Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We are, and may in the future, be involved in various legal proceedings arising from the normal course of business activities. Although the results of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, currently, the Company believes that the likelihood of any material adverse impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, cash flows or our financial position for any such litigation or claims is remote. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on the Company because of the costs to defend lawsuits, diversion of management resources and other factors.
Said-Ibrahim v. fuboTV Inc., David Gandler, Edgar M. Bronfman Jr., & Simone Nardi, Case No. 21-cv-01412 (S.D.N.Y) & Lee v. fuboTV, Inc., David Gandler, Edgar M. Bronfman Jr., & Simone Nardi, Case No. 21-cv-01641 (S.D.N.Y.) (consolidated as In re fuboTV Inc. Securities Litigation, No. 21-cv-01412 (S.D.N.Y.))
On February 17, 2021, putative shareholders Wafa Said-Ibrahim and Adhid Ibrahim filed a class action lawsuit against the Company, co-founder and CEO David Gandler, Executive Chairman Edgar M. Bronfman Jr., and former CFO Simone Nardi (collectively, the “Class Action Defendants”). Plaintiffs allege that Class Action Defendants violated federal securities laws by disseminating false and misleading statements regarding the Company’s financial health and operating condition, including the Company’s ability to grow subscription levels, prospects, future profitability, seasonality factors, cost escalations, ability to generate advertising revenue, valuation, and entering the online sports wagering market. The Plaintiffs allege that Class Action Defendants violated Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, as well as Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, and seek damages and other relief.
On February 24, 2021, putative shareholder Steven Lee filed a nearly identical class action lawsuit against the same Defendants.
On April 29, 2021, the court consolidated Said-Ibrahim v. fuboTV Inc., David Gandler, Edgar M. Bronfman Jr., & Simone Nardi, Case No. 21-cv-01412 (S.D.N.Y) and Lee v. fuboTV, Inc., David Gandler, Edgar M. Bronfman Jr., & Simone Nardi, Case No. 21-cv-01641 (S.D.N.Y.) under In re FuboTV Inc. Securities Litigation, No. 1:21-cv-01412 (S.D.N.Y.). The court also appointed putative shareholder Nordine Aamchoune as lead plaintiff.
On July 12, 2021, Lead Plaintiff filed an Amended Class Action Complaint. Lead Plaintiff seeks to pursue this claim on behalf of himself as well as all other persons who purchased or otherwise acquired Company securities publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") between March 23, 2020 and January 4, 2021, inclusive, and who were allegedly damaged thereby.
The Class Action Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the Amended Class Action Complaint on September 10, 2021. Lead Plaintiff filed an opposition on November 9, 2021. Class Action Defendants filed their reply in support of the motion to dismiss on December 9, 2021. On March 30, 2023, the Court granted the Class Action Defendants motion to dismiss without prejudice.
On May 22, 2023, Lead Plaintiff filed a Second Amended Class Action Complaint, which amended the class period to purchases or acquisitions between May 20, 2020 and January 4, 2021, inclusive. The Class Action Defendants filed their motion to dismiss the Second Amended Class Action Complaint on August 1, 2023. Lead Plaintiff’s opposition is due to be filed by September 14, 2023. The Class Action Defendants’ reply is due to be filed by October 5, 2023. The Company believes the claims alleged in both lawsuits are without merit and intends to vigorously defend these litigations.
Fubo Gaming Dissolution
Following the dissolution of Fubo Gaming in October 2022, the Company has received communications from several commercial partners of Fubo Gaming, alleging breach by Fubo Gaming of applicable agreements. Certain of these parties have also asserted that the Company is a guarantor of Fubo Gaming’s obligations under the applicable agreements. On May 2, 2023, one such party (comprising two related plaintiff entities, Dynamo Stadium, LLC and Dynamo Soccer, LLC (together, “Dynamo”)) filed Demands for Arbitration with the American Arbitration Association against Fubo Gaming, alleging breaches by Fubo Gaming of a sports betting agreement and a sponsorship agreement, as well as against the Company for alleged guaranty obligations under the sports betting agreement. Dynamo is seeking monetary damages
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and attorneys’ fees and costs. The arbitration is currently pending and discussions with Dynamo regarding the arbitration are ongoing.
Additional allegations or litigation may arise against Fubo Gaming or the Company in the future related to the dissolution of Fubo Gaming, including potential breach of contract claims by other commercial partners of Fubo Gaming or claims related to guarantees by the Company of Fubo Gaming’s contractual obligations. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses and intends to defend itself vigorously in any such matters.
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