NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Description of the Business

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. (“SEA”) (collectively, the “Company”), owns and operates twelve theme parks within the United States. The Company operates SeaWorld theme parks in Orlando, Florida; San Antonio, Texas; and San Diego, California; and Busch Gardens theme parks in Tampa, Florida; and Williamsburg, Virginia. The Company operates water park attractions in Orlando, Florida (Aquatica); San Antonio, Texas (Aquatica); San Diego, California (Aquatica); Tampa, Florida (Adventure Island); and Williamsburg, Virginia (Water Country USA). The Company also operates a reservations-only theme park in Orlando, Florida (Discovery Cove) and a seasonal park in Langhorne, Pennsylvania (Sesame Place).

Impact of Global COVID-19 Pandemic

In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, and in compliance with government restrictions, the Company has temporarily closed all of its theme parks, effective March 16, 2020. The Company continues to monitor guidance from federal, state and local authorities to determine when it can reopen its parks.  

The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting park closures has had, and is likely to continue to have, a material impact on the Company’s results from operations.  Federal, state and local governments have taken unprecedented measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the population, including severe restrictions on social gatherings. Since the global COVID-19 pandemic has begun, the Company has taken proactive measures for the safety of its guests, employees and animals, to appropriately manage costs and expenditures, and to provide liquidity in response to the temporary park closures related to COVID-19. Some of these measures included, but are not limited to, (i) increased its revolving credit commitments on March 10th and subsequently borrowed the remaining available amount; (ii) furloughed approximately 95% of its current employees; (iii) reduced executive officers’ base salary by 20% until the theme parks substantially resume normal operations; (iv) eliminated and/or deferred all non-essential operating expenses at both park and corporate; (v) eliminated substantially all advertising and marketing spend; (vi) substantially reduced or deferred all capital expenditures starting in March 2020 (other than minimal essential capital expenditures); (vii) working with its vendors and other business partners to manage, defer, and/or abate certain costs during the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; (viii) extended expiration dates on certain pass and other products; (ix) implemented a formal daily review and approval for all payments and cash disbursements;  (x) entered into an amendment to its existing senior secured credit facilities to amend its financial covenants; and (xi) issued first-priority senior secured notes to obtain additional liquidity (see Note 6–Long-Term Debt for details).

Additionally, the Company has established a dedicated team tasked with developing and ultimately executing on a reopening plan.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Therefore, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2019 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.  The unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019 was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In the opinion of management, such unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the interim periods, but are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the year ending December 31, 2020 or any future period due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s operations.  Based upon historical results, the Company typically generates its highest revenues in the second and third quarters of each year and incurs a net loss in the first and fourth quarters, in part because seven of its theme parks are only open for a portion of the year.  The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 were materially impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic which ultimately led to temporary park closures effective on March 16, 2020.  The timing of these park closures fell during historically high volume spring break weeks for most of the Company’s parks.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including SEA. All intercompany accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

periods. Significant estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, the accounting for self-insurance, deferred tax assets and liabilities, deferred revenue, equity compensation, the valuation of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets as well as reviews for potential impairment of assets, including other long-lived assets. Estimates are based on various factors including current and historical trends, as well as other pertinent industry data.  The Company regularly evaluates this information to determine if it is necessary to update the basis for its estimates and to adjust for known changes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates. Based on the uncertainty relating the COVID-19 pandemic, including but not limited to the extent and duration of park closures, potential supply chain disruptions and impact on travel and attendance, the Company is not certain of the ultimate impact the COVID-19 pandemic could have on its estimates, business or results of operations for the year ending December 31, 2020.

Segment Reporting

The Company maintains discrete financial information for each of its twelve theme parks, which is used by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), identified as the Chief Executive Officer, or equivalent role, as a basis for allocating resources. Each theme park has been identified as an operating segment and meets the criteria for aggregation due to similar economic characteristics. In addition, all of the theme parks provide similar products and services and share similar processes for delivering services. The theme parks have a high degree of similarity in the workforces and target similar consumer groups. Accordingly, based on these economic and operational similarities and the way the CODM monitors and makes decisions affecting the operations, the Company has concluded that its operating segments may be aggregated and that it has one reportable segment.

Revenue Recognition

Admissions revenue primarily consists of single-day tickets, annual or season passes or other multi-day or multi-park admission products.  For single-day tickets, the Company recognizes revenue at a point in time, upon admission to the park.  Annual passes, season passes, or other multi-day or multi-park passes allow guests access to specific parks over a specified time period. For these pass and multi-use products, revenue is deferred and recognized over the terms of the admission product based on estimated redemption rates for similar products and is adjusted periodically. As a result of the temporary park closures due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has adjusted its estimated redemption patterns to reflect the fact that there is no attendance during the park closures and accordingly the Company is not recognizing revenue from these admission products while the parks are closed. The Company estimates a redemption rate using historical and forecasted growth rates and attendance trends by park for similar products.  The Company is evaluating the estimates and assumptions used in its future estimated redemption rates for products once the parks reopen.  Attendance trends factor in seasonality and are adjusted based on actual trends periodically. Revenue is recognized on a pro-rata basis based on the estimated allocated selling price of the admission product. For multi-day admission products, revenue is allocated based on the number of visits included in the pass and recognized ratably based on each admission into the theme park.  Food, merchandise and other revenue primarily consists of culinary, merchandise and other in-park products and also includes other miscellaneous revenue which is not significant in the periods presented, including revenue related to the Company’s international agreements as discussed below.  The Company recognizes revenue for food, merchandise and other in-park products when the related products or services are received by the guests.  Certain admission products may also include bundled products at the time of purchase, such as culinary or merchandise items.  The Company conducts an analysis of bundled products to identify separate distinct performance obligations that are material in the context of the contract. For those products that are determined to be distinct performance obligations and material in the context of the contract, the Company allocates a portion of the transaction price to each distinct performance obligation using each performance obligation’s standalone price.  If the bundled product is related to a pass product and offered over time, revenue will be recognized over time accordingly.

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Deferred revenue primarily includes revenue associated with pass products, admission or in-park products or services with a future intended use date  and contract liability balances related to licensing and international agreements collected in advance of the Company’s performance and expected to be recognized in future periods. As a result of the temporary park closures, the Company has extended some product expiration dates and has estimated a long-term portion of deferred revenue related to these products of approximately $3.6 million, which is reflected in the chart which follows. The Company’s estimate of the long-term portion of deferred revenue related to such products factors in certain judgements and assumptions by park and product type, including, but not limited to, the potential reopening schedules and expected timing of attendance by mix of guests.  

At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, $10.0 million related to the long-term portion of deferred revenue included in other liabilities in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets relates to the Company’s international agreement, as discussed in the following section. The Company expects to recognize revenue related to its international agreement over the term of the respective license agreement beginning when substantially all of the services have been performed, which is expected to be upon opening.

The following table reflects the Company’s deferred revenue balance as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019:   

International Agreements

The Company has received $10.0 million in deferred revenue recorded in other liabilities related to a nonrefundable payment received from a partner in connection with a project in the Middle East (the “Middle East Project”) to provide certain services pertaining to the planning and design of the Middle East Project, with funding received expected to offset internal expenses.  Approximately $5.3 million and $5.0 million of costs incurred related to the Middle East Project are recorded in other assets in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.  The Company has recognized an asset for the costs incurred to fulfill the contract as the costs are specifically identifiable, enhance resources that will be used to satisfy performance obligations in the future and are expected to be recovered. The related deferred revenue and expense will begin to be recognized when substantially all of the services have been performed. The Company continually monitors performance on the contract and will make adjustments, if necessary. The Middle East Project is subject to various conditions, including, but not limited to, the parties completing the design development and there is no assurance that the Middle East Project will be completed or advance to the next stages.

In March 2017, the Company entered into certain agreements with an affiliate of ZHG Group, to provide design, support and advisory services for various potential projects and grant certain exclusive rights (collectively, the “ZHG Agreements”). In April 2019, the Company terminated the ZHG Agreements for non-payment of undisputed amounts owed. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company recorded approximately $1.7 million which is included in food, merchandise and other revenue in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss related to the ZHG Agreements. See Note 9–Related-Party Transactions for additional disclosures.

Goodwill, Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets and Other Long-Lived Assets

As of March 31, 2020, the Company determined that due to the temporary park closures effective March 16, 2020 resulting from the global COVID-19 pandemic, a triggering event had occurred that required an interim impairment review for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets. The Company performed a qualitative impairment analysis which included certain judgements and assumptions related to the impact of the park closures, potential reopening time frames and expected attendance levels upon reopening and determined that, based on the significant excess fair values over carrying values that previously existed, there was no impairment of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets as of March 31, 2020.  Additionally, using similar assumptions, the Company evaluated certain other long-lived assets, including its right of use assets for impairment and concluded that there was no impairment of other long-lived assets as of March 31, 2020.  

If the Company’s assumptions, including those around the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic and its projections of future cash flows and financial performance, as well as the economic outlook are not achieved, the Company may be required to record impairment charges in future periods, whether in connection with the Company’s next annual impairment testing, or on an interim basis, if any such change constitutes a triggering event outside of the quarter when the Company regularly performs its annual impairment test. It is not possible at this time to determine if any such future impairment charge would result or, if it does, whether such charge would be material.

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

The Company reviews new accounting pronouncements as they are issued or proposed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”).

Recently Implemented Accounting Standards

On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted the following Accounting Standards Updates (“ASUs”) which had no material impact on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures:  

During 2019, the Company adopted the following ASU:

During 2019, the Company also adopted the following ASUs which had no material impact on its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures:  

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the following recently issued ASUs:  

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In accordance with the Earnings Per Share Topic of the ASC, basic loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period (excluding treasury stock and unvested restricted stock). Shares of unvested restricted stock are eligible to receive dividends; if any, however, dividend rights will be forfeited if the award does not vest.  Accordingly, only vested shares of outstanding restricted stock are included in the calculation of basic earnings per share. The weighted average number of repurchased shares during the period, if any, which are held as treasury stock, are excluded from shares of common stock outstanding.

Diluted loss per share is determined using the treasury stock method based on the dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock and certain shares of common stock that are issuable upon exercise of stock options. There were approximately 1,700,000 and 1,893,000 potentially dilutive shares excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive due to the Company’s net loss in those periods. Approximately 1,696,000 and 2,295,000 of the Company’s outstanding performance-vesting restricted awards as of March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, are considered contingently issuable shares and are excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share until the performance measure criteria is met as of the end of the reporting period.  

4. INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense or benefit is recognized based on the Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate which is based upon the tax rate expected for the full calendar year applied to the pretax income or loss of the interim period. The Company’s consolidated effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was 26.3% and 29.0%, respectively, and differs from the effective statutory federal income tax rate of 21.0% primarily due to state income taxes, a valuation allowance adjustment on state net operating loss carryforwards, and other permanent items. Due to the uncertainty of realizing the benefit from the deferred tax asset recorded for certain state net operating loss carryforwards, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance of approximately $6.7 million and $5.2 million, net of federal tax benefit, on the deferred tax assets related to those state net operating losses as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

The Company has determined that there are no positions currently taken that would rise to a level requiring an amount to be recorded or disclosed as an unrecognized tax benefit. If such positions do arise, it is the Company’s intent that any interest or penalty amount related to such positions will be recorded as a component of the income tax provision (benefit) in the applicable period.

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As of December 31, 2019, accrued legal settlements above is related to a previously disclosed legal settlement which was paid, net of insurance proceeds, during the three months ended March 31, 2020. See further discussion in Note 10–Commitments and Contingencies.  

SEA is the borrower under the senior secured credit facilities, as amended pursuant to a credit agreement (the “Amended Credit Agreement”) dated as of December 1, 2009, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or modified from time to time (the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”).

On March 10, 2020, SEA entered into an amendment, Amendment No. 10 (the “Amendment No. 10”) to its Amended Credit Agreement. Pursuant to Amendment No. 10, SEA increased the revolving credit commitments available under the Amended Credit Agreement from $210.0 million to an aggregate of $332.5 million.  On April 19, 2020, SEA entered into another amendment, Amendment No. 11, (the “Amendment No. 11”) to its Amended Credit Agreement to amend certain provisions therein.  See further discussion in the Restrictive Covenants section which follows.

Senior Secured Credit Facilities

As of March 31, 2020, the Senior Secured Credit Facilities consisted of $1.504 billion in Term B-5 Loans which will mature on March 31, 2024 and a $332.5 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), which will mature on October 31, 2023. The outstanding balance on the Revolving Credit Facility as of March 31, 2020 was included in long-term debt and as of December 31, 2019 was included in current maturities of long-term debt in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets due to the Company’s intent at that time to repay the borrowings. 

The Term B-5 Loans amortize in equal quarterly installments in an aggregate annual amount equal to 1.015% of the original principal amount of the Term B-5 Loans outstanding on the effective date of October 31, 2018, with the balance payable on the final maturity date. SEA may voluntarily repay amounts outstanding under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities at any time without premium or penalty, other than customary “breakage” costs with respect to LIBOR loans. SEA is also required to prepay the outstanding Term B-5 Loans, subject to certain exceptions, under certain circumstances, as defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facilities.

As of March 31, 2020, SEA had approximately $19.9 million of outstanding letters of credit and $312.5 million outstanding on its Revolving Credit Facility leaving no remaining amount available for borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility.

Senior Secured Notes

On April 30, 2020, SEA closed on a private offering of $227.5 million aggregate principal amount of 8.750% first-priority senior secured notes due 2025 (the “Senior Notes”).  Net of expenses related to the offering of the Senior Notes and the Amendment No. 11 to the Credit Agreement, the Company expects to use the proceeds from the issuance of the Senior Notes for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Senior Notes mature on May 1, 2025 and have interest payment dates of May 1 and November 1 with the first interest payment due on November 1, 2020.  On or after May 1, 2022, SEA may redeem the Senior Notes at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date, if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on May 1 of the years as follows: (i) in 2022 at 104.375%; (ii) in 2023 at 102.188%; and (iii) in 2024 and thereafter at 100%. Until July 29, 2020, SEA may redeem in the aggregate up to 40% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes with amounts equal to the net cash proceeds of any loans received pursuant to a Regulatory Debt Facility at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount thereof) of 104.375%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. SEA may also redeem in the aggregate (at a redemption price expressed as a percentage of principal amount thereof): (i) 100% of the Senior Notes after certain events constituting a change of control at a redemption price of 101%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date and (ii) up to 40% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes with amounts equal to the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price  of 108.375%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.

The Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company, any subsidiary of the Company that directly or indirectly owns 100% of the issued and outstanding equity interests of the SEA, and subject to certain exceptions, each of SEA’s subsidiaries that guarantees the SEA’s existing senior secured credit facilities.

Restrictive Covenants

The Senior Secured Credit Facilities contain a number of customary negative covenants. Such covenants, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of SEA and its restricted subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness; make guarantees; create liens on assets; enter into sale and leaseback transactions; engage in mergers or consolidations; sell assets; make fundamental changes; pay dividends and distributions or repurchase SEA’s capital stock; make investments, loans and advances, including acquisitions; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; make changes in the nature of the business; and make prepayments of junior debt. All of the net assets of SEA and its consolidated subsidiaries are restricted and there are no unconsolidated subsidiaries of SEA.

The Revolving Credit Facility requires that the Company comply with a springing maximum first lien secured leverage ratio of 6.25x to be tested as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, solely to the extent that on such date the aggregate amount of funded loans and letters of credit (excluding undrawn letters of credit in an amount not to exceed $30.0 million and cash collateralized letters of credit) under the Revolving Credit Facility exceeds an amount equal to 35% of the then outstanding commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility. Pursuant to Amendment No. 11, among other terms, SEA will be exempt from complying with its first lien secured leverage ratio covenant for each of the second, third and fourth quarters of 2020, after which SEA will be required to comply with such covenants starting at the first quarter of 2021. For purposes of calculating compliance with such covenant, unless a Triggering Event occurs (as defined in Amendment No. 11),  beginning with the first quarter of 2021, to the extent trailing Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in Amendment No. 11) for the second, third or fourth quarters of 2020 would have otherwise been included in the calculation of such covenant, in lieu of using actual Adjusted EBITDA for such periods, Adjusted EBITDA for such applicable periods will be deemed to be actual Adjusted EBITDA for the corresponding quarter of 2019.  In addition, SEA will be required to comply with a quarterly minimum liquidity test (defined as unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and available commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility) of not less than $75.0 million until the earlier of September 30, 2021 or the date on which the Company elects to use the actual Adjusted EBITDA for purposes of calculating its financial maintenance covenant. SEA will also be restricted from paying certain dividends or making other restricted payments through the third quarter of 2021 unless certain conditions are met.

As of March 31, 2020, the total net leverage ratio as calculated under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities was 3.89 to 1.00.

Long-term debt at March 31, 2020 is repayable as follows and does not include the impact of the Senior Notes which were issued subsequent to March 31, 2020, or the impact of any future voluntary prepayments. The outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility is included below based on the Company’s current intent to repay the borrowings and is subject to change:

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

As of March 31, 2020, the Company has five interest rate swap agreements (the “Interest Rate Swap Agreements”) which effectively fix the interest rate on the LIBOR-indexed interest payments associated with $1.0 billion of SEA’s outstanding long-term debt. The Interest Rate Swap Agreements became effective on September 30, 2016; have a total notional amount of $1.0 billion; mature on May 14, 2020; require the Company to pay a weighted-average fixed rate of 2.45% per annum; provide that the Company receives a variable rate of interest based upon the greater of 0.75% or the BBA LIBOR; and have interest settlement dates occurring on the last day of March, June, September and December through maturity.

SEA designated the Interest Rate Swap Agreements above as qualifying cash flow hedge accounting relationships as further discussed in Note 7–Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities which follows.

Cash paid for interest relating to the Senior Secured Credit Facilities and the Interest Rate Swap Agreements, net of amounts capitalized, as applicable, was $18.3 million and $20.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

7. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives

The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity and credit risk primarily by managing the amount, sources and duration of its debt funding and the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing and duration of the Company’s known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to the Company’s borrowings. The Company does not speculate using derivative instruments.

As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company did not have any derivatives outstanding that were not designated in hedge accounting relationships.

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with existing variable-rate debt.

As of March 31, 2020, the Company has five Interest Rate Swap Agreements, which effectively fix the interest rate on LIBOR-indexed interest payments associated with $1.0 billion of SEA’s outstanding long-term debt until the swaps mature on May 14, 2020.  

The interest rate swap agreements are designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk.  The changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate debt. Through the expiration date of May 14, 2020, the Company estimates that an additional $1.2 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense.

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Credit Risk-Related Contingent Features

The Company has agreements with each of its derivative counterparties that contain a provision where if the Company defaults on any of its indebtedness, including default where repayment of the indebtedness has not been accelerated by the lender, then the Company could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations. As of March 31, 2020, the termination value of derivatives in a net liability position, which includes accrued interest but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk, related to these agreements was $1.2 million. As of March 31, 2020, the Company has posted no collateral related to these agreements. If the Company had breached any of these provisions at March 31, 2020, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at their termination value of $1.2 million.

8. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. Therefore, a fair value measurement is required to be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, fair value accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity.  The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:  

Level 1- Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level 2- Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.  

Level 3 – Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivative financial instruments using the income approach fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company uses readily available market data to value its derivatives, such as interest rate curves and discount factors. ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement also requires consideration of credit risk in the valuation. The Company uses a potential future exposure model to estimate this credit valuation adjustment (“CVA”). The inputs to the CVA are largely based on observable market data, with the exception of certain assumptions regarding credit worthiness which make the CVA a Level 3 input. Based on the magnitude of the CVA, it is not considered a significant input and the derivatives are classified as Level 2. Of the Company’s long-term obligations, the Term B-5 Loans are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. The fair value of the term loans as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 approximate their carrying value, excluding unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts, due in part to the variable nature of the underlying interest rates and the frequent intervals at which such interest rates are reset.

The Company did not have any assets measured on a recurring basis at fair value at March 31, 2020. The following table presents the Company’s estimated fair value measurements and related classifications for liabilities measured on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2020.  

The Company did not have any assets measured on a recurring basis at fair value at December 31, 2019. The following table presents the Company’s estimated fair value measurements and related classifications for liabilities measured on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2019:

9. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

In March 2017, the Company entered into the ZHG Agreements with Zhonghong Holding, an affiliate of Zhonghong Zhuoye Group Co., Ltd., who at the time owned approximately 21% of the outstanding shares of the Company.  In April 2019, the Company terminated the ZHG Agreements for non-payment of undisputed amounts owed. See Note 1–Description of Business and Basis of Presentation for further details including amounts recorded as revenue in the three months ended March 31, 2019 related to the ZHG Agreements.   

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As previously disclosed, Sun Wise (UK), Co., Ltd, an affiliate to the ZHG Group (“Sun Wise”), previously held beneficial ownership of 19,452,063 shares (the “Pledged Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, which Sun Wise had pledged in connection with certain loan obligations of Sun Wise.  Sun Wise subsequently defaulted on such loan obligations and, as a result, certain of its lenders (together, the “Lenders”) foreclosed on the Pledged Shares.  The Pledged Shares were transferred to a security agent for the Lenders (the “Security Agent”), on May 3, 2019.  

On May 27, 2019, the Security Agent entered into a share repurchase agreement with the Company pursuant to which the Security Agent agreed to sell and the Company agreed to purchase 5,615,874 of the Pledged Shares held by the Security Agent at a price per share equal to $26.71 (the “SEAS Repurchase”) for a total cost of approximately $150.0 million. The SEAS Repurchase closed on May 30, 2019.  Also on May 27, 2019, the Security Agent entered into a stock purchase agreement with Hill Path Capital LP (“Hill Path”) and certain of its affiliates pursuant to which the Security Agent agreed to sell and certain affiliates of Hill Path agreed to purchase, in the aggregate, 13,214,000 of the Pledged Shares held by the Security Agent at a price per share equal to $26.71 (the “HP Purchase”). The HP Purchase closed on May 30, 2019, at which time, Hill Path’s ownership percentage increased to 34.6%.  

Also on May 27, 2019, in connection with the HP Purchase, the Company concurrently entered into a stockholders agreement, a registration rights agreement and an undertaking agreement with Hill Path (the “HP Agreements”).  Under the HP Agreements, the Company agreed to appoint up to three Hill Path director designees to its Board of Directors and Hill Path agreed to certain customary standstill obligations, restrictions regarding the manner of sale of shares, and equal treatment for any change in control transaction. In addition, Hill Path agreed that shares held in excess of 24.9% generally would be voted consistent with the Board’s recommendations or consistent with the shares voted by the Company’s other stockholders.  The Company also agreed to reimburse Hill Path for up to $250,000 of their expenses in connection with the HP Agreements.  

See Note 12–Stockholder’s Equity for further details.

10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

Securities Class Action Lawsuits

On September 9, 2014, a purported stockholder class action lawsuit consisting of purchasers of the Company’s common stock during the periods between April 18, 2013 to August 13, 2014, captioned Baker v. SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., et al., Case No. 14-CV-02129-MMA (KSC), was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California against the Company, the Chairman of the Company’s Board, certain of its executive officers and Blackstone.  On February 17, 2015, Court-appointed Lead Plaintiffs, Pensionskassen For Børne- Og Ungdomspædagoger and Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System, together with additional plaintiffs, Oklahoma City Employee Retirement System and Pembroke Pines Firefighters and Police Officers Pension Fund (collectively, “Plaintiffs”), filed an amended complaint against the Company, the Chairman of the Company’s Board, certain of its directors, certain of its executive officers, Blackstone, and underwriters of the initial public offering and secondary public offerings.  The amended complaint alleges, among other things, that the prospectus and registration statements filed contained materially false and misleading information in violation of the federal securities laws and seeks unspecified compensatory damages and other relief.  Plaintiffs contend that defendants knew or were reckless in not knowing that the film Blackfish was impacting SeaWorld’s business at the time of each public statement. On May 31, 2016, Plaintiffs filed a second amended consolidated class action complaint, which, among other things, no longer names the Company’s Board or underwriters as defendants.

On February 11, 2020, the Company announced that it had entered into a settlement agreement relating to this case. The proposed settlement, which is subject to certain conditions, including court approval, requires the Company to pay $65.0 million for claims alleging violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as well as the costs of administration and legal fees and expenses. The proposed settlement does not include or constitute an admission, concession, or finding of any fault, liability, or wrongdoing by the Company or any defendant. There can be no assurance that the proposed settlement agreement will be approved by the court. The fairness hearing for court approval of the settlement is currently scheduled for July 22, 2020. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded $32.1 million of legal settlement charges, net of insurance recoveries, related to this case, which was paid during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

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SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

On June 14, 2018, a lawsuit captioned Highfields Capital I LP et al v. SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. et al, Case No. 3:18-cv-01276-L-BLM, was filed in the United States District Court in the Southern District of California against the Company and certain of the Company’s former and present executive officers (collectively, the “Defendants”).  The plaintiffs, which are investment funds managed by a common adviser (collectively, the “Plaintiffs”) allege, among other things, that the Defendants made false and misleading statements in violation of the federal securities laws and Florida common law, regarding the impact of the film Blackfish on SeaWorld’s business.  The complaint further alleges that such statements were made to induce Plaintiffs to purchase common stock of the Company at artificially-inflated prices and that Plaintiffs suffered investment losses as a result.  The Plaintiffs are seeking unspecified compensatory damages and other relief.  On October 19, 2018, Defendants moved for partial dismissal of the complaint.  On February 7, 2019, the Court granted Defendants’ motion and dismissed Plaintiffs’ Florida state law claims as well as federal securities law claims based on the Company’s second quarter 2013 earnings statements.  On May 1, 2019, Defendants filed their answer to Plaintiffs’ complaint.  On July 1, 2019, the parties filed a joint motion for a stay of all proceedings in the case pending the resolution of the motion for summary judgment filed by Defendants in the related securities class action captioned Baker v. SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., et al. described above.  The Company believes that the lawsuit is without merit and intends to defend the lawsuit vigorously; however, there can be no assurance regarding the ultimate outcome of this lawsuit. 

Shareholder Derivative Lawsuit

On December 8, 2014, a putative derivative lawsuit captioned Kistenmacher v. Atchison, et al., Civil Action No. 10437, was filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware against, among others, the Chairman of the Company’s Board, certain of the Company’s executive officers, directors and shareholders, and Blackstone.  The Company is a “Nominal Defendant” in the lawsuit.

On March 30, 2015, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint against the same set of defendants.  The amended complaint alleges, among other things, that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties, aided and abetted breaches of fiduciary duties, violated Florida Blue Sky laws and were unjustly enriched by (i) including materially false and misleading information in the prospectus and registration statements; and (ii) causing the Company to repurchase certain shares of its common stock from certain shareholders at an alleged artificially inflated price.  The Company does not maintain any direct exposure to loss in connection with this shareholder derivative lawsuit as the lawsuit does not assert any claims against the Company. The Company’s status as a “Nominal Defendant” in the action reflects the fact that the lawsuit is maintained by the named plaintiff on behalf of the Company and that the plaintiff seeks damages on the Company’s behalf.

On February 11, 2020, the Company announced that it had entered into a binding agreement for the settlement of this case. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company received $12.5 million of insurance proceeds from its insurers which can be used for general corporate purposes and will adopt certain corporate governance modifications. The final settlement of the matter remains subject to a formal agreement and court approval. There can be no assurance that the final settlement agreement will be executed or that such agreement will be approved by the court. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company recorded a legal settlement gain of $12.5 million related to insurance proceeds received in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

Consumer Lawsuit

On April 13, 2015, a purported class action was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California for the City and County of San Francisco against SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc., captioned Marc Anderson, et. al., v. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. Civil Case No. 15-cv-02172-JSW, (the “Anderson Matter”).  The putative class consisted of all consumers within California who, within the past four years, purchased tickets to SeaWorld San Diego.  The complaint (as amended) alleges causes of action under the California False Advertising Law, California Unfair Competition Law and California CLRA.  Plaintiffs’ claims are based on their allegations that the Company misrepresented the physical living conditions and care and treatment of its killer whales, resulting in confusion or misunderstanding among ticket and orca plush purchasers with intent to deceive and mislead the plaintiffs and purported class members.  The complaint seeks restitution, equitable relief, attorneys’ fees and costs.  Based on plaintiffs’ definition of the class, the amount in controversy could have exceeded $5.0 million assuming the class became certified.  The liability exposure is speculative though.  On May 14, 2015, the Company removed the case to the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

The Company filed a motion for summary judgment on October 30, 2017 which the Court granted in part and denied in part.  On May 23, 2018, the plaintiffs represented to the Court that they would not be filing a motion for class certification.  The case is no longer a class action.  It continues to be prosecuted by the plaintiffs for individual restitution in a nominal amount and injunctive relief.

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SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Court bifurcated the trial of the case into two phases: the plaintiffs’ standing to sue and the merits of their claims.  Just before the first phase of the trial, plaintiff Anderson dismissed all claims against the Company.  The standing trial with regard to the remaining plaintiffs took place March 9, 2020 through March 11, 2020 and the parties are awaiting a ruling from the court.  The Court has vacated the dates for the trial on the merits which was previously scheduled for April 27, 2020.  If the Court rules that the remaining plaintiffs have no standing to sue, judgment will be entered in favor of the Company.  If the Court rules they have standing, the case will proceed with the second phase of the trial.  The Company believes that the lawsuit is without merit and intends to defend the lawsuit vigorously; however, there can be no assurance regarding the ultimate outcome of this lawsuit.

Other Matters

The Company is a party to various other claims and legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. In addition, from time to time the Company is subject to audits, inspections and investigations by, or receives requests for information from, various federal and state regulatory agencies, including, but not limited to, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (“APHIS”), the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”), the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“Cal-OSHA”), the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission (“FWC”), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Other than those matters discussed above, from time to time, various parties also bring other lawsuits against the Company. Matters where an unfavorable outcome to the Company is probable and which can be reasonably estimated are accrued. Such accruals, which are not material for any period presented, are based on information known about the matters, the Company’s estimate of the outcomes of such matters, and the Company’s experience in contesting, litigating and settling similar matters. Matters that are considered reasonably possible to result in a material loss are not accrued for, but an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss is disclosed, if such amount or range can be determined. At this time, management does not expect any such known claims, legal proceedings or regulatory matters to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows

License Commitments

Pursuant to a license agreement (“License Agreement”) with Sesame Workshop, the Company pays a specified annual license fee, as well as a specified royalty based on revenues earned in connection with sales of licensed products, all food and beverage items utilizing the licensed elements and any events utilizing such elements if a separate fee is paid for such event.  The Company’s principal commitments pursuant to the License Agreement include, among other items, the opening of a second standalone park (“Standalone Park”) no later than mid-2021 and minimum annual capital and marketing thresholds.  After the opening of the second Standalone Park (counting the existing Sesame Place Standalone Park in Langhorne, Pennsylvania), SEA will have the option to build additional Standalone Parks in the Sesame Territory within agreed upon timelines.  The License Agreement has an initial term through December 31, 2031, with an automatic additional 15 year extension plus a five year option added to the term of the License Agreement from December 31st of the year of each new Standalone Park opening. As of March 31, 2020, the Company estimates the combined remaining obligations for these commitments could be up to approximately $45.0 million over the remaining term of the agreement. In October 2019, the Company announced that it will convert Aquatica San Diego into its second Sesame Place Standalone Park in the spring of 2021. While construction began in the fall of 2019, it was temporarily paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company is currently evaluating when this park will open.

Anheuser-Busch, Incorporated has granted the Company a perpetual, exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use the Busch Gardens trademark and certain related domain names in connection with the operation, marketing, promotion and advertising of certain of the Company’s theme parks, as well as in connection with the production, use, distribution and sale of merchandise sold in connection with such theme parks. Under the license, the Company is required to indemnify ABI against losses related to the use of the marks.

11. EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION

In accordance with ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, the Company measures the cost of employee services rendered in exchange for share-based compensation based upon the grant date fair market value.  The cost is recognized over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period unless service or performance conditions require otherwise.  The Company recognizes the impact of forfeitures as they occur.  

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The credit in equity compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2020 primarily relates to certain performance vesting restricted units which are no longer considered probable of vesting and also includes the reversal of expense related to outstanding unvested equity awards previously held by the Company’s former chief executive officer which were forfeited in connection with his departure.  See Long-term Incentive Performance Restricted Awards section which follows for further details.

Omnibus Incentive Plan

The Company has reserved 15.0 million shares of common stock for issuance under its Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Omnibus Incentive Plan”), of which approximately 8.75 million shares are available for future issuance as of March 31, 2020. The Company has outstanding time restricted awards, performance restricted awards and incentive stock options.  

On April 12, 2020, in connection with a review of compensation matters, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Board”), approved  a grant of approximately 1.17 million restricted stock units designed to recognize certain employees for their contributions and continued expected contributions to the Company and its long term goals during the global COVID-19 pandemic. The restricted stock units will vest 50% on each of the first two anniversaries of the grant date, subject to the recipient’s continued employment on each such vesting date.

Bonus Performance Restricted Units  

The Company had an annual bonus plan for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 (“Fiscal 2019”), under which certain employees were eligible to vest in performance vesting restricted units (the “Bonus Performance Restricted Units”) based upon the Company’s achievement of certain performance goals with respect to Fiscal 2019.  Separately, certain equity awards granted in October 2019 (the “Supplemental Grant”) were also eligible to vest based on achievement of specific performance goals with respect to Fiscal 2019.  Based on the Company’s actual Fiscal 2019 results, a portion of these Bonus Performance Restricted Units and the Supplemental Grant vested in the three months ended March 31, 2020 in accordance with their terms.  The Company has not yet approved an annual bonus plan for fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 (“Fiscal 2020”).

Long-term Incentive Performance Restricted Awards

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, a portion of previously granted long-term incentive performance restricted awards related to completed performance periods vested.  The remaining outstanding long-term incentive performance restricted awards related to future performance periods are eligible to vest based upon the Company’s achievement of pre-established performance goals for the respective performance period, as defined. 

On February 25, 2020, the Board approved a modification (the “Modification”) to certain long-term incentive plan awards granted in 2019 (the “2019 LTIP Performance Awards”) in order to better align its terms with certain awards granted by the Company to its then CEO in November 2019 (the “CEO Performance Awards”).  The Compensation Committee of the Board determined that it was preferable to align the 2019 LTIP Performance Awards with the CEO Performance Awards to put everyone on the same performance cycle with the same performance goals. Pursuant to the Modification, the threshold and target performance goals were revised to align with the CEO Performance Awards threshold and target performance goals and the performance period was extended through calendar year 2022 (or, the end of the 2023 calendar year, as applicable) consistent with the CEO Performance Awards. Equity compensation expense has not yet been recorded related to these awards. The Company will use the respective modification date fair value to record equity compensation expense related to the Modification awards when and if they become probable of vesting in a future period, in accordance with the guidance in ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation.

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SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company recognizes equity compensation expense for its performance-vesting restricted awards ratably over the related performance period, if the performance condition is probable of being achieved.  Based on the Company’s progress towards its respective performance goals, a portion of its performance-vesting restricted awards were no longer considered probable of vesting as of March 31, 2020; therefore, equity compensation expense was adjusted accordingly.  If the probability of vesting related to these awards changes in a subsequent period, all equity compensation expense related to those awards that would have been recorded over the requisite service period had the awards been considered probable at the new percentage from inception, will be recorded as a cumulative catch-up at such subsequent date.  

12. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

As of March 31, 2020, 94,345,017 shares of common stock were issued in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet, which excludes 126,595 unvested shares of common stock and 2,105,564 unvested restricted stock units held by certain participants in the Company’s equity compensation plans (see Note 11–Equity-Based Compensation) and includes 16,260,248 shares of treasury stock held by the Company.

Share Repurchase Program

The Board had previously authorized a share repurchase program of up to $250.0 million of the Company’s common stock (the “Share Repurchase Program”). Under the Share Repurchase Program, the Company is authorized to repurchase shares through open market purchases, privately-negotiated transactions or otherwise in accordance with applicable federal securities laws, including through Rule 10b5-1 trading plans and under Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, prior to the COVID-19 temporary park closures, the Company completed a share repurchase of 469,785 shares for an aggregate total of approximately $12.4 million, leaving approximately $237.6 million available under the Share Repurchase Program as of March 31, 2020. In connection with Amendment No. 11 to our Credit Agreement, the Company is restricted from paying any dividends or making restricted payments, including share repurchases, through the third quarter of 2021 unless certain conditions are met (see Note 6–Long-Term Debt).  

The Share Repurchase Program has no time limit and may be suspended or discontinued completely at any time. The number of shares to be purchased and the timing of purchases will be based on the Company’s trading windows and available liquidity, general business and market conditions, and other factors, including legal requirements, debt covenant restrictions and alternative investment opportunities.

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