8-K: Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company Faces Nasdaq Delisting Threat Due to Annual Meeting Delay
Summary
- Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company received a deficiency letter from Nasdaq because they did not hold their annual meeting within 12 months of their fiscal year end on December 31, 2023.
- The company has 45 days, until February 24, 2025, to submit a plan to regain compliance.
- If the plan is accepted, Nasdaq may grant an extension up to June 30, 2025, to regain compliance.
- If the company fails to regain compliance or submit an acceptable plan, they could be delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market.
- If delisted, the company expects its stock to trade on the OTC Markets Group.
- Jerome Bettis resigned from the Board of Directors effective January 16, 2025, due to other professional and personal obligations.
Sentiment
Score: 3
Explanation: The document indicates a significant negative event (delisting notice) and a key board member resignation, which overshadows any positive intentions to regain compliance. The overall tone is concerning for investors.
Positives
- The company intends to submit a compliance plan within the specified period.
- The company has the option to appeal to the Nasdaq hearings panel for an additional extension if the initial plan is not accepted.
Negatives
- The company failed to hold its annual meeting within the required timeframe, triggering a delisting notice from Nasdaq.
- There is no assurance that Nasdaq will accept the company's compliance plan.
- The company faces the risk of being delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market if it fails to regain compliance.
- Jerome Bettis resigned from the Board of Directors.
Risks
- The company faces the risk of delisting from the Nasdaq Capital Market if it fails to regain compliance with the annual meeting requirement.
- There is no guarantee that Nasdaq will accept the company's compliance plan.
- The company's stock could be traded on the OTC Markets Group if delisted from Nasdaq, which may impact its valuation and liquidity.
- The resignation of Jerome Bettis from the Board of Directors could potentially impact the company's governance and strategic direction.
Future Outlook
The company intends to submit a compliance plan to Nasdaq and may seek an extension to regain compliance, but there is no guarantee of success. The company may be delisted from Nasdaq and trade on the OTC Markets Group if it fails to regain compliance.
Management Comments
- The company is appreciative of Mr. Bettis' service to the Company as a director.
- Mr. Bettis confirmed his departure was due to other professional and personal obligations requiring significant time and attention and was not due to any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to its operations, policies or practices.
Industry Context
This announcement highlights the importance of adhering to listing requirements for publicly traded companies. Failure to do so can lead to delisting, which can negatively impact investor confidence and the company's ability to raise capital. Other companies that have faced similar issues include those with internal control weaknesses or those that have failed to meet financial reporting deadlines.
Comparison to Industry Standards
- Nasdaq listing rules require companies to hold an annual meeting of stockholders within 12 months of their fiscal year end, which is a standard practice for publicly traded companies.
- Companies like GameStop and AMC have faced similar compliance issues in the past, highlighting the importance of maintaining good corporate governance.
- The potential move to the OTC Markets Group is a common outcome for companies that fail to meet Nasdaq listing requirements, which can result in reduced liquidity and investor interest.
Stakeholder Impact
- Shareholders face the risk of a decline in share value if the company is delisted from Nasdaq.
- Employees may experience uncertainty due to the potential delisting and its impact on the company's future.
- Customers and suppliers may be concerned about the company's stability and future operations.
Next Steps
- The company needs to submit a compliance plan to Nasdaq by February 24, 2025.
- The company may need to appeal to the Nasdaq hearings panel if the initial plan is not accepted.
- The company needs to regain compliance with the annual meeting requirement by June 30, 2025, if an extension is granted.
Key Dates
- 2023-12-31: End of the company's fiscal year.
- 2025-01-10: Date the company received the deficiency letter from Nasdaq.
- 2025-01-16: Effective date of Jerome Bettis' resignation from the Board of Directors.
- 2025-02-24: Deadline for the company to submit a compliance plan to Nasdaq.
- 2025-06-30: Potential deadline for the company to regain compliance if an extension is granted.
Keywords
Filings with Classifications
Delisting Notice and Debt Amendment
- The company failed to hold its annual meeting of shareholders on or prior to June 30, 2025, which is a requirement by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5620(a).
Delisting Notice and Debt Amendment
- The company increased its 'Facility Amount' under the Note and Security Agreement by $2,000,000, from $12,000,000 to $14,000,000.
- This additional funding is provided by CH Capital Lending, LLC, an affiliate of a company director, Stuart Lichter.
Delisting Notice and Debt Amendment
- The company is facing imminent delisting from Nasdaq, a significant negative event for a publicly traded company.
- The delisting is due to a failure to meet a fundamental corporate governance requirement (holding an annual shareholder meeting).
- While new funding was secured, it is from a related party, which can be viewed less favorably than arms-length financing, especially in the context of delisting.
Current Report
- The company increased its existing credit facility by $2,000,000, raising the total available amount to $12,000,000.
- This capital is provided by CH Capital Lending, LLC, an affiliate of a company director, Stuart Lichter.
- The funds are designated for general corporate purposes.
8-K Filing
- The maturity date was extended from March 31, 2025, to September 30, 2025, indicating a delay in the company's ability to meet its original repayment schedule.
Quarterly Report
- The company states that it will need to raise additional financing to accomplish its development plan and fund its working capital.
- The company is seeking to obtain additional funding through debt, construction lending, and equity financing.
- There are no assurances that the company will be able to raise capital on terms acceptable to the company or at all.
Quarterly Report
- The company's net loss increased slightly compared to the same period last year.
- Total revenue decreased significantly due to lower sponsorship and event revenues.
- Management expresses substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern.
Merger Announcement
- The Buyer Parties' obligation to consummate the Merger is conditioned on receiving 'Parent Acquisition Financing' in an aggregate amount of not less than $20 million.
- The Buyer Parties' obligation to consummate the Merger is additionally conditioned on receiving 'additional project level financing' in an aggregate amount not less than $125 million.
Merger Announcement
- The merger is contingent on the Investor obtaining $20 million in financing.
- The merger is also conditioned on securing $125 million in additional project-level financing.
Merger Announcement
- The acquisition price of $0.90 per share is significantly lower than the company's previous trading price, indicating a less favorable outcome for shareholders compared to previous expectations.
Merger Announcement
- The transaction is contingent on the Investor obtaining $20 million in financing.
- The transaction is also conditioned on prior or concurrent consummation of additional project level financing in an aggregate amount not less than $125 million.
Merger Announcement
- The company is being acquired for $0.90 per share, which may be considered worse than expected for investors who anticipated higher returns or continued growth as a public entity.
8-K Filing
- The company received a deficiency letter from Nasdaq due to its stock price falling below the minimum bid price requirement, indicating a negative development.
Current Report (8-K)
- The maturity dates of debt instruments and convertible notes have been delayed.
SEC Form 4
- The maturity dates of several convertible debt instruments were extended from March 31, 2025, to either September 30, 2025, or December 31, 2025.
Annual Report
- The Company postponed its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Annual Report
- The company's cash position is deficient, and it requires additional capital to fund operations and debt service.
- The company is seeking to obtain additional funding through debt, construction lending, and equity financing.
Annual Report
- The company's revenue decreased from 2023 to 2024.
- The company's net loss decreased from 2023 to 2024.
- The company's cash position is deficient and it requires additional capital to fund operations and debt service.
8-K Filing
- The company received a delisting notice from Nasdaq for failing to hold its annual meeting within the required timeframe, which is a negative development.
8-K Filing
- The company failed to hold its annual meeting within 12 months of its fiscal year end, resulting in a delay and a delisting notice from Nasdaq.
Current Report
- The high interest rate of 12%, potentially rising to 17%, suggests the company is in a weaker financial position and had to accept unfavorable terms.
- The extensive security interest granted to the lender indicates a lack of financial flexibility and a higher risk profile.
Quarterly Report
- The company is seeking additional funding through debt, construction lending, and equity financing.
- The company's ability to raise capital on acceptable terms or at all is uncertain.
Quarterly Report
- The company's waterpark project has been delayed due to the termination of the ground lease.
Quarterly Report
- The company's net loss of $34.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, is worse than expected.
- The company's default on the waterpark ground lease and the risk of default on other loan agreements are worse than expected.
- The company's precarious cash position and the substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern are worse than expected.
Current Report
- The company is in discussions with IRG Canton Village Member, LLC regarding a non-binding proposal to take the company private, which could involve a capital raise or restructuring.
- The company's current financial situation suggests that a capital raise or restructuring is likely necessary to address its liquidity issues.
Current Report
- The termination of the waterpark ground lease due to a payment default is a significantly worse outcome than expected.
- The company's inability to meet its financial obligations and the potential loss of key assets are also worse than expected.
Current Report
- The 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders has been postponed from its original date of November 21, 2024.
Material Definitive Agreement
- The removal of the annual license fee and the waiver of the $600,000 payment for 2024 are better than the previous agreement.
Shareholder Letter
- Second quarter revenue was below the prior year, indicating worse than expected performance.
Shareholder Letter
- The funding process for the Gameday Bay Waterpark and Hilton Tapestry Hotel has taken longer than originally anticipated due to a restrictive lending environment and multiple stakeholders.
Quarterly Report
- The company's revenue decreased by 23% year-over-year, indicating worse than expected performance.
- The net loss attributable to shareholders increased to $15.8 million from $13.6 million in the prior year, indicating worse than expected performance.
Quarterly Report
- The company expects that it will need to raise additional financing to accomplish its development plan and fund its working capital.
- The company is seeking to obtain additional funding through debt, construction lending, and equity financing.
- The company may have to raise additional capital through the equity market, which could result in substantial dilution to existing stockholders.
Quarterly Report
- The company's revenue decreased compared to the same period last year.
- The company's net loss increased compared to the same period last year.
- The company's hotel revenues decreased compared to the same period last year.
Quarterly Report
- The company's net loss of $14.6 million and the substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern indicate worse than expected results.
Quarterly Report
- The company expects that it will need to raise additional financing to accomplish its development plan and fund its working capital.
- The company is seeking to obtain additional funding through debt, construction lending, and equity financing.
- There are no assurances that the company will be able to raise capital on terms acceptable to the Company or at all.
Quarterly Report
- The company has delayed payment of base rent for the waterpark ground lease, which could lead to a default.
Quarterly Report
- The company's revenue increased by 34% year-over-year.
- The net loss attributable to shareholders decreased from $19.6 million to $14.9 million.
- The adjusted EBITDA loss improved from $10.9 million to $2.9 million.
Annual Report Amendment
- The company has multiple loan agreements with CH Capital Lending, LLC, and other related parties, some of which have been amended and restated.
- The company has issued Series A, B, and C Preferred Stock to related parties.
- The company has a history of using convertible notes and warrants to raise capital.
Annual Report Amendment
- The company had to amend its annual report due to omitting required information, indicating a deficiency in internal controls or reporting processes.
SEC Form 4 Filing
- The document details multiple transactions involving convertible notes and term loans, indicating ongoing capital raising activities.
- CH Capital Lending, LLC advanced additional funds under the 2020 Convertible Term Loan in January and February 2024.
- The company has been paying interest by increasing the principal of the Convertible Notes due 2025.
8-K Filing
- The company has the ability to sell up to $14,661,873 of common stock through the at-the-market offering.
- The company amended its equity distribution agreement to increase agent compensation, which may incentivize sales.
Annual Results
- The company's authorized but unissued Common Stock and Preferred Stock are available for future issuances without stockholder approval.
- The company could utilize these shares for future offerings to raise additional capital.
Quarterly Report
- The company's net loss for the full year increased significantly compared to the previous year, indicating worse than expected financial performance.
Quarterly Report
- The company completed a $2.8 million public offering of common stock and warrants to increase institutional ownership and improve stock trading volumes.
Lease Amendment
- The company issued a Series H Common Stock Purchase Warrant to the landlord.
- The warrant allows the landlord to purchase 890,313 shares of the company's common stock.
- The exercise of the warrant could result in a capital raise for the company, but also dilute existing shareholders.
Lease Amendment
- The company has increased its debt and diluted its equity through the warrant issuance.
- The company has increased its base rent obligations.
- The company has pledged a 20% membership interest in Sandlot HOFV Canton SC, LLC, as collateral.
Loan Agreement Amendment
- The company's debt has increased significantly to $12,751,934.09, indicating a worsening financial position despite the asset sale.
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