EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1708176
Filing Year: 2025
Filename: 1708176_10-K_2025_0001013762-25-002788.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business
Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to the “Company”, “HOFRE,” “we,” “our,” “us” and similar terms refer to Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, a Delaware corporation.
Overview
We are a resort and entertainment company leveraging the power and popularity of professional football and its legendary players in partnership with the National Football Museum, Inc., doing business as the Pro Football Hall of Fame (“PFHOF”). Headquartered in Canton, Ohio, we own the Hall of Fame Village, which is a multi-use sports and entertainment destination centered around the PFHOF’s campus and the DoubleTree by Hilton located in downtown Canton. We have created a diversified set of revenue streams through the development of themed attractions, premier entertainment programming and sponsorships. We continue to pursue a diversified strategy across three business verticals, including destination-based assets, Hall of Fame Village, Hall of Fame Village Media and Gold Summit Gaming.
The strategic plan for Hall of Fame Village involves three phases: Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III. Phase I of the Hall of Fame Village is operational, consisting of the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, the ForeverLawn Sports Complex (ownership reduced to 20% as of January 11, 2024), and Hall of Fame Village Media. The Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium hosts multiple sports and entertainment events, including the National Football League (“NFL”) Hall of Fame Game, Enshrinement and Concert for Legends during the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week. The ForeverLawn Sports Complex hosts camps and tournaments for football players, as well as athletes from across the country in other sports such as lacrosse, rugby and soccer. Hall of Fame Village Media leverages the sport of professional football to produce exclusive programming. Hall of Fame Village Media has created short-form and long-form media entertainment through multiple distribution channels. This includes The Perfect Ten, Inspired, The GOAT Code, Next Man Up: NFL Alumni Academy and Hometown Heroes.
We have procured licenses in the State of Ohio for both a physical sports betting operation and online sports betting platform. We have entered into an agreement with Instabet, Inc. doing business as betr (“Betr”) as our mobile management services provider. Currently, the Company does not have a sports betting partner for its retail sports book. In addition, the gaming vertical hosts multiple eSports tournaments within the destination along with other types of gaming tournaments and interactive events.
We have developed new hospitality, attractions, and corporate assets as part of our Phase II development plan. Phase II components of the Hall of Fame Village include the Constellation Center for Excellence (an office building including retail and meeting space, that opened in November 2021), the Center for Performance (a convention center/field house, that opened in August of 2022), the Play Action Plaza (completed in August of 2022), the Fan Engagement Zone (retail promenade), core and shell for Retail I (completed in August of 2022), and the core and shell of Retail II (completed in November of 2022), and two hotels (one to-be-constructed on campus, and one in downtown Canton that opened in November 2020). Phase III expansion plans may include a potential mix of residential space, additional attractions, entertainment, dining, merchandise and more.
Corporate History and Background
The Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company (formerly known as GPAQ Acquisition Holdings, Inc.) was incorporated in Delaware on August 29, 2019, as a subsidiary of Gordon Pointe Acquisition Corp. (“GPAQ”), a special purpose acquisition company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or assets.
On July 1, 2020, we consummated the previously announced business combination with HOF Village, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Original HOF Village”), pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated September 16, 2019 (as amended on November 6, 2019, March 10, 2020 and May 22, 2020, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, GPAQ Acquiror Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Acquiror Merger Sub”), GPAQ Company Merger Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Company Merger Sub”), Original HOF Village and HOF Village Newco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“HOF Village”). The transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are referred to in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as the “Business Combination.”
On September 29, 2022, our stockholders approved an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of our shares of Common Stock, and our Board subsequently approved a final reverse stock split ratio of 1-for-22 (the “Reverse Stock Split”). The Reverse Stock Split became effective at 12:01am Eastern Time on December 27, 2022 (the “Effective Time”). At the Effective Time, every 22 shares of issued and outstanding Common Stock were combined and converted into one issued and outstanding share of Common Stock. Fractional shares were cancelled and stockholders received cash in lieu thereof. All outstanding restricted stock unit awards, warrants and other securities, exercisable for or convertible into shares of Common Stock, were adjusted as a result of the reverse split, as required by their respective terms. A proportionate adjustment was also made to the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable under the Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company Amended 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The number of authorized shares of Common Stock and the par value per share of Common Stock remains unchanged at $0.0001 per share.
The Reverse Stock Split was intended to bring the Company into compliance with the minimum bid price requirement for maintaining its listing on Nasdaq. The Reverse Stock Split affected all stockholders uniformly and did not alter any stockholder’s percentage interest in the Company’s equity (other than as a result of the payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares).
On January 11, 2024, HOF Village completed the sale to Sandlot Facilities, LLC (“Sandlot”) of 80% of a newly formed limited liability company named Sandlot HOFV Canton SC, LLC, to which the Company, HOF Village and HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC had contributed the ForeverLawn Sports Complex business prior to closing.
On October 26, 2024, HOF Village Waterpark, LLC (“Tenant”), a subsidiary of the Company, received from HFAKOH001 LLC (“Landlord”) a notice of termination due to a non-payment event of default (the “Notice”) under the waterpark ground lease agreement, dated as of November 7, 2022, between Tenant and Landlord, as amended on February 23, 2024, February 29, 2024 and May 10, 2024 (as so amended, the “Waterpark Ground Lease”). Under the Waterpark Ground Lease, the Landlord’s termination required that Tenant immediately surrender the waterpark premises under such lease to the Landlord and any improvements thereto (including the construction of new buildings thereon) with all fixtures appurtenant thereto. For more information, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors - The termination of the waterpark ground lease and our surrender of the waterpark premises and improvements to the landlord, which occurred October 26, 2024, and the exercise of certain remedies by waterpark landlord would be expected to have a material adverse effect on the liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations of the Company.”
Business Strategy
Our unique position and multimedia approach makes us the only company of our kind fully poised to capitalize on the popularity of professional football, one of the most popular brands in sports worldwide (as measured by total league revenue and number of fans). Our principal business objectives are to successfully develop and operate destination based assets such as the Hall of Fame Village as a premiere destination resort and entertainment company leveraging the expansive popularity of professional football and the Pro Football Hall of Fame; Hall of Fame Village Media taking advantage of direct access to exclusive content; and a gaming vertical that spans across fantasy sports in addition to growth areas of e-gaming and sports betting. The resort and entertainment platform will significantly extend the presence of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the singular institution focused on honoring and preserving the legends and values of professional football. We are located in Canton, Ohio, the birthplace of American professional football. It is in a market area within an 8-hour driving distance to nearly half of the NFL franchises and with limited themed attractions. Together with the PFHOF, we intend to become an elite entertainment venue and premier attraction for the region.
Strategic Relationship with PFHOF
PFHOF is a distinct entity from us but serves as a significant shareholder and aligned partner. The Pro Football Hall of Fame Museum, which is owned and operated by PFHOF and not the Company, is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational institution that focuses on the education, promotion, preservation and honoring of the individuals and moments that shaped professional football’s history. Since opening in 1963, the Museum has grown in both size and stature. The building was expanded in 1971, 1978 and 1995, and completed major exhibit gallery renovations in 2003, 2008, and 2009. Together, these improvements have transformed the original 19,000 square-foot Hall of Fame Museum into an exciting internationally recognized institution and travel destination. Today, the Pro Football Hall of Fame stands as a shining tribute to professional football and the over 300 men who have been enshrined, receiving their Gold Jackets. The Pro Football Hall of Fame Museum and the Gold Jacket enshrinees serve as unique and valuable partners that contribute to the development of the Hall of Fame Village.
Strategic Relationship with Sandlot
Sandlot is a distinct entity from us but serves as an aligned partner. On January 11, 2024, HOF Village completed the sale to Sandlot Facilities, LLC of 80% of a newly formed limited liability company named Sandlot HOFV Canton SC, LLC, (“Sports Complex Newco”), to which the Company, HOF Village and HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC had contributed the ForeverLawn Sports Complex business prior to closing. HOF Village has entered into certain commercial arrangements that consist of (i) the Facilities Management Agreement between HOF Village and Sports Complex Newco, pursuant to which HOF Village provides certain facilities services to Sports Complex Newco, (ii) the Marketing and SC Programming Collaboration Agreement among HOF Village, Sports Complex Newco and Purchaser Guarantor, pursuant to which the parties thereto collaborate with regard to marketing and programming of the ForeverLawn Sports Complex, (iii) the Marketing and CFP Programming Collaboration Agreement between HOF Village and Sports Complex Newco, pursuant to which the parties thereto collaborate with regard to marketing and programming at the Center for Performance, and (iv) the Food and Beverage Services Agreement between HOF Village and Sports Complex Newco, pursuant to which HOF Village provides certain food and beverage services to Sports Complex Newco.
About Phase I
We had invested approximately $250 million of capital to build Phase I of the Hall of Fame Village. Phase I, already complete, includes the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, the ForeverLawn Sports Complex, Hall of Fame Village Media, as well as land and infrastructure to support future phases of development.
Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium
The Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium holds up to 23,000 spectators and hosts events such as the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week including other premier sporting events such as the Historic Black College Hall of Fame Game, the Ohio State High School Football Championships, Women’s Football Alliance Championships and Division III college football championships. In 2023, the Company hosted two USFL teams along with the semi-final and championship games. During the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week, Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium hosts the Hall of Fame Game, the first NFL game of the pre-season, and the Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremony for NFL players and other enshrinees. The design of the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium with cut-away seats, allows it to serve as an elite concert venue. The Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium has hosted performances by national recording artists such as Aerosmith, Tim McGraw, Journey, Zac Brown Band as well as comedian acts like Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, and Bill Burr.
See disclosure under “Item 1A. Risk Factors - The termination of the waterpark ground lease and surrender of the waterpark premises and improvements to the landlord, which occurred October 26, 2024, and the exercise of certain remedies by waterpark landlord would be expected to have a material adverse effect on the liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations of the Company.” regarding the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
ForeverLawn Sports Complex
The ForeverLawn Sports Complex consists of eight full-sized fields. Support buildings including concessions, ticketing, restrooms and storage facilities were completed in or prior to the third quarter of 2022. The Sports Complex hosts camps and tournaments for football players as well as athletes from other sports such as lacrosse, rugby and soccer from across the country.
On January 11, 2024, HOF Village completed the sale to Sandlot Facilities, LLC of 80% of a newly formed limited liability company named Sandlot HOFV Canton SC, LLC, to which the Company, HOF Village and HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC had contributed the ForeverLawn Sports Complex business prior to closing.
Hall of Fame Village Media
In 2017, HOF Village formed a sports and entertainment media company, Hall of Fame Village Media, leveraging the sport of professional football to produce exclusive content. Hall of Fame Village Media has the ability to serve multiple media formats including full length feature films, live and taped television specials, studio shows, live sports events, books and artwork. Through our partnership with the PFHOF, Hall of Fame Village Media has access to millions of pieces of photo, video and document archives.
During 2022, Hall of Fame Village Media co-produced Inspired, a series celebrating inspirational NFL figures who have used their platform to help those in need while uniting communities. Inspired aired on over 100 Gray Television local channels
Also during 2022, Hall of Fame Village Media co-produced The Perfect 10, a documentary film profiling the exclusive group of NFL athletes who are both Heisman Trophy winners and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees. We sold The Perfect 10 to Fox, where it aired across the country on Fox stations during Super Bowl weekend in 2023.
In 2023, Hall of Fame Village Media co-produced The GOAT Code, a series that provides viewers with an intimate look into the lives and journeys of these athletes. The series provided insights into how these players transcended the game to become The Greatest of All Time.
Hall of Fame Village Media has entered into a number of partnership deals including ReachTV and other NFL greats such as Jimmy Johnson and Rashad Jennings.
About Phase II
Phase II added additional strategic attractions, hospitality, and corporate assets in a well-planned and synergistic manner intended to increase consumer appeal and drive revenue and profitability growth.
As a part of Phase II, we have completed the development of our Hilton DoubleTree Hotel, the Constellation Center for Excellence (a state of the art building used for both commercial offices and retail in the West End Zone of the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium), the Center for Performance (one of the largest indoor sports domes in the United States), the Fan Engagement Zone (our retail promenade offering a variety of food and beverage plus entertainment options for our guests), and Play Action Plaza (our football themed area for recreation and events which includes three amusement rides). We also own the land and received zoning approval for our on-campus Hilton Tapestry hotel.
In Phase II, the critical business strategies are to drive further asset development, increased event programming, new alliance sponsorships, media development and explore additional growth verticals:
● Further Asset Development: We have constructed additional assets in Phase II to attract and entertain guests. In November 2020, we opened the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in downtown Canton. In October 2021, we opened our Constellation Center for Excellence. In November 2022, we opened the Center for Performance, which provides a variety of year-round programming options. The Fan Engagement Zone (retail promenade) offering a variety of food and beverage options, as well as other specialized entertainment alternatives opened in September 2022. A green space area called Play-Action Plaza provides 3.5 acres for football-themed recreation, events, and formal gatherings including amusement rides. Additional assets will include an on-campus Hilton Tapestry hotel. Future destination-themed assets can include live entertainment, gaming, dining, and residential within Hall of Fame Village and within major NFL franchise cities. Construction began on Phase II in 2020, and most assets within Phase II are projected to be operational in 2026.
● Increased Event Programming: We have been utilizing the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium for an expanded offering of live entertainment and events, including top performers, sporting events and festival programming. Also, given the appeal and popularity of youth sports, additional year-round programming is expected to be available across multiple sports. In November 2022, we opened our Center for Performance, our indoor sports dome, which enables us to host sports and other events year-round. Moving forward, there are also plans for multiple concerts, multi-day comedy and music festivals, and on-going business event productions.
● New Alliance Sponsorships: We have been successful in attracting a strong sponsorship base and will continue to seek significant partnerships with leading companies and brands across a range of untapped categories. These partnerships are expected to be in the form of naming rights agreements or additional category-specific sponsorships. HOF Village plans to target a number of industry verticals for additional sponsorship revenue, such as financial services, autos, telecom and beverages.
● Media Development: We are developing original content from both its event programming and its direct access to millions of pieces of historic Pro Football artifacts located within the PFHOF archive through Hall of Fame Village Media. We are planning on producing full-length films, shows and other digital content marketing through multiple channels of distribution. Advanced discussions with media leaders, creative, development and distribution partners are ongoing. We are working on expanding our team and partnerships and have a robust slate of new content in development.
● Hall of Fame Village Gaming: Gaming is expected to be a connective tissue that integrates the rest of the business units across the Company. This encompasses eSports as a way to increase engagement, as well as gaming as a part of offsite asset building and programming, purpose-driven physical destination resort locations, and broadcast/streaming gaming content within media.
● Sports Betting: We procured two sports betting licenses to develop sports betting both online and on campus in connection with sports betting legislation in the State of Ohio. In 2023, our mobile betting partner, Betr, went live offering both monetary and token (free-to-play) microbets.
● Exploring Additional Growth Verticals: HOF Village has begun exploring additional growth verticals as part of Phase II. In the future, the Company will seek opportunities to expand certain destination-based assets in other geographic markets leveraging the popularity of professional football.
About Phase III
With Phase I and Phase II assets providing a solid foundation, growth is expected to continue with the development of Phase III, which the Company anticipates will include a potential mix of residential space, and additional attractions, entertainment, dining, merchandise and more. The Company is currently planning the future assets to be constructed in Phase III and expects to begin construction sometime after the completion of Phase II.
Competition
We currently face and will continue to face competition in each of our businesses, as follows:
● Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, the ForeverLawn Sports Complex and the Center for Performance will compete with other facilities and venues across the region and country for hosting concerts, athletic events (including professional sports events, sports camps and tournaments) and other major conventions.
● Hall of Fame Village Media will compete (i) with other media and content producers to obtain creative and performing talent, sports and other programming content, story properties, advertiser support, distribution channels and market share and (ii) for viewers with other broadcast, cable and satellite services as well as with home entertainment products, new sources of broadband and mobile delivered content and internet usage.
● The Hall of Fame Village hotels will compete with other hotels and tourist destinations in Ohio and around the country, and with other forms of entertainment, lodging, tourism and recreation activities. The Fan Engagement Zone, will compete with other food and beverage, and retail locations.
● The Constellation Center for Excellence and the Fan Engagement Zone (retail promenade) will compete for tenants with other suppliers of commercial and/or retail space.
● Our sports betting and eSports will compete with other sports betting providers attempting to enter the Ohio sports betting market.
Employees
As of March 21, 2025, we have 71 full-time employees that perform various administrative, finance and accounting, event planning, sports programming, media development, and corporate management functions for the Company and its subsidiaries. Additionally, we have a pool of 254 part-time, seasonal, and event-specific staff.
Properties
We own real property in Canton, Ohio, at the site of the Hall of Fame Village development and our DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. Certain parcels of real property on which the Hall of Fame Village is located, including the parcel on which Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium is located, are owned by the Canton City School District (Board of Education), and are subject to long-term ground leases and agreements with us for the use and development of such property.
The land under our Fan Engagement Zone is subject to a sale-leaseback financing arrangement. The financing arrangement allows us to buy back the property at our option within a certain time period.
On January 11, 2024, HOF Village completed the sale to Sandlot of 80% of a newly formed limited liability company named Sandlot HOFV Canton SC, LLC, to which the Company, HOF Village and HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC had contributed the ForeverLawn Sports Complex business (including the ground lease) prior to closing.
Smaller Reporting Company
We are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of any fiscal year for so long as either (1) the market value of our shares of Common Stock held by non-affiliates did not equal or exceed $250 million as of the prior June 30, or (2) our annual revenues did not equal or exceed $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our shares of Common Stock held by non-affiliates did not equal or exceed $700 million as of the prior June 30.
Recent Developments
Amendment No. 2 to the Equity Distribution Agreement
On April 8, 2024, the Company and Wedbush Securities Inc. (“Wedbush”) and Maxim Group LLC (“Maxim” and, together with Wedbush, the “Agents”) entered into an Amendment No. 2 to the Equity Distribution Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2021, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated October 6, 2023, among the Company and Wedbush and Maxim (the “Equity Distribution Agreement Amendment”) pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell shares of Common Stock from time to time through Wedbush and Maxim in an “at the market offering” (the “ATM Facility”). The Equity Distribution Agreement Amendment was effective immediately and increased the compensation to which the Agents are entitled from up to 2.0% to up to 4.0% of the aggregate gross offering proceeds of the shares of Common Stock sold pursuant to the equity distribution agreement. As part of the Equity Distribution Agreement Amendment, the Company also agreed to reimburse the Agents for certain specified expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of its legal counsel not to exceed an agreed upon cap.
On September 14, 2024, the registration statement on Form S-3 expired and the Company is no longer eligible to sell shares under the ATM.
Amendment to Business Loan Agreement with Stark County Port Authority
On May 20, 2024, the Company entered into an Amendment to Business Loan Agreement (“Amendment”) with the Stark County Port Authority (“SPCA”), a body corporate and politic and a port authority duly organized and validly existing under the law of the State of Ohio.
Pursuant to the Amendment, which modifies the original instrument dated August 31, 2022, the parties agreed: (i) to modify the original maturity date from August 30, 2029 to June 30, 2044; (ii) SPCA will provide additional funds to Borrower totaling $520,383; (iii) the original principal balance will be increased from $5,000,000 to $5,520,383; and (iv) Borrower shall repay as follows (a) interest will be capitalized and compounded annually for two years, from May 20, 2024 through May 20, 2026, (b) quarterly interest only payments for five years, from June 30, 2026 through June 30, 2031, with subsequent interest payments due the last day of each March, June, September and December, (c) quarterly principal and interest payments until the maturity date when all other amounts due and owing to SPCA are due. In addition, in the event of a substantial change in ownership, defined as more than 50% of the outstanding ownership and control of the Borrower, SPCA may, at its option, declare an Event of Default and declare all sums owed to SPCA immediately due and payable.
The Amendment contains customary affirmative and negative covenants for this type of loan, including without limitation, affirmative covenants, negative covenants and default provisions. Borrower agreed to reimburse SPCA for all costs and expenses including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses of counsel.
Amendment to $5,000,000 Unsecured Loan from City of Canton, Ohio
On June 5, 2024, the Company, entered into a First Amendment to Business Loan Agreement (“First Amendment”) and a Promissory Note Modification Agreement (“Note Modification”) with the City of Canton, Ohio (“City of Canton”).
Pursuant to the First Amendment, which modifies the original instrument dated September 15, 2022, the parties agreed: (i) to modify the original maturity date from June 30, 2029 to July 1, 2046; and (ii) pursuant to the Note Modification, Borrower shall repay as follows (a) no interest shall accrue for two years, from May 28, 2024 through June 30, 2026, (b) commencing on July 1, 2026, the outstanding principal balance will bear interest at the reduced rate of five percent (5%) per annum, compounded quarterly, and (c) commencing on October 1, 2026 and continuing quarterly thereafter on the first day of January, April, July and October of each year thereafter, Borrower shall pay quarterly principal and interest payments until the maturity date when all other amounts due and owing to the City of Canton will be due.
Amendment to $3,500,000 Secured Loan from City of Canton, Ohio
On June 5, 2024, the Company, entered into a First Amendment to Loan Agreement (“Hotel First Amendment”) and a Promissory Note Modification Agreement (“Hotel Note Modification”) with the City of Canton with the consent of the senior lender.
Pursuant to the Hotel First Amendment, which modifies the original instrument dated December 30, 2019, the parties agreed: (i) to modify the original maturity date from July 1, 2027 to July 1, 2046; and (ii) pursuant to the Hotel Note Modification, HOFV Hotel II shall repay as follows (a) no interest shall accrue for two years, from May 28, 2024 through June 30, 2026, (b) commencing on July 1, 2026, the outstanding principal balance will bear interest at the increased rate of five percent (5%) per annum, and (c) commencing on October 1, 2026 and continuing quarterly thereafter on the first day of January, April, July and October of each year thereafter, HOFV Hotel II shall pay quarterly principal and interest payments until the maturity date when all other amounts due and owing to the City of Canton will be due.
$1,500,000 Unsecured Loan from Stark Community Foundation, Inc.
On June 11, 2024, the Company entered into a Business Loan Agreement (“SCF Loan”) and Promissory Note (“SCF Note”) with the Stark Community Foundation, Inc., an Ohio not-for-profit corporation (“SCF Lender”).
Pursuant to the SCF Loan, SCF Lender provided a term loan to the Company in the principal amount of One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000). The maturity date of the SCF Loan is June 30, 2025. The interest rate is six percent (6%) per annum and upon an Event of Default, the interest rate shall equal the interest rate in effect pursuant to the provisions of the SCF Note, plus five percent (5%) per annum. With respect to repayment, the entire outstanding principal balance, all accrued interest and all other amounts that may be due and owing to SCF Lender shall be due upon maturity. In connection with entering the SCF Loan and SCF Note, the Company agreed to pay customary fees and expenses.
Constellation EME Express Equipment Services Program
On June 17, 2024, the Company entered into a Customer Contract for EME Express Services Equipment Program (“Customer Contract”) with Constellation NewEnergy, Inc. (“Constellation”).
Pursuant to the Customer Contract, HOFV Waterpark secured $9,900,000 in financing from Constellation through its Efficiency Made Easy (“EME”) program to implement energy efficient measures to finance construction of the waterpark as part of Phase II development. In conjunction with the Customer Contract, Welty Building Construction, Ltd. (“Welty”) agreed to sell and deliver certain materials and equipment purchased by HOF Village Waterpark. In addition, Welty will act as HOFV Waterpark’s agent pursuant to an Agency Agreement (“Agency Agreement”) and will hold the funds in escrow and facilitate compliance with the EME requirements in exchange for a success fee of one percent (1%) of the total of EME program funds.
Pursuant to the Customer Contract, as security for repayment, HOFV Waterpark was required to secure a surety bond (“Guarantee Bond”). The Hanover Insurance Company, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New Hampshire, provided a Guarantee Bond for the benefit of Constellation as adequate assurance of future performance in the amount of $9,900,000 with the penal sum stepping down annually provided no default has occurred.
Amendment to $5,000,000 Unsecured Loan from Stark Community Foundation, Inc.
On June 25, 2024, the Company entered into a First Amendment to Business Loan Agreement (“Infrastructure First Amendment”) and an Amended and Restated Promissory Note (“A&R Infrastructure Note”) with Stark Community Foundation, Inc., an Ohio not-for-profit corporation (“Infrastructure Lender”), as lender.
Pursuant to the Infrastructure First Amendment, which modifies the original business loan agreement dated June 16, 2022, the parties agreed: (i) to extend the original maturity date from May 31, 2029 to June 30, 2044; (ii) the principal balance is increased from $5,000,000 to $5,451,666, reflecting the addition of accrued and unpaid interest; and (iii) pursuant to the A&R Infrastructure Note, the Company agreed to repay as follows: (a) commencing on June 25, 2024, and continuing for approximately two and one-half years, until December 31, 2026, the outstanding principal balance will bear interest at six percent (6%) per annum, which interest rate is unchanged from the original note, and the Company will not make interest or principal payments, and (b) commencing on December 31, 2026 and continuing annually on December 31 of each year thereafter, the Company will make annual principal and interest payments until the maturity date, June 30, 2044, when all other amounts due and owing to Infrastructure Lender are due.
Amendment to $3,000,000 Secured Loan from NewMarket Project, Inc.
On June 25, 2024, the Company entered into a Second Amendment to Business Loan Agreement (“Hotel Second Amendment”) and an Amended and Restated Promissory Note (“A&R Hotel Note”) with NewMarket Project, Inc. (“Hotel Lender”), as lender.
Pursuant to the Hotel Second Amendment, which modifies the original business loan agreement dated December 30, 2019, the parties agreed: (i) to extend the original maturity date from December 30, 2024 to June 30, 2044; (ii) the principal balance is increased from $3,000,000 to $3,180,654, reflecting the addition of accrued and unpaid interest; and (iii) pursuant to the A&R Hotel Note, HOFV Hotel II will repay as follows: (a) commencing on June 25, 2024, and continuing for approximately two and one-half years, until December 31, 2026, the outstanding principal balance will bear interest at six percent (6%) per annum, and HOFV Hotel II will not make interest or principal payments, and (b) commencing on December 31, 2026 and continuing annually on December 31 of each year thereafter, HOFV Hotel II will make annual principal and interest payments until the maturity date, June 30, 2044, when all other amounts due and owing to Hotel Lender are due.
State of Ohio Community Investment Grant
On June 28, 2024, we were awarded a $9.8 Million grant from the State of Ohio’s One Time Strategic Community Investments in support of the Hall of Fame Village. The funding was received in cash for the purpose of providing financial support in operating our Hall of Fame Village development. We received this funding on August 9, 2024.
Termination of Shula’s Management Agreement
HOFV and Shula’s Steak Houses, LLLP have mutually agreed to end their partnership at the Hall of Fame Village. HOF Village Newco, LLC, which has owned the business since its inception, will now both own and manage the site. A phased transition plan was entered into by both organizations. On August 18, 2024, we completely took over management of the restaurant, and opened it under a new brand, “Gridiron Gastropub”.
Termination of Waterpark Ground Lease
On October 26, 2024, we received from Oak Street a notice of lease termination due to an event of default under the Sale-Leaseback, dated as of November 7, 2022, between HOF Village Waterpark, LLC and Oak Street. Under the Sale-Leaseback, the termination requires that we immediately surrender the waterpark premises under such lease to the Landlord and any improvements thereto (including the construction of new buildings thereon) with all fixtures appurtenant thereto.
The default identified in the notice is a payment default under the Sale-Leaseback. Oak Street had agreed to forbear exercising remedies for the payment default until October 25, 2024. As of November 13, 2024, the Company had not remedied the payment default. The outstanding principal balance of unpaid base rent under the Sale-Leaseback (inclusive of default interest and late fees accrued up to the date of termination) was approximately $2,600,000.
In addition to unpaid rent, the Waterpark Ground Lease provides that Landlord is entitled to recover the following as damages: (i) the amount by which the unpaid rent for what would have been the remaining term of the Waterpark Ground Lease exceeds the then fair market rental value of the waterpark premises, both discounted to present value, plus (ii) any damages, including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs, which Landlord sustains as a result of the breach of the covenants of the Waterpark Ground Lease other than for the payment of rent, in each case plus interest.
The notice states that Landlord retains the absolute and unconditional right to pursue any and all remedies available under the Waterpark Ground Lease and related security agreements and applicable law, concurrently or consecutively, at Landlord’s sole discretion. The Company’s subsidiary HOF Village Newco, LLC (“Guarantor”) guaranteed Tenant’s obligations under the Waterpark Ground Lease pursuant to a limited recourse guaranty dated as of November 7, 2022. The security agreements and collateral that support Tenant and Guarantor’s obligations under the Waterpark Ground Lease consist of the following:
● Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Guarantor pledged and granted in favor of Landlord 100% of its membership interests in HOF Village Stadium, LLC (“HOFV Stadium”) and certain related security interests under a Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of November 7, 2022. HOFV Stadium granted Landlord a security interest in HOFV Stadium’s leasehold interest in the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium and certain related security interests, pursuant to an Open-End Leasehold Mortgage, Assignment of Lease and Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing dated as of December 27, 2022.
● 20% Interest in ForeverLawn Sports Complex. Guarantor pledged and granted in favor of landlord its 20% interest in the ForeverLawn Sports complex that is held in a joint venture with Sandlot Facilities, LLC, and certain related security interests, pursuant to a Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of February 23, 2024.
● Real Estate Adjacent to Hall of Fame Village. Guarantor granted Landlord a security interest in ten undeveloped residential real estate parcels and four commercial real estate parcels owned by Guarantor located adjacent to Hall of Fame Village and certain related security interests, pursuant to an Open-End Mortgage, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing dated as of February 29, 2024.
The event of default under the Waterpark Ground Lease results in an event of default under certain of the Company’s loan agreements. Such loan agreements under which the Company is in default total approximately $81 million gross principal outstanding as of December 31, 2024. Given the Company’s financial position, the Company is in default or risks becoming in default under certain other loan agreements.
ErieBank Release of Cash Pledge
On October 10, 2024, ErieBank released an additional $943,864 of the held back portion of the loan proceeds to HOFV CFE for general development.
Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard
On January 10, 2025, the Company received a deficiency letter (the “Notice”) from the Listing Qualifications Department (the “Staff”) of the Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (“Nasdaq”) stating that the Company failed to hold an annual meeting of stockholders within 12 months after its fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as required by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5620(a) (the “Annual Meeting Requirement”).
The Notice had no immediate impact on the listing of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”) on Nasdaq.
On February 18, 2025, the Company submitted to the Staff a plan of compliance which describes the circumstances under which it became noncompliant with the Annual Meeting Requirement and the Company’s plan with which it will regain compliance. The Staff has determined to grant the Company an extension until June 30, 2025 to regain compliance with the Annual Meeting Requirement by holding an annual meeting of shareholders.
Proposal to Take the Company Private - IRG Canton Village Member, LLC
On September 27, 2024, our Board of Directors received a preliminary, nonbinding proposal (“Proposed Transaction”) from IRG Canton Village Member (“Buyer”) related to a proposed acquisition by a to-be-formed affiliate of Buyer of all of the outstanding Common Stock not owned by Buyer, its affiliated entities and any potential co-investors in Buyer or its affiliates. In response to the Proposed Transaction, the Company’s Board of Directors formed a special committee made up of independent, disinterested directors (the “Special Committee”) to evaluate the proposal. There is no guarantee that any proposal made by IRG regarding a proposed transaction will be accepted by the Special Committee, that definitive documentation relating to any such transaction will be executed, or that a transaction will be consummated in accordance with that documentation, if at all. The Company and the Special Committee do not intend to comment on or disclose further developments regarding the Special Committee’s consideration of the Proposed Transaction unless and until it deems further disclosure is appropriate or required.
Second Amendment to Note and Security Agreement
On January 24, 2025, the Company and its subsidiaries HOF Village Newco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Newco”), HOF Village Retail I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Retail I”), and HOF Village Retail II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Retail II,” and collectively with the Company, Newco, Retail I “Borrowers”) entered into a Second Amendment to Note and Security Agreement (“Second Amendment”), with CH Capital Lending, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Lender” or “CHCL”). CHCL is an affiliate of Stuart Lichter, a director of the Company.
Pursuant to the Second Amendment, which modifies the previously disclosed Note and Security Agreement, dated November 14, 2024, as amended by the First Amendment, dated January 10, 2025, the parties agreed to: (i) modify the definition of “Facility Amount” in Section 1 of the original note to increase such amount from $2,000,000 to $4,150,000, which allows Borrowers to request up to an additional $2,150,000 loan for general corporate purposes, subject to certain restrictions; and (ii) amend the definition of “Maturity Date” to mean the earliest to occur of (a) closing of the proposal to take the Company private; (b) the termination date, as defined in any definitive agreement and plan of merger entered in connection with a take private transaction, if applicable; or (c) the occurrence of certain events of default under the original instrument. As part of the agreement, Borrowers agree to establish a springing deposit account control agreement (the “DACA”) for a control account to hold cash collateral. Borrowers may use funds in the control account for ordinary business purposes, subject to the terms of the DACA.
Borrowers agreed to grant additional security to Lender to include the equity interests of any Borrower in HOF Village Retail I, LLC and HOF Village Retail II, LLC; all net income earned by Borrowers from the operation of the Gridiron Gastropub restaurant; and all rights of any Borrower, including any revenue received by any Borrower, under certain sponsorship agreements.
Third Amendment to Note and Security Agreement
On February 21, 2025, the Company entered into a Third Amendment to Note and Security Agreement (“Third Amendment”), with CHCL.
The Third Amendment modifies the definition of “Facility Amount” in Section 1 of the original note and security agreement (as amended prior to the Third Amendment) to increase the facility amount from $4,150,000 to $5,150,000 allowing the Borrowers to request an additional $1,000,000 for general corporate purposes, subject to certain restrictions.
Fourth Amendment to Note and Security Agreement
On March 18, 2025, the Company entered into a Fourth Amendment to Note and Security Agreement (“Fourth Amendment”), with CHCL.
The Fourth Amendment modifies the definition of “Facility Amount” in Section 1 of the original note and security agreement to increase the facility amount from $5,150,000 to $6,500,000 allowing the Borrowers to request an additional $1,350,000 for general corporate purposes, subject to certain restrictions.
Resignation of President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
On March 12, 2025, Michael Crawford informed the Board of Directors of the Company that he intends to resign as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board of Directors. The resignation is not due to any disagreement with the Company on any matter related to its operations, policies, or practices. Mr. Crawford is resigning to pursue another career opportunity. The Board has begun the process of recruiting and evaluating candidates to succeed Mr. Crawford.
Mr. Crawford and the Company and its subsidiary HOF Village Newco, LLC (collectively, the “Parties”) have entered into a Retention and Consulting Agreement, dated March 18, 2025 (the “Retention and Consulting Agreement”), which provides that Mr. Crawford shall be paid an aggregate retention bonus of $300,000, including $73,000 for the agreed-upon value of unused accrued vacation, payable in increments of $100,000 on each of March 31, 2025, April 30, 2025, and May 31, 2025, provided that Mr. Crawford continues to serve as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board through May 18, 2025 (the “Employment Termination Date”). Until the Employment Termination Date, Mr. Crawford would also continue to receive his base salary and other benefits due under the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement among the Parties dated November 22, 2022, as amended by Amendment to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective May 1, 2023 (as amended, the “Employment Agreement”). Mr. Crawford agrees his termination of employment on the Employment Termination Date will constitute neither termination by the Company without cause nor termination by Mr. Crawford for good reason under the Employment Agreement. No sooner than the Employment Termination Date, and no later than 14 days after the Employment Termination Date, Mr. Crawford shall deliver to the Company an effective and irrevocable general release of claims.
Under the Retention and Consulting Agreement, Mr. Crawford will provide up to 10 hours per week of consulting services to the Company between the Employment Termination Date and August 18, 2025 (the “Consulting Period”). During the Consulting Period, the Company shall pay Mr. Crawford a consulting fee of $500 per hour.
Available Information
Our Internet address is https://www.hofreco.com. Our website and the information contained therein or linked thereto are not part of this Annual Report. We make available free of charge through our website the following materials: our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements, registration statements and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish them to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. These materials may be obtained electronically by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Certain factors may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. You should carefully consider the risks described below, in addition to other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including our financial statements and related notes. If any of these risks and uncertainties actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected. As a result, the market price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. Additionally, the risks and uncertainties described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks and uncertainties that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may become material and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Summary of Risk Factors
Our business is subject to a number of risks, including risks that may prevent us from achieving our business objectives or may adversely affect our business and financial performance. These risks are discussed more fully below and include, but are not limited to the summary of risk factors set forth above under the heading “Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”.
The above summary of risk factors is subject in its entirety to the discussion of risk factors set forth below.
Risks Related to Our Business
We are an early-stage company with a history of losses, and we expect to incur significant expenses and continuing losses while we continue construction of Hall of Fame Village.
HOF Village was formed as a limited liability company on December 16, 2015 by certain affiliates of Industrial Realty Group and a subsidiary of PFHOF, to own and operate the Hall of Fame Village in Canton, Ohio, as a premiere destination resort and entertainment company leveraging the expansive popularity of professional football and the PFHOF. As a result of the Business Combination, HOF Village became our wholly owned subsidiary. As of the date hereof, we anticipate that the Hall of Fame Village will have the following major components:
Phase I:
● Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium
● ForeverLawn Sports Complex
● Hall of Fame Village Media
Phase II:
● Two hotels (Hilton Tapestry, to-be-constructed on campus, and Hilton DoubleTree in downtown Canton about five minutes from campus)
● Constellation Center for Excellence (office building, retail and meeting space)
● Center for Performance (field house and convention center)
● Fan Engagement Zone (Retail promenade)
● Play Action Plaza (green space for recreation, events and informal gatherings)
● Fantasy sports, sports betting and eSports
Phase III (Potential):
● Residential space
● Additional attractions
● Additional entertainment, dining, merchandise and more
The components in Phase I are complete. As a part of Phase II, we have completed the development of our Hilton DoubleTree Hotel, the Constellation Center for Excellence (a state of the art building used for both commercial offices and retail in the West End Zone of the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium), the Center for Performance (one of the largest indoor sports domes in the United States), the Fan Engagement Zone (our retail promenade offering a variety of food and beverage and entertainment options for our guests), and Play Action Plaza (our football themed area for recreation and events which includes three amusement rides). We own the land and received zoning approval for our on-campus Hilton Tapestry hotel. Phase III is still in the planning stage and has not commenced operations or generated any revenue. The components of the Hall of Fame Village have limited operating history and business track record.
Because we are in the early stages of executing our business strategy, we cannot provide assurance that, or when, we will be profitable. We will need to make significant investments to develop and operate the Hall of Fame Village and expect to incur significant expenses in connection with operating components of the Hall of Fame Village, including costs for entertainment, talent fees, marketing, salaries and maintenance of properties and equipment. In addition, our business strategy is broad and may be subject to significant modifications in the future. Our current strategy may not be successful, and if not successful, we may be unable to modify it in a timely and successful manner. A company with this extent of operations still in the planning stage is highly speculative and subject to an unusually high degree of risk.
We expect to incur significant capital, operational and marketing expenses in connection with our planned Phase II and III expansion. Any failure to achieve or sustain profitability may have a material adverse impact on the value of the shares of our Common Stock.
We have significant debt outstanding, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, our financial condition and results of operations and our ability to secure additional financing in the future.
We have significant debt outstanding. At December 31, 2024, we had total consolidated debt outstanding of approximately $251.2 million.
If we do not have sufficient funds to repay our debt at maturity, our indebtedness could subject us to many risks that, if realized, would adversely affect us, including the following:
● the debt, and a failure to pay would likely result in acceleration of such debt and could result in cross accelerations or cross defaults on other debt;
● our debt may increase our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions;
● to the extent that we generate and use any cash flow from operations to make payments on our debt, it will reduce our funds available for operations, development, capital expenditures and future investment opportunities or other purposes;
● debt covenants limit our ability to borrow additional amounts, including for working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, executing our development plan and other purposes;
● restrictive debt covenants may limit our flexibility in operating our business, including limitations on our ability to make certain investments; incur additional indebtedness; create certain liens; incur obligations that restrict the ability of our subsidiaries to make payments to us; consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of our assets; or enter into transactions with affiliates;
● to the extent that our indebtedness bears interest at a variable rate, we are exposed to the risk of increased interest rates;
● debt covenants may limit our subsidiaries’ ability to make distributions to us;
● the collateral securing the debt, if any, could be foreclosed upon, including the foreclosure of real property interests under a mortgage and/or equity interest or personal property pledged; and
● if any debt is refinanced, the terms of any refinancing may not be as favorable as the terms of the debt being refinanced.
If we do not have sufficient funds to repay our debt at maturity, it may be necessary to refinance the debt through additional debt or equity financings. If, at the time of any refinancing, prevailing interest rates or other factors result in a higher interest rate on such refinancing, increases in interest expense could adversely affect our cash flows and results of operations. If we are unable to refinance our debt on acceptable terms or at all, we may be forced to dispose of uncollateralized assets on disadvantageous terms, postpone investments in the development of our properties or the Hall of Fame Village or default on our debt. In addition, to the extent we cannot meet any future debt service obligations, we will risk losing some or all of our assets that are pledged to secure such obligations.
Our recurring losses from operations, significant debt and deficient cash position have raised substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern, and our operational needs and business plan require additional liquidity and capital resources that might not be available on terms that are favorable to us, or at all.
We have sustained recurring losses through December 31, 2024, and our accumulated deficit was $273.6 million as of such date. Since inception, our operations have been funded principally through the issuance of debt and equity. As of December 31, 2024, we had approximately $0.4 million of unrestricted cash and $4.0 million of restricted cash. Through December 31, 2025, we have $109.5 million in debt principal payments coming due. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company used cash for operating activities of $10.9 million. At March 21, 2025, the Company’s cash position is deficient and certain payments for our operations are not being made in the ordinary course of business.
While our strategy assumes that we will receive sufficient capital to have sufficient working capital, we currently do not have available cash and cash flows from operations to provide us with adequate liquidity for the near-term or foreseeable future. Our current projected liabilities exceed our current cash projections and we have very limited cash flow from current operations. We therefore will require additional capital and/or cash flow from future operations to fund the Company, our debt service obligations and our ongoing business. Certain of our liquidity requirements have been, and may continue to be, funded in part by loans from CHCL, an affiliate of the Company’s director Stuart Lichter, and certain other affiliates of Mr. Lichter, which are described in this Form 10-K under “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions - Related Person Transactions with IRG.” Such affiliates of Mr. Lichter are under no commitment to continue to fund the Company. There is no assurance that we will be able to raise sufficient additional capital or generate sufficient future cash flow from our future operations to fund the Hall of Fame Village, our debt service obligations or our ongoing business. If the amount of capital we are able to raise, together with any income from future operations, is not sufficient to satisfy our liquidity and capital needs, including funding our current debt obligations, we may be required to abandon or alter our plans for the Company. The Company may have to raise additional capital through the equity market, which could result in substantial dilution to existing stockholders. If management is unable to execute its planned debt and equity financing initiatives, these conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue to sustain operations for at least one year from the issuance of our condensed consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024 included in this annual report on Form 10-K. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties.
Our ability to obtain necessary financing may be impaired by factors such as the health of and access to capital markets, our history of losses, our significant debt and our deficient cash position, or the substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Any additional capital raised through the sale of additional shares of our capital stock, convertible debt or other equity may dilute the ownership percentage of our stockholders. The perception that we may not be able to continue as a going concern has caused, and may continue to cause, others to choose to impose more restrictive payment terms or not deal with us altogether due to concerns about our ability to meet our contractual obligations.
The termination of the waterpark ground lease and surrender of the waterpark premises and improvements to the landlord, which occurred October 26, 2024, and the exercise of certain remedies by waterpark landlord would be expected to have a material adverse effect on the liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations of the Company.
On October 26, 2024, HOF Village Waterpark, LLC (“Tenant”), a subsidiary of the Company, received from HFAKOH001 LLC (“Landlord”) a notice of termination due to event of default (the “Notice”) under the waterpark ground lease agreement, dated as of November 7, 2022, between Tenant and Landlord, as amended on February 23, 2024, February 29, 2024 and May 10, 2024 (as so amended, the “Waterpark Ground Lease”). Under the Waterpark Ground Lease, the Landlord’s termination requires that Tenant immediately surrender the waterpark premises under such lease to the Landlord and any improvements thereto (including the construction of new buildings thereon) with all fixtures appurtenant thereto.
The default identified in the Notice is a payment default under the Waterpark Ground Lease. The Landlord had agreed to forbear exercising remedies for the payment default until October 25, 2024. As of November 13, 2024, Tenant had not remedied the payment default. The outstanding principal balance of unpaid base rent under the Waterpark Ground Lease (inclusive of default interest and late fees accrued up to the date of termination) is approximately $2,600,000.
In addition to unpaid rent, the Waterpark Ground Lease provides that Landlord is entitled to recover the following as damages: (i) the amount by which the unpaid rent for what would have been the remaining term of the Waterpark Ground Lease exceeds the then fair market rental value of the waterpark premises, both discounted to present value, plus (ii) any damages, including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs, which Landlord sustains as a result of the breach of the covenants of the Waterpark Ground Lease other than for the payment of rent, in each case plus interest.
The Notice states that Landlord retains the absolute and unconditional right to pursue any and all remedies available under the Waterpark Ground Lease and related security agreements and applicable law, concurrently or consecutively, at Landlord’s sole discretion. The Company’s subsidiary HOF Village Newco, LLC (“Guarantor”) guaranteed Tenant’s obligations under the Waterpark Ground Lease pursuant to a limited recourse guaranty dated as of November 7, 2022. The security agreements and collateral that support Tenant and Guarantor’s obligations under the Waterpark Ground Lease consist of the following:
● Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Guarantor pledged and granted in favor of Landlord 100% of its membership interests in HOF Village Stadium, LLC (“HOFV Stadium”) and certain related security interests under a Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of November 7, 2022. HOFV Stadium granted Landlord a security interest in HOFV Stadium’s leasehold interest in the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium and certain related security interests, pursuant to an Open-End Leasehold Mortgage, Assignment of Lease and Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing dated as of December 27, 2022.
● 20% Interest in ForeverLawn Sports Complex. Guarantor pledged and granted in favor of landlord its 20% interest in the ForeverLawn Sports complex that is held in a joint venture with Sandlot Facilities, LLC, and certain related security interests, pursuant to a Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of February 23, 2024.
● Real Estate Adjacent to Hall of Fame Village. Guarantor granted Landlord a security interest in ten undeveloped residential real estate parcels and four commercial real estate parcels owned by Guarantor located adjacent to Hall of Fame Village and certain related security interests, pursuant to an Open-End Mortgage, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing dated as of February 29, 2024.
The exercise of certain remedies by Landlord would be expected to have a material adverse effect on the liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations of the Company.
The event of default under the Waterpark Ground Lease results in an event of default under certain of the Company’s loan agreements. Given the Company’s financial position, the Company is in default or risks becoming in default under certain other loan agreements.
There is no assurance that the non-binding proposal from IRG Canton Village Member, LLC (“IRG”), an affiliate of the Company’s director Stuart Lichter, to take the Company private will result in a definitive transaction, and the absence of us entering into a definitive transaction agreement, changes to the proposal, or the commencement of related litigation may have an adverse impact on the market price of our common stock.
We received a non-binding proposal on September 27, 2024, from IRG, an affiliate of the Company’s director Stuart Lichter, outlining IRG’s preliminary non-binding proposal (“Proposal”) to acquire, through a to-be-formed affiliated entity (“Buyer”), all of the outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company that are not held by Buyer, its affiliated entities and any potential co-investors in Buyer or its affiliates (the “Proposed Transaction”).
In response to the proposal, the Company’s Board of Directors formed a special committee made up of independent, disinterested directors (the “Special Committee”) to evaluate the proposal. The Special Committee has retained a financial advisor and legal counsel to assist in its ongoing review and evaluation of the proposal. There is no guarantee that any proposal made by IRG regarding a proposed transaction will be accepted by the Special Committee, that definitive documentation relating to any such transaction will be executed, or that a transaction will be consummated in accordance with that documentation, if at all. The absence of a definite offer to acquire the shares of Common stock owned by persons other than Buyer, its affiliated entities and any potential co-investors in Buyer or its affiliates, or changes to the terms of the Proposed Transaction, as well as the commencement of litigation regarding any proposed transaction, would likely have an adverse effect on the market price of shares of our common stock.
Our cash flow from operations and financing arrangements have been insufficient to allow us to pay all vendors on a timely basis.
In view of the Company’s financial position, we have been slow to pay vendors. While these parties have continued to provide us with requisite services and supplies, there can be no assurance that they will continue to do so in the future.
Our operations are impacted by our ability to attract and retain management and other key employees, and the unexpected loss of one or more such employees could harm our business.
We aim to recruit the most qualified candidates, and strive for a diverse and well-balanced workforce. We reward and support employees through competitive pay, benefits, and perquisite programs that allow employees to thrive. If we are unable to attract and retain management and other key personnel at our Company, the underlying business could suffer.
Effective December 22, 2023, Benjamin Lee resigned from the office of Chief Financial Officer. The Company has not hired a Chief Financial Officer to replace Mr. Lee. Since Mr. Lee’s departure, Micheal Crawford, our President and Chief Executive Officer, has also served as our principal financial officer, and John Van Buiten, our Vice President of Accounting / Corporate Controller, has served as our principal accounting officer.
Effective as of August 31, 2024, Tara Charnes resigned from the office of General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Company. The Company has not hired a General Counsel to replace Ms. Charnes. Since Ms. Charnes’ departure, Tim Kelly, our Senior Vice President, Legal and Assistant General Counsel, has served as our principal legal officer.
On March 12, 2025, Michael Crawford informed the Board of Directors of the Company that he intends to resign as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Crawford is resigning to pursue another career opportunity. The Board has begun the process of recruiting and evaluating candidates to succeed Mr. Crawford.
Mr. Crawford and the Company and its subsidiary HOF Village Newco, LLC (collectively, the “Parties”) have entered into a Retention and Consulting Agreement, dated March 18, 2025 (the “Retention and Consulting Agreement”), which provides that Mr. Crawford shall be paid an aggregate retention bonus of $300,000, including $73,000 for the agreed-upon value of unused accrued vacation, payable in increments of $100,000 on each of March 31, 2025, April 30, 2025, and May 31, 2025, provided that Mr. Crawford continues to serve as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board through May 18, 2025 (the “Employment Termination Date”). Until the Employment Termination Date, Mr. Crawford would also continue to receive his base salary and other benefits due under the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement among the Parties dated November 22, 2022, as amended by Amendment to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective May 1, 2023 (as amended, the “Employment Agreement”). Mr. Crawford agrees his termination of employment on the Employment Termination Date will constitute neither termination by the Company without cause nor termination by Mr. Crawford for good reason under the Employment Agreement. No sooner than the Employment Termination Date, and no later than 14 days after the Employment Termination Date, Mr. Crawford shall deliver to the Company an effective and irrevocable general release of claims. Under the Retention and Consulting Agreement, Mr. Crawford will provide up to 10 hours per week of consulting services to the Company between the Employment Termination Date and August 18, 2025 (the “Consulting Period”). During the Consulting Period, the Company shall pay Mr. Crawford a consulting fee of $500 per hour.
Changes in consumer tastes and preferences for sports and entertainment products, including fantasy sports, sports betting and eSports could reduce demand for our offerings and products and adversely affect the profitability of our business.
The success of our gaming vertical depends on our ability to consistently provide, maintain and expand attractions and events as well as create and distribute media programming, visual experiences and consumer products that meet changing consumer preferences. Consumers who are fans of professional football likely constitute a substantial portion of the attendance to the Hall of Fame Village. Our success depends in part on the continued popularity of professional football and on our ability to successfully predict and adapt to tastes and preferences of this consumer group.
We could be adversely affected by declines in discretionary consumer spending, consumer confidence and general and regional economic conditions as well as changes in consumer tastes and preferences for sports and entertainment products.
Our success depends to a significant extent on discretionary consumer spending, which is heavily influenced by general economic conditions and the availability of discretionary income. The current economic environment, coupled with high volatility and uncertainty as to the future global economic landscape, has had an adverse effect on consumers’ discretionary income and consumer confidence. Future volatile, negative or uncertain economic conditions and recessionary periods or periods of significant inflation may adversely impact attendance and guest spending levels at Hall of Fame Village, which would materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Hall of Fame Village is located in Canton, Ohio. The concentration of our operations in this market exposes us to greater risks than if our operations were more geographically diverse. As a result, negative developments in the local economic conditions in the Midwest region, particularly those impacting travel, hotel or other real estate operations, could reduce guest attendance, negatively impact consumer spending, increase tenant defaults and otherwise have a material adverse effect on our profitability.
Other factors that can affect consumer spending and confidence include severe weather, hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes and other natural disasters, elevated terrorism alerts, terrorist attacks, military actions, air travel concerns, outbreaks of disease, and geopolitical events, as well as various industry and other business conditions, including an ever increasing number of sporting and entertainment options that compete for discretionary spending. Such factors or incidents, even if not directly impacting us, can disrupt or otherwise adversely impact the spending sentiment and interest of our present or potential customers and sponsors.
Additionally, the success of our business depends on our ability to consistently provide, maintain and expand attractions and events as well as create and distribute media programming, virtual experiences and consumer products that meet changing consumer preferences. Consumers who are fans of professional football will likely constitute a substantial portion of the attendance to Hall of Fame Village, and our success depends in part on the continued popularity of professional football and on our ability to successfully predict and adapt to tastes and preferences of this consumer group. If our sports and entertainment offerings and products do not achieve sufficient consumer acceptance or if consumer preferences change or consumers are drawn to other spectator sports and entertainment options, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In the past, we have hosted major professional football events, as well as other musical and live entertainment events, and we can provide no assurance that we will be able to continue to host such events.
We do business with multiple branded partners, including, but not limited to, PFHOF, the NFL, Sandlot, and others. Incidents or adverse publicity concerning any of our branded partners could harm our reputation as well as negatively impact our revenues and profitability.
Our reputation is an important factor in the success of our business. Our ability to attract and retain consumers depends, in part, upon the external perceptions of our Company and the organizations and brands we are associated with, including, but not limited to the PFHOF, the NFL, and Sandlot, as well as the quality of Hall of Fame Village and its services and our corporate and management integrity. If market recognition or the perception of the Company or any of our branded partners diminishes, there may be a material adverse effect on our revenues, profits and cash flow. In addition, the operations of Hall of Fame Village, involve the risk of accidents, illnesses, environmental incidents and other incidents which may negatively affect the perception of guest and employee safety, health, security and guest satisfaction and which could negatively impact our reputation, reduce attendance at our facilities and negatively impact our business and results of operations.
We may not be able to fund capital expenditures and investment in future attractions and projects.
A principal competitive factor for Hall of Fame Village is the originality and perceived quality of its events, attractions and offerings. Even after completion of the various components of the Hall of Fame Village, we will need to make continued capital investments through maintenance and the regular addition of new events, attractions and offerings. Our ability to fund capital expenditures will depend on our ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations and to raise capital. We cannot assure our stockholders’ that our operations will be able to generate sufficient cash flow to fund such costs, or that we will be able to obtain sufficient financing on adequate terms, or at all, which could cause us to delay or abandon certain projects or plans.
The high fixed cost structure of the Company’s operations may result in significantly lower margins if revenues decline.
We expect a large portion of our operating expenses to be relatively fixed because the costs for full-time employees, maintenance, utilities, advertising and insurance will not vary significantly with attendance. These fixed costs may increase at a greater rate than our revenues and may not be able to be reduced at the same rate as declining revenues. If cost-cutting efforts are insufficient to offset declines in revenues or are impracticable, we could experience a material decline in margins, revenues, profitability and reduced or negative cash flows. Such effects can be especially pronounced during periods of economic contraction or slow economic growth.
Cyber security risks and the failure to maintain the integrity of internal or guest data could result in damages to our reputation, the disruption of operations and/or subject us to costs, fines or lawsuits.
We anticipate that we will collect and retain large volumes of internal and guest data, including credit card numbers and other personally identifiable information, for business purposes, including for transactional or target marketing and promotional purposes, and our various information technology systems enter, process, summarize and report such data. We maintain personally identifiable information about our employees. The integrity and protection of our guest, employee and company data will be critical to our business and our guests and employees are likely to have a high expectation that we will adequately protect their personal information. The regulatory environment, as well as the requirements imposed on us by the credit card industry, governing information, security and privacy laws is increasingly demanding and continues to evolve. Maintaining compliance with applicable security and privacy regulations may increase our operating costs and/or adversely impact our ability to market our theme parks, products and services to our guests.
We also expect to rely on accounting, financial and operational management information technology systems to conduct our operations. If these information technology systems suffer severe damage, disruption or shutdown and our business continuity plans do not effectively resolve the issues in a timely manner, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
We may face various security threats, including cyber security attacks on our data (including our vendors’ and guests’ data) and/or information technology infrastructure. Although we will utilize various procedures and controls to monitor and mitigate these threats, there can be no assurance that these procedures and controls will be sufficient to prevent penetrations or disruptions to our systems. Furthermore, a penetrated or compromised data system or the intentional, inadvertent or negligent release or disclosure of data could result in theft, loss, fraudulent or unlawful use of guest, employee or company data which could harm our reputation or result in remedial and other costs, fines or lawsuits and require significant management attention and resources to be spent. In addition, our insurance coverage and indemnification arrangements that we enter into, if any, may not be adequate to cover all the costs related to cyber security attacks or disruptions resulting from such events. To date, cyber security attacks directed at us have not had a material impact on our financial results. Due to the evolving nature of security threats, however, the impact of any future incident cannot be predicted.
Investors are subject to litigation risk and their respective investments in the shares of our Common Stock may be lost as a result of our legal liabilities or the legal liabilities of our affiliates.
We or our affiliates may from time to time be subject to claims by third parties and may be plaintiffs or defendants in civil proceedings. There can be no assurance that claims will not be brought in the future if we cannot generate the revenue that we forecast or raise sufficient capital to pay contractors in connection with constructing other components of the project. The expense of prosecuting claims, for which there is no guarantee of success, and/or the expense of defending against claims by third parties and paying any amounts pursuant to settlements or judgments, would generally be borne by the Company and could result in the reduction or complete loss of all of the assets of the Company, and investors in our Common Stock could lose all or a part of their investment.
Our business may be adversely affected by defaults or bankruptcy of our tenants and partners.
Our business may be adversely affected if any future tenants at the Constellation Center for Excellence or the Fan Engagement Zone (retail promenade) default on their obligations to us. A default by a tenant may result in the inability of such tenant to re-lease space from us on economically favorable terms, or at all. In the event of a default by a tenant, we may experience delays in payments and incur substantial costs in recovering our losses. In addition, our tenants may file for bankruptcy or be involved in insolvency proceedings, and we may be required to expense costs associated with leases of bankrupt tenants and may not be able to replace future rents for tenant space rejected in bankruptcy proceedings, which could adversely affect our properties. Any bankruptcies of our tenants could make it difficult for us to enforce our rights as lessor and protect our investment.
Fluctuations in real estate values may require us to write down the carrying value of our real estate assets or investments.
Real estate valuations are subject to significant variability and fluctuation. The valuation of our real estate assets or real estate investments is inherently subjective and based on the individual characteristics of each asset. Factors such as competitive market supply and demand for inventory, changes in laws and regulations, political and economic conditions and interest and inflation rate fluctuations subject our valuations to uncertainty. Our valuations are or will be made on the basis of assumptions that may not prove to reflect economic or demographic reality. If the real estate market deteriorates, we may reevaluate the assumptions used in our analyses. As a result, adverse market conditions may require us to write down the book value of certain real estate assets or real estate investments and some of those write-downs could be material. Any material write-downs of assets could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our property taxes could increase due to rate increases or reassessments or the imposition of new taxes or assessments or loss of tax credits, which may adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.
We are required to pay state and local real property taxes and assessments on our properties. The real property taxes and assessments on our properties may increase as property or special tax rates increase or if our properties are assessed or reassessed at a higher value by taxing authorities. In addition, if we are obligated to pay new taxes or if there are increases in the property taxes and assessments that we currently pay, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. We are relying on various forms of public financing and public debt to finance the development and operations of the Company.
Our insurance coverage may not be adequate to cover all possible losses that we could suffer and our insurance costs may increase.
Although we maintain various safety and loss prevention programs and carry property and casualty insurance to cover certain risks, our coverage may not be adequate to cover liabilities, we may not be able to obtain coverage at commercially reasonable rates, and we may not be able to obtain adequate coverage should a catastrophic incident occur at our parks or at other parks. In addition, if we or other theme park operators sustain significant losses or make significant insurance claims, then our ability to obtain future insurance coverage at commercially reasonable rates could be materially adversely affected.
Our operations and our ownership of property subject us to environmental requirements, and to environmental expenditures and liabilities.
We incur costs to comply with environmental requirements, such as those relating to water use, wastewater and storm water management and disposal, air emissions control, hazardous materials management, solid and hazardous waste disposal, and the clean-up of properties affected by regulated materials. While we have received the required environmental approvals for Phases I and II of our development, environmental requirements must be fully assessed for future phases of development.
We may be required to investigate and clean-up hazardous or toxic substances or chemical releases, and other releases, from current or formerly owned or operated facilities. In addition, in the ordinary course of our business, we generate, use and dispose of large volumes of water, which requires us to comply with a number of federal, state and local regulations and to incur significant expenses. Failure to comply with such regulations could subject us to fines and penalties and/or require us to incur additional expenses.
We cannot assure our stockholders’ that we will not incur substantial costs to comply with new or expanded environmental requirements in the future or to investigate or clean-up new or newly identified environmental conditions, which could also impair our ability to use or transfer the affected properties and to obtain financing.
Our sports betting and eSports operations are subject to a variety of laws, and which could subject us to claims or otherwise harm our business. Any change in existing regulations or their interpretation, or the regulatory climate applicable to our products and services, or changes in tax rules and regulations or interpretation thereof related to our products and services, could adversely impact our ability to operate our business as currently conducted or as we seek to operate in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our sports betting and eSports operations are generally subject to laws and regulations relating to sports betting, fantasy sports and eSports in the jurisdictions in which we are planning to conduct such operations or in some circumstances, in those jurisdictions in which we offer our services or they are available, as well as the general laws and regulations that apply to all e-commerce businesses, such as those related to privacy and personal information, tax and consumer protection. These laws and regulations vary from one jurisdiction to another and future legislative and regulatory action, court decisions or other governmental action, which may be affected by, among other things, political pressures, attitudes and climates, as well as personal biases, may have a material impact on our operations and financial results. In particular, some jurisdictions have introduced regulations attempting to restrict or prohibit online gaming, while others have taken the position that online gaming should be licensed and regulated and have adopted or are in the process of considering legislation and regulations to enable that to happen. Additionally, some jurisdictions in which we may operate could presently be unregulated or partially regulated and therefore more susceptible to the enactment or change of laws and regulations.
In May 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (“PASPA”). This decision has the effect of lifting federal restrictions on sports betting and thus allows states to determine by themselves the legality of sports betting. Since the repeal of PASPA, several states (including Washington D.C.) have legalized online sports betting. To the extent new real money gaming or sports betting jurisdictions are established or expanded, we cannot guarantee that we will be successful in penetrating such new jurisdictions. If we are unable to effectively develop and operate directly or indirectly within existing or new jurisdictions or if our competitors are able to successfully penetrate geographic jurisdictions that we cannot access or where we face other restrictions, there could be a material adverse effect on our sports betting, fantasy sports and eSports operations. Our failure to obtain or maintain the necessary regulatory approvals in jurisdictions, whether individually or collectively, would have a material adverse effect on our business. To operate in any jurisdiction, we may need to be licensed and obtain approvals of our product offerings. This is a time-consuming process that can be extremely costly. Any delays in obtaining or difficulty in maintaining regulatory approvals needed for expansion within existing jurisdictions or into new jurisdictions can negatively affect our opportunities for growth, including the growth of our customer base, or delay our ability to recognize revenue from our offerings in any such jurisdictions.
Future legislative and regulatory action, and court decisions or other governmental action, may have a material impact on our planned sports betting and eSports operations. Governmental authorities could view us as having violated local laws, despite our efforts to obtain all applicable licenses or approvals. There is also a risk that civil and criminal proceedings, including class actions brought by or on behalf of prosecutors or public entities or incumbent monopoly providers, or private individuals, could be initiated against us, Internet service providers, credit card and other payment processors, advertisers and others involved in the sports betting industry. Such potential proceedings could involve substantial litigation expense, penalties, fines, seizure of assets, injunctions or other restrictions being imposed upon us or our licensees or other business partners, while diverting the attention of key executives. Such proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as impact our reputation.
Negative events or negative media coverage relating to, or a declining popularity of sports betting, the underlying sports or athletes, or online sports betting in particular, or other negative coverage may adversely impact our ability to retain or attract users, which could have an adverse impact on our proposed sports betting and eSports operations.
Public opinion can significantly influence our business. Unfavorable publicity regarding us, for example, our product changes, product quality, litigation, or regulatory activity, or regarding the actions of third parties with whom we have relationships or the underlying sports (including declining popularity of the sports or athletes) could seriously harm our reputation. In addition, a negative shift in the perception of sports betting by the public or by politicians, lobbyists or others could affect future legislation of sports betting, which could cause jurisdictions to abandon proposals to legalize sports betting, thereby limiting the number of jurisdictions in which we can operate such operations. Furthermore, illegal betting activity by athletes could result in negative publicity for our industry and could harm our brand reputation. Negative public perception could also lead to new restrictions on or to the prohibition of sports betting in jurisdictions in which such operations are currently legal. Such negative publicity could also adversely affect the size, demographics, engagement, and loyalty of our customer base and result in decreased revenue or slower user growth rates, which could seriously harm our business.
The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources and distract management.
We expect to incur significant costs associated with our public company reporting requirements and costs associated with applicable corporate governance requirements. These applicable rules and regulations are expected to significantly increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some activities more time consuming and costly than those for privately owned companies that are not registrants with the SEC. Compliance with these rules and regulations may divert management’s attention from other business concerns.
If we fail to comply with the continued listing standards of Nasdaq, our common stock may be delisted from Nasdaq, which would be expected to have a negative effect on the liquidity and market price of our common stock, reduce the number of investors willing to hold or acquire our common stock, limit or reduce the amount of analyst coverage we receive, and impair your ability to sell or purchase our common stock when you wish to do so.
The continued listing standards of the Nasdaq Stock Market, or Nasdaq, require, among other things, that (i) the minimum bid price of a listed company’s stock be at or above $1.00, and (ii) a listed company hold an annual meeting of shareholders no later than one year after the end of its fiscal year. If the closing minimum bid price is below $1.00 for a period of more than 30 consecutive trading days or the Company does not hold an annual meeting of shareholders by December 31, 2024, the Company will fail to be in compliance with Nasdaq’s listing rules and, if it does not regain compliance within the grace period, will be subject to delisting.
On January 10, 2025, the Company received a deficiency letter (the “Notice”) from the Listing Qualifications Department (the “Staff”) of the Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (“Nasdaq”) stating that the Company failed to hold an annual meeting of stockholders within 12 months after its fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as required by Nasdaq Listing Rule 5620(a) (the “Annual Meeting Requirement”). The Notice had no immediate impact on the listing of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”) on Nasdaq.
On February 18, 2025, the Company submitted to the Staff a plan of compliance which describes the circumstances under which it became noncompliant with the Annual Meeting Requirement and the Company’s plan with which it will regain compliance. The Staff has determined to grant the Company an extension until June 30, 2025 to regain compliance with the Annual Meeting Requirement by holding an annual meeting of shareholders.
If the common stock ceases to be listed for trading on Nasdaq, the Company would expect the common stock would be traded on one of the three tiered marketplaces of the OTC Market Groups. If this were to occur, we could face significant material adverse consequences, including: (i) a limited availability of market quotations for our securities; (ii) reduced liquidity for our securities; (iii) a determination that our Common Stock are “penny stock,” which will require brokers trading in our Common Stock to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary trading market for our securities; (iv) a limited amount of news and analyst coverage; (v) a decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future; and (vi) being subject to regulation in each state in which we offer our securities.
Risk Related to Our Securities
If we fail to comply with the reporting obligations of the Exchange Act and Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or if we fail to maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting, our business, financial condition, and results of operations, and investors’ confidence in us, could be materially and adversely affected.
As a public company, we are required to comply with the periodic reporting obligations of the Exchange Act, including preparing annual reports, quarterly reports, and current reports. Our failure to prepare and disclose this information in a timely manner and meet our reporting obligations in their entirety could subject us to penalties under federal securities laws and regulations of the Nasdaq, expose us to lawsuits, and restrict our ability to access financing on favorable terms, or at all.
In addition, pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we are required to develop, evaluate and provide a management report of our systems of internal control over financial reporting. During the course of the evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting, we have identified and could identify areas requiring improvement and could be required to design enhanced processes and controls to address issues identified through this review. This could result in significant delays and costs to us and require us to divert substantial resources, including management time, from other activities.
If we fail to comply with the requirements of Section 404 on a timely basis this could result in the loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which in turn could, negatively impact the trading price of our stock, and adversely affect investors’ confidence in the Company and our ability to access capital markets for financing.
We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. If our remediation of these material weaknesses is not effective, or if we experience additional material weaknesses in the future or otherwise fail to maintain effective internal controls in the future, we may not be able to accurately report our financial condition or results of operations, which may adversely affect investor confidence in us and, as a result, the value of our common stock.
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over financial reporting designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our management is likewise required, on a quarterly basis, to evaluate the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and to disclose any changes and material weaknesses identified through such evaluation of those internal controls. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
In connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024, management concluded that our internal controls over financial reporting were not effective as of December 31, 2024, due to the existence of material weaknesses as follows:
We identified, a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting related to the precise and timely review and analysis of information used to prepare our financial statements and disclosures in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Additionally, we did not maintain effective control activities surrounding non-routine transactions.
These material weaknesses could impact our financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
We have taken steps to remediate these material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting; however, we are not yet able to determine whether the steps we are taking will fully remediate the material weaknesses.
Because of the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as previously disclosed, our principal executive officer and interim principal accounting officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2024, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at the reasonable assurance level. Our management, including our principal executive officer and interim principal accounting officer, have concluded that, notwithstanding the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, the condensed consolidated financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly present, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with U.S. GAAP.
The existence of material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting could adversely affect our reputation or investor perceptions of us, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our stock. In addition, we have and will continue to incur additional costs to remediate our material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting.
We currently do not intend to pay dividends on our Common Stock. Consequently, our stockholders’ ability to achieve a return on their investment will depend on appreciation in the price of our Common Stock.
We do not expect to pay cash dividends on our Common Stock. Any future dividend payments are within the absolute discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, working capital requirements, capital expenditure requirements, financial condition, level of indebtedness, contractual restrictions with respect to payment of dividends, business opportunities, anticipated cash needs, provisions of applicable law and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.
We may be required to take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring and impairment or other charges that could have a significant negative effect on our financial condition, results of operations and our stock price, which could cause our stockholders to lose some or all of their investment.
We may be forced to write-down or write-off assets, restructure our operations, or incur impairment or other charges that could result in our reporting losses. Even though these charges may be non-cash items and not have an immediate impact on our liquidity, the fact that we report charges of this nature could contribute to negative market perceptions about us or our securities. In addition, charges of this nature may cause us to violate net worth or other covenants to which we may be subject. Accordingly, a stockholder could suffer a reduction in the value of their shares of Common Stock.
Our Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants are accounted for as liabilities and the changes in value of such warrants could have a material effect on our financial results.
On April 12, 2021, the SEC staff issued the SEC Statement regarding the accounting and reporting considerations for warrants issued by Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (“SPACs”). Specifically, the SEC Statement focused on certain settlement terms and provisions related to certain tender offers following a business combination, which terms are similar to those governing our Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants. As a result of the SEC Statement, we reevaluated the accounting treatment of such warrants, and determined to classify such warrants as derivative liabilities measured at fair value, with changes in fair value each period reported in earnings.
As a result, included on our balance sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 contained elsewhere in this Annual Report are derivative liabilities related to embedded features contained within our Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants. ASC Subtopic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, provides for the remeasurement of the fair value of such derivatives at each balance sheet date, with a resulting non-cash gain or loss related to the change in the fair value being recognized in earnings in the statements of operations. As a result of the recurring fair value measurement, our financial statements and results of operations may fluctuate quarterly, based on factors which are outside of our control. Due to the recurring fair value measurement, we expect that we will recognize non-cash gains or losses on our Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants each reporting period and that the amount of such gains or losses could be material.
On March 1, 2022, the Series C Warrants were amended to, among other things, remove certain provisions that previously caused the Series C Warrants to be accounted for as a liability.
The trading price of our securities has been, and likely will continue to be, volatile and our stockholders could lose all or part of their investment.
The trading price of our securities could be volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control, including but not limited to our general business condition, the release of our financial reports and general economic conditions and forecasts. Broad market and industry factors may materially harm the market price of our securities irrespective of our operating performance. The stock market in general, and Nasdaq, have experienced price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of the particular companies affected. The trading prices and valuations of these stocks, and of our securities, may not be predictable. A loss of investor confidence in the market for the stocks of other companies which investors perceive to be similar to us could depress our stock price regardless of our business, prospects, financial conditions or results of operations. A decline in the market price of our securities also could adversely affect our ability to issue additional securities and our ability to obtain additional financing in the future. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our stockholders’ investment in our securities, and our securities may trade at prices significantly below the price they paid for them. In such circumstances, the trading price of our securities may not recover and may experience a further decline.
Anti-takeover provisions contained in our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, as well as provisions of Delaware law, could impair a takeover attempt.
Our Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions that may discourage unsolicited takeover proposals that stockholders may consider to be in their best interests. We are also subject to anti-takeover provisions under Delaware law, which could delay or prevent a change of control. Together, these provisions may make more difficult the removal of management and may discourage transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices for our securities. These provisions include:
● no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which limits the ability of minority stockholders to elect director candidates;
● a classified board of directors with three-year staggered terms, which could delay the ability of stockholders to change the membership of a majority of our board of directors;
● the right of our board of directors to elect a director to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of our board of directors or the resignation, death or removal of a director in certain circumstances, which prevents stockholders from being able to fill vacancies on our board of directors;
● a prohibition on stockholder action by written consent, which forces stockholder action to be taken at an annual or special meeting of our stockholders; and
● the requirement that a meeting of stockholders may only be called by members of our board of directors or the stockholders holding a majority of our shares, which may delay the ability of our stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or to take action, including the removal of directors.
Our Certificate of Incorporation provides, subject to limited exceptions, that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for certain stockholder litigation matters, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or stockholders.
Our Certificate of Incorporation requires, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that derivative actions brought in HOFRE’s name, actions against directors, officers, stockholders and employees for breach of fiduciary duty, actions under the Delaware General Corporation Law or under our Certificate of Incorporation, or actions asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine may be brought only in the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel. This choice of forum provision does not preclude or contract the scope of exclusive federal or concurrent jurisdiction for any actions brought under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act. Accordingly, such exclusive forum provision will not relieve us of our duties to comply with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder, and our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived its compliance with these laws, rules and regulations.
Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the forum provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation. This choice of forum provision does not exclude stockholders from suing in federal court for claims under the federal securities laws but may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring such claims in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with HOFRE or any of its directors, officers, other employees or stockholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims.
Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our Certificate of Incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our securities will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. If only a limited number of securities or industry analysts commence coverage of our Company, the trading price for our securities would likely be negatively impacted. In the event securities or industry analysts initiate coverage, if one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our stock or publishes unfavorable research about our business, our stock price may decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage of our Company or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our securities could decrease, which might cause our stock price and trading volume to decline.
Our executive officers and directors, and their affiliated entities, own a significant percentage of our stock and will be able to exert significant control over matters subject to stockholder approval.
Our executive officers and directors, together with entities affiliated with such individuals, beneficially own a large amount of our outstanding Common Stock. Accordingly, these stockholders are able to exert significant control over matters subject to stockholder approval. This concentration of ownership could delay or prevent a change in control of the Company.
We are a smaller reporting company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and if we take advantage of certain exemptions from disclosure requirements available to smaller reporting companies, this could make our securities less attractive to investors and may make it more difficult to compare our performance with other public companies.
We are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Item 10(f)(1) of Regulation S-K. Smaller reporting companies may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure obligations, including, among other things, providing only two years of audited financial statements. We will remain a smaller reporting company until the last day of any fiscal year for so long as either (1) the market value of our shares of Class A common stock held by non-affiliates did not equal or exceed $250 million as of the prior June 30, or (2) our annual revenues did not equal or exceed $100 million during such completed fiscal year and the market value of our shares of Class A common stock held by non-affiliates did not equal or exceed $700 million as of the prior June 30.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
Not applicable.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties.
The Company owns real property in Canton, Ohio, at the site of the Hall of Fame Village development and the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. Certain parcels of real property on which the Hall of Fame Village is located, including the parcel on which the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium is located, are owned by the Canton City School District (Board of Education) and are subject to long-term ground leases and agreements with the Company for the use and development of such property. All such properties are subject to mortgages securing obligations of the Company and its subsidiaries under various lending and lease arrangements.
On January 11, 2024, HOF Village completed the sale to Sandlot of 80% of a newly formed limited liability company named Sandlot HOFV Canton SC, LLC, to which the Company, HOF Village and HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC had contributed the ForeverLawn Sports Complex business (including the ground lease) prior to closing.
On October 26, 2024, HOF Village Waterpark, LLC (“Tenant”), a subsidiary of the Company, received from HFAKOH001 LLC (“Landlord”) a notice of termination due to a non-payment event of default (the “Notice”) under the waterpark ground lease agreement, dated as of November 7, 2022, between Tenant and Landlord, as amended on February 23, 2024, February 29, 2024 and May 10, 2024 (as so amended, the “Waterpark Ground Lease”). Under the Waterpark Ground Lease, the Landlord’s termination required that Tenant immediately surrender the waterpark premises under such lease to the Landlord and any improvements thereto (including the construction of new buildings thereon) with all fixtures appurtenant thereto. For more information, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors - The termination of the waterpark ground lease and our surrender of the waterpark premises and improvements to the landlord, which occurred October 26, 2024, and the exercise of certain remedies by waterpark landlord would be expected to have a material adverse effect on the liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations of the Company.”

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
Information with respect to certain legal proceedings is set forth in Note 8, “Contingencies,” to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters And Issuer’s Purchases Of Equity Securities.
Market Information
Our Common Stock is traded on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “HOFV”.
Holders
On March 21, 2025, we had 90 holders of record of our Common Stock.
Dividends
The Company has never declared or paid cash dividends on its Common Stock and has no intention to do so in the foreseeable future.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. [Reserved]

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis provides information which our management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of our financial condition and results of operations. This discussion and analysis should be read together with our results of operations and financial condition and the audited and unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes that are included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to historical financial information, this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. See the section entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Actual results and timing of selected events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” or elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Certain figures, such as interest rates and other percentages, included in this section have been rounded for ease of presentation. Percentage figures included in this section have not in all cases been calculated on the basis of such rounded figures but on the basis of such amounts prior to rounding. For this reason, percentage amounts in this section may vary slightly from those obtained by performing the same calculations using the figures in our consolidated financial statements or in the associated text. Certain other amounts that appear in this section may similarly not sum due to rounding.
Overview
We are a resort and entertainment company leveraging the power and popularity of professional football and its legendary players in partnership with the National Football Museum, Inc., doing business as the Pro Football Hall of Fame (“PFHOF”). Headquartered in Canton, Ohio, we own the Hall of Fame Village, which is a multi-use sports and entertainment destination centered around the PFHOF’s campus and the DoubleTree by Hilton located in downtown Canton. We have created a diversified set of revenue streams through the development of themed attractions, premier entertainment programming and sponsorships. We continue to pursue a diversified strategy across three business verticals, including destination-based assets, Hall of Fame Village, Hall of Fame Village Media and Gold Summit Gaming.
The strategic plan for Hall of Fame Village involves three phases: Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III. Phase I of the Hall of Fame Village is operational, consisting of the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, the ForeverLawn Sports Complex (ownership reduced to 20% as of January 11, 2024), and Hall of Fame Village Media. The Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium hosts multiple sports and entertainment events, including the National Football League (“NFL”) Hall of Fame Game, Enshrinement and Concert for Legends during the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week. The ForeverLawn Sports Complex hosts camps and tournaments for football players, as well as athletes from across the country in other sports such as lacrosse, rugby and soccer. Hall of Fame Village Media leverages the sport of professional football to produce exclusive programming. Hall of Fame Village Media has created short-form and long-form media entertainment through multiple distribution channels. This includes The Perfect Ten, Inspired, The GOAT Code, Next Man Up: NFL Alumni Academy and Hometown Heroes.
We have procured licenses in the State of Ohio for both a physical sports betting operation and online sports betting platform. We have entered into an agreement with Betr as our mobile management services provider. Currently, the Company does not have a sports betting partner for its retail sports book. In addition, the gaming vertical hosts multiple eSports tournaments within the destination along with other types of gaming tournaments and interactive events.
We have developed new hospitality, attractions, and corporate assets as part of our Phase II development plan. Phase II components of the Hall of Fame Village include the Constellation Center for Excellence (an office building including retail and meeting space, that opened in November 2021), the Center for Performance (a convention center/field house, that opened in August of 2022), the Play Action Plaza (completed in August of 2022), and the Fan Engagement Zone (Retail Promenade), core and shell for Retail I was completed in August of 2022 and the core and shell of Retail II was completed in November of 2022, two hotels (one on campus, to be constructed, and one in downtown Canton that opened in November 2020), and the Gameday Bay Waterpark (currently under construction: ground lease terminated October 26, 2024, and premises and improvements surrendered to landlord). Phase III expansion plans may include a potential mix of residential space, additional attractions, entertainment, dining, merchandise and more.
Key Components of the Company’s Results of Operations
Revenue
We generate revenue from various streams such as sponsorship agreements, rents, events, exclusive programming, attractions and hotel and restaurant operations. The sponsorship arrangements, in which the customer sponsors an asset or event and receives specified brand recognition and other benefits over a set period of time, recognize revenue on a straight-line basis over the time period specified in the contract. Revenue for rents, cost recoveries, and events are recognized at the time the respective event or service has been performed. Rental revenue for long term leases is recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease beginning on the commencement date.
Our owned hotel revenues primarily consist of hotel room sales, revenue from accommodations sold in conjunction with other services (e.g., package reservations), food and beverage sales, and other ancillary goods and services (e.g., parking) related to owned hotel property and events. Revenue is recognized when rooms are occupied or goods and services have been delivered or rendered, respectively. Payment terms typically align with when the goods and services are provided.
Restaurant revenue at Company-operated restaurants and concessions is recognized when payment is tendered at the point of sale, net of sales tax, discounts and other sales related taxes.
Our media content and distribution revenue is recognized as content is released. Our gaming license revenue is recognized over the term of the license agreement.
We expect our revenues to continue to increase as we add in additional events, tenants, experiences and open additional assets.
Operating Expenses
Our operating expenses include event/media production expenses, personnel expenses, campus maintenance expenses, food and beverage cost of sales, hotel operating expenses, and depreciation expense. These expenses have decreased as management has made an effort to make its operations more efficient, however, we would expect these operating expenses will increase after completion of additional Phase II assets, and additional events, programming, and assets.
Our depreciation expense includes the related costs of owning and operating significant property and entertainment assets. These expenses have grown through completion of the Phase I and Phase II development.
Warrant Liabilities
We account for warrants to purchase shares of our Common Stock that are not indexed to our own stock as liabilities at fair value on the balance sheet in accordance with the Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815 “Derivatives and Hedging”. The warrants are subject to remeasurement at each balance sheet date, and any change in fair value is recognized as a component of other income (expense) on the statements of operations. We will continue to adjust the liability for changes in fair value until the earlier of the exercise or expiration of the Common Stock warrants. At that time, the portion of the warrant liability related to the Common Stock warrants will be reclassified to additional paid-in capital.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth information comparing the components of net loss for the years ended December 31, 2024 and the comparable period in 2023:
For the Years Ended
December 31,
Revenues
Sponsorships, net of activation costs $ 2,860,451 $ 2,819,041
Event, rents, restaurant and other revenues 11,461,897 13,855,169
Hotel revenues 6,883,585 7,455,463
Total revenues 21,205,933 24,129,673
Operating expenses
Operating expenses 27,883,661 43,171,407
Hotel operating expenses 5,981,485 6,491,625
Impairment expense - 8,845,000
Depreciation expense 17,007,248 15,069,782
Total operating expenses 50,872,394 73,577,814
Loss from operations (29,666,461 ) (49,448,141 )
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net (27,284,545 ) (18,763,838 )
Amortization of discount on note payable (4,209,339 ) (3,589,858 )
Other income 516,857 4,117,141
Government grant 9,763,126 -
Change in fair value of warrant liability 150,000 686,000
Change in fair value of interest rate swap - 163,850
Change in fair value of investments available for sale 433,000 (2,067,754 )
(Loss) gain on sale of asset (174,589 ) 148,796
Loss from equity method investments (218,371 ) -
Gain on termination of financing liability (5,168,550 ) -
Loss on extinguishment of debt (3,763 ) -
Total other expense (26,196,174 ) (19,305,663 )
Net loss $ (55,862,635 ) $ (68,753,804 )
Preferred stock dividends (1,064,000 ) (1,064,000 )
Loss attributable to non-controlling interest 8,588 72,265
Net loss attributable to HOFRE stockholders $ (56,918,047 ) $ (69,745,539 )
Net loss per share - basic and diluted $ (8.72 ) $ (11.97 )
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted 6,530,922 5,826,504
Year Ended December 31, 2024 as Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2023
Sponsorship Revenues
Sponsorship revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased by $41,410, or 1.5%, to $2,860,451 as compared to $2,819,041 for the year ended December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily due to additional event sponsorships and new sponsorships.
Event, rents, restaurant and other revenues
Revenue from events, rents, restaurant and other revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024 decreased to $11,461,897 from $13,855,169 for the year ended December 31, 2023, for a decrease of $2,393,272, or 17.3%. This decrease was primarily driven by a decrease in events revenue, a decrease in food and beverage sales, and lower revenue from our restaurant.
Hotel Revenues
Hotel revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024 decreased $571,878, or 7.7%, to $6,883,585, compared to $7,455,463 for the year ended December 31, 2023. This decrease was driven by a reduction in group bookings and occupancy.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses were $27,883,661 for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to $43,171,407 for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $15,287,746, or 35.4%. This decrease was driven by lower personnel and related benefits costs, a decrease in production and related costs for our events and media productions, and a decrease in legal and professional fees.
Hotel Operating Expense
Our hotel operating expense was $5,981,485 for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to $6,491,625 for the year ended December 31, 2023, a decrease of $510,140 or 7.9%. Hotel revenue and expenses are highly correlated and thus this decrease was driven by having a decrease in occupancy.
Impairment Expense
Impairment expense was $0 for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to $8,845,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The impairment expense for 2023 was due to an impairment of the ForeverLawn Sports Complex in advance of the sale of the Company’s 80% interest in the sports complex and the impairment of the film costs.
Depreciation Expense
Depreciation expense was $17,007,248 for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to $15,069,782 for the year ended December 31, 2023, for an increase of $1,937,466, or 12.9%. The increase was primarily the result of the completion of additional assets which were put into service.
Interest Expense
Total interest expense was $27,284,545 for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $18,763,838 for the year ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $8,520,707, or 45.4%. The increase in total interest expense was primarily due to an increase in the amount of total debt outstanding, a decrease in the proportion of debt that is capitalized for ongoing construction projects, and an increase in average interest rates.
Amortization of Debt Discount
Total amortization of debt discount was $4,209,339 for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $3,589,858 for the year ended December 31, 2023, for an increase of $619,481, or 17.3%. The increase is primarily due to the amortization of additional debt discounts and a decrease in debt discount capitalized for construction projects.
Other Income
Other income was $516,857 for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $4,117,141 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The other income for 2024 was primarily related to a $0.5 million grant received from the Stark Community Foundation. The other income for 2023 was related to the gain on the outcome of the arbitration with JCI.
Government Grant
Government grant was $9,763,126 for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $0 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The 2024 government grant was received from the State of Ohio Community Investment.
Change in Fair Value of Warrant Liability
The change in fair value warrant liability represents a gain of $150,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $686,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023, for a decrease of $536,000 or 78.1%. The decrease in change in fair value of warrant liability was due primarily to a decrease in our stock price.
Change in Fair Value of Interest Rate Swap
The change in fair value of interest rate swap liability was a gain of $163,850 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The interest rate swap was terminated in December 2023.
Change in Fair Value of Investments Available for Sale
The change in fair value of investments available for sale was a gain of $433,000 for the year ended December 31, 2024 as opposed to a loss of $2,067,754 during the year ended December 31, 2023. These amounts related to the change in fair value of certain warrants we hold issued to us by our mobile sports betting partner.
(Loss) gain on sale of asset
The loss on sale of asset was $174,589 for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to a gain on sale of asset of $148,796 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The loss on sale of asset during the year ended December 31, 2024, was due to the sale of our sports complex and the sale and disposal of equipment. The gain on sale of asset during the year ended December 31, 2023 was due to the sale of the mini field to PFHOF.
Loss from equity method investments
The loss from equity method investments was $218,371 for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $0 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The loss from equity method investments was due to the Sandlot arrangement, which was entered into on January 11, 2024.
Loss on termination of financing liability
The loss on termination of Ground Lease was $5,168,550 for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to $0 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The loss on termination of Ground Lease was due to the event of default under the Waterpark Ground Lease.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
Loss on extinguishment of debt was $3,763 for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $0 for the year ended December 31, 2023. The loss on extinguishment of debt was due to the restructuring of a portion of our debt arrangements.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have sustained recurring losses through December 31, 2024, and our accumulated deficit was $273.6 million as of such date. Since inception, the Company’s operations have been funded principally through the issuance of debt and equity. As of December 31, 2024, we had approximately $0.4 million of unrestricted cash and $4.0 million of restricted cash. Through December 31, 2025, we have $109.5 million in debt principal payments coming due. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company used cash for operating activities of $10.9 million. At March 21, 2025, the Company’s cash position is deficient and certain payments for our operations are not being made in the ordinary course of business.
Certain of our liquidity requirements have been, and may continue to be, funded in part by loans from CHCL, an affiliate of the Company’s director Stuart Lichter, and certain other affiliates of Mr. Lichter, which are described in this Form 10-K under “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions - Related Person Transactions with IRG.” Such affiliates of Mr. Lichter are under no commitment to continue to fund the Company.
We will need to raise additional financing to accomplish our development plan and fund our working capital. We are seeking to obtain additional funding through debt, construction lending, and equity financing. There are no assurances that we will be able to raise capital on terms acceptable to the Company or at all, or that cash flows generated from its operations will be sufficient to meet its current operating costs. If we are unable to obtain sufficient amounts of additional capital, we may be required to reduce the scope of our planned development, which could harm our financial condition and operating results, or we may not be able to continue to fund our ongoing operations. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern to sustain operations for at least one year from the issuance of these consolidated financial statements. The perception that we may not be able to continue as a going concern has caused, and may continue to cause, others to choose to impose more restrictive payment terms or not deal with us altogether due to concerns about our ability to meet our contractual obligations. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of these uncertainties.
Cash Flows
Since inception, the Company has primarily used its available cash to fund its project development expenditures. The following table sets forth a summary of cash flows for the periods presented:
For the Year Ended
December 31,
Cash (used in) provided by:
Operating Activities $ (10,914,970 ) $ (27,000,438 )
Investing Activities (7,767,670 ) (27,826,165 )
Financing Activities 11,314,108 33,126,304
Net decrease in cash and restricted cash $ (7,368,532 ) $ (21,700,299 )
Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities was $10.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $16.1 million from the prior year. The decrease in cash used in operating activities was primarily attributable to a $12.9 million decrease in net loss between the two periods, along with a $1.9 million increase in the add-back for depreciation expense, a $5.5 million increase in paid-in-kind interest, offset by a $4.1 million increase in the change in accounts payable and accrued expenses, and a $0.7 million increase in the change in prepaid expenses and other assets.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $7.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $20.1 million from the prior year. The decrease was attributable to a decrease of $29.2 million in capital spending on project development, $17.5 million in proceeds from treasury bills during the year ended December 31, 2023, offset by an increase of $8.4 million received from the sale of the sports complex and various assets.
Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $11.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, a decrease of $21.8 million from the prior year. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease of $19.1 in proceeds from notes payable, an increase of $8.7 million in repayments of notes payable, offset by $3.5 million in proceeds from our financing liability.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates
This discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations is based on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported periods. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions the Company believes are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Revenue Recognition
The Company follows the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue with Contracts with Customers, to properly recognize revenue. Under ASC 606, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that an entity determines are within the scope of ASC 606, the Company performs the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.
The Company generates revenues from various streams such as sponsorship agreements, rents, events, and hotel and restaurant operations. The sponsorship arrangements, in which the customer sponsors a play area or event and receives specified brand recognition and other benefits over a set period of time, recognize revenue on a straight-line basis over the time period specified in the contract. The excess of amounts contractually due over the amounts of sponsorship revenue recognized are included in other liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Contractually due but unpaid sponsorship revenue are included in accounts receivable on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Refer to Note 6 for more details. Revenue for rents, cost recoveries, and events are recognized at the time the respective event or service has been performed. Rental revenue for long term leases is recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease beginning on the commencement date.
A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to a customer. If the contract does not specify the revenue by performance obligation, the Company allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. Such prices are generally determined using prices charged to customers or using the Company’s expected cost plus margin. Revenue is recognized as the Company’s performance obligations are satisfied. If consideration is received in advance of the Company’s performance, including amounts which are refundable, recognition of revenue is deferred until the performance obligation is satisfied or amounts are no longer refundable.
The Company’s owned hotel revenues primarily consist of hotel room sales, revenue from accommodations sold in conjunction with other services (e.g., package reservations), food and beverage sales, and other ancillary goods and services (e.g., parking) related to owned hotel properties. Revenue is recognized when rooms are occupied or goods and services have been delivered or rendered, respectively. Payment terms typically align with when the goods and services are provided. Although the transaction prices of hotel room sales, goods, and other services are generally fixed and based on the respective room reservation or other agreement, an estimate to reduce the transaction price is required if a discount is expected to be provided to the customer. For package reservations, the transaction price is allocated to the performance obligations within the package based on the estimated standalone selling price of each component.
For our rented properties, payments are generally received over the course of the lease. For our long-term sponsorship partners, payments are generally received over the term of the sponsorship agreement.
Restaurant revenue at Company-operated restaurants is recognized when payment is tendered at the point of sale, net of sales tax, discounts and other sales related taxes.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.
The Company is not exposed to market risk related to interest rates on foreign currencies.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
The financial statements required by this Item are included in Item 15 of this report and are presented beginning on page.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that the information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified under the rules and forms of the SEC. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Vice President Accounting / Corporate Controller, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. As required by paragraph (b) of Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, our Chief Executive Officer (our principal executive and interim principal financial officer) and Vice President of Accounting / Corporate Controller (our interim principal accounting officer) carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2024. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Vice President Accounting / Corporate Controller concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in paragraph (e) of Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act) were not effective as December 31, 2024 due to material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting noted in the paragraph below.
Notwithstanding the material weaknesses presented below, management has concluded that the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K present fairly, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows, in conformity with US GAAP.
Limitations on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
An internal control system over financial reporting has inherent limitations and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. 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. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design safeguards into the process to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.
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 Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process used to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of our financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with the authorization of our board of directors and management; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (our principal executive and financial officer) and our Vice President of Accounting/Corporate Controller (our principal accounting officer), we performed an assessment of the Company’s significant processes and key controls. Based on this assessment, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2024, due to the existence of material weaknesses.
Material Weakness in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting were identified related to the precise and timely review and analysis of information used to prepare our financial statements and disclosures in accordance with U.S. GAAP and we did not maintain effective controls over non-routine transactions.
Management’s Plans for Remediation
We have identified and implemented, and continue to implement, certain remediation efforts to improve the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. These remediation efforts are ongoing and include the following measures to address the material weaknesses identified:
- We have designed and implemented additional controls to supplement the existing business process controls
- We have tested the design of these controls and will continue to test their effectiveness to ensure that they are operating appropriately.
The material weaknesses will not be considered remediated until the applicable controls operate for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through independent testing, that these controls are operating effectively. As we continue to evaluate and improve the applicable controls and obtain resources sufficient to independently assess control effectiveness, management may take additional remedial measures or modify the remediation plan described above.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified during the fourth quarter of 2024, which were identified in connection with management’s evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other Information.
None.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Directors
The table below identifies and sets forth certain biographical and other information regarding our directors as of March 26, 2025.
Name Age Position
Michael Crawford President and Chief Executive Officer, Chairman
Marcus LaMarr Allen Director
Anthony J. Buzzelli Director, Audit Committee Chair
David Dennis Director
Karl L. Holz Director, Lead Independent Director
Stuart Lichter Director
Mary Owen Director, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair
Kimberly K. Schaefer Director, Compensation Committee Chair
Michael Crawford. Mr. Crawford has served as a member of the Board since the closing of the Business Combination in July 2020. Mr. Crawford currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company and previously served as HOF Village, LLC’s Chief Executive Officer from December 2018 until June 2020. Mr. Crawford was nominated to the Board by HOF Village, LLC in connection with the Business Combination pursuant to the Director Nominating Agreement (defined below). Before joining HOF Village, LLC, Mr. Crawford was an executive at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, where he served as Global President of Portfolio Management (2016-2018) and President of Asia Pacific (2014-2016). Previously, Mr. Crawford worked at The Walt Disney Company/Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in various positions from 1990 to 2014, where his last role was Senior Vice President and General Manager of Shanghai Disney Resort and President of Walt Disney Holdings Company in Shanghai (2010-2014). Mr. Crawford has served as a member on the Board of Directors of Texas Roadhouse (Nasdaq: TXRH) since June 2020, where he also currently serves on the audit committee and is chair of the compensation committee. Since July of 2004, Mr. Crawford has served on the Board of Directors of Seaport Entertainment Group Inc. (NYSE: SEG) where he serves as lead independent director, chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee, and serves as a member of the audit and compensation committees. Mr. Crawford holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University and an MBA, magna cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business.
Marcus LaMarr Allen. Mr. Allen has served as a member of the Board since August 2022. Considered one of the game’s best goal line and short-yardage runners, Mr. Allen began his NFL career with the Los Angeles Raiders where he spent 11 seasons and earned several accolades, including NFL Rookie of the Year, was named to the Pro Bowl five times, and earned league MVP honors. While with the Raiders, he helped his team win Super Bowl XVIII. Mr. Allen went on to spend his last 5 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he added a sixth Pro Bowl appearance in 1994. In 1995, Mr. Allen made NFL history when he became the first player in league history to rush for over 10,000 yards and catch passes for 5,000 more. Ending his career with the Kansas City Chiefs as the game’s all-time rushing touchdown leader, Mr. Allen has the distinction of being the only player to have won the Heisman Trophy, an NCAA national championship, the Super Bowl, and be named NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003. After his 16-season playing career, in 1998 Mr. Allen went on to join the CBS broadcasting team for the NFL Today Show and later went on to cover College Football for Fox Sports. Today, Mr. Allen is a keynote speaker and writer. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Lott Impact Trophy and is also a member of the Laureus World Sports Academy.
Anthony J. Buzzelli. Mr. Buzzelli has served as a member of the Board since the closing of the Business Combination in July 2020. Mr. Buzzelli is a Certified Public Accountant (retired) and spent 40 years with Deloitte, where he served management and Boards of Directors as the Audit and Advisory Partner for a wide range of public and private companies with U.S. and global operations from 1980 to 2011. He was Audit Partner in Charge of the Pittsburgh office from 1989 to 1995, Regional Managing Partner of the Central Atlantic Region from 1995 to 2001, National Managing Partner of U.S. Regions, the Marketing and Business Development and Community Relations leader from 2003 to 2007 and Regional Managing Partner of the Pacific Southwest Region and Office Managing Partner of the Los Angeles office from 2003 to 2011. Mr. Buzzelli served as a member of the U.S. Board of Directors of Deloitte from 2001 to 2004 and as chairman of its Succession Committee from 2010 to 2011. He retired from Deloitte as a Vice Chairman in 2011. He is a past chairman of the Southern California Leadership Network from 2003 to 2009. Mr. Buzzelli served on the Board of Directors of TriState Capital Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSC) from 2014 through July 2022 when TSC was acquired by Raymond James Financial. At TSC, Mr. Buzzelli was the Lead Independent Director for two terms and chaired the audit committee and was a member of the risk committee. Mr. Buzzelli received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from The Pennsylvania State University, and also completed the Executive Program in Organizational Change at Stanford University and the Executive Program for Leading Professional Services Firms at Harvard Business School. Mr. Buzzelli also serves on three private company boards.
David Dennis. Mr. Dennis has served as a member of the Board since the closing of the Business Combination in July 2020. Mr. Dennis served as an independent director of Gordon Pointe Acquisition Corp. (“GPAQ”) from January 2018 through June 2020, and served as the chairman of GPAQ’s audit committee. Mr. Dennis is a Certified Public Accountant and spent 36 years of his career at KPMG LLP, where he served as a Partner from 1993 until his retirement in December 2015. During his time at KPMG LLP, Mr. Dennis served in its advisory practice and served as the Advisory Sector Leader for its State and Local Government Advisory Practice. In addition, from 1979 to 2002, Mr. Dennis was a member of the Audit Practice at KPMG LLP and audited publicly traded companies, privately owned companies and public sector clients (governments and not for profits). He is a Past Member of Council for the American Institute of CPAs and a current member of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy. Mr. Dennis previously served as acting Chief Financial Officer of the U.S. House of Representatives and as President for the Florida Institute of CPAs. He served on the Florida Board of Accountancy from 2011 until 2020 where he also served as Chair for two terms. Mr. Dennis received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Indiana University - Kelley School of Business.
Karl L. Holz. Mr. Holz has served as a member of the Board since the closing of the Business Combination in July 2020 and currently serves as the Lead Independent Director and is a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Compensation Committee. Mr. Holz is a 22-year veteran of The Walt Disney Company with senior-level expertise in operations, strategic planning, product and customer experience development, international business, and large-scale expansions. As president of Disney Cruise Line and New Vacation Operations, he was responsible for driving the growth of Disney’s vacation portfolio beyond theme parks. In his most recent role, Mr. Holz was responsible for Disney Cruise Line; Disney Vacation Club; Adventures by Disney; Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, in Hawaii; and Golden Oak at the Walt Disney World Resort. He guided the massive expansion of Disney Cruise Line in 2011 and 2012 and championed its further expansion by committing to three new ships, the first arriving in 2021. Mr. Holz also led the strategic re-orientation of the Disney Institute, a professional development and training business serving the needs of many major companies. Additionally, he assumed responsibility for Disneyland Resort Paris in 2014 (after previously serving as President and CEO of Disneyland Resort Paris from 2004 to 2008), guiding the resort through a challenging security environment, developed and implemented strategic expansion plans and ultimately took this French, publicly held resort, private in late 2017. Following his retirement in 2018, he joined McKinsey & Company as a Senior Advisor and provides advisory services to the Saudi Public Investment Fund. Mr. Holz earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the State University of New York at Fredonia in 1973. He is a member of the Fredonia Foundation Board and an active supporter of the “Keeper of the Dream Scholarship” benefiting disadvantaged and minority student athletes.
Stuart Lichter. Mr. Lichter has served as a member of the Board since the closing of the Business Combination in July 2020. Mr. Lichter was nominated to the Board by HOF Village, LLC in connection with the Business Combination pursuant to the Director Nominating Agreement. Mr. Lichter has served as the President and Chairman of the Board of Industrial Realty Group, LLC since 1999. Industrial Realty Group, along with its affiliated companies, has acquired and developed over 100 industrial and commercial properties throughout the country, representing virtually every area of real estate, such as office buildings, industrial and warehouse buildings, shopping centers, business parks, hotels, mini-storage facilities, marinas, apartments, mobile home parks and mixed-use developments, with a primary emphasis on industrial and commercial properties. Mr. Lichter began his real estate career with the General Services Administration (GSA) of the US Government where he focused on solving challenges facing governmental-owned real estate. Mr. Lichter subsequently performed loan workouts, completed unfinished construction projects and leased and sold foreclosed projects for Midland Bank and New York Life Insurance Company. Mr. Lichter has over 40 years of experience as a leader in the adaptive reuse of commercial and industrial real estate. Mr. Lichter holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Hunter College, a part of the City University of New York. He completed all course work for an MBA from Pace University with a major in finance. Mr. Lichter also attended New York University School of Law.
Mary Owen. Mrs. Owen has served as a member of the Board since the closing of the Business Combination in July 2020. Mrs. Owen has been nominated to the Board as an independent director pursuant to the Director Nominating Agreement. Mrs. Owen is Founder and President of MMO Capital LLC since 2017. In September of 2024, she became a General Partner of Forma Capital, an early-stage venture capital fund investing in influential brands shaping the global future of sports, health and wellness. In addition, she is the current Chair of the Board and has served as a Life Trustee with the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation since 2015. She is an investor and strategic advisor in both Fund I and Fund II for KB Partners, a Chicago-based KB venture capital firm investing at the intersection of sports and technology. Mrs. Owen previously worked for her uncle, Ralph C. Wilson Jr., and his management company, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Enterprises. She was a key member of his executive leadership team and played a strategic and operational role with all of his business and philanthropic interests, including the Buffalo Bills. With the Bills, Mrs. Owen began as an intern in 1997 and worked in a variety of roles eventually becoming the Executive Vice President for Strategic Planning from 2010-2014. In addition to her team-level responsibilities, she was charged with representing Mr. Wilson at the league ownership level from 2003-2014, where she was appointed to and served on the Super Bowl Advisory Committee and the International Committee and served on the board of the NFL Foundation. When Mr. Wilson passed in 2014, Mrs. Owen served as a Trustee of his estate, where she and three others were responsible for the team’s sale to the Pegula family, and ultimately funding and starting a $1.2 billion foundation, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, with a portion of the estate proceeds. Mrs. Owen managed the foundation on behalf of her co-trustees in its initial year and oversaw a $60 million legacy grant program. Mrs. Owen is a graduate of the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia, and is a McIntire Trustee Leader, an active Trustee for the Jefferson Trust, and longstanding Regional Selection Chair for the Jefferson Scholars Foundation. In addition, she holds an MBA from Walsh College and is a long-standing member of the National Advisory Board for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Kimberly K. Schaefer. Ms. Schaefer served as a member of the Board since the closing of the Business Combination in July 2020. On March 25, 2024, Ms. Schaefer was appointed to the Board of LuxUrban Hotels, Inc. (NASDAQ: LUXH). LuxUrban Hotels, Inc. is a hospitality company which utilizes an asset-light business model to lease entire hotels on a long-term basis in partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. In April of 2024, Ms. Schaefer accepted a Chief Executive Officer role for a private company, Museum of Illusions. Ms. Schaefer previously served as President of Two Bit Circus, Inc., a startup concept focusing on social interactions using the latest in technology and gaming, from 2017 through 2023. Two Bit Circus’s first “micro amusement park” location opened in Los Angeles in 2018. It features unique arcade and midway games, an interactive theatre, story rooms and virtual reality concepts. Prior to Two Bit Circus, Ms. Schaefer worked with Great Wolf Resorts, Inc., which is the largest owner, operator and developer in North America of drive-to family resorts featuring indoor waterparks and other family-oriented entertainment activities, for more than 18 years, including as their Chief Operating Officer/Chief Brand Officer from 2005 to 2015 and as their Chief Executive Officer from 2009 to September 2015. She was part of the team that took the company public in 2005. As public company CEO, her primary responsibility was overseeing the daily aspects of the strategy of the brand, development and operations as well as investor and analyst presentations and communication. Ms. Schaefer has served on the Board of Directors of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment (NYSE: SEAS) since December 2020 where she also serves on the revenue and audit committees and the Board of Directors of Alpine Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: REVE) since August 2021. Previously, Ms. Schaefer was an independent board member of public company Education Reality Trust (NYSE: EDR_OLD), an owner operator and developer of collegiate housing, and of her former employer, Great Wolf Resorts, which is currently owned by Blackstone Group. Ms. Schaefer is a graduate of Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and where she previously served on the school’s Board of Trustees.
Executive Officers
The table below identifies and sets forth certain biographical and other information regarding our executive officers as of March 21, 2025.
Name
Age
Position
Michael Crawford
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
Lisa Gould
Senior Vice President of Human Resources & Information Technology
Anne Graffice
Executive Vice President of Global Marketing and Public Affairs
John Van Buiten
Vice President of Accounting / Corporate Controller
See page 35 of this Annual Report for Michael Crawford’s biography.
Lisa Gould. Ms. Gould has served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Information Technology of the Company since January 2022 and was Vice President of Human Resources of the Company from August 2020 to December 2021. From November 2011 until joining the Company, Ms. Gould served as Vice President of Human Resources at CommQuest Services, where she developed a strategic plan following the company’s merger, oversaw recruitment, onboarding and retention of company employees and managed various other human resources functions, including drafting and enforcement of company policies and procedures and managing benefits administration and enrollment. From August 2007 until November 2011, Ms. Gould worked for Creative Financial Staffing, an affiliate of Bruner Cox LLP, in various roles, including as Recruiter/Staffing Manager and Business Development/Account Manager. Ms. Gould earned her MBA from University of Northwestern Ohio and her Bachelor of Science from Kent State University.
Anne Graffice. Ms. Graffice currently serves as Executive Vice President of Global Marketing and Public Affairs of the Company since January 2023 and was Executive Vice President of Public Affairs of the Company from June 2020 to January 2023. She previously served as Executive Vice President of Public Affairs of HOF Village, LLC from December 2019 through June 2020. Prior to joining HOF Village, LLC, Ms. Graffice served as Vice President of Development and Strategic Adventures at the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2016-2019). Previously, Ms. Graffice worked at University of Mount Union, where she served as Executive Director of Alumni Relations and the Mount Union Fund (2012-2016) and Director of Alumni Relations and University Activities (2003-2012). Ms. Graffice currently serves on the Boards of the Strengthening Stark Governance Committee, Arts in Stark, and VisitCanton. Ms. Graffice holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Finance from Mount Union College and an MBA from Tiffin University.
John Van Buiten. Mr. Van Buiten has served as Vice President of Accounting / Corporate Controller of the Company since December 2021. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Van Buiten served as Senior Director of Accounting and Financial Reporting of Financial Consulting Strategies, LLC, from 2010 to 2021. While employed at Financial Consulting Strategies, LLC, Mr. Van Buiten served as Chief Financial Officer of Enveric Biosciences, Inc. from the time of its initial public transaction until May 2021. Mr. Van Buiten received his Bachelor of Science in Public Accounting from Calvin University and is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the state of New Jersey.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Director Nominations Process
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that each year the Board nominates a slate of directors for election by stockholders at the annual meeting of stockholders based on the recommendations of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. In identifying prospective director candidates, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may seek referrals from other members of the Board, management, stockholders and other sources, including third party recommendations.
In connection with the Business Combination, the Company entered into a Director Nominating Agreement (the “Director Nominating Agreement”) with HOF Village, Gordon Pointe Management, LLC (the “Sponsor”), and National Football Museum, Inc., doing business as the Pro Football Hall of Fame (“PFHOF”), which provides, among other things, that each of the Sponsor, HOF Village and PFHOF will have the right to designate a certain number of individuals to be appointed or nominated for election to the Board for so long as each of the Sponsor, HOF Village and PFHOF owns shares of our Common Stock in excess of certain ownership thresholds. Pursuant to the Director Nominating Agreement and its current voting power, the Sponsor no longer has the right to designate a person to serve on the Board, HOF Village has the right to designate four designees to serve on the Board, and PFHOF has the right to designate one designee to serve on the Board. Since the 2023 fiscal year, PFHOF chose not to appoint a designee to serve on the Company’s Board. The parties to the Director Nominating Agreement also agreed to take certain actions to support those nominees for election and include the nominees in the proxy statements for the stockholders’ meetings at which directors are to be elected. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions-Director Nominating Agreement” below for more detail.
Director and Executive Officer Qualifications
Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing with our Board, on an annual basis, the appropriate experience, skills and characteristics for the Board as a whole and its individual members. In evaluating the suitability of individuals for Board membership, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, takes into account many factors. To assist with candidate assessment, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee utilizes a matrix, which is reviewed periodically and no less frequently than annually, of the relevant skills and experiences that evolve with the Company’s business and strategy. Examples of the skills and experiences taken into consideration include:
(a) Corporate Governance / Public Company Experience - e.g., public and private board experience;
(b) Destination Asset Experience - e.g., real estate development;
(c) Professional Sports Business Expertise - e.g., professional football or sports management experience;
(d) Media / Entertainment Industry Experience - e.g., content development, studio or production company;
(e) Gaming Industry Experience - e.g., e-gaming / eSports, fantasy sports, betting / sports betting company; and
(f) Professional Background Expertise - e.g., Chief Executive, corporate strategy and long-term planning, corporate finance.
Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates each individual in the context of the Board as a whole, with the objective of recommending a diverse group of directors that can best perpetuate the success of the business and represent stockholder interests through the exercise of sound judgment, leveraging its diversity of experience. In determining whether to recommend a director for re-election, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also considers the director’s past attendance at meetings, participation, and contributions to the activities of the Board.
The Company’s executive officers and Board of Directors are composed of a diverse group of leaders in their respective fields. Many of these executive officers or directors have senior leadership experience at various companies. In these positions, they have also gained experience in core management skills, such as strategic and financial planning, public company financial reporting, compliance, risk management, and leadership development. Many of the Company’s executive officers and directors also have experience serving on boards of directors and/or board committees of other public and private companies and have an understanding of corporate governance practices and trends, which provides an understanding of different business processes, challenges, and strategies. Further, these executive officers and directors bring other valuable experiences such as hotel and entertainment industry experience, asset management and investment experience, and strategic investment and business combination experience.
The Company, along with its executive officers and directors, believe that the leadership skills and other experiences of the Company’s directors and executive officers described above, provide the Company with a diverse range of perspectives and the business acumen necessary to facilitate the Company’s goals of stockholder value appreciation through organic and acquisition growth.
Number and Terms of Office of Officers and Directors
The Board is divided into three classes: Class A, Class B and Class C. The number of directors in each class is required to be as nearly equal as possible and directors in each class serve a three-year term. The term of office of the current Class A directors, consisting of Mary Owen and Marcus LaMarr Allen, will expire at the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders. The term of office of Class B directors, consisting of Stuart Lichter, Karl L. Holz and David Dennis, was set to expire at the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders. The term of office of Class C directors, consisting of Michael Crawford, Kimberly K. Schaefer and Anthony J. Buzzelli will expire at the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders.
The Company’s executive officers are appointed by the Board and serve at the discretion of the Board, rather than for specific terms of office. The Board is authorized to appoint persons to the offices set forth in the Company’s bylaws as it deems appropriate.
The Company postponed its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”). Originally scheduled for November 21, 2024, the decision was made as the Company reviews a non-binding proposal to take the company private. The proposal was submitted by IRG Canton Village Member, LLC (“IRG”), an affiliate of the Company’s director Stuart Lichter. In response to the proposal, the Company’s Board of Directors has formed a special committee made up of independent, disinterested directors (the “Special Committee”) to evaluate the proposal. The Special Committee has retained a financial advisor and legal counsel to assist in its ongoing review and evaluation of the proposal. There is no guarantee that any proposal made by IRG regarding a proposed transaction will be accepted by the Special Committee, that definitive documentation relating to any such transaction will be executed, or that a transaction will be consummated in accordance with that documentation, if at all.
Director Independence
Nasdaq listing standards require that a majority of the Company’s Board of Directors be independent. An “independent director” is defined generally as a person other than an officer or employee of the Company or its subsidiaries or any other individual having a relationship that, in the opinion of the Company’s Board of Directors, would interfere with the director’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The Board has affirmatively determined that Marcus LaMarr Allen, Anthony J. Buzzelli, David Dennis, Karl L. Holz, Mary Owen and Kimberly K. Schaefer qualify as independent directors in accordance with the Nasdaq listing rules.
Board Leadership Structure
Our Board does not have a formal policy regarding the combination of the roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer because the Board believes that it is in the best interest of the Company to have the flexibility to determine, from time to time, whether the positions should be held by the same person or by separate persons. The Board believes that it is currently in the best interest of our stockholders that the role of Chairman of the Board be held by Michael Crawford, our President and Chief Executive Officer.
The Board may reconsider this leadership structure from time to time based on the leadership needs of our Board and the Company at any particular time. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates on an ongoing basis whether the Board’s leadership structure is appropriate to effectively address the evolving needs of the Company’s business and the long-term interests of our stockholders. The committee then makes recommendations to the Board concerning the Board’s leadership structure, including whether the roles of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer should be separated or combined.
Lead Independent Director
Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, if the Chairman of the Board is not an independent director, as determined by the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Board, the independent directors will annually appoint one independent director to be the Lead Independent Director in accordance with the Director Nominating Agreement. Given that our Chairman is not an independent director, our independent directors have appointed Karl L. Holz as our Lead Independent Director. The Lead Independent Director’s primary responsibilities include: (i) preside over executive sessions of the independent directors and at all meetings at which the Chairman of the Board is not present; (ii) call meetings of the independent directors as deemed necessary; (iii) serve as a liaison between the Chairman of the Board and the independent directors; (iv) propose agendas and schedules for Board meetings in consultation with the Chairman of the Board; and (v) be available for consultation and communication if requested by stockholders.
Director Education
The Company provides an orientation program for new directors, which includes information with respect to, among other things, Board structure and operations, as well as the history, organizational structure and business of the Company. On a continuing basis, directors receive presentations on the Company’s strategic and business plans, financial performance, legal and regulatory matters, compliance programs and other matters. Directors are encouraged to take advantage of continuing education opportunities that will enhance their ability to fulfill their responsibilities as directors of the Company.
Board’s Role in Risk Oversight
Our management is responsible for identifying risks facing our Company, including strategic, financial, operational and regulatory risks, implementing risk management policies and procedures and managing our day-to-day risk exposure. The Board has overall responsibility for risk oversight, including, as part of regular Board and committee meetings, general oversight of executives’ management of risks relevant to the Company. While the full Board has overall responsibility for risk oversight and is currently overseeing the Company’s business continuity risks, it is supported in this function by its Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each of the committees regularly reports to the Board.
The Audit Committee reviews and discusses with management and the Company’s auditors, as appropriate, the risks faced by the Company and the policies, guidelines and process by which management assesses and manages the Company’s risks, including the Company’s major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures.
The Compensation Committee reviews the Company’s incentive compensation arrangements to determine whether they encourage excessive risk-taking, to review and discuss at least annually the relationship between risk management policies and practices and compensation, and to evaluate compensation policies and practices that could mitigate any such risk.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for developing and recommending to the Board for approval an officer succession plan (the “Succession Plan”), reviewing the Succession Plan periodically with the Chief Executive Officer, evaluating potential candidates for executive positions and recommending to the Board any changes to and any candidates for succession under the Succession Plan.
In addition, the Board is presented with information at its regularly scheduled and special meetings regarding risks facing our Company, and management provides more frequent, informal communications to the Board between regularly scheduled meetings which are designed to give the Board regular updates about our business. The Board considers this information and provides feedback, makes recommendations, and, as appropriate, authorizes or directs management to address particular exposures to risk.
Committees of the Board of Directors
The Company established three standing Board committees and adopted charters for such committees: Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. For the 2024 fiscal year, Messrs. Buzzelli and Dennis and Ms. Schaefer served on the Company’s Audit Committee, with Mr. Buzzelli serving as the chair and qualifying as an audit committee financial expert, as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K. Ms. Schaefer, Mr. Holz, Mrs. Owen and Mr. Allen served on the Company’s Compensation Committee, with Ms. Schaefer serving as the chair. Mr. Holz, Mrs. Owen and Ms. Schaefer served on the Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, with Mr. Holz serving as the chair. Each of the committee charters is available on the Company’s website at www.hofreco.com. Ad hoc committees, such as the Special Committee discussed above, or working groups of board members are also formed from time to time to consider strategic issues.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee’s duties, which are specified in its charter, include, but are not limited to:
● making recommendations to the Board as to the determination of director independence and related party transactions;
● reviewing and discussing with management and the independent auditor the annual audited financial statements, and recommending to the Board whether the audited financial statements should be included in our annual reports;
● discussing with management and the independent auditor significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of our financial statements;
● discussing with management major risk assessment and risk management policies;
● monitoring the independence of the independent auditor;
● verifying the rotation of the lead (or coordinating) audit partner having primary responsibility for the audit and the audit partner responsible for reviewing the audit as required by law;
● reviewing and approving all related-party transactions;
● inquiring and discussing with management our compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
● pre-approving all audit services and permitted non-audit services to be performed by our independent auditor, including the fees and terms of the services to be performed;
● appointing or replacing the independent auditor;
● determining the compensation and oversight of the work of the independent auditor (including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work; and
● establishing procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or reports which raise material issues regarding our financial statements or accounting policies.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s duties, which are specified in its charter, include, but are not limited to:
● identifying, evaluating and selecting, or recommending that the Board of Directors approve, nominees for election to the Board of Directors;
● evaluating the performance of the Board of Directors and of individual directors;
● reviewing developments in corporate governance practices;
● evaluating the adequacy of corporate governance practices and reporting;
● reviewing management succession plans; and
● developing and making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding corporate governance guidelines and matters.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee has overall responsibility for determining and approving the compensation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and reviewing and approving the annual base salaries and annual incentive opportunities of the Company’s executive officers. The Company may utilize the services of independent consultants to perform analyses and to make recommendations relative to executive compensation matters. These analyses and recommendations are to be conveyed to the Compensation Committee, and the Compensation Committee takes such information into consideration in making its compensation decisions.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of our executive officers currently serves, or in the last fiscal year has served, as a member of the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our Board of Directors or Compensation Committee.
Executive Sessions
Independent directors regularly meet in executive session at Board meetings without members of management present. The Lead Independent Director presides over the executive sessions, and may, as applicable, call executive sessions.
Board and Board Committee Meetings and Attendance
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that directors are expected to prepare themselves for and attend all Board meetings, the annual meeting of stockholders and the meetings of the Board’s standing committees on which they serve. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company’s Board met thirteen (13) times; the Audit Committee met eight (8) times; the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met six (6) times; and the Compensation Committee met seven (7) times. In the aggregate, each of our directors attended at least ninety-six percent (96%) of the total meetings of the Board and committees on which such director served during the 2023 fiscal year.
Anti-Hedging Policy
Our Board has adopted an Insider Trading Policy, which prohibits, among other things, our directors, executive officers and employees from engaging in any hedging or monetization transactions with respect to the Company’s securities through the use of financial instruments, including, but not limited to exchange funds, prepaid variable forwards, equity swaps, puts, calls, zero-cost collars, forward sales contracts and other derivative instruments, or through the establishment of a short position in the Company’s securities. In addition, our Insider Trading Policy prohibits our directors, executive officers and employees from engaging in certain short-term or speculative transactions in the Company’s securities, such as short-term trading, short sales and publicly traded options, which may be highly speculative and/or create the appearance of improper or inappropriate conduct by our directors, executive officers and employees with respect to our stock.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
The Company adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of the Company’s directors, executive officers and employees. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics covers areas such as conflicts of interest, insider trading and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our website at www.hofreco.com. We intend to post any amendments to or waivers from our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics at this location on our website.
Insider Trading Policy
The Company has an insider trading policy governing the purchase, sale and other dispositions of the Company’s securities that applies to all Company personnel, including directors, officers, employees, and other covered persons. The Company believes that its insider trading policy is reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations, and listing standards applicable to the Company. A copy of the Company’s insider trading policy is filed as Exhibit 19.1 to this Form 10-K.
Stockholder Communications
Stockholders who wish to communicate with the Board may do so by writing the Company’s Office of the Secretary by mail at Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, 2014 Champions Gateway, Canton, OH 44708, Attention: Office of the Secretary or by email at Secretary@hofvillage.com. All communications that relate to matters within the scope of the responsibilities of the Board and its standing committees are to be forwarded to the Chairman of the Board. Communications that relate to ordinary business matters that are not within the scope of the responsibilities of the Board are to be sent to the appropriate executive officer or employee.
Our “whistleblower” policy prohibits our Company or any of our employees from retaliating or taking any adverse action against anyone for raising a concern. If a stockholder or an employee nonetheless prefers to raise his or her concern in a confidential or anonymous manner, he or she may call EthicsPoint, our external service provider, toll-free at 844-916-2771, or by leaving a message at our confidential web address: https://secure.ethicspoint.com/domain/media/en/gui/74404/index.html.
Certain Legal Proceedings
To the knowledge of the Company’s management, there is no litigation currently pending or contemplated against any of its executive officers or directors in their capacity as such.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
We are a “smaller reporting company” under applicable federal securities laws and therefore permitted to take advantage of certain reduced public company reporting requirements. As such, we provide in this Annual Report on Form 10-K the scaled disclosure permitted under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, including the compensation disclosures required of a “smaller reporting company,” as that term is defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.
This section discusses the material components of the executive compensation program for our executive officers who are named in the “Summary Compensation Table” below. In 2024, our “named executive officers” and their positions were as follows:
● Michael Crawford, our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman;
● Tara Charnes(1), our former General Counsel and Secretary;
● Anne Graffice, our Executive Vice President of Global Marketing & Public Affairs; and
● Lisa Gould, our Senior Vice President of Human Resources & Information Technology
(1) Ms. Charnes resigned from her position effective August 31, 2024.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table presents summary information regarding the total compensation for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, for the named executive officers of the Company.
Name and Principal Position
Year
Salary
($)
Bonus
($)(1)
Stock
Awards
($)(2)
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
All Other
Compensation
($)(6)
Total
($)
Michael Crawford (3)
976,153
720,000
-
-
94.159
1,790,312
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
900,000
982,244
855,843
180,037
54,916
2,973,040
Tara Charnes (4)
251,790
160,000
-
-
10,966
422,756
General Counsel and Secretary
309,000
125,006
113,940
36,966
8,804
593,716
Anne Graffice(5)
299,230
50,000
-
-
13,266
362,496
Executive Vice President of Global Marketing & Public Affairs
285,401
122,909
56,963
10,584
13,435
489,292
Lisa Gould
190,000
65,600
-
-
13,383
268,983
Senior Vice President of Human Resources & Information Technology
(1) Mr. Crawford on January 22, 2023 received 9,155 fully vested shares of Common Stock under the Plan. Ms. Charnes on January 22, 2023 received 1,066 fully vested shares of Common Stock under the Plan.
(2) Amounts reported represent the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock unit awards during 2023, computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718. The grant date fair value of restricted stock units is based on the market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant.
(3) Mr. Crawford received a March 8, 2023 grant of performance share units (“PSUs”), subject to the terms of the Plan and PSU Award Agreement, during a one-year performance period for the 2023 calendar year. Mr. Crawford’s PSU award was payable to the extent that four performance goals were achieved. Three of the goals were not achieved and the fourth was achieved at a 50% threshold. The Compensation Committee determined Mr. Crawford was eligible to receive 8,896 PSUs. However, Mr. Crawford agreed to waive receipt of the PSUs.
(4) Ms. Charnes received a January 24, 2023 grant of 7,751 restricted stock units under the Plan, vesting in 1/3 equal annual increments beginning on January 24, 2024, subject to stockholder approval of increasing available shares under the Plan. Ms. Charnes resigned from her position effective August 31, 2024.
(5) Ms. Graffice received a January 24, 2023 grant of 3,875 restricted stock units under the Plan, vesting in 1/3 equal annual increments beginning January 24, 2024.
(6) The chart below describes the benefits and perquisites for 2024 contained in the “All Other Compensation” column above for each of the named executive officers.
Name 401(k)
Match
($) Vehicle
Allowance
($) Supplemental
Executive
Life
Insurance
Premium
($) Supplemental
Executive
Disability
Insurance
Premium
($) Executive
Physical
($)
Michael Crawford 17,846 28,846 3,835 4,445 5,000
Anne Graffice 5,797 - 3,813 3,200
Tara Charnes (1) 4,191 - 3,240 3,200
Lisa Gould 7,629 - 2,151 3,200
(1) Ms. Charnes resigned from the office of General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, effective August 31, 2024
The amounts in the salary and bonus columns of the “Summary Compensation Table” reflect actual amounts earned in the relevant years, while the amounts in the stock awards’ column reflect accounting values determined as of the date of grant.
Overview
The Company provides total compensation packages that are competitive, tailored to the unique characteristics and needs of the Company within its industry, and adequately reward its executives for their roles in creating value for our stockholders. The Company is competitive in its executive compensation with other similarly situated companies in its industry. The compensation decisions regarding the Company’s executives are based on its need to attract individuals with the skills necessary to achieve its business plan, to reward those individuals fairly over time and to retain those individuals who continue to perform at or above the Company’s expectations.
The Company’s executive compensation program consists of three primary components: salary, incentive bonus and stock-based awards issued under an equity incentive plan. The Company determines the appropriate level for each compensation component based in part, but not exclusively, on its view of internal equity and consistency, individual performance, the Company’s performance and other information deemed relevant and timely.
Employment Agreements
Michael Crawford
In connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, Mr. Crawford, the Company and HOF Village Newco, LLC (“Newco”) entered into an employment agreement, effective July 1, 2020, (the “2020 Crawford Employment Agreement”), which replaced a services agreement entered into December 2018 between HOF Village, LLC and Mr. Crawford. Effective January 1, 2023, the 2020 Crawford Employment Agreement was replaced by an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement. discussed in the next paragraph.
On November, 22, 2022, Mr. Crawford, the Company and Newco entered into an amended and restated employment agreement, effective January 1, 2023 (the “2023 Crawford Employment Agreement”), which replaced the 2020 Crawford Employment Agreement. Under the terms of the 2023 Crawford Employment Agreement, Mr. Crawford serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The 2023 Crawford Employment Agreement terminates on December 31, 2027, unless earlier terminated; however, the term will automatically renew for successive 12-month periods unless either party provides 90 days’ written notice of non-renewal. Under the terms of the 2023 Crawford Employment Agreement, Mr. Crawford will receive an annual base salary of $950,000 through December 31, 2023 and $975,000 for calendar year 2024. For any years thereafter, the Annual Base Salary is determined by our Compensation Committee based on the Company’s and Mr. Crawford’s achievement of performance metrics as agreed-upon in writing by Mr. Crawford and the Compensation Committee. Under the 2023 Crawford Employment Agreement, Mr. Crawford was eligible to receive an annual bonus. The target for Mr. Crawford’s annual bonus for each calendar year is 100% of Mr. Crawford’s annual base salary for each such calendar year, and the maximum amount of the annual bonus is 150% of Mr. Crawford’s annual base salary for such calendar year. Each annual bonus is payable based on the Company’s achievement of performance metrics as agreed-upon in writing by Mr. Crawford and the Compensation Committee for each calendar year. Mr. Crawford’s annual bonus will be paid in cash, an equity award under the Company’s long-term incentive plan, or a combination thereof, determined in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee. Additionally, the 2023 Crawford Employment Agreement provides Mr. Crawford with a vehicle allowance to reimburse Mr. Crawford for the lease expense of a vehicle with a retail value of up to $90,000.
On April 14, 2023, Mr. Crawford voluntarily reduced his annual base salary by $50,000 a year for each of fiscal years 2023-2026, effective May 1, 2023, as part of a focus on lowering Company costs. To reflect his voluntary annual base salary reduction, Mr. Crawford, the Company and Newco entered into an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement to his 2023 Crawford Employment Agreement. The salary reduction will not modify any Company employee benefits, or any other rights provided to Mr. Crawford under the 2023 Crawford Employment Agreement that are determined by reference to Mr. Crawford’s annual base salary.
Mr. Crawford’s 2023 compensation included a grant of 88,967 performance share units (“PSUs”), subject to the terms of the Plan and PSU Award Agreement, and a one-year performance period for the 2023 calendar year. Mr. Crawford’s PSU award was payable to the extent that four performance goals were achieved: (1) revenue; (2) earnings (EBITDA); (3) construction timeline; and (4) construction financing. Maximum payout was capped at 150% of the target number of PSUs granted or 133,450 PSUs. During the performance period, metrics (1) through (3) were not achieved and metric (4) was achieved at a 50% threshold. The Compensation Committee determined Mr. Crawford was eligible to receive 8,896 PSUs. However, Mr. Crawford agreed to waive receipt of the PSUs.
On March 12, 2025, Mr. Crawford informed the Board of Directors of the Company that he intends to resign as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board of Directors. The resignation is not due to any disagreement with the Company on any matter related to its operations, policies, or practices. Mr. Crawford is resigning to pursue another career opportunity. The Board has begun the process of recruiting and evaluating candidates to succeed Mr. Crawford.
Michael Crawford Retention and Consulting Agreement
Mr. Crawford and the Company and its subsidiary HOF Village Newco, LLC (collectively, the “Parties”) have entered into a Retention and Consulting Agreement, dated March 18, 2025 (the “Retention and Consulting Agreement”), which provides that Mr. Crawford shall be paid an aggregate retention bonus of $300,000, including $73,000 for the agreed-upon value of unused accrued vacation, payable in increments of $100,000 on each of March 31, 2025, April 30, 2025, and May 31, 2025, provided that Mr. Crawford continues to serve as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board through May 18, 2025 (the “Employment Termination Date”). Until the Employment Termination Date, Mr. Crawford would also continue to receive his base salary and other benefits due under the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement among the Parties dated November 22, 2022, as amended by Amendment to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective May 1, 2023 (as amended, the “Employment Agreement”). Mr. Crawford agrees his termination of employment on the Employment Termination Date will constitute neither termination by the Company without cause nor termination by Mr. Crawford for good reason under the Employment Agreement. No sooner than the Employment Termination Date, and no later than 14 days after the Employment Termination Date, Mr. Crawford shall deliver to the Company an effective and irrevocable general release of claims.
Under the Retention and Consulting Agreement, Mr. Crawford will provide up to 10 hours per week of consulting services to the Company between the Employment Termination Date and August 18, 2025 (the “Consulting Period”). During the Consulting Period, the Company shall pay Mr. Crawford a consulting fee of $500 per hour. During the Consulting Period, Mr. Crawford shall all times be an independent contractor. Effective upon the commencement of the Consulting Period, the Retention and Consulting Agreement will supersede and replace the Employment Agreement, which will be of no further effect, except that Section 4 of the Employment Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. Section 4 includes provisions addressing non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality, among other terms. Following the Employment Termination Date, Mr. Crawford shall not be entitled to receive any employment benefits from the Company and shall not be eligible to participate in any benefit programs of the Company, including but not limited to health insurance, vacation, sick leave, life insurance, pension or retirement plans, disability programs, or other benefits, benefit plans or benefit programs.
To protect the Company’s confidential information (“Company Confidential Information”), Mr. Crawford covenants and agrees in the Retention and Consulting Agreement that Mr. Crawford will at all times hold the Company Confidential Information in confidence, will take all reasonable and necessary measures to prevent the disclosure of the Company Confidential Information. Mr. Crawford further acknowledges that all Company Confidential Information is and shall remain the sole, exclusive, and valuable property of the Company and that Crawford has and shall acquire no right, title, or interest therein.
By and in consideration of the Company’s entering into the Retention and Consulting Agreement, Mr. Crawford shall not, during the Consulting Period and for a period of six months after termination of the Retention and Consulting Agreement, engage in competition with the Company. “Competition” for purposes of this agreement means owning, operating, or otherwise providing services to a pro sports themed destination resort that includes entertainment and media components. By and in consideration of the Company’s entering into the Retention and Consulting Agreement, Mr. Crawford shall not, during the Consulting Period and for a period of 12 months thereafter: (i) directly or indirectly hire, induce, or solicit for employment any person who is, or within 12 months prior to the date of such hiring, inducement, or solicitation was, an employee of the Company; or (ii) induce or solicit (or assist any person or entity to induce or solicit) any person who is an employee of the Company to terminate his/her employment relationship with the Company.
Tara Charnes
The Company and Newco entered into a three-year employment agreement with Ms. Charnes in August 2020 when she was hired as General Counsel (the “Charnes Employment Agreement”). The terms of the Charnes Employment Agreement provided Ms. Charnes with an initial base salary of $275,000 and a target annual bonus equal to 40% of base salary for each calendar year. The Company will periodically review Ms. Charnes’ annual base salary and implement an increase (but no decrease), if any, as the Company shall determine in its sole discretion as reasonable and appropriate. Under the Charnes Employment Agreement, Ms. Charnes is eligible to receive an annual bonus. The annual bonus is based on the Company’s achievement of commercially reasonable key performance indicators determined by the Company in writing. The Charnes Employment Agreement also provided Ms. Charnes a grant of restricted stock units for a number of shares of Common Stock of the Company equal to $600,000 divided by the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on August 31, 2020, the effective date, that vests over a three-year period, with one-third of the grant vesting each year.
On December 22, 2020, Ms. Charnes’ employment agreement was amended to provide that any annual bonus may be paid in cash, an equity award under the Company’s long-term incentive plan, or a combination thereof, determined in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors. Any annual bonus, whether payable in cash and/or equity, may be subject to a vesting schedule and other terms and conditions, including a payment schedule, as determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion.
Ms. Charnes’ 2023 compensation included a grant of 7,751 RSUs, which will vest in three equal annual installments beginning on January 24, 2024. In August of 2023, the Charnes Employment Agreement renewed automatically for a successive 12-month period.
On June 17, 2024, Ms. Charnes notified the Company of her resignation from the office of General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Company for personal reasons, effective August 31, 2024. Ms. Charnes did not resign as a result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices. On June 21, 2024, Ms. Charnes entered into a consulting services agreement, pursuant to which Ms. Charnes agreed to provide consulting services to the Company following her resignation effective date of August 31, 2024 through December 31, 2024. During the consulting term, Ms. Charnes agreed to provide up to 25 hours of service per month to the Company upon request. In consideration for such services, Ms. Charnes will receive the remainder of her 2023 annual bonus, a monthly retainer in the amount of $10,000, continuation of health benefits, and her right to any restricted stock units shall continue in accordance with the existing vesting schedule.
Anne Graffice
Ms. Graffice and HOF Village, LLC entered into a three-year employment agreement, effective December 1, 2019 when she was hired as an Executive Vice President of Public Affairs (the “Graffice Employment Agreement”). The terms of the Graffice Employment Agreement provided Ms. Graffice with an initial base salary of $250,000 and a target annual bonus equal to 40% of her annual base salary for each calendar year based on the Company’s achievement of commercially reasonable Key Performance Indicators. The Graffice Employment Agreement also provided Ms. Graffice a grant of restricted stock units for a number of shares of Common Stock of the Company equal to $300,000 divided by the closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on December 1, 2019, the effective date, that vests over a three-year period, with one-third of the grant vesting each year.
On December 22, 2020, Ms. Graffice’s employment agreement was amended to provide that any annual bonus may be paid in cash, an equity award under the Company’s long-term incentive plan, or a combination thereof, determined in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors. Any annual bonus, whether payable in cash and/or equity, may be subject to a vesting schedule and other terms and conditions, including a payment schedule, as determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion.
Since December of 2022, the Graffice Employment Agreement has renewed automatically for successive 12-month periods. On or about November 26, 2024, Ms. Graffice agreed to transition from an employee under contract to an at-will employee.
Severance Benefits
The employment agreement of Mr. Crawford provides for payment of severance benefits in the event that the employee is terminated by the Company without cause or by the employee with good reason.
In the event that an employee is terminated for any reason, the employee will receive a lump-sum payment equal to the amount of earned and unpaid base salary through the termination date and any unreimbursed business and entertainment expenses that are reimbursable through the termination date.
In addition:
● Mr. Crawford. In the event of (i) termination by the Company without cause or (i) by the executive for good reason (other than as described in the next sentence), the Company shall: (i) pay Mr. Crawford a severance payment in the amount of $950,000, less applicable deductions and withholdings, and (ii) subject to Mr. Crawford’s timely election of continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”) and Mr. Crawford’s copayment of premiums associated with such coverage, reimburse Mr. Crawford, on a monthly basis, for the excess of the premium for himself and his covered dependents over the amount paid by active employees for the same coverage during the period from the termination date through the 12-month anniversary of such date, or such earlier date on which COBRA coverage for Mr. Crawford and his covered dependents terminates in accordance with COBRA. In the event of termination by the executive for good reason because of substantial interference with the day to day operations of the Company by a director of the Company (or such director’s employer or affiliate) that is inconsistent with formal actions taken by the Board or that impairs the executive’s ability to deliver agreed upon results for the Company, the Company shall pay the executive a severance payment in the amount of $950,000, less applicable deductions and withholdings, payable in a single lump-sum payment within 30 days after the date that the release signed by the executive becomes effective and irrevocable.
Retirement Benefits
The Company maintains a tax-qualified defined contribution plan that meets the requirements of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), commonly called a 401(k) plan, for substantially all of its employees. The 401(k) plan is available on the same basis to all employees, including the named executive officers. Each participant in the 401(k) plan can elect to defer, subject to limitations under the Code and Employee Retirement Income Security Act. The Company will match 100% of an employee contribution up to 3% of salary, and an additional 50% matching contribution up to an additional 2% resulting in a maximum potential contribution of 4%.
Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company Amended 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan
Our executive officers and directors are eligible to receive grants of equity incentive awards under the Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company Amended 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company 2023 Inducement Plan
On January 24, 2023 (the “Effective Date of the Inducement Plan”), the Company’s Board of Directors, following approval and recommendation of the Company’s Compensation Committee, adopted the Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company 2023 Inducement Plan (the “Inducement Plan”). The Inducement Plan provides for the issuance of equity incentive awards, such as restricted stock units and restricted stock, as an inducement to accept employment with the Company in order to attract and retain qualified personnel and align their interests with those of the Company’s stockholders in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). Under the Inducement Plan, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued or transferred pursuant to awards covered by the Inducement Plan (including Existing Inducement Awards) is 110,000. “Existing Inducement Award” means a restricted stock unit award granted prior to the Effective Date of the Inducement Plan under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) not pursuant to any plan of the Company that the award recipient and the Company have agreed to make subject to the terms and conditions of, and governed by, the Inducement Plan, as if granted under the Inducement Plan.
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2024 Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth specific information with respect to unexercised options, unvested Common Stock and other unvested equity incentive plan awards outstanding as of December 31, 2024, for the named executive officers of the Company.
Stock Awards
Name Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
(#) Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
($) Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights that Have Not Vested
(#) Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights that Have Not
Vested
($)(1)
Michael Crawford - - - -
Tara Charnes - - 5,168 (2) 6,718
Anne Graffice - - 2,584 (3) 3,359
Lisa Gould - - 2,584 (4) 3,359
(1) The market value of unvested equity awards as of December 31, 2024 is calculated based on the closing share price on December 31, 2024, of $1.30, which is the last trading day of 2024.
(2) On January 24, 2023, Ms. Charnes received a grant of 7,751 restricted stock units under the Plan which are scheduled to vest annually in three equal installments on January 24, 2024, 2025 and 2026.
(3) On January 24, 2023, Ms. Graffice received a grant of 3,875 restricted stock units under the Plan which are scheduled to vest annually in three equal installments on January 24, 2024, 2025 and 2026.
(4) On January 24, 2023, Ms. Gould received a grant of 3,875 restricted stock units under the Plan which are scheduled to vest annually in three equal installments on January 24, 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Director Compensation
The Company maintains a Board of Directors’ compensation program that is designed to provide competitive compensation necessary to attract and retain high quality non-employee directors and to encourage ownership of Company stock to further align their interests with those of our stockholders.
The director compensation program provided the following compensation for independent, non-employee directors for 2024:
● An annual retainer (the “Annual Retainer”) of $40,000, a supplemental $7,500 annual retainer for the Audit Committee Chair, a supplemental $5,000 annual retainer for each of the Compensation Committee Chair and the Nominating and Governance Committee Chair, and a supplemental $5,000 annual retainer for the Lead Independent Director;
● Meeting attendance fees (the “Meeting Attendance Fees”) consisted of (i) $1,500 per in-person meeting attended and (ii) $500 per telephonic meeting attended;
● A grant of restricted stock units under the Plan with a dollar value of $75,000, with such number of shares to be determined by the average closing price of the Company’s Common Stock for the five trading days preceding, but not including, the date of grant of such RSU award that vest one year from the date of grant; and
● Additional compensation for ad hoc services on a case-by-case basis.
The following table sets forth all of the compensation awarded to or earned by or paid to our independent directors during 2024. Our directors who are not independent do not receive compensation for serving on our Board of Directors.
Name Fees earned or
paid in cash
($) Stock
Awards
($)(1) Total
($)
Marcus LaMarr Allen 50,500 - 50,500
Jerome Bettis(2) 48,000 - 48,000
Anthony J. Buzzelli 67,500 - 67,500
David Dennis 63,000 - 63,000
James J. Dolan (3) 41,625 - 41,625
Karl L. Holz 68,125 - 68,125
Mary Owen 63,375 - 63,375
Kimberly K. Schaefer 69,375 - 69,375
(1) Board members were entitled to receive payments in 100% cash during the 2024 calendar year. As of March 26, 2025, the independent directors have not received compensation earned for the third or fourth quarters of 2024.
(2) Effective as of January 16, 2025, Mr. Bettis resigned from the Board.
(3) Effective as of September 3, 2024, Mr. Dolan resigned from the Board.
Name Restricted Stock Units
Outstanding at Fiscal
Year End(1)
Marcus LaMarr Allen 21,853
Jerome Bettis(2) 21,853
Anthony J. Buzzelli 21,853
David Dennis 21,853
James J. Dolan(3) 21,853
Karl L. Holz 21,853
Mary Owen 21,853
Kimberly K. Schaefer 21,853
(1) On January 17, 2024, each of our independent directors was granted 21,853 restricted stock units that vested in full on January 17, 2025.
(2) Effective as of January 16, 2025, Mr. Bettis resigned from the Board.
(3) Effective as of September 3, 2024, Mr. Dolan resigned from the Board.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Common Stock as of March 21, 2025:
● each person known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Common Stock of the Company;
● each of the Company’s executive officers and directors; and
● all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group.
Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if the person possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security, including options and warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days. The information below is based upon the Schedules 13D, Forms 3 and Forms 4 filed by certain of the parties below. The table does not include unvested restricted stock units issued by the Company unless they vest within 60 days after March 21, 2025, since such units do not carry voting or investment power.
The beneficial ownership percentages set forth in the table below are based on approximately 6,698,645 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of March 21, 2025.
Unless otherwise indicated, the Company believes that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by them.
Beneficial Ownership
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) Number of
Shares Percentage
Directors and Officers
Marcus LaMarr Allen 32,558 *
Anthony J. Buzzelli 39,519 *
Tara Charnes** 14,074 (2) *
Michael Crawford 89,592 1.3 %
David Dennis 37,634 *
Lisa Gould 4,471 (3) *
Anne Graffice 8,600 *
Karl L. Holz 38,820 (4) *
Stuart Lichter 13,593,978
(5) 72.3 %
Mary Owen 36,635 *
Kimberly K. Schaefer 41,657 (6) *
John Van Buiten 1,454
*
All current directors and executive officers as a group (12 individuals) 13,938,992
74.1 %
Greater than 5% Stockholders
HOF Village, LLC 840,168 (7)(8) 12.3 %
CH Capital Lending, LLC 11,856,828
(9) 66.6 %
IRG Canton Village Member, LLC 840,168 (10) 12.3 %
IRG Canton Village Manager, LLC 840,168 (10) 12.3 %
Industrial Realty Group, LLC 459,534 (11) 6.4 %
Midwest Lender Fund, LLC 405,294 (12) 5.7 %
* Less than 1%.
** Ms. Charnes resigned from the office of General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, effective August 31, 2024.
(1) Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of those listed in the table is 2014 Champions Gateway, Canton, OH 44708.
(2) Ms. Charnes beneficially owns 554 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of 12,214 Series B warrants she holds with an exercise price of $30.81 per share. The Series B warrants are exercisable within 60 days. For purposes of calculating her percentage ownership, the shares outstanding of the Company include the shares of Common Stock issuable to Ms. Charnes upon the exercise of the Series B warrants.
(3) Ms. Gould beneficially owns 318 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of 7,000 Series B warrants she holds with an exercise price of $30.81 per share. The Series B warrants are exercisable within 60 days. For purposes of calculating her percentage ownership, the shares outstanding of the Company include the shares of Common Stock issuable to Ms. Gould upon the exercise of the Series B warrants.
(4) Mr. Holz beneficially owns 113 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of 2,500 warrants he holds with an exercise price of $30.81 per share. The warrants are exercisable within 60 days. For purposes of calculating his percentage ownership, the shares outstanding of the Company include the shares of Common Stock issuable to Mr. Holz upon the exercise of the warrants.
(5) Mr. Lichter beneficially owns 9,090 shares of Common Stock and 4,543 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of 100,000 Series B warrants he holds with an exercise price of $30.81 per share. The Series B warrants are exercisable within 60 days. Mr. Lichter may be deemed to beneficially own (a) 751,168 shares of Common Stock through his indirect ownership of membership interests in CH Capital Lending, LLC, (b) 15,950 shares of Common Stock through his indirect ownership of membership interests in IRG, LLC, (c) 5,681 shares of Common Stock through his beneficial ownership of membership interests in Midwest Lender Fund, LLC, (d) 455,867 shares of Common Stock issuable to CH Capital Lending, LLC upon the exercise of Series C warrants with an exercise price of $12.77 per share, (e) 111,321 shares of Common Stock issuable to CH Capital Lending, LLC upon the exercise of Series D warrants with an exercise price of $12.77 per share, (f) 45,419 shares of Common Stock issuable to CH Capital Lending, LLC upon the exercise of Series E warrants with an exercise price of $12.77 per share, (g) 454,407 shares of Common Stock issuable to CH Capital Lending, LLC upon conversion of 15,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock with a conversion price of $33.01 per share, (h) 4,448,127 shares of Common Stock issuable to CH Capital Lending, LLC upon conversion of a term loan with a principal balance of $16,191,184 as of 12/31/2024 with a conversion price of $3.64 per share, (i) 3,140,983 shares of Common Stock issuable to CH Capital Lending, LLC upon conversion of a term loan with a principal balance of $11,433,179 as of 12/31/2024 with a conversion price of $3.64 per share, (j) 1,033,900 shares of Common Stock issuable to CH Capital Lending, LLC upon conversion of a bridge loan with a principal balance of $13,202,903 as of 12/31/2024 with a conversion price of $12.77 per share, (k) 420,875 shares of Common Stock issuable to IRG, LLC upon the conversion of a promissory note with a principal balance of $5,374,579 as of 12/31/2024 with a conversion price of $12.77 per share, (l) 22,709 shares of Common Stock issuable to IRG, LLC upon the exercise of Series E warrants with an exercise price of $12.77 per share, (m) 5,677 shares of Common Stock issuable to Midwest Lender Fund, LLC upon the exercise of Series G warrants with an exercise price of $12.77 per share, (n) 92,432 shares of Common Stock issuable to CH Capital Lending, LLC upon conversion of a convertible note with a principal balance of $14,037,115 as of 12/31/2024 with a conversion rate of 6.5849 shares of Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount, (o) 18,521 shares of Common Stock through his indirect control over American Capital Center, LLC, (p) 393,935 shares of Common Stock issuable to Midwest Lender Fund, LLC upon conversion of a convertible note with a principal balance of $5,030,559 as of 12/31/2024 and with a conversion price of $12.77 per share, (q) 900,283 shares of Common Stock issuable to CH Capital Lending, LLC upon the conversion of a promissory note with an outstanding amount of $11,496,624 as of 1/15/2025 with a conversion price of $12.77 per share, and (r) 422,921 shares of Common Stock issuable to CH Capital Lending, LLC upon the conversion of a promissory note with an outstanding amount of $5,400,706 as of 1/15/2025 with a conversion price of $12.77 per share. The convertible notes, the Series C Preferred Stock, the term loans and the bridge loan are convertible, and the warrants are exercisable within 60 days. Mr. Lichter may also be deemed to beneficially own 683,083 shares of Common Stock through his indirect ownership interest in IRG Canton Village Member, LLC, which in turn owns approximately a 76.8% interest in HOF Village, LLC. HOF Village, LLC owns 683,083 shares of Common Stock. He may also be deemed to beneficially own 157,086 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of 2,432,500 Series A warrants held by HOF Village, LLC with an exercise price of $253.11 per share. The Series A warrants are exercisable within 60 days. Mr. Lichter disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares held by IRG Canton Village Member, LLC, CH Capital Lending, LLC, IRG, LLC, Midwest Lender Fund, LLC, American Capital Center, LLC, and IRG Canton Village Manager, LLC, except to the extent of any actual pecuniary interest. For purposes of calculating his percentage ownership, the shares outstanding of the Company include the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the Series B warrants to Mr. Lichter, upon the Series C, Series D and Series E warrants to CH Capital Lending, LLC, upon the Series C Preferred Stock to CH Capital Lending, LLC, upon the term loans to CH Capital Lending, LLC, upon the bridge loan to CH Capital Lending, LLC, upon the Series G warrants to Midwest Lender Fund, LLC, upon the Series A warrants to HOF Village, LLC, upon the convertible note to CH Capital Lending, LLC, upon the convertible notes to IRG, LLC, and upon the Series G warrants to Midwest Lender Fund, LLC.
(6) Ms. Schaefer beneficially owns 1,250 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of 27,500 warrants she holds with an exercise price of $30.81 per share. The warrants are exercisable within 60 days. For purposes of calculating her percentage ownership, the shares outstanding of the Company include the shares of Common Stock issuable to Ms. Schaefer upon the exercise of the warrants.
(7) HOF Village, LLC beneficially owns 683,083 shares of Common Stock. It also beneficially owns 157,085 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of 2,432,500 warrants held by HOF Village, LLC with an exercise price of $253.11 per share. The warrants are exercisable within 60 days. For purposes of calculating its percentage ownership, the shares outstanding of the Company include the shares of Common Stock issuable to HOF Village, LLC upon the exercise of the warrants.
(8) HOF Village, LLC, National Football Museum, Inc. d/b/a Pro Football Hall of Fame and Gordon Pointe Management, LLC are parties to a director nominating agreement. See the discussion under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions - Director Nominating Agreement” in this Form 10-K/A. As a result of these relationships, these persons may be deemed to be a group for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and therefore may be deemed to beneficially own 850,348 shares of Common Stock (exclusive of warrants and convertible notes), or approximately 13.0% of the Common Stock outstanding. Taking into account the warrants and convertible notes, they may be deemed to collectively beneficially own 1,010,725 shares of Common Stock, or 15.0% of the Common Stock outstanding after the exercise of the warrants and the conversion of the convertible notes.
(9) CH Capital Lending, LLC beneficially owns (a) 751,168 shares of Common Stock, (b) 455,867 shares of Common Stock issuable to it upon the exercise of Series C warrants with an exercise price of $12.77 per share, (c) 111,321 shares of Common Stock issuable to it upon the exercise of Series D warrants with an exercise price of $12.77 per share, (d) 45,419 shares of Common Stock issuable to it upon the exercise of Series E warrants with an exercise price of $12.77 per share, (e) 454,407 shares of Common Stock issuable to it upon conversion of 15,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock with a conversion price of $33.01 per share, (f) 4,448,127 shares of Common Stock issuable to it upon conversion of a term loan with a principal balance of $16,191,184 as of 12/31/2024 with a conversion price of $3.64 per share, (g) 3,140,983 shares of Common Stock issuable to it upon conversion of a term loan with a principal balance of $11,433,179 as of 12/31/2024 with a conversion price of $3.64 per share, (h) 1,033,900 shares of Common Stock issuable to it upon conversion of a bridge loan with a principal balance of $13,202,903 as of 12/31/2024 with a conversion price of $12.77 per share, (i) 92,432 shares of Common Stock issuable to it upon conversion of a convertible note with a principal balance of $14,037,115 as of 12/31/2024 with a conversion rate of 6.5849 shares of Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount, (j) 900,283 shares of Common Stock issuable to it upon the conversion of a promissory note with an outstanding amount of $11,496,624 as of 1/15/2025 with a conversion price of $12.77 per share, and (k) 422,921 shares of Common Stock issuable to it upon the conversion of a promissory note with an outstanding amount of $5,400,706 as of 1/15/2025 with a conversion price of $12.77 per share. The convertible notes, the Series C Preferred Stock, the term loans and the bridge loan are convertible and the warrants are exercisable within 60 days. For purposes of calculating its percentage ownership, the shares outstanding of the Company include the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants and the conversion of the convertible notes, the Series C Preferred Stock, the term loan, and the bridge loan. The business address of CH Capital Lending, LLC is 11111 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 800, Los Angeles, CA 90025.
(10) Each of IRG Canton Village Member, LLC and IRG Canton Village Manager, LLC may be deemed to beneficially own 683,083 shares of Common Stock held by HOF Village, LLC through the former’s indirect (approximately 74.9%) ownership interest therein and the latter’s role as manager of it. For similar reasons, each may also be deemed to beneficially own 223,271 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of 2,432,500 Series A warrants held by HOF Village, LLC with an exercise price of $253.11 per share. The warrants are exercisable within 60 days. Each of IRG Canton Village Member, LLC and IRG Canton Village Manager, LLC disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares held by HOF Village, LLC, except to the extent of any actual pecuniary interest. For purposes of calculating their percentage ownership, the shares outstanding of the Company include the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants. The business address of IRG Canton Village Member, LLC and IRG Canton Village Manager, LLC is 11111 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 800, Los Angeles, CA 90025.
(11) IRG, LLC beneficially owns (a) 15,950 shares of Common Stock, (b) 420,875 shares of Common Stock issuable to it upon the conversion of a promissory note with a principal balance of $5,374,579 as of 12/31/2024 with a conversion price of $12.77 per share, and (c) 22,709 shares of Common Stock issuable to it upon the exercise of Series E warrants with an exercise price of $12.77 per share. The convertible note and the warrants are exercisable within 60 days. For purposes of calculating its percentage ownership, the shares outstanding of the Company include the shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants and the conversion of the convertible note. The business address of IRG, LLC is 11111 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 800, Los Angeles, CA 90025.
(12) Midwest Lender Fund, LLC beneficially owns 5,681 shares of Common Stock. It also beneficially owns 15,677 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of Series G warrants with an exercise price of $12.77 per share, and 393,935 shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of a convertible note with a principal balance of $5,030,559 as of 12/31/2024 and with a conversion price of $12.77 per share. The warrants are exercisable within 60 days. For purposes of calculating its percentage ownership, the shares outstanding of the Company include the shares of Common Stock issuable to Midwest Lender Fund, LLC upon the exercise of the warrants and conversion of the convertible note.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information on our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2024.
Plan Category Number of securities to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding options, warrants
and rights(1) Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights(2) Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
(a) (b) (c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(3) 152,151 $ - 253,057
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders 27,937 (4) $ - 89,748 (5)
Total 180,088 $ - 342,805
(1) Represents the number of underlying shares of Common Stock associated with outstanding unvested restricted stock units, as of December 31, 2024.
(2) Weighted-average exercise price excludes outstanding restricted stock units that can be exercised for no consideration.
(3) There is one equity compensation plan approved by stockholders, the Company’s 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2020 Omnibus Plan”).
(4) Represents grants of restricted stock units as an inducement material to an individual’s entering into employment with the Company, pursuant to Rule 5635(c)(4) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules (each grant, an “Inducement Grant”). Of the 27,937 unvested Inducement Grants, as of December 31, 2024: (i) 19,838 Inducement Grants were granted under the Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company 2023 Inducement Plan (the “2023 Inducement Plan”), and (ii) 8,099 Inducement Grants were not made under any plan before the Company adopted the 2023 Inducement Plan, but are subject to substantially the same terms and conditions as the 2020 Omnibus Plan, excluding the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that will be available for issuance under the 2020 Omnibus Plan. A summary of the 2020 Omnibus Plan is incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed on April 25, 2023 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(5) Represents shares of Common Stock remaining available for future issuance under the 2023 Inducement Plan, excluding shares of Common Stock associated with outstanding unvested restricted stock units granted under the 2023 Inducement Plan, as of December 31, 2024.
Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company 2023 Inducement Plan
On January 24, 2023 (the “Effective Date of the Inducement Plan”), the Company’s Board of Directors, following approval and recommendation of the Company’s Compensation Committee, adopted the 2023 Inducement Plan. The 2023 Inducement Plan provides for the issuance of equity incentive awards, such as restricted stock units and restricted stock, as an inducement to accept employment with the Company in order to attract and retain qualified personnel and align their interests with those of the Company’s stockholders in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). Under the 2023 Inducement Plan, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock which may be issued or transferred pursuant to awards covered by the 2023 Inducement Plan (including Existing Inducement Awards) is 110,000. “Existing Inducement Award” means a restricted stock unit award granted prior to the Effective Date of the Inducement Plan under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) not pursuant to any plan of the Company that the award recipient and the Company have agreed to make subject to the terms and conditions of, and governed by, the 2023 Inducement Plan, as if granted under the Inducement Plan.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires directors, executive officers, and persons owning more than 10% of any class of a company’s equity securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act to file reports on a timely basis on the initiation of their status as a reporting person and any changes with respect to their beneficial ownership of such equity securities with the SEC. Executive officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish those companies copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Our records reflect that all reports which were required to be filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act were filed on a timely basis during the year ended December 31, 2024, except that Mr. Lichter did not timely report four transactions that were attributable to various loan amendments and assignments. All of the transactions were subsequently reported.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence.
Related Person Transaction Policy
The Company’s Board of Directors has adopted a written related person transaction policy that sets forth the following policies and procedures for the review and approval or ratification of related person transactions.
A “Related Person Transaction” is a transaction, arrangement or relationship in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries was, is or will be a participant, the amount of which involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any related person had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. A “Related Person” means:
● any person who is, or at any time during the applicable period was, one of the Company’s executive officers or a member of the Board of Directors;
● any person who is known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent (5%) of our voting stock;
● any immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons, which means any child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law of a director, officer or a beneficial owner of more than five percent (5%) of our voting stock, and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of such director, executive officer or beneficial owner of more than five percent (5%) of our voting stock; and
● any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is a partner or principal or in a similar position or in which such person has a ten percent (10%) or greater beneficial ownership interest.
In addition, we have in place policies and procedures designed to minimize potential conflicts of interest arising from any dealings the Company may have with its affiliates and to provide appropriate procedures for the disclosure of any real or potential conflicts of interest that may exist from time to time. Specifically, pursuant to the Audit Committee charter, the Audit Committee has the responsibility to review related person transactions.
The disclosure below covers related party transactions that have occurred or are continuing since January 1, 2023.
Director Nominating Agreement
Upon the closing of the Business Combination, the Company, HOF Village, the Sponsor and PFHOF entered into a Director Nominating Agreement (the “Director Nominating Agreement”), which provides that the Company shall take all necessary action to set the size of its Board of Directors at 11 members, a majority of whom shall be independent directors in accordance with Nasdaq requirements. Pursuant to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation as currently in effect, the Company’s Board of Directors is made up of three classes: Class A Directors who shall serve for an initial one-year term, Class B Directors who shall serve for an initial two-year term, and Class C Directors who shall serve for an initial three-year term. The Director Nominating Agreement set forth the directors who were to serve as of the Business Combination and specified the respective classes of each director.
Pursuant to the Director Nominating Agreement and its current voting power, the Sponsor no longer has the right to designate a person to serve on the Board, HOF Village has the right to designate four designees to serve on the Board, and PFHOF has the right to designate one designee to serve on the Board. The shares of Common Stock owned by the Sponsor decreased due to the redemption of certain member interests in the Sponsor, the recipients of which remain bound by the same lock-up agreement applicable to the Sponsor.
HOF Village and PFHOF may each designate one individual to serve as a Company Board of Directors non-voting observer (in the case of HOF Village, so long as HOF Village beneficially owns at least 15% of the total number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock held by it as of the Business Combination Effective Time and, in the case of PFHOF, so long as PFHOF beneficially owns at least 85% of the total number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock held by it as of the Business Combination Effective Time). The parties to the Director Nominating Agreement agreed to take certain actions to support those nominees for election and include the nominees in the proxy statements for the stockholders’ meetings at which directors are to be elected.
Related Person Transactions with PFHOF
PFHOF is a distinct entity from us but serves as a significant stockholder and aligned partner. While PFHOF currently beneficially owns approximately 1.6% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock, the Company is neither a subsidiary of nor controlled by PFHOF. The Pro Football Hall of Fame, which is owned and operated by PFHOF and not the Company, is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational institution that focuses on the education, promotion, preservation and honoring of the individuals and moments that shaped professional football’s history. In addition to the Director Nominating Agreement described above, we have entered into multiple additional ongoing agreements with PFHOF and occasionally enter into additional transactions. PFHOF is a related person because it was a security holder covered by item 403(b) of Regulation S-K at the time of transactions to which it is a party described below.
Global License Agreement with PFHOF
Effective April 8, 2022, Newco and PFHOF entered into a Global License Agreement. The Global License Agreement consolidates and replaces the previous First Amended and Restated License Agreement, the Amended and Restated Media License Agreement, and the Branding Agreement discussed above. The Global License Agreement sets forth the terms under which PFHOF licenses certain marks and works to Newco and its affiliates to exploit existing PFHOF works and to create new works. The Global License Agreement grants Newco and its affiliates an exclusive right and license to use the PFHOF marks in conjunction with theme-based entertainment and attractions within the City of Canton, Ohio; youth sports programs, subject to certain exclusions; e-gaming and video games; and sports betting. The Global License Agreement also grants Newco and its affiliates a non-exclusive license to use the PFHOF marks and works in other areas of use, with a right of first refusal, subject to specified exclusions. The Global License Agreement acknowledges the existence of agreements in effect between PFHOF and certain third parties that provide for certain restrictions on the rights of PFHOF, which affects the rights that can be granted to Newco and its affiliates. These restrictions include, but are not limited to, such third parties having co-exclusive rights to exploit content based on the PFHOF Enshrinement ceremonies and other Enshrinement events. The Global License Agreement requires Newco to pay PFHOF an annual license fee of $900,000 in the first contract year, inclusive of calendar years 2021 and 2022; an annual license fee of $600,000 in each of contract years three through six; and an annual license fee of $750,000 per year starting in contract year seven through the end of the initial term. The Global License Agreement also provides for an additional license royalty payment for certain usage above specified financial thresholds, as well as a commitment to support PFHOF museum attendance through Newco’s and its affiliates’ ticket sales for certain concerts and youth sports tournaments. The Global License Agreement has an initial term through December 31, 2036 (subject to earlier termination for material breach), subject to automatic renewal for successive five-year terms, unless timely notice of non-renewal is provided by either party.
Retail Merchandise Agreement
Newco, as assignee of HOF Village, and PFHOF are parties to a Retail Merchandise Agreement that was entered into in December 2018. Under the Retail Merchandise Agreement, PFHOF agrees to operate onsite retail services at certain locations within the Hall of Fame Village complex, subject to certain performance targets and product requirements. In exchange for these services, Newco will pay PFHOF recurring royalty payments on a monthly basis representing a certain percentage of gross sales. The Retail Merchandise Agreement was approved by unanimous consent of HOF Village’s Board of Directors prior to the Business Combination, when HOF Village assigned the agreement to Newco. The Retail Merchandise Agreement was amended and restated on June 30, 2020, prior to the closing of the Business Combination.
2020 Shared Services Agreement
On June 30, 2020, HOF Village entered into a Shared Services Agreement with PFHOF, which we refer to as the 2020 Shared Services Agreement. Under the agreement, PFHOF and HOF Village mutually reduced certain outstanding amounts owed between the parties, with PFHOF forgiving $5.15 million owed by HOF Village and HOF Village forgiving $1.2 million owed by PFHOF, which effectively resulted in no outstanding amounts owed between the parties as of March 31, 2020. Additionally, the parties agreed to coordinate with each other on certain business services and expenses. The 2020 Shared Services Agreement was approved by unanimous consent of HOF Village’s Board of Directors prior to the Business Combination. The 2020 Shared Services Agreement has an initial term of one year, subject to automatic renewal for successive one-year terms; however, it may be terminated by either party upon 90 days’ written notice, by mutual agreement, or by either party for failure by the other party to timely pay expenses. HOF Village assigned the 2020 Shared Services Agreement to Newco in connection with the Business Combination.
2021 Shared Services Agreement
On March 9, 2021, the Company entered into an additional Shared Services Agreement with PFHOF, which supplements the existing 2020 Shared Services Agreement by, among other things, providing for the sharing of costs for activities relating to shared services (the “2021 Shared Services Agreement”), including 50% of the cost of compensation of a PFHOF representative. The total annual compensation of such PFHOF representative is approximately $250,000. The 2021 Shared Services Agreement was approved by unanimous consent of the Company’s Board of Directors. The 2021 Shared Services Agreement has an initial term of three years, subject to automatic renewal for successive one-year terms; however, it may be terminated by either party upon 90 days’ written notice, by mutual agreement, or by either party for failure by the other party to timely pay expenses.
Agreement to Provide Insurance
Newco, as assignee of HOF Village, and its wholly owned subsidiary HOF Village Stadium, LLC are parties to an Agreement to Provide Insurance with PFHOF (a HOF Village member and affiliate of then director and officer of HOF Village, David Baker) dated March 2016. Under the agreement, HOF Village Stadium, LLC is required to carry and maintain certain insurance coverage in connection with various agreements related to the development of the Hall of Fame Village project, and Newco, as assignee of HOF Village, has guaranteed the performance of HOF Village Stadium, LLC under the agreement. Such insurance coverage must name PFHOF as an additional insured or loss payee on each policy.
Sale of Mini-Field Real Estate to PFHOF
On May 2023, the Company negotiated a Real Estate Purchase Agreement whereby the Company sold, assigned and conveyed to PFHOF the mini-field parcel for the purchase price of $250,000. The Company received a release of the existing mortgage on the property from ErieBank. The Company paid transfer tax, conveyance fees, costs of clearing title and recordation. PFHOF paid the costs of recording the deed, costs of issuance of title commitment and insurance, costs of the ALTA survey and costs of any inspections. The Company and PFHOF split, 50/50, the escrow fees and settlement statement preparation fees with the Company. While the purchase price was below market value, PFHOF agreed to provide other forms of consideration that inured to the benefit of the Company.
Related Person Transactions with IRG
Industrial Realty Group, LLC (“IRG”), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a significant stockholder and aligned partner. IRG is a nationwide real estate development and investment firm specializing in the acquisition, development and management of commercial and industrial real estate throughout the United States. Our director, Stuart Lichter, is President and Chairman of the Board of IRG. We have entered into certain ongoing agreements with IRG and/or its affiliates and benefit from financial support provided by IRG and/or its affiliates. IRG is a related person because it is a security holder covered by item 403(a) of Regulation S-K.
Master Development and Project Management Agreement
On June 30, 2020, HOF Village, IRG Member and IRG Manager entered into a Master Development and Project Management Agreement. The Master Development and Project Management Agreement was entered into as a standalone agreement to govern the master developer and project management services arrangement that was previously provided for in the operating agreement of HOF Village. Pursuant to the Master Development and Project Management Agreement, IRG Manager serves as the master developer for the Hall of Fame Village project and IRG Member serves as the project manager for the Hall of Fame Village project. Under the agreement, IRG Manager will receive a master developer fee of 4% of the total development costs of the project, and IRG Member will receive a project management fee, which will not exceed 5% of the gross receipts from the project. The terms of the Master Development and Project Management Agreement remained materially similar to the prior arrangement documented in the operating agreement of HOF Village, which previously had been unanimously approved by the members of HOF Village prior to the Business Combination. HOF Village assigned the Master Development and Project Management Agreement to Newco in connection with the Business Combination.
General Services Agreement
On November 15, 2021, the Company entered into the General Services Agreement with IRG Realty Advisors, LLC (“IRG Realty Advisors”), which is an affiliate of our director Stuart Lichter. Under the General Services Agreement, IRG Realty Advisors provides certain corporate support services to the Company at various hourly rates, including accounts payable services, property accounting services, and information technology support. IRG Realty Advisors invoices the Company quarterly for the cost of services under the General Services Agreement. The Company may terminate the General Services Agreement upon ten days written notice to IRG Realty Advisors.
2020 Term Loan Agreement
CH Capital Lending, LLC, an affiliate of our director Stuart Lichter, is the lender under our Term Loan Agreement, dated December 1, 2020 (the “2020 Term Loan Agreement”), among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, certain of its subsidiaries, and Aquarian Credit Funding LLC (i) as amended by Amendment Number 1 to Term Loan Agreement dated January 28, 2021, Amendment Number 2 to Term Loan Agreement dated February 15, 2021, Amendment Number 3 to Term Loan Agreement dated August 30, 2021, Amendment Number 4 to Term Loan Agreement dated August 30, 2021, and Amendment Number 5 to Term Loan Agreement dated December 15, 2021, (ii) as assigned to Administrative Agent and Lender pursuant to that certain Assignment of Loan and Loan Documents, dated March 1, 2022, by and among Aquarian Credit Funding LLC, as the previous Administrative Agent, Investors Heritage Life Insurance Company, as the previous Lender, and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as the new Administrative Agent and the new Lender, (iii) as affected by that certain Assumption and Joinder Agreement to Loan Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2022, executed and delivered by HOFV Youth Fields to Administrative Agent, and (iv) as further amended by Amendment Number 6 to Term Loan Agreement dated March 1, 2022, Amendment Number 7 to Term Loan Agreement dated July 31, 2022, Amendment Number 8 to Term Loan Agreement dated November 7, 2022, as modified by that certain Modification Agreement effective as of October 6, 2023, Amendment Number 9 to Term Loan Agreement dated December 8, 2023, and Amendment Number 10 to Term Loan Agreement dated January 11, 2024, Omnibus Release of Youth Fields Borrower from Certain Debt Instruments, dated as of January 11, 2024, by CH Capital Lending, LLC, IRG, LLC, JKP Financial, LLC, and/or Midwest Lender Fund, LLC, in favor of HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC, Amendment Number 11 to Term Loan Agreement dated January 17, 2024, Amendment Number 12 to Term Loan Agreement dated February 1, 2024, and Amendment Number 13 to Term Loan Agreement dated February 28, 2024.
The principal outstanding under the 2020 Term Loan Agreement at December 31, 2024, is $16,191,814. The interest rate at 12.5% per annum, of which 8% per annum is payable monthly and 4.5% per annum accumulates and is payable on the maturity date. The principal and accumulated and unpaid interest under the Term Loan is convertible into shares of Common Stock at a conversion price of $12.77 per share of Common Stock. The obligations under the 2020 Term Loan Agreement are cross-collateralized with the obligations under the Amended Bridge Loan Note, the Amended IRG Note, the Amended Second JKP Note, the Backup First JKP Note and the Backup MLF Note (as such terms are defined below).
The largest principal amount outstanding under the 2020 Term Loan Agreement since January 1, 2024, and the amount outstanding as of February 28, 2025, is $16,528,245. The largest principal amount outstanding for fiscal year 2023 was $14,278,565. Principal and interest paid, as applicable, from January 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025, was $0 and $0, respectively. Principal and interest paid, as applicable, during fiscal year 2023 was $0 and $0, respectively.
2022 Term Loan Agreement
HOF Village Retail I, LLC and HOF Village Retail II, LLC (collectively, “Retail”), which are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company, and The Huntington National Bank (“HNB”) entered into the Loan Agreement dated September 27, 2022 (the “2022 Term Loan Agreement”), pursuant to which HNB agreed to loan up to $10 million to Retail for the purpose of financing improvements to two leasehold parcels of real property in Hall of Fame Village.
On September 21, 2023, CHCL, an affiliate of our director Stuart Lichter, succeeded to the rights and obligations of HNB under the 2022 Term Loan Agreement pursuant to the Assignment of Note, Security Instrument and Other Loan Documents. Also, on September 21, 2023, the Company and Retail (together, the “2022 Term Loan Borrower”) and CHCL entered into the Joinder and First Amendment to 2022 Term Loan Agreement (“First Joinder and Amendment”), pursuant to which (i) the Company becomes a borrower under the 2022 Term Loan Agreement; (ii) the 2022 Term Loan Agreement is amended to provide that 2022 Term Loan Borrower will have the right to use up to $2 million of the loan proceeds for the purpose of paying the costs of construction of the Hall of Fame Village Waterpark which will be owned by the Company or its affiliates or subsidiaries (the “Permitted Purpose”); provided, that in the event 2022 Term Loan Borrower desires to use more than $2 million for the Permitted Purpose, 2022 Term Loan Borrower must obtain the written consent of CHCL; and (iii) the 2022 Term Loan Agreement is amended to provide that so long as loan proceeds are used solely for the Permitted Purpose, CHCL waives conditions to loan funding up to the amount of $2 million, with any future waiver of conditions to additional loan funding subject to the written consent of CHCL.
On October 6, 2023, the Company and Retail and CHCL, an affiliate of our director Stuart Lichter, entered into the Second Amendment to 2022 Term Loan Agreement (“Second Amendment”), pursuant to which (i) no interest or principal shall be due and payable from the effective date through the initial maturity date and all interest that accrues during the deferral period shall accrue at the non-default rate and be added to the outstanding principal balance of the loan; (ii) the 2022 Term Loan Agreement was amended to provide that the 2022 Term Loan Borrower will have the right to use up to $4 million of the loan proceeds for the Permitted Purpose provided, that in the event 2022 Term Loan Borrower desires to use more than $4 million for the Permitted Purpose, 2022 Term Loan Borrower must obtain the written consent of CHCL; and (iii) the 2022 Term Loan Agreement was amended to provide that so long as loan proceeds are used solely for the Permitted Purpose, CHCL waives conditions to loan funding up to the amount of $4,000,000, with any future waiver of conditions to additional loan funding subject to the written consent of CHCL.
On October 16, 2023, the Company and Retail and CHCL, an affiliate of our director Stuart Lichter, entered into the Third Amendment to 2022 Term Loan Agreement (“Third Amendment”), pursuant to which the 2022 Term Loan Agreement, which provides for the Company to borrow up to $10 million, is amended to provide that the 2022 Term Loan Borrower will (i) have the right to use up to $6 million of the loan proceeds for the Permitted Purpose; provided, that in the event 2022 Term Loan Borrower desires to use more than $6 million for the Permitted Purpose, 2022 Term Loan Borrower must obtain the written consent of CHCL; and (ii) the 2022 Term Loan Agreement is amended to provide that so long as loan proceeds are used solely for the Permitted Purpose, CHCL waives conditions to loan funding up to the amount of $6,000,000, with any future waiver of conditions to additional loan funding subject to the written consent of CHCL. The effect of the Third Amendment is to permit the Company to draw an additional $2 million under the $10 million 2022 Term Loan Agreement for the Permitted Purpose.
On November 21, 2023, the Company and Retail and CHCL, an affiliate of our director Stuart Lichter, entered into the Fourth Amendment to 2022 Term Loan Agreement (“Fourth Amendment”), pursuant to which the 2022 Term Loan Agreement, which provides for the Company to borrow up to $10 million, is amended to provide that, among other things, the collateral will include the rights of the Company and its affiliates and subsidiaries in and to (a) any judgment obtained by or granted to them against Johnson Controls International PLC and/or its subsidiaries (collectively, “Johnson Controls”), (b) any settlement proceeds received or to be received by them from Johnson Controls, and (c) the proceeds arising out of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “JCI Funds”).
On December 8, 2023, the Company and Retail entered into a First Amended and Restated Promissory Note (“First A&R Promissory Note”) with CHCL, an affiliate of our director Stuart Lichter. The First A&R Promissory Note was entered to (i) set the interest rate at 12.5% per annum, compounded monthly, rather than the original variable rate, and PIK interest will continue through the maturity date; (ii) modifies the payment terms and maturity date to state interest is due and payable with the entire outstanding principal balance together with accrued unpaid interest on December 4, 2024 (the “Initial Maturity Date”), and if the borrower elects and qualifies for the Extension Option, the unpaid principal balance and all accrued and unpaid interest or other charges will be due on December 4, 2027 (the “Extended Maturity Date”); and (iii) adds a right to convert the Note into shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), of the Company at an initial conversion price equal to $3.64.
On December 8, 2023, the Company and Retail entered into the Fifth Amendment to 2022 Term Loan Agreement (“Fifth Amendment”) with CHCL, an affiliate of our director Stuart Lichter. The Fifth Amendment was entered to (i) modify the rate of interest to 12.5% per annum, compounded monthly; (ii) increase the ability of Retail to use the full amount of the loan proceeds, up to $10 million, to pay costs of construction of the Hall of Fame Village Waterpark (the “Permitted Purpose”). An effect of the Fifth Amendment is to permit the Company to draw an additional $4 million under the $10 million 2022 Term Loan Agreement for the Permitted Purpose.
The largest principal amount outstanding under the 2022 Term Loan Agreement since January 1, 2024, and the amount outstanding as of February 28, 2025, is $11,794,197. The largest principal amount outstanding for fiscal year 2023 was $10,183,932. Principal and interest paid, as applicable, from January 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025, was $0 and $0, respectively. Principal and interest paid, as applicable, during fiscal year 2023 was $0 and $0, respectively.
Amended Bridge Loan Note
Effective November 7, 2022, the Company and its subsidiaries Newco and Youth Fields entered into the $10,504,940.89 principal amount Joinder and First Amended and Restated Secured Cognovit Promissory Note with CHCL (as amended, the “Amended Bridge Loan Note”), reflecting a loan from CHCL to the Company (the “Bridge Loan”), which amends and restates the Cognovit Promissory Note, dated as of June 16, 2022, in the original principal amount of $10,500,000, executed and delivered by the Company and its subsidiaries Village Retail I, LLC (“HOFV Retail I”) and HOF Village Retail II, LLC (“HOFV Retail II”) to CHCL (the “Original Bridge Loan Note”). Under the Amended Bridge Loan Note: (i) HOFV Retail I and HOFV Retail II were released from their obligations under the Original Bridge Loan Note; (ii) the Bridge Loan interest rate increased from 12% to 12.5%, of which 8% per annum is payable monthly and 4.5% per annum accumulates and is payable on the maturity date; (iii) the Company issued to CHCL an additional 17,723 restricted shares of Common Stock (giving effect to the Reverse Stock Split) on or about December 22, 2022; (iv) the principal and accrued interest were made convertible into shares of Common Stock at a conversion price of $12.77 per share of Common Stock (giving effect to the Reverse Stock Split), subject to adjustment, including a weighted-average antidilution adjustment; (v) the Company agreed to amend and restate, effective November 7, 2022, the Series C Common Stock Purchase Warrant (Certificate No. No. 2020 W-1) originally issued by the Company to CHCL on or about December 29, 2020 (as amended, the “Amended Series C Warrant”), as described below; (vi) the Company agreed to amend and restate, effective November 7, 2022, the Series D Common Stock Purchase Warrant (Certificate No. Series D No. W-1) originally issued by the Company to CHCL on or about June 4, 2021 (as amended, the “Amended Series D Warrant”), as describe below; (vii) the Company was given an option to extend the maturity date form March 31, 2024 to March 31, 2025 upon payment to CHCL of an extension fee equal to one percent (1%) of the outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan; and (viii) the obligations under the Amended Bridge Loan Note are cross-collateralized with the obligations under the Term Loan Agreement, the Amended IRG Note, the Amended Second JKP Note, the Backup First JKP Note and the Backup MLF Note.
As amended, the Amended Series C Warrant has an exercise price of $12.77 per share of Common Stock, subject to adjustment, including a weighted-average antidilution adjustment. The exercise price is subject to a weighted-average antidilution adjustment. The number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Amended Series C Warrant is 455,867 shares of Common Stock. The Amended Series C Warrant may be exercised from and after April 18, 2023, subject to certain terms and conditions set forth in the Amended Series C Warrant. Any unexercised portion of the Amended Series C Warrant will expire on March 1, 2029.
As amended, the Amended Series D Warrant has an exercise price of $12.77 per share of Common Stock, subject to adjustment, including a weighted-average antidilution adjustment. The exercise price is subject to a weighted-average antidilution adjustment. The number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Amended Series D Warrant is 111,321 shares of Common Stock. The Amended Series D Warrant may be exercised from and after April 18, 2023, subject to certain terms and conditions set forth in the Amended Series D Warrant. Any unexercised portion of the Amended Series D Warrant will expire on March 1, 2029.
The largest principal amount outstanding under the Amended Bridge Loan Note since January 1, 2024, and the amount outstanding as of February 28, 2025, is $13,474,936. The largest principal amount outstanding for fiscal year 2023 was $11,518,761. Principal and interest paid, as applicable, from January 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025, was $0 and $0, respectively. Principal and interest paid, as applicable, during fiscal year 2023 was $0 and $0, respectively.
Amended IRG Note
Effective November 7, 2022, the Company and its subsidiaries Newco and Youth Fields entered into the $4,273,543.46 principal amount Joinder and Second Amended and Restated Secured Cognovit Promissory Note with IRG, LLC (as amended, the “Amended IRG Note”), which amends and restates the First Amended and Restated Promissory Note, dated March 1, 2022, issued by the Company to IRG, LLC. Under the Amended IRG Note: (i) the interest rate increased from 8% to 12.5%, of which 8% per annum is payable monthly and 4.5% per annum accumulates and is payable on the maturity date; (ii) the Company issued to IRG, LLC an additional 10,268 restricted shares of Common Stock (giving effect to the Reverse Stock Split) on or about December 22, 2022; (iii) the price at which the principal and accumulated and unpaid interest under the Amended IRG Note is convertible into shares of Common Stock is reset to $12.77 per share of Common Stock (giving effect to the Reverse Stock Split), subject to adjustment, including a weighted-average antidilution adjustment; (iv) the Company agreed to amend and restate, effective November 7, 2022, the Series E Common Stock Purchase Warrant (Certificate No. Series E No. W-2) issued by the Company to CHCL on or about March 1, 2022 (as amended, the “IRG Warrant”), as described below; (vi) the Company was given an option to extend the maturity date form March 31, 2024 to March 31, 2025 upon payment to IRG, LLC of an extension fee equal to one percent (1%) of the outstanding principal balance of the Amended IRG Note; and (vii) the obligations under the Amended IRG Note are cross-collateralized with the obligations under the Amended Bridge Loan Note, the Term Loan Agreement, the Amended Second JKP Note, the Backup First JKP Note and the Backup MLF Note.
As amended, the IRG Warrant has an exercise price of $12.77 per share of Common Stock, subject to adjustment, including a weighted-average antidilution adjustment. The exercise price is subject to a weighted-average antidilution adjustment. The number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the IRG Warrant is 22,709 shares of Common Stock. The IRG Warrant may be exercised from and after April 18, 2023, subject to certain terms and conditions set forth in the IRG Warrant. Any unexercised portion of the IRG Warrant will expire on March 1, 2029.
The largest principal amount outstanding under the Amended IRG Note since January 1, 2024, and the amount outstanding as of February 28, 2025, is $5,485,246. The largest principal amount outstanding for fiscal year 2023 was $4,689,449. Principal and interest paid, as applicable, from January 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025, was $0 and $0, respectively. Principal and interest paid, as applicable, during fiscal year 2023 was $0 and $0, respectively.
Backup MLF Note
Effective November 7, 2022, the Company and its subsidiaries Newco and Youth Fields entered into the $4,000,000 principal amount Secured Cognovit Promissory Note with MLF (the “Backup MLF Note”), which provides benefits to MLF incremental to and offset by the Cognovit Promissory Note, dated as of April 27, 2022, in the original principal amount of $4,000,000, executed and delivered by HOF Village Center for Performance, LLC (“HOFV CFP”) to MLF (as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Original MLF Note”). Under the terms of the Backup MLF Note, (a) all amounts that are outstanding under the Original MLF Note are deemed to be outstanding under the Backup MLF Note; (b) all amounts that are paid to MLF by HOFV CFP under the Original MLF Note will be credited against the amounts due and payable under Backup MLF Note; (c) all amounts that are paid to MLF under the Backup MLF Note will be credited against the amounts due and payable under the Original MLF Note; and (d) if all or any portion of the principal amount of the Backup MLF Note is converted into shares of Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the Backup MLF Note, then the principal amount so converted shall be credited against the amounts due and payable under the Original MLF Note.
Under the Backup MLF Note: (i) the interest rate is 12.5%, of which 8% per annum is payable monthly and 4.5% per annum accumulates and is payable on the maturity date; (ii) effective upon obtaining approval of the Company’s stockholders under Nasdaq listing rule 5635(c), the principal and accumulated and unpaid interest under the Backup MLF Note is convertible into shares of Common Stock at a price of $12.77 per share of Common Stock (giving effect to the Reverse Stock Split), subject to adjustment, including a weighted-average antidilution adjustment; (iii) the Company agreed to amend and restate, effective obtaining approval of the Company’s stockholders under Nasdaq listing rule 5635(c), the Series G Common Stock Purchase Warrant (Certificate No. Series G No. W-1) issued by the Company to MLF on or about March 1, 2022 (as amended, the “Amended MLF Warrant”), as described below; (iv) the Company was given an option to extend the maturity date form March 31, 2024 to March 31, 2025 upon payment to MLF of an extension fee equal to one percent (1%) of the outstanding principal balance of the Backup MLF Note; and (v) the obligations under the Backup MLF Note are cross-collateralized with the obligations under the Amended Bridge Loan Note, the Term Loan Agreement, the Amended IRG Note, the Amended Second JKP Note and the Backup First JKP Note.
As amended, the Amended MLF Warrant has an exercise price of $12.77 per share of Common Stock, subject to adjustment, including a weighted-average antidilution adjustment. The exercise price is subject to a weighted-average antidilution adjustment. The number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Amended MLF Warrant is 5,677 shares of Common Stock. The Amended MLF Warrant may be exercised from and after 30 days after date approved by stockholders under Nasdaq listing rule 5635(c) under Proposal 4, subject to certain terms and conditions set forth in the Amended MLF Warrant. Any unexercised portion of the Amended MLF Warrant will expire on June 8, 2029.
The largest principal amount outstanding under the Backup MLF Note since January 1, 2024, and the amount outstanding as of February 28, 2025, is $5,134,143. The largest principal amount outstanding for fiscal year 2023 was $4,389,284. Principal and interest paid, as applicable, from January 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025, was $0 and $0, respectively. Principal and interest paid, as applicable, during fiscal year 2023 was $0 and $0, respectively.
Private Placement of Series C Preferred Stock in Exchange for Series B Preferred Stock
On March 28, 2022, in accordance with the previously announced Amendment Number 6 to Term Loan Agreement by and among the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, as borrowers, and CHCL, as administrative agent and lender, the Company entered into a Securities Exchange Agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) with CHCL, pursuant to which the Company exchanged in a private placement (the “Private Placement”) each share of the Company’s 7.00% Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Series B Preferred Stock”), that is held by CHCL for one share of the Company’s 7.00% Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Series C Preferred Stock”), resulting in the issuance of 15,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock to CHCL. The Series C Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of Common Stock. The shares of Series B Preferred Stock exchanged, and the Series C Preferred Stock acquired, have an aggregate liquidation preference of $15 million plus any accrued but unpaid dividends to the date of payment. CHCL is controlled by our director, Stuart Lichter.
The Private Placement was made in reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) thereof, as a transaction by an issuer not involving any public offering. CHCL has represented to the Company that it is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501 of the Securities Act and that the Series C Preferred Stock will be acquired for investment purposes and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any distribution thereof.
The largest aggregate original issue date price outstanding since January 1, 2024, and the amount outstanding as of February 28, 2025, is $15,000,000. The largest aggregate original issue date price outstanding for fiscal year 2023 was $15,000,000. Dividends paid from January 1, 2024, through March 21, 2025, were $0. Dividends paid during fiscal year 2023 were $450,000.
Issuance of 7.00% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
On August 12, 2021, the Company issued to American Capital Center, LLC (the “Preferred Investor”), a company controlled by our director Stuart Lichter, 900 shares of 7.00% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) at a price of $1,000 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $900,000. The Series A Preferred Stock is not convertible into Common Stock. On September 22, 2021, the Company issued to the Preferred Investor 900 shares of Series A Preferred Stock at a price of $1,000 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $900,000. In each case, the Company paid the Preferred Investor an origination fee of 2% of the aggregate purchase price. In each case, the issuance and sale of such shares to the Preferred Investor is exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. In each case, the Preferred Investor represented to the Company that it is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501 of the Securities Act and that the shares are being acquired for investment purposes and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any distribution thereof.
On January 12, 2023, the Company issued to ADC LCR Hall of Fame Manager II, LLC (the “Second Preferred Investor”), a company affiliated with our director Stuart Lichter, 1,600 shares of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock, at a price of $1,000 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $1,600,000. On January 23, 2023, the Company issued to Second Preferred Investor 800 shares of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock, at a price of $1,000 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $800,000. In each case, the Company paid the Second Preferred Investor an origination fee of 2% of the aggregate purchase price. In each case, the issuance and sale of the shares to the Second Preferred Investor is exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. In each case, the Second Preferred Investor represented to the Company that it is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501 of the Securities Act and that the shares are being acquired for investment purposes and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any distribution thereof.
The largest aggregate original issue date price outstanding since January 1, 2024, and the amount outstanding as of February 28, 2025, is $6,800,000. The largest aggregate original issue date price outstanding for fiscal year 2023 was $6,800,000. Dividends paid from January 1, 2024, through February, 2025, were $357,000. Dividends paid during fiscal year 2023 were $452,978.
Fourth Amendment to and Spreader of Open-End Fee and Leasehold Mortgage, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing
On January 11, 2024, the Fourth Amendment and Spreader was entered to secure indebtedness to CHCL and amend and spread the maximum principal indebtedness to Lender to include principal amounts of all the secured instruments and reflect the total principal indebtedness shall not exceed $66,003,899, exclusive of interest, taxes, legal fees and costs advanced for preservation of the property.
Touchdown Work Place, LLC Lease & First Amendment to Lease
On November 1, 2023, HOF Village CFE, LLC (“Landlord”) entered into a ten-year lease agreement with Touchdown Work Place, LLC (“Tenant”) to rent approximately twelve thousand three hundred and thirty-one (12,331) square feet with annual increases of two percent (2%) for years two (2) through ten (10) and an abatement for the first five (5) months of year one. On or about March 26, 2024, Landlord and Tenant negotiated a First Amendment to Lease Agreement to redefine the abatement period to six (6) months, waiver of the security deposit, and Landlord agreed to provide monthly rent invoices for the term of the lease. Stuart Lichter is a director of the Company and the Managing Member of Touchdown Work Place, LLC.
Omnibus Extension of Certain IRG-Related Debt Instruments
On April 7, 2024, the Company and HOF Village Newco, LLC (collectively “Borrower”) entered into a formal omnibus extension of certain debt instruments, effective March 31, 2024, with CH Capital Lending, LLC, IRG, LLC, JKP Financial, LLC and Midwest Lender Fund, LLC (collectively “Lenders”). The impacted agreements, dated effective November 7, 2022, include the (i) Joinder and First Amended and Restated Secured Cognovit Promissory Note payable to CHCL; (ii) Second Amended and Restated Secured Promissory Note payable to CHCL; (iii) Joinder and Second Amended and Restated Secured Cognovit Promissory Note payable to IRG, LLC; (iv) Secured Cognovit Promissory Note payable to JKP Financial, LLC (v) Joinder and Second Amended and Restated Secured Cognovit Promissory Note payable to JKP Financial, LLC; and (vi) Secured Cognovit Promissory Note payable to Midwest Lender Fund, LLC. Stuart Lichter, a director of the Company, is President of IRG, LLC and Midwest Lender Fund, LLC and a director of CHCL.
MKG DoubleTree Loan - Payment Guaranty
HOF Village Hotel II, LLC, a subsidiary of the Company, is party to a construction loan agreement, dated September 14, 2020 (as amended, the “MKG DoubleTree Loan Agreement”), with ErieBank, as amended by (i) First Amendment to Loan Documents, dated March 1, 2022, between HOF Village Hotel II, LLC, as borrower, and ErieBank, as lender, and Stuart Lichter, as guarantor; (ii) Second Amendment to Loan Documents, dated September 13, 2023, between HOF Village Hotel II, LLC, as borrower, and ErieBank, as lender, and Stuart Lichter, as guarantor; and (iii) Third Amendment to Loan Documents, dated October 10, 2023, between HOF Village Hotel II, LLC, as borrower, and ErieBank, as lender, and Stuart Lichter, as guarantor. HOF Village Hotel II, LLC’s obligations under the MKG DoubleTree Loan Agreement are secured by an Open-End Mortgage (Fee Simple and Leasehold), Assignment of Leases and Rents, and Security Agreement dated September 14, 2020, encumbering the hotel real property.
The principal amount outstanding on December 31, 2024 under the MKG DoubleTree Loan Agreement is $11,000,000. The loan bears interest at 10% per annum. The maturity date of the loan is September 13, 2028.
HOF Village Hotel II, LLC’s obligations under the MKG DoubleTree Loan Agreement are guaranteed by Stuart Lichter, our director, pursuant to a Guaranty of Payment dated September 14, 2020 (together with any amendments or modifications thereto, the “Payment Guaranty”).
The largest principal amount outstanding under the MKG DoubleTree Loan Agreement since January 1, 2024, and the amount outstanding as of February 28, 2025, is $11,000,000. The largest principal amount outstanding for fiscal year 2023 was $11,000,000. Principal and interest paid, as applicable, from January 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025, was $161,235 and $1,104,699, respectively. Principal and interest paid, as applicable, during fiscal year 2023 was $0 and $1,293,311, respectively.
Constellation Efficiency Made Easy (“EME”) Financing - Indemnity
On June 17, 2024, HOF Village Waterpark, LLC (“HOFV Waterpark”), a limited liability company and indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company entered into a Customer Contract for EME Express Services Equipment Program (“Customer Contract”) with Constellation NewEnergy, Inc. (“Constellation”).
Pursuant to the Customer Contract, HOFV Waterpark secured $9,900,000.00 in financing from Constellation through its Efficiency Made Easy (“EME”) program to implement energy efficient measures to finance construction of the waterpark as part of Phase II development. In conjunction with the Customer Contract, Welty Building Construction, Ltd. (“Welty”) agreed to sell and deliver certain materials and equipment purchased by HOF Village Waterpark. In addition, Welty will act as HOFV Waterpark’s agent pursuant to an Agency Agreement (“Agency Agreement”) and will hold the funds in escrow and facilitate compliance with the EME requirements in exchange for a success fee of one percent (1%) of the total of EME program funds. Constellation will invoice HOFV Waterpark in 60 monthly installments which will begin June of 2024 for $216,467.00 with a total cost to HOFV Waterpark of $12,988,020.00.
Pursuant to the Customer Contract, as security for repayment, HOFV Waterpark was required to secure a surety bond (“Guarantee Bond”). The Hanover Insurance Company, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New Hampshire (the “Surety”), provided a Guarantee Bond for the benefit of Constellation as adequate assurance of future performance in the amount of $9,900,000.00 with the penal sum stepping down annually provided no default has occurred.
The Hanover Insurance Company is indemnified by the Company, HOF Village Waterpark, LLC, Stuart Lichter, the CL 2019 Family Trust, and the Lichter 2019 Descendants Trust against any liability it may incur with respect to the Guarantee Bond. Mr. Lichter is a director of the Company.
The largest principal amount outstanding under this EME program since January 1, 2024, and the amount outstanding as of February 28, 2025, is $9,900,000. The largest principal amount outstanding for fiscal year 2023 was $0. Principal and interest paid, as applicable, from January 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025, was $1,155,836 and $792,367, respectively. Principal and interest paid, as applicable, during fiscal year 2023 was $0 and $0, respectively.
Tax Increment Financing (“TIF”) Revenue Bonds - Guaranty of Developer Shortfall Payments
On February 2, 2023, the Company received proceeds from the issuance on such date by Stark County Port Authority (“Port Authority”) of $18,100,000 principal amount Tax Increment Financing (“TIF”) Revenue Bonds, Series 2023 (“2023 Bonds”). Of the $18,100,000 principal amount, approximately $6,767,543 was used to reimburse the Company for a portion of the cost of certain roadway improvements within the Hall of Fame Village grounds, approximately $8,628,502 was used to pay off the Development Finance Authority of Summit County (“DFA”) Revenue Bonds, Series 2018 ( “2018 Bonds”) that had been acquired by the Company in December 2022 pursuant to a previously disclosed arrangement (such that the Company received the payoff of the 2018 Bonds), approximately $1,169,916 was used to pay costs of issuance of the 2023 Bonds, and approximately $905,000 was used to fund a debt service reserve held by The Huntington National Bank (“2023 Bond Trustee”), as trustee for the 2023 Bonds. The maturity date of the 2023 Bonds is December 30, 2048. The interest rate on the 2023 Bonds is 6.375%. Interest payments are due on the 2023 Bonds semi-annually on June 30 and December 30 of each year, commencing June 30, 2023.
In connection with the issuance of the 2023 Bonds by the Port Authority, the Company transferred ownership of a portion of the roadway and related improvements within Hall of Fame Village grounds to the Port Authority. The Company maintains management rights and maintenance obligations with regard to such roadway pursuant to a Maintenance and Management Agreement among the Port Authority, the Company and the Company’s subsidiary, HOF Village Newco, LLC (“HOFV Newco”).
The 2023 Bonds will be repaid by the Port Authority from statutory service payments in lieu of taxes paid by the Company in connection with the Company’s Stadium, Youth Fields, Center for Excellence, Center for Performance, Retail I property, Retail II property, Play Action Plaza and an interior private roadway, net of the portion payable to Canton City School District and Plain Local School District and net of administrative fees of Stark County and the City of Canton, and from minimum service payments levied against those parcels excluding the Stadium and Youth Fields. Net statutory service payments are assigned by the City of Canton to the Port Authority for payment of the 2023 Bonds pursuant to a Cooperative Agreement among the Port Authority, City of Canton, the Company and HOFV Newco, and then pledged by the Port Authority to the 2023 Bond Trustee for payment of the 2023 Bonds pursuant to a Trust Indenture between the Port Authority and the 2023 Bond Trustee. Minimum service payments are a lien on the parcels under certain TIF declarations and supplements thereto, and are paid by the Company to the 2023 Bond Trustee.
The Company and HOFV Newco are required to make payments (“Developer Shortfall Payments”) to the extent the above described net statutory service payments and minimum service payments actually paid are not sufficient to pay the scheduled debt service on the 2023 Bonds, and entered into a guaranty of payment of minimum service payments under a Minimum Payment Guaranty until certain performance criteria (debt service coverage of 1.05x for the 2023 Bonds for three consecutive years) are met. In addition, a member of the Company’s board of directors, Stuart Lichter, individually and with his trust, guaranteed Developer Shortfall Payments until debt service coverage of 1.0x for the 2023 Bonds for three consecutive years are met.
To the extent statutory service payments and minimum service payments exceed the amounts required for debt service on the 2023 Bonds, the excess paid will first increase and/or restore the 2023 Bonds fund reserve to a maximum of 10% of the original principal amount of the 2023 Bonds (i.e. $1,810,000) and then to redeem the 2023 Bonds, with the amount paid applied to the principal balance of the 2023 Bonds. The 2023 Bonds fund reserve (initially 5% (i.e., $905,000) subject to increase up to 10%) mentioned above will be maintained to be used for payment of debt service and administrative fees if there are insufficient funds generated from the statutory service payments, minimum service payments and Developer Shortfall Payments, and, to the extent unused, make the final 2023 Bonds payment of debt service.
The largest principal amount outstanding under the TIF since January 1, 2024, and the amount outstanding as of February 28, 2025, is $18,100,000. The largest principal amount outstanding for fiscal year 2023 was $18,100,000. Principal and interest paid, as applicable, from January 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025, was $50,000 and $1,204,688, respectively. Principal and interest paid, as applicable, during fiscal year 2023 was $0 and $1,102,933, respectively.
IRG Canton Village Member, LLC - Proposal
On September 27, 224, our Board of Directors received a preliminary, nonbinding proposal (“Proposed Transaction”) from IRG Canton Village Member (“Buyer”) related to a proposed acquisition of by a to-be-formed affiliate of Buyer of all the outstanding shares of Common Stock not owned by Buyer, its affiliated entities and any potential co-investors in Buyer or its affiliates. In response to the Proposed Transaction, the Company’s Board of Directors formed a special committee made up of independent, disinterested directors (the “Special Committee”) to evaluate the proposal. The Special Committee retained a financial advisor and legal counsel to assist in its ongoing review and evaluation of the proposal. There is no guarantee that any proposal made by IRG regarding a proposed transaction will be accepted by the Special Committee, that definitive documentation relating to any such transaction will be executed, or that a transaction will be consummated in accordance with that documentation, if at all. The Company and the Special Committee do not intend to comment on or disclose further developments regarding the Special Committee’s consideration of the Proposed Transaction unless and until it deems further disclosure is appropriate or required.
Note & Security Agreement - CHCL Bridge
On January 24, 2025, the Borrowers entered into a Second Amendment to Note and Security Agreement (“Second Amendment”), with CHCL. CHCL is an affiliate of Stuart Lichter, a director of the Company.
Pursuant to the Second Amendment, which modifies the previously disclosed Note and Security Agreement, dated November 14, 2024, as amended by the First Amendment, dated January 10, 2025, the parties agreed to: (i) modify the definition of “Facility Amount” in Section 1 of the original note to increase such amount from $2,000,000 to $4,150,000, which allows Borrowers to request up to an additional $2,150,000 loan for general corporate purposes, subject to certain restrictions; and (ii) amend the definition of “Maturity Date” to mean the earliest to occur of (a) closing of the proposal to take the Company private; (b) the termination date, as defined in any definitive agreement and plan of merger entered in connection with a take private transaction, if applicable; or (c) the occurrence of certain events of default under the original instrument. As part of the agreement, Borrowers agree to establish a springing deposit account control agreement (the “DACA”) for a control account to hold cash collateral. Borrowers may use funds in the control account for ordinary business purposes, subject to the terms of the DACA.
Borrowers agreed to grant additional security to Lender to include the equity interests of any Borrower in HOF Village Retail I, LLC and HOF Village Retail II, LLC; all net income earned by Borrowers from the operation of the Gridiron Gastropub restaurant; and all rights of any Borrower, including any revenue received by any Borrower, under certain sponsorship agreements.
On February 21, 2025, Borrowers entered into a Third Amendment to Note and Security Agreement (“Third Amendment”), with CHCL. The Third Amendment modifies the definition of “Facility Amount” in Section 1 of the original note and security agreement (as amended prior to the Third Amendment) to increase the facility amount from $4,150,000 to $5,150,000 allowing the Borrowers to request an additional $1,000,000 for general corporate purposes, subject to certain restrictions.
On March 18, 2025, the Company entered into a Fourth Amendment to Note and Security Agreement (“Fourth Amendment”), with CHCL. The Fourth Amendment modifies the definition of “Facility Amount” in Section 1 of the original note and security agreement to increase the facility amount from $5,150,000 to $6,500,000 allowing the Borrowers to request an additional $1,350,000 for general corporate purposes, subject to certain restrictions.
The largest principal amount outstanding under the Note & Security Agreement since January 1, 2024, and the amount outstanding as of February 28, 2025, is $4,469,695. The largest principal amount outstanding for fiscal year 2023 was $0. Principal and interest paid, as applicable, from January 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025, was $0 and $0, respectively. No principal or interest was paid in fiscal year 2023.
Assignment of JKP Financial, LLC Notes to CHCL
Hotel II Note and Split Note
On January 15, 2025, IRG Master Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“IRG Master Holdings”), an affiliate of our director Stuart Lichter, purchased from JKP Financial, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Assignor”), for a purchase price equal to the outstanding principal amount plus accumulated and unpaid interest reduced by certain prior payments to JKP Financial, LLC:
(A) the Secured Cognovit Promissory Note, dated as of June 19, 2020, issued by HOF Village, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“HOF Village”), and HOF Village Hotel II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“HOF Village Hotel II”, and together with HOF Village, each a “Hotel II Borrower” and, together, the “Hotel II Borrowers”), to Assignor in the original amount of $9,097,203.95, as amended and supplemented by (i) that certain First Amendment to Secured Cognovit Promissory Note, dated as of December 1, 2020, by and between Hotel II Borrowers and Assignor, (ii) that certain Joinder and Second Amendment to Secured Cognovit Promissory Note, dated as of March 1, 2022, and (iii) that certain Secured Cognovit Promissory Note, dated effective as of November 7, 2022, by and among Hotel II Borrowers, Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, a Delaware corporation (“HOFREC”) et. al., and Assignor (as so amended, and as may further be amended, modified, supplemented, or restated from time to time, the “Hotel II Note”). As of December 31, 2024, the outstanding principal amount of the Hotel II Note is $11,441,008.
The largest principal amount outstanding under the Hotel II Note since January 1, 2024, and the amount outstanding as of February 28, 2025, is $11,676,587. The largest principal amount outstanding for fiscal year 2023 was $9,982,554. Principal and interest paid, as applicable, from January 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025, was $0 and $0, respectively. Principal and interest paid, as applicable, during fiscal year 2023 was $0 and $0, respectively.
(B) the Joinder and Second Amended and Restated Secured Cognovit Promissory Note, dated effective as of November 7, 2022, issued by the Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC and HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC to Assignor in the original principal amount of $4,273,543.46 (as so amended, and as may further be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time, the “Split Note”). As of December 31, 2024, the outstanding principal amount of the Split Note is 5,374,579.
The largest principal amount outstanding under the Split Note since January 1, 2024, and the amount outstanding as of February 28, 2025, is $5,485,246. The largest principal amount outstanding for fiscal year 2023 was $4,689,449. Principal and interest paid, as applicable, from January 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025, was $0 and $0, respectively. Principal and interest paid, as applicable, during fiscal year 2023 was $0 and $0, respectively.
On January 15, 2025 IRG Master Holdings, LLC assigned the Hotel II Note and the Split Note to CHCL. CHCL is an affiliate of Stuart Lichter, a director of the Company.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Audit and Related Fees
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed by Grant Thornton LLP (“GT”) for various professional services rendered during the 2024 fiscal year:
Audit Fees(1) $ 482,703 $ 453,033
Audit-Related Fees(2) 25,000 42,500
Tax Fees - -
All Other Fees - -
Total $ 507,703 $ 495,533
(1) Consists of services in connection with professional services for Form 10-K and Form 10-Qs filed by the Company.
(2) Consists of services in connection with a comfort letters issued on April 8, 2024 and October 13, 2023.
Pre-Approval Policy
The Audit Committee’s charter requires Audit Committee to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by GT or any other registered public accounting firm engaged by the Company. The Audit Committee has adopted a pre-approval policy that sets forth the procedures and conditions pursuant to which audit and non-audit services proposed to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm may be pre-approved. The Audit Committee’s policy generally provides for pre-approval of audit, audit-related, tax and all other fees on an annual basis. Individual engagements anticipated to exceed pre-established thresholds must be separately approved.
In addition, the Audit Committee has delegated authority to the Chair of the Audit Committee to pre-approve permissible non-audit services performed by GT to assure that the provision of such services does not impair the auditor’s independence from the Company. The Chair of the Audit Committee is required to report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next meeting following the decision.
All of the services described above were approved by the Audit Committee.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
Financial Statements
The consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal years covered by this Annual Report are located on beginning on page of this Annual Report.
Exhibits
Exhibit No.
Description
3.1
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on July 8, 2020)
3.2
Certificate of Designations of 7.00% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock of Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on October 15, 2020)
3.3
Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 6, 2020)
3.4
Certificate of Designations of 7.00% Series B Convertible Preferred Stock of Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on May 14, 2021)
3.5
Certificate of Designations of 7.00% Series C Convertible Preferred Stock of Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 29, 2022)
3.6
Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on December 27, 2022)
3.7
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on August 12, 2021)
4.1
Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on July 8, 2020)
4.2
Specimen Warrant Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on July 8, 2020)
4.3
Form of Warrant Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Gordon Pointe Acquisition Corp.’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-38363) filed with the Commission on January 30, 2018)
4.4
Form of Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 19, 2020)
4.5
Warrant Agency Agreement, dated November 18, 2020, between Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 19, 2020)
4.6
Warrant Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2020, by and among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company and purchasers party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-256618) filed with the Commission on May 28, 2021)
4.7
Second Amended and Restated Series C Warrant (No. 2020 W-1), effective as of November 7, 2022, issued by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company to CH Capital Lending, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 22, 2023)
4.8
Second Amended and Restated Series D Warrant (Series D No. W-1), effective as of November 7, 2022, issued by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company to CH Capital Lending, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 22, 2023)
4.9
Amended and Restated Series E Warrant (Series E No. W-1), effective as of November 7, 2022, issued by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company to CH Capital Lending, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 22, 2023)
4.10
Amended and Restated Series E Warrant (Series E No. W-2), effective as of November 7, 2022, issued by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company to CH Capital Lending, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 22, 2023)
4.11
Amended and Restated Series F Warrant (Series F No. W-1), effective as of November 7, 2022, issued by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company to JKP Financial, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 22, 2023)
4.12
Amended and Restated Series F Warrant (Series F No. W-2), effective as of November 7, 2022, issued by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company to JKP Financial, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 22, 2023)
4.13
Amended and Restated Series G Warrant, dated as of November 7, 2022, issued by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company to Midwest Lender Fund, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 22, 2023)
4.14
Warrant Agency Agreement, dated October 13, 2023, by and between Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 14, 2023)
4.15
Warrant issued October 13, 2023, by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 14, 2023)
4.16*
Description of Registered Securities
10.1
Amended and Restated Global License Agreement, dated September 11, 2024, between HOF Village Newco, LLC and National Football Museum, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on September 17, 2024)
10.2
Director Nominating Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-252807) filed with the Commission on February 5, 2021)
10.3†
Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company Amended 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on June 12, 2023)
10.4†
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-248851) filed with the Commission on September 16, 2020)
10.5†
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.5 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-248851) filed with the Commission on September 16, 2020)
10.6†
Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.6 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-248851) filed with the Commission on September 16, 2020)
10.7†
Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company 2023 Inducement Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-270572) filed with the Commission on March 15, 2023)
10.8†
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award under Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company 2023 Inducement Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-270572) filed with the Commission on March 15, 2023)
10.9†
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated November 22, 2022, between Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC and Michael Crawford (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 23, 2022)
10.10†
Amendment to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective May 1, 2023, between Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC and Michael Crawford (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on April 20, 2023)
10.11†
Employment Agreement, dated February 14, 2022, by and between Benjamin Lee, HOF Village Newco, LLC and Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 10, 2022)
10.12†
Consulting Service Agreement, dated June 21, 2024, between HOF Village Newco, LLC and Tara Charnes, as consultant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on June 21, 2024)
10.13†
Form of Retention Bonus Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 23, 2022)
10.14+
Note Purchase Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, by and among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company and certain funds managed by Magnetar Financial, LLC and the purchasers listed on the signature pages thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on July 8, 2020)
10.15
Registration Rights Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, by and among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company and certain funds managed by Magnetar Financial, LLC and the purchasers listed on the signature pages thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on July 8, 2020)
10.16
Note Redemption and Warrant Agreement, dated July 1, 2020, by and among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company and certain funds managed by Magnetar Financial, LLC and the purchasers listed on the signature pages thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on July 8, 2020)
10.17
Joinder and Second Amendment to Promissory Note, dated March 1, 2022, by and among HOF Village Newco, LLC, and HOF Village Hotel II, LLC, as the makers, Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, and JKP Financial, LLC, as holder (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 2, 2022)
10.18
Backup Joinder and First Amended and Restated Secured Cognovit Promissory Note, effective as of November 7, 2022, by and among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC, as makers, and JKP Financial, LLC, as holder (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 22, 2023)
10.19
Letter Agreement re Payment Terms, dated June 25, 2020, by and among Industrial Realty Group, LLC, IRG Master Holdings, LLC, HOF Village, LLC and certain affiliates party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on July 8, 2020)
10.20+
Amendment to Sponsorship and Services Agreement, dated June 15, 2020, by and among HOF Village, LLC, National Football Museum, Inc. and Constellation NewEnergy, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on July 8, 2020)
10.21+
Term Loan Agreement, dated December 1, 2020, among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, certain of its subsidiaries, and Aquarian Credit Funding LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on December 3, 2020)
10.22
Letter Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2020, by and among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, certain of its subsidiaries, and IRG Master Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-252807) filed with the Commission on February 5, 2021)
10.23
Amendment Number 1 to Term Loan Agreement, dated January 28, 2021, among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, certain of its subsidiaries, Aquarian Credit Funding LLC, and the Lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 of the Company’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Form S-1 Registration Statement (File No. 333-249133), filed with the Commission on July 22, 2021)
10.24
Amendment Number 2 to Term Loan Agreement, dated February 15, 2021, among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, certain of its subsidiaries, Aquarian Credit Funding LLC, and the Lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 of the Company’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Form S-1 Registration Statement (File No. 333-249133), filed with the Commission on July 22, 2021)
10.25
Amendment Number 3 to Term Loan Agreement, dated as of August 30, 2021 among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, certain of its subsidiaries, Aquarian Credit Funding LLC, and the Lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on September 1, 2021)
10.26
Amendment Number 4 to Term Loan Agreement, dated as of August 30, 2021 among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, certain of its subsidiaries, Aquarian Credit Funding LLC, and the Lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on September 1, 2021)
10.27
Amendment Number 5 to Term Loan Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2021 among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, certain of its subsidiaries, Aquarian Credit Funding LLC, and the Lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on December 16, 2021)
10.28
Assignment of Loan and Loan Documents, dated as of March 1, 2022, by and among Aquarian Credit Funding LLC, as administrative agent, Investors Heritage Life Insurance Company (“IHLIC”), as a lender, and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as assignee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 14, 2022)
10.29
Amendment Number 6 to Term Loan Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2022, among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, certain of its subsidiaries, and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as administrative agent and lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 2, 2022)
10.30
Amendment Number 7 to Term Loan Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2022, among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, certain of its subsidiaries, and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as administrative agent and lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Company’s Form S-3 Registration Statement (File No. 333-266750), filed with the Commission on August 10, 2022)
10.31
Amendment Number 8 to Term Loan Agreement, effective as of November 7, 2022, by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC and HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC, as borrower, in favor of CH Capital Lending, LLC, as administrative agent and lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Company’s Form 8-K (File No. 001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 22, 2023)
10.32
Amendment Number 9 to Term Loan Agreement, dated December 8, 2023 by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC, collectively as borrower, and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as administrative agent and lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on December 14, 2023)
10.33
Amendment Number 10 to Term Loan Agreement, dated January 11, 2024 by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC, collectively as borrower, and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as administrative agent and lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on January 18, 2024)
10.34
Amendment Number 11 to Term Loan Agreement, dated January 17, 2024 by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company and HOF Village Newco, LLC, collectively as borrower, and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as administrative agent and lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on January 18, 2024)
10.35
Amendment Number 12 to Term Loan Agreement, dated February 1, 2024 by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC, collectively as borrower, and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as administrative agent and lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 25, 2024)
10.36
Amendment Number 13 to Term Loan Agreement, dated February 28, 2024 by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company and HOF Village Newco, LLC, collectively as borrower, and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as administrative agent and lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 25, 2024)
10.37
First Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated February 23, 2024, among HFAKOH001 LLC, as landlord, HOF Village Waterpark, LLC, as tenant, HOF Village Newco, LLC, as guarantor and HOF Village Stadium, LLC, as mortgagor (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on February 29, 2024)
10.38
Second Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated February 29, 2024, among HFAKOH001 LLC, as landlord, HOF Village Waterpark, LLC, as tenant, HOF Village Newco, LLC, as guarantor and HOF Village Stadium, LLC, as mortgagor (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on February 29, 2024)
10.39
Third Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated May 10, 2024, among HFAKOH001 LLC, as landlord, HOF Village Waterpark, LLC, as tenant, HOF Village Newco, LLC, as guarantor and HOF Village Stadium, LLC, as mortgagor (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (001-38363), filed with the Commission on May 14, 2024)
10.40
Forbearance agreement, dated September 25, 2024, by and among HOF Village Waterpark, LLC, HOF Village Newco, LLC, HOF Village Stadium, LLC, and Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, and HFAKOH001 LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 13, 2024)
10.41
Pledge and Security Agreement, dated February 23, 2024, between HOF Village Newco, LLC, as pledgor and HFAKOH001 LLC, as pledgee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on February 29, 2024)
10.42
Series H Common Stock Purchase Warrant, dated February 23, 2024, by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company for the benefit of HFAKOH001 LLC, as holder (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on February 29, 2024)
10.43
Open-End Mortgage, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, dated February 29, 2024, by HOF Village Newco, LLC, as mortgagor, for the benefit of HFAKOH001 LLC, as mortgagee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on February 29, 2024)
10.44
Equity Distribution Agreement, dated September 30, 2021, by and among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, Wedbush Securities Inc. and Maxim Group LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on October 1, 2021)
10.45
Amendment No. 1 to Equity Distribution Agreement, dated October 6, 2023, by and among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, and Maxim Group LLC and Wedbush Securities Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on October 12, 2023)
10.46
Amendment No. 2 to Equity Distribution Agreement, dated April 8, 2024, by and among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, and Maxim Group LLC and Wedbush Securities Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on April 8, 2024)
10.47
Joinder and Second Amended and Restated Secured COGNOVIT Promissory Note, effective as of November 7, 2022, issued by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC and HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC to IRG, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 22, 2023)
10.48
Joinder and Second Amended and Restated Secured COGNOVIT Promissory Note, effective as of November 7, 2022, issued by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC and HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC to JKP Financial, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 22, 2023)
10.49
Loan Agreement, dated December 15, 2021, between HOF Village Center For Excellence, LLC, as borrower, and ErieBank, a division of CNB Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of CNB Financial Corporation, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on December 16, 2021)
10.50
Promissory Note, dated December 15, 2021, issued by HOF Village Center for Excellence, LLC to ErieBank, a division of CNB Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of CNB Financial Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on December 16, 2021)
10.51
Guaranty of Payment, dated December 15, 2021, by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on December 16, 2021)
10.52
Energy Project Cooperative Agreement, dated December 15, 2021, among the City of Canton, Ohio, the Canton Regional Energy Special Improvement District, Inc., HOF Village Center For Excellence, LLC and Pace Equity, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on December 16, 2021)
10.53
Promissory Note, dated April 27, 2022, issued by HOF Village Center for Performance, LLC to Midwest Lender Fund, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on April 29, 2022)
10.54
Backup Promissory Note, effective as of November 7, 2022, issued by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, and HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC to Midwest Lender Fund, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 22, 2023)
10.55
Joinder and First Amended and Restated Promissory Note, effective as of November 7, 2022, issued by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, and HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC to CH Capital Lending, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 22, 2023)
10.56
Business Loan Agreement, dated June 16, 2022, between Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company and Stark Community Foundation, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on June 17, 2022)
10.57
First Amendment to Business Loan Agreement, dated June 25, 2024, between Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, as borrower, and Stark Community Foundation, Inc., as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on July 1, 2024)
10.58
Amended and Restated Promissory Note, dated June 25, 2024, between Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, as borrower, and Stark Community Foundation, Inc., as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on July 1, 2024)
10.59
Energy Project Cooperative Agreement, dated June 29, 2022, among HOF Village Stadium, LLC, Canton Regional Energy Special Improvement District, Inc., SPH Canton St, LLC, and City of Canton, Ohio (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (001-38363), filed with the Commission on August 11, 2022)
10.60
Business Loan Agreement, dated August 31, 2022, between Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company and Stark County Port Authority (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on September 7, 2022)
10.61
Amendment to Business Loan Agreement, dated May 20, 2024, between Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, as borrower, and Stark County Port Authority, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on May 24, 2024)
10.62
Business Loan Agreement, dated September 15, 2022, between Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company and City of Canton, Ohio (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on September 16, 2022)
10.63
First Amendment to Business Loan Agreement, dated June 5, 2024, between Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, as borrower, and City of Canton, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on June 11, 2024)
10.64
Loan Agreement, dated September 27, 2022, among HOF Village Retail I, LLC and HOF Village Retail II, LLC, as borrowers, and The Huntington National Bank, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on September 29, 2022)
10.65
Promissory Note, dated September 27, 2022, issued by HOF Village Retail I, LLC and HOF Village Retail II, LLC, as borrowers, to The Huntington National Bank, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on September 29, 2022)10.63 Ground Lease, dated September 27, 2022, among TWAIN GL XXXVI, LLC, as landlord, and HOF Village Retail I, LLC and HOF Village Retail II, LLC, as tenants (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on September 29, 2022)
10.66
Guaranty Fee Letter Agreement, dated September 27, 2022, among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Retail I, LLC, HOF Village Retail II, LLC, Stuart Lichter, and Stuart Lichter, Trustee of the Stuart Lichter Trust u/t/d dated November 13, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on September 29, 2022)
10.67
Assignment of Note, Security Instruments and Other Loan Documents, dated September 22, 2023, by The Huntington National Bank to and in favor of CH Capital Lending, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 14, 2023)
10.68
First Amended and Restated Promissory Note, dated December 8, 2023 by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Retail I, LLC, HOF Village Retail II, LLC, collectively as borrower, and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.90 of the Company’s Amendment No.1 to Annual Report on Form 10-K/A (001-38363), filed with the Commission on April 29, 2024)
10.69
Allonge to First Amended and Restated Promissory Note, executed December 12, 2024, by and among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Retail I, LLC, HOF Village Retail II, LLC, collectively borrower, and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on December 18, 2024)
10.70
Joinder and First Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated September 21, 2023 by and among HOF Village Retail I, LLC, HOF Village Retail II, LLC, Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, collectively as borrower, and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 14, 2023)
10.71
Second Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated October 6, 2023 by and among HOF Village Retail I, LLC, HOF Village Retail II, LLC, Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, collectively as borrower, and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 14, 2023)
10.72
Third Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated October 16, 2023 by and among HOF Village Retail I, LLC, HOF Village Retail II, LLC, Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, collectively as borrower, and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 14, 2023)
10.73
Fourth Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated November 21, 2023, among HOF Village Retail I, LLC, HOF Village Retail II, LLC and Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, as borrowers and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.68 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 25, 2024)
10.74
Fifth Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated December 8, 2023 by and among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Retail I, LLC, HOF Village Retail II, LLC, collectively as borrower, and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on December 14, 2023)
10.75
Sixth Amendment to Loan Agreement, executed December 12, 2024 by and among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Retail I, LLC, HOF Village Retail II, LLC, collectively as borrower, and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on December 18, 2024)
10.76
Payment Guaranty, dated October 19, 2022, by HOF Village Newco, LLC to and for the benefit of the Director of Development of the State of Ohio, and The Huntington National Bank, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on October 25, 2022)
10.77
Loan Agreement, dated October 1, 2022, among the Director of Development of the State of Ohio, the Stark County Port Authority, as borrower, and the HOF Village Center for Performance, LLC, as TDD bonds beneficiary (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on October 25, 2022)
10.78
Intercreditor and Subordination Agreement, dated October 1, 2022, by and among the Director of Development of the State of Ohio, acting on behalf of the State of Ohio, as junior lender; Midwest Lender Fund, LLC, as senior lender; and HOF Village Center for Performance, LLC, as borrower (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on October 25, 2022)
10.79
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated November 7, 2022, between HFAKOH001 LLC as buyer and HOF Village Waterpark, LLC as seller (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 9, 2022)
10.80
Ground Lease Agreement, dated November 7, 2022, between HFAKOH001 LLC as landlord and HOF Village Waterpark, LLC as tenant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 9, 2022)
10.81
Limited Recourse Carveout Guaranty, dated November 7, 2022, by HOF Village Newco, LLC as guarantor and HFAKOH001 LLC as landlord (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 9, 2022)
10.82
Pledge and Security Agreement, dated November 7, 2022, by HOF Village Newco, LLC as pledgor and HFAKOH001 LLC as landlord (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 9, 2022)
10.83
Post-Closing Matters Agreement, dated November 7, 2022, among HOF Village Waterpark, LLC, HOF Village Newco, LLC and HFAKOH001 LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 9, 2022)
10.84
Purchase Option Agreement, dated November 7, 2022, between HFAKOH001 LLC and HOF Village Waterpark, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 9, 2022)
10.85
Hotel Construction Loan Commitment Letter, signed November 3, 2022, among Industry Realty Group, Inc. as lender, Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company as guarantor, and HOF Village Hotel WP, LLC as borrower (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 9, 2022)
10.86
IRG Letter Agreement, dated November 7, 2022, between Industrial Realty Group, LLC and its various affiliates and related parties and Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 9, 2022)
10.87
Cooperative Tax Increment Financing Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2023, among Stark County Port Authority, the City of Canton, Ohio, Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company and HOF Village Newco, LLC, and is joined by HOF Village Stadium, LLC, HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC, HOF Village Center for Excellence, LLC, HOF Village Center for Performance, LLC, HOF Village Retail I, LLC, and HOF Village Retail II, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.71 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 27, 2023)
10.88
Maintenance and Management Agreement (Stark Port Public Roadway), dated as of February 1, 2023, by and between the Stark County Port Authority and HOF Village Newco, LLC, and is joined by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.72 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 27, 2023)
10.89
Minimum Payment Guaranty, dated as of February 2, 2023, by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company and HOF Village Newco, LLC, to the Stark County Port Authority and The Huntington National Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.73 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 27, 2023)
10.90
Shortfall Payment Guaranty, dated as of February 2, 2023, by Stuart Lichter, as trustee of The Stuart Lichter Trust U/T/D dated November 13, 2011, and Stuart Lichter to the Stark County Port Authority and The Huntington National Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.74 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 27, 2023)
10.91
Construction Loan Agreement, dated September 14, 2020 by and among HOF Village Hotel II, LLC, as borrower, Stuart Lichter, as guarantor, and ErieBank, a division of CNB Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of CNB Financial Corporation, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 14, 2023)
10.92
Second Amendment to Loan Documents, dated September 13, 2023, by and among HOF Village Hotel II, LLC, as borrower, Stuart Lichter, as guarantor, and ErieBank, a division of CNB Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of CNB Financial Corporation, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 14, 2023)
10.93
Third Amendment to Loan Documents, dated October 10, 2023, by and among HOF Village Hotel II, LLC, as borrower, Stuart Lichter, as guarantor, and ErieBank, a division of CNB Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of CNB Financial Corporation, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 14, 2023)
10.94
Cooperative Agreement, dated October 1, 2023, among City of Canton, Ohio, the Canton Regional Energy Special Improvement District, Inc., HOF Village Hotel II, LLC and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 14, 2023)
10.95
Cooperative Agreement, dated October 1, 2023, among Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority, City of Canton, Ohio, HOF Village Hotel II, LLC and The Huntington National Bank, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 14, 2023)
10.96
First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Secured Cognovit Promissory Note, dated December 8, 2023 by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC, collectively as borrower, and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.91 of the Company’s Amendment No.1 to Annual Report on Form 10-K/A (001-38363), filed with the Commission on April 29, 2024)
10.97
Fifth Amendment to and Spreader of Pledge and Security Agreement, dated December 8, 2023 by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC, collectively as grantor, and CH Capital Lending, LLC as administrative agent/collateral agent and IRG, LLC, JKP Financial, LLC, and Midwest Lender Fund, LLC, collectively secured parties (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on December 14, 2023)
10.98
Third Amendment to and Spreader of Open-End Fee and Leasehold Mortgage, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, dated December 8, 2023 by HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC, HOF Village Parking, LLC, HOF Village Newco, LLC, collectively as grantor, and CH Capital Lending, LLC as administrative agent or secured party (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on December 14, 2023)
10.99
Release, dated December 8, 2023 by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC, HOF Village Retail I, LLC, HOF Village Retail II, LLC, collectively as borrower and CH Capital Lending, LLC as administrative agent and lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on December 14, 2023)
10.100
Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2023, among Sandlot Facilities, LLC, as purchaser, Sandlot Youth Sports Holdings, LLC, as purchaser guarantor, HOF Village Newco, LLC, as seller, and Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.95 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 25, 2024)
10.101
Second Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Secured Cognovit Promissory Note, dated January 11, 2024 by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC, collectively as borrower, and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on January 18, 2024)
10.102
Sixth Amendment to and Spreader of Pledge and Security Agreement, dated January 11, 2024 by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC, collectively as grantor, and CH Capital Lending, LLC as administrative agent/collateral agent and IRG, LLC, JKP Financial, LLC, and Midwest Lender Fund, LLC, collectively secured parties (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on January 18, 2024)
10.103
Fourth Amendment to and Spreader of Open-End Fee and Leasehold Mortgage, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, dated January 11, 2024 by HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC, HOF Village Parking, LLC, HOF Village Newco, LLC, collectively as grantor, and CH Capital Lending, LLC as administrative agent or secured party (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on January 18, 2024)
10.104
Partial Release of Mortgage, dated January 11, 2024 by CH Capital Lending, LLC as administrative agent or secured party (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on January 18, 2024)
10.105
Omnibus Release of Youth Fields Borrower from Certain Debt Instruments, dated January 11, 2024 by CH Capital Lending, LLC as administrative agent and IRG, LLC, JKP Financial, LLC and Midwest Lender Fund, LLC, collectively Lenders for the benefit of HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on January 18, 2024)
10.106
Third Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Secured Cognovit Promissory Note, dated January 17, 2024 by Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company and HOF Village Newco, LLC, collectively as borrower, and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as administrative agent and lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on January 18, 2024)
10.107
Limited Waiver Agreement, dated October 6, 2023, by and among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC, HOF Village Center for Performance, LLC, and CH Capital Lending, LLC, IRG, LLC and Midwest Lender Fund, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 14, 2023)
10.108
Limited Waiver Agreement, dated October 6, 2023, by and among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC, HOF Village Center for Performance, LLC, HOF Village Hotel II, LLC, and JKP Financial, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (001-38363), filed with the Commission on November 14, 2023)
10.109
Modification Agreement, dated October 6, 2023, among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC, as borrowers and IRG, LLC, CH Capital Lending, LLC, Midwest Lender Funds, LLC, as lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.104 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 25, 2024)
10.110
Modification Agreement, dated October 6, 2023, between Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, HOF Village Youth Fields, LLC, as borrowers and JKP Financial, LLC, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.105 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 25, 2024)
10.111
Security Agreement, dated November 21, 2023, among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, as grantors, and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.106 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 25, 2024)
10.112
Omnibus Extension of Debt Instruments, dated April 7, 2024, by and among Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, as borrowers, and CH Capital Lending, LLC, IRG, LLC, JKP Financial, LLC, and Midwest Lender Fund, LLC as lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on April 8, 2024)
10.113
Business Loan Agreement, dated June 11, 2024 between the Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, as borrower, and Stark Community Foundation, Inc., as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on June 11, 2024)
10.114
Promissory Note Modification Agreement, dated June 11, 2024, between HOF Village Hotel II, LLC, as borrower, and Stark Community Foundation, Inc., as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on June 11, 2024)
10.115
Customer Contract for the EME Express Services Equipment Program, dated June 17, 2024, between HOF Village Waterpark, LLC, as customer, and Constellation NewEnergy, Inc., as service provider (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on June 21, 2024)
10.116
Efficiency Made Easy Program Agency Agreement, dated June 17, 2024, between HOF Village Waterpark, LLC, as principal, and Welty Building Construction Ltd., as agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on June 21, 2024)
10.117
Note and Security Agreement, dated November 14, 2024, between Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, HOF Village Retail I, LLC and HOF Village Retail II, LLC, as borrowers and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on January 30, 2025)
10.118
First Amendment to Note & Security Agreement, dated January 10, 2025, between Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, HOF Village Retail I, LLC and HOF Village Retail II, LLC, as borrowers and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on January 30, 2025)
10.119
Second Amendment to Note & Security Agreement, dated January 24, 2025, between Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, HOF Village Retail I, LLC and HOF Village Retail II, LLC, as borrowers and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on January 30, 2025)
10.120
Third Amendment to Note & Security Agreement, dated February 21, 2025, between Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, HOF Village Retail I, LLC and HOF Village Retail II, LLC, as borrowers and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on February 27, 2025)
10.121
Fourth Amendment to Note & Security Agreement, dated March 18, 2025, between Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment Company, HOF Village Newco, LLC, HOF Village Retail I, LLC and HOF Village Retail II, LLC, as borrowers and CH Capital Lending, LLC, as lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 21, 2025)
19.1*
Insider Trading Policy
21.1*
Subsidiaries
23.1*
Consent of independent registered public accountant.
31.1*
Certification of the Principal Executive and Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
31.2*
Certification of the Principal Accounting Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
32*
Certification of the Principal Executive and Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. 1350
97.01
Executive Officer Compensation Recovery Policy (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 97.01 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (001-38363), filed with the Commission on March 25, 2024)
101.SCH*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104*
Cover Page Interactive Data File (Embedded as Inline XBRL document and contained in Exhibit 101).
* Filed herewith.
† Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.