On February 13, 2008, we started to experience difficulty in selling our investments in auction rate securities (“ARS”) due to multiple failures of the auction mechanism that provides liquidity to these investments. All of our ARS are collateralized by student loan portfolios (substantially all of which are guaranteed by the United States Government). The securities for which the auctions have failed will continue to accrue interest and pay interest when due; to-date, none of the ARS in which we are invested have failed to make an interest payment when due. Our ARS will continue to be auctioned at each respective reset date until the auction succeeds, the issuer redeems the securities or they mature (the stated maturities of the securities are greater than 20 years); as we maintain a strong liquidity position, we currently believe that we have the ability to hold our ARS until one of the aforementioned remedies occurs.
As of March 31, 2008, we recorded an adjustment to reduce the fair value of our investment in ARS of $779, which is reflected as part of accumulated other comprehensive income in our Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income. We do not feel that the fair market adjustment is other-than-temporary at this time due to the high underlying creditworthiness of the issuer (including the backing by the United States Government) and our current intent to hold the ARS until the illiquidity in the ARS market is resolved. The fair value of the ARS was estimated through discounted cash flow models, which consider, among other things, the timing of expected future successful auctions, collateralization of underlying security investments and the risk of default by the issuer. We will continue to assess the carrying value of our ARS on each reporting date, based on the facts and circumstances surrounding our liquidity needs and developments in the ARS markets.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
10. Income Taxes
In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48,Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes(“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing a minimum probability threshold that a tax position must meet before a financial statement benefit is recognized. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007, we recognized a $1,502 increase in the liability for unrecognized income tax benefits, with a corresponding decrease in the opening balance of retained earnings.
At the adoption date of January 1, 2007, we had $10,382 of unrecognized tax benefits, all of which would affect our effective tax rate if recognized. At March 31, 2008, we have $8,206 of unrecognized tax benefits that if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate.
We recognize potential accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. We have approximately $2,998 of accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions as of March 31, 2008.
We file income tax returns in the United States, various states and various foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities for years on or after April 30, 2005.
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 approximately $2,000 to $3,000 within 12 months of March 31, 2008.
11. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings
World Wide Fund for Nature
There has been no significant development in this legal proceeding subsequent to the disclosure in Note11of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in ourAnnualReport on Form 10-K for theyearended December 31, 2007.
Shenker & Associates; THQ/Jakks
There has been no significant development in this legal proceeding subsequent to the disclosure in Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, except as follows:
In the Connecticut litigation, on or about March 5, 2008, the court entered a case management order pursuant to which the case is exposed for trial as of May 1, 2010. Discovery is currently ongoing. On March 13, 2008, the Jakks Defendants filed motions for summary judgment and to strike, seeking the dismissal of the amended complaint in its entirety. On April 14, 2008, we filed our objection to those motions. In addition, on April 1, 2008, we filed a motion for summary judgment , seeking a holding that a release asserted by the Jakks Defendants to be a complete bar to all of our claims does not apply to the claims at issue. Oral argument on both parties' motions will be heard on May 19, 2008. On April 25, 2008, the THQ Defendants also filed a motion to strike all of the claims asserted against them in the amended complaint. We intend to object to that motion on or before May 12, 2008.
IPO Class Action
There has been no significant development in this legal proceeding subsequent to the disclosure in Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
13
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Background
The following analysis outlines all material activities contained within each of our business segments.
Live and Televised Entertainment
- Revenues consist principally of ticket sales to live events, sales of merchandise at these live events, television rights fees, sales of television advertising and sponsorships, and fees for viewing our pay-per-view and video on demand programming.
Consumer Products
- Revenues consist principally of direct sales of WWE produced home videos and magazine publishing and royalties or license fees related to various WWE themed products such as video games, toys and books.
Digital Media
- Revenues consist principally of advertising sales on our websites, sale of merchandise on our website through our WWEShop internet storefront and various broadband and mobile content.
WWE Films
- Revenues consist of our share of receipts from the distribution of filmed entertainment featuring our Superstars. Two feature films were released in 2006 and one film was released in 2007. We participate in revenues generated under the distribution of the films through all media after the print and advertising and distribution costs incurred by our distributors have been recouped and the results have been reported to us.
14
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2007
(Dollars in millions, except as noted)
Summary | | | | | |
| | March 31, | | March 31, | | better |
Net Revenues | | 2008 | | 2007 | | (worse) |
Live and Televised Entertainment | $ | 99.8 | | | $ | 63.0 | | | 58 | % |
Consumer Products | | 43.4 | | | | 37.4 | | | 16 | % |
Digital Media | | 8.1 | | | | 7.0 | | | 16 | % |
WWE Films | | 11.3 | | | | — | | | - | |
Total | $ | 162.6 | | | $ | 107.4 | | | 51 | % |
|
| March 31, | | March 31, | | better |
Cost ofRevenues: | | 2008 | | 2007 | | (worse) |
Live and Televised Entertainment | $ | 70.0 | | | $ | 39.3 | | | (78 | %) |
Consumer Products | | 15.8 | | | | 13.8 | | | (14 | %) |
Digital Media | | 4.7 | | | | 5.0 | | | 6 | % |
WWE Films | | 9.5 | | | | — | | | - | |
Total | $ | 100.0 | | | $ | 58.1 | | | (72 | %) |
Profit contribution margin | | 38 | % | | | 46 | % | | | |
|
| March 31, | | | March 31, | | | better |
Operating Income: | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | (worse) |
Live and Televised Entertainment | $ | 26.0 | | | $ | 20.5 | | | 27 | % |
Consumer Products | | 25.5 | | | | 22.1 | | | 15 | % |
Digital Media | | 2.0 | | | | 0.3 | | | 567 | % |
WWE Films | | 1.5 | | | | (0.5 | ) | | 400 | % |
Corporate | | (27.9 | ) | | | (21.8 | ) | | (28 | %) |
Total operating income | $ | 27.1 | | | $ | 20.6 | | | 32 | % |
Net income | $ | 19.5 | | | $ | 15.1 | | | 29 | % |
Our 2008 results were significantly impacted by the timing of our annual WrestleMania pay-per-view-event. In 2008, WrestleMania XXIV occurred on March 31, 2008 and is included in our first quarter results, however, WrestleMania 23 occurred on April 1, 2007 and was therefore recorded in the second quarter of 2007. WrestleMania XXIV contributed in the aggregate approximately $31.3 million of revenues and $7.1 million of profit contribution ($4.6 million, net of tax), to our results for the first quarter of 2008, whereas WrestleMania 23 contributed in the aggregate approximately $31.4 million of revenues and $9.7 million of profit contribution ($6.6 million, net of tax) in the second quarter of 2007.
Our Live and Televised Entertainment segment revenues benefited from the strength of both the WrestleMania live event attendance as well as the pay-per-view revenues. Our Consumer Products segment reflected a 27% increase in licensing based revenues, specifically from strong sales of ourSmackDown vs. Raw 2008 videogame. The increase in revenues for our Digital Media segment reflects a 62% increase in web advertising revenues. WWE Films revenue reflects amounts earned from our feature films “The Marine” and “See No Evil”.
15
The following chart reflects comparative revenues and key drivers for each of the businesses within our Live and Televised Entertainment segment:
| March 31, | | March 31, | | better |
Live and Televised Entertainment Revenues | | 2008 | | 2007 | | (worse) |
Live events | $ | 24.6 | | | $ | 18.2 | | | 35 | % |
Number of North American events | | 66 | | | | 63 | | | 5 | % |
Average North American attendance | | 7,200 | | | | 6,900 | | | 4 | % |
Average North American ticket price (dollars) | $ | 45.39 | | | $ | 36.30 | | | 25 | % |
Number of international events | | 8 | | | | 8 | | | - | |
Average international attendance | | 9,000 | | | | 9,300 | | | (3 | %) |
Average international ticket price (dollars) | $ | 95.98 | * | | | NA | * | | | |
Venue merchandise | $ | 5.6 | | | $ | 5.2 | | | 8 | % |
Domestic per capita spending (dollars) | $ | 11.20 | | | $ | 11.32 | | | (1 | %) |
|
Pay-per-view | $ | 41.2 | | | $ | 15.8 | | | 161 | % |
�� Number of pay-per-view events | | 3 | | | | 3 | | | - | |
Number of buys from pay-per-view events | | 2,033,300 | | | | 900,800 | | | 126 | % |
Average revenue per buy (dollars) | $ | 20.02 | | | $ | 16.05 | | | 25 | % |
Domestic retail priceWrestleMania(dollars) | $ | 54.95 | | | $ | 49.95 | ** | | 10 | % |
Domestic retail price (dollars) | $ | 39.95 | | | $ | 39.95 | | | - | |
|
Television rights fees | | | | | | | | | | |
Domestic | $ | 15.0 | | | $ | 13.9 | | | 8 | % |
International | $ | 9.0 | | | $ | 8.0 | | | 13 | % |
|
WWE 24/7 | $ | 1.6 | | | $ | 1.0 | | | 60 | % |
|
Other | $ | 2.8 | | | $ | 0.9 | | | 211 | % |
Total | $ | 99.8 | | | $ | 63.0 | | | 58 | % |
|
Ratings | | | | | | | | | | |
Average weekly household ratings for Raw | | 3.7 | | | | 4.1 | | | | |
Average weekly household ratings for SmackDown | | 2.8 | | | | 2.9 | | | | |
Average weekly household ratings for ECW | | 1.3 | | | | 1.6 | | | | |
____________________
| | | | | | | | | | |
* Six of the eight international events in the current quarter were buy-out deals with guaranteed revenue. In 2007, all eight international events were buy-out deals, and therefore the calculation of an average ticket price is not applicable. |
**WrestleMania23 occurred in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 |
| March 31, | | March 31, | | better |
Cost of Revenues-Live and Televised Entertainment | | 2008 | | 2007 | | (worse) |
Live events | $ | 15.3 | | | $ | 13.0 | | | (18 | %) |
Venue merchandise | | 3.7 | | | | 3.3 | | | (12 | %) |
Pay-per-view | | 28.0 | | | | 5.5 | | | (409 | %) |
Television | | 19.5 | | | | 15.5 | | | (26 | %) |
WWE 24/7 | | 0.5 | | | | 0.5 | | | - | |
Other | | 3.0 | | | | 1.5 | | | (100 | %) |
Total | $ | 70.0 | | | $ | 39.3 | | | (78 | %) |
Profit contribution margin | | 30 | % | | | 38 | % | | | |
16
Live events revenues increased primarily through the impact of ourWrestleMania event, which had paid attendance of approximately 63,100 and generated approximately $5.9 million in revenue. Average attendance at our North American events was approximately 7,200 in the current quarter as compared to 6,900 in the prior year. The average ticket price for North American events was $45.39 in the current quarter as compared to $36.30 in the prior year. Excluding the impact ofWrestleMania, North American average attendance and ticket price was 6,300 and $38.08, respectively, in 2008. Six of the eight international events performed in the current quarter were constructed as buy-out deals with local promoters that provided us with guaranteed revenues and limited the potential risk of performing these events in emerging markets. In the prior year, each of the eight international events performed were constructed as buy-out deals. The profit contribution margin for live events was 38% as compared to 29% in the prior year quarter, reflecting the impact ofWrestleMania in the current quarter.
Venue merchandise revenues increased 8% from the prior year quarter due to an 8% increase in total attendance at our North American events, partially offset by a 1% decline in per capita spending by our fans. The profit contribution margin decreased from 37% to 34% in the current quarter due to the mix of product sold at venues.
Pay-per-view revenues increased $25.4 million in the current quarter, impacted by the inclusion ofWrestleMania in the current quarter. Our domestic retail price for theWrestleMania XXIV pay-per-view was increased by $5.00 dollars to $54.95 in the current year as compared to the prior year.WrestleMania XXIV generated approximately 1.1 million buys in the current quarter, or approximately $23.8 million in pay-per-view related revenues. By comparison,WrestleMania 23, recorded in the second quarter of 2007, generated approximately 1.2 million buys, or approximately $24.6 million in pay-per-view related revenues. Pay-per-view buys for the two events that occurred in both 2008 and 2007 increased by approximately 22% in the current quarter. Pay-per-view costs of revenues reflected significant production costs forWrestleMania XXIV, as it was performed in an outdoor stadium, the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. In addition, the current quarter included expenses for a significant consumer advertising and promotion campaigns. Based on these factors, the profit contribution margin for pay-per-view was 32% as compared to 65% in the prior year quarter.
The increase in television rights fees reflects rate increases internationally and additional rights fees for special domestic cable telecasts. The increase in television cost of revenues is due to an overall increase in the costs incurred to produce televised events, including costs associated with the production of telecasts in high-definition, which we successfully launched in the current quarter, as well as costs associated with television specials.
WWE 24/7 revenues reflect an increase in the number of subscribers to our video-on-demand service as the platform continued to become available in more homes. Currently, WWE 24/7 is available in approximately 80% of video-on-demand enabled homes in the United States.
The following chart reflects comparative revenues and certain drivers for selected businesses within our Consumer Products segment:
| March 31, | | March 31, | | better |
Consumer Products Revenues | | 2008 | | 2007 | | (worse) |
Licensing | $ | 26.2 | | $ | 20.6 | | 27 | % |
Magazine publishing | $ | 2.9 | | $ | 2.9 | | - | |
Net units sold | | 1,127,400 | | | 933,900 | | 21 | % |
Home video | $ | 14.0 | | $ | 13.4 | | 4 | % |
Gross DVD units shipped | | 1,179,200 | | | 1,083,600 | | 9 | % |
Other | $ | 0.3 | | $ | 0.5 | | (40 | %) |
Total | $ | 43.4 | | $ | 37.4 | | 16 | % |
17
| March 31, | | March 31, | | better |
Cost of Revenues-Consumer Products | | 2008 | | 2007 | | (worse) |
Licensing | $ | 6.5 | | | $ | 5.5 | | | (18 | %) |
Magazine publishing | | 2.7 | | | | 2.3 | | | (17 | %) |
Home video | | 6.4 | | | | 5.8 | | | (10 | %) |
Other | | 0.2 | | | | 0.2 | | | - | |
Total | $ | 15.8 | | | $ | 13.8 | | | (14 | %) |
Profit contribution margin | | 64 | % | | | 63 | % | | | |
Licensing revenues increased in part due to higher royalties earned related to sales of videogames and apparel in the current quarter. Videogame revenues increased by approximately $5.0 million in the current quarter, reflecting the success of ourSmackDown vs. Raw 2008 title. In addition, royalties earned from the sales of our toys increased by approximately $0.5 million in the current quarter. The increase in the licensing cost of revenues was due to higher commissions paid to international licensing agents and amounts paid to our talent.
Magazine publishing revenues were consistent with the prior year quarter. We published three magazines in both the current quarter and prior year quarter. We also published one special edition magazine in the current and prior year quarter. Increased printing and paper costs contributed to the higher magazine publishing cost of revenues in the current quarter.
Home video revenues increased by 4% in the current quarter, led by the successful release of two DVD titles,The Legacy of Stone Cold Steve Austin andTriple H: King of Kings, with each title shipping more than 175,000 gross units. Home video cost of revenues reflects an increase in the amount spent on distributing our home video products. This increase in expenses led to a decrease in the profit contribution margin to 54% in the current period as compared to 57% in the prior year quarter.
The following chart provides performance results and certain drivers for our Digital Media segment:
| March 31, | | March 31, | | better |
Digital Media Revenues | | 2008 | | 2007 | | (worse) |
WWE.com | $ | 4.5 | | | $ | 2.8 | | | 61 | % |
WWEShop | | 3.5 | | | | 4.0 | | | (13 | %) |
Average revenues per order (dollars) | $ | 51.17 | | | $ | 48.65 | | | 5 | % |
Other | | 0.1 | | | | 0.2 | | | (50 | %) |
Total | $ | 8.1 | | | $ | 7.0 | | | 16 | % |
| March 31, | | March 31, | | better |
Cost of Revenues-Digital Media | | 2008 | | 2007 | | (worse) |
WWE.com | $ | 2.1 | | | $ | 2.0 | | | (5 | %) |
WWEShop | | 2.4 | | | | 2.8 | | | 14 | % |
Other | | 0.2 | | | | 0.2 | | | - | |
Total | $ | 4.7 | | | $ | 5.0 | | | 6 | % |
Profit contribution margin | | 42 | % | | | 29 | % | | | |
18
WWE.com revenues increased primarily due to additional advertising sold on our website. Web-based advertising revenues were $2.9 million as compared to $1.8 million in the prior year quarter, reflecting an increase in premium ads placed on our websites. In addition, revenues related to our wireless content represented approximately $1.1 million as compared to $0.7 million in the prior year quarter. The slight increase in wwe.com cost of revenues reflects additional support costs to operate our various web-based activities.
WWEShop revenues declined due to an 18% decline in the number of orders processed to approximately 67,700 in the current quarter. The decline in the number of orders processed was partially mitigated by a 5% increase in the average amount spent by customers per order.
WWE Films
During the current quarter we recorded revenue of $11.3 million relating to two of our feature films, “See No Evil” and “The Marine”, and expensed approximately $9.5 million of the associated production expenses. We are currently filming one theatrical feature film, currently titled “12 Rounds”, and one Direct-to-DVD film, “Behind Enemy Lines 3”. These projects are tentatively scheduled for release in 2009. No revenue was recorded in the prior year quarter
Selling, General and Administrative
The following chart reflects the amounts and percent change of certain significant overhead items:
| March 31, | | March 31, | | better |
| 2008 | | 2007 | | (worse) |
Staff related | $ | 13.6 | | | $ | 12.6 | | | (8 | %) |
Legal, accounting and other professional | | 3.9 | | | | 3.2 | | | (22 | %) |
Stock compensation costs | | 2.8 | | | | 2.1 | | | (33 | %) |
Advertising and promotion | | 3.2 | | | | 1.3 | | | (146 | %) |
All other | | 9.5 | | | | 7.2 | | | (32 | %) |
Total SG&A | $ | 33.0 | | | $ | 26.4 | | | (25 | %) |
SG&A as a percentage of net revenues | | 20 | % | | | 25 | % | | | |
The increase in staff related expenses partially reflects our international expansion and the employment of additional local personnel in locations such as Australia. Stock compensation expense in the current quarter includes expenses related to the amortization of stock unit grants. The increase in advertising and promotion expense primarily relates to brand awareness campaigns coinciding withWrestleMania XXIV. The advertising and promotion variance reflects a timing difference asWrestleMania23 occurred during the second quarter of 2007.
| March 31, | | March 31, | | better |
| 2008 | | 2007 | | (worse) |
Depreciation and amortization | $ | 2.5 | | $ | 2.3 | | (9 | %) |
|
Investment income, net | $ | 1.7 | | $ | 2.3 | | (26 | %) |
The decrease reflects realized investment losses of approximately $0.3 million in the current quarter.
19
| March 31, | | March 31, |
| 2008 | | 2007 |
Provision for income taxes | $ | 8.6 | | | $ | 8.0 | |
Effective tax rate | | 30 | % | | | 35 | % |
The effective tax rate in the current quarter reflects the reversal of tax reserves due to the expiration of the statute of limitations related to certain previously unrecognized tax benefits.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash flows from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007 were $15.0 million and $24.7 million, respectively. Working capital, consisting of current assets less current liabilities, was $242.7 million as of March 31, 2008 and $276.1 million as of December 31, 2007.
Cash flows provided by investing activities were $45.4 million for three months ended March 31, 2008, and cash flows used in investing activities were $18.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. Capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2008 were $9.6 million as compared to $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. Capital expenditures in 2008 primarily reflect equipment purchases for our transition to high definition broadcasting during the first quarter. Capital expenditures for the remainder of 2008 are estimated to range between $10.0 million and $20.0 million, primarily reflecting additional purchases of high definition broadcasting equipment and building related improvements.
Our investment policy is designed to preserve capital and minimize interest rate, credit and market risk.On February 13, 2008, we started to experience difficulty in selling our investments in auction rate securities (“ARS”) due to multiple failures of the auction mechanism that provides liquidity to these investments. All of our ARS are collateralized by student loan portfolios (substantially all of which are guaranteed by the United States Government). The securities for which the auctions have failed will continue to accrue interest and pay interest when due; to-date, none of the ARS in which we are invested have failed to make an interest payment when due. Our ARS will continue to be auctioned at each respective reset date until the auction succeeds, the issuer redeems the securities or they mature (the stated maturities of the securities are greater than 20 years); as we maintain a strong liquidity position, we currently believe that we have the ability to hold our ARS until one of the aforementioned remedies occurs.
As of March 31, 2008, we recorded a negative adjustment to the fair value of our investment in ARS of approximately $0.8 million, which is reflected as part of accumulated other comprehensive income in our Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income. We do not feel that the fair market adjustment is other-than-temporary at this time due to the high underlying creditworthiness of the issuer (including the backing by the United States Government) and our current intent to hold the ARS until the illiquidity in the ARS market is resolved. The fair value of the ARS was estimated through discounted cash flow models, which consider, among other things, the timing of expected future successful auctions, collateralization of underlying security investments and the risk of default by the issuer. We will continue to assess the carrying value of our ARS on each reporting date, based on the facts and circumstances surrounding our liquidity needs and developments in the ARS markets.
Cash flows used in financing activities were $15.9 million and $16.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, respectively.Total dividend payments on all Class A and Class B common shares in the three-month period ended March 31, 2008 were approximately $20.2 million as compared to $17.1 million in the prior year three-month period ended March 31, 2007. Assuming the continuation of these cash dividend rates of $0.36 and $0.24 per share and the same stock ownership, the estimated amount of dividends to be paid during the remainder of 2008 is estimated to be $60.8 million.
20
Contractual Obligations
In addition to long-term debt, we have entered into various other contracts under which we are required to make guaranteed payments, including:
- Various operating leases for office space and equipment.
- Employment contract with Vincent K. McMahon, which runs through October 2009, with annual renewals thereafter if not terminated by us or Mr. McMahon, as well as a talent contract with Mr. McMahon that is coterminous with his employment contract. Mr. McMahon began waiving all of his compensation under theses agreements in 2007, except for a salary of $850,000 per year.
- Employment contract with Linda E. McMahon, which runs through October 2009, with annual renewals thereafter if not terminated by us or Mrs. McMahon. Mrs. McMahon began waiving all of her compensation under this agreement in 2007, except for a salary of $500,000 per year.
- Other employment contracts which are generally for one to three-year terms.
- Service contracts with certain of our independent contractors, including our talent, which aregenerally for one to four-year terms.
Our aggregate minimum payment obligations under these contracts as of March 31, 2008 were as follows:
| Payments due by period |
| ($ in millions) |
| | | | | | | After | | |
| 12/31/08 | | 2009 to 2010 | | 2011 to 2012 | | 2013 | | Total |
Long-term debt (including interest expense) | $ | 1.0 | | $ | 2.7 | | $ | 2.7 | | $ | 0.4 | | $ | 6.8 |
Operating leases | | 1.6 | | | 2.5 | | | 1.3 | | | 1.3 | | | 6.7 |
Talent, employment agreements and othercommitments | | 11.8 | | | 10.0 | | | 3.7 | | | 12.5 | | | 38.0 |
Total commitments | $ | 14.4 | | $ | 15.2 | | $ | 7.7 | | $ | 14.2 | | $ | 51.5 |
We believe that cash generated from operations and our existing cash and short-term investment securities will be sufficient to meet our cash needs over the next twelve months for working capital, capital expenditures and payment of quarterly dividends.
21
Application of Critical Accounting Policies
There have been no additional changes to our accounting policies that were previously disclosed in our Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 or in the methodology used in formulating these significant judgments and estimates that affect the application of these policies. Amounts included in our consolidated balance sheets in accounts that we have identified as being subject to significant judgments and estimates were as follows:
| As of |
| March 31, 2008 | | December 31, 2007 |
Pay-per-view accounts receivable | $39.0 million | | $15.7 million |
Home video reserve for returns | $9.1 million | | $6.7 million |
Publishing newsstand reserve for returns | $4.0 million | | $4.8 million |
Allowance for doubtful accounts | $1.3 million | | $1.4 million |
Inventory obsolescence reserve | $7.1 million | | $6.3 million |
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
There are no other accounting standards or interpretations that have been issued, but which we have not yet adopted, that we believe will have a material impact on our financial statements.
Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for certain statements that are forward-looking and are not based on historical facts. When used in this Quarterly Report, the words “may,” “will,” “could,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “continue,” “project,” “intend”, “estimate”, “believe”, “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such words. These statements relate to our future plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and are not historical facts and accordingly involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results or the performance by us to be materially different from future results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report, in press releases and in oral statements made by our authorized officers: (i) our failure to maintain or renew key agreements could adversely affect our ability to distribute our television and pay-per-view programming; (ii) our failure to continue to develop creative and entertaining programs and events would likely lead to a decline in the popularity of our brand of entertainment; (iii) our failure to retain or continue to recruit key performers could lead to a decline in the appeal of our storylines and the popularity of our brand of entertainment; (iv) the loss of the creative services of Vincent K. McMahon could adversely affect our ability to create popular characters and creative storylines; (v) a decline in general economic conditions could adversely affect our business; (vi) a decline in the popularity of our brand of sports entertainment, including as a result of changes in the social and political climate, could adversely affect our business; (vii) changes in the regulatory atmosphere and related private sector initiatives could adversely affect our business; (viii) the markets in which we operate are highly competitive, rapidly changing and increasingly fragmented, and we may not be able to compete effectively, especially against competitors with greater financial resources or marketplace presence; (ix) we face uncertainties associated with international markets; (x) we may be prohibited from promoting and conducting our live events if we do not comply with applicable regulations; (xi) because we depend upon our intellectual property rights, our inability to protect those rights, or our infringement of others’ intellectual property rights, could adversely affect our business; (xii) we could incur substantial liabilities if pending material litigation is resolved unfavorably; (xiii) our insurance may not be adequate to cover liabilities resulting from accidents or injuries that occur during our physically demanding events; (xiv) we will face a variety of risks as we expand into new and complementary businesses such as feature films; (xv) through his beneficial ownership of a substantial majority of our Class B common stock, our controlling stockholder, Vincent K. McMahon, can exercise control over our affairs, and his interests may conflict with the holders of our Class A common stock; (xvi) a substantial number of shares will be eligible for future sale by Mr. McMahon, and the sale of those shares could lower our stock price; and (xvii) our Class A common stock has a relatively small public “float”. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report and undue reliance should not be placed on these statements.
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Market risk is the potential for economic losses to be incurred on market risk sensitive instruments arising from adverse changes in market factors such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and equity price risk. We have attempted to minimize exposure to market risk from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and equity price risk. Our foreign currency exchange rate risk is minimized by maintaining minimal net assets and liabilities in currencies other than our functional currency.
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to interest rate risk related to our debt and investment securities. Our debt primarily consists of the mortgage related to our corporate headquarters, which has an annual interest rate of 7.6%.
Our investment portfolio currently consists primarily of fixed-income mutual funds and municipal auction rate securities, with a strong emphasis placed on preservation of capital. In an effort to minimize our exposure to interest rate risk, our investment portfolio’s dollar weighted duration is less than one year.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Under the direction of our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, as co-principal executive officers, and our Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting and concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2008. No change in internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2008, that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, such internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
See Note 11 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 6. Exhibits
(a.)Exhibits
31.1 Certification by Vincent K. McMahon pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
31.2 Certification by Linda E. McMahon pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
31.3 Certification by George A. Barrios pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
32.1 Certification by Vincent K. McMahon, Linda E. McMahon and George A. Barrios pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
| World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. | |
| (Registrant) | |
| |
| |
Dated: May 8 , 2008 | By: | /s/ George A. Barrios | |
| | George A. Barrios | |
| | Chief Financial Officer |
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