119,000 | $ 2,968,000 | $ 2,977,000 |
Discretionary contributions | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 0 |
Segment Information (Narrative)
Segment Information (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) segment customer | Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) customer | Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) customer | |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Number of reportable segments | segment | 3 | ||
Number of major customers | customer | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Net revenues | $ 1,095,174 | $ 974,207 | $ 960,442 |
Customer One [Member] | |||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Net revenues | 412,000 | 270,000 | 207,000 |
Customer Two [Member] | |||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Net revenues | $ 200,000 | $ 183,000 | $ 110,000 |
Segment Information (Summary Of
Segment Information (Summary Of Financial Information For Reportable Segments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | |||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | ||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | ||||
Total net revenues | $ 1,095,174 | $ 974,207 | $ 960,442 | |
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction | [1] | 40,901 | 42,616 | 34,127 |
Total Adjusted OIBDA | 324,111 | 286,188 | 180,033 | |
Media [Member] | ||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | ||||
Total net revenues | 936,212 | 868,216 | 743,099 | |
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction | 13,427 | 15,119 | 12,592 | |
Total Adjusted OIBDA | 390,506 | 367,818 | 224,136 | |
Live Events | ||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | ||||
Total net revenues | 57,803 | 19,921 | 125,585 | |
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction | 43 | 23 | ||
Total Adjusted OIBDA | 7,652 | (17,655) | 9,376 | |
Consumer Products [Member] | ||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | ||||
Total net revenues | 101,159 | 86,070 | 91,758 | |
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction | 178 | 8 | ||
Total Adjusted OIBDA | 35,530 | 26,638 | 28,559 | |
Corporate & Other | ||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | ||||
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction | 27,253 | 27,466 | 21,535 | |
Total Adjusted OIBDA | $ (109,577) | $ (90,613) | $ (82,038) | |
[1] Depreciation and amortization for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 includes $ 9,210 , $ 9,103 and $ 4,535 , respectively, of amortization related to the right-of-use asset for the Company’s new global headquarters lease, which commenced on July 1, 2019 and is accounted for as a finance lease. |
Segment Information (Reconcilia
Segment Information (Reconciliation Of Total Operating Income To Total Adjusted OIBDA) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | |||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | ||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | ||||
Operating income | $ 256,017 | $ 208,544 | $ 116,510 | |
Depreciation and amortization | [1] | 40,901 | 42,616 | 34,127 |
Stock-based compensation | 19,086 | 27,989 | 29,396 | |
Other adjustments | [2] | 8,107 | 7,039 | |
Total Adjusted OIBDA | 324,111 | 286,188 | 180,033 | |
Global Headquarters [Member] | ||||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | $ 9,210 | $ 9,103 | $ 4,535 | |
[1] Depreciation and amortization for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 includes $ 9,210 , $ 9,103 and $ 4,535 , respectively, of amortization related to the right-of-use asset for the Company’s new global headquarters lease, which commenced on July 1, 2019 and is accounted for as a finance lease. Other adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2021 include severance expenses primarily associated with the combination of WWE’s television, digital and studios teams into one organization. Other adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2020 include severance expenses associated with a reduction in our workforce as a result of COVID-19. |
Segment Information (Schedule O
Segment Information (Schedule Of Net Revenues By Major Geographic Region) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Total net revenues | $ 1,095,174 | $ 974,207 | $ 960,442 |
North America | |||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Total net revenues | 873,686 | 764,938 | 656,642 |
EMEA | |||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Total net revenues | 147,978 | 135,876 | 223,471 |
Asia Pacific | |||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Total net revenues | 61,852 | 62,327 | 67,493 |
Latin America | |||
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | |||
Total net revenues | $ 11,658 | $ 11,066 | $ 12,836 |
Concentration Of Credit Risk (N
Concentration Of Credit Risk (Narrative) (Details) - Customer Concentration Risk - Accounts Receivable - customer | 12 Months Ended | |
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | |
Concentration Risk [Line Items] | ||
Concentration risk, number of customers | 2 | 0 |
Customer 1 | ||
Concentration Risk [Line Items] | ||
Concentration risk, percentage | 38% | |
Customer 2 | ||
Concentration Risk [Line Items] | ||
Concentration risk, percentage | 26% |
Revision Of Previously Issued_3
Revision Of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 36 Months Ended | 198 Months Ended | ||||
Mar. 31, 2021 | Jun. 30, 2021 | Sep. 30, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2009 | Jun. 30, 2022 | Mar. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2018 | |
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||||||
Unrecorded expenses | $ 19,600 | |||||||||
Unrecorded expenses in period | $ 5,000 | $ 14,600 | ||||||||
Operating income | $ 256,017 | $ 208,544 | $ 116,510 | |||||||
Net income | $ 43,832 | $ 73,033 | $ 116,519 | 177,408 | 131,771 | 77,061 | ||||
Balance | 374,660 | 383,994 | 269,326 | $ 316,237 | ||||||
Liabilities | 823,375 | 808,598 | 797,450 | 829,407 | 913,328 | |||||
Overstated [Member] | ||||||||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||||||
Operating income | 3,000 | |||||||||
Net income | 3,000 | |||||||||
Understatement [Member] | ||||||||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||||||
Liabilities | 6,600 | 4,800 | 6,000 | $ 4,400 | 7,500 | |||||
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] | ||||||||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||||||
Balance | 433,014 | 432,239 | 428,054 | 422,884 | 436,558 | 415,953 | 415,281 | |||
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] | Understatement [Member] | ||||||||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||||||
Balance | 13,000 | 11,800 | 10,600 | $ 15,200 | 9,100 | |||||
Retained Earnings [Member] | ||||||||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||||||
Net income | 177,408 | 131,771 | 77,061 | |||||||
Balance | $ (83,015) | $ (78,570) | $ (62,422) | $ (51,393) | $ (56,327) | $ (150,264) | (101,326) | |||
Retained Earnings [Member] | Overstated [Member] | ||||||||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||||||
Balance | $ 16,600 |
Revision Of Previously Issued_4
Revision Of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements (Consolidated Statement Of Operating Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||
Mar. 31, 2021 | Jun. 30, 2021 | Sep. 30, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||
General and administrative expenses | $ 120,840 | $ 102,182 | $ 86,893 | |||
Operating income | 256,017 | 208,544 | 116,510 | |||
Income before income taxes | 229,862 | 171,109 | 94,678 | |||
Net income | $ 43,832 | $ 73,033 | $ 116,519 | $ 177,408 | $ 131,771 | $ 77,061 |
Earnings per share: basic | $ 2.32 | $ 1.70 | $ 0.99 | |||
Earnings per share: diluted | $ 2.09 | $ 1.56 | $ 0.85 | |||
As Reported [Member] | ||||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||
General and administrative expenses | $ 117,840 | |||||
Operating income | 259,017 | |||||
Income before income taxes | 232,862 | |||||
Net income | $ 43,832 | $ 73,033 | $ 116,519 | $ 180,408 | $ 131,771 | $ 77,061 |
Earnings per share: basic | $ 2.36 | |||||
Earnings per share: diluted | $ 2.12 | |||||
Adjustment [Member] | ||||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||
General and administrative expenses | $ 3,000 | |||||
Operating income | (3,000) | |||||
Income before income taxes | (3,000) | |||||
Net income | $ (3,000) | |||||
Earnings per share: basic | $ (0.04) | |||||
Earnings per share: diluted | $ (0.03) |
Revision Of Previously Issued_5
Revision Of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements (Consolidated Statement Of Comprehensive Income Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||
Mar. 31, 2021 | Jun. 30, 2021 | Sep. 30, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||
Net income | $ 43,832 | $ 73,033 | $ 116,519 | $ 177,408 | $ 131,771 | $ 77,061 |
Comprehensive income | 176,843 | 131,892 | 78,423 | |||
As Reported [Member] | ||||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||
Net income | $ 43,832 | $ 73,033 | $ 116,519 | 180,408 | $ 131,771 | $ 77,061 |
Comprehensive income | 179,843 | |||||
Adjustment [Member] | ||||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||
Net income | (3,000) | |||||
Comprehensive income | $ (3,000) |
Revision Of Previously Issued_6
Revision Of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements (Consolidated Balance Sheet Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2021 | Sep. 30, 2021 | Jun. 30, 2021 | Mar. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 |
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | |||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ 122,716 | $ 116,533 | $ 129,321 | $ 135,405 | $ 125,942 |
Total current liabilities | 415,817 | 388,350 | 397,523 | 408,017 | 497,474 |
Other non-current liabilities | 12,562 | 9,549 | 7,482 | 5,379 | 4,537 |
Total liabilities | 829,407 | 797,450 | 808,598 | 823,375 | 913,328 |
Additional paid-in capital | 422,884 | 428,054 | 432,239 | 433,014 | 436,558 |
Accumulated deficit | (51,393) | (62,422) | (78,570) | (83,015) | (56,327) |
Total stockholders’ equity | 374,660 | 369,163 | 357,339 | 353,681 | 383,994 |
As Reported [Member] | |||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | |||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 120,516 | 115,333 | 128,121 | 134,205 | 124,742 |
Total current liabilities | 413,617 | 387,150 | 396,323 | 406,817 | 496,274 |
Other non-current liabilities | 8,162 | 7,149 | 5,082 | 2,979 | 937 |
Total liabilities | 822,807 | 793,850 | 804,998 | 819,775 | 908,528 |
Additional paid-in capital | 409,884 | 415,054 | 419,239 | 420,014 | 424,758 |
Accumulated deficit | (31,793) | (45,822) | (61,970) | (66,415) | (39,727) |
Total stockholders’ equity | 381,260 | 372,763 | 360,939 | 357,281 | 388,794 |
Adjustment [Member] | |||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | |||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 2,200 | 1,200 | 1,200 | 1,200 | 1,200 |
Total current liabilities | 2,200 | 1,200 | 1,200 | 1,200 | 1,200 |
Other non-current liabilities | 4,400 | 2,400 | 2,400 | 2,400 | 3,600 |
Total liabilities | 6,600 | 3,600 | 3,600 | 3,600 | 4,800 |
Additional paid-in capital | 13,000 | 13,000 | 13,000 | 13,000 | 11,800 |
Accumulated deficit | (19,600) | (16,600) | (16,600) | (16,600) | (16,600) |
Total stockholders’ equity | $ (6,600) | $ (3,600) | $ (3,600) | $ (3,600) | $ (4,800) |
Revision Of Previously Issued_7
Revision Of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements (Consolidated Statement Of Stockholders' Equity Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||
Mar. 31, 2021 | Jun. 30, 2021 | Sep. 30, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | |
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||
Balance | $ 383,994 | $ 383,994 | $ 383,994 | $ 383,994 | $ 269,326 | $ 316,237 |
Net income | 43,832 | 73,033 | 116,519 | 177,408 | 131,771 | 77,061 |
Stock issuances and other, net | 3,163 | 3,167 | 4,173 | 4,173 | 3,830 | 3,825 |
Balance | 374,660 | 383,994 | 269,326 | |||
As Reported [Member] | ||||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||
Net income | 43,832 | 73,033 | 116,519 | 180,408 | 131,771 | 77,061 |
Stock issuances and other, net | 1,963 | 1,967 | 2,973 | 2,973 | 2,630 | 2,325 |
Adjustment [Member] | ||||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||
Net income | (3,000) | |||||
Stock issuances and other, net | 1,200 | 1,200 | 1,200 | 1,200 | 1,200 | 1,500 |
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] | ||||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||
Balance | 436,558 | 436,558 | 436,558 | 436,558 | 415,953 | 415,281 |
Stock issuances and other, net | 4,170 | 3,825 | 3,818 | |||
Balance | 433,014 | 432,239 | 428,054 | 422,884 | 436,558 | 415,953 |
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] | As Reported [Member] | ||||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||
Balance | 424,758 | 424,758 | 424,758 | 424,758 | 405,353 | 415,281 |
Balance | 420,014 | 419,239 | 415,054 | 409,884 | 424,758 | 405,353 |
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] | Adjustment [Member] | ||||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||
Balance | 11,800 | 11,800 | 11,800 | 11,800 | 10,600 | 9,100 |
Balance | 13,000 | 13,000 | 13,000 | 13,000 | 11,800 | 10,600 |
Retained Earnings [Member] | ||||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||
Balance | (56,327) | (56,327) | (56,327) | (56,327) | (150,264) | (101,326) |
Net income | 177,408 | 131,771 | 77,061 | |||
Balance | (83,015) | (78,570) | (62,422) | (51,393) | (56,327) | (150,264) |
Retained Earnings [Member] | As Reported [Member] | ||||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||
Balance | (39,727) | (39,727) | (39,727) | (39,727) | (133,664) | (101,326) |
Balance | (66,415) | (61,970) | (45,822) | (31,793) | (39,727) | (133,664) |
Retained Earnings [Member] | Adjustment [Member] | ||||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||
Balance | (16,600) | (16,600) | (16,600) | (16,600) | (16,600) | (16,600) |
Balance | $ (16,600) | $ (16,600) | $ (16,600) | $ (19,600) | $ (16,600) | (16,600) |
Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member] | ||||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||
Balance | (7,500) | |||||
Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member] | Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] | ||||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||
Balance | 9,100 | |||||
Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member] | Retained Earnings [Member] | ||||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||
Balance | (16,600) | |||||
Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance [Member] | ||||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||
Balance | 308,737 | |||||
Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance [Member] | Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] | ||||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||
Balance | 424,381 | |||||
Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance [Member] | Retained Earnings [Member] | ||||||
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items] | ||||||
Balance | $ (117,926) |
Valuation And Qualifying Acco_2
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended | |||
Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | ||
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member] | ||||
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items] | ||||
Balance at Beginning of Year | $ 3,660 | $ 419 | $ 651 | |
Charges to Expense/Against Revenues | 1,260 | 3,572 | 31 | |
Deductions/Adjustments | [1] | (79) | (331) | (263) |
Balance at End of Year | 4,841 | 3,660 | 419 | |
Home Video Allowance for Returns [Member] | ||||
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items] | ||||
Balance at Beginning of Year | 350 | 349 | 343 | |
Deductions/Adjustments | [1] | (43) | 1 | 6 |
Balance at End of Year | 307 | 350 | 349 | |
Allowance For WWE Network Refunds And Chargebacks [Member] | ||||
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items] | ||||
Balance at Beginning of Year | 40 | 50 | 15 | |
Charges to Expense/Against Revenues | 158 | 452 | 410 | |
Deductions/Adjustments | [1] | (191) | (462) | (375) |
Balance at End of Year | $ 7 | $ 40 | $ 50 | |
[1] Includes deductions which are comprised primarily of write-offs of specific bad debts and returns of products, as well as certain adjustments to the allowance account, including reserves for amounts due from customers that have not been recognized as revenue. |