Betting Technology, Content and Services — revenue is primarily generated through the delivery of official sports data for in-game and pre-match betting and outsourced bookmaking services through the Genius’ proprietary sportsbook platform. Customers access Genius’ sportsbook platform and associated services through the cloud over the contract term. Customer contracts are typically either on (i) a “fixed” basis, requiring customers to pay a guaranteed minimum recurring fee for a specified number of events, with incremental per-event fees thereafter, or (ii) a “variable” basis, based on a percentage share of the customer’s Gross Gaming Revenue (“GGR”), typically with minimum payment guarantees. Minimum guarantee amounts are generally recognized over the life of the contract on a straight-line basis, while generally variable fees based on profit sharing and per event overage fees are recognized as earned. Genius believes that its minimum payment guarantees provide for enhanced revenue visibility while the variable component of its contracts benefits Genius as its partners grow.
Sports Technology and Services – revenue is primarily generated through the delivery of technology that enables sports leagues and federations to capture, manage and distribute their official sports data, along with other tools and services, including software updates and technical support. These software solutions are tailored for specific sports. Also included within Sports Technology, Content and Services are revenues derived from Sportzcast, a company acquired in December 2020, and Second Spectrum, acquired in June 2021. In some instances, Genius receives noncash consideration in the form of official sports data and streaming rights, along with other rights, in exchange for these services, particularly to non-Tier 1 sports organizations. Because there is not a readily determinable fair value for these unique data rights, Genius estimates the fair value of noncash consideration based on the standalone selling price of the services promised to customers. Revenue is recognized either ratably over the contract term or as the services are provided, by event or season, depending on the nature of the underlying promised product or service.
Media Technology, Content and Services – revenue is primarily generated from providing data-driven performance marketing technology and services, including personalized online marketing campaigns, to sportsbooks, sports leagues and federations, along with other global brands in the sports ecosystem. Genius typically offers its solutions on a fixed fee basis, which is generally prepaid by customers. Revenue is generally recognized over time as the services are performed using an input method based on costs to secure advertising space.
Costs and Expenses
Cost of revenue. Genius’ cost of revenue includes costs related to (i) amortization of intangible assets, mainly related to Genius’ capitalized internally developed software, along with Genius’ proprietary sports management technology platform, data rights recognized in connection with the investment by Apax Funds (in which on September 7, 2018, Maven Topco Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of Guernsey (“Topco”) acquired all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of Genius Sports Group Limited) under the acquisition method of accounting (ii) fees for third-party data and streaming rights under executory contracts; including stock-based compensation for non-employees, (iii) data collection and production, third-party server and bandwidth and outsourced bookmaking, and (iv) advertising costs directly associated with Genius’ Media Technology, Content and Services offerings.
Genius believes that its cost of revenue is highly scalable over the longer term. While key components of cost of revenue, such as server and bandwidth costs and personnel costs related to revenue-generating activities, are variable, Genius expects them to grow at a slower pace than revenue. Other key costs, such as third-party data including those related to Genius’ EPL and NFL contract, are typically fixed. Genius also expects its gross margin to increase in the medium term, once the intangible assets stepped-up in connection with the Apax Funds Investment are fully amortized.
Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of sales personnel costs, including compensation, stock-based compensation, commissions and benefits, amortization of costs to obtain a contract associated with capitalized commissions costs, event attendance, event sponsorships, association memberships, marketing subscriptions, and third-party consulting fees.
Research and development. Research and development (“R&D”) expenses consist primarily of costs incurred for the development of new products related to Genius’ platform and services, as well as improving existing products and services. The costs incurred included related personnel salaries and benefits, stock-based compensation, facility costs, server and bandwidth costs, consulting costs, and amortization of production software costs.
R&D expenses can be volatile between periods, as Genius capitalizes a significant portion of its internally developed software costs, in periods where a product completes the preliminary project stage and it is probable the project will be completed and performed as intended. Capitalized internally developed software costs are typically amortized in cost of revenue.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses (“G&A”) consist primarily of administrative personnel costs, including executive salaries, bonuses and benefits, stock-based compensation, professional services (including legal, regulatory, audit and licensing-related), legal settlements and contingencies, rent expense, depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of trademarks, customer contracts and other acquired third-party software costs.
Transaction expenses. Transaction expenses consists primarily of advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, other professional or consulting fees, and bonuses in connection with Genius’ corporate development activities. Direct and indirect transaction expenses in a business combination are expensed as incurred when the service is received.
Change in fair value of derivative warrant liabilities. Change in fair value of derivative warrant liabilities represents the change in fair value of public and private warrant liabilities assumed as part of the Merger. Warrant liabilities are revalued at each reporting period.
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