UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-K
 
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2017
Commission File Number – 000-53166
 
MusclePharm Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada
 
77-0664193
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
4400 Vanowen St.
Burbank, CA
 
91505
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip code)
(800) 292-3909
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Title of each class
Common Stock, Par Value $0.001 Per Share
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. [ ] Yes [X] No
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. [ ] Yes [X] No
 
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. [X] Yes [ ] 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-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files) Yes [X] No [ ]
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer
 
[ ]
 
Accelerated filer
 
[ ]
Non-accelerated filer
 
[ ]
 
Smaller reporting company
 
[X]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). [ ] Yes [X] No
 
Aggregate market value of the voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant at June 30, 2017: $24.0 million.
 
Number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding at March 20, 2018: 14,650,554 (excludes 875,621 shares of common stock held in treasury).
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
 
None

 
 
 
MusclePharm Corporation
Form 10-K
For the Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
  PART I  
Item 1.
Business
1
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
8
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
16
Item 2.
Properties
16
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
16
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
17
 
 
 
  PART II  
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
18
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
19
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
20
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
35
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
35
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
35
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
35
Item 9B.
Other Information
35
 
 
 
  PART III  
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
36
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
39
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
47
Item 13.
Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence
49
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
51
 
 
 
  PART IV  
Item 15.
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
52
 
 
 
Item 16.
Form 10-K Summary
52
 
 
 
 
Signatures
53
 
 
 
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, our business strategy and plans, and our objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We base these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs.
 
These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks may emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the future events and trends discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.
 
We undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
 
PART I
Item 1. Business
 
MusclePharm Corporation, was incorporated in Nevada in 2006. As used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the terms “the Company,” “we,” “our,” “MusclePharm” or “MP” refer to MusclePharm Corporation and its predecessors and subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise. The Company is headquartered in Burbank, California and, as of December 31, 2017, had the following wholly-owned operating subsidiaries: MusclePharm Canada Enterprises Corp (“MusclePharm Canada”), MusclePharm Ireland Limited (“MusclePharm Ireland”) and MusclePharm Australia Pty Limited (“MusclePharm Australia”). A former subsidiary of the Company, BioZone Laboratories, Inc. (“BioZone”), was sold on May 9, 2016.
 
MusclePharm Corporation is a scientifically driven, performance lifestyle company that develops, markets, and distributes branded nutritional supplements. We offer a broad range of performance powders, capsules, tablets and gels. Our portfolio of recognized brands, including MusclePharm ® and FitMiss ® , is marketed and sold in more than 100 countries globally. These clinically-developed, scientifically-driven nutritional supplements are developed through a six-stage research process that utilizes the expertise of leading nutritional scientists, doctors, and universities.
 
On August 24, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) approved a restructuring plan for the Company. The approved restructuring plan was designed to reduce costs and to better align our resources for profitable growth. Specifically, through December 31, 2017, the restructuring plan resulted in: 1) reducing our workforce; 2) abandoning certain leased facilities; 3) renegotiating or terminating a number of contracts with endorsers in a strategic shift away from such arrangements and toward more cost-effective marketing and advertising efforts; 4) discontinuing a number of stock keeping units (“SKUs”) and writing down inventory to net realizable value, or to zero in cases where the product was discontinued; and 5) writing off certain assets. We have now substantially completed the approved restructuring plan, and as such, we do not anticipate any additional significant restructuring related charges. 
 
 
1
 
 
Management’s Plans with Respect to Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Management believes the restructuring plan, the continued reduction in ongoing operating costs and expense controls, and the aforementioned growth strategy, will enable us to ultimately achieve profitability. We have reduced our operating expenses sufficiently and believe that our ongoing sources of revenue will be sufficient to cover these expenses for the foreseeable future.
 
As of December 31, 2017, we had a stockholders’ deficit of $12.5 million and recurring losses from operations. To manage cash flow, we entered into a secured borrowing arrangement, pursuant to which we have the ability to borrow up to $12.5 million subject to sufficient amounts of accounts receivable to secure the loan. The agreement’s term has been extended to July 31, 2018. In October 2017, we also entered into a loan and security agreement to borrow against our inventory up to a maximum of $3.0 million for an initial six-month term which automatically extends for six additional months. As of December 31, 2017, we owed $3.0 million on this credit line, of which $1.0 million was repaid subsequent to the end of the year. On November 3, 2017, we entered into a refinancing transaction with Mr. Ryan Drexler, our Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President, to restructure all of the $18.0 million in notes payable to him, which are now due on December 31, 2019. Accordingly, such debt is classified as a long-term liability at December 31, 2017. For additional information on the refinancing with Mr. Drexler, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Indebtedness Agreements—Related-Party Notes Payable” below.
 
As of December 31, 2017, we had approximately $6.2 million in cash and $2.0 million in working capital.
 
The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017 were prepared on the basis of a going concern, which contemplates, among other things, the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. Accordingly, they do not give effect to adjustments that could be necessary should we be required to liquidate our assets.
 
The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and raise capital for specific strategic initiatives could also depend on obtaining adequate capital to fund operating losses until it becomes profitable. The Company can give no assurances that any additional capital that it is able to obtain, if any, will be sufficient to meet its needs, or that any such financing will be obtainable on acceptable terms or at all.
 
Mr. Drexler has verbally both stated his intent and ability to put more capital into the business if necessary. However, Mr. Drexler is under no obligation to the Company to do so, and we can give no assurances that Mr. Drexler will be willing or able to do so at a future date and/or that he will not demand payment of his refinanced convertible note on its maturity date.
 
We believe that our capital resources as of December 31, 2017, available borrowing capacity and current operating plans will be sufficient to fund our planned operations for at least twelve months from the date of filing this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Products
 
The MusclePharm Brand product portfolio is designed for athletes of all levels and anyone who pursues an active lifestyle. We offer a broad range of performance powders, capsules, tablets and gels that satisfy the needs of enthusiasts and professionals alike. Our products are marketed in multiple performance and active lifestyle distribution channels that reach athletes of all types and demographics. Our goal is to serve the needs of our customers, while fueling the engine of sport for all ages and genders. Our portfolio of products targets every type of fitness enthusiast, from professional, combat sport, weight training, bodybuilding, running, and all team and individual sports as well as individuals who lead an active lifestyle.
 
We place considerable emphasis on transparency, high-quality ingredients, innovation and science. Products are placed through rigorous third-party independent testing to ensure safe, quality ingredients to support all levels of athletic ability. Tests performed on products include banned substance testing and protein verification among others.
 
 
2
 
 
Sport Series - Scientifically-advanced, performance-driven sports nutrition items that cover the needs of athletes. This line of award-winning, independently-tested products helps to fuel athletes safely by increasing strength, energy, endurance, recovery and overall athletic performance. Sport Series’ lineup includes products like Combat Protein Powder, a top selling five-protein blend on the market, and Combat Crunch Protein Bars, Bodybuilding.com’s Bar of the Year each of the last three years.
 
Essentials Series - To meet the day-in and day-out demands of fitness and sport, the Essentials Series (formerly known as the Core Series) line of supplements exists for athletes to take every day. These products include daily staples for a healthy body, such as a BCAA, creatine, glutamine, carnitine, CLA, fish oil, a multi-vitamin and more.
 
Natural Series - A natural, non-genetically modified organism (“non-GMO”) sports performance line, made for a growing consumer base that seeks organic, vegan and plant-based nutritional product and supplement options. We created the Natural Series with USDA-certified organic ingredients, plant-based protein and natural caffeine sources, in clean and delicious formats, to power all stages of the workout.
 
FitMiss® - Designed and formulated specifically for the female body, FitMiss sports nutrition products are complimentary to any active female’s diet. In seeking a stronger, more balanced foundation, FitMiss ingredients support women in areas of weight management, lean muscle mass, body composition, and general health and wellness.
 
Sales and Marketing
 
Historically, our advertising and promotion expenses have consisted primarily of digital, print and media advertising, athletic endorsements and sponsorships, promotional giveaways, trade show event participation, and various partnering activities with our trading partners. Prior to our restructuring that began in late 2015, advertising and promotions were a large part of both our growth strategy and brand awareness. We built strategic partnerships with sports athletes and fitness enthusiasts through endorsements, licensing, and co-branding agreements. Additionally, we co-developed products with sports athletes and pro teams. In connection with our restructuring plan, we have terminated the majority of these contracts in a strategic shift away from such costly arrangements, and moved toward more cost-effective brand partnerships, focusing on grass-roots marketing and advertising efforts with athletes and retail outlets closer to our core audience.
 
In 2017, we have reinvested a portion of those savings into: (1) Building a new elite marketing organization; (2) Deep consumer research to inform everything we do; and (3) A more comprehensive, well-planned, integrated marketing strategy – an attack rooted in a balanced portfolio of owned, earned and paid marketing tactics.
 
Our goal is to position MusclePharm as the “must have” brand for elite athletes and fitness enthusiasts, alike, who are on a journey to holistically better themselves and achieve their maximum potential. During the third quarter of 2017, we commissioned a 1000-athlete research study, which provided us details about our consumers’ sports nutrition usage patterns, fitness goals, information sources, media consumption habits, key purchases influences, brand awareness and perception, and much more. Since then, we have developed a team of experts – consisting of both in-house employees and external partners – to drive our message to the masses via a well-planned campaign roadmap. Our marketing team members have expertise in areas including content, design, strategy, innovation, social media, search and public relations.
 
In focusing on our most prominent products, we plan to build breakthrough campaigns that excite our consumer base through proven tactics such as digital marketing, sampling, public relations, athlete/influencer marketing, event marketing, trade activity, paid media, advertising, SEO/SEM, and affiliate marketing. Our roster of elite athletes, influencers and brand evangelists will continue to play a meaningful role and are focused on combat sports (MMA, jiu-jitsu), weight training, CrossFit, football and more.
 
New product innovation, along with complementary marketing campaigns, will be a key component of driving incremental sales.
 
 
3
 
 
Distribution Channels
 
The MusclePharm brands are marketed across major global retail distribution channels – Specialty, International and Food, Drug, and Mass (“FDM”). Our largest customers, Costco Wholesale Corporation (“Costco”) and Amazon.com, Inc. (“Amazon”) accounted for approximately 26% and 13% of our 2017 net revenue, respectively. For further information concerning our customer concentration, see Note 2 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Specialty Market: This channel is comprised of brick-and-mortar sales and e-commerce. Due to high competition within this market, we continually seek to respond to customer trends and shifts by adjusting the mix of existing product offerings, developing new innovative products and influencing preferences through extensive and strategic marketing. We have seen significant growth in our online sales in 2017 primarily through our Amazon distribution channel.
 
International: We intend to continue our focus on growing our international presence by continuing to offer new products in key markets as well as opening new distribution channels in select regions of the world. Our international reach touches every relevant market in the world and continues to expand. We are evaluating the benefits of developing expanded manufacturing partnerships outside of North America to take advantage of local opportunities.
 
FDM: This channel is primarily served by our direct sales force, as well as our network of brokers in specific circumstances. We feel our direct relationships with these retail partners will provide us the best opportunity to expand our distribution into additional discount warehouses and national retailers.
 
Below is a table of net revenue by our major distribution channel:
 
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
% of Total
 
 
2016
 
 
% of Total
 
Distribution Channel
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Specialty
  $ 39,056  
    38 %
  $ 56,979  
    43 %
International
    40,499  
    40 %
    45,751  
    35 %
FDM
    22,600  
    22 %
    27,774  
    21 %
BioZone net revenue (1)
     
    0 %
    1,995  
    1 %
Total
  $ 102,155  
    100 %
  $ 132,499  
    100 %
 
  (1)  In May 2016, we sold BioZone.
 
As noted above, we market our products globally. The following table sets forth revenue, net by customer geographic area based off shipping address (in thousands):
 
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
Revenue, net
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
  $ 61,656  
  $ 86,748  
International
    40,499  
    45,751  
Total revenue, net
  $ 102,155  
  $ 132,499  
 
Product Research, Development and Quality Control
 
Science, product research, and innovation are key factors to our success. Customers’ belief in the safety and efficacy of our products is critical. Continued innovation in delivery techniques and ingredients, new product line extensions, and new product offerings are important in order to sustain existing and create new market opportunities, meet consumer demand, and strengthen consumer relationships. To support our research and development efforts, we invest in formulation, processing and packaging development, perform product quality and stability studies, and conduct consumer market research to sample consumer opinions on product concepts, design, packaging, advertising, and marketing campaigns.
 
 
4
 
 
Our lines of supplements have been developed through a six-stage research process that utilizes the expertise of nutritional scientists, doctors, and universities and strives to assure that all products promote quality and safety for our customers.
 
We are committed to science and sport being equal in our product development. We believe real-world applications are essential. We are in the process of moving the MP Sports Science Institute from Denver, Colorado to a new state-of-the-art, 20,000 square-foot professional training and performance facility in Burbank, California dedicated to optimizing the performance of our products for all ranges of athletes. We plan to use a variety of measurement devices, including ultrasound, DEXA scans and the Makoto Arena II, all of which measure bone density, body fat, etc., to gather cutting-edge feedback about our formulations. Our capabilities allow us to determine body composition, cognitive function, and multiple performance parameters such as strength, power, and endurance. Collecting data helps our team strive to improve our products and to continue to be innovative.
 
Our quality control team follows detailed supplier selection and certification processes, validation of raw material verification processes, analytical testing, process audits, and other quality control procedures. Our products are also subject to extensive shelf life stability testing. We also engage third-party laboratories to routinely evaluate and validate our internal testing processes on every MusclePharm product.
 
We qualify ingredients, suppliers, and facilities by performing site assessments and conducting on-going performance and process reviews. Dedicated quality teams regularly audit and assess manufacturing facilities for compliance Good Manufacturing Practices (“GMPs”), as regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”), to ensure our compliance with all MusclePharm, regulatory, and certification standards and requirements. To ensure overall consistency, our quality assurance team adheres to strict written procedures. From the raw ingredient stage to the finished product stage, we monitor and perform quality control checks. Before distributing our products, we place our products under quarantine to test for environmental contaminants and verify that the finished product meets label claims. Once a product has successfully passed quality assurance testing and conforms to specifications for identity, purity, strength, and composition, we then conduct testing with third-party laboratories for added label claim verification. Multi-level practices are part of our product development process to ensure athletes and our consumers receive what we believe to be the most scientifically-innovative and safe supplements on the market. Post-distribution, we have standard operating procedures in place for investigating and documenting any adverse events or product quality complaints.
 
We are committed to the process of having all of our products certified to be banned-substance-free before they are available to consumers. Informed Choice, a globally recognized leader in sports testing, conducts all of our third-party banned substance testing, ensuring that all MusclePharm products are free of banned substances.
 
Manufacturing and Distribution
 
We have strategic working relationships with multiple third-party manufacturers, including our former subsidiary, BioZone. Certain of our vendors supply in excess of 10% of our products. Once a product is manufactured, it is sent to our distribution center in Spring Hill, Tennessee, or shipped directly to the customer. All of the third-party manufacturing facilities that we source from and distribution facilities are designed and operated to meet current GMP standards as promulgated by the FDA.
 
The manufacturing process performed by our third-party manufacturers generally consists of the following operations: (i) qualifying ingredients for products; (ii) testing of all raw ingredients; (iii) measuring ingredients for inclusion in production; (iv) granulating, blending and grinding ingredients into a mixture with a homogeneous consistency; (v) encapsulating or filling the blended mixture into the appropriate dosage form using either automatic or semiautomatic equipment; and (vi) testing finished products prior to distribution.
 
We maintain and operate a system that integrates with distribution, warehousing, and quality control, providing real-time lot and quality tracking of raw materials, work in progress and finished goods. We employ a supply chain staff that works with sales, marketing, product development, and quality control personnel to ensure that only the highest quality products, that meet the consumer needs, are produced.
 
 
5
 
 
Our Competitors
 
The nutritional supplements market is very competitive and the range of products is diverse. Competitors use price, shelf space and store placement, brand and product recognition, new product introductions, and raw materials to capture market share.
 
Our range of competitors include numerous nutritional supplement companies that are highly fragmented in terms of geographic market coverage, distribution channels, and product categories. In addition, large pharmaceutical companies and packaged food and beverage companies compete with us in the nutritional supplement market. Some of these companies have greater financial and distribution resources available to them than us and some compete through vertical integration. Private label entities have gained a foothold in many nutrition categories and also are direct competitors. Our principal competitors are: Cellucor, Dymatize Enterprises LLC, Iovate Health Sciences International Inc., and Optimum Nutrition, Inc.
 
As many of our competitors are either privately held or divisions within larger organizations, it is difficult to fully gauge their size and relative ranking. We believe that retailers look to partner with suppliers who demonstrate brand development, market intelligence, customer service, and produce high quality products with proven science. We believe we are competitive in all of these areas.
 
Government Regulation
 
The formulation, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, advertising, distribution, and sale of each of our product groups are subject to regulation by one or more governmental agencies. The most active of these is the FDA, which regulates our products under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (“FDCA”) and regulations promulgated thereunder. The FDCA defines the terms “food” and “dietary supplement” and sets forth various conditions that, unless complied with, may constitute adulteration or misbranding of such products. The FDCA has been adjusted several times with respect to dietary supplements, most recently by the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 (the “NLEA”) and the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994.
 
FDA regulations relating specifically to foods and dietary supplements for human use are set forth in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations. These regulations include basic labeling requirements for both foods and dietary supplements. Additionally, FDA regulations require us and our third-party manufacturers to meet relevant good manufacturing practice regulations for the preparation, packaging and storage of our food and dietary supplements.
 
Our business practices and products are also regulated by the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) and the Environmental Protection Agency. Our activities, including our direct selling distribution activities, are also regulated by various agencies of the states, localities and foreign countries in which our products are sold.
 
In foreign markets, prior to commencing operations and initiating or permitting sales of our products in the market, we may be required to obtain an approval, license or certification from the country’s ministry of health or comparable agency. Prior to entering a new market in which a formal approval, license or certificate is required, we work extensively with local consultants and authorities in order to obtain the requisite approvals. We must also comply with product labeling and packaging regulations that vary from country to country. Our failure to comply with these regulations can result in a product being removed from sale in a particular market, either temporarily or permanently.
 
Intellectual Property
 
We regard our trademarks and other proprietary rights as valuable assets and believe that protecting our intellectual property is crucial to the continued successful implementation of our business strategy. Since we regard our intellectual property as a crucial element of our business with significant value in the marketing of our products, our policy is to rigorously pursue registrations for all trademarks associated with our products.
 
 
6
 
 
We have over 70 trademark applications in the United States, 51 of which are currently registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Our registered trademarks include registrations of our house marks, as well as marks associated with our core product lines.
 
We also have filed for protection of various marks throughout the world and are committed to a significant long-term strategy to build and protect the MusclePharm brand globally. We have applied for the “MusclePharm” mark effective in 37 countries, including the United States. The mark has been granted final trademark registration effective in all 37 of those countries.
 
Seasonality
 
Our business does not typically experience seasonal variations but revenue may fluctuate based upon promotions. During 2017, our revenue fluctuated mainly due to the discontinuation of various products and product lines as well as certain issues related to our supply chain, which limited availability of certain inventory, and have been resolved on a go-forward basis.
 
Employees
 
As of December 31, 2017, we had 56   total employees, all of whom were full time. None of the employees are represented by a union. Management considers its relations with our employees to be good and to have been maintained in a normal and customary manner.
 
Corporate Information
 
Our principal executive offices are located at 4400 Vanowen St., Burbank, CA 91505 and our telephone number is (800) 292-3909. We were incorporated in the State of Nevada in 2006. Our Internet addresses are www.musclepharm.com and  www.musclepharmcorp.com. The information contained on our websites is not incorporated herein.
 
Available Information
 
Our corporate website is www.musclepharmcorp.com .  We post the following filings as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”): our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as amended.
 
All such filings are available free of charge on the Investor Relations section of our website, or from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Information on our website does not constitute part of this report. Also available on the Investor Relations section of our website are the charters of the committees of our Board, as well as our corporate governance guidelines and code of ethics. Copies of any of these documents will be provided in print to any shareholder who submits a request in writing to MusclePharm Investor Relations, 4400 Vanowen St., Burbank, CA 91505. Additionally, our filings with the SEC may be read and copied at the SEC Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.
 
 
7
 
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
Certain factors may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. You should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described below, in addition to other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that we currently believe are not material, may also become important factors that adversely affect our business. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations and future prospects could be materially and adversely affected. In that event, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment.
 
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
 
Our indebtedness may limit our operating flexibility.
 
We have a convertible secured promissory note with our Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President, Mr. Ryan Drexler, with an aggregate principal amount of $18.0 million. Our indebtedness could have important consequences to us. For example, it could:
 
 
make us more vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
 
limit our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate requirements; and
 
limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate
 
In addition, our ability to pay or refinance our debt depends on our successful financial and operating performance, cash flows and capital resources, which in turn depend upon prevailing economic conditions and certain financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include, among others:
 
 
economic and demand factors affecting our industry;
 
pricing pressures;
 
increased operating costs; competitive conditions; and
 
other operating difficulties.
 
If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay operating or capital expenditures, sell material assets or operations, seek to obtain additional capital, or restructure our debt.
 
We may incur additional indebtedness in the future. Our incurrence of additional indebtedness would intensify the risks described above.
 
For a description of our indebtedness see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations–Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
 
Our operating results may fluctuate, which makes them difficult to predict and they may fall short of expectations.
 
Our operating results may fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, many of which may be outside of our control. As a result, comparing our operating results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful, and you should not rely on our past results as an indication of our future performance. Our quarterly, year-to-date, and annual expenses as a percentage of our revenues may differ significantly from our historical or projected rates. Our operating results in future quarters may not meet expectations.
 
Each of the following factors, as well as others, may affect our operating results:
 
 
our loss of one or more significant customers;
 
the introduction of successful new products by our competitors; and
 
adverse media reports on the use or efficacy of nutritional supplements.
 
 
8
 
 
Because our business is changing and evolving, our historical operating results may not be useful to you in predicting our future operating results.
 
We may be required to raise additional financing to fund our operations.
 
As business always holds some uncertainty, we may be faced with the need to raise additional funds in the future. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain debt or equity financing on acceptable terms, or at all.
 
The concentration of stock ownership with Mr. Drexler may influence the outcome of certain matters requiring stockholder approval.
 
As of December 31, 2017, Mr. Ryan Drexler, our Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President, beneficially owns approximately 59% of our outstanding shares of common stock, including debt representing 52% of our common stock on an as-converted basis, which is convertible into common stock at Mr. Drexler’s election. As a result, Mr. Drexler may be able to substantially influence the strategic direction of the Company and the outcome of matters requiring approval by our stockholders. Mr. Drexler’s interests, including his interests as a holder of a convertible secured promissory note for $18.0 million, may not be, at all times, the same as those of our other stockholders, and his control may delay, deter or prevent acts that may be favored by our other stockholders.
 
Our failure to respond appropriately to competitive challenges, changing consumer preferences and demand for new products could significantly harm our customer relationships and product sales.
 
The nutritional sports supplement industry is characterized by intense competition for product offerings and rapid and frequent changes in consumer demand. Our failure to accurately predict product trends could negatively impact our results and cause our revenues to decline.
 
Our success with any particular product offering (whether new or existing) depends upon a number of factors, including our ability to:
 
 
deliver quality products in a timely manner in sufficient volumes;
 
accurately anticipate customer needs and forecast accurately to our manufacturers;
 
differentiate our product offerings from those of our competitors;
 
competitively price our products; and
 
develop new products.
 
Furthermore, products often have to be promoted heavily in stores or in the media to obtain visibility and consumer acceptance. Acquiring distribution for products is difficult and often expensive due to slotting and other promotional charges mandated by retailers. Products can take substantial periods of time to develop consumer awareness, consumer acceptance and sales volume. Accordingly, some products may fail to gain or maintain sufficient sales volume and as a result may have to be discontinued. In a highly competitive marketplace, it may be difficult to have retailer’s open SKU’s for new products.
 
Our industry is highly competitive, and our failure to compete effectively could adversely affect our market share, financial condition, and future growth.
 
The nutritional supplement industry is highly competitive with respect to:
 
 
price;
 
shelf space and store placement;
 
brand and product recognition;
 
new product introductions; and
 
raw materials.
 
 
9
 
 
Some of our competitors are larger, more established companies and possess greater financial strength and other resources than we have. We face competition in the supplement market from a number of large nationally known manufacturers, private label brands and many smaller manufacturers.
 
Our industry is highly regulated. We may in the future incur increased compliance costs and/or incur substantial judgments, fines, legal fees, and other costs.
 
The manufacturing, labeling and advertising for our products are regulated by various federal, state, and local agencies as well as those of each foreign country to which we distribute. Our compliance costs may increase in the future, and those increases could be material. In addition, governmental authorities may commence regulatory or legal proceedings, which could restrict the permissible scope of our product claims or the ability to manufacture and sell our products in the future. For example, the FDA regulates our products to ensure that the products are not adulterated or misbranded. Failure to comply with FDA requirements may result in, among other things, injunctions, product withdrawals, recalls, product seizures, fines, and criminal proceedings. Our advertising is subject to regulation by the FTC under the Federal Trade Commission Act. In recent years, the FTC has initiated numerous investigations of dietary supplement and weight loss products and companies. Additionally, some states also permit advertising and labeling laws to be enforced by private attorney generals, who may seek relief for consumers, seek class action certifications, seek class wide damages, and product recalls. Any of these types of actions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
 
We rely on a limited number of customers for a substantial portion of our sales, and the loss of or material reduction in purchase volume by any of these customers would adversely affect our sales and operating results.
 
During 2017, our largest customers, Costco and Amazon, individually accounted for approximately 26% and 13%, respectively, of our net revenue. During 2016, our largest customer, Costco, individually accounted for approximately 20% of our net revenue. Net revenue is equal to our gross revenue less product discounts, customer rebates and incentives. The loss of any of our major customers, a significant reduction in purchases by any major customer, or any serious financial difficulty of a major customer may have a material adverse effect on our sales and operating results.
 
Adverse publicity or consumer perception of our products and any similar products distributed by others could harm our reputation and adversely affect our sales.
 
We are highly dependent upon positive consumer perceptions of the safety and quality of our products as well as similar products distributed by other sports nutrition supplement companies. Consumer perception of sports nutrition supplements and our products in particular can be substantially influenced by scientific research or findings, national media attention and other publicity about product use. Adverse publicity from these sources regarding the safety, quality, or efficacy of our products or nutritional supplements could seriously harm our reputation and results of operations. The mere publication of news articles or reports asserting that such products may be harmful or questioning their efficacy could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations, regardless of whether such news articles or reports are scientifically supported or whether the claimed harmful effects would be present at the dosages recommended for such products.
 
We may be exposed to material product liability claims, which could increase our costs and adversely affect our reputation and business.
 
As a marketer and distributor of products designed for human consumption, we could be subject to product liability claims if the use of our products is alleged to have resulted in injury or undesired results. Our products consist of vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other ingredients that are classified as dietary supplements and in most cases are not subject to pre-market regulatory approval in the United States or internationally. Previously unknown adverse reactions resulting from human consumption of these ingredients could occur.
 
 
10
 
 
We have not had any significant product liability claims filed against us, but in the future we may be subject to various product liability claims, including due to tampering by unauthorized third parties, product contamination, and claims that our products had inadequate instructions for use, or inadequate warnings concerning possible side effects and interactions with other substances. The cost of defense can be substantially higher than the cost of settlement even when claims are without merit. The high cost to defend or settle product liability claims could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results and our insurance, if any, may not be adequate.
 
In addition, the perception of our products resulting from a product liability claim also could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results.
 
Our insurance coverage or third-party indemnification rights may not be sufficient to cover our legal claims or other losses that we may incur in the future.
 
We maintain insurance at what we believe are adequate levels for property, general product liability, product recall, directors and officer’s liability, and workers’ compensation to protect ourselves against potential loss exposures. In the future, insurance coverage may not be available at adequate levels or on adequate terms to cover potential losses, including on terms that meet our customer’s or manufacturer’s requirements. If insurance coverage is inadequate or unavailable, we may face claims that exceed coverage limits or that are not covered, which could increase our costs and adversely affect our operating results.
 
Our curren t management team has a limited history of working together and may not be able to execute our business plan.
 
Certain members of our sen ior management team, including our Interim Chief Financial Officer, have only recently joined our management team or assumed their roles. As a result, our current management team has worked together for only a limited period of time and has a limited track   record of executing our business plan as a team. Accordingly, it is difficult to predict whether our management team, individually and collectively, will be effective in operating our business.
 
If we are unable to retain key management personnel or hire qualified personnel, our ability to manage our business effectively and grow could be negatively impacted.
 
Our future success depends in part on our ability to identify, hire, develop, motivate and retain key skilled management personnel and employees for all areas of our organization, particularly sales and marketing. Competition in our industry for qualified employees is intense. The loss or limitation of the services of any of our key management employees or our inability to hire qualified employees could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
 
Changes in the economies of the markets in which we do business may affect consumer demand for our products.
 
Consumer spending habits, including spending for our products, are affected by, among other things, prevailing economic conditions, levels of employment, fuel prices, changes in exchange rates, salaries and wages, the availability of consumer credit, consumer confidence and consumer perception of economic conditions. Economic slowdowns in the markets in which we do business and an uncertain economic outlook may adversely affect consumer spending habits, which may result in lower sales of our products in future periods. A prolonged global or regional economic downturn could have a material negative impact on our financial position, results of operation or cash flows.
 
If we fail to effectively manage our growth, our business and operating results could be harmed.
 
The growth in our business will continue to place significant demands on our management, and our operational and financial infrastructure. To effectively manage this growth, we expect that we will need to continue to improve our operational, financial and management controls and our reporting systems and procedures. To accomplish these objectives, we may need to hire additional employees, make certain enhancements to our technology systems, make significant capital expenditures, and utilize management resources. Failure to implement these proposed growth objectives could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results.
 
 
11
 
 
We are exposed to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which could negatively affect our results of operations.
 
Our consolidated results of operations and cash flows are subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. For the year ended December 31, 2017, approximately 40 % of our revenue was from international sales. The majority of our revenue is denominated in United States Dollars, with the exception of Canada and Ireland, where we invoice primarily in local currencies. Our expenses are generally denominated in the currencies in which our operations are located, which is primarily in North America and Europe. Revenue resulting from selling in local currencies and costs incurred in local currencies are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations that can affect our operating income. As exchange rates vary, our operating income may differ from expectations. To date, we have not entered into any hedging arrangements with respect to foreign currency risk or other derivative instruments.
 
Taxation and transfer pricing affect our operations.
 
As a United States (“U.S.”) company doing business in international markets, we are subject to foreign tax and intercompany pricing laws, including those relating to the flow of funds between us and our subsidiaries. These pricing laws are designed to ensure that appropriate levels of income and expense are reported by our U.S. and foreign entities, and that they are taxed appropriately. If regulators challenge our corporate structures, transfer pricing methodologies or intercompany transfers, our operations may be harmed, and our effective tax rate may increase. We are eligible to receive foreign tax credits in the U.S. for certain foreign taxes actually paid abroad. In the event any audits or assessments are concluded adversely to us, we may not be able to offset the consolidated effect of foreign income tax assessments through the use of U.S. foreign tax credits. Because the laws and regulations governing U.S. foreign tax credits are complex and subject to periodic legislative amendment, we cannot be sure that we would in fact be able to take advantage of any foreign tax credits in the future. The various customs, exchange control and transfer pricing laws are continually changing, and are subject to the interpretation of governmental agencies.
 
Despite our efforts to be aware of and to comply with such laws and changes to the interpretations thereof, there is a risk that we may not continue to operate in compliance with such laws. We may need to adjust our operating procedures in response to these interpretational changes, and such changes could have a material negative impact on our financial position, results of operation or cash flows.
 
Our intellectual property rights are valuable, and any inability to protect them could reduce the value of our products and brand.
 
We have invested significant resources to protect our brands and trademarks. However, we may be unable or unwilling to strictly enforce our intellectual property rights, including our brands and trademarks, from infringement. Our failure to enforce our intellectual property rights could diminish the value of our brands and product offerings and harm our business and future growth prospects.
 
We may be subject to intellectual property rights claims, which are costly to defend, could require us to pay damages and could limit our ability to sell some of our products.
 
Our industry is characterized by vigorous pursuit and protection of intellectual property rights, which has resulted in protracted and expensive litigation for several companies. Third parties may assert claims of misappropriation of trade secrets or infringement of intellectual property rights against us or against our end customers or partners for which we may be liable.
 
As our business expands, the number of products and competitors in our markets are expected to increase and product overlaps may occur and infringement claims may increase in number and significance. Intellectual property lawsuits are subject to inherent uncertainties due to the complexity of the technical issues involved, and we cannot be certain that we would be successful in defending ourselves against intellectual property claims. Further, many potential litigants have the capability to dedicate substantially greater resources than we can to enforce their intellectual property rights and to defend claims that may be brought against them. Furthermore, a successful claimant could secure a judgment that requires us to pay substantial damages or prevents us from distributing products or performing certain services.
 
 
12
 
 
An increase in product returns could negatively impact our operating results and profitability.
 
We permit the return of damaged or defective products and accept limited amounts of product returns in certain instances. While such returns from established customers have historically been nominal and within management’s expectations and the provisions established, future return rates may differ from those experienced in the past. Any significant increase in damaged or defective products or accepted returns could have a material adverse effect on our operating results for the period or periods in which such returns materialize.
 
We outsource our manufacturing and anticipate continued reliance on third-party manufacturers for the production of our products.
 
We rely on third-party manufacturers to produce products required to meet our quality and market needs. We plan to continue to rely upon contract manufacturers to produce our products.
 
If our contract manufacturers fail to maintain high manufacturing standards and processes, it could harm our business. In the event of a natural disaster or business failure, including due to bankruptcy of a contract manufacturer, we may not be able to secure a replacement of our products on a timely or cost-effective basis, which could result in delays, additional costs and reduced revenues.
 
A shortage in the supply of key raw materials or a price increase could increase our costs or adversely affect our sales.
 
All of our raw materials for our products are obtained from third-party suppliers. Since all of the ingredients in our products are commonly used, we have not experienced any shortages or delays in obtaining raw materials. If circumstances changed, shortages could result in materially higher raw material prices or adversely affect our ability to have a product manufactured. Prices for our raw materials can and do fluctuate. Price increases from a supplier would directly affect our profitability if we are not able to pass price increases on to customers. Our inability to obtain adequate supplies of raw materials in a timely manner or a material increase in the price of our raw materials could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
System and technology failures and obsolescence could harm our business.
 
Our business is highly dependent upon our information technology infrastructure (websites, supply chain, and enterprise resource planning applications) to manage effectively and efficiently our operations, including order entry, customer billing, accurately tracking purchases and managing accounting, finance and inventory. The occurrences of natural disasters, security breaches or other unanticipated problems could result in interruptions in our day-to-day business that could adversely affect us.
 
Our share price has been and may continue to be volatile.
 
The market price of our common shares is subject to significant fluctuations in response to a multitude of factors, including variations in our quarterly operating results and financial condition. Factors other than our financial results that may affect our share price include, but are not limited to, market expectations of our performance, market perception or our industry, the activities of our managers, customers, and investors, and the level of perceived growth in the industry in which we participate, general trends in the markets for our products, general economic business and political conditions in the countries and regions in which we conduct our business, and changes in government regulation affecting our business, many of which are not within our control.
 
 
13
 
 
We may, in the future, issue additional shares of common stock and/or preferred stock, which would reduce investors’ percent of ownership and may dilute our share value.
 
Our articles of incorporation, as amended, authorize the issuance of 100,000,000 shares of common stock and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock. As of December 31, 2017, 14,650,554 shares of our common stock were outstanding and we did not have any outstanding shares of preferred stock. The future issuance of common stock and preferred stock may result in substantial dilution in the percentage of our common stock held by our then existing stockholders. The issuance of common stock for future services or acquisitions or other corporate actions may have the effect of diluting the value of the shares held by our investors, and might have an adverse effect on any trading market for our common stock.
 
We may issue shares of preferred stock in the future that may adversely impact your rights as holders of our common stock.
 
Our Board has the authority to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of our authorized but undesignated preferred stock, as well as the authority to issue shares of such preferred stock, without further stockholder approval. As a result, our Board could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock that would grant to holders preferred rights to our assets upon liquidation, the right to receive dividends before dividends are declared to holders of our common stock, and the right to the redemption of such preferred stock, together with a premium, prior to the redemption of the common stock. To the extent that we do issue such additional shares of preferred stock, your rights as holders of common stock could be impaired thereby, including, without limitation, dilution of your ownership interests in us. In addition, shares of preferred stock could be issued with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control or make removal of management more difficult, which may not be in your interest as a holder of common stock.
 
Our convertible promissory note agreement contains covenants that limit our ability to incur additional debt and grant liens on assets.
 
Our convertible promissory note agreement that we have entered into with Mr. Drexler contain restrictive covenants that limit our ability to, among other things, incur additional debt and grant liens on assets. If we fail to comply with the restrictions in this convertible promissory note agreement, a default may allow Mr. Drexler to accelerate the related debt and to exercise his remedies under the agreement, which includes the right to declare the principal amount of that debt, together with accrued and unpaid interest and other related amounts, immediately due and payable, and to exercise any remedies he may have to foreclose on assets that are subject to liens securing that debt.
 
For additional details regarding our indebtedness, see Note 8 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Our common stock is quoted on the OTCQB, which may have an unfavorable impact on our stock price and liquidity.
 
Our common stock is quoted on the OTCQB Marketplace (“OTCQB”). The OTCQB is an automated quotation service operated by OTC Markets, LLC. The quotation of our shares on the OTCQB may result in a less liquid market available for existing and potential stockholders to trade shares of our common stock, in part because of the inability or unwillingness of certain investors to acquire shares of common stock not traded on a national securities exchange, and could depress the trading price of our common stock and have a long-term adverse impact on our ability to raise capital in the future.
 
Nevada corporation laws limit the personal liability of corporate directors and officers and require indemnification under certain circumstances.
 
Section 78.138(7) of the Nevada Revised Statutes provides that, subject to certain very limited statutory exceptions or unless the articles of incorporation provide for greater individual liability, a director or officer of a Nevada corporation is not individually liable to the corporation or its stockholders for any damages as a result of any act or failure to act in his or her capacity as a director or officer, unless it is proven that the act or failure to act constituted a breach of his or her fiduciary duties as a director or officer and such breach involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law. We have not included in our articles of incorporation any provision intended to provide for greater liability as contemplated by this statutory provision.
 
 
14
 
 
In addition, Section 78.7502(3) of the Nevada Revised Statutes provides that to the extent a director or officer of a Nevada corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of certain actions, suits or proceedings (which may include certain stockholder derivative actions), the corporation shall indemnify such director or officer against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such director or officer in connection therewith.
 
Our articles of incorporation, our amended and restated by-laws, and Nevada law could deter a change of our management, which could discourage or delay offers to acquire us.
 
Certain provisions of Nevada law and of our articles of incorporation, and by-laws, as amended, could discourage or make it more difficult to accomplish a proxy contest or other change in our management or the acquisition of control by a holder of a substantial amount of our voting stock. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish, or could deter transactions that stockholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interests or in our best interests. These provisions include:
 
 
requiring stockholders who wish to request a special meeting of the stockholders to disclose certain specified information in such request and to deliver such request in a specific way within a certain timeframe, which may inhibit or deter stockholders from requesting special meetings of the stockholders;
 
requiring that stockholders who wish to act by written consent request a record date from us for such action and such request must include disclosure of certain specified information, which may inhibit or deter stockholders from acting by written consent;
 
establishing the Board as the sole entity to fill vacancies of the Board, which lengthens the time needed to elect a new majority of the Board;
 
establishing a two-thirds majority vote of the stockholders to remove a director from the Board, as opposed to a simple majority, which lengthens the time needed to elect a new majority of the Board; and
 
establishing that any person who acquires equity in us shall be deemed to have notice and consented to the forum selection provision of our Bylaws requiring actions to be brought only in New York, which may inhibit or deter stockholders actions (i) on behalf of us; (ii) asserting claims of breach of fiduciary duty by officers or directors of us; or (iii) arising out of the Nevada Revised Statutes, and establishing more detailed disclosure in any stockholder’s advance notice to nominate a new member of the Board, including specified information regarding such nominee, which may inhibit or deter such nomination and lengthen the time needed to elect a new majority of the Board.
 
In addition, the “business combination” provisions of the Nevada Revised Statutes prohibit certain business combinations between Nevada corporations and “interested stockholders” for three years after the “interested stockholder” first becomes an “interested stockholder,” unless the corporation’s board of directors approves the combination in advance. For purposes of Nevada law, an “interested stockholder” is any person who is (i) the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of ten percent or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation, or (ii) an affiliate or associate of the corporation and at any time within the three previous years was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of ten percent or more of the voting power of the then outstanding shares of the corporation. The definition of the term “business combination” is sufficiently broad to cover virtually any kind of transaction that would allow a potential acquirer to use the corporation’s assets to finance the acquisition or otherwise to benefit its own interests rather than the interests of the corporation and its other stockholders. This business combination law may potentially discourage parties from, or make it more difficult for parties to, take control of the Company.
 
Further, the Nevada Revised Statutes contain a provision governing “acquisition of controlling interest”. This law provides generally that any person or entity that acquires 20% or more of the outstanding voting shares of a publicly-held Nevada corporation in the secondary public or private market may be denied voting rights with respect to the acquired shares, unless a majority of the disinterested shareholders of the corporation elects to restore such voting rights in whole or in part. The control share acquisition act provides that a person or entity acquires “control shares” whenever it acquires shares that, but for the operation of the control share acquisition act, would bring its voting power within any of the following three ranges: 20 to 331/3%, 331/3 to 50%; or more than 50%.
 
 
15
 
 
A “control share acquisition” is generally defined as the direct or indirect acquisition of either ownership or voting power associated with issued and outstanding control shares. The shareholders or board of directors of a corporation may elect to exempt the stock of the corporation from the provisions of the control share acquisition act through adoption of a provision to that effect in the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation. Our articles of incorporation and bylaws do not exempt our common stock from the control share acquisition act.
 
The control share acquisition act is applicable only to shares of “Issuing Corporations” as defined by the Nevada law. An Issuing Corporation is a Nevada corporation, which (i) has 200 or more shareholders, with at least 100 of such shareholders being both shareholders of record and residents of Nevada; and (ii) does business in Nevada directly or through an affiliated corporation.
 
At this time, we do not have 100 shareholder-of-record residents of Nevada. Therefore, the provisions of the control share acquisition act do not apply to acquisitions of our shares and will not until such time as these requirements have been met. At such time as they may apply, the provisions of the control share acquisition act may discourage companies or persons interested in acquiring a significant interest in or control of us, regardless of whether such acquisition may be in the interest of our shareholders.
 
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff comments
 
None.
 
Item 2. Properties
 
As of December 31, 2017, we operated in leased office and warehouse facilities across the U.S. and Canada totaling approximately 116,000 square feet, including approximately 27,000 square feet for our corporate headquarters and MP Sports Science Center in Burbank, California. We do not own any real property. Our office space and locations as of December 31, 2017 can be seen in the below table.
 
Location
 
Function
 
Approximate
Square Feet
 
Expiration
Date of Lease
 
Monthly
Rent
 
Burbank, CA
 
Company Headquarters, MP Sports Science Center
    27,226  
September 30, 2022
  $ 36,400  
Denver, CO
 
Company Headquarters prior to November 2017
    30,302  
December 31, 2020
  $ 10,500  
Burlington, Ontario,
Canada
 
MP Canada subsidiary
    2,390  
December 31, 2018 CAD
    3,286  
Spring Hill, TN
 
Warehouse and distribution
    52,740  
June 30, 2020
  $ 21,450  
 
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
 
In the normal course of business or otherwise, we may become involved in legal proceedings. We will accrue a liability for such matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. When only a range of possible loss can be established, the most probable amount in the range is accrued. If no amount within this range is a better estimate than any other amount within the range, the minimum amount in the range is accrued. The accrual for a litigation loss contingency might include, for example, estimates of potential damages, outside legal fees and other directly related costs expected to be incurred. As of December 31, 2017, we were involved in the following material legal proceedings described below. These are not the only legal proceedings in which we are involved. We are involved in additional legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our business and otherwise.
 
Supplier Complaint
 
In January 2016, ThermoLife International LLC (“ThermoLife”), a supplier of nitrates to MusclePharm, filed a complaint against us in Arizona state court. In its complaint, ThermoLife alleges that we failed to meet minimum purchase requirements contained in the parties’ supply agreement. In March 2016, we filed an answer to ThermoLife’s complaint, denying the allegations contained in the complaint, and filed a counterclaim alleging that ThermoLife breached its express warranty to MusclePharm because ThermoLife’s products were defective and could not be incorporated into our products. Therefore, we believe that ThermoLife’s complaint is without merit. The lawsuit is currently in the discovery phase.
 
 
16
 
 
Former Executive Lawsuit
 
In December 2015 we accepted notice by Mr. Richard Estalella (“Estalella”) to terminate his employment as our President. Although Estalella sought to terminate his employment with us for “Good Reason,” as defined in Estalella’s employment agreement with us, we advised Estalella that we deemed his resignation to be without Good Reason.
 
In February 2016, Estalella filed a complaint in Colorado state court against us and Ryan Drexler, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President, alleging, among other things, that we breached his employment agreement, and seeking certain equitable relief and unspecified damages. We believe Estalella’s claims are without merit. As of the date of this report, we have evaluated the potential outcome of this lawsuit and recorded the liability consistent with our policy for accruing for contingencies. We have concluded the discovery phase of the lawsuit and are preparing for trial, with a revised trial date expected to commence in May 2018.
 
Insurance Carrier Lawsuit
 
We are engaged in litigation with an insurance carrier, Liberty Insurance Underwriters, Inc. (“Liberty”), arising out of Liberty’s denial of coverage. In 2014, we sought coverage under an insurance policy with Liberty for claims against our directors and officers arising out of an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Liberty denied coverage, and, on February 12, 2015, we filed a complaint in the District Court, City and County of Denver, Colorado against Liberty claiming wrongful and unreasonable denial of coverage for the cost and expenses incurred in connection with the SEC investigation and related matters. Liberty removed the complaint to the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, which in August 2016 granted Liberty’s motion for summary judgment, denying coverage and dismissing our claims with prejudice, and denied our motion for summary judgment. We filed an appeal in November 2016. We filed our opening brief on February 1, 2017 and Liberty filed its response brief on April 7, 2017. We filed our reply brief on May 5, 2017. The case moved to the 10 th Circuit Court of Appeals (the “10 th Circuit”). In October 2017 the 10 th Circuit affirmed the lower court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of Liberty. We are currently working with Liberty to determine what amounts are recoverable under the policy that fall outside of the litigation.
 
Manchester City Football Group
 
We were engaged in a dispute with City Football Group Limited (“CFG”), the owner of Manchester City Football Group, concerning amounts allegedly owed by us under a Sponsorship Agreement with CFG(the “Sponsorship Agreement”). In August 2016, CFG commenced arbitration in the United Kingdom against us, seeking approximately $8.3 million for the Company’s purported breach of the Sponsorship Agreement.
 
On July 28, 2017, we approved a Settlement Agreement (the “CFG Settlement Agreement”) with CFG effective July 7, 2017. The CFG Settlement Agreement represents a full and final settlement of all litigation between the parties. Under the terms of the agreement, we agreed to pay CFG a sum of $3 million, consisting of a $1 million payment that was advanced by a related party on July 7, 2017, and subsequent $1 million installments to be paid by July 7, 2018 and July 7, 2019, respectively.
 
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
 
None.
 
 
17
 
 
PART II
 
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
The following table shows the reported high and low bid quotations per share for our common stock based upon the closing price. Our common stock is quoted on the OTCQB, which is operated by the OTC Markets Group, under the symbol “MSLP.”
 
 
 
High
 
 
Low
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fourth Quarter
  $ 1.50  
  $ 0.42  
Third Quarter
  $ 1.94  
  $ 1.20  
Second Quarter
  $ 2.25  
  $ 1.90  
First Quarter
  $ 2.19  
  $ 1.72  
 
 
 
2016
       
       
Fourth Quarter
  $ 2.40  
  $ 1.54  
Third Quarter
  $ 3.10  
  $ 2.00  
Second Quarter
  $ 3.25  
  $ 2.65  
First Quarter
  $ 3.55  
  $ 1.71  
 
Quotations on the OTCQB reflect bid and ask quotations, may reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail markup, markdown or commission, and may not represent actual transactions. Our transfer agent is Corporate Stock Transfer, Inc., which is located at 3200 Cherry Creek Drive South, Suite 430, Denver, Colorado 80209.
 
Holders of Record
 
As of March 20, 2018, the closing price of our common stock was $0.75, as provided by the OTCQB, and we had 14,650,554 shares of common stock outstanding, held by approximately 310 holders of record of our common stock. The number of holders does not include individuals or entities who beneficially own shares but whose shares are held of record by a broker or clearing agency, but does include each such broker or clearing agency as one record holder.
 
Unregistered Sale of Securities
 
None.
 
The Securities Enforcement and Penny Stock Reform Act of 1990
 
The Securities Enforcement and Penny Stock Reform Act of 1990 requires additional disclosure and documentation related to the market for penny stock and for trades in any stock defined as a penny stock. Unless we can trade at over $5.00 per share on the bid, it is more likely than not that our securities, for some period of time, would be defined under that Act as a “penny stock.” As a result, those who trade in our securities may be required to provide additional information related to their eligibility to trade our shares. These requirements present a substantial burden on any person or brokerage firm that plans to trade our securities and could thereby make it unlikely that any liquid trading market would ever result in our securities so long as the provisions of this Act are applicable to our securities.
 
Any broker-dealer engaged by the purchaser for the purpose of selling his or her shares in us will be subject to Rules 15g-1 through 15g-10 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Rather than creating a need to comply with those rules, some broker-dealers will refuse to attempt to sell penny stock.
 
 
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The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document prepared by the SEC, which:
 
 
contains a description of the nature and level of risk in the market for penny stocks in both public offerings and secondary trading; contains a description of the broker’s or dealer’s duties to the customer and of the rights and remedies available to the customer with respect to a violation to such duties or other requirements of the Exchange Act;
 
contains a brief, clear, narrative description of a dealer market, including “bid” and “ask” prices for penny stocks and the significance of the spread between the bid and ask price;
 
contains a toll-free telephone number for inquiries on disciplinary actions;
 
defines significant terms in the disclosure document or in the conduct of trading penny stocks; and
 
contains such other information and is in such form (including language, type, size and format) as the SEC shall require by rule or regulation.
 
The broker-dealer also must provide, prior to effecting any transaction in a penny stock, to the customer:
 
 
the bid and offer quotations for the penny stock;
 
the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction;
 
the number of shares to which such bid and ask prices apply, or other comparable information relating to the depth and liquidity of the market for such stock; and
 
monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account.
 
In addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from those rules; the broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written acknowledgment of the receipt of a risk disclosure statement, a written agreement to transactions involving penny stocks, and a signed and dated copy of a written suitability statement. These disclosure requirements will have the effect of reducing the trading activity in the secondary market for our stock because it will be subject to these penny stock rules. Therefore, stockholders may have difficulty selling their securities.
 
Dividend Policy
 
We have never declared dividends on our common stock, and currently do not plan to declare dividends on shares of our common stock in the foreseeable future. We expect to retain our future earnings, if any, for use in the operation and expansion of our business. Subject to the foregoing, the payment of cash dividends in the future, if any, will be at the discretion of our Board and will depend upon such factors as restrictions in debt agreements, earnings levels, capital requirements, our overall financial condition and any other factors deemed relevant by our Board.
 
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
The Company qualifies as a smaller reporting company as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of SEC Regulation S-K, and is not required to provide the information required by this Item.
 
 
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed below. See “Forward Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
 
Overview
 
We are a scientifically-driven performance lifestyle company that develops, manufactures, markets and distributes branded sports nutrition products and nutritional supplements. We offer a broad range of performance powders, bars and capsules, which seek to help athletes of all types achieve a heightened level of performance and satisfaction. Our portfolio consists of sports nutrition staples, such as protein powders and bars, and preworkout powders, as well as well-known supplements like creatine, BCAA, fish oil, a multi-vitamin and more. These products fall under globally-recognized brands, MusclePharm® and FitMiss®, which are marketed and sold in more than 100 countries globally. In late 2017, we relocated our corporate headquarters from Denver, CO to Burbank, CA.
 
Our offerings are clinically-developed through a six-stage research process, and all of our manufactured products are rigorously vetted for banned substances by the leading quality assurance program, Informed-Choice. While we initially drove growth in the Specialty retail channel, in recent years we have expanded our focus to drive sales and retailer growth across leading e-commerce, Food Drug & Mass, and Club retail channels, including Amazon, Costco, Kroger, Walgreens, 7-Eleven, and many others. Our sales in the e-commerce space grew approximately 250% in the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016. Additionally, BodyBuilding.com named our Combat Crunch Bar as Protein Bar of the Year in each of 2015, 2016 and 2017.
 
Outlook and Summary of Significant Transactions and Activities During 2017
 
During 2017, we made significant progress stabilizing our Company, strengthening the brand and continuing to build out our status as a leading nutritional supplement innovator, focused on the needs of athletes. Following is a brief discussion of our significant accomplishments.
 
Introduction of our Organic Line, the MP Natural Series
 
During the second quarter of 2017, we introduced a new organic product line, the MP Natural Series (the “Natural Series”). The Natural Series accounted for approximately $1.5 million of revenues in the year ended December 31, 2017. The Natural Series continues to receive the attention of athletes and gain expansion in both the natural retailer channel and FDM channel via acceptance at retailers such as Sprouts, Fresh Thyme and various Kroger banners. Utilizing current consumer insights, we believe that the Natural Series will take advantage of the current trend of organic and non-GMO performance supplements, introducing us to potential new consumers and broadening our base of existing consumers.
 
Relocation of our Corporate Headquarters
 
In fourth quarter of 2017, we relocated our corporate headquarters from Denver, CO to Burbank, CA. The move had three primary intentions: (i) enable us to be closer to our largest consumer base and influencers; (ii) find new talent to help shepherd the brand forward in a differential way; and (iii) allow for year-round training and content capture at our Sports Science Institute.
 
Since moving, we have built out an entirely revamped Sports Science Institute in a 20,000 square-foot space, consisting of training equipment for cross training, weight training, combat sport training, and more, as well as an area dedicated specifically to athlete recovery. MusclePharm athletes, as well as professional trainers, dieticians and influencers, use the facility on a regular basis. Moreover, we have hosted events including the Eddie Bravo Invitational, a jiu-jitsu exhibition, which was broadcast live on UFC Fight Pass, as well as Pay Per View.
 
 
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We believe the move positions our Company in an influential light within a competitive industry, and has afforded MusclePharm the opportunity to source new leaders from complementary industries.
 
Settlement of the Manchester City Football Group Litigation
 
During July 2017, we settled our dispute with Manchester City Football Group, arising out of a dispute between the parties. We recorded a loss on the settlement of $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. See additional information in Note 9 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Marketing Team Overhaul
 
In August 2017, we hired a Chief Marketing Officer, Matthew Kerbel, whose prior experience spans includes organizations including Lyft, General Mills and Activision. Mr. Kerbel is charged with tasks including energizing sales via the integration of research-informed, 360° marketing programs, evolving our digital ecosystem, driving earned media in partnership with key influencers and public relations firms; shepherding, the MusclePharm brand to be more community-oriented. Since the hiring, we have overhauled the marketing organization, which now consists of an internal creative capability (including a new Creative Director), agency partners, and freelance expert consultants.
 
Outlook
 
As we continue to execute our growth strategy and focus on our core operations, we anticipate both continued improvement in our operating margins and expense structure, as well as topline sales advancement. The termination of the Arnold Schwarzenegger product-line licensing agreement, discontinuance of unprofitable SKUs and product families, as well as the migration to new product suppliers have impacted revenue growth for the short-term. However, we anticipate revenues and growth margin to strengthen as we increase focus on our core MusclePharm products. In addition, the sale of our wholly-owned subsidiary, BioZone, in May 2016, enables us to further narrow our focus on core products, and further innovate and develop new products. We also anticipate continued savings in advertising and promotions expenses as we focus on effective marketing and advertising strategies, and move away from celebrity endorsements.
 
Management’s Plans with Respect to Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Management believes the substantially completed restructuring plan, the continued reduction in ongoing operating costs and expense controls, and the aforementioned growth strategy, will enable us to ultimately achieve profitability. We have reduced our operating expenses sufficiently and believe that our ongoing sources of revenue will be sufficient to cover these expenses for the foreseeable future.
 
As of December 31, 2017, we had a stockholders’ deficit of $12.5 million and recurring losses from operations. To manage cash flow, we entered into a secured borrowing arrangement, pursuant to which we have the ability to borrow up to $12.5 million subject to sufficient amounts of accounts receivable to secure the loan. The Agreement’s term has been extended to July 31, 2018. In October 2017, we also entered into a loan and security agreement to borrow against our inventory up to a maximum of $3.0 million for an initial six-month term which automatically extends for six additional months. As of December 31, 2017, we owed $3.0 million on this credit line, of which $1.0 million was repaid subsequent to the end of the year. On November 3, 2017, we entered into a refinancing transaction with Mr. Ryan Drexler, our Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President, to restructure all of the $18.0 million in notes payable to him, which are now due on December 31, 2019. Accordingly, such debt is classified as a long-term liability at December 31, 2017.
 
As of December 31, 2017, we had approximately $6.2 million in cash and $2.0 million in working capital.
 
 
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The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017 were prepared on the basis of a going concern, which contemplates, among other things, the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. Accordingly, they do not give effect to adjustments that could be necessary should we be required to liquidate our assets.
 
The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and raise capital for specific strategic initiatives could also depend on obtaining adequate capital to fund operating losses until it becomes profitable. The Company can give no assurances that any additional capital that it is able to obtain, if any, will be sufficient to meet its needs, or that any such financing will be obtainable on acceptable terms.
 
Mr. Drexler has verbally both stated his intent and ability to put more capital into the business if necessary. However, Mr. Drexler is under no obligation to the Company to do so, and we can give no assurances that Mr. Drexler will be willing or able to do so at a future date and/or that he will not demand payment of his refinanced convertible note on December 31, 2019.
 
We believe that our capital resources as of December 31, 2017, available borrowing capacity and current operating plans will be sufficient to fund the planned operations for at least twelve months from the date of filing this report.
 
Results of Operations
 
Comparison of the Year Ended December 31, 2017 to the Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 
 
For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
 
$ Change
 
 
% Change
 
 
 
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue, net
  $ 102,155  
  $ 132,499  
  $ (30,344 )
    (22.9 )%
Cost of revenue (1)
    71,710  
    88,026  
    (16,316 )
    (18.5 )
Gross profit
    30,445  
    44,473  
    (14,028 )
    (31.5 )
Operating expenses:
       
       
       
       
Advertising and promotion
    9,352  
    10,652  
    (1,300 )
    (12.2 )
Salaries and benefits
    10,134  
    18,033  
    (7,899 )
    (43.8 )
Selling, general and administrative
    12,071  
    15,941  
    (3,870 )
    (24.3 )
Research and development
    642  
    1,869  
    (1,227 )
    (65.7 )
Professional fees
    3,378  
    5,735  
    (2,357 )
    (41.1 )
Restructuring and other charges
     
    (3,477 )
    3,477  
    (100.0 )
Settlement of obligations
    1,877  
     
    1,877  
    100.0  
Impairment of assets
    180  
    4,378  
    (4,198 )
    (95.9 )
Total operating expenses
    37,634  
    53,131  
    (15,497 )
    (29.2 )
Loss from operations
    (7,189 )
    (8,658 )
    1,469  
    (17.0 )
Gain on settlement of accounts payable
    430  
    9,927  
    (9,497 )
    (95.7 )
Loss on sale of subisdiary
     
    (2,115 )
    2,115  
    (100.0 )
Other expense, net
    (4,072 )
    (2,313 )
    (1,759 )
    76.0  
Loss before provision for income taxes
    (10,831 )
    (3,159 )
    (7,672 )
    (242.9 )
Provision for income taxes
    142  
    318  
    (176 )
    (55.3 )
Net loss
  $ (10,973 )
  $ (3,477 )
  $ 7,496  
    (215.6 )%
 
(1)  
Cost of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 includes restructuring charges of $2.3 million, related to write-down of inventory for discontinued products.
 
 
22
 
 
The following table presents our operating results as a percentage of revenue, net for the periods presented:
 
 
 
For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
Revenue, net
    100 %
    100 %
Cost of revenue
    70  
    66  
Gross profit
    30  
    34  
Operating expenses:
       
       
Advertising and promotion
    9  
    8  
Salaries and benefits
    10  
    14  
Selling, general and administrative
    12  
    12  
Research and development
    1  
    2  
Professional fees
    3  
    4  
Restructuring and other charges
     
    (3 )
Settlement obligations
    2  
     
Impairment of assets
     
    3  
Total operating expenses
    37  
    40  
Loss from operations
    (7 )
    (6 )
Gain on settlement of accounts payable
     
    7  
Loss on sale of subisdiary
     
    (2 )
Other expense, net
    (4 )
    (2 )
Loss before provision for income taxes
    (11 )
    (3 )
Provision for income taxes
     
     
Net loss
    (11 )%
    (3 )%
 
Revenue, net
 
We derive our revenue through the sales of our various branded nutritional supplements. Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed or determinable, and collection is reasonably assured which generally occurs upon shipment or delivery of the products. We record sales incentives as a direct reduction of revenue for various discounts provided to our customers consisting primarily of volume incentive rebates and advertising related credits. We accrue for sales discounts over the period they are earned. Sales discounts are a significant part of our marketing plan to our customers as they help drive increased sales and brand awareness with end users through promotions that we support through our distributors and re-sellers.
 
Net revenue decreased $30.3 million, or 22.9%, to $102.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $132.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 decreased $2.0 million due to the sale of BioZone. Net revenue from our international customers decreased by $5.2 million or 11.5%, net revenue from FDM decreased $5.2 million or 18.6%, and net revenue from specialty lines decreased $17.9 million or 31.5%. These decreases were related primarily to a general shift in business strategy to streamline our distribution channels and increased efforts to online marketing. Discounts and sales allowances decreased to 15% of gross revenue, or $18.0 million, for the year ended December 31, 2017 from 21% of gross revenue, or $34.6 million for the same period in 2016. The decrease in discounts and allowances is primarily related to a reduction of promotions related to new product introductions and a reduction of discounts and allowances on existing products with key customers.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2017, our largest customers, Costco and Amazon, accounted for approximately 26% and 13%, respectively, of our net revenue. During the year ended December 31, 2016, our largest customer, Costco, accounted for approximately 20% of our net revenue.
 
 
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Cost of Revenue and Gross Margin
 
Cost of revenue for MusclePharm products is directly related to the production, manufacturing, and freight-in of the related products purchased from third party contract manufacturers. We mainly ship customer orders from our distribution center in Spring Hill, Tennessee. The facilities are operated with our equipment and employees, and we own the related inventory. We also use contract manufacturers to drop ship products directly to our customers.
 
In addition, BioZone manufactured products and, therefore, derived costs of revenue through the costs of raw materials, direct labor, freight-in and other supply and equipment expenses. We mainly shipped BioZone customer orders from our distribution center in Pittsburg, California. We completed the sale of BioZone during the second quarter of 2016, and closed the distribution center during the third quarter of 2016.
 
Our historical experience has been that, over the life cycle of a particular product, the cost of revenue as a percentage of total revenue has typically declined as a result of efficiencies and resulting decreases in our product costs. The decrease in cost generally results from an increase in the volume purchased from manufacturing suppliers, as well as yield improvements and test enhancements.
 
Our gross profit fluctuates due to several factors, including sales incentives, new product introductions and upgrades to existing product lines, changes in customer and product mixes, the mix of product demand, shipment volumes, our product costs, pricing, and inventory write-downs. Cost of revenue is expected to decrease over time as a percentage of revenue due primarily to our focus on supply chain efficiency and negotiating better pricing with our manufacturers.
 
Costs of revenue decreased 18.5% to $72.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $88.0 million for the same period in 2016. Accordingly, gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2017 decreased $14.0 million to $30.4 million compared to $44.5 million for the same period 2016. Gross profit margin was 30% and 34% for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
 
Operating Expenses
 
Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $37.6 million, compared to $53.1 million for the same period in 2016. During the third quarter of 2015, we commenced our restructuring plan, which resulted in a credit of $3.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2016. Changes to operating expenses are as follows:
 
Advertising and Promotion
 
Our advertising and promotion expenses consist primarily of digital, print and media advertising, athletic endorsements and sponsorships, promotional giveaways, trade show events and various partnering activities with our retail partners.
 
Advertising and promotion expenses decreased 12.2% to $9.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, or 9% of revenue, compared to $10.7 million, or 8% of revenue, for the same period in 2016. We have implemented new strategies to our advertising and promotion expenditures to maximize our gross profit and have focused our efforts from athletic endorsements to strategic partnerships within the industry in order to maximize our sales and profits. We plan to monitor these efforts during 2018 for effectiveness and have plans for continued promotions.
 
Salaries and Benefits
 
Salaries and benefits consist primarily of salaries, bonuses, benefits and stock-based compensation paid or provided to our employees. These costs are a significant component of our operating expenses. During the third quarter of 2015, we executed a restructuring plan, resulting in a reduction in our workforce that concluded during the third quarter of 2016. Salaries and benefits continued to decrease due to potential additional headcount reductions, limited headcount additions, as well as a reduction of future restricted stock awards, and a reduction in amortization of existing stock-based grants through the end of 2017. We relocated our headquarters in the fourth quarter of 2017 and are in the process of phasing out our international offices. We anticipate that during 2018, our salaries and benefits will stabilize and align with our future growth.
 
 
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Salaries and benefits decreased 43.8% to $10.1 million, or 10% of revenue, for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $18.0 million, or 14% of revenue, for the same period in 2016. Stock-based compensation expense decreased $3.1 million and other compensation expense decreased by $4.8 million related to the reductions of our headcount.
 
Selling, General and Administrative
 
Our selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of depreciation and amortization, information technology equipment and network costs, facilities related expenses, director’s fees, which include both cash and stock-based compensation, insurance, rental expenses related to equipment leases, supplies, legal settlement costs, and other corporate expenses.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by 24.3% to $12.1 million, or 12% of revenue, for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $15.9 million, or 12% of revenue, for the same period in 2016. The decrease was primarily due to lower office expenses and other cost savings of $1.6 million, lower freight expense of $1.2 million, a decrease in rent expense of $0.4 million, lower depreciation and amortization of $0.7 million, lower insurance costs of $0.4 million and lower IT costs of $0.7 million. These expenses were partially offset by increases of   $1.1 million related to an increase in provisions for doubtful accounts.
 
Research and Development
 
Research and development expenses consist primarily of R&D personnel salaries, bonuses, benefits, and stock-based compensation, product quality control, which includes third-party testing, and research fees related to the development of new products. We expense research and development costs as incurred.
 
Research and development expenses decreased 65.7% to $0.6 million, or 1% of revenue, for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $1.9 million, also 1% of revenue, for the same period in 2016. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in salaries and benefits and research fees.
 
Professional Fees
 
Professional fees consist primarily of legal fees, accounting and audit fees, consulting fees, which includes both cash and stock-based compensation, and investor relations costs. We expect our professional fees to decrease as we rationalize our professional service providers and focus on key initiatives. Also, as our ongoing legal matters are reduced, we expect to see a further decline in legal costs for specific settlement activities. We intend to continue to invest in strengthening our governance, internal controls, and process improvements which may require some support from third-party service providers.
 
Professional fees decreased 41.1% to $3.4 million, or 3% of revenue, for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $5.7 million, or also 4% of revenue, for the same period in 2016. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in legal fees of $1.3 million related primarily to a reduction in litigation, accounting fees of $0.6 million, fees related to the SEC matters of $0.2 million, and lower consulting fees of $0.2 million.
 
Restructuring and Other Charges
 
For the year ended December 31, 2016, we recorded a credit in “Restructuring and other charges” of $3.5 million which primarily included: (i) an expense credit of $4.8 million related to the release of the restructuring accrual of $7.0 million which was expensed during the year ended December 31, 2015, offset by the cash payment of $2.2 million related to the settlement agreement which terminated all future commitments between ETW Corporation (“ETW”) and the Company (see Note 14 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements); (ii) $1.4 million related to write-off of long-lived assets related to the abandonment of certain lease facilities; and (iii) $0.9 million related to severance and other employee compensation costs. The restructuring plan was substantially complete as of December 31, 2016.
 
 
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Settlement of obligations
 
For the year ended December 31, 2017, we recorded settlement of obligation charges of $1.9 million, which included: (i) a settlement of $1.5 million with the Manchester City Football Group, (ii) a settlement of $0.2 million with Sherman and Howard and (iii) the settlement of two additional lawsuits totaling $0.2 million.
 
Impairment of assets
 
During the year ended December 31, 2017, we determined that certain portions of our former headquarters in Denver, CO, which totaled $0.2 million, were impaired due to the closure of our gym and the discontinued use of certain portions of our facility.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2016, we determined that certain prepaid manufacturing costs and our investment in a warrant to purchase Capstone’s parent company, which totaled $2.4 million, were impaired due to Capstone’s sale of their primary powder manufacturing facility in June 2016 and the termination of our manufacturing relationship with them. See additional information in Note 6 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2016, $2.0 million of intangible assets, prepaid assets and inventory related to the Arnold Schwarzenegger product line was written off. Per the agreement to terminate the product line, no further use of his likeness or sales of the inventory were allowed and therefore, we disposed of all the remaining product in inventory.
 
Gain on settlement of accounts payable
 
During 2017, we negotiated the reduction in various accounts, resulting in a total gain of $0.4 million.
 
During November 2016, we settled our dispute with Capstone arising out of a manufacturing agreement between the parties. We recorded a gain on settlement of $9.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. See additional information in Note 9 of the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. In addition, we negotiated the reduction of various accounts, resulting in a total gain of $9.9 million.
 
Loss on sale of subsidiary
 
During the year ended December 31, 2016, we sold our wholly-owned subsidiary, BioZone, for a loss of $2.1 million. See additional information in Note 4 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. The loss on the sale of BioZone primarily related to the subsidiary’s pre-tax losses for 2016. Pre-tax loss for BioZone for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $1.5 million, which represented the operations through the disposition date in May 2016.
 
Other expense, net
 
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, “Other expense, net” consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
Other expense, net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, related party
  $ (2,423 )
  $ (682 )
Interest expense, other
    (46 )
    (258 )
Interest expense, secured borrowing arrangement
    (792 )
    (702 )
Foreign currency transaction gain
    26  
    23  
Other
    (837 )
    (694 )
Total other expense, net
  $ (4,072 )
  $ (2,313 )
 
 
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Net other expense for the year ended December 31, 2017 increased 76%, or $1.8 million, compared to the same period in 2016. The increase in net other expense was primarily related to financing fees and other miscellaneous expenses.
 
Provision for income taxes
 
Provision for income taxes consists primarily of federal and state income taxes in the U.S. and income taxes in foreign jurisdictions in which we conduct business. Due to uncertainty, as to the realization of benefits from our deferred tax assets, including net operating loss carry-forwards, research and development and other tax credits, we have a full valuation allowance reserved against such assets. We expect to maintain this full valuation allowance at least in the near term.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Management believes the substantially completed restructuring plan, the continued reduction in ongoing operating costs and expense controls, and the aforementioned growth strategy, will enable us to ultimately achieve profitability. We have reduced our operating expenses sufficiently and believe that our ongoing sources of revenue will be sufficient to cover these expenses for the foreseeable future.
 
As of December 31, 2017, we had a stockholders’ deficit of $12.5 million and recurring losses from operations. To manage cash flow, we entered into a secured borrowing arrangement, pursuant to which we have the ability to borrow up to $12.5 million subject to sufficient amounts of accounts receivable to secure the loan. The Agreement’s term has been extended to July 31, 2018. In October 2017, we also entered into a loan and security agreement to borrow against our inventory up to a maximum of $3.0 million for an initial six-month term which automatically extends for six additional months. As of December 31, 2017, we owed $3.0 million on this credit line, of which $1.0 million was repaid subsequent to the end of the year. On November 3, 2017, we entered into a refinancing transaction with Mr. Ryan Drexler, our Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President, to restructure all of the $18.0 million in notes payable to him, which are now due on December 31, 2019. Accordingly, such debt is classified as a long-term liability at December 31, 2017.
 
As of December 31, 2017, we had approximately $6.2 million in cash and $2.0 million in working capital.
 
The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017 were prepared on the basis of a going concern, which contemplates, among other things, the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. Accordingly, they do not give effect to adjustments that could be necessary should we be required to liquidate assets.
 
The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and raise capital for specific strategic initiatives could also depend on obtaining adequate capital to fund operating losses until it becomes profitable. The Company can give no assurances that any additional capital that it is able to obtain, if any, will be sufficient to meet its needs, or that any such financing will be obtainable on acceptable terms.
 
Mr. Drexler has verbally both stated his intent and ability to put more capital into the business if necessary. However, Mr. Drexler is under no obligation to the Company to do so, and we can give no assurances that Mr. Drexler will be willing or able to do so at a future date and/or that he will not demand payment of his refinanced convertible note on December 31, 2019.
 
We expect our capital resources as of December 31, 2017, available borrowing capacity and current operating plans will be sufficient to fund the planned operations for at least twelve months from the date of filing this report.
 
 
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Our net consolidated cash flows are as follows (in thousands):
 
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash used in operating activities
  $ (5,131 )
  $ (15,068 )
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (37 )
    5,395  
Net cash provided by financing activities
    6,436  
    7,522  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    17  
    13  
Net change in cash
  $ 1,285  
  $ (2,138 )
 
Operating Activities
 
Our cash (used in) provided by operating activities is driven primarily by sales of our products and vendor provided credit. Our primary uses of cash from operating activities have been for inventory purchases, advertising and promotion expenses, personnel-related expenditures, manufacturing costs, professional fees, costs related to our facilities, and legal fees. Our cash flows from operating activities will continue to be affected principally by the results of operations and the extent to which we increase spending on personnel expenditures, sales and marketing activities, and our working capital requirements.
 
Our operating cash flows were $9.9 million higher for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. The change primarily relates to the net change in net operating assets and liabilities, which resulted in a use of cash of $5.1 million and $15.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the increase in our accounts receivable resulted in a decrease of our working capital of $4.6 million. The decreases were partially offset by increases of our working capital through an increase in our liabilities related to accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $2 million and a decrease in our inventory and prepaid items of $3 million. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the decrease in liabilities related to accounts payable and accrued liabilities resulted in a $20.8 million decrease in working capital. These decreases were offset by a reduction in our accounts receivable balance, which provided a source of working capital of $7.3 million. These changes in working capital were offset by a net loss adjusted for non-cash charges, which resulted in a use of cash of $5.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to a use of cash of $15.1 million for the same period in 2016.
 
Investing Activities
 
Cash used by investing activities was $37,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017 for the purchases of property and equipment.
 
Cash provided by investing activities was $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to the cash proceeds from sale of BioZone totaling $5.9 million, offset by purchases of property and equipment of $0.5 million.
 
Financing Activities
 
Cash provided by financing activities was $6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily due to borrowings of $3.0 million from a line of credit, $2.7 million in net borrowings from our secured line of credit, and $0.9 million in net proceeds from secured promissory notes with Mr. Drexler, our Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President.
 
Cash provided by financing activities was $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to the proceeds from the second convertible secured promissory note with Mr. Drexler, of $11.0 million and proceeds from our secured borrowing arrangement, offset by repayment on our line of credit of $3.0 million and repayment of a term loan of $2.9 million.
 
 
28
 
 
Indebtedness Agreements
 
Related-Party Notes Payable
 
On November 3, 2017, we entered into a refinancing transaction (the “Refinancing”) with Mr. Ryan Drexler, the Company’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President. As part of the Refinancing, we issued to Mr. Drexler an amended and restated convertible secured promissory note (the “Refinanced Convertible Note”) in the original principal amount of $18,000,000, which amends and restates (i) a convertible secured promissory note dated as of December 7, 2015, and amended as of January 14, 2017, in the original principal amount of $6,000,000 with an interest rate of 8% prior to the amendment and 10% following the amendment (the “2015 Convertible Note”), (ii) a convertible secured promissory note dated as of November 8, 2016, in the original principal amount of $11,000,000 with an interest rate of 10% (the “2016 Convertible Note”) , and (iii) a secured demand promissory note dated as of July 27, 2017, in the original principal amount of $1,000,000 with an interest rate of 15% (the “2017 Note”, and together with the 2015 Convertible Note and the 2016 Convertible Note, collectively, the “Prior Notes”). The due date of the 2015 Convertible Note and the 2016 Convertible Note was November 8, 2017. The 2017 Note was due on demand.
 
2017 Refinanced Convertible Note
 
The $18 million Refinanced Convertible Note bears interest at the rate of 12% per annum. Interest payments are due on the last day of each quarter. At our option (as determined by its independent directors), we may repay up to one sixth of any interest payment by either adding such amount to the principal amount of the note or by converting such interest amount into an equivalent amount our common stock. Any interest not paid when due shall be capitalized and added to the principal amount of the Refinanced Convertible Note and bear interest on the applicable interest payment date along with all other unpaid principal, capitalized interest, and other capitalized obligations.
 
Both the principal and the interest under the Refinanced Convertible Note are due on December 31, 2019, unless converted earlier.
 
Mr. Drexler may convert the outstanding principal and accrued interest into shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $1.11 per share at any time. We may prepay the Refinanced Convertible Note by giving Mr. Drexler between 15 and 60 days’ notice depending upon the specific circumstances, subject to Mr. Drexler’s conversion right.
 
The Refinanced Convertible Note contains customary events of default, including, among others, the failure by us to make a payment of principal or interest when due. Following an event of default, interest will accrue at the rate of 14% per annum. In addition, following an event of default, any conversion, redemption, payment or prepayment of the Refinanced Convertible Note will be at a premium of 105%. The Refinanced Convertible Note also contains customary restrictions on the ability of us to, among other things, grant liens or incur indebtedness other than certain obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business. The restrictions are also subject to certain additional qualifications and carveouts, as set forth in the Refinanced Convertible Note. The Refinanced Convertible Note is subordinated to certain other indebtedness of us, as described below.
 
As part of the Refinancing, we and Mr. Drexler entered into a restructuring agreement (the “Restructuring Agreement”) pursuant to which the parties agreed to enter into the Refinanced Convertible Note and to amend and restate the security agreement pursuant to which the Prior Notes were secured by all of the assets and properties of us and our subsidiaries whether tangible or intangible, by entering into the Third Amended and Restated Security Agreement (the “Amended Security Agreement”). Pursuant to the Restructuring Agreement, we agreed to pay, on the effective date of the Refinancing, all outstanding interest on the Prior Notes through November 8, 2017 and certain fees and expenses incurred by Mr. Drexler in connection with the Restructuring.
 
In connection with the refinancing, the Company recorded a debt discount of $1.2 million. The debt discount is equal to the change in the fair value of the conversion option between the Refinanced Convertible Note and the Prior Notes. The fair value of the conversion option was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation and the model of stock price behavior known as GBM which simulates a future period as a random step from a previous period.
 
 
29
 
 
In addition, the Refinanced Convertible Note contains two embedded derivatives for default interest and an event of default put. Due to the unlikely event of default, the embedded derivatives have a de minimis value as of December 31, 2017.
 
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, interest expense related to the related party notes was $2.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, $2.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively, in interest was paid to Mr. Drexler. For the year ended December 31, 2016, in connection with issuing the Prior Notes, the Company recorded a beneficial conversion feature of $601,000 as a debt discount which was amortized over the original term of the debt using the effective interest method.
 
Inventory Financing
 
On October 6, 2017, we and our affiliate (together with us, “Borrower”) entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (“Security Agreement”) with Crossroads Financial Group, LLC (“Crossroads”). Pursuant to the Security Agreement, Borrower may borrow up to 70% of its Inventory Cost   or up to 75% of Net Orderly Liquidation Value (each as defined in the Security Agreement), up to a maximum amount of $3.0 million at an interest rate of 1.5% per month, subject to a minimum monthly fee of $22,500. The initial term of the Security Agreement is six months from the date of execution, and such initial term is extended automatically in six-month increments, unless earlier terminated pursuant to the terms of the Security Agreement. The Security Agreement contains customary events of default, including, among others, the failure to make payments on amounts owed when due, default under any other material agreement or the departure of Mr. Drexler. The Security Agreement also contains customary restrictions on the ability of Borrower to, among other things, grant liens, incur debt and transfer assets. Under the Security Agreement, Borrower has agreed to grant Crossroads a security interest in all our present and future accounts, chattel paper, goods (including inventory and equipment), instruments, investment property, documents, general intangibles, intangibles, letter of credit rights, commercial tort claims, deposit accounts, supporting obligations, documents, records and the proceeds thereof. As of December 31, 2017, we had borrowed $3 million from Crossroads, of which $1.0 million was repaid subsequent to the end of the year.
 
Secured Borrowing Arrangement
 
In January 2016, we entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Purchase and Sale Agreement”) with Prestige Capital Corporation (“Prestige”) pursuant to which we agreed to sell and assign and Prestige agreed to buy and accept, certain accounts receivable owed to the Company (“Accounts”). Under the terms of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, upon the receipt and acceptance of each assignment of Accounts, Prestige will pay us 80% of the net face amount of the assigned Accounts, up to a maximum total borrowings of $12.5 million subject to sufficient amounts of accounts receivable to secure the loan. The remaining 20% will be paid to us upon collection of the assigned Accounts, less any chargeback, disputes, or other amounts due to Prestige. Prestige’s purchase of the assigned Accounts from us will be at a discount fee which varies based on the number of days outstanding from the assignment of Accounts to collection of the assigned Accounts. In addition, we granted Prestige a continuing security interest in and lien upon all accounts receivable, inventory, fixed assets, general intangibles and other assets. The Purchase and Sale Agreement’s term has been extended to July 31, 2018. At December 31, 2017, we had approximately $5.4 million of outstanding borrowings.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2017, we sold to Prestige accounts with an aggregate face amount of approximately $42.1 million, for which Prestige paid to us approximately $33.7 million in cash. During the year ended December 31, 2017, $31.6 million was subsequently repaid to Prestige, including fees and interest.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2016, we sold to Prestige accounts with an aggregate face amount of approximately $54.6 million, for which Prestige paid to us approximately $43.7 million in cash. During the year ended December 31, 2016, $41.9 million was subsequently repaid to Prestige, including fees and interest.
 
 
30
 
 
Contractual Obligations
 
Our principal commitments consist of obligations under operating leases for office and warehouse facilities, capital leases for manufacturing and warehouse equipment, debt, restructuring liability and non-cancelable endorsement and sponsorship agreements. The following table summarizes our commitments to settle contractual obligations in cash as of December 31, 2017:
 
 
 
Payments Due by Period
 
 
 
1 Year
 
 
2 to 3 Years
 
 
4 to 5 Years
 
 
Thereafter
 
 
Total
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
Operating lease obligations (1)
  $ 860  
  $ 1,581  
  $ 850  
  $  
  $ 3,291  
Capital lease obligations
    136  
    151  
     
     
    287  
Secured borrowing arrangement
    8,385  
     
     
     
    8,385  
Convertible notes with a related party (2)
    1,800  
    19,800  
     
     
    21,600  
Restructuring liability
    599  
    126  
     
     
    725  
Settlement agreement
    1,000  
    1,000  
     
     
    2,000  
Other contractual obligations (3)
    1,034  
    424  
     
     
    1,458  
Total
  $ 13,814  
  $ 23,082  
  $ 850  
  $  
  $ 37,746  
 
(1)  
The amounts in the table above excluded operating lease expenses which were abandoned in conjunction with our restructuring plans and is included within the caption Restructuring liability.
(2)
See “Indebtedness Agreement” above. Amount includes interest.
(3)
Other contractual obligations consist of non-cancelable endorsement and sponsorship agreements and the minimum purchase requirement with BioZone. See Note 4 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2017.
 
Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA
 
In addition to disclosing financial results calculated in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), this Form 10-K discloses Adjusted EBITDA, which is net loss adjusted for stock-based compensation, restructuring and asset impairment charges, gain/(loss) on settlement of accounts payable, loss on sale of subsidiary, amortization of prepaid sponsorship fees, other expense, net, amortization of prepaid stock compensation, depreciation and amortization of property and equipment, amortization of intangible assets, (recovery)/provision for doubtful accounts, , issuance of common stock warrants, settlement related, including legal and income taxes. In addition, the Company provides an Adjusted EBITDA, excluding one-time events which excludes charges related to executive severance, discontinued business/product lines, unusual credits against revenue and unusual spikes in whey protein costs. Management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide investors with important additional perspectives into our ongoing business performance.
 
The GAAP measure most directly comparable to Adjusted EBITDA is net loss. The non-GAAP financial measure of Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net loss. Adjusted EBITDA is not a presentation made in accordance with GAAP and has important limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Because Adjusted EBITDA excludes some, but not all, items that affect net loss and is defined differently by different companies, our definition of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
 
 
31
 
 
Set forth below are reconciliations of our reported GAAP net loss to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA excluding one-time events (in thousands):
 
   
 
   
 
 
  Three Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
   
 
Y ear Ended
Dec. 31,
2017
 
 
Dec. 31,
2017
 
 
 Sept. 30,
2017
 
 
June 30,
2017
 
 
Mar. 31,
2017
 
 
Year Ended
Dec. 31,
2016
 
 
 Dec. 31,
2016
 
 
Sept. 30,
2016
 
 
June 30,
2016
 
 
 Mar. 31,
2016
 
  Net income (loss)
  $ (10,973 )
  $ (2,547 )
  $ (2,128 )
  $ (3,149 )
  $ (3,149 )
  $ (3,477 )
  $ 8,771  
  $ (1,447 )
  $ (4,196 )
  $ (6,605 )
Non-GAAP adjustments:
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
Stock-based compensation
    2,096  
    408  
    540  
    541  
    607  
    5,304  
    323  
    (116 )
    427  
    4,670  
Restructuring and asset impairment charges
    180  
    180  
     
     
     
    3,186  
    (970 )
    1,920  
     
    2,236  
Gain on settlement of accounts payable
    (430 )
    41  
     
    (22 )
    (449 )
    (9,927 )
    (9,927 )
     
     
     
Loss on sale of subsidiary
     
     
     
     
     
    2,115  
     
     
    2,115  
     
Amortization of prepaid sponsorship fees
    461  
    86  
    120  
    110  
    145  
    1,235  
    180  
    211  
    146  
    698  
Other expense, net
    4,072  
    1,546  
    858  
    690  
    978  
    2,313  
    1,009  
    117  
    516  
    671  
Amortization of prepaid stock compensation
     
     
     
     
     
    938  
     
     
    235  
    703  
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment
    1,139  
    230  
    279  
    290  
    340  
    1,551  
    389  
    346  
    389  
    427  
Amortization of intangible assets
    320  
    80  
    80  
    80  
    80  
    576  
    80  
    80  
    196  
    220  
(Recovery) provision for doubtful accounts
    1,524  
    310  
    990  
    144  
    80  
    386  
    152  
    225  
    43  
    (34 )
Issuance of common stock warrants to third parties for services
     
     
     
     
     
    6  
     
     
    3  
    3  
Settlements, including legal
    3,633  
    866  
    532  
    1,942  
    303  
    3,533  
    1,248  
    723  
    816  
    746  
Provision for income taxes
    142  
    24  
    14  
    76  
    28  
    318  
    180  
     
    7  
    131  
Adjusted EBITDA
    2,174  
  $ 1,224  
  $ 1,285  
  $ 702  
  $ (1,037 )
  $ 8,057  
  $ 1,435  
  $ 2,059  
  $ 697  
  $ 3,866  
 
One-time events:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
           
 
Executive severance
    831  
    109  
    66  
    134  
    522  
    1,062  
     
     
     
    1,062  
Discontinued business/product lines
    272  
     
     
    132  
    140  
    2,102  
    (121 )
     
    771  
    1,452  
Unusual credits against revenue
    1,141  
     
     
     
    1,141  
     
     
     
     
     
Whey protein costs
    1,322  
     
     
    296  
    1,026  
     
     
     
     
     
Total one-time adjustments
    3,566  
    109  
    66  
    562  
    2,829  
    3,164  
    (121 )
     
    771  
    2,514  
Adjusted EBITDA excluding one-time events
  $ 5,740  
  $ 1,333  
  $ 1,351  
  $ 1,264  
  $ 1,792  
  $ 11,221  
  $ 1,314  
  $ 2,059  
  $ 1,468  
  $ 6,380  
 
 
32
 
 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and form the basis for the following discussion and analysis on critical accounting policies and estimates. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on a regular basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from these estimates and those differences could have a material effect on our financial position and results of operations.
 
Inventory
 
MusclePharm products are produced through third party manufacturers, and the cost of product inventory is recorded using standard cost methodology. This standard cost methodology closely approximates actual cost. Prior to the sale of the BioZone subsidiary, its products were manufactured in production facilities in Pittsburg, CA, and the cost of inventory was recorded using a weighted average cost basis. BioZone was sold in May 2016. Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Adjustments to reduce the cost of inventory to its net realizable value are made, if required, and estimates are made for obsolescence, excess or slow-moving inventories, non-conforming inventories and expired inventory. These estimates are based on management’s assessment of current future product demand, production plan, and market conditions.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
Revenue is recognized when all of the following criteria are met:
 
 
Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists.  Evidence of an arrangement consists of an order from our distributors, resellers or customers.
 
Delivery has occurred.  Delivery is deemed to have occurred when title and risk of loss has transferred, typically upon shipment of products to customers or upon delivery.
 
The fee is fixed or determinable.  We assess whether the fee is fixed or determinable based on the terms associated with the transaction.
 
Collection is reasonably assured.  We assess collectability based on credit analysis and payment history.
 
Our standard terms and conditions of sale allow for product returns or replacements in certain cases. Estimates of expected future product returns are recognized at the time of sale based on analyses of historical return trends by customer type. Upon recognition, we reduce revenue and cost of revenue for the estimated return. Return rates can fluctuate over time, but are sufficiently predictable with established customers to allow us to estimate expected future product returns, and an accrual is recorded for future expected returns when the related revenue is recognized. Product returns incurred from established customers were insignificant for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
 
We offer sales incentives through various programs, consisting primarily of advertising related credits, volume incentive rebates and sales incentive reserves. We record advertising related credits with customers as a reduction to revenue as no identifiable benefit is received in exchange for credits claimed by the customer. Volume incentive rebates are provided to certain customers based on contractually agreed upon percentages once certain thresholds have been met. Sales incentive reserves are computed based on historical trending and budgeted discount percentages, which are typically based on historical discount rates with adjustments for any known changes, such as future promotions or one-time historical promotions that will not repeat for each customer. We record sales incentive reserves and volume rebate reserves as a reduction to revenue.
 
 
33
 
 
During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we recorded discounts, and to a lesser degree, sales returns, totaling $18.0 million and $34.6 million, respectively, which accounted for 15% and 21% of gross revenue in each period, respectively.
 
Share-Based Payments and Stock-Based Compensation
 
Share-based compensation awards, including stock options and restricted stock awards, are recorded at estimated fair value on the awards’ grant date, based on estimated number of shares that are expected to vest. The grant date fair value is amortized on a straight-line basis over the time in which the awards are expected to vest, or immediately if no vesting is required. Share-based compensation awards issued to non-employees for services are recorded at either the fair value of the services rendered or the fair value of the share-based payments whichever is more readily determinable. The fair value of restricted stock awards is based on the fair value of the stock underlying the awards on the grant date as there is no exercise price.
 
The fair value of stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The determination of the fair value of each stock award using this option-pricing model is affected by our assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards and the expected term of the awards based on an analysis of the actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors and the contractual term of the awards. We recognize stock-based compensation expense over the requisite service period, which is generally consistent with the vesting of the awards, based on the estimated fair value of all stock-based payments issued to employees and directors that are expected to vest.
 
Intangible Assets
 
Acquired intangible assets are recorded at estimated fair value, net of accumulated amortization, and costs incurred in obtaining certain trademarks are capitalized, and are amortized over their related useful lives, using a straight-line basis consistent with the underlying expected future cash flows related to the specific intangible asset. Costs to renew or extend the life of intangible assets are capitalized and amortized over the remaining useful life of the asset. Amortization expenses are included as a component of “Selling, general and administrative” expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
Advertising and Promotion
 
Our advertising and promotion expenses consist primarily of digital, print and media advertising, athletic endorsements and sponsorships, promotional giveaways, trade show events and various partnering activities with our trading partners, and are expensed as incurred. For major trade shows, the expenses are recognized within a calendar year over the period in which we recognize revenue associated with sales generated at the trade show. Some of the contracts provide for contingent payments to endorsers or athletes based upon specific achievement in their sports, such as winning a championship. We record expense for these payments if and when the endorser achieves the specific achievement.
 
 
34
 
 
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
The Company qualifies as a smaller reporting company as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of SEC Regulation S-K, and is not required to provide the information required by this Item.
 
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
See the Consolidated Financial Statements set forth on the “Index to Financial Statements” on Page 54 of this Form 10-K, which Consolidated Financial Statements are incorporated by reference into this Item 8.
 
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
None.
 
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
(a)   Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Accordingly, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act were effective as of December 31, 2017 to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
(b)   Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U. S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control-Integrated Framework.
 
Based on its assessment, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2017.
 
Inherent Limitations Over Internal Controls
 
Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error and circumvention by collusion or overriding of controls. Accordingly, even an effective internal control system may not prevent or detect material misstatements on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
(c)   Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or that is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our registered independent public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered independent public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the SEC that permit us to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report.
 
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
 
None.
 
 
35
 
 
PART III
 
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
The names of our directors and executive officers, their ages as of March 20, 2018 and certain other information about them are set forth below. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.
 
Name
 
Age
 
Position
Ryan Drexler
 
 
47
 
Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors
Brian Casutto
 
 
47
 
Executive Vice President of Sales and Operations and Director
William Bush
 
 
53
 
Director
John J. Desmond
 
 
67
 
Director
 
RYAN DREXLER – CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
Ryan Drexler was appointed to serve as our Chief Executive Officer and President on November 18, 2016. Prior to that, Mr. Drexler was appointed to serve as our Interim Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors on March 15, 2016 and was designated as our Interim Principal Executive Officer. Mr. Drexler has served as Chairman of our Board of Directors since August 26, 2015. Mr. Drexler is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Consac, LLC (“Consac”), a privately-held firm that invests in the securities of publicly traded and venture-stage companies. Previously, Mr. Drexler served as President of Country Life Vitamins, a family-owned nutritional supplements and natural products company that he joined in 1993. In addition to developing strategic objectives and overseeing acquisitions for Country Life, Mr. Drexler created new brands that include the BioChem family of sports and fitness nutrition products. Mr. Drexler negotiated and led the process which resulted in the sale of Country Life in 2007 to the Japanese conglomerate Kikkoman Corp. Mr. Drexler graduated from Northeastern University, where he earned a B.A. in political science. Because of his experience in running and developing nutritional supplement companies, we believe that Mr. Drexler is well qualified to serve on our Board of Directors.
 
BRIAN CASUTTO – EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES AND OPERATIONS AND DIRECTOR
 
Brian Casutto was appointed to the Board of Directors as a director during July 2017. Mr. Casutto was appointed to the role of Executive Vice President of Sales and Operations in July of 2015. Mr. Casutto joined MusclePharm in June of 2014 to lead product development and brand positioning of the recently announced Natural Series. From 1997 to 2014, Mr. Casutto served as Executive Vice President, Sales for Country Life Vitamins. Because of his experience in running and developing nutritional supplement companies, we believe that Mr. Casutto is well qualified to serve on our Board of Directors.
 
 
36
 
 
WILLIAM BUSH – DIRECTOR
 
William Bush joined our Board of Directors as an independent director in May 2015 and serves as lead director, chair of the Compensation Committee and as a member of the Audit Committee and as Chair of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee. Since November 2016, Mr. Bush serves as chief financial officer of Stem, Inc., a leading software-driven energy storage provider. From January 2010 to November 2016, Mr. Bush served as the chief financial officer of Borrego Solar Systems, Inc., which is one of the nation’s leading financiers, designers and installers of commercial and industrial grid-connected solar systems. From October 2008 to December 2009, Mr. Bush served as the chief financial officer of Solar Semiconductor, Ltd., a private vertically integrated manufacturer and distributor of photovoltaic modules and systems targeted for use in industrial, commercial and residential applications, with operations in India, helping it reach $100 million in sales in its first 15 months of operation. Prior to that, Mr. Bush served as chief financial officer and corporate controller for a number of high growth software and online media companies as well as being one of the founding members of Buzzsaw.com, Inc., a spinoff of Autodesk, Inc. Prior to his work at Buzzsaw.com, Mr. Bush served as corporate controller for Autodesk, Inc. (NasdaqGM: ADSK), the fourth largest software applications company in the world. Because of his significant experience in finance, we believe that Mr. Bush is well qualified to serve on our Board of Directors.
 
JOHN J. DESMOND – DIRECTOR
 
John J. Desmond joined our Board of Directors as an independent director in July 2017 and serves as chair of the Audit Committee, a member of the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee, and a member of the Compensation Committee. Previously, Mr. Desmond was Partner-in-Charge of the Long Island (New York) office of Grant Thornton LLP from 1988 through his retirement from the firm in 2015, having served over 40 years in the public accounting profession. At Grant Thornton LLP, Mr. Desmond's experience included among other things, serving as lead audit partner for many public and privately-held global companies. Mr. Desmond was elected by the U.S. Partners of Grant Thornton LLP to their Partnership Board from 2001 through 2013. The Partnership Board was responsible for oversight of many of the firm's activities including strategic planning, the performance of the senior leadership team and financial performance. Mr. Desmond currently serves on the Board of Directors of The First of Long Island (NASDAQ: FLIC) and its wholly owned bank subsidiary, The First National Bank of Long Island, and has been a director since October 2016. Mr. Desmond also serves or has served as a Board member of a number of not-for-profit entities. Mr. Desmond holds a B.S. degree in Accounting from St. John's University and is a Certified Public Accountant. Because of his significant experience in corporate governance, banking, strategic planning, business leadership, organizational management and business operations, accounting and financial reporting, finance, mergers and acquisitions, legal and regulatory, we believe that Mr. Desmond is well qualified to serve on our Board of Directors.
 
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
 
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, requires our directors and named executive officers, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our common stock, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock and our other equity securities with the SEC. As a practical matter, we assist our directors and officers by monitoring transactions and completing and filing Section 16 reports on their behalf. Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms in our possession and on written representations from reporting persons, we believe that during 2017, all of our named executive officers and directors filed the required reports on a timely basis under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, except for as follows:
Name
Date of Award
 
 
Date
Filed
 
 
Stock Awards
 
Ryan Drexler
1/1/2017
 
2/7/2017
 
    350,000  
Michael Doron
4/21/2017
     
    10,081  
William J. Bush
4/21/2017
 
9/22/2017
 
    10,081  
William J. Bush
7/24/2017
 
9/22/2017
 
    53,476  
Michael Doron
7/24/2017
     
    35,093  
John J. Desmond
7/24/2017
 
3/28/2018
 
    80,214  
 
 
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CODE OF CONDUCT
 
Our Board of Directors established a Code of Conduct applicable to our officers and employees. The Code of Conduct is accessible on our website at www.musclepharmcorp.com. If we make any substantive amendments to the Code of Conduct or grant any waiver, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of the Code of Conduct to our officers, we will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on our website or in a current report on Form 8-K.
 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OVERVIEW
 
Our business, assets and operations are managed under the direction of our Board of Directors. Members of our Board of Directors are kept informed of our business through discussions with our Chief Executive Officer, our external counsel, members of management and other Company employees as well as our independent auditors, and by reviewing materials provided to them and participating in meetings of the Board of Directors and its committees.
 
In addition to its management oversight function, our Board of Directors remains committed to strong and effective corporate governance, and, as a result, it regularly monitors our corporate governance policies and practices to ensure we meet or exceed the requirements of applicable laws, regulations and rules, the Nasdaq listing standards (even though we are not subject to them), as well as the best practices of other public companies.
 
Our corporate governance program features the following:
 
 
a Board of Directors that is nominated for election annually;
 
we have no stockholder rights plan in place;
 
periodically updated charters for each of the Boards committees, which clearly establish the roles and responsibilities of each such committee;
 
regular executive sessions among our non-employee and independent directors;
 
a Board of Directors that enjoys unrestricted access to our management, employees and professional advisers;
 
a clear Code of Conduct that is reviewed regularly for best practices;
 
a clear Insider Trading Policy that is reviewed regularly;
 
a Corporate Communications Policy that is reviewed with employees and the Board periodically;
 
a clear set of Corporate Governance Guidelines that is reviewed regularly for best practices;
 
no board member is serving on an excessive number of public company boards; and
 
Board of Directors Role in Risk Management
 
The Board of Directors oversees an enterprise-wide approach to risk management, designed to support the achievement of organizational objectives, including strategic objectives, to improve long-term organizational performance and enhance stockholder value. Risk management includes not only understanding company specific risks and the steps management implements to manage those risks, but also the level of risk acceptable and appropriate for us. Management is responsible for establishing our business strategy, identifying and assessing the related risks and implementing appropriate risk management practices. Our Board of Directors reviews our business strategy and management’s assessment of the related risk, and discusses with management the appropriate level of risk for us. For example, the Board of Directors meets with management at least quarterly to review, advise and direct management with respect to strategic business risks, risks related to our new product development, financial risks, among others. The Board of Directors also delegates oversight to Board committees to oversee selected elements of risk.
 
 
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The Audit Committee oversees financial risk exposures, including monitoring the integrity of our financial statements, internal controls over financial reporting, and the independence of our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The Audit Committee reviews periodic internal controls and related assessments from our finance department. The Audit Committee also assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibility with respect to compliance matters and meets at least quarterly with our finance department, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and internal or external legal counsel to discuss risks related to our financial reporting function. In addition, the Audit Committee ensures that our business is conducted with the highest standards of ethical conduct in compliance with applicable laws and regulations by monitoring our Code of Business Conduct and our Corporate Compliance Hotline, and the Audit Committee discusses other risk assessment and our risk management policies periodically with management.
 
The Compensation Committee participates in the design of the compensation program and helps create incentives that do not encourage a level of risk-taking behavior that is inconsistent with our business strategy.
 
The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee oversees governance-related risks by working with management to establish corporate governance guidelines applicable to us, and making recommendations regarding director nominees, the determination of director independence, Board of Directors leadership structure and membership on Board committees.
 
 AUDIT COMMITTEE
 
The Audit Committee reviews the work of our internal accounting and audit processes and the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The Audit Committee has sole authority for the appointment, and oversight of our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and to approve any significant non-audit relationship with the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The Audit Committee is also responsible for preparing the report required by the rules of the SEC to be included in our annual proxy statement. The Audit Committee is currently comprised of Mr. Desmond and Mr. Bush. The Company’s Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Desmond is an “Audit Committee financial expert” within the meaning of Item 407 of Regulation S-K. Additionally, Mr. Desmond serves as chair of the Audit Committee. Each of Messrs. Desmond and Bush are independent for Audit Committee purposes, as determined under Exchange Act rules. Mr. Bush joined the Audit Committee in May 2015, Mr. Desmond joined the Audit Committee in July 2017. During 2017, the Audit Committee held 4 meetings.
 
Item 11. Executive Compensation
 
Overview
 
We are eligible to take advantage of the rules applicable to a “smaller reporting company,” as defined in the Exchange Act, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. As a “smaller reporting company” we are permitted, and have opted, to comply with the scaled back executive compensation disclosure rules applicable to a “smaller reporting company” under the Exchange Act. Only two individuals served as executive officers, as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and only one additional individual served as an executive officer at any time during such fiscal year. The following discussion relates to the compensation of those executive officers, who we refer to as our “named executive officers” or “NEOs” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, our NEOs were:
 
 
Ryan Drexler—Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors;
 
Brian Casutto – Executive Vice President of Sales and Operations; and
 
Brent Baker – Former Executive Vice President of International Business*
 
*Mr. Baker’s employment with the Company terminated on March 23, 2017.
 
 
39
 
 
Our executive compensation program is designed to attract, motivate and retain talented executives that will drive Company growth and create long-term shareholder value. The Compensation Committee oversees and administers our executive compensation program, with input and recommendations from our Chief Executive Officer.
 
Elements of Executive Compensation
 
Our executive compensation program has three main components: base salary, cash bonuses and incentive equity awards. Our named executive officers also receive employee benefits that are made available to our salaried employees generally, are eligible to receive certain compensation and benefits in connection with a change in control or termination of employment, and receive certain perquisites, in each case, as described below.
 
Base Salary
 
The Compensation Committee determined the initial base salary for each of our named executive officers and each year determines whether to approve any base salary adjustments based upon the Company’s performance, the named executive officer’s individual performance, changes in duties and responsibilities of the named executive officer and the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer (other than with respect to his own base salary). For 2017, Messrs. Drexler’s and Casutto’s base salaries were not increased from 2016 levels and Mr. Baker’s annual base salary was increased by $50,000. For 2017, our named executive officers’ base salaries were as follows:
 
Name
 
2017
Base Salary
 
Ryan Drexler
  $ 550,000  
Brian Casutto
  $ 400,000  
Brent Baker
  $ 350,000  
 
Cash Bonuses
 
Pursuant to their employment agreements, each of our named executive officers is eligible to earn a cash bonus, with a target amount established by the Compensation Committee, based on the achievement of specified performance goals. For 2017, the target bonus amount was $300,000 for Mr. Casutto and $400,000 for Mr. Baker. Mr. Drexler was eligible to receive cash bonuses of up to $350,000 based on the achievement of specified performance goals. For 2017, Messrs. Drexler and Casutto earned cash bonuses in the amounts set forth in the “Summary Compensation Table” below. In connection with his termination of employment in March 2017, Mr. Baker received a bonus of $80,311 for the first quarter of 2018.
 
Incentive Equity Awards
 
Incentive equity awards granted by the Company have historically been in the form of restricted stock awards. The Company also grants stock options from time to time. The Compensation Committee believes that equity-based awards are an effective retention tool that also align our executives’ interests with those of our stockholders. In 2017, we granted Mr. Drexler 350,000 shares of restricted stock, which vested in full on the first anniversary of the grant date. Mr. Drexler’s equity awards also vest in full upon a termination of his employment or upon change in control. None of our other named executive officers were granted equity-based awards in 2017. In connection with his termination of employment in March 2017, 10,000 shares of restricted stock held by Mr. Baker that were granted in 2016 vested in full in accordance with the original terms of the grant.
 
Employment Agreements
 
We have entered into employment agreements with each of Mr. Drexler and Mr. Casutto that include certain severance and change in control payments. These agreements are described in detail under “Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table” below.
 
 
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Employee Benefit Plans and Perquisites
 
We maintain a Section 401(k) Savings/Retirement Plan (the 401(k) Plan) for eligible employees of the Company and certain affiliates, including our named executive officers. The 401(k) Plan permits eligible employees to defer up to the maximum dollar amount allowed by law. The employee’s elective deferrals are immediately vested upon contribution to the 401(k) Plan. We currently make discretionary matching contributions to the 401(k) Plan in an amount equal to 100% of each eligible employee’s deferrals up to 4% of his or her qualifying compensation, subject to a total employer contribution maximum of $10,600 and limits imposed by applicable law.
 
We do not maintain any other defined benefit, defined contribution or deferred compensation plans for our employees.
 
Our current named executive officers are eligible to participate in all of our employee benefit plans, such as medical, dental, vision, group life and disability insurance, in each case on the same basis as other employees, subject to applicable law. We also provide vacation and other paid holidays to all employees, including our current executive officers. In addition, we provide certain highly-compensated employees, including our current named executive officers, with life insurance and supplemental long-term disability coverage. We also provide certain perquisites, as described and quantified in the Summary Compensation Table below under “All Other Compensation.”
 
Summary Compensation Table
 
The following summary compensation tables sets forth all compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to our named executive officers for 2017 and 2016, in respect of their employment with the Company.
 
Name and Principal Position
Year
 
Salary
($)
 
 
Bonus
($)
 
 
Stock Awards
($)
 
 
Option Awards
($)
 
 
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
($)
 
 
All
Other Comp-ensation
($)
 
 
Total
($)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ryan Drexler (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chairman of the Board,
2017
    550,000  
    426,226  
    686,000 (2)
     
     
    31,841 (7)
    1,694,067  
  Chief Executive Officer and President
2016
    466,667 (1)
    750,000  
    454,000 (3)
    236,263 (4)
     
    76,155 (7)
    1,983,085  
 
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
 
 
 
Brian Casutto
2017
    400,000  
    178,670  
     
     
     
    93,641 (7)
    672,311  
Executive Vice President of Sales and Operations
2016
    395,833  
    233,750  
    94,500 (5)
     
     
    28,176  
    752,259  
 
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
Brent Baker (6)
2017
    136,123  
    80,311  
     
     
     
    361,178 (7)
    577,612  
Former Executive Vice President of International Business
2016
    300,000  
    210,000  
     
     
     
    30,179  
    540,179  
 
(1)  
Mr. Drexler is the Chairman of the Board of Directors. On November 18, 2016, Mr. Drexler agreed to continue to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and as our Chief Executive Officer and President. For information regarding certain transactions between Mr. Drexler and the Company, see Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements below.
 
(2)  
Reflects the grant date fair value of restricted stock award granted to Mr. Drexler in 2017 calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, disregarding the effects of estimated forfeitures, based on the closing price of our common stock of $1.96 on the date of the grant multiplied by the number of shares of restricted stock granted.
 
 
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(3)  
Reflects the grant date fair value of restricted stock award granted to Mr. Drexler in 2016, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, disregarding the effects of estimated forfeitures, based on the closing price of our common stock of $2.27 on the date of the grant multiplied by the number of shares of restricted stock granted.
 
(4)  
Reflects the grant date fair value of the option awards granted to Mr. Drexler in 2016, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, disregarding the effects of estimated forfeitures. The grant date fair value of $1.72 per share was determined using the Black-Sholes option-pricing model, with the following assumptions:
 
 
 
For the Year Ended 
December 31, 2016
 
Expected term of options
  
6.5 years
 
Expected stock price volatility
    131.0 %
Expected dividend yield
    0 %
Risk-free interest rate
    1.71 %
 
(5)  
Reflects the grant date fair value of the restricted stock granted to Mr. Casutto in 2016, calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, disregarding the effects of estimated forfeitures, based on the closing price of our common stock of $1.89 on the date of the grant multiplied by the number of shares of restricted stock granted.
 
(6)  
Mr. Baker’s employment with the Company was terminated on March 23, 2017.
 
(7)  
Amounts under All Other Compensation for 2017 include Company 401(k) matching contributions, insurance premiums paid by the Company on behalf of our named executive officers, perquisites and severance payments, as follows:
 
 
 
Drexler
 
 
Casutto
 
 
Baker
 
Company 401(k) Matching Contributions
  $  
  $  
  $ 5,575  
Severance (a)
     
     
    350,000  
Miscellaneous (b)
    16,204  
    19,292  
    900  
Automobile Expenses (c)
     
    20,967  
    3,250  
Housing Costs (d)
    15,637  
    46,215  
     
Insurance Premiums
     
    7,167  
    1,453  
TOTAL
  $ 31,841  
  $ 93,641  
  $ 361,178  
 
 
(a)
Represents the amount of severance paid or accrued in 2017 relating to Mr. Baker’s termination of employment. For details relating to these payments, see “Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table” below.
 
(b)
These amounts include amounts paid by the Company for miscellaneous expenses, including Company-provided matching contributions to health savings accounts for our named executive officer and amounts paid for expenses incurred by our named executive officers that were not adequately substantiated or did not qualify as a reimbursable business expense under our expense reimbursement policy.
 
(c)
We provided an automobile allowance for Mr. Casutto, and the use of a Company car by Mr. Drexler and Mr. Casutto while they are in Colorado. For the Company car provided to Mr. Drexler and Mr. Casutto, the Company insures the car under its insurance programs, pays all registration, license, taxes and other fees on the car, pays for all repairs and reimburses for all gas and maintenance costs on the car. The amount disclosed in the table above for each of Mr. Drexler and Mr. Cassuto represents one-half of the total annual cost to the Company for the Company car.
 
(d)
We paid for temporary housing for Mr. Casutto and Mr. Drexler for periods when they lived in Colorado while they maintained residency outside of the State. Additionally, we are providing for housing for Mr. Casutto for his apartment in California as his residency remains out of the State. The amounts disclosed in the table above represents rent and utility costs billed by the landlord for this temporary housing.
 
 
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Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table
 
We have entered into employment agreements with each of Mr. Drexler and Mr. Casutto that include certain severance and change in control payments and entered into a separation agreement with Mr. Baker that provides for severance benefits, in each case, as described below. As used below, the terms “without cause,” “good reason,” “qualifying sale,” “aggregate purchase price,” “performance bonus,” “cash-based incentives,” and “change in control” are defined in the applicable agreements.
 
Mr. Drexler . Mr. Drexler is party to an employment agreement with the Company, which was entered into as of February 11, 2016 and has subsequently been amended and restated, most recently effective as of February 1, 2018. Subject to earlier termination as provided therein, the term of his agreement runs through February 1, 2021 and automatically renews for successive one-year terms thereafter, unless either party provides at least three months’ written notice of its or his intention not to review. Under his employment agreement, Mr. Drexler was entitled to a base salary of $550,00 per year for 2017 and is entitled to a base salary of $700,000 per year for 2018, which will be increased to $750,000 per year effective January 1, 2020, in each case, subject to increase by the board. For 2017, Mr. Drexler was eligible to receive cash-based incentives of up to $350,000 based on the achievement of specified performance goals and, under his amended and restated agreement, is eligible to receive a 2018 performance bonus equal to 75% of his annual base salary, subject to the Company’s achievement of specified performance conditions unless otherwise determined by the Board. Under his amended and restated employment agreement, Mr. Drexler is also eligible to receive additional cash-based incentives of up to $350,000 based on the achievement of specified performance goals.
 
Concurrently with entering into the amended and restated employment agreement in February 2018, Mr. Drexler and the Company entered into a transaction bonus agreement, which provides that, upon the occurrence of a qualifying sale, and provided that at the time of the qualifying sale Mr. Drexler is an owner of at least 20% of the shares of the Company, Mr. Drexler will be entitled to a transaction bonus equal to 10% of the aggregate purchase price, if such price is in excess of $50 million. Mr. Drexler is entitled to this transaction bonus regardless of whether the qualifying transaction occurs during his employment or at any time thereafter.
 
If Mr. Drexler’s employment is terminated for any reason, each equity award granted to him will fully vest and he will be entitled to any unpaid performance bonus or cash-based incentives (as described above), to the extent earned as of the date of such termination, in addition to any amounts required by law or Company policy. In addition, if Mr. Drexler’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause or by Mr. Drexler for good reason prior to (but not in connection with) a qualifying sale, Mr. Drexler will be entitled to receive (i) 12 months’ of base salary continuation, (ii) up to 12 months’ of Company-subsidized COBRA premiums, and (iii) a lump sum payment of the performance bonus for the year his employment terminates. If Mr. Drexler’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause or by Mr. Drexler for good reason   within 12 months following (or prior to, but in connection with or anticipation of) a qualifying sale , Mr. Drexler will be entitled to receive, in lieu of the amounts described in the preceding sentence, (i) a lump sum payment equal to 200% of his annual base salary, (ii) up to 18 months’ of Company-subsidized COBRA, and (iii) a lump sum payment equal to 200% of the performance bonus for the year his employment terminates. The severance payable to Mr. Drexler on a termination of his employment by the Company without cause or by Mr. Drexler for good reason is subject to his execution (and non-revocation) of a release of claims in favor of the Company.
 
Under the employment agreement, Mr. Drexler has agreed to certain restrictions on solicitation of employees, which continue for 12 months following the termination of his employment, if his employment is terminated due to disability, by him for good reason or by the Company with or without cause, due to expiration of the employment period by notice of non-renewal or due to termination of his employment upon a notice of termination. The employment agreement also contains restrictions with respect to disclosure of the Company’s confidential information.
 
 
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Mr. Casutto. Mr. Casutto is party to an employment agreement with the Company, which was entered into as of July 15, 2015 and was amended and restated as of January 1, 1018. The original term of the employment agreement ended on December 31, 2017 and has been extended to December 31, 2018. Under his employment agreement, Mr. Casutto is entitled to a base salary of $400,000 per year, which may be increased at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. In addition, Mr. Casutto is eligible to receive cash bonuses based on performance criteria to be adopted by the Compensation Committee, with a potential bonus pool of up to $350,000 per year, which may be adjusted at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Under his employment agreement he is entitled to a monthly vehicle allowance of $1,000 and a miscellaneous expense allowance of up to $5,000 per year .
 
If Mr. Casutto’s employment is terminated without cause or he resigns for good reason, he will be entitled to receive (i) base salary continuation for the lesser of 12 months and the remainder of the term of the employment agreement, (ii) a bonus equal to the greater of 25% of his target bonus for the year (or 50%, if the termination of employment occurs between July 1 and December 31 of the year) and the bonus for the year of termination of employment, as determined by the Compensation Committee at its discretion, and (iii) reimbursement of COBRA premiums for up to 12 months. In addition, unless otherwise provided in an equity award agreement, all equity awards held by Mr. Casutto will vest in full. If Mr. Casutto’s employment is terminated without cause or he resigns for good reason within six months prior to (under certain circumstances) or two years following a change in control (or the end of the term of the employment agreement, if earlier), then Mr. Casutto will be entitled to receive, in lieu of the amounts described above, (i) base salary continuation for 12 months,(ii) a bonus equal to the greater of 100% of his target bonus and the bonus for the year of termination of employment as determined by the Compensation Committee, (iii) a lump sum cash payment of $500,000, (iv) reimbursement of COBRA premiums for up to 12 months and (v) all equity and other incentive awards held by Mr. Casutto will fully vest. If Mr. Casutto’s employment is terminated due to his death or disability, he will be entitled to receive (i) the greater of 100% of his target bonus for the year of termination or the bonus for such year as determined by the Compensation Committee, (ii) reimbursement of COBRA premiums for up to 12 months and (iii) if such termination is due to his disability, base salary continuation for 6 months. All severance payable to Mr. Casutto under his employment agreement is subject to his execution (and non-revocation) of a release of claims in favor of the Company.
 
Under the employment agreement, Mr. Casutto has agreed to certain restrictions on competition and solicitation, which continue for 12 months following the termination of his employment. The employment agreement also contains restrictions with respect to disclosure of the Company’s confidential information.
 
Mr. Baker. Mr. Baker was party to an employment agreement with the Company, which was entered into as of January 1, 2016. Under his employment agreement, Mr. Baker was entitled to a base salary of $350,000 for 2017, subject to increase at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. In addition, Mr. Baker was eligible to receive cash bonuses based on performance criteria to be adopted by the Compensation Committee, with a potential bonus pool of up to $400,000 per year, payable quarterly.
 
Under the employment agreement, Mr. Baker agreed to certain restrictions on competition and solicitation, which continue for 12 months following the termination of his employment. The employment agreement also contained restrictions with respect to disclosure of the Company’s confidential information.
 
Mr. Baker’s employment terminated on March 23, 2017. In connection with his termination of employment, subject to his execution (and non-revocation) of a release of claims in favor of the Company, Mr. Baker became entitled to receive (i) severance in the amount of $350,000, payable over a 12-month period, a lump sum payment of $39,378, representing Mr. Baker’s accrued and unused vacation time, and a first quarter bonus of $80,311, and 10,000 shares of unvested restricted stock held by Mr. Baker became fully vested. In addition, the restrictions on competition contained in his employment agreement were reduced to 6 months following his termination of employment.
 
 
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Outstanding Equity Awards at Year End
 
The following table provides information concerning restricted stock and options to purchase shares of our common stock held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2017.
 
 
Outstanding Equity Awards at Year End
 
 
 
 
 
Option Awards
 
 
Stock Awards
 
Name
 
Grant Date
 
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable
 
 
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable
 
 
Option Exercise Price($)
 
 
Option Expiration Date
 
 
Number of Shares of Stock that Have NotVested (1) (#)
 
 
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested (2)
 
Ryan Drexler (3)
 
1/1/2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    350,000  
  $ 227,500  
 
2/22/2016
    120,191  
    17,171  
  $ 1.89  
 
 2/22/2026
 
       
       
 
 
       
       
       
 
 
 
       
       
Brian Casutto
 
10/1/2014
     
     
     
     
    30,000  
    19,500  
 
2/23/2016
     
     
     
     
    20,000  
    13,000  
 
(1)
The table below shows the vesting dates for the unvested shares of restricted stock listed in the above Outstanding Equity Awards at Year-End for 2017 Table, generally subject to the named executive officer’s continued employment through such date. The restricted stock granted to Mr. Drexler would vest in full upon a termination of his employment or a change in control. The restricted stock granted to Mr. Casutto would vest in connection with a termination of Mr. Casutto’s employment under certain circumstances, as described under “Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table” above.
 
Vesting Date
 
Drexler
 
 
 Casutto
 
1/1/2018
    350,000  
     
5/23/2018
     
    10,000  
12/31/2018
     
    30,000  
5/23/2019
     
    10,000  
 
The market value of the restricted stock represents the product of the closing price of a share of our common stock as of December 29, 2017 (the last trading day of the year), which was $0.65, and the number of shares of restricted stock held by the named executive officer on December 31, 2017.
 
The stock options granted to Mr. Drexler vest in equal quarterly installments over the two-year period commencing on the date of grant, subject to Mr. Drexler’s continued employment. The stock options granted to Mr. Drexler vested in full on February 22, 2018.
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
Non-Employee Director Compensation Arrangements
 
The Board of Directors had adopted a non-employee director compensation policy that provides annual retainer fees to each of our non-employee directors. The annual retainer fee was at a rate of $55,000 for the first and second quarter of 2017. The Lead Director receives an additional $25,000 annual retainer. Additionally, Committee members receive annual retainers as follows:
 
 
 
Q1 & Q2
 
Committee
 
Chairman
 
 
Member
 
Audit Committee
  $ 20,000  
  $ 8,500  
Compensation Committee
    15,000  
    6,500  
Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee
    7,500  
    5,000  
Strategic Initiative Committee
    7,500  
    5,000  
 
 
45
 
 
In July 2017, the Board approved a new compensation program for independent directors. As of July 1, 2017, Mr. Bush and Mr. Desmond will earn cash compensation of $140,000 and $100,000, annually, respectively, and be granted an annual grant of restricted shares having a grant date fair value of $100,000 and $150,000, respectively. 
 
All cash retainers are prorated for partial years of service. We pay annual cash retainer fees to the Board of Directors quarterly. We also reimburse our non-employee directors for their travel and out of pocket expenses. Members of the Board of Directors who also are our employees do not receive any compensation for their service as directors. Our directors do not receive Board meeting fees. For 2017, each of our non-employee directors received awards of restricted common stock having an annual grant date value as described above, which are granted in quarterly installments. The number of shares for each quarterly award is determined by dividing the dollar value above by the average closing price of MusclePharm’s common stock for the first fifteen business days of the first month of each quarter.
 
2017 Director Compensation.  The table below sets forth the compensation paid to each non-employee member of the Board of Directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. Messrs. Drexler and Casutto receive no additional compensation for their service as a director, and, consequently, are not included in this table. The compensation received by Messrs. Drexler and Casutto in respect of their employment is set forth in the “Summary Compensation Table” above.
 
Name
 
Total Fees Earned or Paid in Cash
 
 
Stock Awards (1)
 
 
Total
 
John J. Desmond
  $ 50,000  
  $ 150,000  
  $ 200,000  
William J. Bush
    159,000  
    121,900  
  280,900
Michael Doran
    133,625  
    87,500  
    221,125  
 
 
(1)
The grant date fair value of stock awards was calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, disregarding the effects of estimated forfeitures, based upon the closing price of a share of our common stock on the date of grant. As of December 31, 2017, the aggregate number of shares of restricted stock held by our non-employee directors was as follows:
 
Name
 
Number of Stock Awards Outstanding as of December 31, 2017
 
John J. Desmond
    80,214  
William J. Bush
    154,086  
Michael Doron
    126,231  
 
 
46
 
 
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock by (i) each current director, (ii) each named executive officer, and (iii) each person who we know beneficially owns more than 5% of our common stock as of March 20, 2018.
 
We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Except as indicated by the footnotes below, we believe, based on the information furnished to us, that the persons and entities named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock that they beneficially own, subject to applicable community property laws.
 
 
 
Shares Beneficially Owned
 
 
 
Common Stock (1)
 
Name of Beneficial Owner
 
 Shares
 
 
  % (2)
 
Named Executive Officers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ryan Drexler (3)
    18,434,910  
    58.9 %
Brian Casutto
    125,000  
    *  
Non-Employee Directors:
       
       
William Bush
    154,086  
    1.0 %
John J. Desmond
    80,214  
    *  
Officers and Directors as a Group (four persons):
    18,794,210  
    60.0 %
 
*
Represents less than one percent.
 
(1)
This column lists beneficial ownership of voting securities as calculated under SEC rules. Otherwise, except to the extent noted below, each director, named executive officer or entity has sole voting and investment power over the shares reported. Standard brokerage accounts may include nonnegotiable provisions regarding set-offs or similar rights.
 
(2)
Percent of total voting power represents voting power with respect to 14,650,554 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 20, 2018, plus 16,216,216 shares of common stock as if the conversion option of the outstanding convertible debt was exercised and options to purchase common shares 137,262 shares (31,302,621 common shares) were also exercised.
 
(3)
Ryan Drexler, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors is the sole member of Consac, LLC, and as such has voting and investment power over the securities owned by the stockholder. These shares are also included in the beneficial owners of more than five percent table below.
 
Beneficial Owners of More than Five Percent
 
The following table shows the number of shares of our common stock, as of March 20, 2018, held by persons known to us to beneficially own more than five percent of our outstanding common stock.
 
 
 
Shares Beneficially Owned
 
 
 
Common Stock (1)
 
Name of Beneficial Owner
 
 Shares
 
 
 % (2)
 
Wynnefield Capital (3)
    1,336,305  
    9.1 %
Consac, LLC (4)
    18,434,910  
    58.9 %
Amerop Holdings, Inc. (5)
    2,211,781  
    15.3 %
 
 
47
 
 
(1)
This column lists beneficial ownership of voting securities as calculated under SEC rules. Otherwise, except to the extent noted below, each director, named executive officer or entity has sole voting and investment power over the shares reported. Standard brokerage accounts may include nonnegotiable provisions regarding set-offs or similar rights.
 
(2)
Percent of total voting power represents voting power with respect to 14,650,554 shares of common stock outstanding as of March 20, 2018. To compute the percentage of outstanding shares of common stock held by each person and unless otherwise noted, any share of common stock which such person has the right to acquire pursuant to the exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 31, 2018 or upon conversion of convertible debt is deemed to be outstanding, but is not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
 
(3)
Joshua Landes and Nelson Obus may be deemed to hold an indirect beneficial interest in these shares, which are directly beneficially owned by Wynnefield Partners Small Cap Value, L.P., Wynnefield Partners Small Cap Value, L.P. I, Wynnefield Small Cap Value Offshore Fund and Wynnefield Capital, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan because they are co-managing members of Wynnefield Capital Management, LLC and principal executive officers of Wynnefield Capital, Inc. The principal place of business for Wynnefield Capital is 450 Seventh Avenue, Suite 509, New York, New York 10123. This information is based on a Schedule 13D/A filed on January 3, 2018 with the SEC.
 
(4)
Ryan Drexler, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors is the sole member of Consac, LLC, and as such has voting and investment power over the securities owned by the stockholder. These shares are also included in the Named Executive Officers portion of the Management Beneficial Ownership table above. Mr. Drexler disclaims such beneficial ownership except to the extent of his pecuniary interests therein.
 
(5)
Amerop Holdings, Inc. reported sole voting power with respect to 2,211,781 shares. The address of Amerop Holdings, Inc. is 1800 Broadway, Suite 100, Boulder, CO 80302. This information is based on a Schedule 13D filed on October 17, 2017 with the SEC.
 
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
 
In 2015, we adopted the MusclePharm Corporation 2015 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2015 Plan”). The 2015 Plan was approved by our stockholders and replaced our 2010 Equity Incentive Plan. The following table sets forth the number and weighted-average exercise price of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights, and the number of securities remaining available for future issuance under all of our equity compensation plans, at December 31, 2017:
 
PLAN CATEGORY
 
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a)
 
 
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b)
 
 
Number of securities 
remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a) (c)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015 Incentive Compensation Plan
    331,584  
  $ 2.10  
    1,374,519  
 
       
       
       
Total
    331,584  
  $ 2.10  
    1,374,519  
 
 
48
 
 
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
Related-Party Notes Payable
 
On November 3, 2017, we entered into a refinancing transaction (the “Refinancing”) with Mr. Ryan Drexler, the Company’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President. The refinancing was overseen and approved by a Special Committee of the Board of Directors, comprised of John J. Desmond and William Bush, each of whom is an independent member of our Board of Directors. As part of the Refinancing, we issued to Mr. Drexler an amended and restated convertible secured promissory note (the “Refinanced Convertible Note”) in the original principal amount of $18,000,000, which amends and restates (i) a convertible secured promissory note dated as of December 7, 2015, and amended as of January 14, 2017, in the original principal amount of $6,000,000 with an interest rate of 8% prior to the amendment and 10% following the amendment (the “2015 Convertible Note”), (ii) a convertible secured promissory note dated as of November 8, 2016, in the original principal amount of $11,000,000 with an interest rate of 10% (the “2016 Convertible Note”) , and (iii) a secured demand promissory note dated as of July 27, 2017, in the original principal amount of $1,000,000 with an interest rate of 15% (the “2017 Note”, and together with the 2015 Convertible Note and the 2016 Convertible Note, collectively, the “Prior Notes”). The due date of the 2015 Convertible Note and the 2016 Convertible Note was November 8, 2017. The 2017 Note was due on demand.
 
2017 Refinanced Convertible Note
 
The $18 million Refinanced Convertible Note bears interest at the rate of 12% per annum. Interest payments are due on the last day of each quarter. At our option (as determined by its independent directors), we may repay up to one sixth of any interest payment by either adding such amount to the principal amount of the note or by converting such interest amount into an equivalent amount our common stock. Any interest not paid when due shall be capitalized and added to the principal amount of the Refinanced Convertible Note and bear interest on the applicable interest payment date along with all other unpaid principal, capitalized interest, and other capitalized obligations.
 
Both the principal and the interest under the Refinanced Convertible Note are due on December 31, 2019, unless converted earlier.
 
Mr. Drexler may convert the outstanding principal and accrued interest into shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $1.11 per share at any time. We may prepay the Refinanced Convertible Note by giving Mr. Drexler between 15 and 60 days’ notice depending upon the specific circumstances, subject to Mr. Drexler’s conversion right.
 
The Refinanced Convertible Note contains customary events of default, including, among others, the failure by us to make a payment of principal or interest when due. Following an event of default, interest will accrue at the rate of 14% per annum. In addition, following an event of default, any conversion, redemption, payment or prepayment of the Refinanced Convertible Note will be at a premium of 105%. The Refinanced Convertible Note also contains customary restrictions on the ability of us to, among other things, grant liens or incur indebtedness other than certain obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business. The restrictions are also subject to certain additional qualifications and carveouts, as set forth in the Refinanced Convertible Note. The Refinanced Convertible Note is subordinated to certain other indebtedness of us, as described below.
 
As part of the Refinancing, we and Mr. Drexler entered into a restructuring agreement (the “Restructuring Agreement”) pursuant to which the parties agreed to enter into the Refinanced Convertible Note and to amend and restate the security agreement pursuant to which the Prior Notes were secured by all of the assets and properties of us and our subsidiaries whether tangible or intangible, by entering into the Third Amended and Restated Security Agreement (the “Amended Security Agreement”). Pursuant to the Restructuring Agreement, we agreed to pay, on the effective date of the Refinancing, all outstanding interest on the Prior Notes through November 8, 2017 and certain fees and expenses incurred by Mr. Drexler in connection with the Restructuring.
 
In connection with the refinancing, the Company recorded a debt discount of $1.2 million. The debt discount is equal to the change in the fair value of the conversion option between the Refinanced Convertible Note and the Prior Notes. The fair value of the conversion option was determined a Monte Carlo simulation and the model of stock price behavior known as GBM which simulates a future period as a random step from a previous period. The Company engaged a third-party valuation firm to perform this complex valuation.
 
In addition, the Refinanced Convertible Note contains two embedded derivatives for default interest and an event of default put. Due to the unlikely event of default, the embedded derivatives have a de minimis value as of December 31, 2017.
 
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, interest expense related to the related party notes was $2.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, $2.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively, in interest was paid to Mr. Drexler. For the year ended December 31, 2016, in connection with issuing the Prior Notes, the Company recorded a beneficial conversion feature of $601,000 as a debt discount which was amortized over the original term of the debt using the effective interest method.
 
 
49
 
 
Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Parties
 
We adopted a written related person transactions policy that our executive officers, directors, nominees for election as a director, beneficial owners of more than 5% of our common stock, and any members of the immediate family of and any entity affiliated with any of the foregoing persons, are not permitted to enter into a material related person transaction with us without the review and approval of our Audit Committee, or a committee composed solely of independent directors in the event it is inappropriate for our Audit Committee to review such transaction due to a conflict of interest. The policy provides that any request for us to enter into a transaction with an executive officer, director, nominee for election as a director, beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock or with any of their immediate family members or affiliates, in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 will be presented to our Audit Committee for review, consideration and approval. In approving or rejecting any such proposal, we expect that our Audit Committee will consider the relevant facts and circumstances available and deemed relevant to the Audit Committee, including, but not limited to, whether the transaction is on terms no less favorable than terms generally available to an unaffiliated third party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the related persons interest in the transaction.
 
Although we have not always had a written policy for the review and approval of transactions with related persons, our Board of Directors has historically reviewed and approved any transaction where a director or officer had a financial interest, including all of the transactions described above. Prior to approving such a transaction, the material facts as to a director’s or officer’s relationship or interest as to the agreement or transaction were disclosed to our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors would take this information into account when evaluating the transaction and in determining whether such transaction was fair to us and in the best interest of all of our stockholders.
 
BOARD COMMITTEES
 
Our Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee and, each of which have the composition and responsibilities described below. Members serve on these committees until their resignations or until otherwise determined by our Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has further determined that Messrs. Desmond and Bush, chair and member, respectively, of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, are each an “Audit Committee Financial Expert,” as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC, by virtue of their relevant experience listed in their respective biographical summaries provided above in the section entitled “Executive Officers and Directors.” Each of our committees have a written charter. Current copies of the charters of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee are available on our website at ir.musclepharmcorp.com/governance-documents. As necessary, the Board of Directors may establish special committees to address issues not directly under the governance of the established committees.
 
Audit Committee . The Audit Committee reviews the work of our internal accounting and audit processes and the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The Audit Committee has sole authority for the appointment, compensation and oversight of our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and to approve any significant non-audit relationship with the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The Audit Committee is also responsible for preparing the report required by the rules of the SEC to be included in our annual proxy statement. The Audit Committee is currently comprised of Mr. Desmond, as chair, and Mr. Bush, as a member. Mr. Desmond assumed the role of chair of the Audit Committee in July 2017 from Mr. Bush who served as chair since May 2015. During 2017, the Audit Committee held four meetings.
 
Compensation Committee . The Compensation Committee approves our goals and objectives relevant to compensation, stays informed as to market levels of compensation and, based on evaluations submitted by management, recommends to our Board of Directors compensation levels and systems for the Board of Directors and our officers that correspond to our goals and objectives. The Compensation Committee, with the assistance of Longnecker, also produces an annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in our proxy statement. The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of Mr. Bush, as chair, and Mr. Desmond, as a member. Mr. Desmond joined the Compensation Committee in July 2017 and Mr. Bush joined as a member in May 2015. During 2017, the Compensation Committee held four meetings.
 
 
50
 
 
Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee . The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for recommending to our Board of Directors individuals to be nominated as directors and committee members. This includes evaluation of new candidates as well as evaluation of current directors. In evaluating the current directors, the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee conducted a thorough self-evaluation process, which included the use of questionnaires and a third-party expert that interviewed each of the directors and provided an analysis of the results of the interviews to the committee. This committee is also responsible for developing and recommending to the Board of Directors our corporate governance guidelines, as well as reviewing and recommending revisions to the guidelines on a regular basis. The Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee is currently comprised of Mr. Bush, as chair, and Mr. Desmond, as a member. During 2016, the Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee held no meetings. A meeting was held in June 2017 for Messrs. Casutto and Desmond’s nominations to our Board of Directors.
 
DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
 
The rules of NASDAQ generally require that a majority of the members of a listed company’s Board of Directors be independent. In addition, the listing rules generally require that, subject to specified exceptions, each member of a listed company’s audit, compensation, and governance committees be independent. Although we are an over-the-counter listed company we have nevertheless opted under our Corporate Governance Guidelines to comply with certain NASDAQ corporate governance rules requiring director independence. The Board of Directors has determined that all of the Company’s directors, other than Mr. Drexler and Mr. Casutto, are each independent directors as such term is defined in NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2). Additionally, we have Compensation, Nominating and Corporate Governance, and Audit committees comprised solely of independent directors.
 
Audit Committee members must also satisfy the independence criteria set forth in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. In order to be considered independent for purposes of Rule 10A-3, a member of an audit committee of a listed company may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the audit committee, the Board of Directors, or any other board committee: accept, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the listed company or any of its subsidiaries; or be an affiliated person of the listed company or any of its subsidiaries.
 
Our Board of Directors has determined that none of our non-employee directors has a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and that each of these directors is independent as that term is defined under the rules of NASDAQ. Our Board of Directors has also determined that past and present directors, who comprise our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, satisfied and satisfy the independence standards for those committees established by applicable SEC rules, NASDAQ rules and applicable rules of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  
 
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (1)
 
The following table shows fees and expenses that we paid (or accrued) for professional services rendered by EKS&H LLLP for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
Audit fees (1)
  $ 245,000  
  $ 239,000  
Audit-related fees (2)
    62,000  
    60,000  
All other fees (3)
    17,000  
    25,000  
Total
  $ 324,000  
  $ 324,000  
 
 
51
 
 
(1)
Represents the aggregate fees billed for the audit of the Company’s financial statements.
 
(2)
Represents the aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services, including the fees for the Quarterly reviews, that are reasonably related to the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements and are not reported under audit fees.
 
(3)
Represents the aggregate fees billed for all products and services provided that are not included under audit fees, audit-related fees or tax fees. These services included a review of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 and related consent procedures, review of the agreement to sell our wholly-owned subsidiary, BioZone Laboratories, Inc. and various Current Reports on Form 8-K.
 
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies
 
Before an Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is engaged by us or our subsidiaries to render audit or non-audit services, the Audit Committee shall pre-approve the engagement. Audit Committee pre-approval of audit and non-audit services will not be required if the engagement for the services is entered into pursuant to pre-approval policies and procedures established by the Audit Committee regarding our engagement of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, provided the policies and procedures are detailed as to the particular service, the Audit Committee is informed of each service provided and such policies and procedures do not include delegation of the Audit Committees responsibilities under the Exchange Act to our management. The Audit Committee may delegate to one or more designated members of the Audit Committee the authority to grant pre-approvals, provided such approvals are presented to the Audit Committee at a subsequent meeting. If the Audit Committee elects to establish pre-approval policies and procedures regarding non-audit services, the Audit Committee must be informed of each non-audit service provided by the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. Audit Committee pre-approval of non-audit services (other than review and attest services) also will not be required if such services fall within available exceptions established by the SEC. All non-audit services provided by EKS&H LLLP during fiscal years 2017 and 2016 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with the pre-approval policy described above.
 
PART IV
 
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
A. Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules.
 
1. Financial Statements.
 
The list of the Consolidated Financial Statements and report of the independent registered public accounting firm set forth on the Index to Financial Statements on Page 54 of this Form 10-K and are required by this Item are included in Part II, Item 8.
 
2. Financial Statement Schedules.
 
No financial statement schedules are applicable to this filing.
 
B. Exhibits.
 
The list of Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K is provided in the Exhibit Index on pages 55 to 57 of this Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
 
Not applicable.
 
 
52
 
 
Signatures
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
MUSCLEPHARM CORPORATION (the “Registrant”)
 
 
 
 
Dated: April 2, 2018
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ Ryan Drexler
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer and President
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
Signature
 
 
Title
 
 
Date
 
/s/ Ryan Drexler
 
Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors
 
 
April 2, 2018
Ryan Drexler
 
(Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Brian Casutto
 
Executive Vice President of Sales and Operations
 
April 2, 2018
Brian Casutto
 
Director
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ John J. Desmond
 
Director
 
April 2, 2018
John J. Desmond
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ William Bush
 
Director
 
April 2, 2018
William Bush
 
 
 
 

 
 
53
 
 
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Financial Statements:
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
F-1
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016
F-2
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
F-3
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
F-4
 
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Deficit for the Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
F-5
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
F-7
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-9
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
54
 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
MusclePharm Corporation
Burbank, California
 
 
OPINION ON THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of MusclePharm Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders' deficit, and cash flows, for each year in the two-year period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each year in the two-year period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
BASIS FOR OPINION
 
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
 
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
 
EKS&H LLLP
 
April 2, 2018
Denver, Colorado
 
 
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2012.
 
 
F-1
 
 
MusclePharm Corporation
Consolidated B alance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
 
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash
  $ 6,228  
  $ 4,943  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,363 and $462, respectively
    16,668  
    13,353  
Inventory
    6,484  
    8,568  
Prepaid giveaways
    89  
    205  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    993  
    1,725  
Total current assets
    30,462  
    28,794  
Property and equipment, net
    1,822  
    3,243  
Intangible assets, net
    1,317  
    1,638  
Other assets
    225  
    421  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 33,826  
  $ 34,096  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
       
       
Current liabilities:
       
       
Accounts payable
  $ 11,742  
  $ 9,625  
Accrued liabilities
    7,761  
    9,051  
Accrued restructuring charges, current
    595  
    614  
Obligation under secured borrowing arrangement
    5,385  
    2,681  
Convertible notes with a related party, net of discount
     
    16,465  
Line of credit
    3,000  
     
Total current liabilities
    28,483  
    38,436  
Convertible note with a related party, net of discount
    16,669  
     
Accrued restructuring charges, long-term
    120  
    208  
Other long-term liabilities
    1,088  
    332  
TOTAL LIABILITIES
    46,360  
    38,976  
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
       
       
Stockholders' deficit:
       
       
Common stock, par value of $0.001 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 15,526,175 and 14,987,230 shares issued as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively; 14,650,554 and 14,111,609 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively
    14  
    14  
Additional paid-in capital
    159,608  
    156,301  
Treasury stock, at cost; 875,621 shares
    (10,039 )
    (10,039 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (150 )
    (162 )
Accumulated deficit
    (161,967 )
    (150,994 )
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
    (12,534 )
    (4,880 )
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
  $ 33,826  
  $ 34,096  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
F-2
 
 
MusclePharm Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
 
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
Revenue, net
  $ 102,155  
  $ 132,499  
Cost of revenue (1)
    71,710  
    88,026  
Gross profit
    30,445  
    44,473  
Operating expenses:
       
       
Advertising and promotion
    9,352  
    10,652  
Salaries and benefits
    10,134  
    18,033  
Selling, general and administrative
    12,071  
    15,941  
Research and development
    642  
    1,869  
Professional fees
    3,378  
    5,735  
Restructuring and other charges (reversals)
     
    (3,477 )
Settlement of obligations
    1,877  
     
Impairment of assets
    180  
    4,378  
Total operating expenses
    37,634  
    53,131  
Loss from operations
    (7,189 )
    (8,658 )
Gain on settlement of accounts payable
    430  
    9,927  
Loss on sale of subsidiary
     
    (2,115 )
Other expense, net
    (4,072 )
    (2,313 )
Loss before provision for income taxes
    (10,831 )
    (3,159 )
Provision for income taxes
    142  
    318  
Net loss
  $ (10,973 )
  $ (3,477 )
 
       
       
Net loss per share, basic and diluted
  $ (0.79 )
  $ (0.26 )
 
       
       
Weighted average shares used to compute net loss per share, basic and diluted
    13,877,686  
    13,438,248  
 
(1)  
Cost of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 includes restructuring charges of $2.3 million, related to write-down of inventory for discontinued products.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
F-3
 
 
MusclePharm Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
(In thousands)
 
 
 
For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
Net loss
  $ (10,973 )
  $ (3,477 )
Other comprehensive loss:
       
       
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment
    12  
    10  
Comprehensive loss
  $ (10,961 )
  $ (3,467 )
 
The   accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
F-4
 
 
MusclePharm Corporation
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Deficit
(In thousands, except share data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional
 
 
 
 
 
Other
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
Paid-in
 
 
Treasury
 
 
Comprehensive
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
Stockholders’
 
 
 
Shares
 
 
Amount
 
 
Capital
 
 
Stock
 
 
Loss
 
 
Deficit
 
 
Deficit
 
Balance—December 31, 2015
    13,788,540  
  $ 14  
  $ 147,646  
  $ (10,039 )
  $ (172 )
  $ (147,517 )
  $ (10,068 )
Stock-based compensation for issuance of common stock warrants for third-party services
     
     
    6  
     
     
     
    6  
Stock-based compensation for issuance and amortization of restricted stock awards to employees, executives and directors
    572,154  
     
    1,708  
     
     
     
    1,708  
Stock-based compensation for accelerated vesting of restricted stock awards to a terminated executive
     
     
    3,900  
     
     
     
    3,900  
Stock-based compensation for accelerated vesting of restricted stock awards to terminated employees as part of restructuring
     
     
    288  
     
     
     
    288  
Stock-based compensation for issuance of stock options to an executive and a director
     
     
    153  
     
     
     
    153  
Issuance of shares of common stock related to sale of subsidiary
    200,000  
     
    640  
     
     
     
    640  
Cancellation of executive restricted stock
    (449,085 )
     
    (456 )
     
     
     
    (456 )
Issuance of warrants for legal settlement
     
     
    1,815  
     
     
     
    1,815  
Beneficial conversion feature related to convertible note
     
     
    601  
     
     
     
    601  
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment
     
     
     
     
    10  
     
    10  
Net loss
     
     
     
     
     
    (3,477 )
    (3,477 )
Balance—December 31, 2016
    14,111,609  
  $ 14  
  $ 156,301  
  $ (10,039 )
  $ (162 )
  $ (150,994 )
  $ (4,880 )
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
F-5
 
 
MusclePharm Corporation
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Deficit (Continued)
(In thousands, except share data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional
 
 
 
 
 
Other
 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
 
Paid-in
 
 
Treasury
 
 
Comprehensive
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
Stockholders’
 
 
 
Shares
 
 
Amount
 
 
Capital
 
 
Stock
 
 
Loss
 
 
Deficit
 
 
Deficit
 
Balance—December 31, 2016
    14,111,609  
  $ 14  
  $ 156,301  
  $ (10,039 )
  $ (162 )
  $ (150,994 )
  $ (4,880 )
Stock-based compensation for issuance and amortization of restricted stock awards to employees, executives and directors
    538,945  
     
    1,954  
     
     
     
    1,954  
Stock-based compensation for issuance of stock options to an executive and a director
     
     
    141  
     
     
     
    141  
Beneficial conversion feature related to convertible note
     
     
    1,212  
     
     
     
    1,212  
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment
     
     
     
     
    12  
     
    12  
Net loss
     
     
     
     
     
    (10,973 )
    (10,973 )
Balance—December 31, 2017
    14,650,554  
  $ 14  
  $ 159,608  
  $ (10,039 )
  $ (150 )
  $ (161,967 )
  $ (12,534 )
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
F-6
 
 
MusclePharm Corporation
Consolidated Statem ents of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
 
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
  $ (10,973 )
  $ (3,477 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
       
       
Depreciation of property and equipment
    1,139  
    1,551  
Amortization of intangible assets
    321  
    576  
Bad debt expense
    1,524  
    386  
Gain on settlement of accounts payable
    (430 )
    (9,927 )
Loss on disposal of property and equipment
    31  
    163  
Loss on sale of subsidiary
     
    2,115  
Non-cash impairment of assets
    180  
    4,381  
Non-cash restructuring and other charges (reversals)
     
    (4,132 )
Inventory write down related to restructuring
     
    2,285  
Amortization of prepaid stock compensation
     
    938  
Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs
    545  
    113  
Stock-based compensation
    2,096  
    5,304  
Issuance of common stock warrants to third parties for services
     
    6  
  Write off of prepaid financing costs
    275  
     
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
       
       
Accounts receivable
    (4,619 )
    7,338  
Inventory
    2,124  
    (480 )
Prepaid giveaways
    117  
    103  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    732  
    2,482  
Other assets
    (77 )
    (322 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    1,991  
    (20,802 )
Accrued restructuring charges
    (107 )
    (3,669 )
Net cash used in operating activities
    (5,131 )
    (15,068 )
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
       
       
Purchase of property and equipment
    (37 )
    (508 )
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment
     
    115  
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary
     
    5,942  
Trademark registrations
     
    (154 )
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
  $ (37 )
  $ 5,395  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
F-7
 
 
MusclePharm Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)
(In thousands)
 
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from line of credit
  $ 3,000  
  $  
Payments on line of credit
     
    (3,000 )
Repayments of term loan
     
    (2,949 )
Net proceeds from convertible notes with a related party
    871  
    11,000  
Proceeds from secured borrowing arrangement, net of reserves
    33,692  
    43,925  
Payments on secured borrowing arrangement, net of fees
    (30,988 )
    (41,245 )
Repayments of other debt obligations
     
    (20 )
Repayment of capital lease obligations
    (139 )
    (189 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
    6,436  
    7,522  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    17  
    13  
NET CHANGE IN CASH
    1,285  
    (2,138 )
CASH — BEGINNING OF PERIOD
    4,943  
    7,081  
CASH — END OF PERIOD
  $ 6,228  
  $ 4,943  
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
       
       
Cash paid for interest
  $ 2,445  
  $ 1,557  
Cash paid for taxes
  $ 106  
  $ 218  
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
       
       
Warrants issued for legal settlement
  $  
  $ 1,815  
Shares of common stock issued in conjunction with BioZone disposition
  $  
  $ 640  
Property and equipment acquired in conjunction with capital leases
  $  
  $ 460  
Conversion feature related to refinanced convertible note
  $ 1,212  
     
Beneficial conversion feature related to convertible note
  $  
  $ 601  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
F-8
 
 
MusclePharm Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Note 1. Description of Business
 
Description of Business
 
MusclePharm Corporation, or the Company, was incorporated in Nevada in 2006. Except as otherwise indicated herein, the terms “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to MusclePharm Corporation and its subsidiaries. The Company is a scientifically driven, performance lifestyle company that develops, manufactures, markets and distributes branded nutritional supplements. The Company is headquartered in Burbank, California and as of December 31, 2017 had the following wholly-owned operating subsidiaries: MusclePharm Canada Enterprises Corp. (“MusclePharm Canada”), MusclePharm Ireland Limited (“MusclePharm Ireland”) and MusclePharm Australia Pty Limited (“MusclePharm Australia”). A former subsidiary of the Company, BioZone Laboratories, Inc. (“BioZone”), was sold on May 9, 2016.
 
Management’s Plans with Respect to Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Management believes the restructuring plan, the continued reduction in ongoing operating costs and expense controls, and the aforementioned growth strategy, will enable us to ultimately achieve profitability. We have reduced our operating expenses sufficiently and believe that our ongoing sources of revenue will be sufficient to cover these expenses for the foreseeable future.
 
As of December 31, 2017, we had a stockholders’ deficit of $12.5 million and recurring losses from operations. To manage cash flow, we entered into a secured borrowing arrangement, pursuant to which we have the ability to borrow up to $12.5 million subject to sufficient amounts of accounts receivable to secure the loan. The Agreement’s term has been extended to July 31, 2018. In October 2017, we also entered into a loan and security agreement to borrow against our inventory up to a maximum of $3.0 million for an initial six-month term which automatically extends for six additional months. As of December 31, 2017, we owed $3.0 million on this credit line, of which $1.0 million was repaid subsequent to the end of the year. On November 3, 2017, we entered into a refinancing transaction with Mr. Ryan Drexler, our Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President, to restructure all of the $18.0 million in notes payable to him, which are now due on December 31, 2019. Accordingly, such debt is classified as a long-term liability at December 31, 2017.
 
As of December 31, 2017, the Company had approximately $6.2 million in cash and $2.0 million in working capital.
 
The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017 were prepared on the basis of a going concern, which contemplates, among other things, the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. Accordingly, they do not give effect to adjustments that could be necessary should we be required to liquidate assets.
 
The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and raise capital for specific strategic initiatives could also depend on obtaining adequate capital to fund operating losses until it becomes profitable. The Company can give no assurances that any additional capital that it is able to obtain, if any, will be sufficient to meet its needs, or that any such financing will be obtainable on acceptable terms.
 
Mr. Drexler has verbally both stated his intent and ability to put more capital into the business if necessary. However, Mr. Drexler is under no obligation to the Company to do so, and we can give no assurances that Mr. Drexler will be willing or able to do so at a future date and/or that he will not demand payment of his refinanced convertible note on December 31, 2019.
 
Our capital resources as of December 31, 2017, available borrowing capacity and current operating plans are expected to be sufficient to fund the planned operations for at least twelve months from the date of filing this report.
 
 
F-9
 
 
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
 
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of MusclePharm Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Such estimates include, but are not limited to future cash flows and operating plans, allowance for doubtful accounts, revenue discounts and allowances, the valuation of inventory and deferred tax assets, the assessment of useful lives, recoverability and valuation of long-lived assets, likelihood and range of possible losses on contingencies, restructuring liabilities, valuations of equity securities and intangible assets, fair value of derivatives, warrants and options, among others. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Cash
 
The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase and money market accounts to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had no cash equivalents and all cash amounts consisted of cash on deposit.
 
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
 
Accounts receivable represents trade obligations from customers that are subject to normal trade collection terms and are recorded at the invoiced amount, net of any sales discounts and allowance for doubtful accounts, and do not typically bear interest. The Company assesses the collectability of the accounts by taking into consideration the aging of accounts receivable, changes in customer credit worthiness, general market and economic conditions, and historical experience. Bad debt expenses are recorded as part of “Selling, general and administrative” expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company writes off the receivable balance against the allowance when management determines a balance is uncollectible. The Company also reviews its customer discounts and an accrual is made for discounts earned but not yet utilized at each period end.
 
The Company performs ongoing evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally does not require collateral. Some international customers are required to pay for their orders in advance of shipment.
 
Accounts receivable consisted of the following as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):
 
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
Accounts receivable
  $ 18,973  
  $ 15,574  
Less: allowance for discounts
    (942 )
    (1,759 )
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts
    (1,363 )
    (462 )
Accounts receivable, net
  $ 16,668  
  $ 13,353  
 
 
F-10
 
 
The allowance for discounts consisted of the following activity for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):
 
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
Allowance for discounts, beginning balance
  $ 1,759  
  $ 3,707  
Charges against revenues
    18,016  
    34,627  
Utilization of reserve
    (18,833 )
    (36,575 )
Allowance for discounts, ending balance
  $ 942  
  $ 1,759  
 
Revenue Recognition
 
Revenue is recognized when all of the following criteria are met:
 
 
Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists.  Evidence of an arrangement consists of an order from the Company’s distributors, resellers or customers.
 
Delivery has occurred.  Delivery is deemed to have occurred when title and risk of loss has transferred, typically upon shipment of products to customers.
 
The fee is fixed or determinable.  The Company assesses whether the fee is fixed or determinable based on the terms associated with the transaction.
 
Collection is reasonably assured.  The Company assesses collectability based on credit analysis and payment history.
 
The Company’s standard terms and conditions of sale allow for product returns or replacements in certain cases. Estimates of expected future product returns are recognized at the time of sale based on analyses of historical return trends by customer type. Upon recognition, the Company reduces revenue and cost of revenue for the estimated return. Return rates can fluctuate over time, but are sufficiently predictable with established customers to allow the Company to estimate expected future product returns, and an accrual is recorded for future expected returns when the related revenue is recognized. Product returns incurred from established customers were insignificant for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
 
The Company offers sales incentives through various programs, consisting primarily of advertising related credits, volume incentive rebates, and sales incentive reserves. The Company records advertising related credits with customers as a reduction to revenue as no identifiable benefit is received in exchange for credits claimed by the customer. Volume incentive rebates are provided to certain customers based on contractually agreed upon percentages once certain thresholds have been met. Sales incentive reserves are computed based on historical trending and budgeted discount percentages, which are typically based on historical discount rates with adjustments for any known changes, such as future promotions or one-time historical promotions that will not repeat for each customer. The Company records sales incentive reserves and volume rebate reserves as a reduction to revenue.
 
During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded discounts, and to a lesser degree, sales returns, totaling $18.0 million and $34.6 million, respectively, which accounted for 15% and 21% of gross revenue in each period, respectively.
 
Concentrations
 
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and accounts receivable. The Company minimizes its credit risk associated with cash by periodically evaluating the credit quality of its primary financial institution. The cash balance at times may exceed federally insured limits. Management believes the financial risk associated with these balances is minimal and has not experienced any losses to date.
 
Significant customers are those which represent more than 10% of the Company’s net revenue for each period presented, or the Company’s net accounts receivable balance as of each respective balance sheet date. For each significant customer, revenue as a percentage of total revenue and accounts receivable as a percentage of total net accounts receivable are as follows:
 
 
F-11
 
 
 
 
Percentage of Net
Revenue for the
Years Ended
December 31,
 
 
Percentage of Net
Accounts Receivable
as of December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
Customers
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costco
    26 %
    20 %
    21 %
    17 %
Amazon
    13 %
    *  
    14 %
    *  
Vitamin Shoppe, Inc.
    *  
    *  
    *  
    10 %
Sport One Trading LLC
    *  
    *  
    *  
    10 %
 
* Represents less than 10% of net revenue or net accounts receivable.
 
The Company uses a limited number of non-affiliated suppliers for contract manufacturing its products. The Company has quality control and manufacturing agreements in place with its primary manufacturers to ensure consistency in production and quality. The agreements ensure products are manufactured to the Company’s specifications and the contract manufacturers will bear the costs of recalled product due to defective manufacturing.
 
The Company had the following concentration of purchases with contract manufacturers for years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
 
 
For the Years
Ended December 31,
 
Vendor
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
Nutra Blend
    53 %
    52 %
S.K.Laboratories
    16 %
    *  
Prinova
    15 %
    *  
Bakery Barn
    *  
    25 %
 
* Represents less than 10% of purchases.
 
Inventory
 
MusclePharm products are produced through third party manufacturers, and the cost of product inventory is recorded using standard cost methodology. This standard cost methodology closely approximates actual cost. Prior to the sale of the BioZone subsidiary, its products were manufactured in production facilities in Pittsburg, CA, and the cost of inventory was recorded using a weighted average cost basis. BioZone was sold in May 2016. Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Adjustments to reduce the cost of inventory to its net realizable value are made, if required, and estimates are made for obsolescence, excess or slow-moving inventories, non-conforming inventories and expired inventory. These estimates are based on management’s assessment of current future product demand, production plan and market conditions.
 
Prepaid Giveaways
 
Prepaid giveaways represent non-inventory sample items which are given away to aid in promotion of the brand. Costs related to promotional giveaways are expensed as a component of “Advertising and promotion” expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations when the product is either given away at a promotional event or shipped to the customer.
 
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of various payments the Company has made in advance for goods or services to be received in the future. These prepaid expenses include legal retainers, print advertising, insurance and service contracts requiring up-front payments. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company wrote down $1.4 million related to an impaired manufacturing agreement. See additional information in Note 6. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company did not have any similar write-offs.
 
 
F-12
 
 
Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets or, in the case of leasehold improvements, the remaining lease term, if shorter. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the assets and related accumulated depreciation are removed and the resulting gains or losses are recorded in the statements of operations. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
 
The estimated useful lives of the property and equipment are as follows:
 
Property and Equipment
 
Estimated Useful Life
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
 
3 - 7 years
Leasehold improvements
 
Lesser of estimated useful life or remaining lease term
Manufacturing and lab equipment
 
3 - 5 years
Vehicles
 
3 - 5 years
Displays
 
5 years
Website
 
3 years
 
Intangible Assets
 
Acquired intangible assets are recorded at estimated fair value, net of accumulated amortization, and costs incurred in obtaining certain trademarks are capitalized, and are amortized over their related useful lives, using a straight-line basis consistent with the underlying expected future cash flows related to the specific intangible asset. Costs to renew or extend the life of intangible assets are capitalized and amortized over the remaining useful life of the asset. Amortization expenses are included as a component of “Selling, general and administrative” expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The estimated useful life of the intangible assets is 7 years.
 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances exist that indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. When indicators of impairment exist, an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows is used in measuring whether the carrying amount of the asset or related asset group is recoverable. Measurement of the amount of impairment, if any, is based upon the difference between the asset’s carrying value and estimated fair value. Based upon management’s analysis, the Company recognized $0.2 million of impairments of long-lived assets related to leasehold improvements for the discontinued use of certain portions of the Denver office during the year ended December 31, 2017. Based upon management’s analysis, the Company recognized $1.7 million of impairments of long-lived assets related to the termination of certain manufacturing agreements and product lines during the year ended December 31, 2016. See additional information in Note 6 and Note 9.
 
Beneficial Conversion Feature
 
The issuance of the Company's convertible notes to a related party in 2016 generated a beneficial conversion feature, which arises when a debt or equity security is issued with an embedded conversion option that is beneficial to the investor or in the money at inception because the conversion option has an effective strike price that is less than the market price of the underlying stock at the commitment date. The Company recognized the beneficial conversion features by allocating the intrinsic value of the conversion option, which is the number of shares of common stock available upon conversion multiplied by the difference between the effective conversion price per share and the fair value of common stock per share on the commitment date, to additional paid-in capital, resulting in a discount on the convertible notes. The discounts are accreting from the date of issuance through the redemption dates. Accretion expense is recognized over the period utilizing the effective interest method. See additional information in Note 8.
 
 
F-13
 
 
Fair Value
 
GAAP defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received from selling 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 on the measurement date. The Company measures its financial assets and liabilities at fair value at each reporting period using an estimated fair value hierarchy which requires the Company to the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s classification within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Three levels of inputs may be used to measure fair value:
 
 
Level 1 — Observable inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
 
Level 2 — Observable inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs other than quoted prices which are observable for the assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instruments; and
 
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity and which are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. These inputs are based on our own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value and require significant management judgment or estimation
 
The determination of where assets and liabilities fall within this hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
 
Cost of Revenue
 
Cost of revenue for MusclePharm and its subsidiaries represents costs directly related to the production, manufacturing and freight-in of the Company’s products purchased from third-party manufacturers. The Company ships customer orders from a warehouse which is operated with the Company’s equipment and employees, with inventory that is owned by the Company. The Company also utilizes contract manufacturers to drop ship product directly to customers.
 
Cost of revenue for products produced by BioZone consisted of raw materials, direct labor, freight-in, supplies and equipment rental expenses. The Company sold BioZone in May 2016.
 
Advertising and Promotion
 
Our advertising and promotion expenses consist primarily of digital, print and media advertising, athletic endorsements and sponsorships, promotional giveaways, trade show events and various partnering activities with our retail partners, and are expensed as incurred. For major trade shows, the expenses are recognized within a calendar year over the period in which the Company recognizes revenue associated with sales generated at the trade show. Some of the contracts provide for contingent payments to endorsers or athletes based upon specific achievement in their sports, such as winning a championship. The Company records expense for these payments if and when the endorser achieves the specific achievement.
 
Share-Based Payments and Stock-Based Compensation
 
Share-based compensation awards, including stock options and restricted stock awards, are recorded at estimated fair value on the awards’ grant date, based on estimated number of awards that are expected to vest. The grant date fair value is amortized on a straight-line basis over the time in which the awards are expected to vest, or immediately if no vesting is required. Share-based compensation awards issued to non-employees for services are recorded at either the fair value of the services rendered or the fair value of the share-based payments whichever is more readily determinable. The fair value of restricted stock awards is based on the fair value of the stock underlying the awards on the grant date as there is no exercise price.
 
 
F-14
 
 
The fair value of stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The determination of the fair value of each stock award using this option-pricing model is affected by the Company’s assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards and the expected term of the awards based on an analysis of the actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors and the contractual term of the awards. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense over the requisite service period, which is generally consistent with the vesting of the awards, based on the estimated fair value of all stock-based payments issued to employees and directors that are expected to vest.
 
Foreign Currency
 
The functional currency of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries, MusclePharm Canada, MusclePharm Australia, and MusclePharm Ireland, is the local currency. The assets and liabilities of the foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at each balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates in effect during the year. Equity transactions are translated using historical exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded to a separate component of “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
Foreign currency gains and losses resulting from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in “Other expense, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
Comprehensive Loss
 
Comprehensive loss is composed of two components: net loss and other comprehensive loss. Other comprehensive loss refers to revenue, expenses, gains and losses that under GAAP are recorded as an element of stockholders’ deficit, but are excluded from the Company’s net loss. The Company’s other comprehensive loss is made up of foreign currency translation adjustments for both periods presented.
 
Segments
 
Management has determined that it currently operates in one segment. The Company’s chief operating decision maker reviews financial information on a consolidated basis, together with certain operating and performance measures principally to make decisions about how to allocate resources and to measure the Company’s performance.
 
Income Taxes
 
Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is required to be established unless management determines that it is more likely than not that we will ultimately realize the tax benefit associated with a deferred tax asset. We recognize the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not to be sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely to be realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs.
 
 
F-15
 
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
During August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments , which addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company evaluated the impact of this new pronouncement on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and it did not have a significant impact.
 
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”), which provides guidance for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets and supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition , and most industry-specific guidance. This ASU also supersedes some cost guidance included in Subtopic 605-35, Revenue Recognition- Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts . ASU 2014-09’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which a company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under today’s guidance, including identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14,  Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date  (“ASU 2015-14”), which delays the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. The FASB also agreed to allow entities to choose to adopt the standard as of the original effective date. As such, the updated standard will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2018. The Company may adopt the new standard under the full retrospective approach or the modified retrospective approach. The Company intends to apply the modified retrospective approach upon adoption in the first quarter of 2018. The new standard will not impact the Company’s revenue. The new standard will not have a material impact on the timing or classification of the Company’s cash flows as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Company does not anticipate any adjustments as a result of implementing the new standard.
 
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) , which supersedes Topic 840, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”). The guidance in this new standard requires lessees to put most leases on their balance sheets but recognize expenses on their income statements in a manner similar to the current accounting and eliminates the current real estate-specific provisions for all entities. The guidance also modifies the classification criteria and the accounting for sales-type and direct financing leases for lessors. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-02.
 
In July 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13,  Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments  (“ASU 2016-13”), which among other things, these amendments require the measurement of all expected credit losses of financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. In addition, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. ASU 2016-13 is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of the pronouncement.
 
Note 3. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
Management believes the fair values of the obligations under the secured borrowing arrangement approximate carrying value because the debt carries market rates of interest available to the Company and are short-term in nature. The Company’s remaining financial instruments consisted primarily of cash, prepaids, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and accrued restructuring charges, warrants and conversion option all of which are short-term in nature with fair values approximating carrying value. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company held no assets or liabilities that required re-measurement at fair value on a recurring basis.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2017, management concluded that $0.2 million of long-lived assets were impaired, based on level 3 valuations regarding the partial closure of the Denver headquarters. Based on the partial closure of the office, management determined that the leasehold improvements had no future value. During the year ended December 31, 2016, management concluded that $1.8 million of long-lived assets were impaired, based on level 3 valuations regarding the termination of certain manufacturing agreements with Capstone and the termination of the Endorsement Licensing and Co-Branding Agreement related to our Arnold Schwarzenegger product line. Based on the termination of these agreements, management determined the assets related to these agreements had no future value. See additional information in Note 6 and Note 9.
 
During 2017, in connection with the related party note restructuring, the Company engaged a third party valuation firm to determine the fair value of the conversion option. The third party valuation firm utilized a Monte Carlo simulation. See further discussion in Note 8. The fair value of the new conversion option is a level 3 valuation.
 
 
F-16
 
 
Note 4. Sale of BioZone
 
In May 2016, the Company completed the sale of its wholly-owned subsidiary, BioZone, for gross proceeds of $9.8 million, including cash of $5.9 million, a $2.0 million credit for future inventory deliveries reflected as a prepaid asset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and $1.5 million which is subject to an earn-out based on the financial performance of BioZone for the twelve months following the closing of the transaction. In addition, the Company agreed to pay down $350,000 of BioZone’s accounts payables, which was deducted from the purchase price. As part of the transaction, the Company also agreed to transfer to the buyer 200,000 shares of its common stock with a market value on the date of issuance of $640,000, for consideration of $50,000. The Company recorded a loss of $2.1 million related to the sale of BioZone for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The potential earn-out was not achieved in May 2017, at which time the earnout expired.
 
Purchase Commitment
 
Upon the completion of the sale of BioZone, the Company entered into a manufacturing and supply agreement whereby the Company is required to purchase a minimum of approximately $2.5 million of products per year from BioZone annually for an initial term of three years. If the minimum order quantities of specific products are not met, a $3.0 million minimum purchase of other products must be met in order to waive the shortfall, which is at 25% of the realized shortfall. Due to the timing of achieving the minimum purchase quantities, we are below these targets. As a result, we have reserved an amount to cover the estimated purchase commitment shortfall during the year ended December 31, 2017.
 
The following table summarizes the components of the loss from the sale of BioZone (in thousands):
 
Cash proceeds from sale
  $ 5,942  
Consideration for common stock transferred
    50  
Prepaid inventory
    2,000  
Fair market value of the common stock transferred
    (640 )
Assets sold:
       
Accounts receivable, net
    (923 )
Inventory, net
    (1,761 )
Fixed assets, net
    (2,003 )
Intangible assets, net
    (5,657 )
All other assets
    (41 )
Liabilities transferred
    1,197  
Transaction and other costs
    (279 )
Loss on sale of subsidiary
  $ (2,115 )
 
Note 5. Restructuring
 
As part of an effort to better focus and align the Company’s resources toward profitable growth, on August 24, 2015, the Board authorized the Company to undertake steps to commence a restructuring of the business and operations, which was substantially concluded as of December 31, 2016. The Company closed certain facilities, reduced headcount, discontinued products and renegotiated certain contracts resulting in restructuring and other charges of $18.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 and recoveries of such charges of $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.
 
Included in these charges, for the years ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded restructuring charges in “Cost of revenue” of $2.3 million, related to the write-down of inventory identified to be discontinued in the restructuring plan.
 
 
F-17
 
 
For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded a credit in “Restructuring and other charges” of $3.5 million which primarily included: (i) an expense credit of $4.8 million related to the release of the restructuring accrual of $7.0 million which was expensed during the year ended December 31, 2015, offset by the cash payment of $2.2 million related to the settlement agreement which terminated all future commitments between ETW Corporation (“ETW”) and the Company (see Note 14); (ii) $1.4 million related to write-off of long-lived assets related to the abandonment of certain lease facilities; and (iii) $0.9 million related to severance and other employee compensation costs. The restructuring plan was substantially complete as of December 31, 2016.
 
The following table illustrates the provision of the restructuring charges and the accrued restructuring charges balance as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
Employee Severance Costs
 
 
 
Contract Termination Costs
 
 
Purchase Commitment of Discontinued Inventories Not Yet Received
 
 
 
Abandoned Lease Facilities
 
 
 
Total
 
Balance as of December 31, 2015
  $ 508  
  $ 8,150  
  $ 350  
  $ 411  
  $ 9,419  
Expensed
    601  
    (288 )
     
    1,399  
    1,712  
Benefit from settlement of
       
       
       
       
       
  Endorsement Agreement with
       
       
       
       
       
  ETW
     
    (4,750 )
     
     
    (4,750 )
Cash payments
    (1,109 )
    (2,804 )
    (175 )
    (1,506 )
    (5,594 )
Reclassification from accounts payable to restructuring charges
     
     
     
    35  
    35  
Balance as of December 31, 2016
     
    308  
    175  
    339  
    822  
Expensed
     
     
     
    816  
    816  
Cash payments
     
     
     
    (923 )
    (923 )
Balance as of December 31, 2017
  $  
  $ 308  
  $ 175  
  $ 232  
  $ 715  
 
The total future payments under the restructuring plan as of December 31, 2017 are as follows (in thousands):
 
 
 
For the Years Ending December 31,
 
Outstanding Payments
 
2018
 
 
2019
 
 
2020
 
 
Total
 
Contract termination costs
  $ 308  
  $  
  $  
  $ 308  
Purchase commitment of discontinued inventories not yet received
    175  
     
     
    175  
Abandoned leased facilities
    112  
    91  
    29  
    232  
Total future payments
  $ 595  
  $ 91  
  $ 29  
  $ 715  
 
Note 6. Balance Sheet Components
 
Inventory
 
Inventory consisted solely of finished goods as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.
 
The Company records charges for obsolete and slow-moving inventory based on the age of the product as determined by the expiration date. Products within one year of their expiration dates are considered for write-off purposes. Historically, the Company has had minimal returns with established customers. Other than write-off of inventory during restructuring activities, the Company incurred insignificant inventory write-offs during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. Inventory write-downs, once established, are not reversed as they establish a new cost basis for the inventory.
 
 
F-18
 
 
As disclosed further in Note 5, the Company executed a restructuring plan in August 2015 and wrote off inventory related to discontinued products. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, discontinued inventory of $1.7 million and $2.3 million, respectively, was written off and included as a component of “Cost of revenue” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
In May 2016, the Company completed the sale of BioZone, which resulted in a reduction of inventory of $1.8 million. See additional information in Note 4. Additionally, $0.4 million of inventory related to the Arnold Schwarzenegger product line was considered impaired as the inventory had no future value as a result of the contract termination, and included as a component of the “Impairment of assets” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2016. See additional information in Note 9.
 
Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment consisted of the following as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):
 
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
  $ 3,597  
  $ 3,521  
Leasehold improvements
    2,044  
    2,504  
Manufacturing and lab equipment
    3  
    3  
Vehicles
    86  
    334  
Displays
    485  
    483  
Website
    462  
    462  
Construction in process
     
    55  
Property and equipment, gross
    6,677  
    7,362  
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (4,855 )
    (4,119 )
Property and equipment, net
  $ 1,822  
  $ 3,243  
 
Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment was $1.1 million and $1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which is included in “Selling, general, and administrative” expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
In May 2016, the Company completed the sale of BioZone, which resulted in a reduction of various components of property and equipment of $2.0 million. See additional information in Note 4. As disclosed further in Note 5, the Company executed a restructuring plan in August 2015 and wrote off certain long-lived assets, primarily leasehold improvements, related to the abandonment of certain leased facilities. The write-off of long-lived assets was $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, and was included as a component of “Restructuring and other charges” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
Intangible Assets
 
Intangible assets included the assets acquired pursuant to the BioZone asset acquisition and MusclePharm’s apparel rights reacquired from Worldwide Apparel as of December 31, 2015. BioZone was sold during the year ended December 31, 2016. Intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 
F-19
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2017
 
 
 
Gross Value
 
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
 
Net Carrying Value
 
 
Remaining Weighted-Average Useful Lives (years)
 
Amortized Intangible Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brand (apparel rights)
  $ 2,244  
  $ (927 )
  $ 1,317  
    4.1  
Total intangible assets
  $ 2,244  
  $ (927 )
  $ 1,317  
       
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
 
 
Gross Value
 
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
 
Net  Carrying Value
 
 
Remaining Weighted-Average Useful Lives (years)
 
Amortized Intangible Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brand (apparel rights)
  $ 2,244  
  $ (606 )
  $ 1,638  
    5.1  
Total intangible assets
  $ 2,244  
  $ (606 )
  $ 1,638  
       
 
Intangible assets amortization expense was $0.3 million and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which is included in the “Selling, general, and administrative” expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. Additionally, $1.2 million of capitalized brand and trademark expenses with a net carrying value of $0.8 million related to the Arnold Schwarzenegger product line were considered impaired, and included as a component of the “Impairment of assets” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2016. See additional information in Note 9.
 
As of December 31, 2017, the estimated future amortization expense of intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):
 
For the Year Ending December 31,
 
 
 
2018
  $ 321  
2019
    321  
2020
    321  
2021
    321  
2022
    33  
Total amortization expense
  $ 1,317  
 
Note 7. Other Expense, net
 
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, “Other expense, net” consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 
 
For the Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
Other expense, net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, related party
  $ (2,423 )
  $ (682 )
Interest expense, other
    (46 )
    (258 )
Interest expense, secured borrowing arrangement
    (792 )
    (702 )
Foreign currency transaction gain
    26  
    23  
Other
    (837 )
    (694 )
Total other expense, net
  $ (4,072 )
  $ (2,313 )
 
 
F-20
 
 
Note 8. Debt
 
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company’s debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
2017 Refinanced Convertible Note due December 31, 2019 with a related party
  $ 18,000  
  $  
2016 Convertible Note due November 8, 2017 with a related party, net of discount
     
    10,465  
2015 Convertible Note due November 8, 2017 with a related party
     
    6,000  
Obligations under secured borrowing arrangement
    5,385  
    2,681  
Secured line of credit
    3,000  
     
Unamortized loan costs
    (1,331 )
       
Total debt
    25,054  
    19,146  
Less: current portion
    (8,385 )
    (19,146 )
Long term debt
  $ 16,669  
  $  
 
Related-Party Notes Payable
 
On November 3, 2017, MusclePharm Corporation (the “Company”) entered into a refinancing transaction (the “Refinancing”) with Mr. Ryan Drexler, the Company’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President. As part of the Refinancing, the Company issued to Mr. Drexler an amended and restated convertible secured promissory note (the “Refinanced Convertible Note”) in the original principal amount of $18,000,000, which amends and restates (i) a convertible secured promissory note dated as of December 7, 2015, and amended as of January 14, 2017, in the original principal amount of $6,000,000 with an interest rate of 8% prior to the amendment and 10% following an amendment (the “2015 Convertible Note”), (ii) a convertible secured promissory note dated as of November 8, 2016, in the original principal amount of $11,000,000 with an interest rate of 10% (the “2016 Convertible Note”) , and (iii) a secured demand promissory note dated as of July 27, 2017, in the original principal amount of $1,000,000 with an interest rate of 15% (the “2017 Note”, and together with the 2015 Convertible Note and the 2016 Convertible Note, collectively, the “Prior Notes”). The due date of the 2015 Convertible Note and the 2016 Convertible Note was November 8, 2017. The 2017 Note was due on demand.
 
2017 Refinanced Convertible Note
 
The $18.0 million Refinanced Convertible Note bears interest at the rate of 12% per annum. Interest payments are due on the last day of each quarter. At the Company’s option (as determined by its independent directors), the Company may repay up to one sixth of any interest payment by either adding such amount to the principal amount of the note or by converting such interest amount into an equivalent amount of the Company’s common stock. Any interest not paid when due shall be capitalized and added to the principal amount of the Refinanced Convertible Note and bear interest on the applicable interest payment date along with all other unpaid principal, capitalized interest, and other capitalized obligations.
 
Both the principal and the interest under the Refinanced Convertible Note are due on December 31, 2019, unless converted earlier.
 
Mr. Drexler may convert the outstanding principal and accrued interest into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $1.11 per share at any time. The Company may prepay the Refinanced Convertible Note by giving Mr. Drexler between 15 and 60 days’ notice depending upon the specific circumstances, subject to Mr. Drexler’s conversion right.
 
 
F-21
 
 
The Refinanced Convertible Note contains customary events of default, including, among others, the failure by the Company to make a payment of principal or interest when due. Following an event of default, interest will accrue at the rate of 14% per annum. In addition, following an event of default, any conversion, redemption, payment or prepayment of the Refinanced Convertible Note will be at a premium of 105%. The Refinanced Convertible Note also contains customary restrictions on the ability of the Company to, among other things, grant liens or incur indebtedness other than certain obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business. The restrictions are also subject to certain additional qualifications and carveouts, as set forth in the Refinanced Convertible Note. The Refinanced Convertible Note is subordinated to certain other indebtedness of the Company, as described under Item 8.01 below.
 
As part of the Refinancing, the Company and Mr. Drexler entered into a restructuring agreement (the “Restructuring Agreement”) pursuant to which the parties agreed to enter into the Refinanced Convertible Note and to amend and restate the security agreement pursuant to which the Prior Notes were secured by all of the assets and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries whether tangible or intangible, by entering into the Third Amended and Restated Security Agreement (the “Amended Security Agreement”). Pursuant to the Restructuring Agreement, the Company agreed to pay, on the effective date of the Refinancing, all outstanding interest on the Prior Notes through November 8, 2017 and certain fees and expenses incurred by Mr. Drexler in connection with the Restructuring.
 
In connection with the refinancing, the Company recorded a debt discount of $1.2 million. The debt discount is equal to the change in the fair value of the conversion option between the Refinanced Convertible Note and the Prior Notes. The fair value of the conversion option was determined a Monte Carlo simulation and the model of stock price behavior known as GBM which simulates a future period as a random step from a previous period. Significant assumptions were: expected stock price premium of 40%, expected trading days of 252 days, and volatility of 60%.
 
In addition, the Refinanced Convertible Note contains two embedded derivatives for default interest and an event of default put. Due to the unlikely event of default, the embedded derivatives have a de minimis value as of December 31, 2017.
 
2017 Note
 
On July 24, 2017, the Company entered into a secured demand promissory note, pursuant to which Mr. Drexler loaned the Company $1.0 million, which was payable upon demand. Proceeds from the 2017 Note were used to partially fund a settlement agreement. The 2017 Note carried interest at a rate of 15% per annum. Any interest not paid when due would be capitalized and added to the principal amount of the 2017 Note and bears interest on the applicable interest payment date along with all other unpaid principal, capitalized interest, and other capitalized obligations. The Company could prepay the 2017 Note without penalty any time prior to a demand request from Mr. Drexler. This Note was refinanced as part of the 2017 Refinanced Convertible Note.
 
2016 Convertible Note
 
In November 2016, the Company entered into a convertible secured promissory note agreement with Mr. Drexler pursuant to which Mr. Drexler loaned the Company $11.0 million. Proceeds from the 2016 Convertible Note were used to fund the settlement of litigation. The 2016 Convertible Note was secured by all assets and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, whether tangible or intangible. The 2016 Convertible Note carried interest at a rate of 10% per annum, or 12% if there is an event of default. Both the principal and the interest under the 2016 Convertible Note were due on November 8, 2017, unless converted earlier. Mr. Drexler could convert the outstanding principal and accrued interest into 6,010,929 shares of the Company's common stock for $1.83 per share at any time. The Company could prepay the 2016 Convertible Note at the aggregate principal amount therein, plus accrued interest, by giving Mr. Drexler between 15 and 60 day-notice depending upon the specific circumstances, provided that Mr. Drexler could convert the 2016 Convertible Note during the applicable notice period. The Company recorded the 2016 Convertible Note as a liability in the balance sheet and also recorded a beneficial conversion feature of $601,000 as a debt discount upon issuance of the convertible note, which was amortized over the term of the debt using the effective interest method. The beneficial conversion feature was calculated based on the difference between the fair value of common stock on the transaction date and the effective conversion price of the convertible note. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the 2016 Convertible Note had an outstanding principal balance of $0.0 million and $11.0 million, respectively, and a carrying value of $0.0 million and $10.5 million, respectively. This Note was refinanced as part of the 2017 Refinanced Convertible Note.
 
 
F-22
 
 
2015 Convertible Note
 
In December 2015, the Company entered into a convertible secured promissory note agreement with Mr. Drexler, pursuant to which he loaned the Company $6.0 million. Proceeds from the 2015 Convertible Note were used to fund working capital requirements. The 2015 Convertible Note was secured by all assets and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, whether tangible or intangible. The 2015 Convertible Note originally carried an interest at a rate of 8% per annum, or 10% in the event of default. Both the principal and the interest under the 2015 Convertible Note were originally due in January 2017, unless converted earlier. The due date of the 2015 Convertible Note was extended to November 8, 2017 and the interest rate raised to 10%per annum, or 12% in the event of default. Mr. Drexler could convert the outstanding principal and accrued interest into 2,608,695 shares of common stock for $2.30 per share at any time. The Company could prepay the convertible note at the aggregate principal amount therein plus accrued interest by giving the holder between 15 and 60 day-notice, depending upon the specific circumstances, provided that Mr. Drexler could convert the 2015 Convertible Note during the applicable notice period. The Company recorded the 2015 Convertible Note as a liability in the balance sheet and also recorded a beneficial conversion feature of $52,000 as a debt discount upon issuance of the 2015 Convertible Note, which was amortized over the original term of the debt using the effective interest method. The beneficial conversion feature was calculated based on the difference between the fair value of common stock on the transaction date and the effective conversion price of the convertible note. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the convertible note had an outstanding principal balance and carrying value of $0.0 and $6.0 million, respectively. In connection with the Company entering into the 2015 Convertible Note with Mr. Drexler, the Company granted Mr. Drexler the right to designate two directors to the Board. This Note was refinanced as part of the 2017 Refinanced Convertible Note.
 
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, interest expense related to the related party convertible secured promissory notes was $2.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, $2.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively, in interest was paid in cash to Mr. Drexler.
 
Inventory Financing
 
On October 6, 2017, the Company and its affiliate (together with the Company, “Borrower”) entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (“Security Agreement”) with Crossroads Financial Group, LLC (“Crossroads”). Pursuant to the Security Agreement, Borrower may borrow up to 70% of its Inventory Cost   or up to 75% of Net Orderly Liquidation Value (each as defined in the Security Agreement), up to a maximum amount of $3.0 million at an interest rate of 1.5% per month, subject to a minimum monthly fee of $22,500. The initial term of the Security Agreement is six months from the date of execution, and such initial term is extended automatically in six-month increments, unless earlier terminated pursuant to the terms of the Security Agreement. The Security Agreement contains customary events of default, including, among others, the failure to make payments on amounts owed when due, default under any other material agreement or the departure of Mr. Drexler. The Security Agreement also contains customary restrictions on the ability of Borrower to, among other things, grant liens, incur debt and transfer assets. Under the Security Agreement, Borrower has agreed to grant Crossroads a security interest in all Borrower’s present and future accounts, chattel paper, goods (including inventory and equipment), instruments, investment property, documents, general intangibles, intangibles, letter of credit rights, commercial tort claims, deposit accounts, supporting obligations, documents, records and the proceeds thereof. As of December 31, 2017, the Company borrowed $3 million from Crossroads, of which $1 million was repaid subsequent to year end.
 
Secured Borrowing Arrangement
 
In January 2016, the Company entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Purchase and Sale Agreement”) with Prestige Capital Corporation (“Prestige”) pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell and assign and Prestige agreed to buy and accept, certain accounts receivable owed to the Company (“Accounts”). Under the terms of the Purchase and Sale Agreement, upon the receipt and acceptance of each assignment of Accounts, Prestige will pay the Company 80% of the net face amount of the assigned Accounts, up to a maximum total borrowings of $12.5 million subject to sufficient amounts of accounts receivable to secure the loan. The remaining 20% will be paid to the Company upon collection of the assigned Accounts, less any chargeback, disputes, or other amounts due to Prestige. Prestige’s purchase of the assigned Accounts from the Company will be at a discount fee which varies based on the number of days outstanding from the assignment of Accounts to collection of the assigned Accounts. In addition, the Company granted Prestige a continuing security interest in and lien upon all accounts receivable, inventory, fixed assets, general intangibles and other assets. The Purchase and Sale Agreement’s term has been extended to July 31, 2018. At December 31, 2017, we had approximately $5.4 million of outstanding borrowings.
 
 
F-23
 
 
For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company sold to Prestige accounts with an aggregate face amount of approximately $42.1 million, for which Prestige paid to the Company approximately $33.7 million in cash. During year ended December 31, 2017, $31.6 million was subsequently repaid to Prestige, including fees and interest.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company sold to Prestige accounts with an aggregate face amount of approximately $54.6 million, for which Prestige paid to the Company approximately $43.7 million in cash. During the year ended December 31, 2016, $41.9 million was subsequently repaid to Prestige, including fees and interest. The proceeds from the initial assignment to Prestige under this secured borrowing arrangement were primarily utilized to pay off the balance of the existing line of credit and term loan with ANB Bank.
 
Note 9. Commitments and Contingencies
 
Operating Leases
 
The Company leases office and warehouse facilities under operating leases, which expire at various dates through 2022. The amounts reflected in the table below are for the aggregate future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable facility operating leases for properties that have not been abandoned as part of the restructuring plan. See Note 5 for additional details regarding the restructured leases. Under lease agreements that contain escalating rent provisions, lease expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Rent expense was $0.6 million and $0.9 million for years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
 
As of December 31, 2017, future minimum lease payments are as follows (in thousands):
 
For the Year Ending December 31,
 
 
 
2018
    860  
2019
    846  
2020
    735  
2021
    481  
2022
    369  
Total minimum lease payments
  $ 3,291  
 
Capital Leases
 
In December 2014, the Company entered into a capital lease agreement providing for approximately $1.8 million in credit to lease up to 50 vehicles as part of a fleet lease program. As of December 31, 2017, the Company was leasing two vehicles under the capital lease which were included in “Property and equipment, net” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The original cost of leased assets was $86,000 and the associated accumulated depreciation was $54,000. The Company also leases manufacturing and warehouse equipment under capital leases, which expire at various dates through February 2020. Several of such leases were reclassified to the restructuring liability during 2016, and related assets were written off to restructuring expense for the year ended December 31, 2016.
 
As of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, short-term capital lease liabilities of $126,000 and $173,000, respectively, are included as a component of current accrued liabilities, and the long-term capital lease liabilities of $146,000 and $332,000, respectively, are included as a component of long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
As December 31, 2017, the Company’s future minimum lease payments under capital lease agreements, are as follows (in thousands):
 
 
F-24
 
 
For the Year Ending December 31,
 
 
 
2018
  $ 136  
2019
    101  
2020
    50  
Total minimum lease payments
    287  
Less amounts representing interest
    (19 )
Present value of minimum lease payments
  $ 268  
 
Purchase Commitment
 
As described in Note 4, upon closing of the sale of BioZone, the Company entered into a manufacturing and supply agreement whereby the Company is required to purchase a minimum of approximately $2.5 million of products per year from BioZone annually for an initial term of three years. If the minimum order quantities of specific products are not met, a $3.0 million minimum purchase of other products must be met in order to waive the shortfall, which is at 25% of the realized shortfall. Due to the timing of achieving the minimum purchase quantities, we are below these targets. As a result, we have reserved an amount to cover the estimated purchase commitment shortfall during the year ended December 31, 2017.
 
Sponsorship and Endorsement Contract Liabilities
 
The Company has various non-cancelable endorsement and sponsorship agreements with terms expiring through 2019. The total value of future contractual payments as of December 31, 2017 are as follows (in thousands):
 
 
 
 For the Years Ending December 31,
 
 
 
2018
 
 
2019
 
 
Total
 
Outstanding Payments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Endorsement
  $ 276  
  $ 62  
  $ 338  
Sponsorship
    144  
    55  
    199  
Total future payments
  $ 420  
  $ 117  
  $ 537  
 
Settlements
 
Bakery Barn
 
In May 2017, Bakery Barn, a supplier of our protein bars, filed a lawsuit in the Western District of Pennsylvania alleging that the Company had failed to pay $1,406,079 owing for finished product manufactured by Bakery Barn, as well as packaging materials purchased by Bakery Barn to manufacture the Company’s protein bars. The Company filed an answer and counterclaims against Bakery Barn, alleging that Bakery Barn had breached the Manufacturing Agreement and the Quality Agreement by supplying the Company with stale, hardened, moldy or otherwise unsaleable protein bars, and that Bakery Barn’s breaches have caused the Company, at a minimum, several hundred thousand dollars in damages. On October 27, 2017, the parties settled their dispute and entered into a settlement agreement, pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay Bakery Barn $350,000 on October 28, 2017, and an additional $352,416 by November 26, 2017, both of which have been paid. The parties also agreed that Bakery Barn would resume producing products for the Company under substantially the same terms embodied in the oral Manufacturing Agreement, until such time that the Manufacturing Agreement can be reduced to writing.
 
The Company settled and recorded a gain on the settlement of accounts payable in its Statement of Operations for year ended December 31, 2017 for approximately $391,000.
 
 
F-25
 
 
Manchester City Football Group
 
The Company was engaged in a dispute with City Football Group Limited (“CFG”), the owner of Manchester City Football Group, concerning amounts allegedly owed by the Company under a Sponsorship Agreement with CFG. In August 2016, CFG commenced arbitration in the United Kingdom against the Company, seeking approximately $8.3 million for the Company’s purported breach of the Sponsorship Agreement.
 
On July 28, 2017, the Company approved a Settlement Agreement (the “CFG Settlement Agreement”) with CFG effective July 7, 2017. The CFG Settlement Agreement represents a full and final settlement of all litigation between the parties. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company has agreed to pay CFG a sum of $3 million, consisting of a $1 million payment that was advanced by a related party on July 7, 2017, and subsequent $1 million installments to be paid by July 7, 2018 and July 7, 2019, respectively. The 2018 payment is accrued in current liabilities and the 2019 payment is accrued in long-term liabilities.
 
The Company recorded a charge in its Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 for approximately $1.5 million, representing the discounted value of the unrecorded settlement amount and an additional $0.2 million, representing imputed interest. The Company has now concluded the finalization of all its major legacy endorsement deals.
 
Arnold Schwarzenegger
 
The Company was engaged in a dispute with Marine MP, LLC (“Marine MP”), Arnold Schwarzenegger (“Schwarzenegger”), and Fitness Publications, Inc. (“Fitness,” and together with Marine MP and Schwarzenegger, the “AS Parties”) concerning amounts allegedly owed under the parties’ Endorsement Licensing and Co-Branding Agreement (the “Endorsement Agreement”). In May 2016, the Company received written notice that the AS Parties were terminating the Endorsement Licensing and Co-Branding Agreement by and among the Company and the AS Parties, then the Company provided written notice to the AS Parties that it was terminating the Endorsement Agreement, and the AS Parties then commenced arbitration, which alleged that the Company breached the parties’ agreement and misappropriated Schwarzenegger’s likeness. The Company filed its response and counterclaimed for breach of contract and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
 
On December 17, 2016, the Company entered into a Settlement Agreement (the “AS Parties Settlement Agreement”) with the AS Parties, effective January 4, 2017. Pursuant to the AS Parties Settlement Agreement, and to resolve and settle all disputes between the parties and release all claims between them, the Company agreed to pay the AS Parties (a) $1.0 million, which payment was released to the AS Parties on January 5, 2017, and (b) $2.0 million within six months of the effective date of the AS Parties Settlement Agreement. The Company paid the settlement in full as of September 30, 2017. The Company also has agreed that it will not sell any products from its Arnold Schwarzenegger product line, will donate to a charity chosen by Arnold Schwarzenegger any remaining usable product, and otherwise destroy any products currently in inventory. This inventory was written off to “Impairment of assets” in the Consolidated Statement of Operations during the year ended December 31, 2016. In addition, in connection with the transaction, the 780,000 shares of Company common stock held by Marine MP were sold to a third party on January 4, 2017 in exchange for an aggregate payment by such third party of $1,677,000 to the AS Parties.
 
Capstone Nutrition Agreements
 
The Company entered into a series of agreements with Capstone Nutrition (“Capstone”) effective March 2, 2015, including an amendment (the “Amendment”) to a Manufacturing Agreement dated November 27, 2013 (as amended, the “Manufacturing Agreement”). Pursuant to the Amendment, Capstone was the Company’s nonexclusive manufacturer of dietary supplements and food products sold or intended to be sold by the Company. The Amendment included various agreements including amended pricing terms. The initial term per this Amendment was to end on January 1, 2022, and could have been extended for three successive 24-month terms, and included renewal options.
 
 
F-26
 
 
The Company and Capstone entered into a Class B Common Stock Warrant Purchase Agreement (“Warrant Agreement”) whereby the Company could purchase approximately 19.9% of Capstone’s parent company, INI Parent, Inc. (“INI”), on a fully-diluted basis as of March 2, 2015. Pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, INI issued to the Company a warrant (the “Warrant”) to purchase shares of INI’s Class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share, at an exercise price of $0.01 per share (the “Warrant Shares”). The Warrant could have been exercised if the Company was in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Amendment.
 
The Company utilized the Black-Scholes valuation model to determine the value of the Warrant and recorded an asset of $977,000, which was accounted for under the cost method and assessed for impairment. The Warrant was included in “Investments, long-term” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015. However, during the second quarter of 2016, the Company reassessed the value of the Warrant and considered it to be fully impaired as the Company no longer believed there was any remaining value to the Warrant. The Company also had recorded $1.5 million of prepaid expenses and other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015, which were being amortized over the remaining life of the Manufacturing Agreement of 6.5 years. However, during the second quarter of 2016, the Company reassessed the Manufacturing Agreement, which was the basis of the prepaid asset, and considered the entire remaining balance of $1.4 million impaired as the Company no longer believed there was any remaining value to the Manufacturing Agreement. These conclusions were based in large part on the fact that Capstone sold its primary powder manufacturing facility during the second quarter of 2016, which significantly reduced its manufacturing capacity, and the dispute which is discussed below.
 
In total, the Company recognized $2.4 million of impairment expense during year ended December 31, 2016 related to previously recorded Capstone-related assets.
 
The Company and INI also entered into an option agreement (the “Option Agreement”). Subject to additional provisions and conditions set forth in the Option Agreement, at any time on or prior to June 30, 2016, the Company had the right to purchase for cash all of the remaining outstanding shares of INI’s common stock not already owned by the Company after giving effect to the exercise of the Warrant, based on an aggregate enterprise value, equal to $200.0 million. The fair value of the option was deemed de minimis as of the transaction date. The Company did not exercise the option to purchase the remaining outstanding shares of INI’s common stock and such option expired on June 30, 2016.
 
The Company was engaged in a dispute with Capstone arising out of a Manufacturing Agreement between the parties. On November 7, 2016, the parties executed a settlement agreement (the “Capstone Settlement Agreement”), which terminated the Manufacturing Agreement. Under the Capstone Settlement Agreement, the Company paid cash to Capstone in the amount of $11.0 million. All pending litigation was dismissed with prejudice. The Capstone Settlement Agreement released all parties from any and all claims, actions, causes of action, suits, controversies or counterclaims that the parties have had, now have or thereafter can, shall or may have. The Company also issued a warrant to purchase 1,289,378 shares of the Company’s common stock to INI (the “Settlement Warrant”). The exercise price of the Settlement Warrant was $1.83 per share, with a term of four years. The Company valued the Settlement Warrant by utilizing the Black Scholes model at approximately $1.8 million.
 
As of the settlement date, the Company had approximately $21.9 million in accounts payable and accrued liabilities associated with the Capstone liability. Based upon the amounts included herein, the Company recorded a gain of approximately $9.1 million based on the Capstone settlement.
 
Contingencies
 
In the normal course of business or otherwise, the Company may become involved in legal proceedings. The Company will accrue a liability for such matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. When only a range of possible loss can be established, the most probable amount in the range is accrued. If no amount within this range is a better estimate than any other amount within the range, the minimum amount in the range is accrued. The accrual for a litigation loss contingency might include, for example, estimates of potential damages, outside legal fees and other directly related costs expected to be incurred. As of December 31, 2017, the Company was involved in the following material legal proceedings described below.
 
 
F-27
 
 
ThermoLife
 
In January 2016, ThermoLife International LLC (“ThermoLife”), a supplier of nitrates to MusclePharm, filed a complaint against the Company in Arizona state court. In its complaint, ThermoLife alleges that the Company failed to meet minimum purchase requirements contained in the parties’ supply agreement and seeks monetary damages for the deficiency in purchase amounts. In March 2016, the Company filed an answer to ThermoLife’s complaint, denying the allegations contained in the complaint, and filed a counterclaim alleging that ThermoLife breached its express warranty to MusclePharm because ThermoLife’s products were defective and could not be incorporated into the Company’s products. Therefore, the Company believes that ThermoLife’s complaint is without merit. The lawsuit continues to be in the discovery phase.
 
Former Executive Lawsuit
 
In December 2015, the Company accepted notice by Mr. Richard Estalella (“Estalella”) to terminate his employment as the Company’s President. Although Estalella sought to terminate his employment with the Company for “Good Reason,” as defined in Estalella’s employment agreement with the Company (the “Employment Agreement”), the Company advised Estalella that it deemed his resignation to be without Good Reason.
 
In February 2016, Estalella filed a complaint in Colorado state court against the Company and Ryan Drexler, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President, alleging, among other things, that the Company breached the Employment Agreement, and seeking certain equitable relief and unspecified damages. The Company believes Estalella’s claims are without merit. As of the date of this report, the Company has evaluated the potential outcome of this lawsuit and recorded the liability consistent with its policy for accruing for contingencies. The discovery phase of the lawsuit has concluded and the Company is preparing for a revised trial date expected to commence in May 2018.
 
Insurance Carrier Lawsuit
 
The Company is engaged in litigation with an insurance carrier, Liberty Insurance Underwriters, Inc. (“Liberty”), arising out of Liberty’s denial of coverage. In 2014, the Company sought coverage under an insurance policy with Liberty for claims against directors and officers of the Company arising out of an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Liberty denied coverage, and, on February 12, 2015, the Company filed a complaint in the District Court, City and County of Denver, Colorado against Liberty claiming wrongful and unreasonable denial of coverage for the cost and expenses incurred in connection with the SEC investigation and related matters. Liberty removed the complaint to the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, which in August 2016 granted Liberty’s motion for summary judgment, denying coverage and dismissing the Company’s claims with prejudice, and denied the Company’s motion for summary judgment. The Company filed an appeal in November 2016. The Company filed its opening brief on February 1, 2017 and Liberty filed its response brief on April 7, 2017. The Company filed its reply brief on May 5, 2017. The case moved to the 10 th Circuit Court of Appeals. In October 2017 the 10 th Circuit affirmed the lower court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of Liberty. We are currently working with Liberty to determine what amounts are recoverable under the policy that fall outside of the litigation.
 
IRS Audit
 
On April 6, 2016, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) selected the Company’s 2014 Federal Income Tax Return for audit. As a result of the audit, the IRS proposed certain adjustments with respect to the tax reporting of the Company’s former executives’ 2014 restricted stock grants. Due to the Company’s current and historical loss position, the proposed adjustments would have no material impact on its Federal income tax. On October 5, 2016, the IRS commenced an audit of the Company’s employment and withholding tax liability for 2014. The IRS is contending that the Company inaccurately reported the value of the restricted stock grants and improperly failed to provide for employment taxes and federal tax withholding on these grants. In addition, the IRS is proposing certain penalties associated with the Company’s filings. On April 4, 2017, the Company received a “30-day letter” from the IRS asserting back taxes and penalties of approximately $5.3 million, of which $0.4 million related to employment taxes and $4.9 million related to federal tax withholding and penalties. Additionally, the IRS is asserting that the Company owes information reporting penalties of approximately $2.0 million. The Company’s counsel has submitted a formal protest to the IRS disputing on several grounds all of the proposed adjustments and penalties on the Company’s behalf, and the Company intends to pursue this matter vigorously through the IRS appeal process. Due to the uncertainty associated with determining the Company’s liability for the asserted taxes and penalties, if any, and to the Company’s inability to ascertain with any reasonable degree of likelihood, as of the date of this report, the outcome of the IRS appeals process, the Company has recorded an estimate for its potential liability, if any, associated with these taxes.
 
 
F-28
 
 
Note 10. Stockholders’ Deficit
 
Common Stock
 
For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company had the following transactions related to its common stock including restricted stock awards (in thousands, except share and per share data):
 
Transaction Type
 
Quantity (Shares)
 
 
Valuation
($)
 
 
Range of
Value per   Share
 
Shares issued to employees, executives and directors
    538,945  
  $ 1,045  
  $ 1.87-2.17  
Total
    538,945  
  $ 1,045  
  $ 1.87-2.17  
 
For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company had the following transactions related to its common stock including restricted stock awards (in thousands, except share and per share data):
 
Transaction Type
 
Quantity (Shares)
 
 
Valuation
($)
 
 
Range of
Value per   Share
 
Shares issued to employees, executives and directors
    572,154  
  $ 1,367  
  $ 1.89-2.95  
Shares issued related to sale of subsidiary
    200,000  
    640  
  $ 3.20  
Cancellation and forfeiture of restricted stock
    (449,085 )
    (456 )
  $ 2.72-13.00  
Total
    323,069  
  $ 1,551  
  $ 1.89-13.00  
 
The fair value of all stock issuances above is based upon the quoted closing trading price on the date of issuance.
 
Common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 includes shares legally outstanding even if subject to future vesting.
 
Warrants
 
In November 2016, the Company issued a warrant to purchase 1,289,378 shares of its common stock to the parent company of Capstone related to the dispute settlement. See Note 9 for additional information. The exercise price of this warrant was $1.83 per share, with a contractual term of four years. The Company has valued this warrant by utilizing the Black-Scholes model at approximately $1.8 million with the following assumptions: contractual life of four years, risk free interest rate of 1.27%, dividend yield of 0%, and expected volatility of 118.4%.
 
In July 2014, the Company issued a warrant to purchase 100,000 shares of its common stock related to an endorsement agreement. See Note 14 for additional information. The exercise price of this warrant was $11.90 per share, with a contractual term of five years. This warrant was fully vested as of December 31, 2016.
 
Treasury Stock
 
During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock and held 875,621 shares in treasury as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. As of December 31, 2015, 860,900 of the Company’s shares held in treasury were subject to a pledge with a lender in connection with a term loan which was cancelled when the term loan was paid off in January 2016.
 
 
F-29
 
 
Note 11. Stock-Based Compensation
 
Stock Incentive Plans
 
In 2015, the Board adopted the MusclePharm Corporation 2015 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2015 Plan”). The 2015 Plan provides for the issuance of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, dividend equivalent rights, and other cash- and stock-based awards to employees, consultants and directors of the Company or its subsidiaries.
 
The 2015 Plan is administered by the Board, unless the Board elects to delegate administration responsibilities to a committee (either of the foregoing, or their authorized delegates, the “plan administrator”), and will continue in effect until terminated. The 2015 Plan may be amended, modified or terminated, subject to stockholder approval to the extent necessary to comply with applicable law or to the extent an amendment increases the number of shares available under the 2015 Plan or permits the extension of the exercise period for an stock option or stock appreciation right beyond ten years from the date of grant, and, with respect to outstanding awards, subject to the consent of the holder thereof if the amendment, modification or termination materially and adversely affects such holder. The total number of shares that may be issued under the 2015 Plan cannot exceed 2,000,000, subject to adjustment in the event of certain changes in the capital structure of the Company. As of December 31, 2017, 833,574 shares were available for issuance under the 2015 Plan.
 
The plan administrator determines the individuals who are issued awards and the terms and conditions of the awards, including vesting terms and conditions. The plan administrator also determines the methods by which the exercise price of stock options may be paid, which may include a combination of cash or check, shares, a promissory note or other property, and the methods by which shares are delivered.
 
Under the 2015 Plan, in any calendar year, the maximum number of shares with respect to which awards may be granted to any one participant during the year is 350,000 shares, subject to adjustment in the event of specified changes in the capital structure of the Company, and the maximum amount that may be paid in cash during any calendar year with respect to any award is $1.5 million.
 
Restricted Stock
 
The Company’s stock-based compensation for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 consisted primarily of restricted stock awards. The restricted stock awards that were granted to employees, executives and Board members were as follows:
 
 
 
Unvested Restricted Stock Awards
 
 
 
Number of
Shares
 
 
Weighted Average
Grant   Date Fair
Value
 
Unvested balance – December 31, 2015
    1,025,999  
  $ 12.34  
Granted
    572,154  
    2.39  
Vested
    (843,643 )
    9.94  
Cancelled
    (260,000 )
    13.00  
Forfeited
    (116,085 )
    8.65  
Unvested balance – December 31, 2016
    378,425  
    3.45  
Granted
    538,945  
    1.94  
Vested
    (430,103 )
    2.83  
Unvested balance – December 31, 2017
    487,267  
    2.32  
 
The total fair value of restricted stock awards granted to employees, executives and Board members was $1.0 million and $1.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, the total unrecognized expense for unvested restricted stock awards, net of expected forfeitures, was $1.1 million, which is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 10 months.
 
 
F-30
 
 
Restricted Stock Awards Issued to Ryan Drexler, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President
 
The Company issued Mr. Drexler (i) 200,000 shares of restricted stock, with a grant date value of $0.5 million, in December 2016 and (ii) 350,000 shares of restricted stock, with a grant date value of $0.7 million, in January 2017, in each case, calculated based upon the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of issuance. These shares of restricted stock vested in full upon the first anniversary of the grant date.
 
In October 2015, the Company entered into loan modification agreements with the banking institution under its line of credit and term loan to: (i) change the maturity date of the loans to January 15, 2016, (ii) prohibit the loans to be declared in default prior to December 10, 2015, except for defaults resulting from failure to make timely payments, and (iii) delete certain financial covenants from the line of credit. In consideration for these modifications, Ryan Drexler, and a family member, provided their individual guaranty for the remaining balance of the loans of $6.2 million. In consideration for executing his guaranty, the Company issued to Mr. Drexler 28,571 shares of common stock with a grant date fair value of $80,000, based upon the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of issuance.
 
Accelerated Vesting of Restricted Stock Awards Related to Terminations of Employment
 
In March 2016, Brad Pyatt, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer, terminated employment with the Company. In connection with the termination of his employment, 500,000 shares of restricted stock held by Mr. Pyatt vested in full upon his termination of employment in accordance with the original grant terms. In connection with the accelerated vesting of these restricted stock awards, the Company recognized stock compensation expense of $3.9 million, which is included in “Salaries and Benefits” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2016.
 
In March 2017, Brent Baker, the Company’s former Executive Vice President of International Business, terminated employment with the Company. In connection with his termination of employment in March 2017, 10,000 shares of restricted stock held by Mr. Baker vested in full upon his termination of employment in accordance with the original grant terms. In connection with the accelerated vesting of these restricted stock awards, the Company recognized stock compensation expense of $42,902, which is included in “Salaries and Benefits” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2017.
 
Stock Options
 
The Company may grant options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock to certain employees and directors pursuant to the 2015 Plan. Under the 2015 Plan, all stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to or greater than the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Vesting is generally determined by the plan administrator under the 2015 Plan. No stock option may be exercisable more than ten years after the date it is granted.
 
In February 2016, the Company issued options to purchase 137,362 shares of its common stock to Mr. Drexler, the Company’s Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and President, and options to purchase 54,945 shares of its common stock to Michael Doron, the former Lead Director of the Board. Upon resignation from the Board of Directors in June 2017, Mr. Doron forfeited 20,604 of the options issued. These stock options were granted with an exercise price of $1.89 per share, a contractual term of 10 years and a grant date fair value of $1.72 per share, or $0.3 million in the aggregate, which is amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of two years. The Company determined the fair value of the stock options using the Black-Scholes model. The table below sets forth the assumptions used in valuing such options.
 
 
 
For the Year Ended 
December 31 , 2016
 
Expected term of options
 
6.5 years
 
Expected volatility-range used
    118.4 %-131.0%
Expected volatility-weighted average
    125.7 %
Risk-free interest rate-range used
    1.27 %-1.71%
 
 
F-31
 
 
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded stock compensation expense related to options of $0.2 million for both years.
 
Stock Options Summary Table
 
The following table describes the total options outstanding, granted, exercised, expired and forfeited as of and during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, as well as the total options exercisable as of December 31, 2017. Shares obtained from the exercise of our options are subject to various trading restrictions.
 
 
 
Options Pursuant to the 2015 Plan
 
 
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share
 
 
Weighted Average Fair Value of Options Granted During the Year
 
 
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)
 
 
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
 
Issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2015
     
     
     
     
     
Granted
    331,584  
  $ 2.10  
  $ 1.88  
     
  $  
Exercised
     
     
     
     
     
Forfeited
     
     
     
     
     
Issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2016
    331,584  
    2.10  
    1.88  
     
     
Granted
     
     
     
       
       
Exercised
     
     
     
       
       
Forfeited
    (159,881 )
    2.33  
    2.09  
       
       
Issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017
    171,703  
    1.89  
    1.72  
    8.15  
     
Exercisable as of December 31, 2017
    72,114  
  $ 1.89  
    1.72  
    8.15  
     
 
As of December 31, 2017, the total unrecognized expense for unvested stock options was approximately $20,000, which is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of two months.
 
Note 12. Defined Contribution Plan
 
The Company established a 401(k) Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) for eligible employees of the Company. Generally, all employees of the Company who are at least twenty-one years of age and who have completed six months of service are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan. The 401(k) Plan is a defined contribution plan that provides that participants may make voluntary salary deferral contributions, on a pretax basis, in the form of voluntary payroll deductions. The Company may make discretionary matching contributions. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company’s matching contribution were $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
 
Note 13. Net Loss per Share
 
Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss for the period by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. There was no dilutive effect for the outstanding potentially dilutive securities for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, as the Company reported a net loss for all periods.
 
The following table sets forth the computation of the Company’s basic and diluted net loss per share for the years presented (in thousands, except share and per share data):
 
 
F-32
 
 
 
 
For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
Net loss
  $ (10,973 )
  $ (3,477 )
Weighted average common shares used in computing net loss per share, basic and diluted
    13,877,686  
    13,438,248  
Net loss per share, basic and diluted
  $ (0.79 )
  $ (0.26 )
 
Diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss for the period by the weighted average number of shares of common stock, common stock equivalents and potentially dilutive securities outstanding during each period. The Company uses the treasury stock method to determine whether there is a dilutive effect of outstanding potentially dilutive securities, and the if-converted method to assess the dilutive effect of the convertible notes.
 
There was no dilutive effect for the outstanding awards for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, as the Company reported a net loss for both periods. However, if the Company had net income for the year ended December 31, 2017, the potentially dilutive securities included in the earnings per share computation would have been 18,264,564. If the Company had net income for the year ended December 31, 2016, the potentially dilutive securities included in the earnings per share computation would have been 10,719,011.
 
Total outstanding potentially dilutive securities were comprised of the following:
 
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
Stock options
    171,703  
    331,584  
Warrants
    1,389,378  
    1,389,378  
Unvested restricted stock
    487,267  
    378,425  
Convertible notes
    16,216,216  
    8,619,624  
Total common stock equivalents
    18,264,564  
    10,719,011  
 
Note 14. Endorsement Agreements
 
Arnold Schwarzenegger
 
In July 2013, the Company entered into an Endorsement Licensing and Co-Branding Agreement by and among the Company and AS Parties. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Schwarzenegger was co-developing a special Arnold Schwarzenegger product line being co-marketed under Mr. Schwarzenegger’s name and likeness. In connection with this agreement, the Company also issued to Marine MP, LLC fully vested restricted shares of common stock with an aggregate market value of $8.5 million. The issuance was being amortized over the original three-year term of the agreement to “Advertising and promotion” expense.
 
In May 2016, the Company received written notice to terminate the Endorsement Licensing and Co-Branding Agreement effective immediately. As a result, $2.0 million of intangible assets, prepaid assets and inventory related to the Arnold Schwarzenegger product line was written off as an impairment expense.
 
On December 17, 2016, the Company entered into the AS Parties Settlement Agreement, effective January 4, 2017. Pursuant to the AS Parties Settlement Agreement, and to resolve and settle all disputes between the parties and release all claims between them, the Endorsement Licensing and Co-Branding Agreement was terminated and the Company agreed to pay the AS Parties (a) $1 million, which payment was released to the AS Parties on January 5, 2017, and (b) $2.0 million within six months of the effective date of the AS Parties Settlement Agreement. The Company also has agreed that it will not sell any products from its Arnold Schwarzenegger product line, will donate to a charity chosen by Arnold Schwarzenegger any remaining usable product, and otherwise destroy any products currently in inventory. See Note 9 for further details.
 
 
F-33
 
 
ETW
 
In July 2014, the Company entered into an Endorsement Agreement with ETW. Under the terms of the agreement, Tiger Woods agreed to endorse certain of the Company’s products and use a golf bag during all professional golf play that prominently displayed the MusclePharm name and logo.
 
In conjunction with this agreement, the Company issued 446,853 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock to ETW, with an aggregate market value of $5.0 million. The shares were amortized over the original four-year term of the agreement. The current and non-current portions of the unamortized stock compensation were initially included as a component of “Prepaid stock compensation” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount of unamortized stock compensation expense of $3.5 million related to this agreement was written off in connection with the restructuring plan disclosed further in Note 5.
 
In May 2016, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with ETW, which eliminates all costs and terminates all future commitments under the Endorsement Agreement. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, the Company paid ETW $2.2 million to terminate the parties’ obligations under Endorsement Agreement and to resolve all disputes between the parties. As a result, the Company adjusted its restructuring accrual balance from $7.0 million to $2.2 million according to the settlement agreement and recorded an expense credit of $4.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2016.
 
Johnny Manziel
 
In July 2014, the Company entered into an Endorsement Agreement for the services of Johnny Manziel. As part of this agreement, the Company issued a warrant to purchase 100,000 shares of its common stock at an exercise price of $11.90 per share. The warrants vest monthly over a period of 24 months beginning August 15, 2014, and have a five-year contractual term. The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $6,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016, related to these warrants, which is included as a component of “Advertising and promotion” expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. In connection with the restructuring disclosed in Note 5, the Company notified Johnny Manziel of its intention to terminate the endorsement agreement due to breach; however, Johnny Manziel has disputed the termination notice. As of December 31, 2016, all shares were vested under the warrant.
 
Note 15. Income Taxes
 
The components of loss before provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 are as follows (in thousands):
 
 
 
For the Years Ended 
December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
Domestic
  $ (11,123 )
  $ (3,857 )
Foreign
    293  
    698  
Loss before provision for income taxes
  $ (10,830 )
  $ (3,159 )
 
Income taxes are provided for the tax effects of transactions reported in the financial statements and consist of taxes currently due. Deferred taxes relate to differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial and income tax reporting which will be either taxable or deductible when the assets or liabilities are recovered or settled.
 
As of December 31, 2017, the Company has a Federal net operating loss carry-forward of $89.2 million available to offset future taxable income. The Company has estimated state loss carry-forwards of $54.6 million. The Company also has federal research and development credit carryforwards of $0.2 million as of December 31, 2017. Utilization of net operating losses and R&D credits may be limited due to potential ownership changes under Section 382 of the IRS Code. These net operating loss carry-forwards and federal R&D credits have expiration dates starting in 2030 through 2037.
 
 
F-34
 
 
The valuation allowance as of December 31, 2017 was $24.0 million. The net change in valuation allowance for the year ended December 31, 2017 was a decrease of $7.6   million. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred income tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based on consideration of these items, management has determined that enough uncertainty exists relative to the realization of the deferred income tax asset balances to warrant the application of a full valuation allowance as of December 31, 2017.
 
The effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, are as follows (in thousands):
 
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
Deferred tax assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net operating loss carryforwards
  $ 21,661  
  $ 29,359  
Other
    1,936  
    1,794  
Gross deferred tax assets
    23,597  
    31,153  
Valuation allowance
    (23,597 )
    (31,153 )
Net deferred tax assets
     
     
Deferred tax liability
       
       
Stock-based compensation
     
     
Intangibles
     
     
Gross deferred tax liabilities
     
     
Net deferred tax assets
  $  
  $  
 
The Company incurred income tax expense of $108,000 and $318,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Of the total tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, $50,000 and $134,000 was attributed to taxes for foreign operations, respectively.
 
The income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 included the following (in thousands):
 
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
Current income tax expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
  $  
  $ 145  
State
    58  
    39  
Foreign
    50  
    134  
 
    108  
    318  
Deferred income tax provision:
       
       
Federal
     
     
State
     
     
Foreign
     
     
 
     
     
Provision for income taxes, net
  $ 108  
  $ 318  
 
The income tax provision differs from those computed using the statutory federal tax rate of 34% due to the following (in thousands):
 
 
F-35
 
 
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
Expected provision at statutory federal rate
  $ (3,682 )
  $ (1,074 )
State tax — net of federal benefit
    19  
    23  
Foreign income/losses taxed at different rates
    (31 )
    (38 )
Sale of BioZone
     
    949  
Stock-based compensation
    289  
     
Rate change
    11,989
 
   
 
Other
    156  
    217  
Change in valuation allowance
    (8,632 )
    241  
Income tax expense
  $ 108  
  $ 318  
 
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits (“UTB’s”) is as follows (in thousands):
 
Gross UTB’s as of December 31, 2016
  $ 245  
Deductions for tax positions taken in a prior year
    (206 )
Additions for tax positions taken in the current year
     
Gross UTB’s as of December 31, 2017
  $ 39  
 
If recognized, none of the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2017 would reduce its annual effective tax rate but would result in a corresponding adjustment to its deferred tax valuation allowance. As of December 31, 2017, the Company has not recorded a liability for potential interest or penalties. The Company also does not expect its unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly over the next 12 months. By statute, all tax years are open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject.
 
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (Tax Act), as signed by the President of the United States on December 22, 2017, significantly revises U.S. tax law. The tax reform legislation reduces the corporate tax rate, limits or eliminates certain tax deductions and changes the taxation of foreign earnings of U.S. multinational companies. The Deemed Repatriation Transition Tax (Transition Tax) is a tax on previously untaxed accumulated and current earnings and profits (E&P) of our foreign subsidiary at reduced tax rates. To determine the amount of the Transition Tax, we must determine, in addition to other factors, the amount of post-1986 E&P of the relevant subsidiaries, as well as the amount of non-U.S. income taxes paid on such earnings.
 
The Tax Act reduces the corporate tax rate to 21 percent, effective January 1, 2018. Consequently, we recorded a provisional decrease to deferred tax assets of approximately $12.0 million. This reduction was fully offset by a corresponding change in the valuation allowance recorded against our deferred tax assets.
 
The SEC staff issued SAB 118, which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740. In accordance with SAB 118, a company must reflect the income tax effects of those aspects of the Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete. To the extent that a company’s accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act is incomplete but it is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate in the financial statements. If a company cannot determine a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements, it should continue to apply ASC 740 on the basis of the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately before the enactment of the Tax Act. We are able to make a reasonable estimate of the Transition Tax and expect to utilize U.S. net operating losses to reduce the tax. We will continue to gather additional information to more precisely compute the amount of the Transition Tax within the measurement period. Although the tax rate reduction is known, we have not collected all of the necessary data to complete our analysis of the effect of the Tax Act on the underlying deferred taxes and as such, the amounts recorded as of December 31, 2017 are provisional.
 
 
F-36
 
 
Note 16. Segments, Geographical Information
 
The Company’s chief operating decision maker reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. As such, the Company currently has a single reporting segment and operating unit structure. In addition, substantially all long-lived assets are attributable to operations in the U.S. for both periods presented.
 
Revenue, net by geography is based on the company addresses of the customers. The following table sets forth revenue, net by geographic area (in thousands):
 
 
 
For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
Revenue, net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
  $ 61,656  
  $ 86,748  
International
    40,499  
    45,751  
Total revenue, net
  $ 102,155  
  $ 132,499  
 
Note 17. Other Related Party Transactions
 
Key Executive Life Insurance
 
The Company had purchased split dollar life insurance policies on certain key executives. These policies provide a split of 50% of the death benefit proceeds to the Company and 50% to the officer’s designated beneficiaries. All policies were terminated or transferred to the former employees as of December 31, 2016.
 
Note 18. Subsequent Events
 
GAAP requires an entity to disclose events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued (“subsequent events”) as well as the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events. There are two types of subsequent events. The first type consists of events or transactions that provide additional evidence about conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet, including the estimates inherent in the process of preparing financial statements, (“recognized subsequent events”). The second type consists of events that provide evidence about conditions that did not exist at the date of the balance sheet but arose subsequent to that date (“non-recognized subsequent events”).
 
Recognized Subsequent Events
 
None.
 
Unrecognized Subsequent Events
 
Effective February 1, 2018, we entered into an Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement with Ryan Drexler, pursuant to which, among other things, Mr. Drexler agreed to continue to serve as the Company’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President through January 31, 2021.
 
 
F-37
 
 
Exhibit Index
 
 
 
 
 
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit
No.
 
Description
 
Form
 
SEC File 
Number
 
Exhibit
 
Filing Date
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Articles of Incorporation of MusclePharm Corporation (successor to Tone in Twenty).
 
SB-2
 
333-147111
 
3.1
 
November 2, 2007
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation.
 
SB-2
 
333-147111
 
3.3
 
November 2, 2007
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation.
 
8-K
 
000-53166
 
3.3
 
February 24, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.4
 
Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation.
 
10-Q
 
000-53166
 
3.1
 
May 23, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation.
 
8-K
 
000-53166
 
3.1
 
November 23, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation.
 
8-K
 
000-53166
 
3.1
 
January 27, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation.
 
8-K
 
000-53166
 
3.1
 
March 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certificate of Change.
 
8-K
 
000-53166
 
3.1
 
November 28, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation.
 
8-K
 
000-53166
 
3.2
 
November 28, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certificate of Correction.
 
S-1/A
 
333-184625
 
3.15
 
December 26, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws.
 
8-K
 
000-53166
 
3.1
 
September 27, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Specimen of certificate for MusclePharm Corporation Common Stock.
 
S-1/A
 
333-184625
 
4.4
 
December 28, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Warrant, dated November 7, 2016 by and between MusclePharm Corporation and INI Buyer, Inc.
 
10-Q
 
000-53166
 
4.1
 
November 9, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015 Incentive Compensation Plan.
 
S-8
 
333-212576
 
4.14
 
July 18, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchasing Agreement with General Nutrition Corporation dated December 16, 2009.
 
8-K
 
000-53166
 
10.2
 
February 24, 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Form of Registration Rights Agreement, dated July 13, 2012, between MusclePharm Corporation and TCA Global Credit Master Fund LP.
 
8-K
 
000-53166
 
10.1
 
July 20, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Form of Indemnification Agreement.
 
8-K
 
000-53166
 
10.1
 
August 27, 2012
 
 
55
 
 
Exhibit Index (continued)
 
 
 
 
 
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit
No.
 
Description
 
Form
 
SEC File 
Number
 
Exhibit
 
Filing Date
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MusclePharm Corporation 2015 Incentive Compensation Plan.
 
S-8
 
000-53166
 
4.14
 
July 18, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement, dated June 23, 2015, between MusclePharm Corporation and Consac, LLC, an affiliate of Ryan Drexler.
 
10-Q
 
000-53166
 
10.6
 
August 10, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Executive Employment Agreement, dated February 11, 2016, between MusclePharm Corporation and Ryan Drexler.
 
8-K
 
000-53166
 
10.1
 
February 16, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Stock dated April 21, 2016, between MusclePharm Corporation and BioZone Laboratories, Inc., BioZone Holdings, Inc. and Flavor Producers, Inc.
 
8-K
 
000-53166
 
10.1
 
April 27, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Convertible Secured Promissory Note, dated November 8, 2016, by and between MusclePharm Corporation and Ryan Drexler.
 
10-Q
 
000-53166
 
10.1
 
November 9, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amended and Restated Security Agreement, dated November 8, 2016, by and between MusclePharm Corporation and Ryan Drexler.
 
10-Q
 
000-53166
 
10.2
 
November 9, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Settlement Agreement, dated November 7, by and among MusclePharm Corporation and F.H.G. Corporation d/b/a Capstone Nutrition, INI Parent, Inc., INI Buyer, Inc. and Medley Capital Corporation.
 
10-Q
 
000-53166
 
10.3
 
November 9, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, between MusclePharm Corporation and Ryan Drexler.
 
8-K
 
000-53166
 
10.1
 
March 1, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Employment Agreement, between MusclePharm Corporation and Peter Lynch.
 
8-K
 
000-53166
 
10.1
 
December 2, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Convertible Secured Promissory Note, dated December 7, 2015, by and between MusclePharm Corporation and Ryan Drexler.
 
10-K
 
000-53166
 
10.14
 
March 15, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
56
 
 
Exhibit Index (continued)
 
 
 
 
 
Incorporated by Reference
ExhibitNo.
 
Description
 
Form
 
SEC File 
Number
 
Exhibit
 
Filing Date
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Amendment to Convertible Secured Promissory Note, dated December 7, 2015, by and between MusclePharm Corporation and Ryan Drexler.
 
10-K
 
000-53166
 
10.15
 
March 15, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, between MusclePharm Corporation and Ryan Drexler
 
8-K
 
000-53166
 
10.1
 
March 1, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lease Agreement for the Corporate Headquarters located in Burbank, CA effective October 1, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.17 ** 
 
Executive Employment Agreement, between MusclePharm Corporation and Brian Casutto 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Code of Ethics.
 
8-K
 
000-53166
 
14
 
April 23, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Guidelines, adopted March 8, 2015.
 
10-Q
 
000-53166
 
99.1
 
May 11, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consent of Independent Public Accounting Firm
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32.1 ***
 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32.2 ***
 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101**
 
The following materials from MusclePharm Corporation’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations; (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficit; (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (vi) related notes to these financial statements. 
 
*
Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
**
Filed herewith
***
Furnished herewith
 
 
 
57
 
Exhibit 10.16
 
INDUSTRIAL LEASE
 
BACKLOT BURBANK
 
Between
 
PSIP SN BURBANK LLC
 
as
 
Landlord
 
and
 
MUSCLEPHARM CORPORATION
 
as
 
Tenant
 
 
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
Page
1. PREMISES 
1
 
 
2. TERM
2
 
 
3. RENT  
2
 
 
4. PREPAID RENT  
6
 
 
5. SECURITY DEPOSIT  
6
 
 
6. USE OF THE PREMISES AND BUILDING FACILITIES  
7
 
 
7. SIGNAGE  
8
 
 
8. PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES  
8
 
 
9. PARKING 
 8
 
 
10. UTILITIES  
8
 
 
11. MAINTENANCE 
 8
 
 
12. ALTERATIONS  
9
 
 
13. RELEASE AND INDEMNITY.  
10
 
 
14. INSURANCE 
 11
 
 
15. DESTRUCTION. 
 12
 
 
16. CONDEMNATION.  
13
 
 
17. ASSIGNMENT OR SUBLEASE 
 13
 
 
18. DEFAULT  
16
 
 
19. LANDLORD’S REMEDIES 
 16
 
 
20. ENTRY ON PREMISES 
 17
 
 
21. SUBORDINATION AND ATTORNMENT 
 18
 
 
22. NOTICE 
 18
 
 
23. WAIVER 
 18
 
 
24. SURRENDER OF PREMISES; HOLDING OVER 
 18
 
 
25. LANDLORD DEFAULT/LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND TIME  
19
 
 
26. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND INDOOR AIR QUALITY  
20
 
 
27. SECURITY MEASURES  
21
 
 
28. TELEPHONE AND DATA EQUIPMENT 
 21
 
 
29. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
 21
 
 
- i -
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
 
EXHIBITS TO LEASE
 
“A-1”
PREMISES AND PROJECT DEPICTION
 
 
“A-2”
PARKING PLAN
 
 
“B”
DESIRED IMPROVEMENTS
 
 
“C”
TENANT INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
 
 
“D”
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
 
 
“E”
EXTENSION OPTIONS
 
 
“F”
BACKLOT BURBANK RULES AND REGULATIONS
 
 
“G”
APPROVED SIGNAGE
 
 
 
- ii -
 
 
INDUSTRIAL LEASE
 
BASIC LEASE TERMS
 
 
 a.
  Reference Date:
This Lease (“ Lease ”) is dated for reference purposes only as of August 4, 2017
 
   
 
 b.
  Tenant:
MusclePharm Corporation, a Nevada corporation
 
   
 
 
  Address for Notices
 (Section 22 ) :
To the Premises
Attention: Ryan Drexler
Telephone: 310-922-2000
Facsimile: 800-490-7165
Email: ryandrexler@ymail.com
 


 
with a copy to:
 
 
Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP
1633 Broadway
New York, New York 10019
Attention: Adam M. Endick, Esq.
Telephone: 212-506-1837
Facsimile: 212-835-5249
Email: aendick@kasowitz.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
c.
Guarantor:
None
 
d.
Landlord:
PSIP SN Burbank LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company
 
 
Address for Notices
(Section 22 ) :
PSIP SN Burbank LLC
c/o Penwood Real Estate Investment Management, LLC
One Financial Plaza, 12 th Floor
755 Main Street
Hartford, CT 06103
Attention: Karen Nista and Joseph Koziol
Telephone: 860-218-6533 and 860-218-6532
Facsimile: 860-218-6540
Email: Karen.Nista@penwoodre.com   and
Joseph.Koziol@penwoodre.com
 
 
with a copy to:
 
 
PSIP SN Burbank LLC
c/o SN Burbank, LLC
901 Dove Street, Suite 225
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Attention: Lonnie Nadal
Telephone: 949-752-4100
Facsimile: 949-752-4101
Email: lnadal@snrinvestors.com
 
 
- iii -
 
 
    e.  
Tenant’s Use of Premises
(Section 6 ) :
General office and industrial/warehouse and showroom use for the purpose of receiving, storing, displaying and shipping products, materials and merchandise made and/or distributed by Tenant and private fitness studio use for professional athletes who are either employees of Tenant or paid endorsers of Tenant’s products, and related legal uses.
 
    f.  
Leased Premises
(Section 1.1 ) :
That certain building containing 27,226 rentable square feet, located at 4400-4404 Vanowen Street, Burbank, California (the “ Building ”), located within the Project (as defined below) having a street address of 4100-4210 W. Vanowen Place and 2303-2333 N. Valley Street, Burbank, California.
 
    g.  
Total Project Area
(Section 3.3) :
 
302,869 rentable square feet
 
    h.  
Tenant’s Pro Rata Share
(Section 3.3) :
 
8.99%; provided, however that Tenant’s Pro Rata Share of Real Property Taxes only shall be 58.44%
    i.  
Term of Lease
(Section 2 ) :
The term of this Lease shall be five (5) years and zero (0) months (plus any partial month for any period between the Term Commencement Date and the first day of the next month if the Term Commencement Date is not the first day of a calendar month) (the “ Original Term ”), subject to extension as provided in Exhibit “E” attached hereto and incorporated herein. “ Term ” shall mean the Original Term and any extensions or renewals thereof.
 
 Term Commencement Date
 (Section 2 ) :
 
October 1, 2017
 
    j.  
Base Monthly Rent
Base Monthly Rent shall be the following amounts for the following
 
            (Section 3.1 ) :
periods of time:
 
 
 
Months Base Monthly Rent
 
  $ 1–1236,400.00  
  $ 13–2437,495.00  
  $ 25–3638,620.00  
  $ 37–4839,775.00  
  $ 49–6040,970.00  
 
    k.  
Initial Estimate of Additional Rent for Common Area Operating Expenses (Section 3.3)
 
$6,265.00 per month, subject to annual reconciliation (see Section 3.3). This Lease shall be a triple net lease.
    l.  
Prepaid Rent (Section 4) : (payable upon Lease execution, which shall include Base Monthly Rent and Additional Rent for Common Area Operating Expenses)
 
$ 42,665.00  
    m.  
Security Deposit (Section 5 ) : (payable upon Lease execution)
$ 75,000.00  
 
 
  n.
Parking (Section 9 ) :
 
Exclusive right to use all of the in-common, unreserved passenger automobile parking spaces as depicted on Exhibit “A-2” as more fully set forth in Section 9.
  o.
Exhibits:
Exhibits lettered “A-1” through “G” are attached hereto and made a part hereof

 
 
 
 
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MULTI-TENANT INDUSTRIAL LEASE
 
 
 
1.              
PREMISES .
 
 
1.1   Landlord leases to Tenant the premises described in the Basic Lease Terms and in Exhibit “A-1” (the “ Premises ”), which is a part of a project consisting of twelve (12) buildings designated as buildings 1 through 12 (including the Building), together with use of the land on which such buildings are located, including the driveways, parking facilities, loading dock areas, roadways and all other improvements and easements associated with the foregoing or the operation thereof as depicted on Exhibit “A-1” (the “ Project ”). For purposes of this Lease, the terms “Premises” and “Building” shall have the same meaning and may be used interchangeably. Tenant acknowledges that access to the side and rear areas outside the Building shall be via an electronic security gate that is shared with two other tenants of the Project, and Landlord shall provide cards for Tenant’s employees to operate the gate. Upon full execution of this Lease and delivery by Tenant to Landlord of the Prepaid Rent set forth in the Basic Lease Terms, the Security Deposit and evidence of insurance required under this Lease, Tenant may occupy the Premises prior to the Term Commencement Date (the “ Early Occupancy Period ”) for the sole purposes of installing the Desired Improvements (as defined in Section 12 below) and Tenant’s furniture, fixtures and equipment; provided, however, that access to, and use and occupancy of, the Premises by Tenant prior to the Term Commencement Date shall be subject to all of the provisions of this Lease other than payment of rent.By entry on the Premises, Tenant acknowledges that it has examined the Premises and accepts the Premises in their present, as-is condition subject only to the following: On the Term Commencement Date, Landlord shall deliver to Tenant possession of the entire Premises vacant, broom-clean and free and clear of all tenants and occupants, and Landlord shall remedy, at Landlord’s sole cost and expense, any failure of (i) the electrical, plumbing and/or lighting systems serving the Premises, (ii) the heating, ventilating and air conditioning system servicing the office area of the Premises, and/or (iii) roof or the loading doors in the Premises to be in good working order, condition and repair, so long as (a) such failure is not the result of any acts or omissions of Tenant or any of its employees, agents, contractors or representatives (including, without limitation, any Alterations of the Premises by or on behalf of Tenant, including, without limitation, the Desired Improvements), provided that such failure shall not be considered to be the result of any acts or omissions of Tenant to the extent it is merely discovered by Tenant absent misuse or alteration of the item in question, and (b) Tenant, acting reasonably and in good faith, specifically identifies and describes such failure in a written notice together with reasonable supporting documentation delivered to Landlord within forty-five (45) days after the Term Commencement Date of this Lease (the “ Warranty Period ”), it being understood that, except for any items so identified and described by Tenant during the Warranty Period, the Building, the Premises and all such systems shall be conclusively deemed to have been delivered in compliance with all applicable Laws and in good working order, condition and repair. In addition, Landlord intends to replace the roof membrane on the Building prior to the Term Commencement Date at Landlord’s sole cost and expense.
 
1.2   Tenant and Tenant’s employees, suppliers, shippers, customers and invitees, during the Term of this Lease shall have the nonexclusive right to use the Common Areas with other present and future tenants in the Project, and subject to the rules and regulations attached as Exhibit “F” hereto and to other reasonable rules and regulations which Landlord may deem advisable for the Common Areas (including without limitation the hours during which they are open for use, provided Tenant and its employees, agents, and all other permitted invitees and permitted licensees shall have access and the right to operate out of the Building twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, three hundred and sixty-five (365) days a year (or, if applicable, three hundred and sixty-six (366) days a year)). The term “ Common Areas ” means all areas and facilities outside the Premises and/or exterior boundaries of the Project that are provided and designated by Landlord from time to time for the general use and convenience of Tenant and other tenants of the Project and their respective employees, agents, representatives, invitees and licensees. The Common Areas shall include, without limitation, the common roadways, sidewalks, walkways, parkways, parking areas, driveways and landscaped areas and similar areas and facilities in the Project which are made available for the use or benefit of all Project tenants and their invitees and other visitors.
 
1.3   Landlord reserves the right from time to time without unreasonable interference with Tenant’s use or access to the Building: (a) to make changes to the Common Areas and any components thereof, including, without limitation, changes in the location, size, shape and number of driveways, entrances, parking spaces, parking areas, loading and unloading areas, ingress, egress, direction of traffic, landscaped areas and walkways; (b)
 
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to temporarily close or designate for other uses any of the Common Areas for purposes of improvement, maintenance or repair, so long as reasonable access to the Premises remains available; (c) to designate other land outside the boundaries of the Project and other buildings to be a part of the Common Areas; (d) to add additional improvements to the Common Areas or the Project; (e) to use the Common Areas while engaged in making additional improvements, repairs or alterations to the Building or the Project, or any portion thereof; and (f) to do and perform such other acts and make such other changes in, to or with respect to the Common Areas, the Building or the Project as Landlord may, in the exercise of sound business judgment, deem to be appropriate.
 
 
2.   TERM. The Original Term of this Lease is for the period set forth in the Basic Lease Terms, beginning on the Term Commencement Date. If Landlord, for any reason, cannot deliver possession of the Premises to Tenant on the Term Commencement Date, this Lease shall not be void or voidable, nor shall Landlord be liable to Tenant for any loss, damage or liability resulting from such delay. However, provided such delay is not caused by Tenant, Tenant shall not be responsible for payment of Rent until the Term Commencement Date. For purposes of this Lease, a “ Lease Year ” shall consist of twelve (12) consecutive calendar months. The first Lease Year shall begin on the Term Commencement Date or, if the Term Commencement Date does not occur on the first day of a calendar month, on the first day of the calendar month next following the Term Commencement Date. Each succeeding Lease Year shall commence on the annual anniversary of the first Lease Year.
 
3.   RENT . Base Monthly Rent and additional rent for Operating Expenses and other charges, fees and payments due to Landlord (“ Additional Rent ”) are sometimes collectively referred to in this Lease as “ Rent .”
 
3.1   Base Rent. Beginning on the Term Commencement Date, Tenant shall pay Landlord monthly base rent in the initial amount in the Basic Lease Terms which shall be payable monthly in advance on the first day of each and every calendar month (“ Base Monthly Rent ”) provided, however, Prepaid Rent is due and payable upon execution of this Lease as and to the extent set forth in Section 4 below.
 
For purposes of Section 467 of the Internal Revenue Code, the parties to this Lease hereby agree to allocate the stated rents, provided herein, to the periods which correspond to the actual Rent payments as provided under the terms and conditions of this Lease.
 
3.2   Rental Adjustments. The Base Monthly Rent shall be adjusted as and to the extent set forth in the Basic Lease Terms.
 
3.3   Additional Rent for Operating Expenses. The purpose of this Section 3.3 is to ensure that Tenant bears a share of all expenses related to the use, maintenance, ownership, repair or replacement of the Project, including Real Property Taxes, Maintenance Fees, and Insurance Charges for the Project (each as hereinafter defined). Accordingly, Tenant shall pay to Landlord, in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.3, Tenant’s Pro Rata Share (as set forth in the Basic Lease Terms and defined below) of Operating Expenses (defined below).
 
3.3.1              Definitions .
 
(a)   Operating Expenses Defined.
 
(i)   Operating Expenses . “ Operating Expenses ” means all expenses and disbursements that Landlord incurs in connection with the ownership, operation, and maintenance of the Project, determined in accordance with sound accounting principles consistently applied, including but not limited to the following costs: (1) wages and salaries of all on-site employees engaged in the operation, maintenance or security of the Project (together with Landlord’s reasonable allocation of expenses of off-site employees who perform a portion of their services in connection with the operation, maintenance or security of the Project), including taxes, insurance and benefits relating thereto; (2) all supplies and materials used in the operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, and security of the Project; (3) cost of all utilities including electricity, fuel, gas, water, sewer, and other service for the Project and all portions thereof; (4) the cost of mechanical, electrical and telecommunications rooms and other areas used for the benefit of the Project or tenants of the Project generally, as reasonably determined by Landlord; (5) repairs,
 
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replacements, and general maintenance of the Project; (6) refuse collection/removal and maintenance of refuse receptacles; (7) gardening, including planting, replanting and pruning of landscaping; (8) pest control; (9) service, maintenance and management contracts with independent contractors for the operation, maintenance, management, repair, replacement, and security of the Project (including alarm service and window cleaning); (10) property management fees including management fees paid to Landlord if Landlord elects to self-manage the Project (in any case, not to exceed three percent (3%) of gross revenues from the Project); (11) costs of professional services, including but not limited to managers, attorneys and accountants, rendered for the general benefit of the Project; (12) Insurance Charges, as hereinafter defined, and any other insurance; (13) intentionally omitted; (14) costs of permits and licenses for the Project; (15) Real Property Taxes, as hereinafter defined, for the Project; (16) Maintenance Fees, as hereinafter defined, that are assessed by any owner’s association or similar body against the Project and all or any portions thereof; and (17) costs for improvements made in order to comply with any law.
 
(ii)   Capital Expenditures . To the extent any Operating Expenses are considered capital expenditures, such capital expenditures shall be amortized over their useful life (as reasonably determined by Landlord), but in any event not to exceed ten (10) years, using Landlord’s actual cost of funds.
 
(iii)   Operating Expense Exclusions . Notwithstanding anything in this Lease to the contrary, Operating Expenses shall not include the following: (1) interest, amortization or other payments on loans to Landlord, finance and debt services fees, principal and/or interest on debt or amortization payments on any mortgage; (2) depreciation allowance or expense, expense reserves and other non-cash items; (3) any bad debt loss, rent loss, or reserves for bad debts or rent loss; (4) leasing commissions, attorneys’ fees, disbursements, and other costs and expenses incurred in procuring prospective tenants, negotiating and executing leases, and constructing improvements required solely to prepare for a new tenant’s occupancy; (5) ground lease rental; (6) salaries of officers, executives and partners of Landlord; (7) Landlord’s general corporate overhead and general administrative expenses; (8) advertising and promotional expenditures, and costs of signs in or on the Premises identifying the owner of the Premises; (9) costs arising from Landlord’s charitable or political contributions; (10) costs (including in connection therewith all attorney’s fees and costs of settlement judgments and payments in lieu thereof) arising from claims, disputes or potential disputes in connection with Landlord and/or the Premises, except to the extent such claims, disputes or potential disputes (i) relate to or arise in connection with Tenant’s obligations under this Lease or any acts or omissions of any of the Tenant’s Parties or (ii) are reasonably anticipated to benefit Tenant; (11) costs associated with the operation of the business of the entity which constitutes Landlord as the same are distinguished from the costs of operation of the Premises, including partnership or corporate accounting and legal matters, costs of defending any lawsuits with any mortgagee (except to the extent such lawsuits (i) relate to or arise in connection with Tenant’s obligations under this Lease or any acts or omissions of any of the Tenant’s Parties or (ii) are reasonably anticipated to benefit Tenant), costs of selling, syndicating, financing, mortgaging or hypothecating any of Landlord’s interest in the Premises, costs of any disputes between Landlord and its employees (if any) not engaged in Premises operation, disputes of Landlord with Premises management; (12) any entertainment, dining or travel expenses for any purpose; (13) attorneys’ fees, costs, disbursements and other expenses incurred in connection with negotiations or disputes with prospective tenants, preparation of deal memos, letters of intent, leases, subleases and/or assignments (except as may relate to a proposed Transfer), or associated with the defense of Landlord’s title to or interest in the Premises or any part thereof, except to the extent such defense (i) relates to or arises in connection with Tenant’s obligations under this Lease or any acts or omissions of any of the Tenant’s Parties or (ii) is reasonably anticipated to benefit Tenant; and (14) profits paid to Landlord or to subsidiaries or affiliates of Landlord for goods and/or services in the Premises to the extent the profit exceeds the costs of such goods and/or services rendered by unaffiliated third parties on a competitive basis for similar projects.
 
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(b)   Insurance Charges Defined. Insurance Charges ” means the cost of the following insurance:
 
(i)   All Risk Insurance . All Risk insurance insuring the Project (other than the Tenant’s inventory, trade fixtures, Alterations (defined below)) against loss or damage by
(a)   fire, sprinkler damage, vandalism, terrorism and all other perils customarily covered under an All Risk policy, (b) earthquake, (c) at the election of Landlord in its discretion, flood, and (d) such other perils or risks, insurance against which is required by a Lender from time to time, or which Landlord determines is customarily carried in comparable projects, in each case in an amount equal to their full replacement cost, less such deductibles as Landlord shall determine. “ Lender ” for all purposes under this Lease shall mean any lender having a secured interest in the Premises or in any portion thereof and any purchaser who purchases or otherwise acquires the Premises at any foreclosure sale, through deed in lieu of foreclosure or similar conveyance;
 
(ii)   Public Liability Insurance . Public liability and property damage insurance with respect to the Project with limits in such amounts as Landlord shall determine;
 
 
(iii)   Other . Such other insurance coverage with respect to the Project as shall be required from time to time by any Lender or as shall be determined by Landlord to be customarily carried with respect to comparable projects.
 
(c)   Maintenance Fees Defined. Maintenance Fees ” means all maintenance fees and other assessments that are assessed by any owner’s association or any similar body against the Project or portions thereof.
 
(d)   Real Property Taxes Defined. Real Property Taxes ” means (i) any and all forms of tax, assessment, license fee, excise, bond, levy, charge or imposition (collectively referred to herein as “ Taxes ”), general, special, ordinary or extraordinary, imposed, levied or assessed against the Premises or Project or any interest of Landlord in the same, by any authority or entity having the direct or indirect power to tax, including without limitation, any city, county, state or federal government, or any fire, school, redevelopment, agricultural, sanitary, street, lighting, security, drainage or other authority, political subdivision or improvement district thereof, (ii) any Tax in substitution, partially or totally, of any Taxes now or previously included within the definition of Real Property Taxes, including without limitation, those imposed, levied or assessed to increase tax increments to governmental agencies, or for services such as (but not limited to) fire protection, police protection, street, sidewalk and road maintenance, refuse removal or other governmental services previously provided without charge (or for a lesser charge) to property owners and/or occupants, (iii) any Taxes allocable to the Premises or Project or any Rent or Operating Expenses payable hereunder, including without limitation, any gross receipts tax or General Excise Tax on the receipt of such Rent or upon the possession, leasing, operation, maintenance, repair, use or occupancy by Tenant or Landlord of the Premises or Project or Operating Expenses, and (iv) any Taxes on the transfer or a transaction directly or indirectly represented by this Lease, by any subleases or assignments hereunder, by any document to which Tenant is a party, creating or transferring (or reflecting the creation or transfer) of an interest or estate in the Premises or Project or in Tenant or Landlord. Real Property Taxes shall not include any general franchise, income, estate or inheritance tax imposed on Landlord. Tenant shall have the right, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, to contest the assessed amount of Real Property Taxes, provided: (1) Tenant delivers to Landlord written notice of Tenant’s desire to contest the assessment amount and Landlord does not notify Tenant within ten (10) business days thereafter that Landlord will undertake contest; (2) any such contest shall be undertaken either through tax counsel licensed with the California State Bar or through a real property tax consultant approved by Landlord, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; (3) any such contest shall be coordinated with any contest then being undertaken or planned by Landlord; (4) Tenant shall cooperate and coordinate with any other tenants of the Project whose premises are part of the tax parcel that is the subject of any such contest; and (5) Tenant shall indemnify, defend (with counsel reasonably acceptable to Landlord) and hold Landlord harmless against and from any and all Claims (as hereinafter defined) arising from or related to any contest of Real Property Taxes initiated by or on behalf of Tenant.
 
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(e)   Tenant’s Pro Rata Share Defined. Tenant’s Pro Rata Share ” is the percentage number representing from time to time a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of rentable square feet contained in the Premises, and the denominator of which is the number of rentable square feet contained in the Project; provided, however, that “Tenant’s Pro Rata Share” with respect to Real Property Taxes only is the percentage number representing from time to time, a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of rentable square feet contained in the Premises and the denominator of which is 46,586, which is the number of rentable square feet contained in the tax parcel on which the Building is located. Landlord and Tenant stipulate that the number of rentable square feet in the Premises and Tenant’s Pro Rata Share set forth in the Basic Lease Terms are conclusive and shall be binding upon them; provided, however, that if Landlord should sell any portion of the Project or otherwise add or subtract building square footage to or from the Project, Tenant’s Pro Rata Share shall be adjusted accordingly. Based on Tenant’s Pro Rata Share as set forth in the Basic Lease Terms, the initial estimate of Additional Rent for Operating Expenses is set forth in the Basic Lease Terms.
 
(f)   Exceptions. From time to time Landlord may make arrangements with one or more tenants to handle separately all or a portion of some element or elements of Operating Expenses. In such case, costs incurred with respect to such element or elements as to such tenants shall not be included in Operating Expenses, and Tenant’s Pro Rata Share of each such element (to the extent the costs of which is not entirely borne by the other tenants with whom the arrangement is made) shall be calculated as the percentage number representing a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of rentable square feet of space contained in the Premises and the denominator of which is the number of rentable square feet of space contained in the Project which are not subject to any such separate arrangement.
 
3.3.2   Procedures . Tenant shall pay to Landlord Tenant’s Pro Rata Share of Operating Expenses. Landlord shall endeavor to deliver to Tenant by April 1 following the end of each calendar year in which any part of the Term occurs (each, an “ Operating Year ”), a reasonable written estimate of Tenant’s Pro Rata Share of the projected Operating Expenses for the subsequent Operating Year (“ Estimated Statement ”). If, however, Landlord shall furnish an Estimated Statement subsequent to the commencement of any such Operating Year, then until the first day of the month following the month in which such Estimated Statement is furnished to Tenant, Tenant shall pay to Landlord on the first day of each month an amount equal to the monthly sum payable by Tenant to Landlord under this Section 3.3.2 in respect of the last month of the preceding Operating Year. Tenant shall pay to Landlord such estimated Tenant’s Pro Rata Share in equal monthly installments, in advance on the first day of each month, and Landlord shall endeavor to submit to Tenant by April 1 following the end of each such Operating Year, a statement showing in reasonable detail the actual Operating Expenses during such period (“ Actual Statement ”), and the parties shall make any payment or allowance necessary to adjust Tenant’s estimated payments to the actual Tenant’s Pro Rata Share of Operating Expenses for such period as indicated by the Actual Statement. Any payment due Landlord shall be payable by Tenant within thirty (30) days after receipt by Tenant of an invoice therefor from Landlord. Any amount due Tenant shall be credited against installments next becoming due from Tenant to Landlord under this Lease. Despite the expiration or early termination of this Lease, when the final determination is made of Tenant’s Pro Rata Share of Operating Expenses for the year in which the expiration or early termination occurs, Tenant shall pay on demand any adjustment due to Landlord and any amount due to Tenant shall be promptly paid by Landlord. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any amounts which would otherwise be payable hereunder but which are not included in an Actual Statement submitted to Tenant within one (1) year after the end of the Operating Year with respect to which the same is applicable, shall be deemed to have been waived.
 
3.3.3   Audit Rights . In the event Tenant objects in writing to any Actual Statement within sixty (60) days after receipt of such Actual Statement, then Tenant may request a meeting with Landlord to discuss its objections and, in any event, shall have the right, during the six (6) month period following delivery of such Actual Statement, at Tenant's sole cost, to review in Landlord's offices Landlord's records relevant to such Actual Statement and Landlord shall maintain and make available all records, statements and bills materially relating to and supporting the Actual Statement. Such review shall be carried out only by a nationally reputable accounting firm that is not being compensated on a contingency or other incentive basis, and shall be subject to Landlord's reasonable audit procedures. If, as of the date sixty (60) days after Tenant's receipt of such Actual Statement, Tenant shall not have objected thereto in writing, or if, during the six (6) month period following delivery of such Actual Statement, Tenant shall not have carried out a review of Landlord's records, then such Actual Statement shall be final and binding upon Landlord and Tenant, and Tenant shall have no further right to object to such Actual
 
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Statement under this Lease. If Tenant timely delivers a written objection to an Actual Statement and, within such six (6) month period, Tenant conducts an audit and delivers to Landlord a written statement specifying objections to such Actual Statement, then Tenant and Landlord shall meet to attempt to resolve such objection within ten (10) days after delivery of the objection statement. If such objection is not resolved within such ten (10) day period, then either party shall have the right, at any time within thirty (30) days after the expiration of such ten (10) day period, to require that the dispute be submitted to binding arbitration under the rules of the American Arbitration Association. If neither Landlord nor Tenant commences an arbitration proceeding within such thirty (30) day period, then the Actual Statement in question shall be final and binding on Landlord and Tenant. Notwithstanding that any such dispute remains unresolved, Tenant shall be obligated to pay Landlord all Rent as and when due (including any disputed amount). The audit and arbitration procedures set forth herein shall be Tenant's exclusive remedy with respect to the calculation of the amount of Tenant's obligations under Section 3.3. If the result of the audit procedures and, if applicable, the arbitration procedures set forth herein is that Tenant made overpayments in excess of five percent (5%) of Operating Expenses for the year in question, Landlord shall pay for the actual and reasonable cost of the audit within thirty (30) days following receipt of Tenant’s invoice therefor. If a dispute is submitted to binding arbitration as provided above, then the prevailing party in such arbitration shall be entitled to its reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs incurred in connection with such arbitration.
 
3.4   Tenant Specific Charges. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.3, Additional Rent for Operating Expenses shall not include the cost for Tenant requested service calls (“ Tenant Specific Charges ”). Tenant Specific Charges shall be separately invoiced to Tenant and shall be paid as Additional Rent hereunder with the next installment of Rent.
 
3.5   Rent Without Offset and Late Char ge. All Rent shall be paid by Tenant to Landlord monthly in advance on the first day of every calendar month, at the address shown in the Basic Lease Terms, or such other places as Landlord may designate in writing from time to time. All Rent shall be paid without prior demand or notice and without any deduction or offset whatsoever. All Rent shall be paid in lawful currency of the United States of America. All Rent due for any partial month shall be pro rated at the rate of 1/30th of the total monthly Rent per day. Tenant acknowledges that late payment by Tenant to Landlord of Rent or other sums due under this Lease will cause Landlord to incur costs not contemplated by this Lease, the exact amount of such costs being extremely difficult and impracticable to ascertain. Such costs include, without limitation, processing and accounting charges and late charges that may be imposed on Landlord by the terms of any encumbrance or note secured by the Premises. Therefore, if Rent or other sum due from Tenant is not received on the due date, Tenant shall pay to Landlord an additional sum equal to five percent (5%) of such overdue payment. Landlord and Tenant hereby agree that such late charge represents a fair and reasonable estimate of the costs that Landlord will incur by reason of any such late payment. Additionally, all such delinquent Rent or other sums, plus this late charge, shall bear interest at the lesser of ten percent (10%) or the then maximum lawful rate permitted to be charged by Landlord (the “ Default Rate ”). Any payments of any kind returned for insufficient funds will be subject to an additional handling charge of Fifty Dollars ($50.00). Additionally, following any three (3) consecutive late payments of Rent, Landlord shall have the option to require that Tenant increase the Security Deposit by one hundred percent (100%).
 
4.   PREPAID RENT. Upon the execution of this Lease and as a condition for Landlord’s benefit to the effectiveness of this Lease, Tenant shall pay to Landlord the Prepaid Rent set forth in the Basic Lease Terms. Such Prepaid Rent shall be applied toward the first month for which Rent is due for the Original Term. Landlord’s obligations with respect to the Prepaid Rent are those of a debtor and not of a trustee, and Landlord can commingle the Prepaid Rent with Landlord’s general funds. Landlord shall not be required to pay Tenant interest on the Prepaid Rent. Landlord shall be entitled to immediately endorse and cash Tenant’s Prepaid Rent.
 
5.   SECURITY DEPOSIT. Upon execution of this Lease and as a condition for Landlord’s benefit to the effectiveness of this Lease, Tenant shall deposit the Security Deposit set forth in the Basic Lease Terms with Landlord, in part as security for the performance by Tenant of the provisions of this Lease and in part as a cleaning fee. Upon the occurrence of a Tenant Default (including expiration of any applicable notice and cure period), Landlord may use the Security Deposit or any portion of it to cure the default or to compensate Landlord for any damages sustained by Landlord resulting from Tenant’s default (including, without limitation, all rent due following Lease termination to the extent permitted by California Civil Code Section 1951.2). Within ten (10) business days after written request therefor, Tenant shall pay to Landlord a sum equal to the portion of the Security Deposit
 
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expended or applied by Landlord to maintain the Security Deposit in the amount initially deposited with Landlord. If Tenant is not in default at the expiration or termination of this Lease, Landlord shall return the entire Security Deposit to Tenant, less any accrued Rent and costs incurred to repair any damages. Landlord’s obligations with respect to the Security Deposit are those of a debtor and not of a trustee, and Landlord can commingle the Security Deposit with Landlord’s general funds. Landlord shall not be required to pay Tenant interest on the Security Deposit. Landlord shall be entitled to immediately endorse and cash the Security Deposit; however, such endorsement and cashing shall not constitute Landlord’s acceptance of this Lease. In the event Landlord does not accept this Lease, Landlord shall return the Security Deposit, without any interest thereon. In no event shall Tenant be entitled to apply the Security Deposit to the last month’s rental installment due and payable under the Lease.
Tenant acknowledges and agrees that the Security Deposit may be applied towards any Rent or other sum in default or otherwise owing to Landlord by Tenant following the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease as allowed under applicable Laws, including, without limitation, Section 1950.7 of the California Civil Code and/or any successor statute. In connection therewith, Tenant hereby waives the provisions of any applicable Laws to the contrary, including, without limitation, Section 1950.7(c) of the California Civil Code and/or any successor statute.
 
6.   USE OF THE PREMISES AND BUILDING FACILITIES. Tenant shall use the Premises solely for the purposes set forth in the Basic Lease Terms and for no other purpose without Landlord’s prior written consent, which consent may be withheld in Landlord’s sole and absolute discretion. Tenant acknowledges that neither Landlord nor any agent of Landlord has made any representation or warranty with respect to the Premises or the Project or with respect to the suitability of the Premises or Project for the conduct of Tenant’s business, nor has Landlord agreed to undertake any modification, alteration or improvement to the Premises or Project, except as provided in writing in this Lease. Tenant acknowledges that Landlord may from time to time, at its sole discretion, make such modifications, alterations, deletions or improvements to the Building and/or the Project as Landlord may deem necessary or desirable, without compensation to Tenant, provided that no such necessary modifications, alterations, deletions or improvements have a material, adverse impact on Tenant’s use of or access to the Premises and no such merely desirable (but not necessary) alterations, deletions or improvements have more than a de minimis impact on Tenant’s use of or access to the Premises. Tenant shall promptly comply with all federal, state and local laws, statutes, ordinances, orders and regulations, now or hereinafter enacted, affecting the Premises and the Project, including, without limitation, The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Section 1211 et seq.) and regulations and guidelines promulgated thereunder as all of the same may be amended and supplemented from time to time (collectively, the “ ADA ”), and Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations and any amendments thereto (collectively, “ Laws ”), and the rules and regulations attached to this Lease as Exhibit “F” and to any reasonable modifications to these rules and regulations as Landlord may adopt from time to time. To the extent of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Lease and the terms and conditions of such rules and regulations, the terms and conditions of this Lease shall control. Notwithstanding any factors developed by the courts as a means of allocating the obligation to make alterations to the Premises and/or the Project in order to comply with present or future applicable laws, ordinances or regulations, it is the intention of the parties that such obligations are those of Tenant. Landlord makes no representation or warranty as to the compliance of the Premises and/or the Project with the ADA. The parties hereby agree that: (a) Tenant shall be responsible for ADA Title III compliance in the Premises, including any tenant improvements or other work to be performed in the Premises under or in connection with this Lease, and (b) Landlord may require that Tenant perform, and Tenant shall be responsible for the cost of, ADA Title III “path of travel” requirements triggered by any tenant improvements or alterations to the Premises, or as a result of Tenant’s use of the Premises, if so required in writing by an applicable governmental authority. Tenant shall be solely responsible for requirements under Title I of the ADA relating to Tenant's employees. Nothing in Section 29.18 below shall in any way alter the allocation of responsibility for compliance with Laws, including, without limitation, the ADA, set forth in this Section 6. Tenant shall not do or permit anything to be done in or about the Premises or bring or keep anything in the Premises that will in any way increase the premiums for fire or casualty insurance carried by other tenants in the Project, or subject Landlord to a claim of damages or liability arising from hazardous or toxic waste or by-products associated with or arising from Tenant’s use of the Premises and/or the Project. Tenant shall comply with all rules, orders, regulations, and requirements of any local Fire Rating Bureau or any other organization performing a similar function. Tenant shall, within thirty (30) days after written request therefor, reimburse Landlord for any additional insurance premium charged by reason of Tenant’s failure to comply with the provisions of this Section 6. Tenant will not perform any act or carry on any practice that may injure the Premises or the Project that may be a nuisance or menace to other tenants in the Project; or that shall in any way interfere with the quiet enjoyment of such other tenants. If sound or vibration insulation is required to muffle noise produced by Tenant on the Premises, or ventilation and/or insulation is required to remove fumes generated by Tenant, Tenant at its own cost shall provide all necessary insulation and/or ventilation. Tenant shall not do anything on or about the Premises which will overload any existing parking or service to the Premises.
 
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7.   SIGNAGE. All signage shall be at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, shall comply with the City of Burbank sign ordinance and all other applicable Laws. No exterior signage shall be erected by Tenant without the prior written consent of Landlord, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided that, subject to the immediately preceding sentence, Landlord hereby approves the exterior signage shown on Exhibit “G” hereto. Tenant shall place no window covering (e.g., shades, blinds, curtains, drapes, screens, tinting material or security bars), stickers, signs, lettering, banners or advertising or display material on or near exterior windows or doors if such materials are visible from the exterior of the Premises, without Landlord’s prior written consent; provided, however, interior white vertical blinds shall be permitted. Similarly, Tenant may not install any alarm boxes, foil protection tape or other security equipment on the Premises without Landlord’s prior written consent, which may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Any material violating this provision may be destroyed by Landlord without compensation to Tenant. Additionally, upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, Tenant shall pay Landlord for the costs incurred by Landlord to remove any of Tenant’s signage.
 
8.   PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES; BUSINESS TAXES. Tenant shall pay before delinquency all taxes, assessments, license fees and public charges levied, assessed or imposed upon its business operations as well as upon other personal property in or about the Premises.
 
9.   PARKING. During the Term of this Lease and so long as no Tenant Default is continuing, Tenant shall have the exclusive right (at no cost to Tenant) to use all of the unreserved, in-common passenger automobile spaces designated on attached Exhibit “A-2” , which parking spaces shall in no event be fewer than forty-five (45) spaces (inclusive of handicapped spaces), all for use only by Tenant, Tenant’s customers, suppliers, employees, licensees and business invitees. Tenant’s parking shall be limited to passenger cars and/or pickup utility vehicles. Tenant shall not cause large trucks or other large vehicles to be parked within such parking area. Vehicles shall be parked only in striped parking spaces and not in driveways, loading areas or other locations not specifically designated for parking. Overnight parking and storage outside the Premises are prohibited. Landlord reserves the right at any time to promulgate reasonable rules and regulations relating to the use of such parking areas, including reasonable restrictions on parking by tenants and employees, to designate specific spaces for the use of any tenant, to make changes in the parking layout from time to time, and to establish reasonable time limits on parking.
 
Any vehicle violating the vehicle regulations herein or other vehicle regulations promulgated by Landlord shall be subject to removal at the owner’s expense. Any reasonable, out-of-pocket costs (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by Landlord in connection with the enforcement of the provisions of this Section 9 against Tenant or against any employee, contractor, agent, customer, supplier or business invitee or licensee of Tenant shall be reimbursed to Landlord by Tenant as Additional Rent.
 
10.   UTILITIES. Tenant shall pay for all water, gas, heat, light, power, sewer, electricity, telephone or other service metered, chargeable or provided to the Premises. Landlord reserves the right to install separate meters for any such utility and to charge Tenant for the reasonable, out-of-pocket cost of such installation. Tenant shall contract directly with the utility companies to provide such utilities, and for the maintenance of any utility lines, including, without limitation telephone equipment, cabling and/or wiring.
 
11.   MAINTENANCE. Landlord shall maintain the Building foundation (excluding the slab, which shall be the Tenant’s sole obligation) exterior bearing walls, steel roof trusses and roof decking and the Common Areas in good condition, which obligation shall include the maintenance, replacement and repair of the electrical, plumbing, sprinkler, and sewage systems serving the entire Building, including those located under the floor slab of the Premises and including those portions (if any) of the systems lying outside the Premises, electrical room doors, window frames, exterior glass cleaning, gutters and downspouts on the Building; provided, however, the cost of all such maintenance shall be considered “ Operating Expenses ” for purposes of Section 3.3. Except as provided above, Tenant shall maintain and repair the Premises in good condition, including, without limitation, maintaining and repairing all Building Cable (as hereinafter defined), interior plumbing (including any hot water heaters and adjoining pipes), electrical, plumbing, sprinkler, sewage, heating, ventilating and air conditioning, and any and all
 
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other systems servicing the Premises, all walls, floors, slab, ceilings, roof membrane, skylights, insulation, exterior doors servicing the Premises (including truck doors), plate glass, exterior and interior windows and fixtures as well as damage caused by Tenant, its agents, employees or invitees. Upon expiration or termination of this Lease, Tenant shall surrender the Premises to Landlord in accordance with Sections 12 and 24 of this Lease, except for damage caused by fire or other casualty for which Landlord has received all funds necessary for restoration of the Premises from insurance proceeds. The term “ Building Cable ” is used in this Lease to refer to all Building telephone cable, fiber optic wiring and other communications cabling and wiring within the Building.
 
12.   ALTERATIONS. Tenant shall not make any alterations to the Premises or Project, including any changes to the existing landscaping, without Landlord’s prior written consent, which consent may be withheld in Landlord’s sole, subjective and absolute discretion. Tenant shall, however, have the right to make interior, non-structural alterations to the Premises with Landlord’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tenant shall be entitled to make interior, non-structural alterations without Landlord’s consent, provided that such alterations do not cost more than $25,000 individually or
$100,000 in the aggregate over the Lease Term and provided that Tenant gives Landlord prior written notice thereof. Landlord’s consent shall be deemed to have been given as to interior, non-structural alterations to the Premises if not withheld by the thirtieth (30th) day following Landlord’s receipt of all plans, specifications and working drawings determined by Landlord’s architect to be sufficient to permit an informed decision with respect to the proposed interior non-structural alteration. In the event that Landlord shall not approve any such request, Landlord shall provide Tenant with an explanation of the basis for such disapproval. If Landlord gives its consent to such alterations, Landlord may post notices of nonresponsibility and require Tenant to comply with other rules and regulations as Landlord may establish from time to time, including submission of plans and specifications for Landlord’s approval, the posting of performance and payment bonds for any alterations that cost more than
$100,000 (to the extent consistent with standard industry bonding practices for comparable projects), and reimbursement to Landlord for the reasonable, out-of-pocket cost of any engineering or consulting firms required by Landlord to review Tenant’s proposed plans and for an independent roofing consultant and any roofing contractor required by Landlord if said alterations involve roof penetrations or other work on the roof. Any alterations made shall remain on and be surrendered with the Premises upon expiration or termination of this Lease, except that Landlord, in its sole and absolute discretion, may elect to require Tenant at Tenant’s cost to remove any alterations (including any initial tenant improvements) which Tenant may have made to the Premises. As part of any approval of proposed alterations, Tenant may request that Landlord notify Tenant of the extent to which Landlord shall require Tenant to remove such alterations upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease. Tenant’s failure to request such notification and/or Landlord’s failure to provide such notification shall be deemed to be Landlord’s determination that the alterations are subject to Landlord’s removal election. If Landlord so elects, Tenant , at Tenant’s cost, shall restore the Premises to the condition designated by Landlord in its election, before the last day of the Term or within thirty (30) days after notice of its election is given, whichever is later.
 
Should Landlord consent in writing to Tenant’s alteration of the Premises, Tenant shall contract with a duly licensed contractor reasonably approved by Landlord, for the construction of such alterations, shall secure all appropriate governmental approvals and permits, and shall complete such alterations with due diligence in compliance with plans and specifications approved by Landlord. All permitted alterations performed by or through Tenant under this Section 12 shall comply with all laws, statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances, and orders, now and hereinafter in effect. Any valuations or cost analyses of any alterations which are to be submitted to any governmental authority or with the County must be approved by Landlord in its reasonable discretion. All such construction shall be performed in a manner which will not unreasonably interfere with the quiet enjoyment of other tenants of the Project. Tenant shall pay all costs for such construction and shall keep the Premises and the Project free and clear of all mechanics’, materialmen’s, design professionals’, and other liens which may result from construction by or through Tenant. In the event any such lien is filed as a result of any work undertaken by or through Tenant and such lien is not removed or bonded within ten (10) days after written demand by Landlord, Landlord shall have the right (but not the obligation) to satisfy the claim or post a release bond in the statutory amount, in which case any and all costs incurred by Landlord (including any attorneys’ fees) shall be reimbursed by Tenant to Landlord as Additional Rent with the next ensuing payment of Base Monthly Rent.
 
Landlord acknowledges that Tenant desires to perform the following work in the Premises after the Effective Date (collectively, as, when and to the extent approved by Landlord, the “ Desired Improvements ”): (i) build an additional 2,000 square feet of office space (which would include the addition of one (1) single ADA
 
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restroom) in the portion of the Premises depicted on Exhibit “B” attached hereto; (ii) build an approximately 1,000 square foot locker room with additional restrooms and showers in the rear of the warehouse portion of the Premises depicted on Exhibit “B” attached hereto; (iii) install a window in the east wall of the mezzanine office area overlooking the bullpen in order to allow more natural light into the mezzanine area; and (iv) install air conditioning throughout the warehouse portion of the Premises so that the fitness area can be climate controlled. The Desired Improvements shall be considered alterations to the Premises and shall be subject to the terms of this Section 12 in all respects, including, without limitation, that Tenant shall be required to obtain Landlord’s prior written consent of the specific details of the Desired Improvements (including, without limitation, their exact location, plans and specifications and contractor). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 12, Landlord’s consent shall be deemed to have been given as to the Desired Improvements if not withheld by (a) the fifteenth (15th) day following Landlord’s receipt of all plans, specifications and working drawings determined by Landlord’s architect to be sufficient to permit an informed decision with respect to the proposed Desired Improvements and (b) two (2) business days following a reminder notice delivered by Tenant to Landlord on or after such fifteenth (15th) day.
 
13.              
RELEASE AND INDEMNITY.
 
13.1   From and after the date of execution hereof by Landlord, Tenant shall indemnify, defend and hold Landlord and its Lenders, Landlord’s successors and assigns, constituent partners, members, trustees, beneficiaries, co-managing directors, agents, and employees (collectively, the “ Indemnified Parties ”) harmless against and from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of actions, judgments, damages, liabilities, losses, obligations, costs and expenses, including, without limitation, attorneys’ and consultants’ fees (individually, a “ Claim ” and collectively, “ Claims ”) arising from or in connection with (i) the construction, repair, alteration, improvement,
use, occupancy or enjoyment of the Premises by Tenant, by any Tenant’s Parties (as defined in Section 13.2, below), by any other person permitted thereon, including, without limitation, any labor dispute involving Tenant and/or any failure by Tenant to comply with any laws, ordinances or regulations governing construction within the Premises or access to the Premises by disabled persons, (ii) any activity, work or thing done, permitted or suffered by Tenant or any Tenant’s Parties in or about the Premises, the Common Areas or the Project, (iii) any breach or default in the performance of any obligation on Tenant’s part to be performed under the terms of this Lease,
(i)   any injuries suffered by Tenant’s employees, or (v) any negligent (whether active or passive) or wrongful act or omission of Tenant, of any Tenant Parties, or of any other guest or invitee of Tenant in or about the Project. The foregoing shall include, but not be limited to, the defense or pursuit of any claim or any action or proceeding involved therein, and whether or not (in the case of claims made against Landlord) litigated and/or reduced to judgment. In case any action or proceeding is brought against the Indemnified Parties or any of them by reason of any such Claim, Tenant upon notice from Landlord, shall defend the same at Tenant’s expense. Neither Landlord nor any of the other Indemnified Parties need to have first paid any such claim in order to be so indemnified. With respect to the indemnifications provided in this Section 13.1, Tenant shall have the right to select counsel and control the defense of any matter or claim (subject to applicable attorney conflict of interest principles), provided , that counsel selected by Tenant shall be reasonably satisfactory to Landlord (it being acknowledged that, absent conflict of interest, counsel selected by any insurance company responsible for coverage in respect of any claim shall be deemed to be reasonably satisfactory to Landlord). Landlord shall, to the extent any matter or claim is not covered by insurance, not settle any matter or claim without the consent of Tenant, such consent to not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. Tenant’s obligations under this Section 13.1 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease.
 
13.2   No Indemnified Party and no other tenant or subtenant of the Project shall be liable to Tenant or its partners, members, directors, officers, shareholders, contractors, agents, employees, invitees, sublessees or licensees (collectively, “ Tenant’s Parties ”) for any loss or damage to any of Tenant’s Parties except to the extent caused solely by the gross negligence or intentional misconduct of Landlord in the operation or maintenance of the Project or Landlord’s material breach of this Lease beyond applicable notice and cure periods. Further, under no circumstances shall any Indemnified Party be liable for consequential damages arising out of this Lease. In addition, Tenant’s liability for consequential damages arising out of this Lease shall not exceed One Million and 00/100 Dollars ($1,000,000.00); provided, however, that such limitation shall not apply to Tenant’s liability for any actual damages arising out of this Lease nor to Tenant’s liability for consequential damages under Tenant’s indemnity obligations set forth in the last sentence of Section 24 below. The effect of such releases and waivers of the right to recover damages shall not be limited by the amount of insurance carried or required, or by any deductibles applicable thereto.
 
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14.              
INSURANCE.
 
14.1   Tenant shall, at Tenant’s expense, obtain and keep in full force during the Term the types of insurance meeting the requirements set forth on attached Exhibit “C” Concurrently with its execution and delivery of this Lease and thereafter within five (5) business days following written demand therefor from Landlord, Tenant shall deliver certificates of such insurance with all endorsements required hereunder. In the event Tenant fails to provide certificates evidencing renewal of each such policy at least ten (10) days before expiration of the policy (as required pursuant to attached Exhibit “C” ) or within five (5) business days after written request by Landlord,
 
Landlord shall have the right, but not the obligation, to order such insurance and charge the cost thereof plus a five (5%) administrative fee to Tenant, which amount shall be payable by Tenant to Landlord upon demand. Failure of Landlord to demand such certificate or other evidence of full compliance with the insurance requirements contained in this Lease or failure of Landlord to identify a deficiency from evidence that is provided to Landlord shall not be construed as a waiver of Tenant’s obligation to maintain such insurance. By requiring insurance herein, Landlord does not represent that coverage and limits will necessarily be adequate to protect Tenant, and such coverage and limits shall not be deemed as a limitation on Tenant’s liability under the indemnities granted to Landlord in this Lease. Tenant’s failure to procure the required insurance shall not excuse Tenant from any obligations hereunder and shall subject Tenant to contractual damages.
 
14.2   During the Term, Landlord shall insure the Building and the Project (in addition to, and not in lieu of any insurance which Tenant is obligated to maintain) against damage with all risk insurance and public liability insurance, and any other coverages Landlord reasonably determines or its Lender determines to be appropriate, all in such amounts and with such deductibles as Landlord reasonably considers appropriate. Landlord may, but shall not be obligated to, obtain and carry any other form or forms of insurance as may reasonably determine or its Lender may determine advisable. Such insurance may be procured through a policy of blanket insurance. The allocated costs of such insurance shall be borne by Tenant pursuant to Section 3.3. Tenant shall not be named as an additional insured therein. Notwithstanding any contribution by Tenant to the cost of insurance premiums as provided under this Lease, Tenant acknowledges that it has no right to receive any proceeds from any insurance policies carried by Landlord.
 
14.3   Tenant will not keep, use, sell or offer for sale in or upon the Premises any article which may be prohibited by any insurance policy periodically in force covering the Building and/or the Project or which shall invalidate the insurance policies carried by Tenant or Landlord. If Tenant’s use of the Premises, whether or not Landlord has consented to the same, results in any increase in premiums for the insurance periodically carried by Landlord with respect to the Building and/or the Project, Tenant shall pay any such increase in premiums as Additional Rent within thirty (30) days after being billed therefor by Landlord. In determining whether increased premiums are a result of Tenant’s use of the Premises, a schedule issued by the organization computing the insurance rate on the Building, the Project or any tenant improvements, if any, showing the various components of such rate shall be conclusive evidence of the several items and charges which make up such rate. Tenant shall promptly comply with all reasonable requirements of the insurance authority or any present or future insurer relating to the Premises. If any of Landlord’s insurance policies shall be canceled or cancellation shall be threatened or the premium or coverage thereunder changed or threatened to be changed in any way because of the use of the Premises or any part thereof by Tenant or any assignee or subtenant of Tenant or by anyone Tenant permits on the Premises and, if Tenant fails to remedy the condition giving rise to such threatened or actual cancellation, or threatened or actual change in coverage or premiums, then, within forty-eight (48) hours after notice thereof, Landlord may, at its option, either terminate this Lease or enter upon the Premises and attempt to remedy such condition, and Tenant shall promptly pay the cost thereof to Landlord as Additional Rent. Landlord shall not be liable for any damage or injury caused to any property of Tenant or of others located on the Premises resulting from such entry. If Landlord is unable or elects not to remedy such condition, then Landlord shall have all of the remedies for a Tenant default provided for in this Lease.
 
14.4   Without limiting the foregoing, any contractor (including, without limitation, the janitorial contractor) or any other third party engaged by or through Tenant to perform any alterations, maintenance, repairs, or other services within the Premises or Project (including, without limitation, within any telephone or electrical rooms) shall deliver to Landlord evidence of liability insurance meeting the requirements set forth on attached Exhibit “D” or shall otherwise satisfy Landlord as to such contractor’s financial capability as determined by Landlord in Landlord’s reasonable discretion.
 
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14.5   Each policy of insurance obtained by Landlord and Tenant shall expressly waive all rights of subrogation against the other and their respective officers, directors, general partners, employees, agents and representatives or shall contain the ISO endorsement CG 2404 or its equivalent (subrogation waiver). Landlord and Tenant waive any rights of recovery (whether in contract or in tort) against the other for injury or loss due to hazards covered by policies of insurance containing such a waiver of subrogation clause or endorsement to the extent of the injury or loss covered thereby. All casualty insurance required to be provided by Tenant under this Lease shall release Landlord from any claims for damage to any person on the Premises and elsewhere on the Project and to Tenant’s fixtures, personal property, improvements and alterations in or on the Premises or the Project, caused by or resulting from risks insured against under the insurance policies required to be carried by Tenant and in force at the time of such damage.
 
15.  
DESTRUCTION.
 
15.1   If the Premises are damaged by fire or other casualty (a “ Casualty ”), Landlord shall, as soon as reasonably practicable but in any event within ninety (90) days after such Casualty, deliver to Tenant a good faith estimate (the “ Damage Notice ”) of the time needed to repair the damage caused by such Casualty.
 
15.2   If a material portion of the Premises is damaged by Casualty such that Tenant is prevented from conducting its business in the Premises in a manner reasonably comparable to that conducted immediately before such Casualty and Landlord estimates that the damage caused thereby cannot be repaired within two hundred seventy (270) days after the commencement of repairs (the “ Repair Period ”), then Tenant may terminate this Lease by delivering written notice to Landlord of its election to terminate within thirty (30) days after the Damage Notice has been delivered to Tenant; provided, however, that if such damage occurs within twelve (12) months of the last day of the Term and the time estimated to substantially complete the repair exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the then remaining Term, then Tenant may terminate this Lease by delivering written notice to Landlord of its election to terminate within thirty (30) days after the Damage Notice has been delivered to Tenant .
 
 
15.3   If a Casualty damages the Premises or a material portion thereof and (a) Landlord estimates that the damage to the Premises cannot be repaired within the Repair Period, (b) the damage to the Premises exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the replacement cost thereof (excluding foundations and footings), as estimated by Landlord, and such damage occurs during the last two (2) years of the Term, (c) regardless of the extent of damage to the Premises, the damage is not fully covered by Landlord’s insurance policies or Landlord makes a good faith determination that restoring the Premises would be uneconomical, or (d) Landlord is required to pay any insurance proceeds arising out of the Casualty to any beneficiary or mortgagee with a lien on the Premises or Project, then Landlord may terminate this Lease by giving written notice of its election to terminate within thirty (30) days after the Damage Notice has been delivered to Tenant.
 
 
15.4   If neither party elects to terminate this Lease following a Casualty, then Landlord shall, within a reasonable time after such Casualty, begin to repair the Premises and shall proceed with reasonable diligence to restore the Premises to substantially the same condition as they existed immediately before such Casualty; however, Landlord shall not be required to repair or replace any alterations or betterments within the Premises (which shall be promptly and with due diligence repaired and restored by Tenant at Tenant’s sole cost and expense) or any furniture, equipment, trade fixtures or personal property of Tenant or others in the Premises, and Landlord’s obligation to repair or restore the Premises shall be limited to the extent of the insurance proceeds actually received by Landlord for the Casualty in question. If this Lease is terminated under the provisions of this Section 15, Landlord shall be entitled to the full proceeds of the insurance policies providing coverage for all alterations, improvements and betterments in the Premises (and, if Tenant has failed to maintain insurance on such items as required by this Lease, Tenant shall pay Landlord an amount equal to the proceeds Landlord would have received had Tenant maintained insurance on such items as required by this Lease).
 
15.5   If the Premises are damaged by Casualty, Rent for the portion of the Premises rendered untenantable by the damage shall be equitably abated based on the nature and degree of the interference with Tenant’s use of the Premises from the date of damage until the completion of Landlord’s repairs (or until the date of termination of this Lease by Landlord or Tenant as provided above, as the case may be), unless Tenant or any of Tenant’s Parties negligently or willfully caused such damage, in which case, Tenant shall continue to pay Rent without abatement.
 
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15.6   This Section 15 shall provide Tenant’s sole and exclusive remedy in the event of damage or destruction to the Premises, and Tenant, as a material inducement to Landlord entering into this Lease, irrevocably waives and releases Tenant’s rights under California Civil Code Sections 1932(2), 1933(4), 1941 and 1942. No damages, compensation or claim shall be payable by Landlord for any inconvenience, any interruption or cessation of Tenant’s business, or any annoyance, arising from any damage to or destruction of all or any portion of the Premises, except for the abatement of rent provided in Section 15.5 above.
 
16.  
CONDEMNATION.
 
16.1   If the entire Premises are taken by right of eminent domain or conveyed in lieu thereof (a “ Taking ”), this Lease shall terminate as of the date of the Taking.
 
16.2   If any part of the Premises becomes subject to a Taking and such Taking will prevent Tenant from conducting on a permanent basis its business in the Premises in a manner reasonably comparable to that conducted immediately before such Taking, then Tenant may terminate this Lease as of the date of such Taking by giving written notice to Landlord within thirty (30) days after the Taking, and Base Monthly Rent and Additional Rent shall be apportioned as of the date of such Taking. If Tenant does not terminate this Lease, then Rent shall be abated on a reasonable basis as to that portion of the Premises rendered untenantable by the Taking.
 
16.3   If any material portion, but less than all, of the Premises becomes subject to a Taking, or if Landlord is required to pay any of the proceeds arising from a Taking to any beneficiary or mortgagee with a lien on the Premises or Project, then Landlord may terminate this Lease by delivering written notice thereof to Tenant within thirty (30) days after such Taking, and Base Monthly Rent and Additional Rent shall be apportioned as of the date of such Taking. If Landlord does not so terminate this Lease, then this Lease will continue, but if any portion of the Premises has been taken, Rent shall abate as provided in the last sentence of Section 16.2.
 
16.4   If all or any portion of the Premises becomes subject to a Taking for a limited period of time, this Lease shall remain in full force and effect and Tenant shall continue to perform all of the terms, conditions and covenants of this Lease, including the payment of Base Monthly Rent and all other amounts required hereunder. If any such temporary Taking terminates prior to the expiration of the Term, Tenant shall restore the Premises as nearly as possible to the condition prior to such temporary Taking, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense. Landlord shall be entitled to receive the entire award for any such temporary Taking, except that Tenant shall be entitled to receive the portion of such award which (1) compensates Tenant for its loss of use of the Premises within the Term and (2) reimburses Tenant for the reasonable out-of-pocket costs actually incurred by Tenant to restore the Premises as required by this Section 16.4.
 
16.5   If any Taking occurs, then Landlord shall receive the entire award or other compensation for the Premises and other improvements taken; however, Tenant may separately pursue a claim (to the extent it will not reduce Landlord’s award) against the condemnor for the value of Tenant’s personal property which Tenant is entitled to remove under this Lease, moving costs, loss of business, and other claims it may have. The rights of Landlord and Tenant regarding any Taking shall be determined as provided in this Section, and each party hereby waives the provisions of Section 1265.130 of the California Code of Civil Procedure, and the provisions of any similar law hereinafter enacted, allowing either party to petition the Supreme Court to terminate this Lease and/or otherwise allocate condemnation awards between Landlord and Tenant in the event of a Taking.
 
17.  
ASSIGNMENT OR SUBLEASE.
 
17.1   Tenant shall not assign or sublease all or any part of the Premises or allow any other person or entity to occupy or use all or any part of the Premises (collectively, a “ Transfer ”) without first obtaining Landlord’s consent, which may be given or withheld in accordance with the standards set forth in this Section 17, which the parties agree are reasonable restrictions and conditions pursuant to any applicable Laws, including, without limitation, California Civil Code Section 1995.250. A Transfer shall include any indirect or direct transfer, assignment, sale or encumbrance of any interest in Tenant, including, without limitation: (a) transfers by operation of law; (b) transfers of more than 25% of the direct or indirect ownership interests in Tenant; (c) the transfer, sale or encumbrance of 50% or more of Tenant’s assets (in one or more transactions); (d) transfers resulting in a reduction by 25% or more of the net worth of Tenant, and/or (e) (i) if Tenant becomes a bankrupt or
 
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insolvent, makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or institutes proceedings under the Bankruptcy Act in which Tenant is a bankrupt (or, if Tenant is a partnership or consists of more than one person or entity, if any partner of the partnership or such other person or entity becomes a bankrupt or insolvent, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors), (ii) a writ of attachment or execution is levied on this Lease, or (iii) if in any proceeding to which Tenant is a party, a receiver is appointed with the authority to take possession of the Premises. No withholding of consent by Landlord for any reason deemed sufficient by Landlord shall give rise to any claim by Tenant or any proposed assignee or subtenant or entitle Tenant to terminate this Lease, to recover contract damages or to any abatement of Rent. In this connection, Tenant hereby expressly waives any rights to the contrary under applicable Laws, including, without limitation, California Civil Code Section 1995.310. If Tenant is a partnership, a withdrawal or change, voluntary, involuntary or by operation of law of any general partner, or the dissolution of the partnership, shall be deemed a Transfer. If Tenant consists of more than one person, a purported assignment, voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law from one person to the other shall be deemed a Transfer.
 
17.2   In connection with any proposed Transfer, at least thirty (30) days before the effective date of the proposed Transfer, Tenant shall provide Landlord with written notice of Tenant’s intent to assign or sublet (“ Tenant’s Notice ”) and shall furnish (i) the name and identity of the proposed assignee or sublessee (“ Transferee ”); (ii) such financial and related information respecting the Transferee as Landlord shall reasonably request; (iii) such business history and experience information as Landlord shall reasonably request; (iv) all terms and conditions of the proposed Transfer, including a copy of the proposed Transfer documents (which may constitute a term sheet or letter of intent); (v) the name and description of business experience of the individuals and entities who are the owners of the equity interests in the proposed Transferee; and (vi) if a guarantee is to be provided, it shall be in a form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Landlord’s legal counsel and its shall be accompanied by financial statements (prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) for the two most recently completed fiscal years of the proposed guarantor(s) of the proposed Transferee’s obligations as to “ Tenant ” hereunder. Whether Landlord refuses to consent to such Transfer, or consents to such Transfer, then this Lease shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with it terms. Whether or not Landlord consents to a proposed Transfer under the provisions of this Section 17, (i) Tenant shall pay Landlord’s processing and investigation costs, which shall be the greater of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or actual reasonable out-of- pocket costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in determining whether or not to so consent, and
 
(ii) Tenant shall not be relieved of any responsibility under this Lease. If Landlord consents to any Transfer, Tenant shall pay to Landlord, as Additional Rent, fifty percent (50%) of all net sums or other consideration received by Tenant promptly after its receipt. As used in this Paragraph, “ net sums or other consideration ” shall include without limitation the then fair value of any non-cash consideration and shall be calculated after first deducting reasonable costs incurred by Tenant in connection with the Transfer, including commissions payable to a broker not affiliated with Tenant, space modification costs in connection with the Transfer, reasonable legal costs, rent concessions to the Transferee, and lease take-over costs. Landlord’s waiver of or consent to any Transfer shall not relieve Tenant from Tenant’s primary obligations under this Lease whether or not accrued. Any Transferee approved by Landlord shall execute an agreement reasonably acceptable to Landlord agreeing to be bound by the terms of this Lease. If this Lease is assigned or if the Premises or any part thereof is subleased or occupied by anybody other than Tenant, Landlord may collect Rent from the assignee, subtenant, or occupant and apply the net amount collected to the Rent due hereunder, but no such assignment, underletting, subleasing, occupancy or collection shall be deemed an acceptance of the assignee, subtenant, or occupant as tenant (except as expressly set forth in this Section 17) or as a release of Tenant from the further performance by Tenant of the covenants on the part of the Tenant to be performed as herein contained. The acceptance of Rent from any other person shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any of the provisions of this Lease or the consent to a Transfer of the Premises. Tenant shall not mortgage or encumber this Lease or Tenant’s interest thereon.
 
17.3   Landlord shall not unreasonably withhold, condition or delay its consent to a proposed Transfer; provided, however, Landlord’s consent shall be deemed to be reasonably withheld if the proposed Transfer does not satisfy all of the following conditions: (a) the Transfer shall be on substantially the same terms and conditions set forth in Tenant’s Notice given to Landlord; (b) no Transfer shall be valid, and no Transferee shall take possession of any of the Premises until an original of the duly executed counterpart of the Transfer documentation (signed by authorized signatories of both Tenant and Transferee) has been delivered to Landlord; (c) no Transferee shall have the right to further assign or sublet without the consent of Landlord; (d) any proposed subletting will not result in more than two subleases of portions of the Premises being in effect at any one time during the Term; (e)
 
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other than for a proposed sublease of this Lease of the Premises, the net effective Base Monthly Rent (adjusted on a square foot basis) shall be at or higher than the Base Monthly Rent then being agreed upon by Landlord on new leases in the Project for comparable size space for comparable terms, and Tenant shall not grant greater concessions to the Transferee than are then being offered by Landlord (adjusted on a square foot basis) to new tenants leasing a comparable amount of space for a comparable amount of time; (f) the proposed Transferee shall not be an existing tenant of the Project nor have been negotiating with Landlord or with any affiliate of Landlord during the last six (6) months for space in the Project or for space within buildings owned by any such affiliate; (g) no Transferee shall be a governmental entity; (h) the portion of the Premises to be sublet or assigned shall be regular in shape with appropriate means of ingress and egress; (i) the proposed use of the Premises by the Transferee shall be permitted by the use provisions of this Lease; (j) intentionally omitted; (k) the Transferee has the financial capability to fulfill the obligations imposed by the Transfer; (l) the Transferee is not a real estate developer or landlord and/or is not acting directly or indirectly on behalf of a real estate developer or a landlord;
 
(m) intentionally omitted; (n) the Transferee demonstrates, in Landlord’s business judgment, that it is able to perform the obligations on Transferee’s part to be performed under the Lease; and (o) the Transferee shall not have been involved in any civil, criminal or administrative litigation, investigations or proceedings with its prior landlord or landlords or is otherwise involved in any civil, criminal or administrative litigation, investigations or proceedings which are unsatisfactory in the reasonable opinion of Landlord. Tenant acknowledges that the foregoing conditions to a requested Transfer are reasonable.
 
17.4   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 17, provided that no Tenant Default has occurred and continues uncured, Tenant may Transfer all or part of its interest in this Lease (a " Permitted Transfer ") to the following types of entities (a " Permitted Transferee ") without the written consent of Landlord:
 
(a)
an affiliate of Tenant, so long as (i) Tenant's obligations hereunder are assumed by such affiliate; (ii) such affiliate has substantial experience operating the same line of business as Tenant; (iii) Tenant shall remain directly and primarily liable to Landlord for Tenant’s obligations under the Lease, which obligations shall continue unaffected by the Permitted Transfer; and (iv) the Net Worth of such affiliate is at least equal to Tenant’s Net Worth at the time of execution of this Lease; or
 
(b)
any corporation, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, limited liability company or other business entity in which or with which Tenant, or its corporate successors or assigns, is merged or consolidated, in accordance with applicable statutory provisions governing merger and consolidation of business entities, so long as (i) Tenant's obligations hereunder are assumed by the entity surviving such merger or created by such consolidation; (ii) such surviving or created entity has substantial experience operating the same line of business as Tenant; and (iii) the Net Worth of such surviving or created entity is at least equal to Tenant’s Net Worth at the time of execution of this Lease; or
 
(c)
any corporation, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, limited liability company or other business entity acquiring all or substantially all of Tenant's assets, so long as (i) Tenant's obligations hereunder are assumed by such entity; (ii) such entity has substantial experience operating the same line of business as Tenant; (iii) Tenant shall remain directly and primarily liable to Landlord for Tenant’s obligations under the Lease, which obligations shall continue unaffected by the Permitted Transfer; and (iv) the Net Worth of such entity is at least equal to Tenant’s Net Worth at the time of execution of this Lease.
 
Tenant shall promptly notify Landlord of any such Permitted Transfer. Additionally, the Permitted Transferee shall comply with all of the terms and conditions of this Lease, including the Permitted Use, and the use of the Premises by the Permitted Transferee may not violate any other agreements affecting the Premises or Landlord. No later than thirty (30) days after the effective date of any Permitted Transfer, Tenant agrees to furnish Landlord with (A) copies of the instrument effecting any Permitted Transfer, and (B) evidence of insurance as required under this Lease with respect to the Permitted Transferee. The occurrence of a Permitted Transfer shall not waive Landlord’s rights as to any subsequent Transfers. “ Net Worth ” for purposes of this Lease shall be the tangible, unconsolidated net worth of the person or entity in question (excluding any guarantors) established under generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied or any other method of accounting reasonably acceptable to Landlord.
 
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17.5   Landlord may, within thirty (30) days after submission of Tenant’s Notice for a proposed assignment of this Lease or subletting of all or substantially all of the Premises, cancel this Lease as to the portion of the Premises proposed to be sublet or assigned as of the date the proposed transfer is to be effective. If Landlord cancels this Lease as to any portion of the Premises, then this Lease shall cease for such portion of the Premises and Tenant shall pay to Landlord all Rent accrued through the cancellation date relating to the portion of the Premises covered by the proposed Transfer. Thereafter, Landlord may lease such portion of the Premises to the prospective transferee (or to any other person) without liability to Tenant.
 
17.6   The violation by Tenant of any provision of this Section 17 shall give Landlord the right (but not the obligation) to require that the Security Deposit be increased by an amount equal to three (3) times the then Base Monthly Rent.
 
18.   DEFAULT. The occurrence of any one or more of the following events shall constitute a default hereunder by Tenant (each, a “ Tenant Default ”):
 
18.1   Intentionally omitted;
 
18.2   The failure by Tenant to make any payment of Rent or any other payment required to be made by Tenant under this Lease, as and when due, where such failure shall continue for a period of five (5) days after written notice thereof from Landlord to Tenant; provided, however, that any such notice shall be in lieu of, and not in addition to, any notice required under applicable Laws regarding unlawful detainer actions; provided, further, however, a Tenant Default shall occur hereunder without any obligation of Landlord to give any notice if Tenant fails to pay Rent when due and, during the twelve (12) month interval preceding such failure, Landlord has given Tenant written notice of failure to pay Rent on two or more occasions;
 
18.3
The failure by Tenant to observe or perform according to the provisions of Sections 14, 21, 29.7, 29.8 and 29.9 where such failure continues for more than three (3) business days after notice from Landlord.

18.4   Except where a specific time period is otherwise set forth for Tenant’s performance in this Lease, the failure by Tenant to observe or perform any of the express or implied covenants or provisions of this Lease to be observed or performed by Tenant, other than as specified in Sections 18.1, 18.2 or 18.3, where such failure shall continue for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from Landlord to Tenant. Any such notice shall be in lieu of, and not in addition to, any notice required under applicable Laws regarding unlawful detainer actions. If the nature of Tenant’s default is such that it is reasonably capable of being cured but more than
 
thirty (30) days are required for its cure, then Tenant shall not be deemed to be in default if Tenant shall commence such cure within the thirty (30)-day period and thereafter diligently prosecute such cure to completion, which completion shall occur not later than ninety (90) days from the date of such notice from Landlord. The foregoing shall not however limit Landlord’s rights to perform Tenant’s obligations and charge Tenant for the costs thereof pursuant to Section 19, below;
 
18.5
An Act of Insolvency that is not discharged within sixty (60) days; and/or
 
18.6   If the performance of Tenant’s obligations under this Lease is guaranteed: (i) the death of a guarantor, (ii) the termination of a guarantor’s liability with respect to this Lease other than in accordance with the terms of such guaranty, (iii) a guarantor becoming insolvent or the subject of a bankruptcy filing, or (iv) a guarantor’s refusal to honor the guaranty.
 
19.   LANDLORD’S REMEDIES. Landlord shall have the following remedies in the event of a Tenant Default, which remedies are not exclusive; they are cumulative and in addition to any remedies now or later allowed by law:
 
19.1   Landlord may terminate Tenant’s right to possession of the Premises at any time by written notice to Tenant. No act by Landlord other than giving notice to Tenant shall terminate this Lease. Acts of maintenance, efforts to relet the Premises, or the appointment of a receiver on Landlord’s initiative to protect Landlord’s interest under this Lease shall not constitute a termination of Tenant’s right to possession. Landlord shall terminate this
 
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Lease and any and all rights of Tenant hereunder, by any lawful means, in which event, Landlord, without the requirement of any further notice to Tenant, shall have the right immediately to enter the Premises and take full possession thereof, in which event Landlord shall be entitled, at Landlord’s election, to the rights and remedies provided in California Civil Code Section 1951.2, as in effect as of the date hereof. For purposes of computing damages pursuant to Section 1951.2, an interest rate equal to the Default Rate. Such damages shall include, without limitation, (i) the worth at the time of award made on account of the default resulting in such termination (“ Award ”), together with interest thereon at the Default Rate, of any unpaid portion of the Rent which had been earned by Landlord at the time of such termination, (ii) the worth at the time of Award, together with interest thereon at the Default Rate, of the amount by which any unpaid portion of the Rent which would have been earned after such termination until the time of Award exceeds the amount of loss of any unpaid portion of the Rent which Tenant proves could have reasonably been avoided, (iii) the worth at the time of Award, together with interest thereon at the Default Rate, of the amount by which any unpaid portion of the Rent for the balance of the Term exceeds the amount of loss of any unpaid portion of the Rent which Tenant proves could have reasonably been avoided, and (iv) any and all other amounts necessary to compensate Landlord for all detriment proximately caused by such Tenant Default or which in the ordinary course of business would be likely to result therefrom, including, without limitation, any costs or expenses incurred by Landlord in maintaining or preserving the Premises after such Tenant Default, preparing the Premises for reletting to a new tenant, accomplishing any repairs or alterations to the Premises for purposes of such reletting, rectifying any damage thereto occasioned by the act or omission of Tenant and any other costs necessary or appropriate to relet the Premises.
 
19.2   Alternatively, Landlord may continue this Lease in full force and effect and enforce any of its other rights and remedies hereunder, including, without limitation, the rights and remedies provided by California Civil Code Section 1951.4 (“lessor may continue lease in effect after lessee’s breach and abandonment and recover rent as it becomes due, if lessee has right to sublet or assign, subject only to reasonable limitations”), as in effect on the date hereof. However, any acts of maintenance or preservation or efforts to relet the Premises by Landlord or the appointment of a receiver by Landlord to protect its right, title and interest in and to the Premises or any portion thereof or this Lease shall neither constitute termination of this Lease nor interference with such rights of Tenant to possession, assignment and sublease.
 
19.3   Without limiting Landlord’s rights and remedies set forth herein, if Tenant fails to perform any affirmative duty or obligation of Tenant under this Lease within thirty (30) days, after written notice to Tenant (or in case of an emergency, without notice), Landlord may at its option (but without obligation to do so), perform such duty or obligation on Tenant’s behalf, including but not limited to the performance of required maintenance, repairs and/or replacements, the obtaining of reasonably required bonds, insurance policies, or governmental licenses, permits or approvals. The costs and expenses of any such performance by Landlord plus a ten
percent (10%) administrative fee shall be due and payable as Additional Rent by Tenant to Landlord upon invoice therefor. If any check given to Landlord by Tenant shall not be honored by the bank upon which it is drawn, Landlord, at its option, may require all future payments to be made under this Lease by Tenant to be made only by cashier’s check.
 
20.   ENTRY ON PREMISES. Landlord and its authorized representatives shall have the right, upon reasonable prior notice, but in any event not less than forty-eight (48) hours (or, in the case of an emergency, without notice) to enter the Premises at all reasonable times for any of the following purposes: (a) to examine and/or inspect the Premises to determine whether Tenant is complying with its obligations under this Lease; (b) to do any necessary maintenance and to make any restoration to the Premises that Landlord has the right or obligation to perform; (c) to post “ for sale ” signs at any time during the Term, to post “ for rent ” or “ for lease ” signs during the last one hundred eighty (180) days of the Term, or during any period while Tenant is in default; (d) to show the Premises to prospective brokers, agents, buyers, lenders, tenants or persons interested in an exchange, at any time during the Term; or (e) to repair, maintain or improve the Building and to erect scaffolding and protective barricades around and about the Premises but not so as to prevent entry to the Premises and to do any other act or thing necessary for the safety or preservation of the Premises or the Project. Landlord shall not be liable in any manner for any inconvenience, disturbance, loss of business, nuisance or other damage arising out of Landlord’s entry onto the Premises as provided in this Section 20, provided that Landlord complies with the terms and conditions of this Section 20. Tenant shall not be entitled to an abatement or reduction of Rent if Landlord exercises any rights reserved in this Section 20. Landlord shall conduct its activities on the Premises as provided herein in a manner that
 
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is reasonable and will cause the least inconvenience, annoyance or disturbance to Tenant. Tenant or Tenant’s representative shall have the right to be present for any such access by Landlord.
 
21.   SUBORDINATION AND ATTORNMENT. Unless Landlord or any beneficiary or mortgagee with a lien on the Building or Project or any ground lessor with respect to the Building or Project elects otherwise as provided below, this Lease shall be subject and subordinate at all times to the following without the necessity of any additional document being executed by Tenant for the purpose of effecting a subordination:
 
(a)   The lien and provisions of any mortgage, deed of trust, or declaration of covenants, conditions and restrictions which may now exist or hereafter be executed by which the Building, the Project, any ground lease, or Landlord’s interest or estate in any of those items, is encumbered; and
 
(b)
All ground leases which may now exist or hereafter be executed affecting the Building or the
 
Project.
 
Landlord, any such beneficiary or mortgagee, or any such ground lessor, shall at any time have the right to elect to subordinate or cause to be subordinated to this Lease any such liens and provisions or ground lease. Any such election under the preceding sentence shall be made by giving notice thereof to Tenant at least sixty (60) days before the election is to become effective. If any ground lease terminates for any reason or any mortgage or deed of trust is foreclosed or a conveyance in lieu of foreclosure is made for any reason, Tenant shall, at the election of any successor-in-interest to Landlord and notwithstanding any subordination, attorn to and become the Tenant of the successor-in-interest to Landlord. Tenant waives any right to declare this Lease terminated or otherwise ineffectual because of any such foreclosure, conveyance or ground lease termination. Tenant shall execute and deliver, within ten (10) days after demand by Landlord and in the form and content reasonably requested by Landlord, any additional documents required by a Lender evidencing the priority or subordination of this Lease and Tenant’s obligation to attorn to and become the Tenant of any successor-in-interest to Landlord as provided for under this Section 21; provided that such additional documents shall not (i) increase Tenant’s monetary obligations under this Lease, (ii) extend or reduce the Term, (iii) except to a de minimis extent, otherwise decrease Landlord's obligations or Tenant’s rights under this Lease or (iv) except to a de minimis extent, otherwise increase Tenant's other obligations or Landlord’s rights under this Lease. Tenant hereby irrevocably appoints Landlord as attorney-in-fact of Tenant to execute, deliver and record any such subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreement in the name and on behalf of Tenant.
 
22.   NOTICE. All notices and other communications given pursuant to this Lease shall be in writing and shall be (1) mailed by first class, United States Mail, postage prepaid, certified, with return receipt requested, and addressed to the parties hereto at the address specified in the Basic Lease Terms, (2) hand delivered to the intended addressee, (3) sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (4) sent by facsimile or email transmission during normal business hours followed by a confirmatory letter sent in another manner permitted hereunder. All notices shall be effective upon delivery to the address of the addressee. The parties hereto may change their addresses by giving notice thereof to the other in conformity with this provision.
 
23.   WAIVER. No delay or omission in the exercise of any right or remedy by Landlord shall impair such right or remedy or be construed as a waiver. No act or conduct of Landlord, including without limitation, acceptance of the keys to the Premises, shall constitute an acceptance of the surrender of the Premises by Tenant before the expiration of the Term. Only written notice from Landlord to Tenant shall constitute acceptance of the
Premises and accomplish termination of the Lease. Landlord’s consent to or approval of any act by Tenant requiring Landlord’s consent or approval shall not be deemed to waive or render unnecessary Landlord’s consent to or approval of any subsequent act by Tenant. Any waiver by Landlord of any default must be in writing and shall not be a waiver of any other default concerning the same or any other provision of the Lease.
 
24.   SURRENDER OF PREMISES; HOLDING OVER. Upon expiration of the Term, Tenant shall surrender to Landlord the Premises and all improvements and alterations in good condition, except for ordinary wear and tear and alterations Tenant is obligated to remove under the provisions of Section 12 herein. “ Ordinary wear and tear ” shall not include any damage or deterioration that would have been prevented by good maintenance practice or by Tenant performing all of its obligations under this Lease. Additionally, upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, Tenant shall pay Landlord for the costs incurred by Landlord to remove any of Tenant’s
 
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signage. Tenant shall remove all personal property including, without limitation, all wallpaper, paneling and other decorative improvements or fixtures and shall perform all restoration made necessary by the removal of any alterations or Tenant’s personal property before the expiration of the Term, including for example, restoring all wall surfaces to their condition prior to the commencement of this Lease. Landlord may elect to retain or dispose of in any manner Tenant’s personal property not removed from the Premises by Tenant prior to the expiration of the Term. Tenant waives all claims against Landlord for any damage to Tenant resulting from Landlord’s retention or disposition of Tenant’s personal property. Tenant shall be liable to Landlord for Landlord’s costs for storage, removal or disposal of Tenant’s personal property. Upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, Tenant shall, at Landlord’s sole option and at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, either (i) remove all Building Cable existing within the Premises, using all necessary care in removing such Building Cable in order to avoid any damage to the Building, or (ii) not remove all or any portion of the Building Cable, provided that Tenant shall leave any such Building Cable clearly labeled and in good working order with all connections intact. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing to the contrary, upon the expiration of this Lease and Tenant’s vacation of the Premises, Tenant shall not be required to remove from the Premises any alterations or improvements existing on the Term Commencement Date.
 
If Tenant, with Landlord’s written consent, remains in possession of the Premises after expiration or termination of the Term, or after the date in any notice given by Landlord to Tenant terminating this Lease, such possession by Tenant shall be deemed to be a month-to-month tenancy terminable on written thirty (30)-day notice at any time, by either party. All provisions of this Lease, except those pertaining to term and Rent, shall apply to the month-to-month tenancy, except Tenant shall pay monthly Rent in an amount equal to one hundred fifty
 
percent (150%) of Base Monthly Rent for the last full calendar month during the regular term plus one hundred percent (100%) of all Additional Rent. If Tenant fails to surrender the Premises within thirty (30) days of the termination or sooner expiration of this Lease, in addition to any other liabilities to Landlord accruing therefrom, Tenant shall protect, defend, indemnify and hold Landlord harmless from all loss, costs (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) and liability resulting from such failure, including, without limitation, any claims made by any succeeding tenant founded upon such failure to surrender and/or any lost profits to Landlord resulting therefrom.
 
25.   LANDLORD DEFAULT/LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND TIME. If Landlord fails to perform any obligations on its part to be performed under this Lease, no Landlord default shall arise unless and until Landlord fails to cure such default within ten (10) days following actual receipt of written notice setting forth in detail the alleged default (provided, however, if such default cannot reasonably be cured within such ten (10)-day period, Landlord shall not be in default if Landlord commences such cure as soon as reasonably possible and diligently prosecutes it to completion, it being understood that the following actions by Landlord shall, by way of example but not limitation, constitute commencement of a cure: contacting applicable contractors or other consultants, and/or engaging in communications or analysis, regarding the scope, schedule and pricing for such cure). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Lease, Tenant expressly waives the benefit of any statute now or in the future in effect which would otherwise afford Tenant the right to make repairs at Landlord’s expense or to terminate this Lease because of Landlord’s failure to keep the Premises and/or the Project in good order, condition and repair. In consideration of the benefits accruing under this Lease, Tenant and all successors and assigns agree that, in the event of any actual or alleged failure, breach or default under this Lease by Landlord:
 
(a) in no event shall Tenant have the right to terminate this Lease as a result of Landlord’s default, and Tenant’s remedies shall be limited to damages and/or injunctive relief; (b) the sole and exclusive remedy shall be against Landlord’s interest in the Building and the rents, profits and proceeds therefrom; (c) no partner, member, shareholder or employee of Landlord shall be named as a party in any suit or proceeding (except as may be necessary to secure jurisdiction of the partnership, if applicable); (d) no partner, member, shareholder or employee of Landlord shall be required to answer or otherwise plead to any service of process; (e) no judgment will be taken against any partner, member, shareholder or employee of Landlord; (f) no writ of execution will ever be levied against the assets of any partner, member, shareholder or employee of Landlord; and (g) the obligations of Landlord under this Lease do not constitute personal obligations of the individual partners, members, directors, officers or shareholders of Landlord, and Tenant shall not seek recourse against the individual partners, directors, officers, employees or shareholders of Landlord or any of their personal assets for satisfaction of any liability in respect to this Lease.
 
 
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26.   HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND INDOOR AIR QUALITY. Landlord and Tenant agree as follows with respect to the existence or use of “Hazardous Material” (as defined below) on the Premises and the Project:
 
26.1   Tenant shall not cause or permit any Hazardous Material to be brought upon, kept or used in or about the Premises or the Project or transported to or from the Premises or the Project by Tenant, its agents, employees, contractors or invitees (for purposes of this Section 26.1, Tenant ”), without the prior written consent of Landlord which Landlord shall not unreasonably withhold as long as Tenant demonstrates to Landlord’s reasonable satisfaction that such Hazardous Material is necessary for Tenant’s business, will be used, stored and transported only in incidental quantities, and will be used, kept, stored and transported in a manner that complies with all Laws pertaining to any such Hazardous Material. If Tenant breaches the obligations stated in the preceding sentence, or if the presence, transportation or release of Hazardous Material on, to or from the Premises caused or permitted by or through Tenant (whether affirmatively or through Tenant’s active or passive negligence) results in contamination or alleged contamination of the Premises or the Project or any surrounding property, or if contamination of the Premises or the Project or any surrounding property by Hazardous Material otherwise occurs for which Tenant is legally liable to Landlord for damage resulting therefrom, then Tenant shall indemnify, defend and hold the Indemnified Parties harmless from any and all claims, judgments, damages, penalties, fines, costs, liabilities or losses (including, without limitation, diminution in value of the Premises or the Project, damages for the loss or restriction on use of rentable or usable space or of any amenity of the Premises or the Project, damages arising from any adverse impact on marketing of space in the Building and/or the Project, and sums paid in settlement of claims, attorneys’ fees, consultant fees and expert fees) which arise during or after the Term as a result of such contamination. This indemnification of the Indemnified Parties by Tenant includes, without limitation, costs incurred in connection with any investigation of site conditions or any cleanup, remedial, removal or restoration work required by any federal, state or local governmental agency or political subdivision because of Hazardous Material present or alleged to be present in the soil or groundwater on or under the Premises or the Project. Without limiting the foregoing, if the presence or alleged presence, release or transportation of any Hazardous Material on the Premises caused or permitted by Tenant results in any contamination of the Premises or the Project or surrounding property, Tenant shall promptly take all actions at its sole expense as are necessary to return the Premises or the Project or surrounding property to the condition existing prior to the introduction of any such Hazardous Material to the Premises or the Project or surrounding property; provided that (i) Landlord’s approval of the proposed remedial actions shall first be obtained, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld so long as the proposed remedial actions would not potentially have any adverse long-term or short-term effect on the Premises or the Project, and (ii) such actions are calculated to cause the least amount of inconvenience to other tenants. The provisions of this Section 26.1 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease.
 
26.2   Notwithstanding anything in this Lease to the contrary, it shall not be unreasonable for Landlord to withhold its consent to any proposed assignment, sublease or transfer of the Premises or this Lease if (i) the proposed transferee’s anticipated use of the Premises involves the generation, storage, use, treatment, disposal or transportation of Hazardous Material; (ii) the proposed transferee has been required by any prior landlord, lender or governmental authority to take remedial action in connection with Hazardous Material contaminating a property if the contamination resulted from such transferee’s actions or use of the property in question; or (iii) the proposed transferee is subject to any enforcement order issued by any governmental authority in connection with the use, disposal, transportation or storage of a Hazardous Material.
 
26.3   As used in this Lease, the term “ Hazardous Material ” means any flammable items, explosives, radioactive materials, hazardous or toxic substances, material or waste or related materials, including any substances defined as or included in the definition of “hazardous substances”, “hazardous wastes”, “hazardous materials”, or “toxic substances” now or subsequently regulated under any applicable Laws, including without limitation, petroleum-based products and materials, paints, solvents, lead, cyanide, DDT, printing inks, acids, pesticides, ammonia compounds and other chemical products, asbestos, petroleum (or fractions thereof), PCBs and similar compounds, and Contaminants (as defined below), and including any different products and materials which are subsequently found to have adverse effects on the environment or the health or safety of persons.
 
26.4   Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 26, to prevent the generation, growth, or deposit of any mold, mildew, bacillus, virus, pollen or other micro-organism (collectively, “ Biologicals ”) and the deposit, release or circulation of any indoor contaminants, including emissions from paint, carpet and drapery
 
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treatments, cleaning, maintenance and construction materials and supplies, pesticides, pressed wood products, insulation, and other materials and products (collectively with Biologicals, “ Contaminants ”), that could adversely affect the health, safety or welfare of any tenant, employee, or other occupant of the Building or Project or their invitees (each, an “ Occupant ”), Tenant shall, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, at all times during the Term:
(i) maintain the humidity level and the air exchange rate within the Premises at a level reasonably expected to prevent or minimize the growth of any Biologicals and the circulation of any other Contaminants, (ii) maintain, operate and repair the Premises pursuant to Section 11, in such a manner to prevent or minimize the accumulation of stagnant water and moisture in planters, kitchen appliances and vessels, carpeting, insulation, water coolers and any other locations where stagnant water and moisture could accumulate, and (iii) otherwise maintain, operate and repair the Premises to prevent the generation, growth, deposit, release or circulation of any Contaminants. Tenant shall comply with the foregoing obligations irrespective of the source of the moisture. Tenant shall immediately advise Landlord if Tenant observes any condition in the Premises giving rise to a reasonable suspicion of the presence of any Contaminants, and, in any event, if any governmental entity or any Occupant alleges that its health, safety or welfare has been or could be adversely affected by any such Contaminants.
 
27.   SECURITY MEASURES. Tenant acknowledges that Landlord shall have no obligation whatsoever to provide guard service, security systems or other security measures for the benefit of Tenant, the Premises or the Project. As material consideration to Landlord under this Lease, Tenant hereby assumes all responsibility for the protection of Tenant, its employees, agents, licensees and invitees (collectively, “ Tenant’s Personnel ”) and the property (including inventory) of Tenant and Tenant’s Personnel from the actions (including the criminal actions) of third parties. Landlord may elect, but shall have no obligation, to provide security services to the Premises and/or the Project, in which event the cost thereof shall be included within the definition of Operating Expenses as set forth in Section 3.3.1.
 
 
28.   TELEPHONE AND DATA EQUIPMENT. Landlord shall have no responsibility for providing to Tenant any telephone equipment, including wiring, within the Premises or for providing telephone service or connections from the utility to the Premises, except as required by law. Tenant shall not alter, modify, add to or disturb any telephone or data wiring in the Premises without Landlord’s prior written consent. Any telephone or data equipment installed by Tenant within the Premises or used by Tenant or any of its agents, employees and invitees within the Premises shall at all times comply with all applicable Laws and shall not cause any interference with (1) any of the Project’s mechanical and electrical equipment and machinery, and any of the elevator, air ventilation and cooling, life-safety or other Project systems, or (2) any Project wireless system or telecommunications facilities in place as of the date of installation of such telephone or data equipment by Tenant. Tenant agrees to consult with Landlord in advance of any installation of any system or equipment under this Section that may result in such interference at the earliest practicable state of consideration of such project. Tenant shall be liable to Landlord for any damage to the telephone or data wiring in the Project due to the act, negligent (affirmatively or through Tenant’s active or passive negligence) or otherwise, of Tenant or any employee, contractor or other agent of Tenant. Tenant’s access to the telephone closets within the Project shall be pursuant to reasonable procedures established by Landlord. Tenant shall promptly notify Landlord of any actual or suspected failure of telephone or data service to the Premises or Project. All costs incurred by Landlord for the installation, maintenance, repair and replacement of telephone wiring within the Premises shall be charged to Tenant plus a ten percent (10%) administrative fee, which amount shall be payable by Tenant to Landlord upon demand. Landlord shall not be liable to Tenant and Tenant waives all claims against Landlord whatsoever, whether for personal injury, property damage, loss of use of the Premises, or otherwise, due to the interruption or failure of telephone services to the Premises. Tenant hereby holds Landlord harmless and agrees to indemnify, protect and defend Landlord from and against any liability for any damage, loss or expense due to any failure or interruption of telephone or data service to the Premises for any reason and to the Project caused by Tenant.
 
29.  
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
 
29.1   Time of Essence. Time is of the essence of each provision of this Lease.
 
29.2   Successor. This Lease shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of the parties and their successors, except as provided in Section 17 herein.
 
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29.3   Landlord’s Consent. Any consent required by Landlord under this Lease must be granted in writing and, except as otherwise expressly provided in the Lease, may be withheld by Landlord in its sole and absolute discretion.
 
 
29.4   Attorneys’ Fees and Other Charges. If Landlord becomes a party to any litigation concerning this Lease, the Premises or the Project, by reason of any act or omission by, through, or on behalf of Tenant and/or any Tenant’s Parties, Tenant shall be liable to Landlord for reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs incurred by Landlord in the litigation. If either party commences an action against the other party arising out of or in connection with this Lease, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the other party reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of suit. If Landlord employs a collection agency to recover delinquent charges, Tenant agrees to pay all collection agency fees charged to Landlord in addition to rent, late charges, interest and other sums payable under this Lease.
 
29.5   Landlord’s Successors. In the event of a sale or conveyance by Landlord of the Building or the Project the same shall operate to release Landlord from any liability under this Lease after the date of such sale or conveyance, and in such event Landlord’s successor in interest shall be solely responsible for all obligations of Landlord under this Lease. If the Building or the Project is sold, Landlord shall transfer the Security Deposit (to the extent not previously applied by Landlord) to the buyer.
 
 
29.6   Interpretation. This Lease shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the Laws of the state in which the Premises are located. This Lease constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the Premises and the Project, except for such guarantees or modifications as may be executed in writing by the parties from time to time and any addenda and exhibits attached to this Lease. All previous representations, preliminary negotiations and agreements of whatsoever kind with respect to the Premises or the Project, except those contained herein, are superseded and of no further force or effect. No person, firm or corporation has at any time any authority from Landlord to make representations or promises on behalf of Landlord and Tenant expressly agrees that if any such representations or promises have been made, Tenant hereby waives all right to rely thereon, unless they are specifically included in this Lease in writing. No verbal agreement or implied covenant shall be held to vary the provisions hereof, any statute, law or custom to the contrary notwithstanding. When required by the context of this Lease, the singular shall include the plural, and the masculine shall include the feminine and/or neuter. “ Party ” shall mean Landlord or Tenant. If more than one person or entity constitutes Landlord or Tenant, the obligations imposed upon that party shall be joint and several. The enforceability, invalidity or illegality of any provision shall not render the other provisions unenforceable, invalid or illegal.
 
29.7   Estoppel Certificates. Tenant, for itself and its subtenants, hereby covenants and agrees (i) to execute, acknowledge and deliver to Landlord, from time to time during the Term within ten (10) days after Landlord provides Tenant with written notice to do so, an estoppel certificate substantially in the form reasonably requested by Landlord or any prospective lender or purchaser certifying in writing (a) that this Lease is in full force and effect, unmodified or modified solely as set forth in such estoppel certificate, and (b) that Tenant has fully and completely performed and complied with each and all of its covenants, agreements, terms and conditions under this Lease without exception or except only as set forth in such estoppel certificate, (ii) that any such estoppel certificate may be conclusively relied upon by a prospective purchaser or encumbrance of the Premises, and
(iii) that the failure of Tenant to so deliver such estoppel certificate in such period of time shall be conclusive upon Tenant (a) that this Lease is in full force and effect, without modification except as may be represented by Landlord, (b) that the Rent has not been prepaid under this Lease, except as required pursuant to the provisions of the Basic Lease Terms of this Lease, and (c) that Landlord has as of the date on which Tenant failed to deliver such estoppel certificate, fully and completely performed and complied with each and all of its covenants, agreements, terms and conditions under this Lease, without exception. Landlord shall provide an estoppel certificate on a form specified by Tenant and reasonably acceptable to Landlord within twenty (20) days after a written request from Tenant, provided that Tenant not make such request more than twice per calendar year.
 
 
29.8   Financing. In the event any of Landlord’s Lenders require, as a condition to financing, modifications to this Lease which do not materially increase any of Tenant’s obligations (when viewed cumulatively) or materially diminish Tenant’s rights hereunder, Landlord shall submit to Tenant such written amendment with the required modifications. If Tenant fails to execute and return the same within ten (10) days after the amendment has been submitted, Landlord shall have the right, without limiting any other rights and
 
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remedies available to Landlord under this Lease and/or at law or equity, to act as Tenant’s attorney in fact (and Tenant hereby so irrevocably appoints Landlord) with full power and authority to execute and deliver such amendment for and in the name of Tenant.
 
29.9   Financial Statements. When reasonably requested by Landlord, Tenant shall, upon ten (10) days’ notice from Landlord, provide Landlord with a current income statement, balance sheet and statement of cash flows (collectively, “ Financial Statements ”) and Financial Statements of the two (2) years prior to the current Financial Statement year. Such Financial Statements shall be safeguarded by Landlord and shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (or any other method of accounting reasonably acceptable to Landlord) and, if such is the normal practice of Tenant, shall be audited by an independent certified public accountant. If and for so long as Tenant is a publicly traded corporation, Tenant may satisfy its obligations hereunder by providing to Landlord Tenant’s most recent annual and quarterly reports. Tenant shall not be required to deliver the Financial Statements required under this Section 29.9 more than once in any twelve (12)-month period unless requested by an actual or prospective buyer or lender of the Building or Project or a Tenant Default occurs.
 
29.10   Recording. Tenant shall not under any circumstances record this Lease, nor any form of evidence of this Lease, including, without limitation, any memorandum of lease.
 
29.11   Exhibits. The Exhibits attached hereto are made a part of this Lease and incorporated herein by reference.
 
29.12   Waiver of Trial by Jury and Filing of Lis Pendens. LANDLORD AND TENANT WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY LANDLORD OR TENANT AGAINST THE OTHER WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS LEASE, TENANT’S USE AND OCCUPANCY OF THE PREMISES, THE PROJECT OR ANY PART THEREOF, OR THE RELATIONSHIP OF LANDLORD AND TENANT. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING TO THE CONTRARY, IF THE JURY TRIAL WAIVER CONTAINED HEREIN SHALL BE HELD OR DEEMED TO BE UNENFORCEABLE, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY EXPRESSLY AGREES TO SUBMIT TO JUDICIAL REFERENCE PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE SECTIONS 638 THROUGH 645.1 ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING HEREUNDER FOR WHICH A JURY TRIAL WOULD OTHERWISE BE APPLICABLE OR AVAILABLE. PURSUANT TO SUCH JUDICIAL REFERENCE, THE PARTIES AGREE TO THE APPOINTMENT OF A SINGLE REFEREE AND SHALL USE THEIR BEST EFFORTS TO AGREE ON THE SELECTION OF A REFEREE. IF THE PARTIES ARE UNABLE TO AGREE ON A SINGLE A REFEREE, A REFEREE SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE COURT UNDER CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE SECTIONS 638 AND 640 TO HEAR ANY DISPUTES HEREUNDER IN LIEU OF ANY SUCH JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE APPOINTED REFEREE SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO DECIDE ALL ISSUES IN THE APPLICABLE ACTION OR PROCEEDING, WHETHER OF FACT OR LAW, AND SHALL REPORT A STATEMENT OF DECISION THEREON; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ANY MATTERS WHICH WOULD NOT OTHERWISE BE THE SUBJECT OF A JURY TRIAL WILL BE UNAFFECTED BY THIS WAIVER AND THE AGREEMENTS CONTAINED HEREIN. THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY AGREE THAT THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED HEREIN HAVE BEEN FAIRLY NEGOTIATED ON AN ARMS LENGTH BASIS, WITH BOTH SIDES AGREEING TO THE SAME KNOWINGLY AND BEING AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THEIR RESPECTIVE LEGAL COUNSEL CONSENT TO THE MATTERS CONTAINED HEREIN. ANY PARTY TO THIS LEASE MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY AND THE AGREEMENTS CONTAINED HEREIN REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF JUDICIAL REFERENCE IN THE EVENT OF THE INVALIDITY OF SUCH JURY TRIAL WAIVER. IN THE EVENT OF ANY SUCH COMMENCEMENT OF LITIGATION, THE PREVAILING PARTY SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECOVER FROM THE OTHER PARTY SUCH COSTS AND REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES AS MAY HAVE BEEN INCURRED, INCLUDING ANY AND ALL COSTS INCURRED IN ENFORCING, PERFECTING AND EXECUTING SUCH JUDGMENT. AS FURTHER MATERIAL CONSIDERATION TO LANDLORD ENTERING INTO THIS LEASE WITH TENANT, TENANT HEREBY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS TO RECORD A LIS PENDENS
 
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AGAINST THE PREMISES, THE PROJECT OR ANY PART THEREOF UNDER SECTIONS 405 ET SEQ. OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE, OR ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, IF A DISPUTE ARISES CONCERNING THIS LEASE OR TENANT’S USE OR OCCUPANCY OF THE PREMISES, THE PROJECT OR ANY PART THEREOF. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL SURVIVE THE EXPIRATION OR EARLIER TERMINATION OF THIS LEASE.
 
29.13   Tenant as Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Company, Prohibited Persons and Transactions. If Landlord or Tenant is a corporation, (a) each individual executing this Lease on behalf of such party represents and warrants (1) that he or she is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Lease on behalf of such party in accordance with a duly adopted resolution of the Board of Directors in accordance with the governing documents of such party, and (2) that this Lease is binding upon and enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms, and (b) each party shall, within thirty (30) days after execution of this Lease, deliver to the other a certified copy of a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing or ratifying the execution of this Lease. If Landlord or Tenant is a partnership or limited liability company, each individual executing this Lease on behalf of such party represents and warrants (1) that he or she is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Lease on behalf of such party in accordance with the terms of the partnership agreement or operating agreement for such party, as the case may be, or has received such authorization pursuant to the terms of such partnership agreement or operating agreement, as the case may be, and (2) that this Lease is binding upon and enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms. In addition to the foregoing, if Tenant is a partnership, (a) each general partner shall be jointly and severally liable for keeping, observing and performing all of the provisions of this Lease to be kept, observed or performed by Tenant, and (b) the term “ Tenant ” shall mean and include each of them jointly and severally and the act of or notice from, or notice or refund to, or the signature of, any one or more of them, with respect to this Lease, shall be binding upon Tenant and each and all of the general partners of Tenant with the same effect as if each of them had so acted or so given or received such notice or refund or so signed. Dissolution of any partnership which is “Tenant” under this Lease shall be deemed to be an assignment, jointly to all of the partners, who shall thereafter be subject to the terms of this Lease as if each such former partners had initially signed this Lease as individuals. Landlord and Tenant represent and warrant that neither Landlord nor Tenant, nor any of their respective affiliates, nor any of their respective partners, members, shareholders or other equity owners, and none of their respective employees, officers, directors, representatives or agents is, nor will they become, a person or entity with whom U.S. persons or entities are restricted from doing business under regulations of the Office of Foreign Asset Control (“ OFAC ”) of the Department of the Treasury (including those named on OFAC’s Specially Designated and Blocked Persons List) or under any statute, executive order (including the September 24, 2001, Executive Order Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions with Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism), or other governmental action and is not and will not Transfer this Lease to, contract with or otherwise engage in any dealings or transactions or be otherwise associated with such persons or entities.
 
29.14   No Offer. Submission of this instrument for examination or signature by Tenant does not constitute a reservation of the Premises, offer, or option for lease, and it is not effective as a lease or otherwise until execution by and delivery to both Landlord and Tenant.
 
29.15   Brokerage. Neither Landlord nor Tenant has dealt with any broker or agent in connection with the negotiation or execution of this Lease, other than CBRE, Inc., representing Landlord, and NAI Capital, representing Tenant, which commissions for both CBRE, Inc. and NAI Capital shall be paid by Landlord pursuant to a separate written agreement. Tenant and Landlord shall each indemnify the other against all costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, liens and other liability for commissions or other compensation claimed by any broker or agent claiming the same by, through, or under the indemnifying party.
 
29.16   Quiet Enjoyment. Provided no Tenant Default is continuing, Landlord covenants and agrees that Tenant shall peacefully and quietly have, hold and enjoy the Premises, without hindrance from Landlord or any party claiming by, through, or under Landlord, but not otherwise, subject to the terms and conditions of this Lease.
 
29.17   Counterparts; Electronic Signatures. This Lease may be signed by facsimile, PDF or other electronic signature mechanism and/or in multiple counterparts which, when signed by all parties, shall constitute a binding agreement.
 
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29.18   Accessibility Inspection Disclosure (California Civil Code Section 1938). A Certified Access Specialist (CASp) can inspect the Premises and determine whether the Premises comply with all of the applicable construction-related accessibility standards under state law. Although state law does not require a CASp inspection of the Premises, Landlord may not prohibit Tenant from obtaining a CASp inspection of the Premises for the occupancy or potential occupancy of Tenant, if requested by Tenant. The parties shall mutually agree on the arrangements for the time and manner of the CASp inspection, the payment of the fee for the CASp inspection and the cost of making any repairs necessary to correct violations of construction-related accessibility standards within the Premises. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Section 29.18 and Section 6 above, the terms of Section 6 shall control.
 
 
 
 
LANDLORD:
PSIP SN Burbank LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company
 
 
By:     SN Burbank, LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company,
its Member
 
 
By:     Shubin Nadal Associates, LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company,
its Managing Member
 
 
By: Shubin Nadal Realty Investors, LLC,
a Delaware limited liability company,
its Managing Member
 
 
 
By: /s/ Lonnie Nadal                                                     
Name: Lonnie Nadal 
Title: Manager
 
 
 
TENANT:
 
 
 
MusclePharm Corporation,
a Nevada corporation
 
 
 
By: /s/ Ryan Drexler 
Its:  CEO
 
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EXHIBIT “A-1”
 
 
PREMISES AND PROJECT DEPICTION
 
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT “A-2” PARKING PLAN
 
 
 
 
  EXHIBIT “A-2”
Page 1 of 1
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT “B” DESIRED IMPROVEMENTS
 
 
EXHIBIT “B”
Page 1 of 1
 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT “C”
 
TENANT INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
 
Tenant shall procure and maintain at all times, at Tenant’s own expense, during the term of this Lease, the insurance coverages and requirements specified below, insuring all operations related to the Lease.
 
The kinds and amounts of insurance are as follows:
 
(a)
Workers’ Compensation and Employers Liability Insurance.
 
As and to the extent required by applicable law, statutory workers’ compensation insurance and employer’s liability insurance with limits not less than legally required limits; including (if applicable) a Longshoremen’s and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act coverage endorsement.
 
(b)
Commercial General Liability Insurance.
 
Commercial general liability insurance, including coverage for contractual liability, tenants legal liability, products-completed operations liability, personal and advertising injury liability with respect to Tenant's use, maintenance and occupancy of the Premises, in amounts of not less than
 
$1,000,000.00 per occurrence and $2,000,000.00 in the aggregate for property damage and bodily injury, including death. If liquor is stored, served or distributed on or from the Premises, Tenant shall also maintain liquor liability insurance in a minimum amount of $1,000,000.00 either as an endorsement to the commercial general liability policy or as a separate policy.
 
(c)
Umbrella Liability Insurance.
 
Umbrella and/or excess liability insurance with limits not less than $2,000,000 each occurrence and in the aggregate.
 
(d)
Commercial Automobile Insurance (Primary and Umbrella).
 
If and when any motor vehicles (owned, non owned and hired) are used in connection with work to be performed, the Tenant shall provide automobile liability insurance with minimum limits of
 
$1,000,000.00 each accident or combined single limit, including coverage for all owned, non- owned, hired and borrowed vehicles that are driven on to the Premises or Project.
 
(e)
All Risk Property Insurance.
 
Property insurance for loss or damage to Tenant’s business personal property, including permanently installed improvements and betterments, and trade fixtures. Coverage shall be provided on an “all-risk” basis using the Special Cause of Loss form with replacement cost valuation and shall include the perils of wind and flood, including coverage for loss of business income.
 
An Additional Insured Endorsement shall be attached to the Certificate of Insurance listing Landlord and any other party reasonably designated by Landlord as additional insureds on the commercial general liability, umbrella liability, and commercial automobile insurance policies. All insurance policies required to be carried by Tenant pursuant to this Lease shall be primary and non-contributory.
 
Tenant shall additionally comply, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, with any and all insurance requirements now or in the future required by any Lender.
 
 
 
EXHIBIT “D”
 
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
 
 
1.
Insurance Carrier : All policies shall be maintained with insurance companies holding a General Policyholders Best’s Rating of “A-” or better and a Financial Rating of “XI” or better.
 
2.  
General Liability Insurance :
 
A.
Commercial General Liability Insurance with a combined single limit of not less than Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000), (combined primary and excess-umbrella) for bodily injury and property damage; and
 
B.
Comprehensive Automobile Liability Insurance (covering owned vehicles, leased vehicles, and all other vehicles) with a combined single limit of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) which shall include bodily injury and property damage.
 
3.
Workers’ Compensation and Employers Liability : Statutory Workers’ Compensation Insurance in accordance with law with a Waiver of Subrogation, and Employer’s Liability Insurance with a minimum coverage of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000);
 
4.
Landlord is Specifically Named as an Additional Insured : An Additional Insured Endorsement shall be attached to the Certificate of Insurance listing Landlord and any other party reasonably designated by Landlord as additional insureds on the commercial general liability and commercial automobile insurance policies.
 
Each of the policies of insurance required to be carried pursuant to the terms of this Paragraph shall contain:
 
(i)
a clause requiring written notice to be delivered to Landlord by the insurer not less than thirty (30) days prior to any cancellation of such policy of insurance, in whole or in part, or a reduction as to coverage or amount thereunder,
 
(ii)
the condition that such insurance is primary and any liability insurance maintained by Landlord or any other additional insured is excess and non-contributory, and
 
(iii)
Severability of Interest and Cross Liability clauses.
 
 
 
EXHIBIT “E” EXTENSION OPTIONS
 
 
 
1.   So long as MusclePharm Corporation, a Nevada corporation, or any Permitted Transferee is the Tenant hereunder and occupies the entirety of the Premises, and subject to the condition set forth in clause (b) below, Tenant shall have two (2) options to extend the Term of this Lease with respect to the entirety of the Premises, the first for a period of five (5) years from the expiration of the Original Term (the “ First Extension Period ”), and the second (the “ Second Extension Period ”) for a period of five (5) years from the expiration of the First Extension Period, subject to the following conditions:
 
(a)   Each option to extend shall be exercised, if at all, by notice of exercise given to Landlord by Tenant not more than nine (9) months nor less than six (6) months prior to the expiration of the Original Term or the expiration of the First Extension Period, as applicable;
 
(b)   Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if Tenant is in default under any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this Lease beyond any applicable notice and cure period, either at the time Tenant exercises either extension option or on the commencement date of the First Extension Period or the Second Extension Period, as applicable, Landlord shall have, in addition to all of Landlord’s other rights and remedies provided in this Lease, the right to terminate such option(s) to extend upon notice to Tenant.
 
2.   In the event the applicable option is exercised in a timely fashion, the Lease shall be extended for the term of the applicable extension period upon all of the terms and conditions of this Lease, provided that (a) commencing on the first day of the First Extension Period and every twelve (12) months thereafter during the First Extension Period (each, an “ Adjustment Date ”), the Base Monthly Rent for the First Extension Period shall be increased by three percent (3%), calculated by multiplying the Base Monthly Rent in effect on the day immediately prior to the applicable Adjustment Date by 1.03, and (b) the Base Monthly Rent for the Second Extension Period shall be the “Fair Market Rent” for the Premises. For purposes hereof, “ Fair Market Rent ” shall mean the base rent for the Premises, based upon the rental rate per square foot that an unaffiliated landlord and tenant would agree to for a lease on the terms of this Lease for the Second Extension Period for comparable premises in the vicinity of the Project and taking into account all relevant factors, determined pursuant to the process described below. In no event, however, shall any adjustment of Base Monthly Rent during the Second Extension Period pursuant to this paragraph result in a decrease of the Base Monthly Rent for the Premises below the amount due from Tenant on the last day of the First Extension Period.
 
3.   Within thirty (30) days after receipt of Tenant’s notice of exercise to extend the Term for the Second Extension Period, Landlord shall notify Tenant in writing of Landlord’s estimate of the Base Monthly Rent for the Second Extension Period, based on the provisions of Paragraph 2 above. Within thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice from Landlord, Tenant shall have the right either to (i) accept Landlord’s statement of Base Monthly Rent for the Second Extension Period; or (ii) elect to arbitrate Landlord’s estimate of Fair Market Rent, such arbitration to be conducted pursuant to the provisions hereof. Failure on the part of Tenant to require arbitration of Fair Market Rent within such 30-day period shall constitute acceptance of the Base Monthly Rent for the Second Extension Period as calculated by Landlord. If Tenant elects arbitration, the arbitration shall be concluded within ninety (90) days after the date of Tenant’s election, subject to extension for an additional 30-day period if a third arbitrator is required and does not act in a timely manner. To the extent that arbitration has not been completed prior to the expiration of any preceding period for which Base Monthly Rent has been determined, Tenant shall pay Base Monthly Rent at the rate calculated by Landlord, with the potential for an adjustment to be made once Fair Market Rent is ultimately determined by arbitration.
 
4.   In the event of arbitration, the judgment or the award rendered in any such arbitration may be entered in any court having jurisdiction and shall be final and binding between the parties. The arbitration shall be conducted and determined in the City of Burbank, California in accordance with the then prevailing rules of the American Arbitration Association or its successor for arbitration of commercial disputes except to the extent that the procedures mandated by such rules shall be modified as follows:
 
 
 
(a)   Tenant shall make demand for arbitration in writing within thirty (30) days after service of Landlord’s determination of Fair Market Rent given under Paragraph 3 above, specifying therein the name and address of the person to act as the arbitrator on its behalf. The arbitrator shall be qualified as a real estate appraiser familiar with the Fair Market Rent of similar industrial, research and development, or office space in the vicinity of the Project who would qualify as an expert witness over objection to give opinion testimony addressed to the issue in a court of competent jurisdiction. Failure on the part of Tenant to make a proper demand in a timely manner for such arbitration shall constitute a waiver of the right thereto. Within fifteen (15) days after the service of the demand for arbitration, Landlord shall give notice to Tenant, specifying the name and address of the person designated by Landlord to act as arbitrator on its behalf who shall be similarly qualified. If Landlord fails to notify Tenant of the appointment of its arbitrator, within or by the time above specified, then the arbitrator appointed by Tenant shall be the arbitrator to determine the issue.
 
(b)   In the event that two (2) arbitrators are chosen pursuant to Paragraph 4(a) above, the arbitrators so chosen shall, within fifteen (15) days after the second arbitrator is appointed determine the Fair Market Rent. If the two (2) arbitrators shall be unable to agree upon a determination of Fair Market Rent within such 15-day period, the arbitrators shall appoint a third arbitrator, who shall be a competent and impartial person with qualifications similar to those required of the first two (2) arbitrators pursuant to 4(a). In the event the arbitrators are unable to agree upon such appointment within seven (7) days after expiration of such 15-day period, the third arbitrator shall be selected by Landlord and Tenant, if they can agree thereon, within a further period of fifteen (15) days. If Landlord and Tenant do not so agree, then either party, on behalf of both, may request appointment of such a qualified person by the then Chief Judge of the United States District Court having jurisdiction over the county in which the Project is located, acting in his private and not in his official capacity, and the other party shall not raise any question as to such Judge’s full power and jurisdiction to entertain the application for and make the appointment. The three (3) arbitrators shall decide the dispute if it has not previously been resolved by following the procedure set forth below.
 
(c)   Where an issue cannot be resolved by agreement between the two (2) arbitrators selected by Landlord and Tenant or settlement between the parties during the course of arbitration, the issue shall be resolved by the three arbitrators within fifteen (15) days of the appointment of the third arbitrator in accordance with the following procedure. The arbitrator selected by each of the parties shall state in writing his determination of the Fair Market Rent supported by the reasons therefor with counterpart copies to each party. The arbitrators shall arrange for a simultaneous exchange of such proposed resolutions. The role of the third arbitrator shall be to select which of the two (2) proposed resolutions most closely approximates his determination of Fair Market Rent. The third arbitrator shall have no right to propose a middle ground or any modification of either of the two (2) proposed resolutions. The resolution he chooses as most closely approximating his determination shall constitute the decision of the arbitrators and be final and binding upon the parties.
 
(d)   In the event of a failure, refusal or inability of any arbitrator to act, his successor shall be appointed by him, but in the case of the third arbitrator, his successor shall be appointed in the same manner as provided for appointment of the third arbitrator. The arbitrators shall decide the issue within fifteen (15) days after the appointment of the third arbitrator. Any decision in which the arbitrator appointed by Landlord and the arbitrator appointed by Tenant concur shall be binding and conclusive upon the parties. Each party shall pay the fee and expenses of its respective arbitrator and both shall share the fee and expenses of the third arbitrator, if any, and the attorneys’ fees and expenses of counsel for the respective parties and of witnesses shall be paid by the respective party engaging such counsel or calling such witnesses.
 
 
(e)   The arbitrators shall have the right to consult experts and competent authorities to obtain factual information or evidence pertaining to a determination of Fair Market Rent, but any such consultation shall be made in the presence of both parties with full right on their part to cross-examine. The arbitrators shall render their decision and award in writing with counterpart copies to each party. The arbitrators shall have no power to modify the provisions of this Lease.
 
 
 
EXHIBIT “F”
 
BACKLOT BURBANK RULES AND REGULATIONS
 
 
1.   Tenant, upon the termination of its tenancy, shall deliver to Landlord the keys to all doors which have been furnished to Tenant.
 
2.   If Tenant requires telephone, data, fiber, burglar alarm or similar service, purchasing, installing and maintaining such service shall be borne solely by Tenant. Additionally, Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for all costs, fees and expenses incurred by Landlord in connection with analyzing such service or the plans therefor, including without limitation, costs and fees for Landlord’s consultant. No boring or cutting for wires will be allowed without the prior written consent of Landlord, which may be given or withheld in Landlord’s sole and absolute discretion. The location of burglar alarms, telephones, call boxes or other office equipment affixed to the Building shall be subject to the prior written approval of Landlord, which may be given or withheld in Landlord’s sole and absolute discretion.
 
3.   Tenant shall not place a load upon any floor of its Premises, including mezzanine area, if any, which exceeds the load per square foot that such floor was designed to carry and that is allowed by law. Any damage done to the Building, its floor, or any other part of the Project by maintaining or moving such equipment or other property shall be repaired at the sole expense of Tenant.
 
4.   Tenant shall not install any radio or television antenna, satellite dish, loudspeaker or other device on the roof or exterior walls of the Building without Landlord’s prior written consent which consent shall be in Landlord’s sole and absolute discretion.
 
5.   No cooking shall be done or permitted on or within the Premises, except with Underwriters’ Laboratory approved microwave ovens or equipment for brewing coffee, tea, hot chocolate and similar beverages shall be permitted, provided that such equipment and use is in accordance with all applicable federal, state and city laws, codes, ordinances, rules and regulations.
 
6.   Tenant shall not use any hand trucks or forklifts except those equipped with the rubber tires and side guards, and may use such other material-handling equipment as Landlord may reasonably approve. Tenant shall not bring any other vehicles of any kind into the Building at any time. Forklifts which operate inside the building shall only use tires that do not damage the building’s slab or the outside asphalt.
 
7.   All trash and refuse shall be contained in suitable trash bins at locations designated by Landlord. Tenant shall not place in the trash bins any personal trash or material that cannot be disposed of in the ordinary and customary manner of removing such trash without violation of any law or ordinance governing such disposal. No trash or refuse shall be placed outside the trash bins or trash enclosures. Landlord reserves the right to haul trash placed outside of designated trash bins, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense. Tenant assumes all responsibility for securing and protecting its Premises and its contents including keeping doors locked and other means of entry to the Premises closed when appropriate.
 
8.   Tenant shall not permit any motor vehicles to be washed or mechanical work or maintenance of motor vehicles to be performed on any portion of the Premises or the Project.
 
9.   Any toilet rooms, toilets, urinals, wash bowls and other sinks shall not be used for any purpose other than that for which they were constructed and no foreign substance of any kind whatsoever shall be thrown into them. The expense of any breakage, stoppage or damage resulting from the violation of this rule shall be borne by the Tenant who, or whose employees or invitees, shall have caused it.
 
10.   Tenant shall not permit smoking, vaping or similar activities in the Premises or the project, except in any areas specifically designated by Landlord as smoking areas.
 
 
 
11.   Canvassing, soliciting, distribution of advertisements or any other written material in the Building or the Project is prohibited and each tenant shall cooperate to prevent the same.
 
12.   Any equipment belonging to Tenant which causes noise or vibration that may be transmitted to the structure of the Building or to any space therein to such a degree as to be objectionable to Landlord or to any tenants in the Building shall be placed and maintained by Tenant, at Tenant’s expense, on vibration eliminators or other devices sufficient to eliminate the noise or vibration.
 
13.   Driveways, sidewalks, passages, exits, entrances and stairways (collectively, “Access Areas”) shall not be obstructed by tenants or used by tenants for any purpose other than for ingress to and egress from their respective premises. Access Areas are not for the use of the general public and Landlord shall in all cases retain the right to control and prevent access thereto by all persons whose presence, in the judgment of Landlord, shall be prejudicial to the safety, character, reputation and interests of the Building or its tenants.
 
14.   Landlord reserves the right to designate the use of parking areas and spaces. Tenant shall not park in unauthorized parking areas. Tenant and Tenant’s guests shall park between designated parking lines only and shall not park motor vehicles in those areas designated by Landlord for loading and unloading. Vehicles in violation of the above shall be subject to being towed at the vehicle owner’s expense. Vehicles parked overnight without prior written consent of the Landlord shall be deemed abandoned and shall be subject to being towed at vehicle owner’s expense. Tenant will from time to time, upon the request of Landlord, supply Landlord with a list of license plate numbers of vehicles owned or operated by its employees or agents.
 
15.   No trucks, tractors or similar vehicles can be parked anywhere other than in Tenant’s own truck dock area. Tractor-trailers which must be unhooked or parked with dolly wheels beyond the concrete loading areas must use steel plates or wood blocks under the dolly wheels to prevent damage to the asphalt paving surfaces. No parking or storing of such trailers will be permitted in the parking areas or on streets adjacent thereto.
 
16.   During periods of loading and unloading, Tenant shall not unreasonably interfere with traffic flow and loading and unloading areas of other tenants. All products, materials or goods must be stored within the Tenant’s Premises and not in any exterior areas, including, but not limited to, exterior dock platforms, against the exterior of the Building, parking areas and driveway areas. Tenant agrees to keep the exterior of the Premises clean and free of nails, wood, pallets, packing materials, barrels and any other debris produced from their operation.
 
17.   Tenant shall comply with all crime prevention programs, hazardous materials disclosure and control programs, and water conservation programs in which Landlord is required to participate pursuant to applicable laws.
 
18.   No sign, placard, picture, advertisement, name or notice shall be installed or displayed on any part of the outside or inside of the Building or the Project without the prior written consent of Landlord, which may be given or withheld in Landlord’s sole and absolute discretion. Landlord shall have the right to remove at Tenant’s expense and without notice, any sign installed or displayed in violation of this rule. All approved signs or lettering on doors and walls shall comply with all then-applicable governmental requirements and shall be printed, painted, affixed or inscribed at the expense of Tenant by a person or company designated by Landlord and part of the Sign Criteria. Tenant shall not place anything against or near glass partitions or doors or windows, other than the Building standard window covering, which is visible from outside the Premises.
 
19.   Tenant shall not use or keep in the Premises any firearms, explosives, kerosene, gasoline or inflammable or combustible fluid or material other than those limited quantities necessary for the operation or maintenance of office equipment, refrigerators, microwaves, vending machines and the like.
 
20.   Tenant shall not use or permit to be used in the Premises any foul or noxious gas or substance, or permit or allow the Premises to be occupied or used in a manner offensive or objectionable to Landlord or other occupants of the Building by reason of noise, odor or vibrations.
 
 
 
21.   Tenant shall not engage in or permit any activities in or about the Premises related to the use, possession, cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, sale, processing and/or handling of marijuana and/or marijuana- related products.
 
 
These Rules and Regulations are in addition to, and shall not be construed to in any way modify or amend, in whole or in part, the terms, covenants, agreements and conditions of any lease of any premises in the Building. Landlord may waive any one or more of these Rules and Regulations for the benefit of any tenant or tenants, and any such waiver by Landlord shall not be construed as a waiver of such Rules and Regulations for any or all tenants.
 
 
Landlord reserves the right to make such other and reasonable rules and regulations as in its judgment may from time to time be needed for safety and security, for care and cleanliness of the Building and the Project and for the preservation of good order in and about the Building and the Project. Tenant agrees to abide by all such rules and regulations herein stated and any additional rules and regulations which are adopted. Tenant shall be responsible for the observance of all of the foregoing rules by Tenant’s employees, agents, clients, customers, invitees and guests.
 
 
 
EXHIBIT “G”
 
APPROVED SIGNAGE
 
 
 
Signage to be placed above main entry door to the Premises:
 
 
 
Signage to be placed in the lawn area outside the Premises, with the exact location to be approved by Landlord in its reasonable discretion:
 
 
 

EXHIBIT “G”
Page 1 of 1
 
 
  Exhibit 10.17
 
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
 
THIS EXECUT IVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and entered as of March __, 2018 and effective as of January 1 , 2018 (the "Effective Date"), by and between MusclePharm Co rp orat ion , a Nevada Corporat i on (the "Company"), and Brian Casutto, an individual ("Executive"). T he Company and Exec utive are somet ime s referred to herein as a "party" or collectively as the "parties."
 
RECITALS
 
WHEREAS, Exec utive is willing to continue to be employed by the Company and provide services to the Co mpany under the term s and conditions state d herein , as of July 15 , 2015 (the "Start Date " ); and
 
 
WHEREAS , the Company and Executive now mutually desire to enter into this Agreement as approved by the Board.
 
NOW, THEREFORE , in con si deration of the foregoing, of the mutual covenants and ag reement s herein contained , and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of w hich are hereby acknowledged, the parties , intendin g to be legally bound, agree as follows:
 
1.
Employment and Duties
 
1.1   E mpl oyme nt . The Company h e r e by agrees to emplo y Exec uti ve as Execut iv e Vice President - Sales & Operations of the Co mpan y and Exec utiv e hereb y accepts s uch emp l oyment as of the Start Date pursua nt to the term s, covenants a nd conditions se t forth h erein . Exec uti ve sha ll report directly to a person to be determined b y the Cha irman of the Boa rd of Directors of the Co mp a n y . In accordance with Section 5.2 (Termination by th e Co mpan y Without Cause) , and s ubject to the severa n ce provisions set forth in Section 6.3, to the extent applicable , the Execut i ve s h a ll be an emp l oyee at will of the Company.
 
1.2   Duties . Exec utive s h a ll have the overall responsibility as the E xe cutive Vice President - Sales & Operations of the Company and its operat ion s, and s hall perform all duties and r espons ibiliti es and have s u c h powers which are commonly in c ident to the offices and positions held by him , a s we ll as any a dditional responsibilities and a uthorit y as may be from time to time a ss igned or delegated to him by the Chief Exec utive Officer of the Com pan y or the President a nd the Board. Exec uti ve sha ll perform the duties ass igned to   him to the best of hi s ab ilit y and in a mann e r satisfactory to the Company .
 
1.3   T im e a nd Efforts . Executive will devote his full busines s time , effo rt s, atte nti o n , and energies to the business of the Co mpan y and to th e performance of Exec utive' s duties h ere und e r during the Term (as defined below) , and will not engage in a n y ot h er business, profession or occupation for co mpen sat ion or othe r wise which would conflict o r interfere with the performance of s uch se rvices , e ither directly or indirectly, without th e prior wr itten co n se nt o f th e Co mp any; provided that , nothing her e in s hall preclude Exec utive fr om (i) continuing to serve on any board of directors or trustee s of a n y "n ot for profit" organization , (ii) being inv o lved in charitable activities , o r (iii) m a na g in g his personal and family pas s ive inv est ment s; provid ed, further that , in each ca se, and in the aggrega te , s uch activ itie s s h a ll not materiall y conflict with or int e rfer e wit h the performance of Exec utiv e ' s dutie s hereunder or con flict with hi s dut y of lo ya lty and / or fiduciary duties owed to the Compa n y .
 
 
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2.
Term
 
Un l ess earlier terminated as provided in Section 5 , the Company s hall employ Executive in the capacity set forth herein for a term commencing on the Start Date and e nding on December 31, 2019 (t h e " Expi ration Date"). Such period , as may be terminated earlier or extended, to be referred to herein as the "Term".
 
3.
Compensation
 
As compensation for the serv ices to be rendered by Execut i ve for and on behalf of the Company hereunder , Executive shal l be entitled to the following:
 
3.1   Base Salary . Executive sha ll receive an annual base s alary of $400,000. Salary payment s shall be subject to all app licable federal and sta te withholding , payroll , and ot h er taxes , and all applicable deductions for benefits as may be required by law or Executive's authorization. Execu ti ve's Base Salary will be reviewed at lea s t annually by the Compensation Committee (t he "Committee") of the Board and may be incre ased at the discretion of the Co mmitt ee .
 
3.2   Bonus . In addition to Base Salary, Executive shall be eligible to receive one or more cash bonuses to be determined by the Committee in its so le discretion based on performance criteria to be adopted by the Committee, with a potential bonus pool of up to $350,000 per yea r (to be adjust prorated for calendar year 2015) , which may be adjusted at the discretion of the Comm it tee. Any such bonus or bonuse s sha ll be s ubj ect to all applicable federal and state w ithh o ldin g, payroll and other taxes, and all app li cable deductions fo r benefits as may be r equired b y l aw, and s h a ll be paid to Executive no later than t h e 1 5th day of the third calendar m onth fo llo w in g the end of the fi s cal year (or other performance period) with re s pect to which the bonus relates.
 
3.3   Compensat i on Comm itt ee.   Any bonu s and any eq uit y co n s id erat i on to be prov i ded to Executive sha ll be reviewed and determined by the Committee on an annual ba s i s to set performance criteria for purpose s of comp lianc e w ith the requir ements of Section l 62(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 , as amended ( th e "Code").
 
3.4   Expenses . The Company s h a ll reimbur se Executive for a ll rea so nable bus in ess expenses incurr ed by Execut i ve in the performance of hi s duties , provided that Execut i ve pr ov ide s adequate documentation required b y law a n d by the po lici es and procedure s of the Company, as adopted and amended from time to time , provided that in no event s hall Execut i ve s ubmit any required document a tion later than s i xty (60) days after the end of the cale ndar year in wh ich s u ch expense was incurred. Any such reimbursement s hall be made as soo n as reasonably practicable but in no event lat er than the 15th day of the third month following the calendar yea r in which the app li cable expense was incurred. Executive acknowledges and agrees that all such expense s wi ll be subjec t to the overs i ght of the Audit Committee of the Board. The Company shall also provide Exe cutive with a lapt o p computer and cell phone for hi s business use during the Term.
 
 
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3.5   V aca tion . Executive shall be entitled to accrue four ( 4) weeks of paid vacat i on each year pursuant to the terms and provisions of the Company's v acation leave polici es as in effect from tim e to time. Although unused v acation ma y be carried over from year to yea r , the ma x imum cap on accrua l shall be equal to o ne hundred fifty percent (150%) of the annual accrual.
 
3.6   Benefit s . Executive shall be entitled to participate in and r ece ive all benefits m ade ava ilable b y the Company to its executive officers, s ubject to and on a con s i ste nt ba sis w ith the terms, conditions a nd overall administration of such plan s and arrangements, includin g w ith ou t limit at i on, medical , dental , vision, life and di s ability in s urance plan s and coverage , and defined b e nefit , defined c o ntribution or other 401 (k) program , including all Company matching provisions. Exe cutive s hall be entitled to a taxabl e monthly vehicle all ow ance of $ 1 , 000, and a miscellane o us expense allowance of up to $5,000.
 
4.
Confidential Information; Non-Compete; Non-Solicitation
 
4.1   Co nfidential Information . Executive acknowledges that , during the course of his employment , h e wi ll have access to and will receiv e informati o n which c o n st itut es trad e sec r e t s, i s of a confidential nature, is of significant value to the Company and /o r is a foundation o n w hich the business of the Company i s predicated. With re spe ct to all s uch Co nfidential Information (as defined hereafter) , Exec utive agrees , durin g the Term and th e reafter , not t o di sc lo se s uch Co nfidential Inform atio n to a n y person ot h e r than an e mplo yee, coun s el , or advisor o f the Co mp a n y or a per so n to w h o m di sc l osure i s r easo nabl y n ecessa r y o r a ppropri ate in connection with the performan ce by Execut i ve of hi s dutie s hereund e r nor t o u se s uch Con fidential Inform at ion for a n y purpo se other t h a n th e p e r fo rm a n ce of hi s duties her e under. For purpo ses of thi s Agreement , the term "Confidential Information" includes a ll data o r material (regardless of form) with re spect to the Co mp a n y or any o f it s assets , pro spe ct s , busine ss activitie s, offi c e r s, directors , empl oyees, b o rro we r s, or clients which i s: (a) a trade secre t , as defined by the Un i for m Trade S ecrets Act; ( b) provid e d, di sc l ose d , o r delivered to Exec uti ve b y th e Co mp a n y, a n y officer , director , e mploy ee, agent , atto rn ey, acco untant , con s ultant , o r ot her per so n o r e ntit y employed b y the Co mpan y in any capacity , a ny client, borrower, adviso r , o r bu s in ess assoc i ate of the Company, o r a n y public a uth o rit y havin g juri s di c tion over th e Co mp a n y o r any bu s ine ss activity cond u cted b y the Com p a n y; or (c) produced , developed, o btain ed or prepared b y o r o n behalf of Exec uti ve o r the Co mp a n y (whether or n o t s uch inform a tion wa s dev e lop ed in the performance of t hi s Agreement). Notwit h sta ndin g th e foregoing , the term " Co nfi de n tia l Inform a tion" s h a ll n ot in c lude a n y informati o n , data , or material which , a t the time of disclosure or u se, was g enerally ava il a ble to the public othe r than by a b r eac h of thi s Agreement , was ava il ab l e to the party to w h o m disclosed o n a n o n- co nfid e nti a l ba s i s by disclosure or acce s s provided by the Co mpan y or a third party w ithout brea c hin g a n y o bli gat i o n s of the Co mpan y or s uch third part y, o r was otherwise developed o r ob tain e d l ega ll y and ind epe nd e ntl y b y the per so n to w h o m disclosed without a brea c h of thi s Agreement. T hi s Sect ion 4. 1 s hall n ot preclude Executive from di s cl os in g Co nfid e ntial Inform at ion if co mpell ed to do so by l aw o r va lid l ega l proce ss, provid e d that if Executive b e li eves Exec utive i s so compelled b y l aw o r va lid l ega l proc ess, Exec u tive will n o tif y th e Com p a n y in writing s ufficiently in advance of any s u c h disclosure to a ll ow the Compa n y the opportunity to d efe nd , limit , or otherwise protect it s int e re s ts aga in st s uch disclo s ur e unle ss s uch n ot i ce i s prohibited b y law . The right s a nd obligations o f the parti es under thi s paragraph s h a ll s ur v i ve th e expiration o r termination of thi s Agreement for a ny reason.
 
 
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4.2   Non-Competition . As part of the con sidera ti o n fo r the compensation a nd benefits to be paid to Exec utive hereunder , and in o rd er to protect the Con fid e nti a l In fo rm atio n , business goodw ill , and business opportunities of the Company, Ex ecuti ve agrees that, during the Ter m and for a period of t we l ve (12) month s after the terminati o n o f Exec utive's emp l oy men t and this Ag r eement, he wi ll not , directl y or indirectl y, e ngag e in o r become in te re s te d financially in , as a principal , employee, partner, contractor, shareholder, agent, manager , owner , advisor, l e nd er, g uarant or, office r, o r d ir ecto r , a n y business (other than th e Co mpan y) that i s e n gaged i n the nutritional supp l e m e nt in dus tr y and / o r related product s; provided , ho wev er , that Exec uti ve sha ll be entitled to continue to in vest in stocks, bonds , or ot h er securities in any such bu si ne ss (without ot he rw i se participating in such busines s) if: (a) such s tock s, bonds , or other sec uritie s a re li sted o n any U nit e d S t ates sec uriti es exc h a n ge or are publicly traded in a n over the counter m arket; a nd s uch in vestme nt d oes n o t exceed, in t h e case of any capital stock of any one i ss uer , five percent o f the is s u e d and outstanding cap it a l stock, o r in the case of bonds or other sec uritie s, five percent of the aggrega t e principal a m ount thereof i ss u ed and outs t and i ng; o r (b) such investment i s co mpletel y passive and n o contro l or influ e n ce ove r the management o r policies of s u c h business i s exercised. The Exe cutive h ere b y agrees that in addition to any ot h er r e m ed i es ava il able to the Co mpan y at l aw or in equity , in the event of a breach of thi s Sect ion 4 .2 by the executive, the Co mpan y s h a ll n o l o ng e r be obligated to m a k e a n y severance payments t o th e Exec uti ve .
 
4.3   Non -Solicitation . Exec uti ve agrees that he wi ll n ot, at a n y time during the Term, or a t any t ime within twelve (12) month s after the termination of hi s employment , for hi s ow n accou n t or benefit or for the acco unt or benefit of any other p e r son, fi r m or entity , dir ect l y o r indir ect l y , so l ic it for e mploym e nt any employee o f the Co mp a n y ( or a n y person who was an employee of t h e Co mp a n y in t h e 90 - day pe ri od before s uch s ol i citation) o r induce any e m p l oyee of t h e Co mp a n y (o r any perso n w h o wa s a n e mpl oyee of t he Co mp a n y i n the 90 - day per i od b efo r e s u c h indu ce m ent) to terminate hi s e mpl oy ment with t h e Co mp any . Notw ith sta ndin g th e above , the restriction s r e l at in g to per so ns emp l oye d in the 90-day pe ri od referenced in the parentheticals in the imm ed i ate l y precedi n g se ntence sha ll not app l y to a person w h o was a part y to a n emp l oy m ent agreement w ith the Compa n y and who term in ates hi s e mpl oyme n t for Good Reaso n or i s terminated by t h e Compa n y w ith o ut Cause . The rights and o bli gat i ons of the partie s und e r thi s Section 4.3 s h al l s urvive t he expiration or te rmin ation of thi s Agreement fo r a n y reason .
 
4.4   Prop riet a r y Matters . Exec uti ve express l y ag r ees that a n y a nd all im provements , in ve n tions, discoveries , processes , or know -h ow that a r e ge n erated or co n ce i ved b y Exec u t i ve durin g the Ter m , w h ethe r conceived during Exec uti ve ' s re g ular work in g h o ur s or othe r wise, w i ll be the so l e a nd excl u s i ve property of t h e Co mpan y . Whenever requested by th e Co mp a n y (eit h e r during t h e Term or thereafter) , Exec utiv e w ill   ass i g n or exec ut e a n y a n d all   app li catio n s, ass i gnme n ts a n d / or other documents, and do a ll thing s w hi c h the Co m pany rea so n ab l y deem s n ecessary o r approp r iate , in order to per mit the Com p a n y to: (a) ass i gn and convey , or ot h erw i se make ava il ab le t o the Co mpan y , th e so l e a nd exclus iv e ri g ht , titl e, and int e r est in a n d to sa id impr ove m e n ts, in ve n t i ons, d i scove rie s, proces ses or k n ow -h ow; or ( b) app l y for, ob tain , maintain , e n fo r ce and defend patent s, copyr i g ht s, t r ade names, or trademark s of the U nit ed States o r of foreign co untri es for sa id improvement s, in ve n t i ons, d i scove ri es, proces ses, or know-how. However, t h e imp rovements , inventions , d i scove rie s, pr ocesses, o r know - how g enerated or conce i ved by Exec uti ve a nd referred t o in thi s Sec ti o n 4.4 (except t h ose which m ay be in cl ud ed in the patents , co p y ri g h ts, or r eg i ste r ed tra d e names o r trad e mark s of the Co mpany) wi ll not be exc lu s i ve prope rt y of th e Co mp a n y at any tim e after h av in g been di sc l osed or revealed o r have ot h e r w i se b ecome avai l ab l e to the public o r to a t hird party on a n o n -co nfi de nti a l ba s i s o ther than b y a breach of thi s Agreement , or afte r t h ey h ave been ind epende n t l y d eve l oped o r di sc u sse d without a bre ac h of thi s Agreement by a third p a rt y w h o h as n o ob li gat i o n to th e Co mp a n y.
 
 
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The rights a nd ob li gat ion s o f the p ar tie s und er this Section 4.4 shall surv i ve the exp ir ation or term in at i on of this Ag r ee m e nt for a n y rea so n.
 
4.5   Injunctiv e Relief . Execut ive acknowledges a nd agree s that any vio l a t ion of Sect i ons 4.1, 4.2 , 4 . 3 o r 4.4 of this Agreement would r es ul t in irr epara ble h a rm t o the Compa n y and , therefore , agrees that , in the eve nt of an a ctual , s u spected, o r thr ea ten ed breach o f Sec tion s 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 or 4.4 of this Agreement, the Co mpan y s hall be entitled to an injun ct ion r estra inin g Execut i ve from comm i tt in g or cont inuin g suc h act ual , suspected o r threatened breach. T he pa r ties acknow l edge and ag r ee that the right to suc h injuncti ve r e li ef s hall be c umula t iv e a nd s h a ll not be in li e u o f , o r be con st rued as a waiver of the Compa n y ' s ri g ht to pursue, any ot her remedies to w hi ch it may b e ent i t l ed in law or in e quit y. T h e parties agree that fo r our p oses of Sections 4.1 , 4. 2 , 4 . 3 a nd 4.4 of thi s Ag r eement, the term "Company" sha ll include t h e Co mpany a nd it s affi li ates.
 
5.
Termination
 
Exe cutiv e's emp l oy ment by the Co mp a n y and t hi s Agreement ma y be term in ated b efo r e the e x piration of th e Term , w ithout breach of this Agreement, in acco rd a n ce wit h the prov i sio n s set forth below:
 
5.1   Termination b y the Co mpany for Ca u se . T h e Co m pany may terminate Execut i ve's emp l oyment a n d this Agreement fo r Ca u se (as defined below), but o nl y afte r: ( i ) g i v ing Execut i ve wr itten notice of the failure or conduct w hich the Compa n y believes t o con s titute Ca u se; and (ii) with re s pect t o e l eme n ts (a) through (e) below , providing Exec ut ive a reasonab l e opportu ni ty , and in n o eve nt more than twe n ty (20) day s, to c ur e s uch fa ilur e or conduct, unl ess the Board determines in it s goo d fa ith j ud g m e n t that s u c h fa ilur e o r conduct i s n o t r easonab l y capab l e of bein g cured. In the event Exec utive doe s not c ur e the alleged fa ilur e or conduct wit hin the time fra m e provided fo r s uch c u re by the Company, the Compa n y s h a ll se nd him w ri tte n notice sp ecifyin g the effec ti ve date of term in ation . The fa ilu re by the Co mp a n y to se t fo rth in the n otice referenced in thi s Section 5 .1 any fact or c ircum sta n ce w hi ch contribute s t o a s h owing of Cause s h a ll n ot waive any ri g ht of th e Co m pa n y to assert , or p rec lud e the Compa n y fro m asse rtin g , s uch fact or c ir c um s tance in e nforcin g it s ri g ht s her e und e r. Fo r purposes of th is Ag r eeme nt , the term "Cause" m ea n s:
 
(a)   conviction of a felony or a crime invol v in g fraud or mo ra l turpitude; o r
 
(b)   theft , material a ct of dishonesty or fraud , intentional falsification of a n y employment or Corporation record s, or commi ss ion of any criminal a ct which imp a ir s p a rticip a nt ' s ability to perform appropriate e mpl oy ment duties for the Corporation ; or
 
(c)   in te nti o n a l o r reckle ss conduct o r gross n eg li ge nce m aterially harmful to the Corporation or th e successor t o the C orporation afte r a C han g e in Co ntrol , includin g violation of a non-c o mp e tition or confidentiality agreement; o r
 
(d)   willful failure to follow lawful in s tru ct ion s of t h e p e r s on or bod y to which participant reports ; or
 
(e)   gross n eg li ge nce or w illful misconduct in the performance of particip a nt 's ass i g ned duties. Cause s h a ll not includ e m e re un s atisfactory p e rformance in the ac hi eve m ent of
particip a n t's job objectives.
 
If the Company terminates Executive's employment for Cause, then Exec uti ve s hall be entitled to receive th e payment s and benefits set forth in Section 6.1 below.
 
The Co mpany may suspend Executive with pay pending an inve st igati o n authorized by the Compa ny or a governmental authority or a determination whether Executive ha s engaged in acts or omissions constituting Cause, and s uch paid s u s pension shall not constitute Good Reason or a termination of Executive's e mpl oy ment.
 
 
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5.2
Te rmination by the Company Without Cause .
 
(a)   The Company may terminate the employment of Executive and th i s Agreement at any time during the Term of this Agreement without Cause by g iving Executive w ritten notice of such termination, to the extent permitted by law, to be immediat e l y effective following the giving of such written notice , in which case Executive shall receive the compensation , seve rance , and benefit continuation required by Section 6.3 below; provided , however , that if Company terminates Exec utive's employment without Cause during the Protection Period (as defined below) , then Executive sha ll be entitled to rec eive the payments a nd benefit s set forth in Section 6.4 below.
 
(b)   For purpose s of thi s Agreement , the term ''Protection Period" mean s the period of tim e commencing on the date of the first occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined below in Section 5.2(c)) and continuing until the earlier of the (i) the se cond anniversary of the fir st occurrence of the Change in Co ntrol and (ii) the Term of this Agreement; and the s i x (6) month period prior to suc h C h ange in Co ntrol date if th e Executive i s terminated without Ca u se or terminates for Good Reason a nd in either case s uch termination (x) was reque s ted by the third party that effectuate s the Change in Co ntrol, or (y) occurs in connection with or in a nticip a tion of a C h a n ge in Control, it bein g agreed that any s u ch action taken following stock holder approval of a transaction which i f consummated would constitute a C han ge in Co ntrol shall be deemed to be in anticipation of a C h ange in Control provided s uch transaction is actually consummated.
 
(c)   For purpose s of this Agreement , the term "Change in Control" m e an s the happening of any of the following events:
 
i.   a tender offer (or ser ies of related offers) s hall be made and consummated for the ownership of 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Company, unless as a re s ult of such tender offer more than 50% of the outstanding voting s ecurities of the surviving or resulting corporation shall be owned in the aggregate by the stockholders of the Company (as of the time immediately prior to the commencement of such offer), any employee benefit plan of the Company or its subsidiaries, and their affiliates;
 
ii.   the Company shall be merged or consolidated with another corporation, unle ss as a result of such merger or consolidation more than 50% of the outstanding voting se curities of the s urviving or re s ulting corporation shall be owned in the aggregate by the stockholders of the Company (as of the time immediately prior to such transaction) , any employee benefit plan of the Company or its subsidiaries, and their affiliates ;
 
iii.                 the Company shall sell substantially all of its assets to another corporation that is not wholly owned by the Company, unless as a re s ult of s uch sale more than 50% of such assets shall be owned in the aggregate by the s tockholders of the Company (as of the time immediately prior to such transaction), any employee benefit plan of the Company or it s subsidiaries and their affiliates; or
 
iv.                 a person (as defined below) shall acquire 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Company (whether directly, indirectly , beneficially or of record), unles s as a result of such acquisition more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving or resulting corporation shall be owned in the aggregate by the stockholders of the Company (as of the time immediately prior to the first acquisition of such securities by s uch person), any employee benefit plan of the Corporation or it s subsidiaries, and their affiliates.
 
5.3   T e rmination b y the Co mpan y Due to Inability to Perform or Death . Executive's employment and thi s Agreement may be terminated by the Company as follows:
 
 
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(a)   To the extent permitted by law , upon notice to Exec utive in the event of Executive's Inabilit y to Perform. For thi s purpose , the term "Inability to Perform" mean s and sha ll be deemed to have occurred if Executive has been det e rmined under the Company's l o n g - term disability plan to be eligible for long-term disability benefit s or, in the event the Company does not maintain s uch a plan or in the absence of Executive's participation in or application for benefits und er s uch a plan, s uch term shall mean the inabilit y of Executive , despite any rea so n able accommodation required by law , due to bodily injur y or disease or any other physical or mental incapacity , to perform the servi c es r equ ired h e reunder for a period of ninet y (90) consecutive days; or
 
(b)
Immediatel y up o n the death of Execut ive.
 
5.4   Termination by Execu ti ve for Good Reason . Executive ma y terminate hi s emp lo ymen t and t hi s Agreement at any time for Good Reason (as defined below). A termination of emp l oyment and this Agreement by Executive for Good Reason s hall entitle Execut iv e to payments and ot h er benefits as spec ified in Section 6.3, unless such termination occurs during the Protection Period in w hich ca se the payments a nd benefit s in Sec tion 6.4 s hall ap pl y . Fo r purposes of this Agreement, the term "Good Reason" mean s, s ubject to the notic e and cure provisions h e rein , any of the followin g actions i f taken without Exec u tive ' s prior w ritten con se nt: (a) the ass i gn ment t o the Executive of any dutie s inconsi st ent with the po s ition in the Cor p orat ion that Exe cutive held imm ed iatel y prior t o the assignment; (b) a Change of Co ntrol resulting in a s ignificant adverse alteration in the stat u s o r co ndition s of Exec uti ve 's participation with the Co rporati o n o r other nature o f Executive's re spons ibiliti es from tho se in effect prior to s uch Change of Co ntrol , includin g any s i g nificant a lt erat ion in H o ld e r ' s r es p o n sib ilitie s imm ed iat e l y prior to s u ch C h ange in Control; (c) the failure by the Compa ny to continue to provide the Exec uti ve w ith b enefits s ubstantially sim il a r to those enjoyed by the Exec utive prior to s uch failure; or (d) any ot her action or inaction that constitutes a material breach b y the Compa n y of this Agree ment. To exercise the opt i o n to terminate e mpl oyment for Good Reason, Exec uti ve must provide written n ot ic e to the Company of Execut i ve's belief that Good Reason ex i sts within s i xty (60) days of the initi a l existence of the Good Reason condition, and that notice s h a ll describe in reasonable detail the condition(s) believed to constitute Good Reason. The Compa n y then sha ll h ave thirty (30) day s to r e med y the Good Rea so n condition(s). If not remedied within that 30 -d ay p e riod or if the Company notifies Executiv e that it do es not in tend to c ur e suc h co ndition( s ) befor e the end of th a t 30 -da y period, Execut ive may s ubmit a notice of termination to the Co mpan y; provided , how ever, that the n ot ice of termination in vok in g Executive ' s option to terminate e mplo y ment for Good R easo n must be g iven no later than one hundred ( l00) day s after the date the Good Rea s on condition first arose; otherwise, Exec uti ve s hall b e deemed to h ave accep t ed the condition(s) , or the Co mpany' s correction of s u c h cond i t ion (s), that ma y have g i ve n rise to the existence of Good Reason.
 
5.5               Termination by E x ecutive Without Good Rea so n . Ex ecutive ma y also terminate hi s employment and this Agreement without Good Reason b y providing at l eas t ninet y (90) da ys' written n o tice of such termination to the Compan y . In the event of a termination pur s uant t o thi s Section 5.5 , Executive s hall be entitled to pa y ment s and other benefit s as s pecified in Section 6.1 b e l ow . At th e Co mp a ny' s option, the Company may accelerate the date of Exe cuti ve ' s terminati o n o f employment by paying to Exec utive the Base Salary and value of the benefits th at Executive wou ld ha ve r ece i ve d durin g the period b y which the date of termination i s so accelerated and s uch acce lerati on s hall not change t he characterization of the terminati o n by Exe cutiv e as a termination w ithou t Good Rea so n .
 
5.6   Return of Confidential Information a nd Company Property . U pon termination of Exe cutiv e's employment for any re aso n , Exe cutive s hall imm e diat e l y r e turn all Co nfi de n t i al In for mation and o th e r Co mpan y property   to the Com p a n y .
 
 
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6.
Effect of Termination
 
6.1   Termination by the Company for Cause or Ter minati o n b y Exec utiv e Without Good Reason.   In the event Executive's employment and thi s Agreement a r e terminated pursuant to Section s 5.1 or 5.5 above:
 
(a)   Th e Company s h a ll pa y to Executive, or hi s repre se nt a tiv es , on the date of termination of e mplo y ment only that portion of the B ase Sa l a r y pro v id e d in Section 3.1   t hat has been acc rued t hrou g h the date of t e rmination , any acc ru ed but unpai d vacation pay provided in Sec ti o n 3.6, any acc rued benefit s provid e d in S ect i o n 3.7, and any ex p e n se r e imbur se m en t s due a n d ow in g to Exec u tive as of th e date of terminati o n; and
 
(b)   Exec uti ve s hall n o t be e ntitl ed to: (i) a n y ot h e r sa lar y or compe n sa tion ; (i i ) a n y bonus pursuant t o Secti o n 3 . 2; ( iii ) an y e quit y consideration pur s u a nt t o Sec ti on 3.3; n or ( iv ) a n y add iti o n al benefits pur s u an t t o Section 3.7; and
 
(c)   Exec utive s hall r et urn the l a p to p co mput e r and ce llul a r telephone w i t hin five (5) business days of the date of termination.
 
6.2   Termination b y the Co mpan y Due to Exe cutive ' s In a bilit y t o Perform o r Death . In t he event Executive's employment a nd this Ag r ee ment a r e terminated pur s uant t o Secti o n 5.3 a bov e, the Co mp a n y s h a ll pay to Exec uti v e , o r his r e pr ese n ta ti ves , all of the fo ll ow in g :
 
(a)   T h e pa y ment s, i f a n y, r efe rred to in Section 6. 1 (a) a b ove as of t h e date of termination; and
 
(b)   Subject to compliance with Sec ti o n 409A of the Code, a n a m o un t equa l to t he g r eate r of (i) o n e hundred percent (100%) of Exec utiv e's t a r ge t bonu s fo r the yea r in which t h e date of termin a tion occ ur s or (ii) a bonu s fo r s uch yea r as m ay b e determined by th e Co mmitt ee in it s so l e di sc r e tion. This a m o unt s hall be paid in th e form of a lump s um , le ss app li cab l e s t at ut o r y deduction s and w ithholdin gs , as soo n as pra c ti c able afte r the date of te rmination , but n o l a t e r th an March 15 of th e y e a r immediatel y following th e ye ar in w hi c h th e dat e of termination occ ur s; a nd
 
(c)   Fo r a terminati o n du e to Inabilit y t o Perform o nl y, and p rov id ed th a t Exec uti ve or his representative signs a Release (as defined in Section 17), then the Company shall pay Executive a severance equal to six (6) months of Executive’s Base Salary at the time of termination. This severance amount shall be paid to Executive in equal regular installments over the six (6) month period pursuant to the Company’s regular payroll periods, less applicable statutory deductions and tax withholdings. The first installment shall be paid to Executive on the first payroll period after the date of termination and after the effective date of the Release; and
 
(d)              S h ou ld Executive or his r ep res e ntative s timely e l ect to co ntinu e coverage under a gro up health insurance plan sponsored b y the Co mpany or one of it s affiliates and tim e l y make the premium payments, reimbur se Execu ti ve on a monthly ba s i s for the co s t of continued coverage und e r the Consolidated Omnibus Bud g et Reconciliation Act of l 985 ("COBRA") or other applicable law for Ex ecuti v e and an y eligible dependent s until the ear lier of (i) the date Exec uti ve i s no l o n ge r e nti t le d to continuation coverage unde r COBRA or (ii) for twelv e ( 12 ) month s after th e date of termination.
 
6.2   Ter mination by the Compa n y Without Cause and Without a Change in Contro l o r by Executive for Good Reason Without a Change in Control. In the eve nt Ex ecutive' s e mpl oy m ent i s terminated pur s u a nt to Sect i ons 5.2 o r 5.4 above at any time in which there ha s not been a qu a lif y in g C han g e in Control terminati o n, the Company s h a ll pay Exec utiv e on th e d a te of termination the payments r efe rred to in Section 6.1 (a) abov e, and provided that Exe cutiv e s i g n s a Release (as defined in Sect i on 17) , Exe cutiv e shall also receive all o f the following:
 
 
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(a)   A seve rance package equal to the le sse r of (i) t welve (12 ) months of Exec utive' s B ase Salary a t the time of termination and ( ii ) the Base Salary r ema inin g under th e Te rm of this Agreement. T hi s severa n ce amount s hall b e paid t o Exec uti ve in e qual r egular in s t a llm en t s ove r the twelve (12) m o nth period pursua nt to the Company's regu l ar payroll p e ri ods, le ss applicable sta tut o r y deductions and t ax withho ldin gs . The fir s t in sta llm ent s hall b e paid to Exec uti ve o n t h e fir s t p ay roll period after the d a te of termination and after th e effect iv e date of the Release; and
 
(b)   Subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code, a n a m o unt eq u a l to t h e g re ate r of ( i ) (A) i f th e dat e of t e rmin at ion occurs b e tween Januar y 1 and June 30, then t we nty- five pe rcent (25%) of Exec utive' s tar ge t bonus for t h e year in wh i c h the d a te of termination occurs o r (B) i f the date of termin a ti o n occurs betw ee n Jul y 1   and Decemb er 3 1 , th e n fift y perc e n t (5 0 %) of Exec uti ve's target bonu s for th e yea r in which th e d ate of term in ation occurs; and (ii) a bonus fo r s uch year as m ay be determined by the Co mmitt ee in it s so le discret i o n . This amount s h a ll be paid in the fo rm of a lum p s um , le ss app lic a ble s tatut o r y deduction s and w ithh o l dings , as soo n as practicable after t h e date of termination , but n o la te r than Marc h 15 of th e yea r imm e diat e l y fo ll ow in g the year in w hi c h the d a t e of termination occ ur s;
 
(c)   Should Executive o r hi s repr ese nt at i ves timely e lect t o co ntinu e coverage under a gro up he a lth i nsurance plan s pon so red by the Co mpan y o r one of it s affi li ates and time l y make t h e pr e mium payments , r e imbur se Exec uti ve on a m o nthl y basis fo r the cost of continued coverage und e r the COBRA for Exec uti ve a nd a n y e li gible d e p e nd e nt s until th e ea rli e r of (i ) the d a t e Exe cutive i s no lon g er e ntitl ed to co ntinuati o n coverage under COB RA o r ( ii) fo r t we lv e ( l 2) m o nth s afte r the d a t e of termination; a nd
 
(d)   Unless ot h erwi se provided in the e quit y awa rd ag r ee ment , all stock optio n s and ot h e r stock in ce n t i v e awa rd s h e ld b y Executive wi ll become fu ll y vest ed and imm ed iat e l y exe r cisa bl e and a ll restrictions o n any re st ricted s to ck h e ld by Exec utiv e w ill be removed; provided , however, Exe cuti ve s hall no t be r e l eased from th e bla ck - o ut periods for th e ne xt fin a ncial r epo rtin g quarter following the date of termination or Securities Exchange Act of 1 934, as amended ( th e "Exchange Act") , trading obligations t y picall y required for an executive in thi s position.
 
6.3                Termination b y the Company Without Ca u se A fter a C hange in Co ntrol or by Exec utive for Good Reason After a Change in Control. In th e eve nt Exec utiv e's e mpl oyment is terminated pursuant to Section s 5.2 or 5.4 abov e during the Protection Peri od, the Co mpan y s hall pa y Exec uti ve on the date of terminati o n the pa y m e nt s referr e d to in Section 6.1 (a) above, and pro vi ded that Exec utiv e s ign s a Rele ase (as defined in Section 17) , Exec utive s hall also re ce iv e a ll of t h e fo llo w i ng :
 
(a)                Subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Co de , a severance p ackage e qu al to one y ear of Exec utive 's Base Sa l ary immediatel y pri o r to the Change in Control. T hi s severa nce amount s hall b e paid to Exe cutive in equa l regular installment s over a 12-month period pursuant to the Com pan y's re g ular payroll periods, l ess applicab le stat utor y d e duction s and tax w ithholdin gs . T h e first i n s t a llm e nt s hall be paid to Exec utive on the first p ay roll peri o d a fter the date of termin at ion and a fter th e effe cti ve d a te of the Relea se; and
 
(b)   Subject to compli a nc e with Section 409A o f the Co de , an amount equal to t h e greate r of (i) one hundred percent ( 100 %) of Exec uti ve ' s target bonu s for the yea r in wh ich th e da te of termination occurs or (i i ) a bonus for s uch yea r as ma y b e determined b y the Co mmitt ee in its so l e di sc retion. This amount s hall be paid in the form of a lump s um , le ss applicable stat ut o r y d ed uction s and withholdings , as soo n a s practicable after the date of t e rmina t ion , but n o l ate r than March 15 o f the y ear imm e di ate l y following the year in wh ich the date of terminati o n oc cur s; a nd
 
(c)   A o n e -tim e cash paym e nt of five hun d r e d thou s an d d o ll ars ( $5 00 , 000.00) , l ess applicable stat u to r y deductions a nd tax w ithh o ldin gs , t o be p a i d w i t hin thirty (3 0) da ys of the date of termination; an d
 
 
9
 
 
(d)   Shou l d Executive or hi s repres e ntativ es tim e l y e l ect to co ntinu e coverage un de r a gro up health insurance pl a n s p o n so red b y the Co mp a n y or o n e of i t s a ffili ates a nd tim e l y make t h e premium p ay m e nt s , r e im burse Executive on a monthl y basis fo r the cost of co ntinue d coverage un der the COBRA for Exec utiv e and any e li g ibl e d epe ndent s until th e ea rli e r of (i) the date Exec uti ve i s n o l onge r e ntitl e d t o cont inu ation coverage und e r CO BRA or ( ii ) fo r tw e l ve ( 1 2) m ont h s af ter th e date of termination ; a nd
 
(e)   All sto ck opt i ons a nd o th e r in ce nti ve award s h e ld by Exec utiv e w ill beco m e fully ves t e d and imm e diatel y exe rci sa bl e a nd all r es tri ct i o n s o n any r es trict ed s tock held by Exec uti ve w ill be r e mo ved; pro v id e d , how eve r , Exe cuti ve s hall n o t be released fr o m th e black - out periods fo r the ne x t fin a ncial quart er following the d ate of te rmination o r Exc h a n ge Act, trading obl i gat i ons typ i ca ll y required for an exec utiv e in thi s p os ition.
 
7. 
Successors and Assigns
 
This Agreement i s per so nal in n at ure , and neither thi s Agreement n or any p a rt of any ob li gat i o n h e r e in sha ll b e ass i g nable by Exec uti ve . T h e Co mpan y s hall b e entitled t o assign this Ag r ee m e nt t o a n y affil i ate of the Co mpan y or any per so n o r ent it y that ass um es t h e ownership a nd co nt ro l of the business of th e Co mpan y . T hi s A g reem e nt s h a ll inur e to th e ben e fit of and s hall be b indin g up o n th e partie s and th e ir s u ccesso r s and ass i g n s .
 
8.
Severability
 
Should a n y term , provision, covenant or condition of t hi s Agree men t be h eld t o be void or inv a li d, the sa me s h a ll n ot affect any ot her term , provision, cove n a nt or co n d iti o n o f thi s Agreement , but suc h rema ind e r s h a ll continue in full force a nd effe ct as though each s uch voided term, provi s i o n, covenant, or condition i s n ot c o ntained her ein.
 
9.
Governing Law and Venue
 
This Agreement s hall be governed by and co n st rued in acco rdan ce w ith the la ws of t h e State of California, exc ludin g its ch o ice-of-law principles. Sub ject to Sections 4.5 and 10, a nd w ith o ut in a n y way limitin g the app lic ab ilit y of bindin g arbitration , each o f the parti es s ubmit s to the exc lu sive jurisdiction of a n y state or federal court s ittin g in Denver, Co lorado in any action or proceeding ar i s in g out o f o r rela ting to this Agreeme nt a nd further agrees th at all claims in respect of the act i o n or proceeding may be h eard and determined in a n y su ch court to the e x t e nt th at any court proceeding i s neces sa ry in co nn ect i o n w ith Sect i ons 4.5 and 1 0 , a nd further agrees n ot to bring a n y action o r proceeding ar i s ing out of o r r e latin g to this Agree m e nt in any other c o urt. Eac h of the p a rtie s agrees that a fin a l jud gmen t in any action or proceeding so br o u ght s hall be conclusive an d may be e nforced by s uit on the judgment or in a n y ot h er manner so provided by l aw.
 
l 0.   
Binding Arbitration
 
Except as provided in Section 4.5, a n y and a ll dispute s w hi c h in volve or rel a te in a n y way to thi s Agreement a nd / or to Exec u t i ve ' s emp l oy m e nt , Exec uti ve ' s termination of employme n t w ith the Company or termination of t hi s Agreement , whe th er initi ated b y Exec u tive or b y the Compan y and whet h er based o n co nt rac t , to r t , stat ut e , or common l aw, s hall be s u bmitted to a n d re so l ved by final and bindin g arb itrati on as t h e exc lu s ive method fo r re s o l v in g a ll suc h disputes. T h e arb it ra ti o n s hall be private and co nfid e ntial and conducted in Denver , Co l orado pursuant to the Federal Ar bit ra ti on Ac t and appl i cab l e Co l o r ado l aw , a nd pursuant to the app li cab l e rul es of the A m erican Arbitration Associatio n ("AAA") relating to e mpl oy m ent dispute s, unl ess the parties ot h erwise mutuall y agree to modif y th e AAA Rules.
 
The party dema ndin g ar bitration s h a ll s ubmit a wr it ten c laim to the ot h er part y, se ttin g out th e basi s of the c l aim o r claim s, w ithin the time per i o d of any app li cab l e stat ute of limi tat i o n s relating to s u ch c l a im (s). If t h e parties cannot mu t u a ll y agree u pon an a r bitrator   t h e n t h e pa rti es s hall se lect a neutral arbitrato r through the proc e dur es esta bli s h ed by the AAA. The a rbi trator s h a ll h ave t h e power s provided und e r the Co l orado Code of Civi l Proc edu r e relating to th e arb it ration of di sp ut es , except as express l y limit ed o r ot h erw i se provided in t hi s Agreeme n t. T h e partie s s hall h ave the ri ght to r easonab l e d i sco very a s mutuall y agreed o r as determined by the arb it rato r , including at l ea s t o n e depositio n each , i t b e ing the g oal of the partie s to r eso l ve a n y di s pu tes as exped i t i o u s l y and eco n omica ll y as rea s onab l y practicable. The partie s ag r ee to s h a r e e qu a ll y in the pa y m en t of the adm ini s t rat i on costs of t h e AAA arb itrati on, in c ludi ng payme n t of th e fees for t h e ar bit rator, and a n y ot h er costs directl y rel ated to the adm ini strat i o n o f th e arbi trati on. The partie s s h a ll othe r w i se be re spo nsible for their ow n r es pect i ve costs a nd attorneys' fees rel ating to the di s pute , s u c h as de p ositio n cost s, expe r t w itne sses and s im i l ar exp e n ses, e x cept as ot h erw i se provided in thi s Agreement to t h e prevailing p a rty.
 
 
10
 
 
The arbitrator may award, if properly proven, any damage s or remedy that a party coul d recover in a civil litigation , and shall award costs and reasonable attorneys' fees to the prevailing party. The award of the arbitrator s hall be issued in writing, setting forth the basis for the decision, and shall be binding on the partie s to the fullest extent permitted by law , subject to a limited statutory right to appeal as provided by law. Judgment upon the award of the arbitrator may be entered in any court ha v ing proper jurisdiction and enforced as provided by law.
 
This agreement to arbitrate is freely negotiated between Executive and the Company and is mutually entered into between the parties. Each party understands and agrees that it i s g iving up certain right s otherwise afforded to it by civil court actions, including but not limited to the right t o a jury trial; provided , however , that either party may seek provisional remedies in a court of competent juri sd iction as provided pursuant to applicable law.
 
11.
Section Headings
 
The section headings herein are inserted only as a matter of convenience and reference and in no way define, limit or describe the scope of this Agreement or the intent of any provi s ion s hereof.
 
12.
Compliance with Section 409A of the Code
 
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary , (a) if at the time of Executive's termination of employment with the Company Executive is a "specified employee" as such term i s defined in Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder , and the deferral of the commencement o f any pa yments or be nefit s otherwise payable hereunder as a re s ult of s uch termination of employment i s necessary in order to prevent a n y accelerated or additional ta x und er Section 409A of the Code , then the Company will defer the commencement of the pa y ment of a ny s uch payments or benefits hereunder (without any reduction in such pa ymen ts or benefits ultimatel y paid or provided to Executive) until the date that i s s ix (6) month s following Executive's termination of employment with the Co mpan y (or the earliest date as is p e rmitted under Section 409A of the Code) and (b) if any other pa y ments of money o r other benefits due to Exec utive h e re under could cause the application of an accelerated or additional tax under Section 409A of the Code , such payments or other benefits s hall b e deferred if deferral will make s uch payment or other benefits compliant under Section 409A of the Code, o r otherwise s uch payment or o ther benefits shall be restructured, to the extent possible, in a manner , determined b y the Board , that does not cause s uch an accelerated or additional tax . In the event that payment s under this A g re e m e nt are deferred pursuant to this Section 12   in order to prevent any accelerated t ax or additional ta x under Section 409A of the Code, th e n s uch payments s hall be paid at the time s pecified under thi s Section 12   without any intere s t thereon. Th e Co mpany s hall consult with Exec uti ve in good faith re gar din g the implementation of this Section 12 ; provided that neither the Company nor any of it s employees or repr ese ntative s s hall hav e any liabilit y to Executive with respect thereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a termination o f emp loyment shall not be deemed to hav e occ urr ed for purposes of a n y provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of amounts or b e nefit s upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination i s also a "Separation from Service" as s uch t e rm i s defined in Section 409A of the Co d e and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder and, for purposes of any s uch provision of thi s Agreement, reference s to a "re s i g nation , " "termination , "termination of employment," or like terms s hall mean Separation from Se r v ice. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code, eac h payment made und e r this Agreement shall be desi g n ated as a "separate pa yme nt" w ithin the me a nin g of the Section 409A of the
 
Code. Notwithstanding anyt hing to t h e contrary herein , except to the extent any expense, reimbursement or in- kind benefit provided pursuant to this Agreement does not constitute a "deferral of compensation" within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code: (x) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbur se ment or in-kind be n e fits provided to Executive during any calendar year win not affect the amount of expenses eligib l e for reimbursement or in- kind benefits provided to Executive in any other calendar year, (y) the reimbursements for expenses for which Executive i s entitled to be reimbur sed sha ll be made on or before the last da y of the calendar year following the ca l endar yea r in w hich the applicable expense i s incurred, and (z) the right to payment or reimbur s ement or in - kind benefits hereunder may not be liquidated or exchanged for a n y other benefit.
 
13.
Entire Agreement
 
This Agreement contains t he entire agreement of the parties relating to the s ubject matter hereof, and this Agreement supersedes and replaces in all respects the Original Agreement. F urther , th e partie s hereto have made no ag r eements , representations , or warranties relating to the s ubject matt er of this Agreement that are not set forth otherwise herein. In th i s regard, each of the parties represent s and warrants to the other party that such party i s not relying on any p r omises or repre se ntation s that do not appear in writ in g herein. Each of the parties further agrees and understands that this Agreement can be a mended or modified only by a written agreement signed by all partie s.
 
14.
Notice
 
All not ice s required or permitted under thi s Agreement s hall be in writing a nd s hall be deemed effective: (a) upon delivery , if de li vered in person; (b) upon delivery to Federal Ex pre ss o r othe r similar courier se rvice , marked for next d ay de li very , addressed as set forth be l ow; (c) up o n deposit in U nited States Mai l i f se nt by registered or cer tified mail , return receipt reque ste d , addressed as set forth below ; or (d) upon being se nt by facsimi l e tran s mis s ion , provided an original i s mailed the sa m e day by re g istered or certified mail , return receipt reque s ted:
 
  If to the Company:
MusclePharm Co rporation
Attn: Ch i ef Executive Officer 4400 VanOwen Street
Burbank, Ca. 91505
Facsimile: (800) 490-7165
 
 
If to the Executive:
B ri an Casutto
 
 
 
__________________________
__________________________
 
15.
Attorneys' Fees
 
In the event that any part y s hall bring an ac tion or proceeding in connection w ith the performance, breach or interpretation of this Agreement, then the prevailing party in a n y s uch act ion or proceeding , as det e rmined by the arbitrator , court, or other body havin g juri s dicti o n , sha ll be entitled to recover from the lo s in g part y all r easona ble costs and expenses of s uch action or proceeding, in c ludin g
 
 
11
 
 
reasonable attorneys' fees, could costs , costs of inve st igation, expert witness fees, and other costs reasonably related to such action or proceeding.
 
16.
Assistance with Claims
 
Executive agrees that , for the period beginning on the Start Date , and continuing for a reasonable period after the te rminati o n or expiration of t hi s Agreement for any reason , Exec uti ve will assist the Company in the defense of any claims that may be made against the Company and will assist the Company in the prosecution of any claims that may be made by the Company, to the extent such claims may relate to services performed by Executive for the Company . Executive agrees to promptly inform the Company if Executive becomes aware of any l awsuits or potent i al cla i ms that ma y be filed against the Company. For all assistance occur rin g after termination of Executive's employment by the Co mpan y, the Company agrees to provide reasonable compensation to Executive for s uch assistance. Executive also agrees to promptly in form the Company if asked to ass i st in any investigation of the Company (or it s actions) that may relate to services performed by Executive for the Company, reg ard le ss of whether a lawsu i t has been filed against the Company with respect to s uch investigation.
 
17.
Release of Claims
 
Executive shal l not be e ntitl ed to receive the sev erance pa y and benefits under Sections 6.2, 6.3, and 6.4 , as app li cable, unless (a) Executive executes and returns to the Company a Release (as defined below) on or before the 50th day fo ll ow in g the date of termination or such s horter time as may be prescr ib ed in the Rel ease, (b) such Release shall not hav e b ee n tim e l y revoked by Exec utiv e, and (c) the date of termination constitutes a Separat i o n from Serv ice , and prov i ded further , ho wever, that if Exec utive violates hi s continuing ob li ga tion s under Sections 4 .1 , 4.2, 4 .3, or 4.4 , Execut iv e sha ll not be entitled to receive s uch severa n ce pay or benefits and Ex e cutive s hall immediately repay to the Company upon written demand any severa nce p ay or benefits that already have been paid to Executive. For purposes of thi s Agreement, the te rm "Release" mean s a waiver and relea se of claim s by Executive in the form prescribed by the Company, which form ma y include , without limi tation, an ag re eme nt by Executive not to disparage the Co mpan y, it s affiliates, and other relat ed p ersons or entities, but w hi c h form s hall not in c lu de a relea se and waiver of claims for (i) indemnification o r for coverage under officer and director liability policies, i f app li cable, (ii) c l aims wit h respect to the r eimb ur s ement of bu s ine ss expenses or with respect to benefits w hich are in eac h case to continue in effect after termination or expiration of this Agreement in accordance with the terms of this Agreemen t, (iii) c l aim s h e may have as a holder of options to acquire equity sec uritie s of the Co mpany (wh i ch s h a ll be governed by the documents by which Executive was gra nt ed such optio n s) and ( i v) claims he ma y h ave as a stock h o ld er of the Company.
 
18.
Dodd-Frank Act and Other Applicable Legal Requirements
 
 
Exec utive agrees ( i ) to abide by an y compensation rec ove ry , re co upment , anti-hedging, or other policy applicable to executives of the Company and it s affiliates, as ma y be in e ff ec t from time to time, as approved b y the Board or a du l y authorized committee thereof or as requir ed by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Co n s umer Protectio n Act of 2010 (the "Dodd-Frank Act") or ot h er applicable law, and (i i ) that the terms a n d condition s of thi s Agreement sha ll be deemed automatica ll y amended as ma y be nece ssary from tim e to t im e to e n su re comp li ance by Execut i ve and this Agreement w ith s uch policies , the Dodd-Frank Act , or other appl i cable law.
 
 
12
 
 
19.
Counte rpar ts
 
Thi s Agreement may be executed in a n y numbe r of counterparts , each of w hich shall be deemed to be an origina l , but a ll   of which together shal l const itut e but one and the same instrument.
 
EXECUT IV E HAS BEEN ADVISED THAT HE SHOULD SEEK INDEPENDENT REVI E W AND ADVICE FROM LEGAL COUNSEL AND TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE SCOPE AND POTENTIAL TAXES WHICH COULD ARISE FROM THE AGREEMENT.
 
 
 
(Signature Page Fo ll ows)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13
Exhibit 10.17
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is executed as of the day and year first above written:
 
 
MusclePharm Corporation
 
By: / s/ William Bush
Name: William J, Bush
Title: Lead Director
 
 
 
Executive
 
By: / s/ Brian Casutto
Name: Brian Casutto
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
14
 
Exhibit 21.1
 
To
Annual Report
Form 10-K
For the Year ended December 31, 2017
 
Subsidiaries of the Registrant
 
Canada MusclePharm Enterprises Corporation (2012) Ontario, Canada Registered
 
MP Holding Ireland, LLC (2014) Delaware LLC
 
MusclePharm Holdings Ireland (2014) Ireland Registration Isle of Man Managed Company
 
MusclePharm Ireland (2014) Ireland Registration
 
MP DO Brazil Acquisition, LLC (2014) Delaware LLC
 
MusclePharm Australia PTY LTD (2015) Australian Registration
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 23.1
 
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
 
We consent to the incorporation by reference in MusclePharm Corporation’s Registration Statements on Form S-8 (File No. 333-212576) of our report dated April 2, 2018, relating to the consolidated financial statements that appear in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
 
/s/ EKS&H LLLP
 
April 2, 2018
Denver, Colorado
 
 
 
Exhibit 31.1
 
 
Certification Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
I, Ryan Drexler, certify that:
 
 
1.
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of MusclePharm Corporation;
 
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods present in this report;
 
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financing reporting that occurred during the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on my most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
 
 
 
Date: April 2, 2018
 
By:
/s/ Ryan Drexler
 
 
 
Ryan Drexler
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer and President
 
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 31.2
 
 
Certification Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
I, Ryan Drexler, certify that:
 
 
1.
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of MusclePharm Corporation;
 
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods present in this report;
 
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financing reporting that occurred during the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on my most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: April 2, 2018
 
By:
/s/ Ryan Drexler
 
 
 
Ryan Drexler
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer and President
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
 
In connection with this Annual Report of MusclePharm Corporation (the “Company”), on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Ryan Drexler, Principal Executive Officer of the Company, certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:
 
(1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
 
(2)
The information contained in the Report, fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: April 2, 2018
 
By:
/s/ Ryan Drexler
 
 
 
Ryan Drexler
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer and President
 
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
Exhibit 32.2
 
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
 
In connection with this Annual Report of MusclePharm Corporation (the “Company”), on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Ryan Drexler, Principal Financial Officer of the Company, certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:
 
(1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
 
(2)
The information contained in the Report, fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: April 2, 2018
 
By:
/s/ Ryan Drexler
 
 
 
Ryan Drexler
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer and President
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)