UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K



o

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

or

 

 

x

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

For the transition period from May 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006

 

 

Commission file number 0-27639

 

WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware

 

04-2693383

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


1241 East Main Street

Stamford, CT 06902

(203) 352-8600

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,

of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT

Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value per share

 

New York Stock Exchange

(Title of each class)

 

(Name of each exchange on which registered)

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT

None

          Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of Securities Act.

 

 

Yes   o

No   x

          Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

Yes   o

No   x

          Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes   x

No   o

          Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.   x

          Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   o

Accelerated filer   x

Non-accelerated filer   o

 

          Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes   o

No   x

          Aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant at February 12, 2007 using our closing price on October 27, 2006 was approximately $389,409,477.

          As of February 23, 2007, the number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Class A common stock, par value $.01 per share, was 23,348,287 and the number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Class B common stock, par value $.01 per share, was 47,713,563 shares.

          Portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement for the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K.



TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

 


 

PART I

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Business

2

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

8

 

 

 

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

11

 

 

 

Item 2.

Properties

12

 

 

 

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

12

 

 

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

12

 

 

 

 

PART II

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

12

 

 

 

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

13

 

 

 

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

13

 

 

 

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

31

 

 

 

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

31

 

 

 

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures

31

 

 

 

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

31

 

 

 

Item 9B.

Other Information

34

 

 

 

 

PART III

 

 

 

 

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

34*

 

 

 

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

34*

 

 

 

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

34*

 

 

 

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, and Director Independence

34*

 

 

 

Item 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

34*

 

 

 

 

PART IV

 

 

 

 

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

34



* Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the ”Proxy Statement”).


PART I

Item 1.  Business

          World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (“WWE”) is an integrated media and entertainment company. We have been involved in the sports entertainment business for more than 25 years, and have developed World Wrestling Entertainment into one of the most popular brands in global entertainment today. We develop unique and creative content centered around our talent and presented at our live and televised events. At the heart of our success are the athletic and entertainment skills and appeal of our WWE Superstars and our consistently innovative and multi-faceted storylines across our three brands, Raw, SmackDown and ECW. Anchored by these brands, we are able to leverage our content and talent across virtually all media outlets. Our live and televised events, consumer products, and digital media outlets provide significant cross-promotion and marketing opportunities that reinforce our brands while effectively reaching our fans.

          In June 2006, the Board of Directors elected to change WWE’s fiscal year to a calendar basis beginning with calendar 2007.  This change is intended to simplify communication with shareholders and will enable the reporting of our financial results in a timeframe consistent with the majority of our media and entertainment peers.  Due to the change to a calendar year end, we have established an eight month transition period from May 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006.  The results from this time period are referred to throughout this report as “2006 transition period”, “transition 2006”, “T 2006”, or the “transition period”.  Except where noted, prior year results have not been restated to reflect the comparable eight month periods.

          In Fiscal 2006, we expanded the number of our reportable segments to four in order to better reflect the manner in which management analyzes the performance of our Company, and to reflect the importance of our digital media businesses and the production of feature films.  We also reclassified certain other operations among the reportable segments.  All prior year information has been adjusted to reflect the current presentation. 

 

Our operations are centered around the following four business segments:

 

 

 

Live and Televised Entertainment, which consists of live events, the sale of merchandise at live events, television, pay-per-view, and video on demand programming.

 

 

 

 

Consumer Products, which consists of the sale of home video products, magazines and consumer products branded with our intellectual property, including video games, toys, books and other products through third party licensees.

 

 

 

 

Digital Media, which consists of advertising sales on our websites, sale of merchandise on our website through our WWEShop internet storefront and the sale of various broadband and mobile content.

 

 

 

 

WWE Films, which produces feature films and other film projects.

          In this Transition Report on Form 10-K, “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 and its subsidiaries. World Wrestling Entertainment and the stylized and highly distinctive World Wrestling Entertainment scratch logo are two of our trademarks. This Transition Report on Form 10-K also contains other WWE trademarks and trade names as well as those of other companies. All trademarks and trade names appearing in this report are the property of their respective holders.

Live and Televised Entertainment

(represents 70%, 73%, 82% and 82% of our net revenues in T 2006,  fiscal 2006, fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004, respectively)

Live Events

          Two of our brands, Raw and SmackDown, tour independently, each typically producing three or four events per week, affording us flexibility in scheduling that allows us to play numerous domestic and international markets.  In addition, our third brand, Extreme Championship Wrestling (“ECW”), performed 38 live events in the transition period.  

          In transition 2006 we held 212 live events throughout North America, entertaining over one million fans at an average ticket price of approximately $36.00. We hold many of our live events at major arenas across the country. In addition to providing the content for our television and pay-per-view programming, these events provide us with a real-time assessment of the popularity of our storylines and characters.

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          In the 2006 transition period, we held 34 live events internationally reaching more than 282,000 fans at an average ticket price of approximately $69.00.  These events were spread over several successful international tours including our DX Reunion tour in Mexico, our Survivor Series tour in England and Ireland and our SmackDown Live tour in Spain and Portugal.

          Live events net revenues were $52.3 million, $75.0 million, $78.7 million and $69.7 million, representing 20%, 19%, 22% and 19% of total net revenues in T 2006, fiscal 2006, fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004, respectively.

Venue Merchandise

          Our venue merchandise business consists of the sale at our live events of various WWE-branded products, such as T-shirts, caps and other novelty items, all of which feature our Superstars and/or our logo. Nearly all of these products are designed by our in-house creative staff and manufactured by third parties.

          Venue merchandise net revenues were $12.1 million, $14.7 million, $12.8 million and $12.7 million, representing 5%, 4%, 3% and 3% of total net revenues in transition 2006, fiscal 2006, fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004, respectively.

Television Programming

          Relying on our in-house production capabilities at our production facility, we produce four television shows, consisting of 6 hours of original programming each week. Our domestic cable and broadcast programs consist of “Monday Night Raw”, “ECW”, “Friday Night SmackDown” and “A.M. Raw.”  We generate revenue from our programming through television rights fees and by the sale of cable advertising in Canada.  We believe the popularity of our television programming drives the success of our other businesses, translating into increased live event attendance, pay-per-view buys and merchandise sales.

          Under our agreement with NBC Universal, which currently includes “Monday Night Raw” and the weekend program “A.M. Raw”, we receive a rights fee totaling approximately $0.6 million per week.  Monday Night Raw is a two-hour primetime program that is broadcast live on USA Network and is consistently one of the most watched regularly scheduled programs on cable television. As part of this agreement, Raw also airs in replays on Telemundo and mun2.  The relationship with NBC Universal expanded with the announcement in May 2006 of the re-launch of ECW: Extreme Championship Wrestling, a new program that began airing on the SCI FI Channel.  After an initial trial run, we secured a distribution agreement to broadcast ECW on the SCI FI Channel through December 2007.

          The two-hour “Friday Night SmackDown” airs on the CW Network in primetime on Fridays and is consistently one of the highest rated programs on CW and a top rated show among males 12-17 and males 18-34 on Friday nights.  For this programming, we receive a rights fee of approximately $0.3 million per week. 

          Internationally, our programming is distributed in more than 110 countries and 18 different languages. We continue to expand our distribution and have secured new television distribution agreements on terrestrial, cable and satellite platforms throughout the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and South America.  We believe our television distribution is key to our international success and use our programming to support tours and related retail sales.

          Television rights fee net revenues were $58.7 million, $81.5 million, $78.0 million and $71.1 million representing 22%, 20%, 21% and 19% of total net revenues in T 2006, fiscal 2006, fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004, respectively.

Advertising

          We no longer sell advertising during our programming in the United States; however we continue to provide sponsorships domestically to meet the needs of our advertisers.  Through these sponsorships, we offer advertisers a full range of our promotional vehicles, including internet and print advertising, arena signage, on-air announcements and pay-per-view spronsorship. We continue to sell advertising in our programs in Canada.

          Advertising net revenues were $4.5 million, $22.6 million, $43.7 million and $59.5 million representing 2%, 6%, 12% and 16% of total net revenues in T 2006, fiscal 2006, fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004, respectively.

Pay-Per-View Programming

          We have been pioneers in both the production and promotion of pay-per-view events since our first pay-per-view event, WrestleMania I, in 1985. At each pay-per-view event, our storylines either culminate or change direction. We intensively market and promote the storylines that are associated with upcoming pay-per-view events through our television shows, internet sites and magazine. Some of our international partners include SKY in the UK, Premiere in Germany, SKY Perfect TV! in Japan, SKY Italia in Italy and Main Event in Australia.

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          We produced 11 domestic pay-per-view programs in the 2006 transition period as compared to 16 programs in fiscal 2006.  There were ten pay-per-view events that occurred in both the 2006 transition period and fiscal 2006.  These ten events averaged approximately 300,000 buys in the 2006 transition period at a suggested domestic retail price of $39.95 as compared to 325,000 buys at a suggested domestic retail price of $34.95 in fiscal 2006.  Based on the schedule of our events, our most popular and successful annual event, WrestleMania, did not occur in the 2006 transition period. Consistent with industry practices, we share the revenues with cable systems and satellite providers such as DirecTV, and pay service fees to iNDEMAND and TVN.

          Pay-per-view net revenues were $53.4 million, $94.8 million, $85.5 million and $95.3 million, representing 20%, 24%, 23%, and 25% of total net revenues in T 2006, fiscal 2006, fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004, respectively.

WWE 24/7

          WWE 24/7 On Demand is a Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD) service that makes available to subscribers approximately 40 hours of content each month, exploiting both acquired library and original content.  This content includes television programming, pay-per-view events, special programming and home video/DVD programming. 

          WWE 24/7 On Demand is carried on Comcast, the largest cable operator in the United States, making WWE 24/7 On Demand available to more than 10 million VOD-enabled homes, as well as Cox Communications, Insight Communications and numerous VOD-enabled independent cable operators in the United States.  Internationally, the product is also being distributed through Rogers Cable in Canada, Plala Networks, a unit of NTT, in Japan and SKY Italia in Italy.  In January 2007 we announced that WWE 24/7 On Demand will also be carried on Cablevision, with more than 2 million VOD-enabled homes.  The number of average monthly subscribers in North America was approximately 35,000.  Consistent with industry practices, we generally share the revenues with domestic cable systems. 

          WWE 24/7 net revenues were $2.0 million in transition 2006, $1.1 million in fiscal 2006 and less than $0.1 million in fiscal 2005, the initial year of operation.

Consumer Products

(represents 22%, 22%, 15% and 15% of our net revenues in T 2006,  fiscal 2006, fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004, respectively)

Licensing

          We have established a worldwide licensing program using our World Wrestling Entertainment marks and logos, copyrighted works and characters on a large variety of retail products, including toys, video games, apparel and books. Currently, we maintain licenses with more than 100 licensees worldwide that provide products for sale at major retailers.  In all of our licensing agreements, we retain creative approval over the design, packaging, advertising and promotional material associated with these products to maintain the distinctive style and quality of our intellectual property and brand.

          Video games represent an important component of our licensing program, generating substantial revenues through our license with THQ/Jakks Pacific, LLC (“THQ/Jakks”). Our video games cover the current console platform and will be featured in the new generation of video game platforms.  As a result of information uncovered in connection with our litigation with Shenker & Associates, in 2004 we filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against, among others, Jakks Pacific, Inc. (“Jakks”), THQ Inc. (“THQ”) and THQ/Jakks, alleging, among other things, violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO). In October 2006, we filed a complaint in the Superior Court of the State of Connecticut against THQ and THQ/Jakks arising out of the improper sublicense of rights to certain WWE-branded videogames in violation of the applicable videogame license agreement. The complaint alleges claims for, among other things, breach of contract, unjust enrichment, violation of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act and a declaration that we are entitled to terminate the videogame license agreement with THQ/Jakks.  During this litigation we continue to fulfill our obligations under the current license and expect Jakks and THQ to do likewise.  Additional information regarding this litigation is available in Note 12 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

          Under our publishing licensing agreement with Simon & Schuster, we have a book-publishing agreement. This agreement allows us the ability to publish original content in a variety of genres, including fiction, histories, how-to, and autobiographies. During transition 2006, we published five new books, including The Marine, an adaptation of the WWE Films production. We also published Controversy Creates Cash, Eric Bischoff’s autobiography, which became the twentieth WWE book to appear on the New York Times Best-Seller List.

4


          Music is an integral part of the entertainment experience surrounding WWE’s live events, television programs, and pay-per-views.  We compose and record most of our music, including our Superstar entrance themes, in our recording studio.  In addition to our own composed music, we license popular performance artists who have contributed music for WWE programs. 

          Licensing net revenues, including music, were $14.7 million, $32.2 million, $20.9 million and $21.8 million representing 6%, 8%, 6% and 6% of total net revenues in transition 2006, fiscal 2006, fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004, respectively.

Home Video

          In transition 2006, we released 22 new home video titles and shipped approximately 3.3 million DVD units, including catalog titles. In particular, WrestleMania 22 became our best-selling DVD of all-time by shipping more than 425,000 units. Further expansion of distribution and more widespread retail marketing support also helped to drive domestic sales. Beginning in November 2006, Genius Products, LLC became our exclusive domestic distributor. Outside the United States, our new releases and catalog titles are distributed through licensees.

          Home video net revenues were $35.5 million, $42.6 million, $20.1 million and $21.4 million representing 13%, 11%, 6% and 6% of total net revenues in transition 2006, fiscal 2006, fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004, respectively.

Magazine Publishing

          In the 2006 transition period, we converted the publication of two magazines, Raw and SmackDown, into one flagship publication, WWE MagazineWWE Magazine focuses on what fans will not see on television. This redesigned publication gives fans a look at WWE talent in a lifestyle setting including in-depth features, photos, exclusive interviews and backstage access. WWE Superstars and Divas provide fans with tips on fitness, fashion, grooming, gadgets and more.

          Magazine publishing net revenues were $8.5 million, $11.1 million, $12.2 million and $10.7 million, representing 3% of total net revenues in transition 2006, fiscal 2006, fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004, respectively.

Digital Media

(represents 8%, 5%, 3% and 3% of our net revenues in T 2006,  fiscal 2006, fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004, respectively)

WWE.com

          Through our broadband network and sites, our fans can purchase our WWE branded merchandise and view our monthly pay-per-view events. Our primary website, WWE.com, attracted more than 16 million monthly unique users worldwide and generated an average of 42 million streams per month in transition 2006, according to Omniture, Inc.  We utilize the internet to promote our brands, to provide information, to entertain and to market and distribute our products.

          Our expanding portfolio of promotional, ad-supported and transactional video content is a mix of archival footage, breaking news stories, original programs and live broadcasts.  WWE.com updates its information as events happen on a global basis.

          We have entered the mobile market place and we are looking to capitalize on this emerging worldwide delivery platform.  We have recently developed a mobile content management system and entered into relationships with several third party partners to produce, distribute, bill, transport, and directly sell mobile content.  To provision this new outlet, we are producing several pieces of specific, made-for-mobile video offerings. Other types of mobile content produced may include ring tones, wallpaper, themes, alerts and voice-tones.

          WWE.com net revenues were $7.3 million, $9.7 million, $7.8 million and $5.6 million, representing 3%, 2%, 2% and 1% of total net revenues in transition 2006, fiscal 2006, fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004, respectively.

WWEShop

          WWEShop is our e-commerce storefront.  We experienced significant growth in the transition period as the number of orders processed increased to approximately 244,000 in the eight month transition period as compared to 226,000 for the entire twelve month fiscal 2006 period.  Category offerings continued to expand as well as the sale of exclusive WWEShop packages. We also hold feature auctions of unique items.  WWEShop net revenues were $13.0 million, $12.1 million, $4.5 million and $4.9 million representing 5%, 3%, 1% and 1% of total net revenues in transition 2006, fiscal 2006, fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004, respectively.

5


WWE Films

          We established WWE Films to explore options in filmed entertainment in order to promote our Superstars and capitalize on our intellectual property and fan base. We have released two feature films, See No Evil and The MarineSee No Evil, a horror film that featured WWE Superstar Kane and was distributed by Lionsgate, was released domestically in theaters in May 2006.  See No Evil generated more than $15.0 million in gross domestic box office receipts and was subsequently released on DVD in November 2006. The Marine is an action/adventure film that starred WWE Superstar John Cena and was distributed by Twentieth Century Fox.  The Marine was released domestically in theaters in October 2006 and generated more than $18.8 million in gross domestic box office receipts and was released on DVD in January 2007. Our third feature film, The Condemned, starring Stone Cold Steve Austin in the lead role and to be distributed by Lionsgate, is scheduled for theatrical release domestically in April 2007.  As of December 31, 2006, we have approximately $53.6 million in capitalized feature film production assets.  We do not participate in any revenues associated with these film projects until the print and advertising costs incurred by our distributors have been recouped and the results have been reported back to us.  Accordingly, no revenues have been recorded to date.

International

          Revenues generated outside of North America were approximately $60.4 million for T 2006, $97.7 million in fiscal 2006, $87.6 million in fiscal 2005 and $63.5 million in fiscal 2004.  Revenues generated from international sources accounted for approximately 23% of total revenues generated in T 2006, 24% in fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2005 and 17% in fiscal 2004.

Creative Development and Production

          Headed by our Chairman, Vincent K. McMahon, our creative team develops compelling characters and weaves them into dynamic storylines that combine physical and emotional elements. Storylines are usually played out in the wrestling ring and unfold on our weekly television shows and on our website, and culminate or change direction in our pay-per-view events.

          Our results are due primarily to the popularity of our Superstars. We currently have exclusive contracts with approximately 165 Superstars, ranging from developmental contracts to multi-year guaranteed contracts with established Superstars. Our Superstars are highly trained and motivated independent contractors whose compensation is tied to the revenue that they help us generate. Popular Superstars include Triple H, John Cena, Batista, Shawn Michaels, Undertaker, Rey Mysterio and Bobby Lashley.  We own the rights to substantially all of our characters, and we exclusively license the rights we do not own through agreements with our Superstars. We continually seek to identify, recruit and develop additional talent for our business.  In this regard, we have arrangements with two wrestling development camps, Ohio Valley Wrestling and Deep South Wrestling, to allow newly identified talent the opportunity to perform for crowds and refine their skills. 

Competition

          While we believe that we have a loyal fan base, the entertainment industry is highly competitive and subject to fluctuations in popularity, which are not easy to predict. For our live, television, pay-per-view and movie audiences, we face competition from professional and college sports as well as from other forms of live, filmed and televised entertainment and other leisure activities. In the case of feature films, many of the production companies with whom we compete have substantially greater experience than we do.  We compete with entertainment companies, professional and college sports leagues and other makers of branded apparel and merchandise for the sale of our branded merchandise. As we expand into the highly competitive internet market we face increased competition from websites offering paid and free web-based and wireless content.  Many companies with whom we compete have greater financial resources than we do, including without limitation, the film production companies noted above.

Trademarks and Copyrights

          Intellectual property is material to all aspects of our operations, and we expend substantial cost and effort in an attempt to maintain and protect our intellectual property and to maintain compliance vis-à-vis other parties’ intellectual property.  We have a large portfolio of registered and unregistered trademarks and service marks worldwide and maintain a large catalog of copyrighted works, including copyrights in our television programming, music, photographs, books, magazines and apparel art.  A principal focus of our efforts is to protect the intellectual property relating to our originally created characters portrayed by our performers, which encompasses images, likenesses, names and other identifying indicia of these characters.  We also own a large number of internet website domain names and operate a network of developed, content-based sites, which facilitate and contribute to the exploitation of our intellectual property worldwide.

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          We vigorously seek to enforce our intellectual property rights by, among other things, searching the internet to ascertain unauthorized use of our intellectual property, seizing goods that feature unauthorized use of our intellectual property and seeking restraining orders and/or damages in court against individuals or entities infringing our intellectual property rights.  Our failure to curtail piracy, infringement or other unauthorized use of our intellectual property rights effectively, or our infringement of others’ intellectual property rights, could adversely affect our operating results.

Employees

          Our headcount as of December 2006 was approximately 560 employees.  This headcount excludes our Superstars, who are independent contractors.  Our in-house production staff is supplemented with contract personnel for our television production. We believe that our relationships with our employees are generally satisfactory. None of our employees are represented by a union.

Regulation

Live Events

          In various states in the United States and some foreign jurisdictions, athletic commissions and other applicable regulatory agencies require us to obtain licenses for promoters, medical clearances and/or other permits or licenses for performers and/or permits for events in order for us to promote and conduct our live events.  In the event that we fail to comply with the regulations of a particular jurisdiction, we may be prohibited from promoting and conducting our live events in that jurisdiction.  The inability to present our live events over an extended period of time or in a number of jurisdictions could lead to a decline in the various revenue streams generated from our live events, which could adversely affect our operating results.

Television Programming

          The production of television programming by independent producers is not directly regulated by the federal or state governments, but the marketplace for television programming in the United States and internationally is substantially affected by government regulations applicable to, as well as social and political influences on, television stations, television networks and cable and satellite television systems and channels. We voluntarily designate the suitability of each of our television shows using standard industry ratings, such as PG (L,V) or TV14.  A number of governmental and private-sector initiatives relating to the content of media programming have been announced. Changes in governmental policy and private-sector perceptions could further restrict our program content and adversely affect our levels of viewership and operating results.

Available Information

          Copies of our Transition and Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports, are available free of charge on our website at http://corporate.wwe.com as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  None of the information on any of our websites is part of this Transition Report on Form 10-K. In addition, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and charters of our Audit Committee and Compensation Committee are also available on our website.  A copy of any of these documents will be mailed to any stockholder upon request to us at World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., 1241 East Main Street, Stamford, CT  06902, Attn: Investor Relations Department.

7


Item 1A.  Risk Factors

          There are inherent risks and uncertainties associated with our business that could adversely affect our operating performance and financial condition.  Set forth below are descriptions of those risks and uncertainties that we currently believe to be material, but the risks and uncertainties described below are not the only risks and uncertainties that could affect our business.  See the discussion under “Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995” in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in this Transition Report on Form 10-K.

          Our failure to maintain or renew key agreements could adversely affect our ability to distribute television and pay-per-view programming.

          Our television programming is distributed by broadcast and cable networks, and our pay-per-view programming is distributed by pay-per-view providers.  Because our revenues are generated, directly and indirectly, from the distribution of our televised and pay-per-view programming, any failure to maintain or renew arrangements with these distributors or the failure of the distributors to continue to provide services to us could adversely affect our operating results.  We are regularly in negotiations relating to substantial agreements covering the distribution of our cable, broadcast and/or pay-per-view television by carriers located in the United States or abroad. 

          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.

          The creation, marketing and distribution of our live and televised entertainment, including our pay-per-view events, is at the core of our business and is critical to our ability to generate revenues across our media platforms and product outlets.  Our failure to continue to create popular live events and televised programming would likely lead to a decline in our television ratings and attendance at our live events, which would adversely affect our operating results.

          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.

          Our success depends, in large part, upon our ability to recruit, train and retain athletic performers who have the physical presence, acting ability and charisma to portray characters in our live events and televised programming.  We cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to identify, train and retain these performers in the future.  Additionally, we cannot assure you that we will be able to retain our current performers during the terms of their contracts or when their contracts expire.  Our failure to attract and retain key performers, or a serious or untimely injury to, or the death of, or unexpected or premature loss or retirement for any reason of any of our key performers, could lead to a decline in the appeal of our storylines and the popularity of our brand of entertainment, which could adversely affect our operating results.

          The loss of the creative services of Vincent K. McMahon could adversely affect our ability to create popular characters and creative storylines.

          For the foreseeable future, we will depend heavily on the vision and services of Vincent K. McMahon.  In addition to serving as Chairman of our board of directors, Mr. McMahon leads the creative team that develops the storylines and the characters for our televised programming and live events.  Mr. McMahon is also an important member of the cast of performers.  The loss of Mr. McMahon due to unexpected retirement, disability or death or other unexpected termination for any reason could have a material adverse effect on our ability to create popular characters and creative storylines, which could adversely affect our operating results.   

          A decline in general economic conditions could adversely affect our business.

          Our operations are affected by general economic conditions, which may affect consumers’ disposable income.  The demand for entertainment and leisure activities tends to be highly sensitive to the level of consumers’ disposable income.  A decline in general economic conditions could reduce the level of discretionary income that our fans and potential fans have to spend on our live and televised entertainment and consumer products, which could adversely affect our revenues.  

          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.

          Our operations are affected by consumer tastes and entertainment trends, which are unpredictable and subject to change and may be affected by changes in the social and political climate.  Our programming is created to evoke a passionate response from our fans.  A change in our fans’ tastes or a material change in the perceptions of our business partners, including our distributors and licensees, whether as a result of the social and political climate or otherwise, could adversely affect our operating results.

8


          Changes in the regulatory atmosphere and related private-sector initiatives could adversely affect our business.

          While the production of television programming by independent producers is not directly regulated by the federal or state governments in the United States, the marketplace for television programming in the United States is affected significantly by government regulations applicable to, as well as social and political influences on, television stations, television networks and cable and satellite television systems and channels.  We voluntarily designate the suitability of each of our television shows using standard industry ratings, such as PG (L,V) or TV14.  A number of domestic and foreign governmental and private-sector initiatives relating to the content of media programming have been announced in recent years.  Changes in these governmental policies and private-sector perceptions could further restrict our program content and adversely affect our levels of viewership and operating results.

          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.

          For our live, television and pay-per-view audiences, we face competition from professional and college sports, as well as from other forms of live and televised entertainment and other leisure activities in a rapidly changing and increasingly fragmented marketplace.  The manner in which audio/video content is distributed and viewed is constantly changing, and while we attempt to distribute our content across all platforms, our failure to continue to do so effectively could adversely affect our operating results. For the sale of our consumer products, we compete with entertainment companies, professional and college sports leagues and other makers of branded apparel and merchandise.  Many of the companies with whom we compete have greater financial resources than we do.

          Our failure to compete effectively could result in a significant loss of viewers, venues, distribution channels or performers and fewer entertainment and advertising dollars spent on our form of sports entertainment, any of which could adversely affect our operating results.

          We face uncertainties associated with international markets.

          Our production of live events overseas subjects us to the risks involved in foreign travel, local regulations, including regulations requiring us to obtain visas for our performers.  In addition, the licensing of our television and consumer products in international markets exposes us to some degree of currency risk.  All international operations are subject to political instability inherent in varying degrees in those markets.  These risks could adversely affect our operating results and impair our ability to pursue our business strategy as it relates to international markets.

          We may be prohibited from promoting and conducting our live events if we do not comply with applicable regulations.

          In various states in the United States and some foreign jurisdictions, athletic commissions and other applicable regulatory agencies require us to obtain licenses for promoters, medical clearances and/or other permits or licenses for performers and/or permits for events in order for us to promote and conduct our live events.  In the event that we fail to comply with the regulations of a particular jurisdiction, we may be prohibited from promoting and conducting our live events in that jurisdiction.  The inability to present our live events over an extended period of time or in a number of jurisdictions could lead to a decline in the various revenue streams generated from our live events, which could adversely affect our operating results. 

          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.

          Our inability to protect our large portfolio of trademarks, service marks, copyrighted material and characters, trade names and other intellectual property rights from piracy, counterfeiting or other unauthorized use could negatively affect our business.  Intellectual property is material to all aspects of our operations, and we expend substantial cost and effort in an attempt to maintain and protect our intellectual property and to maintain compliance vis-à-vis other parties’ intellectual property.  We have a large portfolio of registered and unregistered trademarks and service marks worldwide and maintain a large catalog of copyrighted works, including copyrights to our television programming, music, photographs, books, magazines and apparel art.  A principal focus of our efforts is to protect the intellectual property relating to our originally created characters portrayed by our performers, which encompasses images, likenesses, names and other identifying indicia of these characters.  We also own a large number of Internet website domain names and operate a network of developed, content-based sites, which facilitate and contribute to the exploitation of our intellectual property worldwide.

          We vigorously seek to enforce our intellectual property rights by, among other things, searching the Internet to ascertain unauthorized use of our intellectual property, seizing at our live events goods that feature unauthorized use of our intellectual property and seeking restraining orders and/or damages in court against individuals or entities infringing our intellectual property rights.  Our failure to curtail piracy, infringement or other unauthorized use of our intellectual property rights effectively, or our infringement of others’ intellectual property rights, could adversely affect our operating results.

9


          We could incur substantial liabilities if pending material litigation is resolved unfavorably.

          We are currently a party to civil litigation, which, if concluded adversely to our interests, could adversely affect our operating results.

          In April 2000, the World Wide Fund for Nature and its American affiliate, The World Wildlife Fund (collectively, the “Fund”), instituted legal proceedings against us in the English High Court seeking injunctive relief and unspecified damages for alleged breaches of a 1994 agreement between the Fund and us regarding the use of the initials “wwf.”  In August 2001, the trial judge granted the Fund’s motion for summary judgment, holding that we breached the agreement by using the initials “wwf” in connection with certain of our website addresses and our former scratch logo.  The English Court of Appeals subsequently upheld that ruling.  Since November 10, 2002, we have been subject to an injunction barring us, either on our own or through our officers, servants, agents, subsidiaries, licensees or sub-licensees, our television or other affiliates or otherwise, of most uses of the initials “wwf,” including in connection with the “wwf” website addresses and the use of our former scratch logo.

          As part of its original complaint, the Fund included a damages claim associated with our use of the initials “wwf.”  On October 29, 2004, the Fund filed a claim for damages in the English High Court.  In this filing, the Fund seeks substantial monetary claims in an amount calculated as a royalty based on a percentage of profits from certain of our revenue streams, otherwise referred to as restitutionary damages, over the period January 1997 through November 2002.  On January 6, 2005, we filed an application to determine as a preliminary issue the propriety of the Fund’s basis upon which damages have been claimed.  After a hearing relating to this preliminary issue by judgment dated February 16, 2006, the Court ruled that the Fund is entitled in point of law to seek restitutionary damages, but that the question whether the Fund is entitled in point of fact to claim or recover damages on that basis remains to be determined, and we have appealed this decision.  The Fund was ordered to provide further clarification of its claim by March 2, 2006, and the Fund has made such a filing with the Court; however we believe that this alleged clarification does not comply with the Court’s order.  In response to an application made by the Company, on June 26, 2006, the Fund was ordered to provide further clarification of its damages claim.  The Fund made such further filing on July 21, 2006.  All proceedings are stayed pending the outcome of our appeal of the court’s February 16, 2006 judgment that the Fund is entitled in point of law to seek restitutionary damages.  A hearing on this appeal occurred in December 2006.

          We strongly dispute that the Fund has suffered any loss or damage, and do not believe that they are entitled to restitutionary damages.  We believe that we have strong defenses to the Fund’s unwarranted monetary claims and will vigorously defend against them.  We cannot quantify the potential impact that an unfavorable outcome of the damages claim could have on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity; however, based on the Fund’s assertions, it could be material.

          Our insurance may not be adequate to cover liabilities resulting from accidents or injuries that occur during our physically demanding events.

          We hold numerous live events each year.  This schedule exposes our performers and our employees who are involved in the production of those events to the risk of travel and performance-related accidents, the consequences of which may not be fully covered by insurance.  The physical nature of our events exposes our performers to the risk of serious injury or death.  Although our performers, as independent contractors, are responsible for maintaining their own health, disability and life insurance, we self-insure health coverage for our performers in the event that they are injured while performing.  We also self-insure a substantial portion of any other liability that we could incur relating to such injuries.  Liability to us resulting from any death or serious injury sustained by one of our performers while performing, to the extent not covered by our insurance, could adversely affect our operating results.

          We face a variety of risks relating to new and complementary businesses, including feature films.

          We have entered into new or complementary businesses in the past and may do so again in the future.  For example, we have recently entered into the feature film business.  Risks of expansion may include: potential diversion of management’s attention and other resources, including available cash, from our existing business; unanticipated liabilities or contingencies; reduced earnings due to increased amortization, impairment charges and other costs; competition from other companies with experience in such businesses; and possible additional regulatory requirements and compliance costs.

          Through his beneficial ownership of a substantial majority of our Class B common stock, Mr. McMahon can exercise control over our affairs, and his interests may conflict with the holders of our Class A common stock.

          We have two classes of common stock, including Class A common stock and Class B common stock.  The holders of Class A common stock generally have rights identical to holders of Class B common stock, except that holders of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share, and holders of Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes per share.  Holders of both classes of common stock generally will vote together as a single class on all matters presented to stockholders for their vote or approval, except as otherwise required by applicable Delaware law.

10


          A substantial majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Class B common stock is owned beneficially by Vincent K. McMahon, either directly or indirectly as the trustee of The Vincent K. McMahon 2004 Irrevocable Trust. Mr. McMahon controls approximately 95% of the voting power of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock.  Through his beneficial ownership of a substantial majority of our Class B common stock, Mr. McMahon effectively can exercise control over our affairs, and his interest could conflict with the holders of our Class A common stock.  In addition, the voting power of Mr. McMahon through his ownership of our Class B common stock could discourage others from initiating potential mergers, takeovers or other change of control transactions.  As a result, the market price of our Class A common stock could decline.

          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.

          Although the company is not aware of any such plans, sales of substantial amounts of our Class B common stock by Mr. McMahon, or the perception that such sales could occur, may lower the prevailing market price of our Class A common stock.

          Our Class A common stock has a relatively small public “float.”

          Historically, as a result of our relatively small public float, our Class A common stock has been less liquid than the common stock of companies with broader public ownership, and the trading prices for our Class A common stock have been more volatile than generally may be the case for more widely-held common stock.  Among other things, trading of a relatively small volume of our Class A common stock may have a greater impact on the trading price of our Class A common stock than would be the case if our public float were larger.

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments

          None.

Item 2.  Properties

          We have executive offices, television and music recording studios, post-production operations and warehouses at locations in or near Stamford, Connecticut, and have offices in New York, London, Toronto and Los Angeles. We own the buildings in which our executive and administrative offices, our television and music recording studios and our post-production operations are located. We lease space for our sales offices, WWE Films office, and other facilities.

          Our principal properties consist of the following:

Facility

 

Location

 

Square  Feet

 

Owned/Leased

 

Expiration Date of Lease


 


 


 


 


Executive offices

 

Stamford, CT

 

114,300

 

Owned

 

Production studio

 

Stamford, CT

 

39,000

 

Owned

 

Ring/Photo studio

 

Stamford, CT

 

5,600

 

Leased

 

May 11, 2009

Executive office

 

Los Angeles, CA

 

2,100

 

Leased

 

July 15, 2007

Sales offices

 

Various

 

16,400

 

Leased

 

Various through April 9, 2016

          All of the facilities listed above are utilized in our Live and Televised Entertainment, Consumer Products and Digital Media segments, with the exception of the executive office in Los Angeles, which focuses exclusively on our WWE Films segment. 

          In addition, we own a daycare facility in Stamford, Connecticut on property adjacent to our production facilities.  The licensing and operation of this facility is managed by a third-party contractor.  We have the responsibility to obtain the required licenses and to ensure that the facility meets health, safety, fire and building codes.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

          See Note 12 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 4.  Submission of matters to a vote of Security Holders

          None.

11


PART II

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

          Our Class A common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WWE.”

          The following table sets forth the high and the low sale prices for the shares of Class A common stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange and the dividends paid on shares of Class A and Class B common stock for the periods indicated.

Fiscal year 2005

Quarter Ended

 

July 30

 

October 29

 

January 28

 

April 30

 

Full Year

 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Class A common stock price per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

$

13.90

 

$

12.94

 

$

13.47

 

$

12.95

 

$

13.90

 

Low

 

$

11.50

 

$

11.15

 

$

11.26

 

$

10.45

 

$

10.45

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Class A and Class B dividends paid per share

 

$

0.06

 

$

0.06

 

$

0.12

 

$

0.12

 

$

0.36

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Fiscal year 2006

Quarter Ended

 

July 29

 

October 28

 

January 27

 

April 30

 

Full Year

 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Class A common stock price per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

$

12.46

 

$

13.80

 

$

15.90

 

$

17.60

 

$

17.60

 

Low

 

$

9.91

 

$

11.84

 

$

12.35

 

$

14.22

 

$

9.91

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Class A and Class B dividends paid per share

 

$

0.12

 

$

0.12

 

$

0.24

 

$

0.24

 

$

0.72

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Transition period 2006

Quarter Ended

 

July 28

 

October 27

 

December 31

 

Full Period

 


 


 


 


 


 

Class A common stock price per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

$

17.75

 

$

16.95

 

$

16.76

 

$

17.75

 

Low

 

$

15.54

 

$

14.98

 

$

15.60

 

$

14.98

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Class A and Class B dividends paid per share

 

$

0.24

 

$

0.24

 

$

0.24

 

$

0.72

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

          There were 11,794 holders of record of Class A common stock and three holders of record of Class B common stock on February 23, 2007.

          On February 16, 2007, the Board of Directors authorized a quarterly cash dividend of $0.24 to shareholders of record on March 15, 2007 that will be paid on or about March 26, 2007.

12


Equity Compensation Plan Information

          The following table sets forth certain information with respect to securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2006.

Plan Category

 

Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
(a)

 

Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
(b)

 

Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
(c)

 


 


 


 


 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options

 

 

1,715,300

 

$

13.14

 

 

4,266,380

 

Restricted stock units

 

 

1,087,138

 

 

N/A

 

 

Same as above

 

 

 



 



 



 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

 

None

 

 

N/A

 

 

None

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total

 

 

2,802,438

 

$

13.14

 

 

4,266,380

 

 

 



 



 



 

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

          The following table sets forth our selected financial data for the eight month transition period ended December 31, 2006 and each of the five fiscal years in the period ended April 30, 2006. The selected financial data as of December 31, 2006, April 30, 2006 and April 30, 2005 and for the eight month transition period ended December 31, 2006 and fiscal years ended April 30, 2006, April 30, 2005 and April 30, 2004 have been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Transition Report. The selected financial data as of April 30, 2004, April 30, 2003 and April 30, 2002 and for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2003 and April 30, 2002 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are not included in this Transition Report.  You should read the selected financial data in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and the information set forth under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained elsewhere in this Transition Report.

 

 

T 2006

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Financial Highlights:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

 

$

262.9

 

$

400.1

 

$

366.4

 

$

374.9

 

$

374.3

 

$

409.6

 

Operating income

 

$

39.2

 

$

70.5

 

$

50.3

 

$

73.6

 

$

26.6

 

$

44.7

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

31.6

 

$

47.0

 

$

37.8

 

$

49.6

 

$

16.1

 

$

37.7

 

Net income (loss) (1)

 

$

31.6

 

$

47.0

 

$

39.1

 

$

48.2

 

$

(19.5

)

$

38.9

 

Earnings per share from continuing operations, diluted

 

$

0.44

 

$

0.67

 

$

0.54

 

$

0.72

 

$

0.22

 

$

0.51

 

Earnings (loss) per share, diluted

 

$

0.44

 

$

0.67

 

$

0.56

 

$

0.70

 

$

(0.28

)

$

0.53

 

Dividends paid per share

 

$

0.72

 

$

0.72

 

$

0.36

 

$

0.16

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

Cash and short-term investments

 

$

248.2

 

$

280.9

 

$

258.1

 

$

273.3

 

$

271.1

 

$

293.8

 

Total assets

 

$

453.3

 

$

479.4

 

$

441.4

 

$

454.3

 

$

432.2

 

$

491.0

 

Total debt

 

$

6.7

 

$

7.2

 

$

8.0

 

$

8.7

 

$

9.9

 

$

9.9

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

$

385.7

 

$

396.2

 

$

375.5

 

$

353.1

 

$

337.4

 

$

385.1

 



(1)

Included in our net income (loss) was the operating results of our discontinued operations, The World and the XFL, and their respective estimated shutdown costs, which totaled approximately $0, $0, $1.4, ($1.4), ($35.6) and ($0.3) during T 2006, fiscal 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

13


Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

          You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.

Background

          Due to the change to a calendar year end, we have established an eight month transition period from May 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006.  The results from the 2006 eight month transition period (“T 2006”) are compared to the previously issued results for the twelve month period ended April 30, 2006 (“2006”) in the following analysis.  Due the difference in the time periods involved, the periods are not readily comparable and as such we have removed the ‘better/worse’ column from the analysis for these periods.  Certain unaudited information on the comparable eight month period ended December 31, 2005 is included in footnote 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

          In fiscal 2006 we expanded the number of our reportable segments to four in order to better reflect the manner in which management analyzes the performance of our Company, including our digital media businesses and the production of feature films.  We have also reclassified certain other operations between the reportable segments.  All prior year information has been adjusted to reflect the current presentation.  The following analysis outlines all material activities contained within each segment.

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 advertising and sponsorships, and fees for viewing our pay-per-view and video on demand programming.

 

 

 

Consumer Products

 

 

Revenues consist principally of sales of WWE produced home videos, 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 the sale of various broadband and mobile content.

 

 

 

WWE Films

 

 

Consists of the production and distribution of filmed entertainment featuring our Superstars. Although two feature films were released in the 2006 transition period, no revenues have been recorded to date as we do not participate in revenues until the print and advertising costs incurred by our distributors have been recouped and the results have been reported to us.

          We provide updated information on the key drivers of our business including live event attendance, pay-per-view buys, home video shipments, website traffic, and online merchandise sales on a monthly basis on our corporate website http://corporate.wwe.com. Such information is not incorporated herein by reference.

Results of Operations

          Eight Month Transition Period Ended December 31, 2006 compared to Twelve Month Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2006
          (dollars in millions)

Summary

Net Revenues

 

T 2006

 

2006

 


 


 


 

Live and Televised Entertainment

 

$

183.0

 

$

290.8

 

Consumer Products

 

 

59.2

 

 

86.4

 

Digital Media

 

 

20.7

 

 

22.9

 

WWE Films

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

 



 



 

Total

 

$

262.9

 

$

400.1

 

 

 



 



 

14


Cost of Revenues

 

T 2006

 

2006

 


 


 


 

Live and Televised Entertainment

 

$

114.9

 

$

178.6

 

Consumer Products

 

 

28.7

 

 

34.4

 

Digital Media

 

 

13.5

 

 

14.2

 

WWE Films

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

 



 



 

Total

 

$

157.1

 

$

227.2

 

 

 



 



 

Profit contribution margin

 

 

40

%

 

43

%


Operating Income:

 

T 2006

 

2006

 


 


 


 

Live and Televised Entertainment

 

$

57.0

 

$

93.9

 

Consumer Products

 

 

26.9

 

 

46.4

 

Digital Media

 

 

3.8

 

 

2.9

 

WWE Films

 

 

(1.1

)

 

(1.3

)

Corporate

 

 

(47.4

)

 

(71.4

)

 

 



 



 

Total operating income

 

$

39.2

 

$

70.5

 

 

 



 



 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

31.6

 

$

47.0

 

          Our eight month 2006 transition period results were positively impacted by several factors.  In our Live and Televised Entertainment segment, our live events reflected strong North American attendance and corresponding sales of merchandise at these events.  In our Consumer Products segment, our home video business continued to surpass previous shipment records as the number of DVDs shipped in the eight month transition period exceeded shipments for the entire twelve month fiscal 2006 period. These positive factors were offset, in part, by the absence of $13.7 million of domestic cable advertising sales in our Live and Televised Entertainment segment, due to our agreement with the USA Network.

          Revenues derived from international sources represented 23% and 24% of total net revenues in the 2006 transition period and fiscal 2006, respectively.

          Additional details regarding these summary results follow below.

          The following chart provides performance results and key drivers for our Live and Televised Entertainment segment:

Revenues- Live and Televised Entertainment

 

T 2006

 

2006

 


 


 


 

Live events

 

$

52.3

 

$

75.0

 

Number of North American events

 

 

212

 

 

248

 

Average North American attendance

 

 

4,860

 

 

4,990

 

Average North American ticket price (dollars)

 

$

35.53

 

$

37.34

 

Number of international events

 

 

34

 

 

52

 

Average international attendance

 

 

8,290

 

 

9,160

 

Average international ticket price (dollars)

 

$

68.47

 

$

69.18

 

Venue merchandise

 

$

12.1

 

$

14.7

 

Domestic per capita spending (dollars)

 

$

10.89

 

$

10.57

 

Pay-per-view

 

$

53.4

 

$

94.8

 

Number of pay-per-view events

 

 

11

 

 

16

 

Number of buys from pay-per-view events

 

 

3,287,300

 

 

6,241,100

 

Average revenue per buy (dollars)

 

$

15.46

 

$

14.96

 

Domestic retail price, excluding WrestleMania (dollars)

 

$

39.95

 

$

34.95

 

Advertising

 

$

4.5

 

$

22.6

 

Sponsorship revenues

 

$

0.5

 

$

2.8

 

Television rights fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic

 

$

38.0

 

$

53.0

 

International

 

$

20.7

 

$

28.5

 

Other

 

$

2.0

 

$

2.2

 

 

 



 



 

Total

 

$

183.0

 

$

290.8

 

 

 



 



 

Ratings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average weekly household ratings for Raw

 

 

3.9

 

 

4.0

 

Average weekly household ratings for SmackDown

 

 

2.4

 

 

2.8

 

Average weekly household ratings for ECW

 

 

1.9

 

 

—  

 

15


Cost of Revenues-Live and Televised Entertainment

 

T 2006

 

2006

 


 


 


 

Live events

 

$

40.9

 

$

56.9

 

Venue merchandise

 

 

8.1

 

 

10.6

 

Pay-per-view

 

 

19.3

 

 

42.2

 

Advertising

 

 

(0.1

)

 

6.8

 

Television

 

 

40.4

 

 

53.8

 

Other

 

 

6.3

 

 

8.1

 

 

 



 



 

Total

 

$

114.9

 

$

178.4

 

 

 



 



 

Profit contribution margin

 

 

37

%

 

39

%

          Live events revenue reflects approximately $36.6 million for North American events and $15.7 million for international events in the 2006 transition period as compared to $46.7 million for North American events and $28.3 for international events in fiscal 2006. During the 2006 transition period, average attendance at our North American events was approximately 4,900 while average attendance at our international events was 8,300.  This compares to fiscal 2006 North American average attendance of approximately 5,000 and average international attendance of 9,200. We produced 38 Extreme Championship Wrestling (“ECW”) branded events in the transition period which had an average attendance of 1,100 and an average ticket price of approximately $25.00.  ECW events were held in smaller venues which generated lower attendance and revenues per event as compared to our Raw and SmackDown brands. Going forward, ECW’s live events will be combined with SmackDown until the brand is large enough to tour independently. Excluding our ECW events, North American average attendance was approximately 5,700 in the transition period, or a 14% increase from fiscal 2006.  The live events profit contribution margin was 22% in the eight month transition period as compared to 24% in the twelve month fiscal 2006 period. This decline in profit contribution was due, in part, to the costs associated with the production of the ECW events in the transition period.

          Venue merchandise revenues in transition 2006 were positively impacted by the increase in North American average attendance as the per capita spending dollars for venue sales were consistent with fiscal 2006.  The venue merchandise profit contribution margin was 33% in the eight month transition period as compared to 28% in the twelve month fiscal 2006 period.  This increase in profit margin reflects a reduction in building rental costs in the 2006 transition period.

          Pay-per-view revenue reflects approximately 3.3 million buys in the 2006 transition period as compared to 6.2 million buys in fiscal 2006.  The domestic retail price of our pay-per-view events was increased from $34.95 to $39.95 in July 2006, representing our first increase in retail price in more than four years.  The average number of buys reported for the ten events that occurred in both the 2006 transition period and fiscal 2006 were 300,000 and 325,000, respectively. This decline in the number of buys was offset, in part, by the increased domestic retail price. International buys, which carry a lower price per buy, represented 39% of total buys during the transition period as compared to 37% of total buys in fiscal 2006.  The pay-per-view profit contribution margin was 64% in the eight month transition period as compared to 55% in the twelve month fiscal 2006 period.  The fiscal 2006 period included an investment in global marketing campaigns in support of our pay-per-view programming which consequently reduced the profit margin.

          Advertising revenues in the current transition period include sales of advertising on our Canadian television programs and various sponsorship packages that totaled approximately $4.5 million. Under the terms of our domestic cable distribution agreement with USA Network, which began in October 2005, we no longer sell or participate in any domestic cable advertising.  The decrease in advertising cost of revenues reflects the absence of costs associated with selling domestic cable advertising in the transition period.

          Domestic television rights fees in the 2006 transition period reflect payments received for our ECW program on the SCI FI Channel that were not included in fiscal 2006. International rights fees for the 2006 transition period are consistent with rights fees received in fiscal 2006.  The television profit contribution margin was 31% in the eight month transition period as compared to 34% in fiscal 2006.  This reduction is due, in part, to an overall increase in the costs incurred to produce televised events, including additional direct costs for the production of our weekly ECW television program.

16


          The following chart provides performance results and key drivers for our Consumer Products segment:

Revenues- Consumer Products

 

T 2006

 

2006

 


 


 


 

Licensing

 

$

14.7

 

$

32.2

 

Magazine publishing

 

$

8.5

 

$

11.1

 

Net units sold

 

 

2,793,600

 

 

4,096,700

 

Home video

 

$

35.5

 

$

42.6

 

Gross DVD units shipped

 

 

3,283,800

 

 

2,883,200

 

Other

 

$

0.5

 

$

0.5

 

 

 



 



 

Total

 

$

59.2

 

$

86.4

 

 

 



 



 


Cost of Revenues-Consumer Products

 

T 2006

 

2006

 


 


 


 

Licensing

 

$

3.8

 

$

8.5

 

Magazine publishing

 

 

6.8

 

 

6.9

 

Home video

 

 

17.8

 

 

18.6

 

Other

 

 

0.3

 

 

0.4

 

 

 



 



 

Total

 

$

28.7

 

$

34.4

 

 

 



 



 

Profit contribution margin

 

 

52

%

 

60

%

          Licensing revenues in the 2006 transition period reflect approximately $5.0 million in the toy category, $2.9 million in the videogame category and $3.3 million related to novelties and apparel.  In fiscal 2006, revenues reflected approximately $8.5 million in the toy category, $14.5 million in the videogame category and $4.5 million related to novelties and apparel. Videogame revenue is dependent upon the release schedule of new games and licensees reporting results to us.  Fiscal 2006 reflects revenues from two new titles released as compared to no revenues reported for new releases in the transition period.  Revenues from our latest videogame release will be reported in 2007. Licensing cost of revenue consists primarily of talent royalties and agent commissions paid to our licensing agents.  The licensing profit contribution margin was 74% in both the eight month 2006 transition period and the twelve month fiscal 2006 period.

          In July 2006, we began publishing a new magazine titled WWE Magazine that replaced our two former magazines, Raw and SmackDown.  Including magazine special issues, we published sixteen issues in the 2006 transition period as compared to thirty-two issues in fiscal 2006.  The magazine publishing profit contribution margin was 20% in the eight month transition period as compared to 38% in the twelve month fiscal 2006 period.  The decline in the profit contribution margin reflects our increased editorial and content costs associated with producing our new WWE Magazine.

          Home video revenue reflects the sale of approximately 3.3 million gross DVD units in the 2006 transition period as compared to 2.9 million gross units in fiscal 2006.  Included in the successful titles released in the 2006 transition period was WrestleMania 22, which shipped approximately 425,000 gross units, representing our largest selling DVD release in our history.   The increase in home video costs is primarily due to the increased volume of home video sales in the transition period, reflecting higher duplication and distribution fees. The home video profit contribution margin was 50% in the 2006 transition period as compared to 56% in fiscal 2006, reflecting a decline in the sell-through percentage in the transition period. 

          The following chart provides performance results and key drivers for our Digital Media segment:

Revenues- Digital Media

 

T 2006

 

2006

 


 


 


 

WWE.com

 

$

7.3

 

$

9.7

 

WWEShop

 

$

13.0

 

$

12.1

 

Average revenues per order (dollars)

 

$

53.24

 

$

53.42

 

Other

 

$

0.4

 

$

1.1

 

 

 



 



 

Total

 

$

20.7

 

$

22.9

 

 

 



 



 

17


Cost of Revenues-Digital Media

 

T 2006

 

2006

 


 


 


 

WWE.com

 

$

4.3

 

$

5.2

 

WWEShop

 

 

8.5

 

 

7.8

 

Other

 

 

0.7

 

 

1.2

 

 

 



 



 

Total

 

$

13.5

 

$

14.2

 

 

 



 



 

Profit contribution margin

 

 

35

%

 

38

%

          WWE.com revenue in the 2006 transition period reflects approximately $5.5 million in advertising revenues as compared to $7.3 million in fiscal 2006.  Revenues for other internet based operations in the transition period, including webcasts of pay-per-view events, subscription based content and wireless content were $1.8 million as compared to $2.4 million in fiscal 2006.  The WWE.com profit contribution margin was 41% in the 2006 transition period as compared to 46% in fiscal 2006. The reduction in the profit margin in the transition period reflects higher content based expenses.

          WWEShop revenue in the 2006 transition period reflects approximately 244,000 customer orders as compared to approximately 226,000 orders received in the twelve month period of fiscal 2006.  The sale of exclusive WWEShop packages and an increase in the category offerings available on WWEShop contributed to the increase in the number of orders.  The WWEShop profit contribution margin was 35% in the 2006 transition period as compared to 36% in fiscal 2006. 

          WWE FILMS

          During the eight month 2006 transition period we released two feature films, See No Evil and The Marine, to theaters in widespread distribution.  See No Evil was released domestically in theaters in May 2006 and on DVD in November 2006. The Marine was released domestically in theaters in October 2006 and on DVD in January 2007, subsequent to year end. During the 2006 transition period we incurred approximately $16.9 million in capitalized production costs for our third feature film, The Condemned, which is scheduled for release in April 2007.  As of December 31, 2006 we have recorded approximately $53.6 million in capitalized feature film production costs. We do not participate in any revenues associated with these film projects until the print and advertising costs incurred by our distributors have been recouped and the results have been reported to us.  Accordingly, no revenues have been recorded in the 2006 transition period.

          The following chart reflects the amounts of certain significant overhead items:

Selling, General & Administrative Expenses

 

T 2006

 

2006

 


 


 


 

Staff related

 

$

29.9

 

$

44.7

 

Legal, accounting and other professional

 

 

6.1

 

 

10.9

 

Stock compensation

 

 

4.8

 

 

4.7

 

Advertising and promotion

 

 

3.4

 

 

5.2

 

Bad debt

 

 

(1.6

)

 

0.5

 

All other

 

 

18.4

 

 

25.9

 

 

 



 



 

Total SG&A

 

$

61.0

 

$

91.9

 

 

 



 



 

SG&A as a percentage of net revenues

 

 

23

%

 

23

%

          Legal and accounting fees were reduced in the transition period based on the number of active cases in litigation and a reduction in the cost of Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.  The fiscal 2006 amount of legal and other professional expenses included a $2.1 million benefit for net positive legal settlements.  Bad debt expense in the transition period reflects the reversal of previously reserved accounts for which we expect to recover.

 

 

T 2006

 

2006

 

 

 


 


 

Depreciation and amortization

 

$

5.6

 

$

10.5

 

          Depreciation and amortization expense has declined as the amount of capitalized property, plant and equipment and film libraries that became fully depreciated and amortized continued to increase.

 

 

T 2006

 

2006

 

 

 


 


 

Investment income

 

$

6.4

 

$

7.4

 

          Investment income in the transition period has increased based on higher short term interest rates and decreases in realized investment losses.

18


 

 

T 2006

 

2006

 

 

 


 


 

Interest expense

 

$

0.4

 

$

0.6

 


 

 

T 2006

 

2006

 

 

 


 


 

Other income, net

 

$

0.9

 

$

0.6

 


Provision for Income Taxes

 

T 2006

 

2006

 


 


 


 

Provision

 

$

14.5

 

$

30.9

 

Effective tax rate

 

 

31

%

 

40

%

          The transition period effective tax rate is lower than historical rates due to increased tax-exempt interest, increased tax benefits from domestic production activities and the favorable settlement of income tax examinations. In addition, the effective tax rate for fiscal 2006 was higher than historical rates primarily due to realized capital losses and an increase in state and local taxes. 

          Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2006 compared to Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2005 (dollars in millions)

          Summary

Net Revenues

 

2006

 

2005

 

better
(worse)

 


 


 


 


 

Live and Televised Entertainment

 

$

290.8

 

$

299.5

 

 

(3

)%

Consumer Products

 

 

86.4

 

 

53.9

 

 

60

%

Digital Media

 

 

22.9

 

 

13.0

 

 

76

%

WWE Films

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

400.1

 

$

366.4

 

 

9

%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 


Cost of Revenues

 

2006

 

2005

 

better
(worse)

 


 


 


 


 

Live and Televised Entertainment

 

$

178.6

 

$

181.8

 

 

2

%

Consumer Products

 

 

34.4

 

 

23.3

 

 

(48

)%

Digital Media

 

 

14.2

 

 

8.2

 

 

(73

)%

WWE Films

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

227.2

 

$

213.3

 

 

(7

)%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Profit contribution margin

 

 

43

%

 

42

%

 

 

 


Operating Income:

 

2006

 

2005

 

better
(worse)

 


 


 


 


 

Live and Televised Entertainment

 

$

93.9

 

$

100.6

 

 

(7

)%

Consumer Products

 

 

46.4

 

 

26.9

 

 

72

%

Digital Media

 

 

2.9

 

 

1.2

 

 

142

%

WWE Films

 

 

(1.3

)

 

(1.0

)

 

(30

)%

Corporate

 

 

(71.4

)

 

(77.4

)

 

8

%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Total operating income

 

$

70.5

 

$

50.3

 

 

40

%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

47.0

 

$

37.8

 

 

24

%

          The increase in net revenues and operating income for fiscal 2006 principally reflected additional pay-per-view buys in our Live and Televised Entertainment segment and the growth of our licensing and home video businesses in our Consumer Products segment.  Also, the revenues associated with WWEShop, our internet based storefront, more than doubled from the fiscal 2005, which drove the increase in the Digital Media segment.  These increases were offset, in part, by the absence of $17.5 million from domestic cable advertising sales in our Live and Televised Entertainment segment, due to our agreement with the USA Network. Revenues derived from international sources represented 24% of total net revenues in both fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2005.

19


          Additional details regarding these summary results follow below.

          The following chart provides performance results and key drivers for our Live and Televised Entertainment segment:

Revenues- Live and Televised Entertainment

 

2006

 

2005

 

better
(worse)

 


 


 


 


 

Live events

 

$

75.0

 

$

78.7

 

 

(5

)%

Number of North American events

 

 

248

 

 

276

 

 

(10

)%

Average North American attendance

 

 

4,990

 

 

4,250

 

 

17

%

Average North American ticket price (dollars)

 

$

37.34

 

$

38.61

 

 

(3

)%

Number of international events

 

 

52

 

 

49

 

 

6

%

Average international attendance

 

 

9,160

 

 

9,070

 

 

1

%

Average international ticket price (dollars)

 

$

69.18

 

$

74.53

 

 

(7

)%

Venue merchandise

 

$

14.7

 

$

12.8

 

 

15

%

Domestic per capita spending (dollars)

 

$

10.57

 

$

9.54

 

 

11

%

Pay-per-view

 

$

94.8

 

$

85.5

 

 

11

%

Number of pay-per-view events

 

 

16

 

 

14

 

 

14

%

Number of buys from pay-per-view events

 

 

6,241,100

 

 

5,280,800

 

 

18

%

Average revenue per buy (dollars)

 

$

14.96

 

$

15.94

 

 

(6

)%

Domestic retail price, excluding WrestleMania (dollars)

 

$

34.95

 

$

34.95

 

 

—  

 

Advertising

 

$

22.6

 

$

43.7

 

 

(48

)%

Sponsorship revenues

 

$

2.8

 

$

4.7

 

 

(40

)%

Television rights fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic

 

$

53.0

 

$

53.2

 

 

—  

 

International

 

$

28.5

 

$

24.8

 

 

15

%

Other

 

$

2.2

 

$

0.8

 

 

175

%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

290.8

 

$

299.5

 

 

(3

)%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Ratings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average weekly household ratings for Raw

 

 

4.0

 

 

3.7

 

 

8

%

Average weekly household ratings for SmackDown

 

 

2.8

 

 

3.2

 

 

(13

)%


Cost of Revenues-Live and Televised Entertainment

 

2006

 

2005

 

better
(worse)

 


 


 


 


 

Live events

 

$

56.9

 

$

59.8

 

 

5

%

Venue merchandise

 

 

10.6

 

 

8.4

 

 

(26

)%

Pay-per-view

 

 

42.2

 

 

36.3

 

 

(16

)%

Advertising

 

 

6.8

 

 

14.6

 

 

53

%

Television

 

 

53.8

 

 

53.9

 

 

—  

 

Other

 

 

8.3

 

 

8.8

 

 

6

%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

178.6

 

$

181.8

 

 

2

%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Profit contribution margin

 

 

39

%

 

39

%

 

 

 

          Live events revenue decreased primarily due to a lower average ticket price in fiscal 2006, specifically in international markets. This decline in revenues was offset, in part, by an increase in the average attendance.  In fiscal 2005 we began broadcasting our Raw and SmackDown shows from international locations at certain times during our international tours. We broadcasted four television shows from international locations with total attendance of approximately 35,000 and an average ticket price of $76.00 in fiscal 2006, as compared to six of these types of shows in fiscal 2005 with total attendance of approximately 77,000 and an average ticket price of approximately $90.00, which generated a decline in revenues in the current year of approximately $4.2 million.  The decrease in live events cost of revenues was primarily attributable to the production of 25 fewer events in fiscal 2006.

20


          Venue merchandise revenues increased due to higher domestic per capita spending dollars for venue sales.  The increase in venue merchandise cost of revenues was due to the volume and type of products sold at our live events in fiscal 2006.

          Pay-per-view revenues increased due to the recording of approximately 960,000 additional buys in fiscal 2006 as compared to fiscal 2005.  There were 16 pay-per-view events produced in fiscal 2006 as compared to 14 events in fiscal 2005. The two additional events comprised approximately 524,000 of the total additional buys generated in fiscal 2006.  International buys, which carry a lower price per buy, continued to rise, representing 37% of total buys during fiscal 2006 as compared to 30% of total buys in fiscal 2005.   The increase in pay-per-view cost of revenues is due, in part, to approximately $3.2 million of costs related to the production of the two additional events in fiscal 2005, as well as an investment in global marketing campaigns in support of our pay-per-view business and the WWE brand.

          Advertising revenues decreased due to our domestic cable distribution agreement whereby our Raw program and a one-hour weekend Raw branded program air on USA Network.  Under the terms of this agreement, we no longer sell or participate in any advertising revenue generated by these programs.  We receive rights fees from USA Network similar to those received from SpikeTV, which aired Raw until October 2005.  Advertising revenues in fiscal 2006 also include sales of advertising on our Canadian television programs and various sponsorship packages that totaled approximately $8.9 million.  The decrease in advertising cost of revenues reflects the absence of costs associated with selling domestic cable advertising for seven months of fiscal 2006.

          The increase in international rights fees for the current year is primarily due to increased revenues generated in India and South Korea.

          The following chart provides performance results and key drivers for our Consumer Products segment:

Revenues- Consumer Products

 

2006

 

2005

 

better
(worse)

 


 


 


 


 

Licensing

 

$

32.2

 

$

20.9

 

 

54

%

Magazine publishing

 

$

11.1

 

$

12.2

 

 

(9

)%

Net units sold

 

 

4,096,700

 

 

4,058,200

 

 

1

%

Home video

 

$

42.6

 

$

20.1

 

 

112

%

Gross DVD units shipped

 

 

2,883,200

 

 

1,868,400

 

 

54

%

Other

 

$

0.5

 

$

0.7

 

 

(29

)%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

86.4

 

$

53.9

 

 

60

%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 


Cost of Revenues-Consumer Products

 

2006

 

2005

 

better
(worse)

 


 


 


 


 

Licensing

 

$

8.5

 

$

6.4

 

 

(33

)%

Magazine publishing

 

 

6.9

 

 

7.2

 

 

4

%

Home video

 

 

18.6

 

 

9.2

 

 

(102

)%

Other

 

 

0.4

 

 

0.5

 

 

20

%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

34.4

 

$

23.3

 

 

(48

)%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Profit contribution margin

 

 

60

%

 

57

%

 

 

 

          Licensing revenues increased primarily due to a $4.2 million increase in the toy category and a $4.1 million increase in the multimedia game category.  In fiscal 2006 our SmackDown vs. Raw 2006 video game was released and sold approximately 2.9 million gross units on the PSP and PS2 platforms.  Licensing revenues include $1.3 million in music revenues in fiscal 2006 as compared to $0.8 million in fiscal 2005. The increase in licensing cost of revenues, consisting primarily of talent royalties and agent commissions paid to our licensing agents, reflects the higher licensing revenues in fiscal 2006.  Our talent payout percentage varies as the mix of royalty bearing products sold by our licensees varies from period to period.

          Magazine publishing revenues decreased primarily due to a decline in the newsstand copies sold in fiscal 2006 as compared to fiscal 2005.  Special magazines published in the prior year included a two-part retrospective surrounding the history of WrestleMania.

          Home video revenues increased due to the 48% increase in gross units sold combined with an approximate $3.70 increase in the per unit sales price of DVDs. Fiscal 2006 included the release of several multi-disc titles including WrestleMania 21, Tombstone: The History of the Undertaker and Bret the Hitman Hart: The Best There Is…The Best There Was…The Best There Ever Will Be.  Also released in fiscal 2006 was WrestleMania: The Complete Anthology box set, a 21 disc retrospective with a $279.95 suggested retail price and sets of the WrestleMania Anthology broken into five-year series.  The increase in home video costs was primarily due to the increased volume of home video sales in fiscal 2006, reflecting duplication and distribution fees.

21


          The following chart provides performance results and key drivers for our Digital Media segment:

Revenues- Digital Media

 

2006

 

2005

 

better
(worse)

 


 


 


 


 

WWE.com

 

$

9.7

 

$

7.8

 

 

24

%

WWEShop

 

$

12.1

 

$

4.5

 

 

169

%

Average revenues per order (dollars)

 

$

53.42

 

$

47.78

 

 

12

%

Other

 

$

1.1

 

$

0.7

 

 

57

%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

22.9

 

$

13.0

 

 

76

%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 


Cost of Revenues-Digital Media

 

2006

 

2005

 

better
(worse)

 


 


 


 


 

WWE.com

 

$

5.2

 

$

3.5

 

 

(49

)%

WWEShop

 

 

7.8

 

 

3.7

 

 

(111

)%

Other

 

 

1.2

 

 

1.0

 

 

(20

)%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

14.2

 

$

8.2

 

 

(73

)%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Profit contribution margin

 

 

38

%

 

37

%

 

 

 

          The increase in WWE.com revenues reflects a $1.5 million increase in advertising revenues as compared to fiscal 2005.  Also, revenues associated with other internet based operations, including webcasts of pay-per-view events and subscription based content, increased by approximately $0.4 million in fiscal 2006.  The increase in WWE.com cost of sales is primarily due to higher streaming related expenses, based on a larger portion of our content being distributed through streaming videos.

          The increase in WWEShop revenues reflects an approximate 140% growth in the number of customer orders to approximately 226,000 orders in fiscal 2006.  The additional revenues generated in fiscal 2006 reflect an increase in the average order price by $5.64. The category offerings were also increased to better appeal to a wider array of consumers and the sale of exclusive WWEShop packages also contributed to the increased revenues.  The increase in WWEShop cost of revenues is directly correlated to the increase in orders processed in fiscal 2006, reflecting an increase in the costs of materials and fulfillment as compared to fiscal 2005.

          The following chart reflects the amounts and percent change of certain significant overhead items:

Selling, General & Administrative Expenses

 

2006

 

2005

 

better
(worse)

 


 


 


 


 

Staff related

 

$

44.7

 

$

41.2

 

 

(8

)%

Legal, accounting and other professional

 

 

10.9

 

 

16.1

 

 

32

%

Advertising and promotion

 

 

5.2

 

 

6.3

 

 

17

%

Stock compensation

 

 

4.7

 

 

4.1

 

 

(1

)%

Bad debt

 

 

0.5

 

 

0.7

 

 

29

%

All other

 

 

25.9

 

 

22.6

 

 

(15

)%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Total SG&A

 

$

91.9

 

$

91.0

 

 

(1

)%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

SG&A as a percentage of net revenues

 

 

23

%

 

25

%

 

 

 

          Staff related expenses increased, in part, due to accrued employee incentive bonus payments that are linked to our achievement of certain performance thresholds. Professional fees decreased due to a reduction in the cost of Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and $2.1 million of net positive legal settlements in fiscal 2006. Stock compensation expense primarily relates to the amortization of restricted stock grants issued to employees under our 1999 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”).

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

better
(worse)

 

 

 


 


 


 

Depreciation and amortization

 

$

10.5

 

$

11.9

 

 

12

%

          Depreciation and amortization expense declined as the amount of capitalized property, plant and equipment that became fully depreciated in fiscal 2006 exceeded the depreciation associated with capital additions in fiscal 2005.

22


 

 

2006

 

2005

 

better
(worse)

 

 

 


 


 


 

Investment income

 

$

7.4

 

$

5.4

 

 

37

%

          The increase in investment income reflects higher short term interest rates.

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

better
(worse)

 

 

 


 


 


 

Interest expense

 

$

0.6

 

$

0.6

 

 

—  

 


 

 

2006

 

2005

 

better
(worse)

 

 

 


 


 


 

Other income, net

 

$

0.6

 

$

1.3

 

 

(54

)%


Provision for Income Tax

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

Provision

 

$

30.9

 

$

18.6

 

 

 

 

Effective tax rate

 

 

40

%

 

33

%

 

 

 


          The rise in the effective tax rate for fiscal 2006 was primarily due to realized capital losses and an increase in state and local taxes.  In addition, the effective tax rate in fiscal 2005 was lower primarily due to the release of a valuation allowance no longer necessary upon the assignment of the lease of The World to a third party and other state tax benefits.

          Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2005 compared to Fiscal Year Ended April 30, 2004 (dollars in millions)

Net Revenues

 

2005

 

2004

 

better
(worse)

 


 


 


 


 

Live and Televised Entertainment

 

$

299.5

 

$

308.8

 

 

(3

)%

Consumer Products

 

 

53.9

 

 

54.7

 

 

(1

)%

Digital Media

 

 

13.0

 

 

11.4

 

 

14

%

WWE Films

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

366.4

 

$

374.9

 

 

(2

)%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 


Cost of Revenues

 

2005

 

2004

 

better
(worse)

 


 


 


 


 

Live and Televised Entertainment

 

$

181.8

 

$

179.8

 

 

(1

)%

Consumer Products

 

 

23.3

 

 

15.2

 

 

(53

)%

Digital Media

 

 

8.2

 

 

12.1

 

 

32

%

WWE Films

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

213.3

 

$

207.1

 

 

(3

)%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Profit contribution margin

 

 

42

%

 

45

%

 

 

 


Operating Income:

 

2005

 

2004

 

better
(worse)

 


 


 


 


 

Live and Televised Entertainment

 

$

100.6

 

$

106.5

 

 

(6

)%

Consumer Products

 

 

26.9

 

 

34.3

 

 

(22

)%

Digital Media

 

 

1.2

 

 

(7.9

)

 

115

%

WWE Films

 

 

(1.0

)

 

(1.3

)

 

23

%

Corporate

 

 

(77.4

)

 

(58.0

)

 

(33

)%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Total operating income

 

$

50.3

 

$

73.6

 

 

(32

)%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

37.8

 

$

49.6

 

 

(24

)%

          In fiscal 2005, net revenues decreased due to lower pay-per-view buys and advertising revenues, partially offset by an increase in live events revenues and television rights fees.   Revenues from international sources represented 24% of total net revenue in fiscal 2005 as compared to 17% in fiscal 2004.

          Operating income decreased due to lower revenues and reduced profit margins in the Live and Televised Entertainment segment.  In addition, fiscal 2004 included two positive events associated with litigation.  The Consumer Products segment included a positive impact of $7.9 million relating to the reversal of accrued licensing commissions, while SG&A was reduced by a $5.9 million benefit for a legal settlement.

23


          Additional details regarding these summary results follow below.

          The following chart provides performance results and key drivers for our Live and Televised Entertainment segment:

Revenues- Live and Televised Entertainment

 

2005

 

2004

 

better
(worse)

 


 


 


 


 

Live events

 

$

78.7

 

$

69.7

 

 

13

%

Number of North American events

 

 

276

 

 

297

 

 

(7

)%

Average North American attendance

 

 

4,250

 

 

4,550

 

 

(7

)%

Average North American ticket price (dollars)

 

$

38.61

 

$

36.23

 

 

7

%

Number of international events

 

 

49

 

 

32

 

 

53

%

Average international attendance

 

 

9,070

 

 

9,270

 

 

(2

)%

Average international ticket price (dollars)

 

$

74.53

 

$

64.56

 

 

15

%

Venue merchandise

 

$

12.8

 

$

12.7

 

 

1

%

Domestic per capita spending (dollars)

 

$

9.54

 

$

8.96

 

 

6

%

Pay-per-view

 

$

85.5

 

$

95.3

 

 

(10

)%

Number of pay-per-view events

 

 

14

 

 

12

 

 

17

%

Number of buys from pay-per-view events

 

 

5,280,800

 

 

5,604,000

 

 

(6

)%

Average revenue per buy (dollars)

 

$

15.94

 

$

17.16

 

 

(7

)%

Domestic retail price, excluding WrestleMania (dollars)

 

$

34.95

 

$

34.95

 

 

—  

 

Advertising

 

$

43.7

 

$

59.5

 

 

(27

)%

Sponsorship revenues

 

$

4.7

 

$

6.8

 

 

(31

)%

Television rights fees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic

 

$

53.2

 

$

48.3

 

 

10

%

International

 

$

24.8

 

$

22.8

 

 

9

%

Other

 

$

0.8

 

$

0.5

 

 

60

%

Ratings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average weekly household ratings for Raw

 

 

3.7

 

 

3.8

 

 

(3

)%

Average weekly household ratings for SmackDown

 

 

3.2

 

 

3.3

 

 

(3

)%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

299.5

 

$

308.8

 

 

(3

)%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 


Cost of Revenues-Live and Televised Entertainment

 

2005

 

2004

 

better
(worse)

 


 


 


 


 

Live events

 

$

59.8

 

$

51.9

 

 

(15

)%

Venue merchandise

 

 

8.4

 

 

8.6

 

 

2

%

Pay-per-view

 

 

36.3

 

 

36.0

 

 

(1

)%

Advertising

 

 

14.6

 

 

22.5

 

 

35

%

Television

 

 

53.9

 

 

50.6

 

 

(7

)%

Other

 

 

8.8

 

 

10.2

 

 

14

%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

181.8

 

$

179.8

 

 

(1

)%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Profit contribution margin

 

 

39

%

 

42

%

 

 

 

          Live events revenue increased primarily due to an increase in the average ticket price.  We held 49 international events in fiscal 2005 as compared to 32 events in fiscal 2004.  International ticket prices averaged approximately $74.00, as compared to an average North American ticket price of approximately $39.00.  The increase in live events cost of revenues is attributable to the increased number of international events in fiscal 2005. 

          Pay-per-view revenues decreased primarily due to a lower number of domestic pay-per-view buys.  However, our premier event, WrestleMania 21, which was held in April 2005, achieved approximately 983,000 buys as compared to approximately 885,000 buys for WrestleMania XX reported in fiscal 2004. In addition, the proportion of international buys, which carry a lower price, as compared to total buys continued to increase during fiscal 2005.

24


          Advertising revenues decreased due to a modification of our television distribution agreement with UPN. In October 2003, UPN began selling all advertising inventory for our SmackDown broadcasts and paying us a rights fee.  This arrangement accounted for a decrease of approximately $9.4 million in advertising revenue in fiscal 2005, partially offset by an increase in television rights fees of $7.1 million. This arrangement also resulted in lower cost of revenues and yielded a higher profit margin. 

          The increase in the domestic rights fees for fiscal 2005 is derived from rights fee paid to us under our modified arrangement with UPN as discussed above, partially offset by a $2.2 million decrease in executive producer fees for a feature film starring Superstar The Rock that did not recur in fiscal 2005.

          The following chart provides performance results and key drivers for our Consumer Products segment:

Revenues- Consumer Product

 

2005

 

2004

 

better
(worse)

 


 


 


 


 

Licensing

 

$

20.9

 

$

21.8

 

 

(4

)%

Magazine publishing

 

$

12.2

 

$

10.7

 

 

14

%

Net units sold

 

 

4,058,200

 

 

4,312,200

 

 

(6

)%

Home video

 

$

20.1

 

$

21.4

 

 

(6

)%

Gross DVD units shipped

 

 

1,868,400

 

 

1,520,200

 

 

23

%

Other

 

$

0.7

 

$

0.8

 

 

(13

)%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

53.9

 

$

54.7

 

 

(1

)%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 


Cost of Revenues-Consumer Products

 

2005

 

2004

 

better
(worse)

 


 


 


 


 

Licensing

 

$

6.4

 

$

(2.0

)

 

(420

)%

Magazine publishing

 

 

7.2

 

 

7.3

 

 

1

%

Home video

 

 

9.2

 

 

9.5

 

 

3

%

Other

 

 

0.5

 

 

0.4

 

 

(25

)%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

23.3

 

$

15.2

 

 

53

%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Profit contribution margin

 

 

57

%

 

72

%

 

 

 

          Licensing costs in fiscal 2004 reflect the reversal of $7.9 million of previously accrued licensing agent commissions.  These costs had been accrued over the period from fiscal 2001 through fiscal 2004 and were reversed because payment was no longer considered probable as a result of favorable litigation developments.  Excluding this reversal, licensing cost of revenues increased by approximately $0.5 million primarily due to a greater mix of royalty bearing revenue in fiscal 2005.

          Magazine publishing revenues increased primarily due to the production of three additional special editions in fiscal 2005 as compared to the prior year.  Specials published in fiscal 2005 included a two-part retrospective surrounding the history of WrestleMania and our annual WWE Divas Swimsuit issue.

          Home video revenues declined in part due to a lower price per unit as compared to fiscal 2004. This was partially offset by an increase of approximately 0.2 million gross units sold. Successful titles released in fiscal 2005 included The Rise & Fall of ECW, which chronicled the history of Extreme Championship Wrestling, and Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story. 

          The following chart provides performance results and key drivers for our Digital Media segment:

Revenues- Digital Media

 

2005

 

2004

 

better
(worse)

 


 


 


 


 

WWE.com

 

$

7.8

 

$

5.6

 

 

39

%

WWEShop

 

$

4.5

 

$

4.9

 

 

(8

)%

Average revenues per order (dollars)

 

$

47.78

 

$

42.88

 

 

11

%

Other

 

$

0.7

 

$

0.9

 

 

(22

)%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

13.0

 

$

11.4

 

 

14

%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

25


Cost of Revenues-Digital Media

 

2005

 

2004

 

better
(worse)

 


 


 


 


 

WWE.com

 

$

3.5

 

$

3.2

 

 

(9

)%

WWEShop

 

 

3.7

 

 

8.0

 

 

54

%

Other

 

 

1.0

 

 

0.9

 

 

(11

)%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

8.2

 

$

12.1

 

 

32

%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Profit contribution margin

 

 

37

%

 

(6

)%

 

 

 

          Digital media revenue increased due to higher web advertising sales.  This overall increase was offset by a decrease in WWEShop sales reflecting a 19% decrease in the number of orders.  Partially offsetting the WWEShop decline was an 11% increase in the customer amount spent per order.

          During fiscal 2004 we recorded a pre-tax charge of $2.9 million in WWEShop cost of revenues for the impairment of certain long-lived assets of our e-commerce business.  These assets were primarily composed of capitalized software development costs incurred during the set up of the e-commerce section of our website.  Excluding this write-off, WWEShop cost of revenues decreased by approximately 27% as a result of reduced internet hosting costs associated with the operation of our website.

          The following chart reflects the amounts and percent change of certain significant overhead items:

Selling, General & Administrative Expenses

 

2005

 

2004

 

better
(worse)

 


 


 


 


 

Staff related

 

$

41.2

 

$

42.5

 

 

3

%

Legal, accounting and other professional

 

 

16.1

 

 

15.3

 

 

(5

)%

Settlement of litigation, net

 

 

—  

 

 

(5.9

)

 

NA

 

Advertising and promotion

 

 

6.3

 

 

6.8

 

 

7

%

Stock Compensation

 

 

4.1

 

 

3.7

 

 

(11

)%

Bad debt

 

 

0.7

 

 

(2.3

)

 

(130

)%

All other

 

 

22.6

 

 

21.7

 

 

(4

)%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

Total SG&A

 

$

91.0

 

$

81.8

 

 

(11

)%

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

SG&A as a percentage of net revenues

 

 

25

%

 

22

%

 

 

 

          In fiscal 2004, we received a favorable legal settlement of approximately $5.9 million.  The $2.3 million negative amount of bad debt expense in fiscal 2004 was due to a payment received from a pay-per-view service provider that had been fully reserved in the prior year.

          Stock compensation expense relates to our restricted stock program. During 2004, we completed an exchange offer that gave all active employees and independent contractors who held stock options with a grant price of $17.00 or higher the ability to exchange their options, at a 6 to 1 ratio, for restricted stock units. This exchange resulted in a total compensation charge of approximately $6.7 million, of which approximately $2.0 million was recorded in fiscal 2004, approximately $3.6 million was recorded in fiscal 2005 and approximately $1.1 million was recorded in fiscal 2006.  The remaining charge of approximately $0.5 million in fiscal 2005 reflects the amortization of restricted stock grants issued to employees under our 1999 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”).

          Also in 2004, we granted 178,000 restricted stock units at $9.60 per share.  Such issuances were granted to officers and employees under our LTIP.  Although originally scheduled to amortize over a seven year vesting period, an earnings target was set such that if achieved during the vesting period, the unvested restricted stock units would vest.  Such target was met in respect of fiscal 2004 and we recorded a $1.7 million charge in fiscal 2004 for the immediate vesting of the remaining restricted stock units. 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

better
(worse)

 


 


 


 


 

Depreciation and amortization

 

$

11.9

 

$

12.4

 

 

4

%


 

 

2005

 

2004

 

better
(worse)

 


 


 


 


 

Investment income

 

$

5.4

 

$

5.9

 

 

(8

)%

          The decrease in investment income relates to realized losses recognized with the sale of certain investments during fiscal 2005.

26


 

 

2005

 

2004

 

better
(worse)

 

 

 


 


 


 

Interest expense

 

$

0.6

 

$

0.8

 

 

25

%


 

 

2005

 

2004

 

better
(worse)

 

 

 


 


 


 

Other income, net

 

$

1.3

 

$

1.3

 

 

—  

 


Provision for Income Taxes

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

 

Provision

 

$

18.6

 

$

30.4

 

 

 

 

Effective tax rate

 

 

33

%

 

38

%

 

 

 

          The decrease in the effective tax rate in fiscal 2005 was primarily due to the release of a valuation allowance no longer necessary upon the assignment of the lease of The World to a third party and other state tax benefits.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

          Cash flows provided by operating activities for the transition period ended December 31, 2006 and the fiscal years ended April 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004 were $22.3 million, $67.3 million, $16.5 million and $61.9 million, respectively.  The decline in cash flows provided by operating activities in the 2006 transition period reflects eight months of activity as compared to twelve months of activity in fiscal 2006 and a net increase in the amount of cash paid for feature films and previously accrued expenses. 

          Cash flows provided by operating activities vary, in part, due to the timing of our productions for feature films.  We have released two feature films to date and have scheduled the domestic release of our third film for April 2007.  Cash flows used for feature film production were $17.5 million, $7.3 million, $28.3 million and $0.4 million for the 2006 transition period and the fiscal years ended April 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The estimated cash to be used in fiscal 2007 for feature film production costs is approximately $20 million. As of December 31, 2006, we have approximately $53.6 million in capitalized film production assets.

          Working capital, consisting of current assets less current liabilities, was $255.3 million, $285.2 million and $278.1 million as of December 31, 2006, April 30, 2006 and April 30, 2005, respectively.

          Cash flows used in investing activities for the transition period 2006 were $64.4 million.  Cash flows provided by investing activities for fiscal years 2006 and 2005 were $84.9 million and $15.8 million, respectively, and cash flows used in investing activities were $111.0 million in fiscal 2004.  In the 2006 transition period we purchased approximately $77.4 million of short term investments. As of February 23, 2007, we had approximately $162.5 million invested primarily in fixed income mutual funds and municipal bonds. Our investment policy is designed to preserve capital and minimize interest rate, credit and market risk. 

          Capital expenditures for fixed asset projects were approximately $5.1 million, $9.4 million, $5.1 million and $5.3 million in transition 2006, fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.  We spent approximately $2.7 million, $0.9 million, $0.2 million and $1.6 million on the purchase of film library and other intangible assets in transition 2006, fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Capital expenditures in fiscal 2006 included approximately $4.6 million for the purchase of land adjacent to our television studio. The $5.3 million in fiscal 2004 excluded approximately $20.1 million to purchase an aircraft on lease. Capital expenditures in 2007 are expected to be between $20 million and $25 million, reflecting significant projects related to television equipment, including the implementation of high definition broadcasting.  Additional projects include wireless content delivery and video management systems and building improvements. 

          Cash flows used in financing activities for the 2006 transition period and the fiscal years ended April 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004 were $46.8 million, $33.5 million, $24.2 million and $30.9 million, respectively.  In the 2006 transition period, we paid three dividends, of $0.24 per share on all Class A and Class B common shares, for an aggregate amount of $51.0 million.  In fiscal 2006, we paid four dividends, including two dividends at a rate of $0.12 per share and two dividends at $0.24 per share on all Class A and Class B common shares, for an aggregate amount of $50.1 million.  This compares to dividends paid of $24.7 million in fiscal 2005 and $11.0 million in fiscal 2004. In February 2007, the Board of Directors authorized a quarterly dividend of $0.24 per share on all Class A and Class B common shares that is expected to be paid on or about March 26, 2007.  Assuming the same dividend rate and stock ownership, the estimated amount of dividends to be paid for the upcoming fiscal year is approximately $68.0 million.

27


          We believe that cash generated from operations and from existing cash and short-term investments will be sufficient to meet our cash needs over the next twelve months for working capital, capital expenditures, feature film production and the payment of dividends.

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 2008, 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 is currently waiving all of his compensation under theses agreements, except for a salary of $850,000 per year beginning in 2007.

 

 

 

 

Employment contract with Linda E. McMahon, which runs through October 2007, with annual renewals thereafter if not terminated by us or Mrs. McMahon. Mrs. McMahon is currently waiving all of her compensation under theses agreements, except for a salary of $500,000 per year beginning in 2007.

 

 

 

 

Other employment contracts which are generally for one-to three-year terms.

 

 

 

 

Service contracts with certain of our independent contractors, including our talent, which are generally for one-to four-year terms.

          Our aggregate minimum payment obligations under these contracts as of December 31, 2006, assuming the continued waiver of compensation by Mr. and Mrs. McMahon, except for the annual salaries of $850,000 and $500,000, respectively, noted above, were as follows:

 

 

Payments due by period

 

 

 


 

 

 

12/31/07

 

2008 to 2010

 

2011 to 2012

 

After  2012

 

Total

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Long-term debt (including interest thereon)

 

$

1.3

 

$

2.7

 

$

2.7

 

$

1.7

 

$

8.4

 

Operating leases

 

 

1.0

 

 

1.3

 

 

1.2

 

 

1.7

 

 

5.2

 

Talent, employment agreements and other commitments

 

 

16.1

 

 

12.0

 

 

5.2

 

 

12.5

 

 

45.8

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total commitments

 

$

18.4

 

$

16.0

 

$

9.1

 

$

15.9

 

$

59.4

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Seasonality

          Our operating results are not materially affected by seasonal factors; however, our premier event, WrestleMania, historically occurred in our fourth fiscal quarter.  Due to our change in fiscal year end, beginning in calendar year 2007 WrestleMania will typically occur late in our first quarter or early in our second quarter.  In addition, revenues from our licensing and direct sale of consumer products, including our catalogs, magazines and internet sites, may vary from period to period depending on the volume and extent of licensing agreements and marketing and promotion programs entered into during any particular period of time, as well as the commercial success of the media exposure of our characters and brand. The timing of these events as well as the continued introduction of new product offerings and revenue generating outlets can and will cause fluctuation in quarterly revenues and earnings.

Inflation

          During transition 2006 and the past three fiscal years, inflation has not had a material effect on our business.

28


Application of Critical Accounting Policies

Accounting Policies

          We believe the following are the critical accounting policies used in the preparation of our financial statements, as well as the significant judgments and estimates affecting the application of these policies.

•          Revenue Recognition

          Pay-per-view programming:

Revenues from our pay-per-view programming are recorded when the event is aired 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. Final reconciliation of the pay-per-view buys occurs within one year and any subsequent adjustments to the buys are recognized on a cash basis. As of December 31, 2006, our pay-per-view accounts receivable was $19.6 million. If our initial estimate is incorrect, it can result in significant adjustments to revenues in subsequent years.

          Sponsorships:

          Through our sponsorship packages, we offer advertisers a full range of our promotional vehicles, including internet and print advertising, arena signage and special appearances by our Superstars.  We follow the guidance of Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue 00-21 Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables, and assign the total sponsorship revenues to the various elements contained within a sponsorship package based on their relative fair value.  Our relative fair values for the sponsorship elements are based upon a combination of historical prices and current advertising market conditions.  Revenue from these packages is recognized as each element is delivered.  If we do not accurately estimate the fair values of the various components of sponsorship packages, the timing of our income recognition would be impacted.  Sponsorship revenues totaled $0.5 million for the eight months ended December 31, 2006.

          Home video:

          Revenues from the sales of home video titles are recorded when shipped by our distributor to wholesalers/ retailers, net of an allowance for estimated returns.  The allowance for estimated returns is based on historical information and current industry trends. As of December 31, 2006, our home video returns allowance was $8.5 million.  If we do not accurately predict returns, we may have to adjust revenues in future periods.

          Magazine publishing:

          Publishing newsstand revenues are recorded when shipped by our distributor to wholesalers/retailers, net of an allowance for estimated returns.  We estimate the allowance for newsstand returns based upon our review of historical return rates and the expected performance of our current titles in relation to prior issue return rates.  As of December 31, 2006, our newsstand returns allowance was $4.1 million.  If we do not accurately predict returns, we may have to adjust revenues in future periods.

•          Feature films

          We capitalize costs of production and acquisition, including production overhead, as feature film production assets. These costs will be amortized to direct operating expenses in accordance with Statement of Position 00-2 Accounting by Producers or Distributors of Films. The costs for an individual film will be amortized and participation and residual costs will be accrued in the proportion that the current period’s revenues bear to management’s estimates of the ultimate revenue from exploitation, exhibition or sale of such film over a period not to exceed ten years from the date of initial release. Management regularly reviews and revises, when necessary, its ultimate revenue and cost estimates, which may result in a change in the rate of amortization of film costs and/or write-down of all or a portion of the unamortized costs of the film to its estimated fair value. No assurance can be given that unfavorable changes to revenue and cost estimates will not occur, which may result in significant write-downs affecting our results of operations and financial condition.  As of December 31, 2006, we have approximately $53.6 million in capitalized film production costs.

          We have performed an initial estimate of our ultimate revenue for our three completed projects, See No Evil, The Marine, and The Condemned, as well as the capitalized costs for various films in development, and believe no write-down is required at this time.

•          Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

          Our receivables represent a significant portion of our current assets.  We are required to estimate the collectibility of our receivables and to establish allowances for the amount of receivables that we estimate to be uncollectible.  We base these allowances on our historical collection experience, the length of time our receivables are outstanding and the financial condition of individual customers.  Changes in the financial condition of significant customers, either adverse or positive, could impact the amount and timing of any additional allowances that may be required.  As of December 31, 2006, our allowance for doubtful accounts was $2.1 million.

29


•          Income Taxes

          We account for income taxes in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes.  As such, we recognize the future impact of the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities.  As of December 31, 2006, we have $8.7 million of net deferred tax assets on our balance sheet.  We record valuation allowances against deferred tax assets when management does not believe the future tax benefits are more likely than not to be realized. We also provide reserves when we believe that it is not probable that a tax position taken by the Company will be sustained if challenged.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

          In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 provides a common definition of fair value and establishes a framework to make the measurement of fair value in generally accepted accounting principles more consistent and comparable. SFAS 157 also requires expanded disclosures to provide information about the extent to which fair value is used to measure assets and liabilities, the methods and assumptions used to measure fair value, and the effect of fair value measures on earnings. SFAS 157 is effective for us on January 1, 2008, although early adoption is permitted.  We are currently assessing the potential effect of SFAS 157 on our financial statements.

          In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (SFAS 159). SFAS 159 expands opportunities to use fair value measurements in financial reporting and permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value.  SFAS 159 is effective for us on January 1, 2008, although we can chose to adopt it on January 1, 2007 if we also adopt SFAS 157 at that time.  We have not decided if we will early adopt SFAS 159 or if we will choose to measure any eligible financial assets and liabilities at fair value.

          In September 2006, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements (SAB 108). SAB 108 was issued in order to eliminate the diversity in practice surrounding how public companies quantify financial statement misstatements. SAB 108 requires that registrants quantify errors using both a balance sheet and income statement approach and evaluate whether either approach results in a misstated amount that, when all relevant quantitative and qualitative factors are considered, is material. We implemented SAB 108 as of December 31, 2006. The adoption of SAB 108 did not have a material impact on our financial statements. 

          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. The minimum threshold is defined in FIN 48 as a tax position that is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit to be recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is estimated to be greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. FIN 48 must be applied to all existing tax positions upon initial adoption. The cumulative effect of applying FIN 48 at adoption, if any, is to be reported as an adjustment to opening retained earnings for the year of adoption. FIN 48 is effective for us on January 1, 2007.  We are currently assessing the potential effect of FIN 48 on our financial statements, but preliminary analysis shows the effect to be immaterial.

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 Transition 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 Transition 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

30


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 Transition Report and undue reliance should not be placed on these statements.  

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

          In the normal course of business, we are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate, interest rate and equity price risks that could impact our results of operations.  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 portfolio. Our debt consists of the mortgage related to our corporate headquarters, which has an annual interest rate of 7.6%.  The fair value of this debt is not significantly different from its carrying amount.

          Our investment portfolio 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. Due to the nature of our investments and our strategy to minimize market and interest rate risk, we believe that our portfolio would not be materially impacted by adverse fluctuations in interest rates.

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

          The information required by this item is set forth in the Consolidated Financial Statements filed with this report.

Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures

          None

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures

          We have performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on that evaluation, our management, including our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2006 to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports filed or submitted by us under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. There were no significant changes in our disclosure controls and procedures during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

31


          Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

          Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 based on the guidelines established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Our internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

          Based on the results of our evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2006. We reviewed the results of management’s assessment with our Audit Committee.

          Management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included in this Transition Report on Form 10-K. Such report expresses unqualified opinions on management’s assessment and on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006.

32


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Stamford, Connecticut

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.  Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, management’s assessment that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006 and our report dated February 28, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule.

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Stamford, Connecticut
February 28, 2007

33


Item 9B. Other Information

None.

PART III

          The information required by Part III (Items 10-14) is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement for our 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

PART IV

Item 15.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a) The following documents are filed as a part of this report:

1.      Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedule: See index to Consolidated Financial Statements on page F-1 of this Report.

2.      Exhibits:

 

Exhibit
No.

 

Description of Exhibit

 


 


 

3.1

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-84327)).

 

 

 

 

 

3.1A

 

Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1(a) to our Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed July 15, 2002).

 

 

 

 

 

3.2

 

Amended and Restated By-laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-84327)).

 

 

 

 

 

3.2A

 

Amendment to Amended and Restated By-Laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2(a) to our Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed July 15, 2002).

 

 

 

 

 

10.1

 

1999 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-84327)) (the “LTIP”).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.1A

 

Form of Option Agreement under the LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1A to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2003).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.1B

 

Form of Agreement for Restricted Stock Units granted during 2003 under the LTIP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2B to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2003).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.2

 

Employment Agreement with Vincent K. McMahon, dated October 14, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-84327)).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.2A

 

Amendment, dated as of May 1, 2002, to Employment Agreement with Vincent K. McMahon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2A to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2002).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.2B

 

Amendment, dated June 23, 2006, to Employment Agreement with Vincent K. McMahon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2B to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 20, 2006). *

 

 

 

 

 

10.3

 

Booking Contract with Vincent K. McMahon, dated February 15, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2000).*

34


 

10.3A

 

Amendment, dated July 3, 2001, to Booking Contract with Vincent K. McMahon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3A to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2001).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.4

 

Employment Agreement with Linda E. McMahon dated October 14, 1999 ((incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-84327)).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.4A

 

Amendment, dated June 23, 2006, to Employment Agreement with Linda E. McMahon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4A to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2006).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.5

 

Booking Contract with Linda E. McMahon, dated February 15, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2000).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.6

 

World Wrestling Entertainment Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2002).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.7

 

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. Management Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Proxy Statement for the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed July 31, 2003).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.8

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 30, 2001, by and between Invemed Catalyst Fund, L.P. and World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2002).

 

 

 

 

 

10.9

 

Open End Mortgage Deed, Assignment of Rents and Security Agreement between TSI Realty Company and GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corp. (assigned to Citicorp Real Estate, Inc.), dated as of December 12, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-84327)).

 

 

 

 

 

10.10

 

Promissory Note issued by TSI Realty Company to GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corp. (assigned to Citicorp Real Estate, Inc.), dated as of December 12, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-84327)).

 

 

 

 

 

10.11

 

Environmental Indemnity Agreement among TSI Realty Company, Titan Sports Inc. and GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corp. (assigned to Citicorp Real Estate, Inc.), dated as of December 12, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-84327)).

 

 

 

 

 

10.12

 

Assignment of Leases and Rents between TSI Realty Company and GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corp. (assigned to Citicorp Real Estate, Inc.), dated as of December 12, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-84327)).

 

 

 

 

 

10.13

 

Agreement between WWF-World Wide Fund for Nature and Titan Sports, Inc. dated January 20, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-84327)).

 

 

 

 

 

10.14

 

Offer letter, dated May 10, 2005, between the Company and Michael Sileck (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 19, 2005).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.15

 

Offer letter, dated March 4, 2004, between the Company and John Laurinaitis (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2005). *

 

 

 

 

 

10.16

 

Offer letter, dated July 1, 2003, between the Company and Thomas Barreca (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2005).*

 

 

 

 

 

10.17

 

Employment Agreement with Joel Simon, dated as of May 20, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 11, 2005). *

35


 

10.18

 

Employment Agreement with Frank G. Serpe, dated March 2, 2007 (filed herewith). *

 

 

 

 

 

21.1

 

List of Subsidiaries (filed herewith).

 

 

 

 

 

23.1

 

Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP (filed herewith).

 

 

 

 

 

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 Frank G. Serpe pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).

 

 

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification by Vincent K. McMahon, Linda E. McMahon, and Frank G. Serpe pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).



* Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

36


SIGNATURES

          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: March 2, 2007

By:

/s/ VINCENT K. MCMAHON

 

 


 

 

Vincent K. McMahon

 

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

(co-principal executive officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated: March 2, 2007

By:

/s/ LINDA E. MCMAHON

 

 


 

 

Linda E. McMahon

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

(co-principal executive officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated: March 2, 2007

By:

/s/ FRANK G. SERPE

 

 


 

 

Frank G. Serpe

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

(principal financial and accounting officer)

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature

 

Title or Capacity

 

Date


 


 


/s/ VINCENT K. MCMAHON

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

March 2, 2007


 

(co-principal executive officer)

 

 

Vincent K. McMahon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ LINDA E. MCMAHON

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

March 2, 2007


 

(co-principal executive officer)

 

 

Linda E. McMahon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ MICHAEL SILECK

 

Chief Operating Officer and Director

 

March 2, 2007


 

 

 

 

Michael Sileck

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ LOWELL P. WEICKER Jr.

 

Director

 

March 2, 2007


 

 

 

 

Lowell P. Weicker Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ DAVID KENIN

 

Director

 

March 2, 2007


 

 

 

 

David Kenin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ JOSEPH PERKINS

 

Director

 

March 2, 2007


 

 

 

 

Joseph Perkins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ MICHAEL B. SOLOMON

 

Director

 

March 2, 2007


 

 

 

 

Michael B. Solomon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ ROBERT A. BOWMAN

 

Director

 

March 2, 2007


 

 

 

 

Robert A. Bowman

 

 

 

 

37


WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

Page

 

 


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

F-2

 

 

 

Consolidated Income Statements for the eight month period ended December 31, 2006 and the years ended April 30, 2006, April 30, 2005 and April 30, 2004

 

F-3

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2006, April 30, 2006 and April 30, 2005

 

F-4

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for the eight month period ended December 31, 2006 and the years ended April 30, 2006, April 30, 2005 and April 30, 2004

 

F-5

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the eight month period ended December 31, 2006 and the years ended April 30, 2006, April 30, 2005 and April 30, 2004

 

F-6

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

F-7

 

 

 

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

F-26

F-1


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Stamford, Connecticut

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2006, April 30, 2006 and April 30, 2005, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income and of cash flows for the eight month period ended December 31, 2006, and each of the three years in the period ended April 30, 2006.  Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15.  These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2006, April 30, 2006 and April 30, 2005, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the eight month period ended December 31, 2006 and each of the three years in the period ended April 30, 2006, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 28, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Stamford, Connecticut
February 28, 2007

F-2


WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
(dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

For the 8 months
ended
December 31,
2006

 

For the years ended:

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

April 30,
2006

 

April 30,
2005

 

April 30
2004

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net revenues

 

$

262,937

 

$

400,051

 

$

366,431

 

$

374,909

 

Cost of revenues

 

 

157,094

 

 

227,172

 

 

213,289

 

 

207,121

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

61,043

 

 

91,867

 

 

90,975

 

 

81,845

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

5,557

 

 

10,472

 

 

11,874

 

 

12,363

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Operating income

 

 

39,243

 

 

70,540

 

 

50,293

 

 

73,580

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Investment income, net

 

 

6,440

 

 

7,390

 

 

5,362

 

 

5,906

 

Interest expense

 

 

421

 

 

587

 

 

642

 

 

767

 

Other income, net

 

 

884

 

 

553

 

 

1,346

 

 

1,275

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Income before income taxes

 

 

46,146

 

 

77,896

 

 

56,359

 

 

79,994

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

14,529

 

 

30,884

 

 

18,581

 

 

30,421

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Income from continuing operations

 

 

31,617

 

 

47,012

 

 

37,778

 

 

49,573

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit) of $23, $737 and $(722) for 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively

 

 

—  

 

 

35

 

 

1,369

 

 

(1,381

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net income

 

$

31,617

 

$

47,047

 

$

39,147

 

$

48,192

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Earnings per share - Basic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

0.45

 

$

0.68

 

$

0.55

 

$

0.72

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

0.00

 

 

0.00

 

 

0.02

 

 

(0.02

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net income

 

$

0.45

 

$

0.68

 

$

0.57

 

$

0.70

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Earnings per share - Diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

0.44

 

$

0.67

 

$

0.54

 

$

0.72

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

0.00

 

 

0.00

 

 

0.02

 

 

(0.02

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net income

 

$

0.44

 

$

0.67

 

$

0.56

 

$

0.70

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Shares used in per share calculations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

70,899

 

 

69,361

 

 

68,617

 

 

68,621

 

Diluted

 

 

71,596

 

 

70,176

 

 

69,376

 

 

69,036

 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-3


WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

December 31,
2006

 

As of:
April 30,
2006

 

April 30,
2005

 

 

 



 



 



 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

86,267

 

$

175,203

 

$

56,568

 

Short-term investments

 

 

161,889

 

 

105,655

 

 

201,487

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

52,113

 

 

67,775

 

 

61,901

 

Inventory, net

 

 

3,049

 

 

1,788

 

 

1,057

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

13,334

 

 

11,140

 

 

15,191

 

Assets of discontinued operations

 

 

469

 

 

457

 

 

544

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total current assets

 

 

317,121

 

 

362,018

 

 

336,748

 

 

 



 



 



 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

 

 

67,972

 

 

67,570

 

 

66,638

 

FEATURE FILM PRODUCTION ASSETS

 

 

53,560

 

 

36,094

 

 

28,771

 

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

 

 

3,328

 

 

1,461

 

 

2,608

 

OTHER ASSETS

 

 

11,304

 

 

12,247

 

 

6,640

 

 

 



 



 



 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

453,285

 

$

479,390

 

$

441,405

 

 

 



 



 



 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

$

862

 

$

817

 

$

756

 

Accounts payable

 

 

14,909

 

 

19,826

 

 

15,669

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

25,535

 

 

36,017

 

 

21,151

 

Deferred income

 

 

20,166

 

 

19,874

 

 

20,843

 

Liabilities of discontinued operations

 

 

302

 

 

294

 

 

254

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total current liabilities

 

 

61,774

 

 

76,828

 

 

58,673

 

 

 



 



 



 

LONG-TERM DEBT

 

 

5,800

 

 

6,381

 

 

7,198

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A common stock: ($.01 par value; 180,000,000 shares authorized; 23,283,916 and 22,843,435 and 21,167,092 shares issued as of December 31, 2006, April 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively)

 

 

233

 

 

229

 

 

212

 

Class B common stock: ($.01 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized; 47,713,563 shares issued as of December 31, 2006, April 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively)

 

 

477

 

 

477

 

 

477

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

286,985

 

 

277,693

 

 

254,716

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

666

 

 

355

 

 

(908

)

Retained earnings

 

 

97,350

 

 

117,427

 

 

121,037

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

385,711

 

 

396,181

 

 

375,534

 

 

 



 



 



 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

$

453,285

 

$

479,390

 

$

441,405

 

 

 



 



 



 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-4


WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(dollars and shares in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional
Paid - in
Capital

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss) Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Treasury Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

Retained
Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Balance, May 1, 2003

 

 

72,996

 

$

730

 

 

2,578

 

$

(30,569

)

$

297,315

 

$

243

 

$

69,634

 

$

337,353

 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

48,192

 

 

48,192

 

Translation adjustment

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(203

)

 

—  

 

 

(203

)

Unrealized holding loss, net of tax

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(1,160

)

 

—  

 

 

(1,160

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

46,829

 

Retirement of treasury stock

 

 

(4,616

)

 

(46

)

 

(4,616

)

 

49,712

 

 

(49,666

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Stock issuances (repurchases), net

 

 

27

 

 

—  

 

 

2,038

 

 

(19,143

)

 

5

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(19,138

)

Exercise of stock options

 

 

24

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

305

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

305

 

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

2

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

2

 

Dividends paid

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(10,954

)

 

(10,954

)

Dividends declared, not yet paid

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(4,106

)

 

(4,106

)

Stock compensation costs

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

2,814

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

2,814

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Balance, April 30, 2004

 

 

68,431

 

 

684

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

250,775

 

 

(1,120

)

 

102,766

 

 

353,105

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

39,147

 

 

39,147

 

Translation adjustment

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

932

 

 

—  

 

 

932

 

Unrealized holding loss, net of tax

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(1,364

)

 

—  

 

 

(1,364

)

Reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income, net of tax

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

644

 

 

—  

 

 

644

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39,359

 

Stock issuances (repurchases), net

 

 

376

 

 

4

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(1,195

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(1,191

)

Exercise of stock options

 

 

74

 

 

1

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

704

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

705

 

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

81

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

81

 

Dividends paid

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

267

 

 

—  

 

 

(20,876

)

 

(20,609

)

Stock compensation costs

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

4,084

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

4,084

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Balance, April 30, 2005

 

 

68,881

 

 

689

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

254,716

 

 

(908

)

 

121,037

 

 

375,534

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

47,047

 

 

47,047

 

Translation adjustment

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

1,320

 

 

—  

 

 

1,320

 

Unrealized holding loss, net of tax

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(1,185

)

 

—  

 

 

(1,185

)

Reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income, net of tax

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

1,128

 

 

—  

 

 

1,128

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

48,310

 

Stock issuances (repurchases), net

 

 

284

 

 

3

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(814

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(811

)

Exercise of stock options

 

 

1,392

 

 

14

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

16,809

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

16,823

 

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

1,695

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

1,695

 

Dividends paid

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

593

 

 

—  

 

 

(50,657

)

 

(50,064

)

Stock compensation costs

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

4,694

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

4,694

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Balance, April 30, 2006

 

 

70,557

 

 

706

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

277,693

 

 

355

 

 

117,427

 

 

396,181

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

31,617

 

 

31,617

 

Translation adjustment

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

466

 

 

—  

 

 

466

 

Unrealized holding loss, net of tax

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(220

)

 

—  

 

 

(220

)

Reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income, net of tax

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

65

 

 

—  

 

 

65

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31,928

 

Stock issuances (repurchases), net

 

 

142

 

 

1

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(616

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(615

)

Exercise of stock options

 

 

299

 

 

3

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

3,676

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

3,679

 

Excess tax benefits from stock based payment arrangements

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

712

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

712

 

Dividends paid

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

677

 

 

—  

 

 

(51,694

)

 

(51,017

)

Stock compensation costs

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

4,843

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

4,843

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Balance, December 31, 2006

 

 

70,998

 

$

710

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

$

286,985

 

$

666

 

$

97,350

 

$

385,711

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-5


WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)

 

 

For the 8 months
ended
December 31,
2006

 

For the years ended:

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

April 30,
2006

 

April 30,
2005

 

April 30,
2004

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

31,617

 

$

47,047

 

$

39,147

 

$

48,192

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

 

—  

 

 

(35

)

 

(1,369

)

 

1,381

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

5,557

 

 

10,472

 

 

11,874

 

 

12,363

 

Realized losses on sales of investments

 

 

105

 

 

1,820

 

 

1,039

 

 

—  

 

Amortization of investment income

 

 

(329

)

 

(1,702

)

 

(424

)

 

(1,052

)

Stock compensation costs

 

 

4,843

 

 

4,694

 

 

4,084

 

 

2,814

 

Unrealized gain on revaluation of warrants

 

 

(839

)

 

(1,474

)

 

(714

)

 

(671

)

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

 

(1,574

)

 

494

 

 

655

 

 

(2,295

)

Provision for inventory obsolescence

 

 

1,429

 

 

1,894

 

 

1,549

 

 

237

 

Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes

 

 

2,442

 

 

(1,661

)

 

1,190

 

 

5,087

 

Impairment of long-lived asset

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

2,942

 

Excess tax benefits from stock-based payment arrangements

 

 

(712

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

17,237

 

 

(6,368

)

 

385

 

 

(11,332

)

Inventory

 

 

(2,689

)

 

(2,625

)

 

(1,749

)

 

(255

)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

 

(2,764

)

 

(2,658

)

 

519

 

 

3,301

 

Feature film production assets

 

 

(17,466

)

 

(7,323

)

 

(28,340

)

 

(431

)

Accounts payable

 

 

(4,917

)

 

4,156

 

 

2,552

 

 

(1,070

)

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

(10,273

)

 

20,849

 

 

(5,902

)

 

7,917

 

Deferred income

 

 

621

 

 

(478

)

 

(2,176

)

 

(1,737

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net cash provided by continuing operations

 

 

22,288

 

 

67,102

 

 

22,320

 

 

65,391

 

Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations

 

 

—  

 

 

162

 

 

(5,830

)

 

(3,477

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

22,288

 

 

67,264

 

 

16,490

 

 

61,914

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

 

(5,099

)

 

(9,376

)

 

(5,060

)

 

(5,266

)

Purchase of corporate aircraft

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(20,122

)

Purchase of other assets

 

 

(2,726

)

 

(881

)

 

(195

)

 

(1,641

)

Purchases of short-term investments

 

 

(77,436

)

 

(53,765

)

 

(61,471

)

 

(238,014

)

Proceeds from sales or maturities of short-term investments

 

 

20,850

 

 

148,908

 

 

82,553

 

 

154,051

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net cash (used in) / provided by continuing operations

 

 

(64,411

)

 

84,886

 

 

15,827

 

 

(110,992

)

Net cash used in discontinued operations

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net cash (used in) / provided by /investing activities

 

 

(64,411

)

 

84,886

 

 

15,827

 

 

(110,992

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repayment of long-term debt

 

 

(537

)

 

(757

)

 

(700

)

 

(1,248

)

Stock issuance (repurchase), net

 

 

350

 

 

483

 

 

496

 

 

(19,031

)

Dividends paid

 

 

(51,017

)

 

(50,064

)

 

(24,716

)

 

(10,954

)

Net proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

 

3,679

 

 

16,823

 

 

704

 

 

305

 

Excess tax benefit from stock-based payment arrangements

 

 

712

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net cash used in continuing operations

 

 

(46,813

)

 

(33,515

)

 

(24,216

)

 

(30,928

)

Net cash provided by discontinued operations

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(46,813

)

 

(33,515

)

 

(24,216

)

 

(30,928

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

(88,936

)

 

118,635

 

 

8,101

 

 

(80,006

)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

 

175,203

 

 

56,568

 

 

48,467

 

 

128,473

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

 

$

86,267

 

$

175,203

 

$

56,568

 

$

48,467

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the year for income taxes, net of refunds

 

$

19,533

 

$

19,060

 

$

17,464

 

$

14,016

 

Cash paid during the year for interest

 

$

421

 

$

587

 

$

642

 

$

773

 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-6


WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

1.  Basis of Presentation and Business Description

          The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., and our subsidiaries.  We are an integrated media and entertainment company, principally engaged in the development, production and marketing of television and pay-per-view event programming and live events and the licensing and sale of consumer products featuring our World Wrestling Entertainment brands. Our operations are organized around four principal activities:

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 advertising and sponsorships and fees for viewing our pay-per-view and video on demand programming.

Consumer Products

 

Revenues consist principally of royalties from products sold by licensees (such as video games, toys and books), sales of WWE produced home videos and magazine publishing.

Digital Media

 

Revenues consist of advertising sales on our websites, sale of merchandise on our website through our WWEShop internet storefront and the sale of broadband and mobile content.

WWE Films

 

Consists of the production and distribution of filmed entertainment featuring our Superstars. Although two feature films were released in the 2006 transition period, no revenues have been recorded to date as we do not participate in revenues until the print and advertising costs incurred by our distributors have been recouped and the results have been reported to us.

          All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

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 requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

          Fiscal Period —   Our fiscal year historically ended on April 30 of each year. Unless otherwise noted, all references to years relate to fiscal years, not calendar years, and refer to the fiscal period by using the year in which the fiscal period ends. Our fiscal quarters were thirteen-week periods that ended on the thirteenth Friday in the quarter, with the exception of our fourth quarter, which always ended on April 30.  In June 2006, the Board of Directors elected to change our fiscal year to a calendar basis beginning with calendar 2007.  This change is intended to simplify communication with shareholders and will enable the reporting of our financial results in a timeframe consistent with the majority of our media and entertainment peers. We therefore established an eight month transition period from May 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006.  This period is referred to herein as “transition 2006” or “T 2006”.

          Cash and Equivalents —   Cash and equivalents include cash on deposit in overnight deposit accounts and investments in money market accounts.

          Short-term Investments —   We classify all of our short-term investments as available-for-sale securities. Such short-term investments consist primarily of mutual funds and of municipal rate auction securities, which are stated at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses on such securities reflected, net of tax, as other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses on short-term investments are included in earnings and are derived using the specific identification method for determining the cost of securities sold. It is our intent to maintain a liquid portfolio to take advantage of investment opportunities; therefore, all securities are considered to be available-for-sale and are classified as current assets.

          Accounts Receivable —   Accounts receivable relate principally to amounts due to us from pay-per-view providers and television networks for pay-per-view presentations and television programming, respectively, and balances due from the sale of home videos and magazines. Our receivables represent a significant portion of our current assets. We are required to estimate the collectibility of our

F-7


WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

receivables and to establish allowances for the amount of receivables that we estimate to be uncollectible. We base these allowances on our historical collection experience, the length of time our receivables are outstanding and the financial condition of individual customers.  Trade receivables are charged off when considered uncollectible. Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:

 

 

Balance at
beginning
of period

 

Charged to
costs and
expenses

 

Write-offs and
other

 

Balance at
end of
period

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Transition 2006

 

$

3,740

 

$

(1,574

)

$

(82

)

$

2,084

 

2006

 

$

3,287

 

$

494

 

$

(41

)

$

3,740

 

2005

 

$

2,612

 

$

675

 

$

—  

 

$

3,287

 

2004

 

$

5,284

 

$

(2,295

)

$

(377

)

$

2,612

 

          Inventory —   Inventory consists of merchandise sold on a direct sales basis, and videotapes and DVDs, which are sold through wholesale distributors and retailers. Substantially all of our inventory is comprised of finished goods. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or market. 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.

          Feature Films —   Feature films are initially recorded at the cost of production, including production overhead. These costs for an individual film will be amortized in the proportion that revenues bear to management’s estimates of the ultimate revenue expected to be recognized from exploitation, exhibition or sale of such film. Management regularly reviews and revises, when necessary, its ultimate revenue and cost estimates, which may result in a change in the rate of amortization of film costs and/or write-down of all or a portion of the unamortized costs of the film or television program to its estimated fair value.

          Property and Equipment —   Property and equipment are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are 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 to five years. Buildings and related improvements are depreciated based on estimated useful lives varying from five to thirty-nine years. Our corporate aircraft is depreciated over ten years on a straight-line basis less an estimated residual value of $9,500.  Planned major maintenance activities related to the corporate aircraft are capitalized and amortized over five years, which is the estimated period until the next overhaul.

          Valuation of Long-Lived Assets —   We periodically evaluate the carrying amount of long-lived assets when events and circumstances warrant such a review.  During fiscal 2004, management performed an analysis on our long-lived assets related to our e-commerce infrastructure.  These assets were primarily composed of capitalized software development costs incurred during the set up of the e-commerce section of our website.  Based upon the performance of our e-commerce business at the time of that analysis as compared to the costs incurred to operate the site, management determined that the asset was impaired and recorded a pre-tax charge of $2,942 in cost of revenues. 

          Income Taxes —   We account for income taxes in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes.  Our deferred provision was determined under the asset and liability method.  Under this method, tax deferred assets and liabilities are recognized based on differences between the financial statement and income tax basis of assets and liabilities using presently enacted tax rates.  Valuation allowances are established to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts management believes are more likely than not to be realized.  We consider estimated future taxable income and ongoing tax planning strategies in assessing the need for valuation allowances.  We also provide reserves when we believe that it is not probable that a tax position we have taken will be sustained if challenged.

          Revenue Recognition —   Revenues are generally recognized when products are shipped or as services are performed. However, due to the nature of several of our business lines, there are additional steps in the revenue recognition process, as described below.

          •     Pay-per-view programming:

          Revenues from our pay-per-view programming are recorded when the event is aired 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.  Final reconciliation of the pay-per-view buys generally occurs within one year and any subsequent adjustments to the buys are recognized on a cash basis.

F-8


WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

          •     Television advertising:

          Revenues from the sale of television advertising are recorded when the commercial airs within our programming and are based upon contractual amounts previously established with our advertisers.  These contractual amounts are typically based on the advertisement reaching a desired number of viewers. 

          •     Sponsorships:

          Through our sponsorship packages, we offer advertisers a full range of our promotional vehicles, including internet and print advertising, arena signage, on-air announcements and special appearances by our Superstars.  We follow the guidance of Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue 00-21 Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables, and assign the total sponsorship revenues to the various elements contained within a sponsorship package based on their relative fair values.  Our relative fair values for the sponsorship elements are based upon a combination of historical prices and current advertising market conditions.  Revenue from these packages is recognized as each element is delivered.

          •     Licensing:

          Licensing revenues are recognized upon receipt of notice by the individual licensees as to license fees due.  If we receive licensing advances, such payments are deferred and recognized as income as earned.

          •     Home video:

          Revenues from the sales of home video titles are recorded when shipped by our distributor to wholesalers/retailers, net of an allowance for estimated returns. The allowance for estimated returns is based on historical information and current industry trends.

          •     Magazine publishing:

          Publishing newsstand revenues are recorded when the magazine is shipped, net of an allowance for estimated returns. We estimate the allowance for newsstand returns based upon our review of historical returns rates and the expected performance of our current titles in relation to prior issue return rates.

          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.

          Foreign Currency Translation —   For translation of the financial statements of our Canadian and United Kingdom subsidiaries, we have determined that the Canadian Dollar and the U.K. Pound, respectively, are the functional currencies. Assets and liabilities are translated at the year-end exchange rate, and income statement accounts are translated at average exchange rates for the year. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transactions are recorded at the exchange rate prevailing at the transaction date.

          Stock-Based Compensation —   In the fiscal years ended April 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004 we accounted for stock options issued to employees using the intrinsic value method as prescribed under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, (APB 25) and related interpretations. Under this method, no compensation expense was recognized when the number of shares granted is known and the exercise price of the stock option is equal to or greater than the market price of our stock on the grant date.  Stock options issued to non-employees were accounted for at fair value at the issuance date.  We followed the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure, and SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. SFAS Nos. 148 and 123 encouraged, but did not require, companies to adopt a fair value based method for determining expense related to stock-based compensation.  

F-9


WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

          The following table provides relevant information as to reported results for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004 under our intrinsic value method of accounting for stock options with supplemental information as if the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 had been applied:

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 

Reported income from continuing operations

 

$

47,012

 

$

37,778

 

$

49,573

 

Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported income from continuing operations, net of related tax effects

 

 

2,910

 

 

2,542

 

 

2,278

 

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

 

 

(3,741

)

 

(4,125

)

 

(4,392

)

 

 



 



 



 

Pro forma income from continuing operations

 

$

46,181

 

$

36,195

 

$

47,459

 

 

 



 



 



 

Reported basic earnings from continuing operations per common share

 

$

0.68

 

$

0.55

 

$

0.72

 

Pro forma basic earnings from continuing operations per common share

 

$

0.67

 

$

0.53

 

$

0.69

 

Reported diluted earnings from continuing operations per common share

 

$

0.67

 

$

0.54

 

$

0.72

 

Pro forma diluted earnings from continuing operations per common share

 

$

0.66

 

$

0.52

 

$

0.69

 

          We adopted SFAS No 123(R), Share-Based Payment (SFAS 123(R)), which revises SFAS 123 and supersedes APB 25, on May 1, 2006. SFAS 123(R) requires that new, modified and unvested share-based payment transactions with employees, such as stock options and restricted stock, be recognized in the financial statements based on their fair value and recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period. We adopted SFAS 123(R) using the modified prospective method.  Under this transition method, compensation cost recognized in the current period includes amounts of: (a) compensation cost of all share based awards granted to employees prior to, but unvested as of, May 1, 2006, based on grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123, and (b) compensation cost for all stock based awards granted subsequent to May 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the new provisions of SFAS 123(R). In accordance with the modified prospective method, results for prior periods have not been restated.  (See Note 14)

          For all periods presented, restricted stock unit grants are recorded at fair value as of the grant date, with the resulting compensation cost recorded over the vesting period.

          Derivative Instruments – We hold warrants received from certain publicly traded companies with whom we have licensing or distribution agreements.  Warrants received from our licensees and a television programming distributor were initially recorded at their estimated fair value on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  That amount was recorded as deferred revenue and is amortized into operating income over the life of the related agreements using straight-line amortization. For transition 2006 and fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, we recorded revenues of $329, $493, $493 and $1,052 respectively, related to the amortization of deferred revenue resulting from the receipt of such warrants.  Subsequent to receipt, the warrants are adjusted to their estimated fair value each quarter, with changes in fair value included in other income. 

          Intangible Assets —  Our intangible assets consist of the cost of acquired film libraries which are amortized over three years and acquired trademarks and trade names which are amortized over three to six years.  To the extent capitalized, our intangible assets are being amortized over their estimated useful lives based on the period the assets are expected to contribute to our cash flows.  We perform impairment tests annually and whenever events or circumstances indicate that intangible assets might be impaired.

          Earnings Per Share - We present both basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) amounts. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted EPS is based upon the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the year which is calculated using the treasury-stock method (see Note 4). Common equivalent shares are excluded from the computation in periods in which they have an anti-dilutive effect. Stock options for which the exercise price exceeds the average market price over the period are anti-dilutive and, accordingly, are excluded from the calculation.

F-10


WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

          In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 provides a common definition of fair value and establishes a framework to make the measurement of fair value in generally accepted accounting principles more consistent and comparable. SFAS 157 also requires expanded disclosures to provide information about the extent to which fair value is used to measure assets and liabilities, the methods and assumptions used to measure fair value, and the effect of fair value measures on earnings. SFAS 157 is effective for us on January 1, 2008, although early adoption is permitted. We are currently assessing the potential effect of SFAS 157 on our financial statements.

          In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (SFAS 159). SFAS 159 expands opportunities to use fair value measurements in financial reporting and permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value.  SFAS 159 is effective for us on January 1, 2008, although we can chose to adopt it on January 1, 2007 if we also adopt SFAS 157 at that time.  We have not decided if we will early adopt SFAS 159 or if we will choose to measure any eligible financial assets and liabilities at fair value.

          In September 2006, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements (SAB 108). SAB 108 was issued in order to eliminate the diversity in practice surrounding how public companies quantify financial statement misstatements. SAB 108 requires that registrants quantify errors using both a balance sheet and income statement approach and evaluate whether either approach results in a misstated amount that, when all relevant quantitative and qualitative factors are considered, is material. We implemented SAB 108 on December 31, 2006. The adoption of SAB 108 did not have a material impact on our financial statements. 

          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. The minimum threshold is defined in FIN 48 as a tax position that is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit to be recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is estimated to be greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. FIN 48 must be applied to all existing tax positions upon initial adoption. The cumulative effect of applying FIN 48 at adoption, if any, is to be reported as an adjustment to opening retained earnings for the year of adoption. FIN 48 is effective for us on January 1, 2007. We are currently assessing the potential effect of FIN 48 on our financial statements, but preliminary analysis shows the effect to be immaterial.

3.  Fiscal Year Change

          Effective December 31, 2006, we changed our fiscal year end from April 30 to December 31.  The table below summarizes selected financial data for the eight months ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005. 

 

 

Eight Months Ended
December 31, 2006

 

Eight Months Ended
December 31, 2005

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Net revenues

 

$

262,937

 

$

247,707

 

Operating income

 

$

39,243

 

$

44,174

 

Provision for income taxes

 

$

14,529

 

$

18,878

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

31,617

 

$

29,783

 

Net income

 

$

31,617

 

$

29,817

 

Earnings per share – Diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

0.44

 

$

0.43

 

F-11


WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

4.  Earnings Per Share

          For purposes of calculating basic and diluted earnings per share, we used the following weighted average common shares outstanding:

 

 

T 2006

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Basic

 

 

70,898,623

 

 

69,360,856

 

 

68,617,365

 

 

68,621,145

 

Diluted

 

 

71,596,238

 

 

70,175,854

 

 

69,376,281

 

 

69,035,634

 

Dilutive effect of outstanding options

 

 

289,442

 

 

170,186

 

 

120,866

 

 

86,218

 

Dilutive effect of restricted stock units

 

 

406,484

 

 

644,812

 

 

638,050

 

 

328,271

 

Dilutive effect of employee share purchase plan

 

 

1,689

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Anti-dilutive outstanding options, end of period

 

 

277,000

 

 

306,200

 

 

2,785,000

 

 

2,025,125

 

5.  Intangible Assets

          Our intangible assets consist principally of acquired wrestling based film libraries, trademarks and trade names.  The cost of film libraries acquired during transition 2006, fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004 was approximately $1,678, $881, $195 and $1,710, respectively.  The cost of trademarks and trade names acquired during transition 2006 and fiscal 2005 was $1,048 and $160 respectively.  We did not purchase any trademarks and trade names in fiscal 2006 or fiscal 2004.  Our intangible assets consisted of the following:

 

 

December 31, 2006

 

 

 


 

 

 

Gross
Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net
Carrying
Amount

 

 

 



 



 



 

Film libraries

 

$

7,304

 

$

(5,077

)

$

2,227

 

Trademarks and trade names

 

 

3,708

 

 

(2,607

)

 

1,101

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

$

11,012

 

$

(7,684

)

$

3,328

 

 

 



 



 



 


 

 

April 30, 2006

 

 

 


 

 

 

Gross
Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net
Carrying
Amount

 

 

 



 



 



 

Film libraries

 

$

5,626

 

$

(4,574

)

$

1,052

 

Trademarks and trade names

 

 

2,660

 

 

(2,251

)

 

409

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

$

8,286

 

$

(6,825

)

$

1,461

 

 

 



 



 



 


 

 

April 30, 2005

 

 

 


 

 

 

Gross
Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

Net
Carrying
Amount

 

 

 



 



 



 

Film libraries

 

$

4,745

 

$

(2,993

)

$

1,752

 

Trademarks and trade names

 

 

2,660

 

 

(1,804

)

 

856

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

$

7,405

 

$

(4,797

)

$

2,608

 

 

 



 



 



 

          Amortization expense recorded for transition 2006 and fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004 was $859, $2,028, $2,079 and $1,843, respectively.

F-12


WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

          The following table presents estimated future amortization expense:

For the year ending December 31, 2007

 

$

1,326

 

For the year ending December 31, 2008

 

 

1,206

 

For the year ending December 31, 2009

 

 

796

 

 

 



 

Total

 

$

3,328

 

 

 



 

6.  Investments

          Short-term investments consisted of the following:

 

 

December 31, 2006

 

 

 


 

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Unrealized
Holding
Gain
(Loss)

 

Fair
Value

 

 

 



 



 



 

Fixed income mutual funds and other

 

$

89,990

 

$

(3,101

)

$

86,889

 

Municipal auction rate securities

 

 

75,000

 

 

—  

 

 

75,000

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total

 

$

164,990

 

$

(3,101

)

$

161,889

 

 

 



 



 



 

          The unrealized holding loss of $3,101 at December 31, 2006 consisted of gross losses of $3,188 and gains of $87. 

 

 

April 30, 2006

 

 

 


 

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Unrealized
Holding
Gain
(Loss)

 

Fair
Value

 

 

 



 



 



 

Fixed income mutual funds and other

 

$

90,659

 

$

(2,848

)

$

87,811

 

United States Treasury Notes

 

 

17,850

 

 

(6

)

 

17,844

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total

 

$

108,509

 

$

(2,854

)

$

105,655

 

 

 



 



 



 

          The unrealized holding loss of $2,854 at April 30, 2006 consisted of gross losses of $2,907 and gains of $53. 

 

 

April 30, 2005

 

 

 


 

 

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Unrealized
Holding
Gain
(Loss)

 

Fair
Value

 

 

 



 



 



 

Fixed income mutual funds and other

 

$

158,317

 

$

(2,677

)

$

155,640

 

United States Treasury Notes

 

 

45,945

 

 

(98

)

 

45,847

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total

 

$

204,262

 

$

(2,775

)

$

201,487

 

 

 



 



 



 

          The unrealized holding loss of $2,775 at April 30, 2005 consisted of gross losses of $2,781 and gains of $6. 

          Management deems investments to be impaired when a decline in fair value is judged to be other-than-temporary.  If the cost of an investment exceeds its fair value, we evaluate, among other factors, general market conditions, the duration and extent to which the fair value is less than cost, as well as the intent and ability to hold the investment.  As of December 31, 2006 we had $89,867 of fixed income mutual funds in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or greater.  The unrealized loss is due to changes in interest rates subsequent to the purchase of the investment. Management does not believe that any unrealized losses represent other-than-temporary impairment based on our evaluation of available evidence as of December 31, 2006.

          In addition to the short-term investments described above, we also hold warrants which we received from certain publicly traded companies with whom we have licensing or distribution agreements.  The estimated fair value of these warrants, determined using the Black-Scholes model, was $5,336, $4,497, and $3,023 as of December 31, 2006, April 30, 2006 and April 30, 2005, respectively, and is included in other non current assets.  We recognized mark to market adjustments of $839, $1,474, $714, and $671 during transition 2006, fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively, relating to these warrants, which is included in other income.

F-13


WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

7.  Property and Equipment

          Property and equipment consisted of the following:

 

 

December 31,
2006

 

April 30,
2006

 

April 30,
2005

 

 

 



 



 



 

Land, buildings and improvements

 

$

56,084

 

$

55,957

 

$

51,958

 

Equipment

 

 

45,752

 

 

44,788

 

 

42,511

 

Corporate aircraft

 

 

20,829

 

 

20,710

 

 

20,710

 

Vehicles

 

 

634

 

 

518

 

 

542

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

123,299

 

 

121,973

 

 

115,721

 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

(55,327

)

 

(54,403

)

 

(49,083

)

 

 



 



 



 

Total

 

$

67,972

 

$

67,570

 

$

66,638

 

 

 



 



 



 

          In fiscal 2006 we purchased land adjacent to our television production studio for approximately $4,589.  Depreciation expense was $4,698, $8,444, $9,795 and $10,520 in transition 2006, fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

8. Feature Film Production Assets

          Feature film production assets are summarized as follows:

 

 

December 31,
2006

 

April 30,
2006

 

April 30,
2005

 

 

 



 



 



 

Feature film productions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In release

 

$

34,104

 

$

—  

 

$

—  

 

Completed but not released

 

 

18,558

 

 

33,744

 

 

—  

 

In production

 

 

—  

 

 

1,702

 

 

28,296

 

In development

 

 

898

 

 

648

 

 

475

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total

 

$

53,560

 

$

36,094

 

$

28,771

 

 

 



 



 



 

          Two of our feature films, See No Evil and The Marine, were released domestically during transition 2006.  See No Evil achieved more than $15,000 in gross domestic box office receipts and was released domestically on DVD in November, 2006.  The Marine, which was theatrically released in the domestic market on October 13, 2006, has achieved more than $18,800 in gross domestic box office receipts to date and was released domestically on DVD in January, 2007.  Our third feature film, The Condemned, is in the post-production phase of completion.  Currently, The Condemned is scheduled for release in domestic markets in April 2007.  We have agreements for the worldwide distribution of these films and certain related rights and products. We do not participate in any revenues associated with these film projects until the print and advertising costs incurred by our distributors have been recouped and the results have been reported back to us.  Accordingly, no revenues have been recorded in transition 2006.

          We estimate that approximately 35% of “In release” film production assets will be amortized over the next twelve months. Approximately 70% of “In release” film production assets are estimated to be amortized over the following three years. Due to the timing of the release of The Marine, we estimate that approximately 80% of “In release” film production assets will be amortized over the following four years.

          Unamortized feature film production assets are evaluated for indications of impairment each reporting period.  If the estimated revenue is not sufficient to recover the unamortized asset, the asset will be written down to fair value. As of December 31, 2006, we do not believe any capitalized assets for the three films included in feature film production assets are impaired.

          In addition to the capitalized production costs related for these three films, we have also capitalized certain script development costs for various other film projects. Capitalized script development costs are reviewed periodically for impairment if, and when, a project is deemed to be abandoned.  Approximately $0, $197, $158 and $423 of previously capitalized development costs were expensed for abandoned projects in transition 2006, fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

F-14


WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

9.  Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities

          Accrued expenses and other liabilities consisted of the following:

 

 

December 31,
2006

 

April 30,
2006

 

April 30,
2005

 

 

 



 



 



 

Accrued pay-per-view event costs

 

$

5,228

 

$

7,500

 

$

5,691

 

Accrued income taxes

 

 

—  

 

 

7,418

 

 

—  

 

Accrued payroll related costs

 

 

5,403

 

 

9,176

 

 

5,931

 

Accrued legal and professional fees

 

 

2,051

 

 

3,254

 

 

2,601

 

Accrued home video production and distribution

 

 

5,144

 

 

3,121

 

 

2,013

 

Accrued other

 

 

7,709

 

 

5,548

 

 

4,915

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total

 

$

25,535

 

$

36,017

 

$

21,151

 

 

 



 



 



 

          The decrease in accrued pay-per-view costs at December 31, 2006 is due to the timing of our fiscal 2006 Backlash event, which occurred on April 30, 2006, the last day of the fiscal year 2006.  The decrease in accrued payroll related costs is due to a lower accrued amount for bonus payments, which are linked to our achievement of certain performance thresholds.  The decrease in accrued legal and profession fees reflect an overall reduction in legal and accounting costs period over period.  The increase in accrued home video production and distribution costs is due to higher talent royalties accrued related to home video sales.  Accrued other includes accruals for our publishing, television, and licensing business activities, none of which exceeds 5% of current liabilities.

10.  Debt

          In 1997, we entered into a mortgage loan agreement under which we borrowed $12,000 at an annual interest rate of 7.6% with a maturity date of December 31, 2013. Principal and interest are to be paid in 180 monthly installments of approximately $112. The loan is collateralized by our executive offices and television studio in Stamford, Connecticut. 

          As of December 31, 2006 the scheduled principal repayments under our mortgage obligation were as follows:

For the year ending December 31, 2007

 

$

862

 

For the year ending December 31, 2008

 

 

927

 

For the year ending December 31, 2009

 

 

1,002

 

For the year ending December 31, 2010

 

 

1,082

 

For the year ending December 31, 2011

 

 

1,169

 

Thereafter

 

 

1,620

 

 

 



 

Total

 

$

6,662

 

 

 



 

11.  Income Taxes

          For transition 2006, fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004 we were taxed on our income from continuing operations at an effective tax rate of 31.5%, 39.6%, 33.0% and 38.0%, respectively.  Our income tax provision related to our income from continuing operations for transition 2006, fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004 was $14,529, $30,884, $18,581 and $30,421, respectively, and included federal, state and foreign taxes.

          The components of our tax provision from continuing operations were as follows:

 

 

T 2006

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

11,514

 

$

22,595

 

$

10,443

 

$

19,541

 

State and local

 

 

278

 

 

7,232

 

 

1,623

 

 

3,133

 

Foreign

 

 

295

 

 

2,718

 

 

5,325

 

 

2,642

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

 

2,167

 

 

(2,139

)

 

2,183

 

 

4,503

 

State and local

 

 

275

 

 

478

 

 

(993

)

 

620

 

Foreign

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(18

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total

 

$

14,529

 

$

30,884

 

$

18,581

 

$

30,421

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

F-15


WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

          The income tax provision allocated to continuing operations and discontinued operations was as follows:

 

 

T 2006

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Provision for income taxes - continuing operations

 

$

14,529

 

$

30,884

 

$

18,581

 

$

30,421

 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes - discontinued operations

 

 

—  

 

 

23

 

 

737

 

 

(722

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total allocated provision for income taxes

 

$

14,529

 

$

30,907

 

$

19,318

 

$

29,699

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

          Components of income before income taxes are as follows:

 

 

T 2006

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

U.S.

 

$

45,801

 

$

77,357

 

$

54,878

 

$

78,884

 

International subsidiaries

 

 

345

 

 

539

 

 

1,481

 

 

1,110

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Income before income taxes

 

$

46,146

 

$

77,896

 

$

56,359

 

$

79,994

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

          The following sets forth the difference between the provision for income taxes from continuing operations computed at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 35% and that reported for financial statement purposes:

 

 

T 2006

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Statutory U.S. federal tax at 35%

 

$

16,150

 

$

27,263

 

$

19,726

 

$

27,998

 

State and local taxes, net of federal benefit

 

 

876

 

 

5,012

 

 

1,218

 

 

2,439

 

Foreign rate differential

 

 

142

 

 

157

 

 

181

 

 

261

 

Tax exempt interest income

 

 

(1,524

)

 

(1,205

)

 

(1,701

)

 

—  

 

Valuation allowance

 

 

11

 

 

292

 

 

(1,002

)

 

(162

)

Other

 

 

(1,126

)

 

(635

)

 

159

 

 

(115

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Provision for income taxes

 

$

14,529

 

$

30,884

 

$

18,581

 

$

30,421

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

          The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities of continuing operations consisted of the following:

 

 

December 31,
2006

 

April 30,
2006

 

April 30,
2005

 

 

 



 



 



 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

$

764

 

$

1,362

 

$

1,207

 

Inventories

 

 

2,174

 

 

1,367

 

 

869

 

Prepaid royalties

 

 

4,270

 

 

3,929

 

 

3,884

 

Stock options/stock compensation

 

 

2,505

 

 

737

 

 

2,731

 

Credits and net operating loss carryforwards

 

 

—  

 

 

2,465

 

 

—  

 

Investments

 

 

2,845

 

 

3,970

 

 

3,948

 

Intangible assets

 

 

3,262

 

 

3,171

 

 

2,447

 

Accrued liabilities and reserves

 

 

—  

 

 

730

 

 

1,301

 

Foreign

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

65

 

 

 



 



 



 

Deferred tax assets, gross

 

 

15,820

 

 

17,731

 

 

16,452

 

Valuation allowance

 

 

(1,799

)

 

(1,788

)

 

(1,496

)

 

 



 



 



 

Deferred tax assets, net

 

 

14,021

 

 

15,943

 

 

14,956

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed assets and depreciation

 

 

(5,032

)

 

5,011

 

 

5,524

 

Accrued liabilities and reserves

 

 

(274

)

 

—  

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total deferred tax assets, net

 

$

8,715

 

$

10,932

 

$

9,432

 

 

 



 



 



 

F-16


WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

          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. As of December 31, 2006, April 30, 2006 and April 30, 2005 $4,871, $5,467 and $5,815 respectively, of the net deferred tax assets are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and the remaining $3,843, $5,465 and $3,617 respectively, are included in other non-current assets in our consolidated balance sheets.

          As of December 31, 2006, April 30, 2006, and April 30, 2005 we had valuation allowances of $1,799, $1,788 and $1,496, respectively, to reduce our deferred tax assets to an amount more likely than not to be recovered. The valuation allowance is primarily related to the deferred tax asset arising from losses on investments which are capital in nature for which realization is uncertain. These Capital loss carryforwards begin to expire in 2007.

          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 do not believe that amounts, if any, which may be required to be paid by reason of such audits will have a material effect on our financial statements.  We have recorded accruals for certain probable tax contingencies related to various tax matters as of December 31, 2006.

          U.S. income taxes have not been provided on unremitted earnings of our foreign subsidiaries, because our intent is to keep such earnings indefinitely reinvested in the foreign operations of the subsidiaries.

12.  Commitments and Contingencies

          We have certain commitments, including various non-cancelable operating leases, performance contracts with various performers and employment agreements with certain executive officers.

          Future minimum payments as of December 31, 2006 under the agreements described above were as follows:

 

 

Operating
Lease
Commitments

 

Other Commitments

 

Total

 

 

 



 



 



 

For the year ending December 31, 2007

 

$

994

 

$

17,403

 

$

18,397

 

For the year ending December 31, 2008

 

 

692

 

 

7,797

 

 

8,489

 

For the year ending December 31, 2009

 

 

634

 

 

6,860

 

 

7,494

 

For the year ending December 31, 2010

 

 

607

 

 

4,555

 

 

5,162

 

For the year ending December 31, 2011

 

 

565

 

 

3,343

 

 

3,908

 

Thereafter

 

 

1,724

 

 

14,205

 

 

15,929

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total

 

$

5,216

 

$

54,163

 

$

59,379

 

 

 



 



 



 

          Rent expense under operating leases included in continuing operations was approximately $1,363, $2,460, $2,231 and $1,906 for transition 2006, fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

Legal Proceedings

World Wide Fund for Nature

          In April 2000, the World Wide Fund for Nature and its American affiliate, the World Wildlife Fund (collectively, the “Fund”) instituted legal proceedings against us in the English High Court seeking injunctive relief and unspecified damages for alleged breaches of a 1994 agreement between the Fund and us regarding the use of the initials “wwf”. In August 2001, a High Court judge granted the Fund’s motion for summary judgment, holding that we breached the agreement by using the initials “wwf” in connection with certain of our website addresses and our former scratch logo. The English Court of Appeal subsequently upheld that ruling. Since November 10, 2002, we have been subject to an injunction barring us, either on our own or through our officers, servants, agents, subsidiaries, licensees or sublicensees, our television or other affiliates or otherwise, from most uses of the initials “wwf,” including in connection with the “wwf” website addresses and the use of our former scratch logo.

F-17


WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

          As part of its original complaint, the Fund included a damages claim associated with our use of the initials “wwf.”  On October 29, 2004, the Fund filed a claim for damages in the English High Court.  In this filing, the Fund seeks actual damages for legal and other costs of approximately $575, which we have provided for, and further asserts substantial monetary claims in an amount calculated as a royalty based on a percentage of profits from certain of our revenue streams, otherwise referred to as restitutionary damages, over the period January 1997 through November 2002.  On January 6, 2005, we filed an application to determine as a preliminary issue the propriety of the Fund’s basis upon which damages have been claimed.  After a hearing relating to this preliminary issue, in January 16, 2006, by judgment dated February 16, 2006, the Court ruled that the Fund is entitled in point of law to seek restitutionary damages, but that the question whether the Fund is entitled in point of fact to claim or recover damages on that basis remains to be determined, and we have appealed this decision.  The Fund was ordered to provide further clarification of its claim by March 2, 2006. 

          The Fund made such a filing with the Court; however, we believe that this alleged clarification did not comply with the Court’s February 16, 2006 order.  In response to our application, on June 26, 2006, the Fund was ordered to provide further clarification of its damages claim.  The Fund made such further filing on July 21, 2006. 

          All proceedings are stayed pending the outcome of our appeal of the court’s February 16, 2006 judgment that the Fund is entitled in point of law to seek restitutionary damages.  A hearing on this appeal occurred in December 2006.

           We strongly dispute that the Fund has suffered any loss or damage, and do not believe that they are entitled to restitutionary damages.  We believe that we have strong defenses to the Fund’s unwarranted monetary claims and will vigorously defend against them.  We cannot quantify the potential impact that an unfavorable outcome of the damages claim could have on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity; however, based on the Fund’s assertions, it could be material.

Shenker & Associates; THQ/Jakks.

          On November 14, 2000, Stanley Shenker & Associates, Inc. (“SSAI”) filed a complaint against us in Superior Court, Judicial District of Stamford/Norwalk, Connecticut, relating to the termination of an agency agreement between us and plaintiff.  Plaintiff sought compensatory damages and punitive damages in an unspecified amount, attorneys’ fees, an accounting and a declaratory judgment.  In October 2003, as a result of misconduct by the plaintiff, including giving perjured testimony and fabricating evidence, the court issued a comprehensive opinion and order, dismissing plaintiff’s case against us with prejudice and entering a default judgment in our favor on all of our counterclaims for tortious interference with business relations, conversion, fraud and conspiracy.   

          We also filed a complaint against James Bell, one of our former officers (“Bell”), and certain entities related to him, with respect to irregularities in the licensing program during his tenure with us, which came to light as a result of discovery in the Shenker litigation.  That lawsuit was consolidated with the Shenker litigation.  We filed a motion for summary judgment on all of our claims against Bell, which was granted on August 17, 2004.  On February 10, 2005, Bell pleaded guilty in United States District Court for the District of Connecticut to mail fraud resulting from kickbacks from Stanley Shenker (“Shenker”) and SSAI based on the royalties derived from certain WWE licensing agreements.  On August 10, 2005, we entered into a partial settlement with Bell pursuant to which we agreed to settle our state law claim for the payment of $2,500.  Our federal claims were specifically excluded from this settlement. 

          On June 6, 2006, Shenker was indicted in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, and on September 7, 2006 a Superseding Indictment was issued, in connection with Shenker’s conspiracy with Bell to:  (a) enrich themselves by obtaining monies relating to WWE and its licensees to which they were not entitled; (b) affirmatively conceal their acts from WWE in order to continue to receive and retain monies to which they were not entitled; (c) deprive WWE of honest services, by compromising employee loyalty and integrity through their secret arrangement to split between themselves royalty commissions monies paid from WWE licensees; and (d) to provide false and misleading information to WWE during civil litigation to obtain additional anticipated economic benefits and avoid disgorgement of their ill-gotten gains.  On January 12, 2007, Shenker pled guilty to Count One of the Superseding Indictment for conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of money obtained by fraud and wire fraud.

          On October 19, 2004, as a result of information uncovered in connection with the Shenker & Associates matter, we filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Jakks Pacific, Inc. (“Jakks”), two foreign subsidiaries of Jakks, THQ Inc. (THQ”), THQ/Jakks Pacific LLC (“THQ/Jakks”), SSAI and Bell Licensing, LLC.  The suit also names as defendants certain individuals employed by the corporate defendants, including three senior executives of Jakks, Shenker and Bell.

          Our lawsuit alleges violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO) and the anti-bribery provisions of the Robinson-Patman Act, and various claims under state law.  The original complaint sought treble, punitive and other damages and a declaration that the existing videogame license with THQ/Jakks and a related amendment to the toy licenses with Jakks are void and unenforceable.  On March 31, 2005, we filed an amended complaint which, among other things, added an antitrust claim under the Sherman Act.

F-18


WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

          By letter dated March 1, 2004, Jakks asserted that the filing of the lawsuit breached a covenant not to sue contained in a January 15, 2004 settlement agreement (the “settlement agreement”) relating to an audit we conducted concerning Jakks’ failure to report certain sales and claim of unsupported deductions.  Jakks further asserted that, under an indemnification provision in the January 15, 2004 settlement agreement, it intended to seek indemnification from us for losses, attorney’s fees and costs incurred in connection with the lawsuit as well as various securities class actions filed against Jakks arising out of the same allegations.  We deny any breach of the settlement agreement and intend to vigorously defend any asserted claims in that regard.

          In an order dated March 31, 2006, the Court: (1) denied the defendants’ motions to dismiss the RICO claim based on their enterprise argument; (2) granted the defendants’ motions to dismiss the Robinson-Patman Act claim; and (3) granted the defendants’ motions to dismiss the Sherman Act claim.  We timely filed a motion for reconsideration of the court’s dismissal of the Sherman Act claim, which remains pending before the Court.  The defendants’ motions to dismiss all remaining RICO issues were briefed by the Defendants’ on June 2, 2006, and our response in opposition to those motions to dismiss was filed on July 7, 2006.  We also filed a motion to strike and response in opposition to the motion to dismiss filed by the Jakks and its affiliated parties only based on the alleged applicability of the settlement agreement.  Oral argument was held on September 6, 2006.

          On October 13, 2006, we filed a complaint in the Superior Court of the State of Connecticut against THQ and THQ/Jakks arising out of the improper sublicense of rights to certain WWE-branded videogames in violation of the applicable videogame license agreement.  The complaint alleges claims for, among other things, breach of contract, unjust enrichment, violation of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act and a declaration that we are entitled to terminate the videogame license agreement with THQ/Jakks.

          Jakks has been our toy licensee since late 1995 and operates under current licenses that expire by their terms in 2009.  THQ/Jakks obtained a videogame license from us in 1998, which license is to expire in 2009, subject to a right by THQ/Jakks to extend the license for an additional five years.  During the pendency of this litigation, we intend to continue to fulfill our obligations under the current licenses and expect Jakks and THQ to do likewise.

IPO Class Action

          In December 2001, a purported class action complaint was filed against us asserting claims for alleged violations of the federal securities laws relating to our initial public offering in 1999. Also named as defendants in this suit were Vincent K. McMahon, Linda E. McMahon and August J. Liguori, a former Chief Financial Officer (collectively, the “Individual Defendants”) and the underwriters of our initial public offering. According to the allegations of the Complaint, the underwriter defendants allegedly engaged in manipulative practices by, among other things, pre-selling allotments of shares of our stock in return for undisclosed, excessive commissions from the purchasers and/or entering into after-market tie-in arrangements which allegedly artificially inflated the Company’s stock price.  The plaintiff further alleges that we knew or should have known of such unlawful practices.  This litigation has been consolidated in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (“SDNY”) with claims against approximately 300 other companies that had initial public offerings during the same general time period.

          While we strongly deny all allegations, the class plaintiffs and the issuer defendants, including the Individual Defendants and the company, reached an agreement for the settlement of all claims.  On February 15, 2005, the court issued an opinion and order granting preliminary approval of the settlement, subject to certain non-material modifications. The court held a settlement fairness meeting on April 24, 2006 following which it took under advisement the motion for final approval of the settlement.  In December 2006, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled that the certification of this proceeding as a class action was invalid and remanded the case to the SDNY.  The class plaintiffs have requested the Second Circuit to reconsider.  We are unable to predict whether the Second Circuit’s decision will stand, the likelihood that the settlement will go forward and/or whether the plaintiff’s will seek to amend their claims, if necessary, in accordance with the Second Circuit’s ruling. 

Other Matters

          We are not currently a party to any other material legal proceedings. However, we are involved in several other suits and claims in the ordinary course of business, the outcome of which is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.  We may from time to time become a party to other legal proceedings.  

F-19


WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

13.  Stockholders’ Equity

          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 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. Through his beneficial ownership of a substantial majority of our Class B common stock, our controlling stockholder, Vincent McMahon, can effectively exercise control over our affairs, and his interests could conflict with the holders of our Class A common stock.

Recent Equity Transactions

          In July 2006, we granted 507,750 restricted stock units at a price per share of $16.50.  Such issuances were granted to officers and employees under our 1999 Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP). Total compensation cost related to the grant of the restricted stock units, based on the estimated value of the units on the grant date, is $7,708 and is being amortized over the vesting period, which is three years. 

          In July, September, and December 2006 we paid quarterly dividends of $0.24 per share, or $16,954, $17,025 and $17,038 respectively, on all Class A and Class B common shares.

14.  Share Based Compensation

          The LTIP provides for grants of options and other forms of equity-based incentive awards as determined by the compensation committee of the Board of Directors as incentives and rewards to encourage employees, directors, consultants and performers to participate in our long-term success.  The LTIP provides for grants of options to purchase shares at a price equal to the fair market value on the date of grant.  The options expire between 5-10 years after the date of grant and are generally exercisable in installments beginning one year from the date of the grant.  In 2004, we began issuing restricted stock units, which generally vest annually.  Current grants outstanding have vesting periods between three and seven years.   As of December 31, 2006 there were 4,266,380 shares available for future grants.  It is our policy to issue new shares to satisfy option exercises and the vesting of restricted stock units.

          Stock based compensation cost was approximately $4,843, $4,694, $4,084 and $3,674 for transition 2006 and fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.  The total recognized tax benefit was $1,501, $1,878, $1,353 and $1,396 for transition 2006 and fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

          SFAS 123(R) also amends SFAS No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows, requiring the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation costs to be reported as financing cash flows, rather than as operating cash flows as previously required. The tax benefits in excess of recognized compensation cost for transition 2006 were $712.

Stock Options

          The fair value of stock options was determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Such value is recognized as expense over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures, using the straight line method under SFAS 123(R).  We have not granted any stock options since June 2004. We granted 1,104,500 and 852,500 options in fiscal 2005 and 2004 respectively. The per share weighted average fair value of stock options granted in fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004 was $2.95 and $2.44, respectively. 

          The weighted average assumptions used in the option-pricing model in fiscal 2005 was as follows:

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 

Expected life of option

 

 

3 years

 

 

3 years

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

 

3.0

%

 

1.8

%

Expected volatility of our common stock

 

 

33

%

 

38

%

Expected dividend yield

 

 

1.9

%

 

1.7

%

F-20


WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

          We did not recognize stock compensation cost for stock options prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R) on May 1, 2006.  See Note 2 for pro forma net income disclosures for fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004.

          The following table summarizes the effect of adopting SFAS 123(R) on the reported amounts for transition 2006 relative to amounts that would have been reported using the intrinsic value method under previous accounting:

 

 

Eight months ended
December 31, 2006

 

 

 


 

 

 

Intrinsic
Value
Method

 

SFAS 123(R)
Adjustments

 

As
Reported

 

 

 



 



 



 

Operating income

 

$

39,349

 

$

(106

)

$

39,243

 

Net income

 

$

31,683

 

$

(66

)

$

31,617

 

Net income per basic common share:

 

$

0.45

 

$

0.00

 

$

0.45

 

Net income per diluted common share:

 

$

0.44

 

$

0.00

 

$

0.44

 

          The following table summarizes option activity for the transition period.

Stock Options

 

Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

 


 



 



 



 



 

Outstanding at of May 1, 2006

 

 

2,023,905

 

$

13.10

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Granted

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Exercised

 

 

(298,854

)

$

12.31

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Forfeited/Expired

 

 

(9,751

)

$

12.89

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2006

 

 

1,715,300

 

$

13.14

 

 

3.1

 

$

5,613

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vested and Expected to Vest at December 31, 2006

 

 

1,671,948

 

$

13.17

 

 

3.1

 

$

5,432

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable at December 31, 2006

 

 

1,280,890

 

$

13.47

 

 

3.4

 

$

3,813

 

          As of December 31, 2006, the total future compensation cost related to unvested options not yet recognized was $0.5 and the weighted average period over which these awards are expected to be recognized was 0.4 years. We estimate forfeitures, based on historical trends, when recognizing compensation expense associated with stock options, and will adjust our estimate of forfeitures when they are expected to differ. For transition 2006, we estimated that 8% of option grants will be forfeited over the life of each grant. The intrinsic value of options exercised was approximately $1,331, $4,609, $213 and $20 for transition 2006 and fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. 

          Cash received from option exercises under all share-based payment arrangements was $3,679, $16,823, $704 and $305 for transition 2006 and fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.  Tax benefits realized from tax deductions associated with option exercises totaled $506, $1,751, $81 and $8 for transition 2006 and fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

Restricted Stock Units

          The fair value of restricted stock units determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of our common stock on the grant date.  The fair value of restricted stock units is recognized as expense over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures, using the straight-line method under SFAS 123(R).  We estimate forfeitures, based on historical trends, when recognizing compensation expense associated with its restricted stock, and it will adjust its estimate of forfeitures when they are expected to differ. For the eight months ended December 31 2006, we estimate that 8% of restricted stock grants will be forfeited over the life of each grant.

F-21


WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

          We granted 517,750, 611,000, 133,900 and 796,416 of restricted stock units in transition 2006, fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004 respectively, with an aggregate grant-date fair value of approximately, $8,538 $7,869 $1,727 and $7,636. During transition 2006 and fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, we recognized $4,451, $4,694, $4,084 and $3,676, respectively, of compensation expense associated with restricted stock units, which was classified in selling, general and administrative expense.

          The following table summarizes the activity of restricted stock units:

Restricted Stock Units

 

Shares

 

Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value

 


 



 



 

Unvested at May 1, 2006

 

 

727,742

 

$

12.88

 

Granted

 

 

517,750

 

$

16.49

 

Vested

 

 

(179,683

)

$

13.20

 

Forfeited/Expired

 

 

(23,922

)

$

13.56

 

Dividends

 

 

45,251

 

$

16.47

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Unvested at December 31, 2006

 

 

1,087,138

 

$

14.60

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

          The grant date fair value of restricted stock units vested was $2,372, $4,475 and $6,455 for transition 2006 and fiscal 2006, and 2005, respectively.  No restricted stock vested during fiscal 2004. Tax benefits realized from tax deductions associated with RSU activity totaled $901, $1,701 and $684 for transition 2006 and fiscal 2006 and 2005, respectively.

          As of December 31, 2006 there was $8,264 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock units to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.5 years.  Based on the current restricted stock units outstanding, $5,336 of compensation expense will be recognized in 2007 and the remaining $2,928 will be recognized from 2008 to 2011.

          SFAS 123(R)’s requirement to apply an estimated forfeiture rate to unvested awards resulted in an increase in net earnings, and a cumulative effect of accounting change, as we previously recorded forfeitures when they occurred.  For transition 2006, the cumulative effect of accounting change totaled $215 ($140 net of related tax effect) and was recorded in selling, general and administrative expense because its impact on net income and net income per share was not significant.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

          We provide a stock purchase plan for our employees.  Under the plan, any regular full-time employee may contribute up to 10% of their base compensation (subject to certain income 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. SFAS 123(R) defines this plan as compensatory, and accordingly, a charge is recorded for the difference between the fair market value and the discounted price.  In July 2006, a purchase occurred and resulted in a $49 charge.  83 employees were participants in the stock purchase plan and these employees purchased approximately 13,154 shares of our common stock at a price of $12.77 per share.  We recorded an additional charge of $39 in transition 2006 related to the six month offering period ending in January 2007.

15.  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 salaries, subject to a statutorily prescribed annual limit. We make matching contributions of 50 percent of each participant’s contributions, up to 6% of eligible compensation (maximum 3% matching contribution). We may also make additional discretionary contributions to the 401(k) plan. Our expense for matching contributions and additional discretionary contributions to the 401(k) plan was $567, $835, $762 and $1,217 during transition 2006, fiscal 2006,  2005 and  2004, respectively.

F-22


WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

16.  Segment Information

          During fiscal 2006, we expanded the number of our reportable segments to four in order better to reflect the manner in which management analyzes our performance including our digital media businesses and the production of feature films.  We have also reclassified certain other operations between the reportable segments.  All prior year segment information has been adjusted to reflect the current presentation.  The results of operations for The World and for the XFL are not included in the segment reporting as they are classified separately as discontinued operations in our consolidated financial statements (See Note 19). We do not allocate corporate overhead to each of the segments and as a result, corporate overhead is a reconciling item in the table below. There are no intersegment revenues.  The activities of each segment are summarized in Note 1.

          Revenues derived from sales outside of North America were approximately $60,416 $97,686, $87,594 and $63,453 for transition 2006, fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

          The table presents information about the financial results of each segment for transition 2006, fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004 and assets as of December 31, 2006, April 30, 2006 and April 30, 2005. Unallocated assets consist primarily of cash, short-term investments and real property and other investments.

 

 

T 2006

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Live and Televised Entertainment

 

$

182,999

 

$

290,784

 

$

299,501

 

$

308,778

 

Consumer Products

 

 

59,183

 

 

86,410

 

 

53,865

 

 

54,710

 

Digital Media

 

 

20,755

 

 

22,857

 

 

13,065

 

 

11,421

 

WWE Films

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total net revenues

 

$

262,937

 

$

400,051

 

$

366,431

 

$

374,909

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Depreciation and amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Live and Televised Entertainment

 

$

2,164

 

$

3,561

 

$

3,905

 

$

4,415

 

Consumer Products

 

 

859

 

 

2,028

 

 

2,079

 

 

1,843

 

Digital Media

 

 

177

 

 

1,471

 

 

1,450

 

 

2,729

 

Corporate

 

 

2,357

 

 

3,412

 

 

4,440

 

 

3,376

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total depreciation and amortization

 

$

5,557

 

$

10,472

 

$

11,874

 

$

12,363

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Operating income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Live and Televised Entertainment

 

$

57,001

 

$

93,984

 

$

100,612

 

$

106,491

 

Consumer Products

 

 

26,855

 

 

46,417

 

 

26,796

 

 

34,318

 

Digital Media

 

 

3,796

 

 

2,933

 

 

1,290

 

 

(7,897

)

WWE Films

 

 

(1,110

)

 

(1,284

)

 

(1,005

)

 

(1,331

)

Corporate

 

 

(47,299

)

 

(71,510

)

 

(77,400

)

 

(58,001

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total operating income

 

$

39,243

 

$

70,540

 

$

50,293

 

$

73,580

 

 

 



 



 



 



 


 

 

December 31, 2006

 

As of:
April 30, 2006

 

April 30, 2005

 

 

 



 



 



 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Live and Televised Entertainment

 

$

77,083

 

$

88,898

 

$

88,471

 

Consumer Products

 

 

14,982

 

 

16,853

 

 

10,383

 

Digital Media

 

 

6,128

 

 

3,380

 

 

3,010

 

WWE Films

 

 

56,299

 

 

39,010

 

 

29,537

 

Unallocated (1)

 

 

298,793

 

 

331,249

 

 

310,004

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total assets

 

$

453,285

 

$

479,390

 

$

441,405

 

 

 



 



 



 



(1) Includes assets of discontinued operations of $469, $457, and $544 as of December 31, 2006, April 30, 2006 and April 30, 2005, respectively.

F-23


WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

17.  Financial Instruments and Off-Balance Sheet Risk

          Concentration of Credit Risk —   Financial instruments which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk are principally bank deposits, short-term investments and accounts receivable. Cash and cash equivalents are deposited with high credit quality financial institutions. Short-term investments primarily consist of AAA or AA rated instruments or mutual funds holding similar instruments. Except for receivables from cable companies related to pay-per-view events and our home video distributor, concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited due to the large number of customers. A significant portion of trade receivables for pay-per-view events is received from our pay-per-view administrator, who collects and remits payments to us from individual cable system operators. We perform ongoing evaluations of our customers’ financial condition, includ ing our pay-per-view administrator, and we monitor our exposure for credit losses and maintain allowances for anticipated losses.

          Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The carrying amounts of cash, cash equivalents, money market accounts, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of such instruments.  Our short-term investments are carried at quoted market values.  Our debt consists of the mortgage related to our corporate headquarters, which has an annual interest rate of 7.6%.  The fair value of this debt is not significantly different from its carrying amount.

18.  Quarterly Financial Summaries (unaudited)

 

 

1st Quarter

 

2nd Quarter

 

3rd Quarter *

 

4th Quarter

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

T 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

 

$

93,267

 

$

96,236

 

$

73,434

 

 

NA

 

Cost of revenues

 

$

53,266

 

$

57,882

 

$

45,946

 

 

NA

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

11,302

 

$

10,396

 

$

9,919

 

 

NA

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

NA

 

Net income

 

$

11,302

 

$

10,396

 

$

9,919

 

 

NA

 

Earnings per common share: basic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.14

 

 

NA

 

Discontinued operations

 

$

0.00

 

$

0.00

 

$

0.00

 

 

NA

 

Net income

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.14

 

 

NA

 

Earnings per common share: diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NA

 

Continuing operations

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.13

 

 

NA

 

Discontinued operations

 

$

0.00

 

$

0.00

 

$

0.00

 

 

NA

 

Net income

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.15

 

$

0.13

 

 

NA

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

 

$

93,812

 

$

88,933

 

$

103,042

 

$

114,263

 

Cost of revenues

 

$

52,501

 

$

47,305

 

$

56,188

 

$

71,178

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

11,178

 

$

11,676

 

$

13,593

 

$

10,564

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

$

2

 

$

26

 

$

6

 

$

1

 

Net income

 

$

11,180

 

$

11,702

 

$

13,599

 

$

10,565

 

Earnings per common share: basic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.17

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.15

 

Discontinued operations

 

$

0.00

 

$

0.00

 

$

0.00

 

$

0.00

 

Net income

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.17

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.15

 

Earnings per common share: diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.17

 

$

0.19

 

$

0.15

 

Discontinued operations

 

$

0.00

 

$

0.00

 

$

0.00

 

$

0.00

 

Net income

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.17

 

$

0.19

 

$

0.15

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

 

$

81,550

 

$

83,857

 

$

82,719

 

$

118,305

 

Cost of revenues

 

$

48,416

 

$

52,493

 

$

44,426

 

$

67,954

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

7,756

 

$

3,005

 

$

10,988

 

$

16,029

 

(Loss) income from discontinued operations

 

$

(111

)

$

1,445

 

$

(69

)

$

104

 

Net income

 

$

7,646

 

$

4,449

 

$

10,919

 

$

16,133

 

Earnings per common share: basic and diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.04

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.23

 

Discontinued operations

 

$

0.00

 

$

0.02

 

$

0.00

 

$

0.00

 

Net income

 

$

0.11

 

$

0.06

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.23

 



* The third quarter in T 2006 consists of only two months.

F-24


WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

19.  Discontinued Operations

          The World:

          In fiscal 2004, we adjusted our shutdown reserves and recorded additional shutdown costs of $2,571, or $1,671 after tax, representing the expected absence of projected sub-rental payments for the first nine months of fiscal 2005, which represented our revised estimate of the expected time necessary to assign or sub-let the remaining lease for The World

          During fiscal 2005, we reached an agreement to assign the remaining term of the lease to a third party and, accordingly, reduced the accrual for estimated shutdown costs to the amount required under this assignment.  The assignment relieved us of all further obligations related to this property. 

          The results of The World business, which have been classified as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements, are summarized as follows:

 

 

T 2006

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Income (loss) on shutdown of The World, net of taxes (benefit) of $0, $6, $737 and $(900) for T2006, and fiscal 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively

 

$

—  

 

$

11

 

$

1,369

 

$

(1,671

)

Assets and liabilities of discontinued operations of The World consisted of the following:

 

 

As of:

 

 

 


 

 

 

December 31, 2006

 

April 30, 2006

 

April 30, 2005

 

 

 



 



 



 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

60

 

$

60

 

$

180

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total assets

 

$

60

 

$

60

 

$

180

 

 

 



 



 



 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued expenses

 

$

56

 

$

56

 

$

74

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total liabilities

 

$

56

 

$

56

 

$

74

 

 

 



 



 



 

XFL:

          In early May 2001, we formalized our decision to discontinue operations of the XFL and, accordingly, reported XFL operating results and estimated shutdown costs as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements.

          Income on the shutdown of the XFL in transition 2006 was $0, fiscal 2006 was $24, net of taxes of $17, and $290, net of taxes of $178, in fiscal 2004.  Assets and liabilities of discontinued operations of the XFL consisted of the following:

 

 

As of:

 

 

 


 

 

 

December 31, 2006

 

April 30, 2006

 

April 30, 2005

 

 

 



 



 



 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

409

 

$

397

 

$

364

 

 

 



 



 



 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued expenses

 

$

17

 

$

17

 

$

—  

 

Minority interest

 

 

229

 

 

221

 

 

180

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total liabilities

 

$

246

 

$

238

 

$

180

 

 

 



 



 



 

F-25


SCHEDULE II —   VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(dollars in thousands)

Description

 

Balance at
Beginning
of Period

 

Additions
Charged to
Costs and
Expenses

 

Deductions (1)

 

Balance at
End of
Period

 


 



 



 



 



 

For the Period Ended December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

$

3,740

 

$

(1,574

)

$

(82

)

$

2,084

 

Inventory obsolescence reserve

 

 

3,535

 

 

1,429

 

 

(73

)

 

4,891

 

Magazine publishing allowance for newsstand returns

 

 

4,512

 

 

14,954

 

 

(15,390

)

 

4,076

 

Home video allowance for returns

 

 

3,817

 

 

14,251

 

 

(9,558

)

 

8,510

 

Advertising underdelivery

 

 

365

 

 

—  

 

 

(365

)

 

—  

 

For the Year Ended April 30, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

$

3,287

 

$

494

 

$

(41

)

$

3,740

 

Inventory obsolescence reserve

 

 

2,062

 

 

1,894

 

 

(421

)

 

3,535

 

Magazine publishing allowance for newsstand returns

 

 

4,602

 

 

20,555

 

 

(20,465

)

 

4,512

 

Home video allowance for returns

 

 

2,920

 

 

10,198

 

 

(9,301

)

 

3,817

 

Advertising underdelivery

 

 

2,625

 

 

1,599

 

 

(3,859

)

 

365

 

For the Year Ended April 30, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

$

2,612

 

$

675

 

$

—  

 

$

3,287

 

Inventory obsolescence reserve

 

 

1,126

 

 

1,549

 

 

(613

)

 

2,062

 

Magazine publishing allowance for newsstand returns

 

 

4,517

 

 

24,503

 

 

(24,418

)

 

4,602

 

Home video allowance for returns

 

 

2,588

 

 

9,649

 

 

(9,317

)

 

2,920

 

Advertising underdelivery

 

 

4,401

 

 

6,145

 

 

(7,921

)

 

2,625

 

For the Year Ended April 30, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

$

5,284

 

$

(2,295

)

$

(377

)

$

2,612

 

Inventory obsolescence reserve

 

 

892

 

 

1,270

 

 

(1,036

)

 

1,126

 

Magazine publishing allowance for newsstand returns

 

 

5,126

 

 

24,944

 

 

(25,553

)

 

4,517

 

Home video allowance for returns

 

 

1,496

 

 

8,888

 

 

(7,796

)

 

2,588

 

Advertising underdelivery

 

 

6,921

 

 

3,170

 

 

(5,690

)

 

4,401

 



(1)  Deductions are comprised primarily of disposals of obsolete inventory, write-offs of specific bad debts, returns and advertising “make-goods” for underdelivery.  When we do not deliver the guaranteed rating,  additional spots, commonly referred to as  ‘make-goods’ or at times, a cash refund, is given to the customer.

F-26