Genius Sports Reports Strong First Quarter 2021 Results, Raises Full-Year 2021 Revenue Guidance By 35%

May 20, 2021
  • Q1 revenue increased 52% year-over-year to $53.7m
  • First quarter group Adj. EBITDA up 414% year-over year to $9.3m (net loss of $5.3m)
  • Raised FY2021 group revenue guidance from $190m to $250m-$260m
  • Announced a six-year strategic partnership with the National Football League
  • Entered into a two-year marketing partnership with FanDuel to deliver data-driven, targeted advertising
  • Announced the acquisitions of two leading technology companies, FanHub and Second Spectrum, diversifying our offering and enhancing capabilities
  • Appointed sports industry leader and former Turner President, David Levy, as Genius Sports’ new Chairman.

Genius Sports Limited (NYSE:GENI) (“Genius” or “GSL”), the official data, technology and commercial partner that powers the global ecosystem connecting sports, betting and media, today announced financial results for its fiscal 2021 first quarter ended March 31, 2021.

“We delivered superb results in the first quarter of 2021, demonstrating our continued excellent momentum and solid execution of strategic commitments,” said Mark Locke, GSL Co-Founder and CEO. “There is a significant opportunity to utilize our leading portfolio of official sports data, supported by our unique technology, scale and growing network of industry partners. Our strategy of powering the global sports data ecosystem has supported our growth in the quarter, and we’re confident in our ability to continuously improve our end-to-end solution and deliver on our increased guidance for the year.”

$ in thousands

Q121

Q120

%

Group Revenue

53,738

35,369

51.9%

Betting Technology, Content & Services

38,955

27,421

42.1%

Sports Technology & Services

5,406

3,818

41.6%

Media Technology, Content & Services

9,377

4,130

127.0%

Group Adj. EBITDA

9,258

1,801

414.0%

Group Adj. EBITDA Margin

17.2%

5.1%

12.1%

1Q 2021 Financial Highlights

  • Group Revenue: Group revenue increased 51.9% year-over-year to $53.7 million, driven by balanced growth across all major product groups. On a constant currency basis, revenue increased $15.6 million, or 40% year-over-year.
    • Betting Technology, Content & Services: Revenue increased 42.1% year-over-year to $39.0 million. Growth in business with existing customers was driven by price increases on contract renewals and renegotiations powered by Genius’ official data rights strategy, expansion of value-add services, and new service offerings. New customer acquisitions and increased customer utilization of Genius’ available event content also contributed to growth.
    • Sports Technology & Services: Revenue increased 41.6% year-over-year to $5.4 million, driven by expanded services provided to existing sports league and federation customers across all tiers of sport.
    • Media Technology, Content & Services: Revenue increased 127.0% year-over-year to $9.4 million, driven by the acquisition of new customers in the Americas and Europe primarily for programmatic advertising services.
  • Group Adj. EBITDA: Group adjusted (non-GAAP) EBITDA increased to $9.3 million from $1.8 million, driven by revenue growth, strong operating leverage, and disciplined cost control.
    • Adjusted EBITDA margin was 17.2% in the quarter.

Business Highlights

  • After the reporting period, announced a six-year strategic partnership with the National Football League (NFL), through which Genius will be the NFL’s exclusive distributor of real-time official play-by-play statistics, proprietary Next Gen Stats (NGS) data, and the NFL’s official sports betting data feed to media companies and sports betting operators globally.
  • Announced the acquisition of FanHub, a leading provider of free-to-play (F2P) games and fan engagement solutions, further diversifying Genius’ customer offering and direct-to-fan engagement capabilities.
  • Announced the acquisition of Second Spectrum, a leading provider of cutting-edge data tracking and visualization solutions to enhance real-time data collection, analytics and live streaming capabilities.
  • Appointed sports industry pioneer, David Levy, as new non-executive Chairman, bringing invaluable experience in the global sports and entertainment industry and an incredible track record overseeing Turner’s portfolio of premium content.
  • Entered into a two-year marketing partnership with FanDuel to deliver data-driven, targeted advertisements in U.S. states where the company operates.
  • Agreed to new official partnerships with sports leagues and federations, including, but not limited to, Major League Baseball (MLB), Superstar Racing Experience (SRX), Major League Rugby (MLR) and Japan B.LEAGUE.
  • Extended official data partnership with Australia’s Hungry Jack’s National Basketball League (NBL).
  • Increased number of U.S. states Genius is permitted to supply in from eleven to thirteen, following the launch of Michigan and Virginia. Genius also has permission to supply in three tribal jurisdictions in the United States.
  • Signed multi-state official data partnership with WynnBET, Wynn Resorts’ online U.S. sportsbook brand, which will use Genius’ LiveData and LiveTrading services, powering in-game betting experiences across New Jersey, Colorado and Michigan, with more states expected to follow.
  • Announced a deal to supply one of Italy’s largest online betting and gaming platform providers, Microgame S.p.A., with official in-play sportsbook content, powering over 25 licensed Italian sportsbook brands with LiveData and LiveTrading services.

Financial Outlook

The Company updated its full-year 2021 projections and now expects to generate revenue of approximately $250 to $260 million and adjusted EBITDA of approximately $10 to $20 million.

Group Revenue

 

 

 

 

Current

 

Previous

$ in millions

Low

Mid

High

 

Low

Mid

High

Underlying Business

$240

$243

$245

 

-

$190

-

New Items

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisitions1

$10

$13

$15

 

 

 

 

Total

$250

$255

$260

 

 

 

 

Group Adj. EBITDA

 

 

 

 

Current

 

Previous

$ in millions

Low

Mid

High

 

Low

Mid

High

Underlying Business

$35

$40

$45

 

-

$35

-

New Items

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisitions1

$0

$1

$2

 

 

 

 

Listing Costs2

($10)

($10)

($10)

 

 

 

 

Investments3

($15)

($15)

($15)

 

 

 

 

Total

$10

$16

$22

 

 

 

 

1 Assumes 2021 calendar year contribution on pro-rata basis

2 Incremental costs associated with US public listing

3 Discretionary investments to accelerate strategy

Note: assumes an exchange rate of 1.30 GBP per U.S. dollar, which was the exchange rate used for the preparation of the original projections as of September 9, 2020

Note: Group adj. EBITDA excludes any impact of non-cash share-based payment charges, including charges related to 11.25 million warrants issued to the NFL, vesting in Q2 2021 (approximately $170 million), and any charges related to the legacy management incentive plan which was in place prior to the SPAC merger.

Financial Statements & Reconciliation Tables

Maven Topco Limited

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2021

2020

Revenue

$

53,738

 

$

35,369

 

Cost of revenue

 

40,113

 

 

27,662

 

Gross profit

 

13,625

 

 

7,707

 

Operating expenses:

 

Sales and marketing

 

3,884

 

 

4,420

 

Research and development

 

3,258

 

 

2,422

 

General and administrative

 

8,869

 

 

7,398

 

Transaction expenses

 

689

 

 

-

 

Total operating expense

 

16,700

 

 

14,240

 

Loss from operations

 

(3,075

)

 

(6,533

)

Interest income (expense), net

 

(2,347

)

 

(1,908

)

Gain (loss) on foreign currency

 

(163

)

 

(890

)

Total other income (expenses)

 

(2,510

)

 

(2,798

)

Loss before income taxes

 

(5,585

)

 

(9,331

)

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

263

 

 

1,787

 

Net loss

$

(5,322

)

$

(7,544

)

 

Net loss per common share:

 

Basic and diluted

$

(2.84

)

$

(4.03

)

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

 

 

Basic and diluted

 

1,873,423

 

 

1,873,423

 

Maven Topco Limited

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

March 31,

December 31,

 

2021

2020

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

10,582

 

$

11,781

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

23,171

 

 

24,776

 

Contract assets

 

14,368

 

 

10,088

 

Prepaid expenses

 

5,619

 

 

4,107

 

Other current assets

 

11,444

 

 

10,584

 

Total current assets

 

65,184

 

 

61,336

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

4,583

 

 

5,002

 

Intangible assets, net

 

109,732

 

 

114,542

 

Goodwill

 

202,247

 

 

200,624

 

Deferred tax asset

 

-

 

 

5

 

Other assets

 

11,857

 

 

9,496

 

Total assets

$

393,603

 

$

391,005

 

 

LIABILITIES, TEMPORARY EQUITY AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

17,208

 

$

10,106

 

Accrued expenses

 

32,670

 

 

35,220

 

Deferred revenue

 

24,844

 

 

26,036

 

Current debt

 

10,456

 

 

10,272

 

Other current liabilities

 

4,619

 

 

3,714

 

Total current liabilities

 

89,797

 

 

85,348

 

 

Long-term debt – less current portion

 

85,436

 

 

82,723

 

Deferred tax liability

 

7,895

 

 

8,097

 

Other liabilities

 

3,617

 

 

3,589

 

Total liabilities

 

186,745

 

 

179,757

 

 

Temporary equity:

 

Preference shares, $0.0001 par value, 218,561,319 shares authorized, 218,561,319 and 218,561,319 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively

 

359,936

 

 

350,675

 

Total temporary equity

 

359,936

 

 

350,675

 

 

Shareholders' deficit

 

Common shares, $0.01 par value (A1 Ordinary Shares – 1,568,702 shares authorized, 1,568,702 and 1,568,702 issued and outstanding; A2 Ordinary Shares – 158,778 authorized, 158,778 and 158,778 issued and outstanding; A3 Ordinary Shares – 145,943 authorized, 145,943 and 145,943 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively)

 

24

 

 

24

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

2,393

 

 

2,393

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(167,820

)

 

(153,237

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

12,325

 

 

11,393

 

Total shareholders' deficit

 

(153,078

)

 

(139,427

)

Total liabilities, temporary equity and shareholders' deficit

$

393,603

 

$

391,005

 

Maven Topco Limited

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

2021

2020

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

Net loss

$

(5,322

)

$

(7,544

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

10,147

 

 

8,041

 

Non-cash interest expense (income), net

 

2,123

 

 

1,492

 

Amortization of contract costs

 

185

 

 

118

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(263

)

 

(1,787

)

Loss on foreign currency remeasurement

 

(111

)

 

1,164

 

Changes in assets and liabilities

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

1,812

 

 

(1,042

)

Contract assets

 

(4,213

)

 

2,792

 

Prepaid expenses

 

(1,484

)

 

(135

)

Other current assets

 

(760

)

 

(576

)

Other assets

 

(2,476

)

 

1,296

 

Accounts payable

 

7,046

 

 

(5,316

)

Accrued expenses

 

(2,845

)

 

6,411

 

Deferred revenue

 

(1,408

)

 

3,857

 

Other current liabilities

 

878

 

 

(77

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

3,309

 

 

8,694

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(186

)

 

(327

)

Capitalization of internally developed software costs

 

(4,033

)

 

(5,550

)

Purchases of intangible assets

 

(44

)

 

(219

)

Proceeds from disposal of assets

 

31

 

 

-

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(4,232

)

 

(6,096

)

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

Proceeds from deposits on incentive securities

 

-

 

 

57

 

Repayment of loans and mortgage

 

(5

)

 

(5

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

(5

)

 

52

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

(271

)

 

(1,299

)

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(1,199

)

 

1,351

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

11,781

 

 

8,228

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

10,582

 

$

9,579

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash activities:

 

Cash paid (received) during the period for interest

$

224

 

$

416

 

Cash paid (received) during the period for income taxes

$

53

 

$

29

 

Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:

 

Preference share accretion

$

9,261

 

$

7,897

 

Deferred offering costs included in other current assets and accrued expenses

$

123

 

$

-

 

Reconciliation of GAAP Net loss to Adjusted EBITDA

(In thousands)

Unaudited

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended

March 31,

2021

 

Three Months
Ended

March 31,

2020

(dollars in thousands)

Consolidated net loss

$

(5,322

)

 

$

(7,544

)

Adjusted for:

 

Net, interest expense

 

2,347

 

 

 

1,908

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

(263

)

 

 

(1,787

)

Amortization of acquired intangibles (1)

 

5,852

 

 

 

5,292

 

Other depreciation and amortization (2)

 

4,480

 

 

 

2,867

 

Transaction expenses

 

689

 

 

 

-

 

Litigation and related costs (3)

 

878

 

 

 

175

 

Other (4)

 

597

 

 

 

890

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

9,258

 

 

$

1,801

 

(1)

Includes amortization of intangible assets generated through business acquisitions, inclusive of amortization for data rights, marketing products, and acquired technology.

(2)

Includes depreciation of Genius’ property and equipment, amortization of contract cost, and amortization of internally developed software and other intangible assets. Excludes amortization of intangible assets generated through business acquisitions.

(3)

Includes mainly legal and related costs in connection with non-routine litigation matters including Sportradar litigation and BetConstruct litigation.

(4)

Includes gain/losses on disposal of assets, gain/losses on foreign currency and expenses incurred related to earn-out payments on historical acquisitions.

About Genius Sports

Genius Sports is the official data, technology and commercial partner that powers the global ecosystem connecting sports, betting and media. We are a global leader in digital sports content, technology and integrity services. Our technology is used in over 150 countries worldwide, empowering sports to capture, manage and distribute their live data and video, driving their digital transformation and enhancing their relationships with fans.

We are the trusted partner to over 400 sports leagues and federations globally, including many of the world’s largest leagues and federations such as the NFL, EPL, FIBA, NCAA, NASCAR, AFA and PGA.

Genius Sports is uniquely placed through cutting-edge technology, scale and global reach to support our partners. We are more than just a technology company, we build long-term relationships with sports at all levels, helping them to control and maximize the value of their content while providing technical expertise and round-the-clock support.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes non-GAAP financial measures not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Adjusted EBITDA

We present Group adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP performance measure, to supplement our results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Group adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, income tax, depreciation and amortization and other items that are unusual or not related to our revenue-generating operations, including stock based compensation expense.

Group adjusted EBITDA is used by management to evaluate our core operating performance on a comparable basis and to make strategic decisions. We believe Group adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors for the same reasons as well as in evaluating our operating performance against competitors, which commonly disclose similar performance measures. However, our calculation of Group adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled performance measures of other companies. Group adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be a substitute for any U.S. GAAP financial measure.

We do not provide a reconciliation of Group adj. EBITDA to consolidated net income/(loss) on a forward-looking basis because we are unable to forecast certain items required to develop meaningful comparable GAAP financial measures without unreasonable efforts. These items are difficult to predict and estimate and are primarily dependent on future events. The impact of these items could be significant to our projections.

Constant Currency

Certain income statement items in this press release are discussed on a constant currency basis. Our results between periods may not be comparable due to foreign currency translation effects. We present certain income statement items on a constant currency basis, as if GBP:USD exchange rate had remained constant period-over-period, to enhance the comparability of our results. We calculate income statement constant currency amounts by taking the relevant average GBP:USD exchange rate used in the preparation of our income statement for the more recent comparative period and apply it to the actual GBP amount used in the preparation of our income statement for the prior comparative period.

Constant currency amounts only adjust for the impact related to the translation of our consolidated financial statements from GBP to USD. Constant currency amounts do not adjust for any other translation effects, such as the translation of results of subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than GBP or USD, as such effects have not been material to date.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that involve significant risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include information about our possible or assumed future results of operations or our performance. Words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward looking statements. Although we believe that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect our actual financial results or results of operations and could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: the effect of COVID-19 on our business, risks related to our reliance on relationships with sports organizations and the potential loss of such relationships or failure to renew or expand existing relationships; fraud, corruption or negligence related to sports events, or by our employees or contracted statisticians; risks related to changes in domestic and foreign laws and regulations or their interpretation; compliance with applicable data protection and privacy laws; pending litigation and investigations; the failure to protect or enforce our proprietary and intellectual property rights; claims for intellectual property infringement; our reliance on information technology; risks related to our ability to achieve the anticipated benefits from the business combination with dMY Technology Group, Inc. II; and other factors included under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on April 30, 2021.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, to reflect any change in our expectations with respect to such statements or any change in events, conditions or circumstances upon which any statement is based.

Media
Chris Dougan, Chief Communications Officer
+1 (202)-766-4430
chris.dougan@geniussports.com

Tristan Peniston-Bird / Charlie Harrison, The One Nine Three Group
+44 7772 031 886 / +44 7884 136 143
tristan.peniston-bird@the193.com / Charlie.harrison@the193.com

Investors
Brandon Bukstel, Investor Relations Manager
+1 (954)-554-7932
brandon.bukstel@geniussports.com

Source: Genius Sports Limited