wwe_10q.htm
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
 
 
( X )       QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
  For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010

or
 
(    )       TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
  For the transition period from ________ to _________
 
  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 (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) 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)
 
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 _____
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
 
Yes _____       No _____
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer x
 
Non-accelerated filer   o              (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes _____       No      X   
 
At May 2, 2010 the number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Class A common stock, par value $.01 per share, was 25,793,313 and the number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Class B common stock, par value $.01 per share, was 47,713,563.
 


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Table of Contents
 
      Page #
Part I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
       Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
 
              Consolidated Income Statements for the three months ended March 31, 2010
              and March 31, 2009 2
 
              Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 3
 
              Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2010
              and March 31, 2009 4
 
              Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive
              Income for the three months ended March 31, 2010 5
 
              Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 6
 
       Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 17
 
       Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 26
 
       Item 4. Controls and Procedures 26
 
Part II – OTHER INFORMATION
 
       Item 1. Legal Proceedings 27
 
       Item 1A. Risk Factors 27
 
       Item 6. Exhibits 27
 
       Signature   28

1
 


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Consolidated Income Statements
(In thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
      2010       2009
Net revenues $     138,725 $     107,825
 
Cost of revenues 73,685 56,437
Selling, general and administrative expenses 25,879 30,857
Depreciation and amortization 1,839 3,783
 
Operating income 37,322 16,748
 
Investment income, net 483 616
Interest expense (71 ) (91 )
Other expense, net (1,042 ) (1,325 )
 
Income before income taxes 36,692 15,948
 
Provision for income taxes 11,955   5,626
 
Net income $ 24,737 $ 10,322
 
Earnings per share  
       Basic        
              Class A $ 0.42 $ -
              Class B $ 0.29 $ -
              Total $ 0.33 $ 0.14
       Diluted  
              Class A $ 0.41 $ -
              Class B $ 0.29 $ -
              Total $ 0.33 $ 0.14
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding    
       Basic      
              Class A 26,517 25,762
              Class B 47,714 47,714
       Diluted      
              Class A 27,505 26,185
              Class B 47,714 47,714

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
2
 


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
      As of       As of
March 31, December 31,
2010 2009
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
       Cash and equivalents $      136,347 $      149,784
       Short-term investments 90,112 58,440
       Accounts receivable, net 65,538 62,732
       Inventory, net 1,921 2,182
       Prepaid expenses and other current assets 24,667 21,721
              Total current assets 318,585 294,859
 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET 81,217 84,376
FEATURE FILM PRODUCTION ASSETS 43,152 37,053
INVESTMENT SECURITIES 22,280 22,370
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET 273 276
OTHER ASSETS 1,640 1,687
TOTAL ASSETS $ 467,147 $ 440,621
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
       Current portion of long-term debt $ 1,103 $ 1,082
       Accounts payable 23,458 21,281
       Accrued expenses and other liabilities 45,403 35,164
       Deferred income 25,609 14,603
              Total current liabilities 95,573 72,130
 
LONG-TERM DEBT 2,506 2,790
NON-CURRENT INCOME TAX LIABILITIES 13,712 17,152
NON-CURRENT DEFERRED INCOME 11,116 11,528
 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
       Class A common stock 258 257
       Class B common stock 477 477
       Additional paid-in capital 329,773 326,008
       Accumulated other comprehensive income     2,266   2,377
       Retained earnings 11,466 7,902
              Total stockholders' equity 344,240 337,021
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 467,147   $ 440,621
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
3
 


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
      2010       2009
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
       Net income $      24,737 $      10,322
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
       by operating activities:
       Amortization of feature film production assets 1,340 1,574
       Revaluation of warrants (96 ) 858
       Depreciation and amortization 1,839 3,783
       Realized gain on sale of investments (52 ) -
       Amortization of investment income 366 288
       Stock compensation costs 2,347 1,132
       (Recovery) provision for doubtful accounts (1,488 ) 477
       Provision for inventory obsolescence 974 393
       Benefit from deferred income taxes (3,694 ) (484 )
       Excess tax benefits from stock-based payment arrangements (157 ) -
       Changes in assets and liabilities:
              Accounts receivable (428 ) 6,372
              Inventory (713 ) 522
              Prepaid expenses and other assets (2,850 ) 4,023
              Feature film production assets (7,597 ) (223 )
              Accounts payable 2,177 2,371
              Accrued expenses and other liabilities 10,744 13,824
              Deferred income 10,594 2,086
                     Net cash provided by operating activities 38,043 47,318
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
       Purchases of property and equipment and other assets (2,807 ) (1,484 )
       Proceeds from infrastructure incentives 3,240 -
       Purchase of short-term investments (34,566 ) (10,168 )
       Proceeds from sales or maturities of short-term investments 2,479 -
                     Net cash used in investing activities (31,654 ) (11,652 )
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
       Repayments of long-term debt (263 ) (245 )
       Dividends paid (20,707 ) (20,454 )
       Issuance of stock, net 434 429
       Net proceeds from exercise of stock options   553 -
       Excess tax benefits from stock-based payment arrangements 157   -
                     Net cash used in financing activities   (19,826 ) (20,270 )
 
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND EQUIVALENTS (13,437 ) 15,396
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD 149,784   119,655
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD $ 136,347   $ 135,051
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
4
 


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income
(dollars and shares in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Accumulated
Additional Other
Common Stock Paid - in Comprehensive Retained
     Shares      Amount      Capital      Income      Earnings      Total
Balance, December 31, 2009 73,404 $       734 $       326,008 $       2,377 $       7,902 $       337,021
 
Comprehensive income:
       Net income - - - - 24,737 24,737
       Translation adjustment - - 8 - 8
       Unrealized holding loss, net of tax - (87 ) (87 )
       Reclassification adjustment for gains
              realized in net income, net of tax (32 ) (32 )
 
Total comprehensive income 24,626
 
Stock issuances, net 44 1 242 - - 243
Exercise of stock options 43 - 553 553
Excess tax benefits from stock based
payment arrangements - - 157 - - 157
Dividends paid - - 466 - (21,173 ) (20,707 )
Stock compensation costs - - 2,347 - - 2,347
 
Balance, March 31, 2010       73,491 $ 735 $ 329,773 $ 2,266 $ 11,466 $ 344,240
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
5
 


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
1. Basis of Presentation and Business Description
 
     The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., and our subsidiaries. “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. 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
Consumer Products
Digital Media
WWE Studios
     All intercompany balances are eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows at the dates and for the periods presented have been included. The results of operations of any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the full year. Effective April 1, 2009, as a result of reconsidering contract elements of certain international live event contracts, the accounting treatment for these transactions was changed prospectively to reflect these transactions on a gross basis pursuant to the authoritative literature regarding gross vs. net revenue reporting. Previously, these contracts were incorrectly reported on a net basis pursuant to the same authoritative literature. The impact of the accounting of these contracts prior to April 1, 2009 was not material to any of the periods presented, and therefore, the periods have not been adjusted.
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted from these interim financial statements; these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
6
 


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
     In January 2010, the FASB issued amendments to the accounting standards related to the disclosures about an entity’s use of fair value measurements. Among these amendments, entities will be required to provide enhanced disclosures about transfers into and out of the Level 1 (fair value determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities) and Level 2 (fair value determined based on significant other observable inputs) classifications, provide separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements relating to the tabular reconciliation of beginning and ending balances of the Level 3 (fair value determined based on significant unobservable inputs) classification and provide greater disaggregation for each class of assets and liabilities that use fair value measurements. Except for the detailed Level 3 roll-forward disclosures, the new standard is effective for the Company for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 31, 2009. The adoption of this accounting standards amendment did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The requirement to provide detailed disclosures about the purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll-forward activity for Level 3 fair value measurements is effective for the Company for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 31, 2010. The Company does not expect that the adoption of these new disclosure requirements will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
 
     In February 2010, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting standards related to the accounting for, and disclosure of, subsequent events in an entity’s consolidated financial statements. This standard amends the authoritative guidance for subsequent events that was previously issued and among other things exempts Securities and Exchange Commission registrants from the requirement to disclose the date through which it has evaluated subsequent events for either original or restated financial statements. This standard does not apply to subsequent events or transactions that are within the scope of other applicable GAAP that provides different guidance on the accounting treatment for subsequent events or transactions. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
2. Share Based Compensation
 
     Compensation expense relating to grants of performance stock units (PSUs) and restricted stock units (RSUs) are recognized over the period during which the employee rendered service to the Company necessary to earn the award. Stock based compensation cost was approximately $2,347 and $1,132 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
     During 2009, we granted approximately 586,500 PSUs under our 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan (“Plan”) at a weighted average price per share of $9.91. Based on the financial results for the year ended December 31, 2009, approximately 765,000 PSUs were ultimately issued in 2010 related to this grant at an average price per share of $16.07.
 
     During the quarter, we granted 422,250 PSUs as part of the Plan at a weighted average price per share of $17.01. This grant is subject to the Company achieving established earnings targets for the financial results of the year ending December 31, 2010. Total compensation cost related to these PSUs, based on the estimated value of the units on the issuance date, net of estimated forfeitures, is $6,608. The compensation is being amortized over the service period, which is approximately three and one-half years. If these goals are met, the shares issued will vest in equal annual installments. At March 31, 2010, an aggregate of 1,553,958 PSUs were unvested for all PSU grants with a weighted average fair value of $15.52 per share.
 
7
 


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
     During the quarter, we granted 2,500 RSUs under the Plan at a weighted average grant date fair value of $15.94 per share. Total compensation cost related to these grants, net of estimated forfeitures, is $37. The compensation is being amortized over the service period, which is approximately three years. At March 31, 2010, 188,442 RSUs were unvested with a weighted average fair value of $14.44 per share.
 
3. Stockholders’ Equity
 
     Beginning in February 2008, the Board of Directors authorized an increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.36 per share on all Class A common shares not held by the McMahon family. At that time, the McMahon family and their trusts entered into an agreement with the Company to waive the increased portion of the dividend for all shares of Class A and Class B common stock beneficially held by the family for a period of three years, subject to early termination in the event of Vincent K. McMahon’s death. Instead, they continue to receive a quarterly cash dividend of $0.24 per share. Any new dividend waiver is subject to the agreement of members of the McMahon family and their receipt of the approval of the Internal Revenue Service. We paid cash dividends of $20,707 and $20,454 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009, respectively.
 
4. Earnings Per Share
 
     For purposes of calculating basic and diluted earnings per share, we used the following weighted average common shares outstanding:
 
Three months ended
March 31, March 31,
      2010       2009
Basic
       Class A 26,517,262 25,762,676
       Class B 47,713,563 47,713,563
Diluted
       Class A 27,505,345 26,185,435
       Class B 47,713,563 47,713,563
Dilutive effect of outstanding options and
restricted stock units 988,083 421,668
Anti-dilutive outstanding options - 644,346

     Net income per share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock is computed in accordance with a two- class method of earnings allocation. Any undistributed earnings for each period are allocated to each class of common stock based on the proportionate share of the amount of cash dividends that each class is entitled to receive.
 
8
 


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
     Earnings per share information is as follows:
 
      March 31,       March 31,
2010 2009
Basic
       Class A   $      0.42 -
       Class B $ 0.29 -
       Total $ 0.33   $      0.14
Diluted
       Class A $ 0.41 -
       Class B $ 0.29 -
       Total $ 0.33 $ 0.14

     As there were no undistributed earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2009, Class A and Class B earnings per share were not calculated separately.
 
5. Segment Information
 
     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 inter-segment revenues. Revenues derived from sales outside of North America were approximately $31,779 and $23,960 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009, respectively. Revenues generated in the United Kingdom, our largest international market, were approximately $7,958 and $6,931 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009, respectively. Unallocated assets consist primarily of cash, short-term investments, real property and other investments.
 
      Three months ended
March 31,       March 31,
2010 2009
Net revenues:
       Live and Televised Entertainment $      98,223 $      64,082
       Consumer Products 30,746 33,069
       Digital Media 6,396 6,929
       WWE Studios 3,360 3,745
       Total net revenues $ 138,725 $ 107,825
 
Three months ended
March 31, March 31,
2010 2009
Depreciation and amortization:
       Live and Televised Entertainment $ 298 $ 1,902
       Consumer Products 62 337
       Digital Media   287   273
       WWE Studios
       Corporate 1,192   1,271
       Total depreciation and amortization $ 1,839 $ 3,783
 
9
 


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
    Three months ended
    March 31,   March 31,
    2010   2009
Operating income:              
       Live and Televised Entertainment $ 39,207 $ 21,390
       Consumer Products 17,336 19,530
       Digital Media 986 1,143
       WWE Studios 1,426 1,782
       Corporate (21,633 ) (27,097 )
       Total operating income $      37,322 $      16,748
 

As of
March 31, December 31,
      2010       2009
Assets:  
       Live and Televised Entertainment $ 142,977 $ 141,915
       Consumer Products 18,615 21,521
       Digital Media   6,264 7,111
       WWE Studios 52,433 43,186
       Unallocated 246,858 226,888
       Total assets $      467,147 $      440,621
 

6. Property and Equipment
 
     Property and equipment consisted of the following:
 
As of
March 31, December 31,
      2010       2009
Land, buildings and improvements $      74,060 $           74,363  
Equipment   66,167 67,527
Corporate aircraft 20,859 20,858
Vehicles 537   537
  161,623 163,285
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (80,406 ) (78,909 )
       Total $ 81,217 $ 84,376
 

     During 2010 we received tax credits relating to our infrastructure improvements in conjunction with our transition to high definition broadcasting. The credits were realized at $4,202 and were recorded as a reduction of the related assets.
 
      Depreciation and amortization expense for property and equipment was $1,777 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 as compared to $3,429 for the three months ended March 31, 2009. Depreciation expense in the current quarter reflected a one-time benefit of $1,674 from the recognition of an infrastructure tax credit.
 
10
 


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
7. Feature Film Production Assets
 
     Feature film production assets are summarized as follows:
 
As of
March 31, December 31,
      2010       2009
Feature film productions:
In release $ 26,494 $ 27,772
Completed but not released 11,672 -
In production 4,160 8,473
In development 826 808
Total $      43,152 $      37,053
 

     There were no feature film releases in the current quarter. In the prior year quarter we released one theatrical film, 12 Rounds, and one Direct-to-DVD film, Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia. 12 Rounds comprises $19,667 of our “In release” feature film assets, and Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia comprises $1,804 of “In release” feature film assets.
 
     Feature film production assets are recorded net of the associated benefit of production incentives. During the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, we received $0 and $4,289, respectively, of production incentives from domestic and international feature film production activities.
 
     Unamortized feature film production assets are evaluated for 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 March 31, 2010, we do not believe any capitalized assets included in Feature Film Production Assets are impaired.
 
     Approximately 40% of “In release” film production assets are estimated to be amortized over the next 12 months and approximately 80% of “In release” film production assets are estimated to be amortized over the next three years.
 
     We currently have two theatrical films designated as “Completed but not released” and two theatrical films designated as “In-production”. We also have capitalized certain script development costs for various other film projects. Capitalized script development costs are evaluated at each reporting period for impairment and are expensed when a project is deemed to be abandoned. During the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, we did not expense any previously capitalized development costs related to abandoned projects.
 
8. Intangible Assets
 
     Intangible assets consist of acquired sports entertainment film libraries, trademarks and trade names. We have classified these costs as intangible assets and amortize them over the period of the expected revenues to be derived from these assets, generally from three to six years. The net carrying amount of our intangibles assets were $273 and $276 as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.
 
     Amortization expense was $62 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 as compared to $354 for the three months ended March 31, 2009. Estimated future amortization expense is $140, $91 and $42 for the years ending December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.
 
11
 


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
9. Investment Securities and Short-Term Investments
 
     Investment securities and short-term investments as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 consisted of the following:
 
March 31, 2010
Unrealized
Holding
Amortized Gain Fair
      Cost       (Loss)       Value
Student loan auction rate securities $ 24,400 $ (2,120 ) $ 22,280
Municipal bonds   59,611   347   59,958
Government agency bonds 20,000 8 20,008
Corporate bonds 10,119 27   10,146
       Total $      114,130 $       (1,738 ) $      112,392
 
December 31, 2009
Unrealized
Holding
Amortized Gain Fair
Cost (Loss) Value
Student loan auction rate securities $ 24,400 $ (2,030 ) $ 22,370
Municipal bonds 48,108 427   48,535
Corporate bonds 9,849 56 9,905
       Total $ 82,357 $ (1,547 ) $ 80,810
 

     In February, 2008, we started to experience difficulty in selling our investments in auction rate securities (“ARS”) due to multiple failures of the auction mechanism that provided liquidity to these investments. All of our ARS are collateralized by student loan portfolios (substantially all of which are guaranteed by the United States Government). The securities for which the auctions have failed will continue to accrue interest and pay interest when due; to-date, none of the ARS in which we are invested has failed to make an interest payment when due. Our ARS will continue to be auctioned at each respective reset date until the auction succeeds, the issuer redeems the securities or they mature (the stated maturities of the securities are greater than 20 years). As we maintain a strong liquidity position, we have no intent to sell the securities. We believe that it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the securities before recovery of their anticipated amortized cost basis.
 
     As of March 31, 2010, we recorded a cumulative adjustment to reduce the fair value of our investment in ARS of $2,120, which is reflected as part of accumulated other comprehensive income in our Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income. We do not feel that the fair value adjustment is other-than-temporary at this time due to the high underlying creditworthiness of the issuer (including the backing of the loans comprising the collateral package by the United States Government), our intent not to sell the securities and our belief that it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the securities before recovery of their anticipated amortized cost basis.
 
12
 


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
10. Fair Value Measurement
 
     Fair value is determined based on the exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is a market-based measurement based on assumptions that "market participants" would use to price the asset or liability. Accordingly, the framework considers markets or observable inputs as the preferred source of value followed by assumptions based on hypothetical transactions, in the absence of market inputs. The fair value should be calculated based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, not on assumptions specific to the entity. In addition, the fair value of assets and liabilities should include consideration of non-performance risk including the Company's own credit risk.
 
     Additionally, the guidance establishes a three-level hierarchy that ranks the quality and reliability of information used in developing fair value estimates. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable data. In cases where two or more levels of inputs are used to determine fair value, a financial instrument's level is determined based on the lowest level input that is considered significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are summarized as follows:
 
Level 1- quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2- quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability; or
Level 3- unobservable inputs, such as discounted cash flow models or valuations
 
     The following assets are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the classification within the hierarchy as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, was as follows:
 
Significant
Other Significant
Quoted Market Observable Unobservable Fair Value at
Prices in Active Inputs Inputs March 31,
      Markets (Level 1)       (Level 2)       (Level 3)       2010
Municipal bonds $ - $ 59,958 $ - $ 59,958
Auction rate securities -   -   22,280 22,280
Government agency bonds   - 20,008 - 20,008
Corporate bonds - 10,146 -   10,146
Other - 173 - 173
Total $ - $ 90,285 $ 22,280 $ 112,565
 
Significant
Other Significant
Quoted Market Observable Unobservable Fair Value at
Prices in Active Inputs Inputs December 31,
Markets (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) 2009
Municipal bonds $      - $      48,535 $      - $      48,535
Auction rate securities - - 22,370 22,370
Corporate bonds - 9,905 - 9,905
Other - 77 - 77
Total $ - $ 58,517 $ 22,370 $ 80,887
 

13
 


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
     Certain financial instruments are carried at cost on the consolidated balance sheets, which approximates fair value due to their short-term, highly liquid nature. 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 fair value.
 
     We have classified our investment in ARS within Level 3. Starting in February 2008, we experienced difficulty selling our investment in ARS due to multiple failures of the auction mechanism that provided liquidity to these investments. The securities have been classified within Level 3 as their valuation requires substantial judgment and estimation of factors that are not currently observable in the market due to the lack of trading in the securities. The fair value of the ARS, as consistent with prior periods, was estimated through discounted cash flow models, which consider, among other things, the timing of expected future successful auctions, collateralization of underlying security investments and the risk of default by the issuer. We will continue to assess the carrying value of our ARS on each reporting date, based on the facts and circumstances surrounding our liquidity needs and developments in the ARS markets.
 
     The table below includes a roll forward of our Level 3 assets (ARS) from January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2010 and January 1, 2009 to March 31, 2009, respectively.
 
Significant Significant
Unobservable Unobservable
Inputs Inputs
      (Level 3)              (Level 3)
Fair value January 1, 2010 $           22,370   Fair value January 1, 2009 $           22,299
Purchases   - Purchases -
Redemptions/Proceeds - Redemptions/Proceeds -
Transfers in - Transfers in -
Realized gain - Realized gain -
Unrealized loss (90 ) Unrealized loss (7 )
Fair value March 31, 2010 $ 22,280 Fair value March 31, 2009 $ 22,292
 

11. Concentration of Credit Risk
 
     Our accounts receivable represent a significant portion of our current assets and relate principally to a limited number of customers, including television, pay-per-view and home video distributors. Over the past several months, we have experienced a general slowing in payments from several of these partners. The Company closely monitors the status of receivables with our customers and maintains allowances for anticipated losses as deemed appropriate. Our total allowance for doubtful accounts balance was $10,252 as of March 31, 2010 and $11,926 as of December 31, 2009.
 
14
 


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
12. Film and Television Production Incentives
 
     The Company has access to various governmental programs that are designed to promote film and television production within the United States and certain international jurisdictions. Tax credits earned with respect to expenditures on qualifying film, television and other production activities, including qualifying capital projects, are included as an offset to the related asset or as an offset to production expenses when we have reasonable assurance regarding the realizable amount of the tax credits.
 
13. Income Taxes
 
     At March 31, 2010, we have $9,172 of unrecognized tax benefits, which if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate.
 
     We recognize potential accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. We have approximately $1,827 of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as of March 31, 2010.
 
     We file income tax returns in the United States, various states and various foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities for years on or after April 30, 2006.
 
     Based upon the expiration of statutes of limitations and possible settlements in several jurisdictions, we believe it is reasonably possible that the total amount of previously unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by approximately $631 within 12 months of March 31, 2010.
 
14. Commitments and Contingencies
 
Legal Proceedings
 
World Wide Fund for Nature
 
     There has been no significant development in this legal proceeding subsequent to the disclosure in Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
THQ/Jakks.
 
     There has been no significant development in this legal proceeding subsequent to the disclosure in Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
IPO Class Action
 
     There has been no significant development in this legal proceeding subsequent to the disclosure in Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
15
 


World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
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.
 
15. Comprehensive Income
 
     The following table presents the comprehensive income for the current and prior year quarters.
 
As of
March 31, March 31,
      2010       2009
Net income $      24,737 $      10,322  
Translation adjustment 8   (162 )
Unrealized holding (loss) gain, net of tax (87 ) 432
Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income, net of tax   (32 ) -
Total comprehensive income $ 24,626 $ 10,592
 

16
 


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Background
 
     The following analysis outlines all material activities contained within each of our business segments.
 
Live and Televised Entertainment
Consumer Products
Digital Media
WWE Studios
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Results of Operations
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2009
(Dollars in millions, except as noted)
 
Summary
 
  March 31, March 31, better
Net Revenues:         2010       2009       (worse)
Live and Televised Entertainment $      98.2 $      64.1 53 %
Consumer Products   30.7 33.1 (7 %)
Digital Media 6.4   6.9 (7 %)
WWE Studios 3.4 3.7 (8 %)
Total $ 138.7 $ 107.8 29 %
 

March 31, March 31, better
Cost of Revenues:         2010       2009       (worse)
Live and Televised Entertainment $         56.8 $      38.3 (48 %)
Consumer Products 12.0   12.2 2 %
Digital Media   3.6   4.3   16 %
WWE Studios 1.3 1.6 19 %
Total $ 73.7 $ 56.4 (31 %)
Profit contribution margin 47 % 48 %

March 31, March 31, better
Operating Income:         2010       2009       (worse)
Live and Televised Entertainment $          39.2 $        21.4   83 %
Consumer Products   17.3 19.5 (11 %)
Digital Media 1.0     1.1 (9 %)
WWE Studios 1.4 1.8 (22 %)
Corporate (21.6 ) (27.1 ) 20 %
Total operating income $ 37.3 $     16.7 123 %
Net income $ 24.7 $ 10.3 140 %
 

     Our comparative results were significantly impacted by the timing of our annual WrestleMania pay-per-view event. In 2010, WrestleMania XXVI occurred on March 28th and consequently is included in our first quarter financial results. In 2009, WrestleMania XXV occurred on April 5, 2009 and was included in our second quarter financial results. WrestleMania XXVI contributed approximately $28.8 million of revenues and $13.1 million of profit contribution ($8.8 million, net of tax) to our results in the current quarter.
 
     Our Live and Televised Entertainment segment revenues increased primarily due to a $28.5 million timing difference for WrestleMania discussed previously. Our Consumer Products segment reflected a 17% decrease in home video revenue, reflecting a decline in sales of new release titles as compared to the prior year quarter and lower sell-through at retail. The decrease in revenues for our Digital Media segment reflects a 21% decline in web advertising revenues and a 45% decrease in wireless revenue. WWE Studios revenue primarily reflects amounts earned from our previously released films, The Marine, See No Evil, The Condemned and Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia and vary based upon the receipt of participation statements from our distribution partners.
 
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     The following chart reflects comparative revenues and key drivers for each of the businesses within our Live and Televised Entertainment segment:
 
March 31,   March 31, better
Live and Televised Entertainment Revenues         2010       2009       (worse)
Live events $      26.0 $      18.0 44 %
       Number of North American events 71 83 (14 %)
       Average North American attendance 8,100   6,100 33 %
       Average North American ticket price (dollars) $ 38.64 $ 33.54 15 %
       Number of international events   4 4 -
       Average international attendance 11,300 9,300 22 %
       Average international ticket price (dollars) $ 51.37 N/A N/A
 
Venue merchandise $ 6.5 $ 4.6 41 %
       Domestic per capita spending (dollars) $ 10.33 $ 9.29 11 %
 
Pay-per-view $ 32.4 $ 13.6 138 %
       Number of pay-per-view events 3 2 50 %
       Number of buys from pay-per-view events 1,592,200 818,400 95 %
       Average revenue per buy (dollars) $ 19.38 $ 15.75 23 %
       Domestic retail price WrestleMania (dollars) $ 54.95 N/A N/A
       Domestic retail price (dollars) $ 44.95 $ 39.95 13 %
  
Television rights fees $ 29.4 $ 24.9 18 %
       Domestic $ 18.4 $ 15.6 18 %
       International $ 11.0 $ 9.3 18 %
 
Television advertising $ 1.4 $ 1.4 -
 
WWE Classics on Demand $ 1.3 $ 1.5 (13 %)
Other $ 1.2 $ 0.1 N/A
Total live and televised entertainment $ 98.2 $ 64.1 53 %
 
Ratings
       Average weekly household ratings for Raw 3.8 3.8 -
       Average weekly household ratings for SmackDown 2.1 2.2 (5 %)
       Average weekly household ratings for ECW 1.1 1.4 (21 %)
       Average weekly household ratings for WWE NXT 1.1 N/A    N/A
       Average weekly household ratings for WWE Superstars 1.3 N/A N/A

March 31, March 31, better
Cost of Revenues-Live and Televised Entertainment         2010       2009       (worse)
Live events $          16.2 $         12.3 (32 %)
Venue merchandise 4.1 2.9 (41 %)
Pay-per-view 15.4   5.0 (208 %)
Television 16.9 16.6 (2 %)
Television advertising 0.4 0.1   (300 %)
WWE Classics on Demand 0.3   0.3 -
Other 3.5 1.1 (218 %)
Total $ 56.8 $ 38.3 (48 %)
       Profit contribution margin 42 % 40 %

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     Live events revenues increased primarily due to the impact of our annual WrestleMania event, which occurred in the first quarter of 2010 as compared to the second quarter in 2009. Average attendance at our North American events was approximately 8,100 in the current quarter as compared to 6,100 in the prior year. The average ticket price for North American events was $38.64 in the current quarter as compared to $33.54 in the prior year. The profit contribution margin for live events was 38% as compared to 32% in the prior year quarter, with the current quarter reflecting the impact of WrestleMania. Excluding the impact of WrestleMania in the current quarter, North American average attendance and ticket price was 7,300 and $32.47, respectively, and the profit contribution margin was 47%. In the prior year quarter, four of the international events performed were recorded as buy-out deals. Subsequently, it was determined that these events should have been recorded on a gross basis instead of a net basis. Had these events been recorded on a gross basis, revenues and expenses would have each increased by approximately $1.3 million, with no change to profit. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
     Venue merchandise revenues increased 41% from the prior year quarter primarily due to a 11% increase in per capita spending by our fans. In the current quarter, revenues from our WrestleMania event contributed approximately $1.6 million, or 25%, of the quarterly venue merchandise revenue. The profit contribution margin decreased from 38% to 37% in the current quarter due to the mix of products sold at venues.
 
     Pay-per-view revenues increased $18.8 million in the current quarter, which primarily reflects the impact of WrestleMania XXVI. WrestleMania XXVI generated approximately 0.9 million buys in the current quarter, or approximately $19.0 million in pay-per-view related revenues. Pay-per-view buys for the two events that occurred in both 2010 and 2009 increased approximately 3% in the current quarter. Beginning in January 2010, the domestic suggested retail price for non-WrestleMania pay-per-view events was increased to $44.95. Pay-per-view profit contribution margin was 52% for the current quarter, as compared to 63% in the prior year quarter, reflecting the increased production costs associated with WrestleMania XXVI.
 
     Television rights fees reflects rate increases both in domestic and international markets as well as the addition of our new domestic show, WWE Superstars, on WGN, which began airing in April 2009. WWE NXT replaced our ECW television program beginning in February 2010. Television cost of revenues has declined based upon cost containment improvements for our televised events. The profit contribution margin increased from 33% to 42% in the current quarter.
 
     The following chart reflects comparative revenues and certain drivers for selected businesses within our Consumer Products segment:
 
March 31, March 31, better
Consumer Products Revenues         2010       2009       (worse)
Licensing $ 19.9 $ 19.8 1 %
Magazine publishing $ 2.8 $ 3.5 (20 %)
       Net units sold 985,100 1,066,400 (8 %)
Home video $ 7.6 $ 9.2 (17 %)
       Gross units shipped 813,000   912,000 (11 %)
Other $ 0.4 $ 0.6 (33 %)
Total $      30.7 $      33.1 (7 %)
 

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March 31,         March 31,         better
Cost of Revenues-Consumer Products           2010 2009 (worse)
Licensing $      5.1 $      5.1 -
Magazine publishing 2.7 2.7 -
Home video 3.8 3.8 -
Other 0.4 0.6 33 %
Total $ 12.0 $ 12.2 2 %
       Profit contribution margin 61 % 63 %

     Licensing revenues increased by 1% in the current quarter, reflecting higher royalties earned on the sales of toys and novelties of $1.1 million, offset by lower royalties earned on the sales of videogames of approximately $1.0 million. Our new multi-year toy agreement with Mattel began on January 1, 2010. Licensing cost of revenues is essentially unchanged from the prior year quarter.
 
      Magazine publishing revenues declined based on lower sell-through rates. Magazine publishing cost of revenues is essentially unchanged, as compared to the prior year.
 
      Home video revenues decreased by 17% in the current quarter, based on the performance of our new release titles and lower sell-through at retail. Home video cost of revenues is essentially unchanged from the prior year quarter. Profit contribution margin was 50% in the current period as compared to 58% in the prior year quarter, reflecting increased distribution and fulfillment fees per video sold and lower sell-through at retail.
 
      The following chart provides performance results and certain drivers for our Digital Media segment:
 
        March 31,         March 31,         better
Digital Media Revenues   2010 2009 (worse)
WWE.com $      3.4 $      3.9 (13 %)
WWEShop 3.0 3.0 -
       Average revenues per order (dollars) $ 47.77 $ 49.63 (4 %)
Total $ 6.4 $ 6.9 (7 %)
 
        March 31,         March 31,         better
Cost of Revenues-Digital Media   2010 2009 (worse)
WWE.com $      1.5 $      2.2 32 %
WWEShop 2.1 2.1 -
Total $ 3.6 $ 4.3 16 %
       Profit contribution margin 44 % 38 %

     WWE.com revenues decreased primarily due to declines in advertising sold on our website and wireless revenue. The decrease in WWE.com cost of revenues reflects lower support costs to operate our various web-based activities.
 
     WWEShop revenues were essentially unchanged from the prior year quarter. The number of orders processed increased 3% to approximately 62,000, which was offset by a 4% decline in the average amount spent by customers per order to $47.77.
 
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WWE Studios
 
     WWE Studios has released four feature films: See No Evil, The Marine, The Condemned and 12 Rounds and two direct-to-DVD films, Behind Enemy Lines: Columbia and The Marine 2. We recorded revenue of approximately $3.4 million in the current quarter related to our prior theatrical releases as compared to $3.7 million in the prior year quarter. We participate in revenues generated under the distribution of the films through all media after the print and advertising and distribution costs incurred by our distributors have been recouped and the results have been reported to us.
 
     We have announced our plan to self-distribute our future filmed entertainment productions beginning with our next release, currently scheduled for September 2010.
 
Selling, General and Administrative
 
     The following chart reflects the amounts and percent change of certain significant overhead items:
 
March 31, March 31, better
        2010         2009         (worse)
Staff related $     13.5 $     16.0 16 %
Legal, accounting and other professional 1.3 3.9 67 %
Stock compensation costs 2.3 1.1 (109 %)
Advertising and promotion 1.2 1.3 8 %
Bad debt (1.5 ) 0.5 400 %
All other 9.1 8.1 12 %
Total SG&A $ 25.9 $ 30.9 16 %
SG&A as a percentage of net revenues 19 % 29 %

     The decrease in staff related expenses reflects the impact of our corporate restructuring of approximately $2.2 million in severance related costs in the prior year quarter. The decrease in legal, accounting and other professional fees in the current quarter reflects a decline in legal case activity. Bad debt expense reflects the receipt of amounts due from customers that were previously reserved. Stock compensation costs in the current quarter increased due to the additional number of shares ultimately issued in the 2009 PSU grant as compared to the 2008 PSU grant.
 
March 31, March 31, better
        2010         2009         (worse)
Depreciation and amortization $     1.8   $     3.8 53 %
 
     The decrease reflects a $1.7 million benefit from the recognition of an infrastructure tax credit received in the current quarter.
 
Investment income
$ 0.5 $ 0.6 (17 %)
 
     The decline in investment income reflects lower interest rates on investment balances.
 
Other expense, net $ (1.0 ) $ (1.3 ) 23 %

     Other expense, net includes the revaluation of warrants held in certain licensees and realized foreign exchange gains and losses.
 
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March 31, March 31,
        2010         2009
Provision for income taxes $     12.0 $     5.6
Effective tax rate 33 % 35 %

     The effective tax rate in the quarter was primarily driven by an increase in IRC Section 199 benefits relating to qualified domestic production deductions
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
     Cash flows from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009 were $38.0 million and $47.3 million, respectively. Working capital, consisting of current assets less current liabilities, was $223.0 million as of March 31, 2010 and $222.7 million as of December 31, 2009.
 
     We receive production tax credits or refunds through various governmental programs designed to promote film and television production within the United States and international jurisdictions. We anticipate receiving approximately $8.0 to $12.0 million in production credits within the next twelve months. The timing and realizable amount of credits is impacted by our production schedule and limitations associated with monetization of the credits.
 
     Our accounts receivable represent a significant portion of our current assets and relate principally to a limited number of customers or distributors. Changes in the financial condition or operations of our distributors or customers may result in increased delayed payments or non-payments which would adversely impact our cash flows from operating activities and/or our results of operations.
 
     Cash flows used in investing activities were $31.7 million for three months ended March 31, 2010 and $11.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. Capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2010 were $2.8 million as compared to $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. We received an infrastructure tax credit for approximately $4.1 million in the current quarter that more than offset our capital spend of $2.8 million. Capital expenditures for the remainder of 2010 are estimated to range between $9.0 million and $11.0 million, primarily reflecting additional purchases of broadcasting equipment and building related improvements.
 
     Our investment policy is designed to preserve capital and minimize interest rate, credit and market risk. In February 2008, we started to experience difficulty in selling our ARS due to multiple failures of the auction mechanism that provides liquidity to these investments. All of our ARS are collateralized by student loan portfolios, substantially all of which are guaranteed by the United States Government. We anticipate that the securities for which the auctions have failed will continue to accrue interest and pay interest when due; to-date, none of the ARS in which we are invested have failed to make an interest payment when due. Our ARS will continue to be auctioned every 35 days until the auctions succeed, the issuer redeems the securities or they mature (the stated maturities of the securities are greater than 20 years). As we maintain a strong liquidity position, our intent is not to sell the security and we believe that it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell until one of the aforementioned remedies occurs.
 
     As of March 31, 2010, we have recorded a cumulative adjustment of approximately $2.1 million to reduce the fair value of our investment in ARS, which has been reflected as part of accumulated other comprehensive income in our Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income. We do not believe that the fair market value adjustment is other-than-temporary at this time due to the high underlying creditworthiness of the issuer (including the backing of the loans included in the collateral package by the United States Government), our intent not to sell the securities and our determination that it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the securities before recovery of their anticipated amortized cost basis. The fair value of the ARS was estimated through discounted cash flow models, which consider, among other things, the timing of expected future successful auctions, collateralization of underlying security investments and the risk of default by the issuer. We will continue to assess the carrying value of our ARS on each reporting date, based on the facts and circumstances surrounding our liquidity needs and developments in the ARS markets.
 
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     Cash flows used in financing activities were $19.8 million and $20.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009, respectively. Total dividend payments on all Class A and Class B common shares in the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 were approximately $20.7 million as compared to $20.5 million in the prior year three-month period ended March 31, 2009. Assuming the continuation of these cash dividend rates of $0.36 and $0.24 per share of Class A and Class B shares, respectively, and the same stock ownership, the estimated amount of dividends to be paid during the remainder of 2010 is estimated to be approximately $62.2 million.
 
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:
     Our aggregate minimum payment obligations under these contracts as of March 31, 2010, assuming the continued waiver of compensation by Mr. McMahon (except for the annual salary of $850,000, noted above), were as follows:
 
Payments due by period
($ in millions)
After
        2010         2011 - 2012         2013 - 2014         2014         Total
Long-term debt (including interest thereon)   $     1.0   $     2.7   $     0.4   $     -   $     4.1
Operating leases 1.8 3.4 2.7 3.2 11.1
Talent, employment agreements and other                              
       commitments 12.8 10.4 5.4 3.7 32.3
Total commitments   $ 15.6   $ 16.5   $ 8.5   $ 6.9   $ 47.5
                                
     We believe that cash generated from operations and our existing cash and short-term investment securities will be sufficient to meet our cash needs over the next twelve months for working capital, capital expenditures and the payment of quarterly dividends.
 
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Application of Critical Accounting Policies
 
     There have been no additional changes to our accounting policies that were previously disclosed in our Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 or in the methodology used in formulating these significant judgments and estimates that affect the application of these policies. Amounts included in our consolidated balance sheets in accounts that we have identified as being subject to significant judgments and estimates were as follows:
 
As of
        March 31, 2010         December 31, 2009
Pay-per-view accounts receivable $31.3 million $13.7 million
Feature film assets $43.2 million $37.1 million
Home video reserve for returns $5.2 million $5.5 million
Publishing newsstand reserve for returns $3.7 million $4.8 million
Allowance for doubtful accounts $10.3 million $11.9 million
Accrued income taxes $13.6 million $(0.6) million

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
     There are no other accounting standards or interpretations that have been issued, but which we have not yet adopted, that we believe will have a material impact on our financial statements.
 
Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
 
     The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for certain statements that are forward-looking and are not based on historical facts. When used in this 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 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) continued decline in general economic conditions and disruption in financial markets could adversely affect our business; (vi) our accounts receivable represent a significant portion of our current assets and relate principally to a limited number of distributors, increasing our exposure to bad debts and potentially impacting our results of operations; (vii) 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; (viii) changes in the regulatory atmosphere and related private sector initiatives could adversely affect our business; (ix) 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; (x) we face uncertainties associated with international markets; (xi) we may be prohibited from promoting and conducting our live events if we do not comply with applicable regulations; (xii) 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; (xiii) we could incur substantial liabilities if pending litigation is resolved unfavorably; (xiv) we could incur substantial liability in the event of accidents or injuries occurring during our physically demanding events; (xv) our live events schedule exposes us to risks inherent in large public events as well as travel to and from such events; (xvi) we continue to face risks inherent in our feature film business; (xvii) 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; (xviii) we could face a variety of risks if we expand into new or complementary businesses; (xix) a substantial number of shares are eligible for sale by Mr. McMahon and members of his family or trusts established for their benefit, and the sale, or the perception of possible sales, of those shares could lower our stock price; and (xx) our Class A common stock has a relatively small public “float”. In addition, our dividend is significant and is dependent on a number of factors, including, among other things, our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan (including alternative uses of capital), our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends, general economic and competitive conditions and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider relevant including a waiver by the McMahon family of a portion of the dividends as described elsewhere in this Report. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Report and undue reliance should not be placed on these statements.
 
25
 


Item 3. 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 of 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, excluding our long term auction rate securities, 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 4. Controls and Procedures
 
     Under the direction of our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based on that evaluation, our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2010. No change in internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2010, that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, such internal control over financial reporting.
 
26
 


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
 
     See Note 14 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
     We do not believe that there have been any material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
Item 6. Exhibits
 
(a.) Exhibits
 
31.1 Certification by Vincent K. McMahon pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
 
31.2 Certification by George A. Barrios pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
 
32.1 Certification by Vincent K. McMahon and George A. Barrios pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
 
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SIGNATURE
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
 
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
(Registrant)
 
Dated: May 7, 2010 By: /s/    George A. Barrios  
 George A. Barrios
 Chief Financial Officer

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