Sinclair, Inc.: Form 10-Q for the period ended Sep 30, 2024

The following Management's Discussion and Analysis provides qualitative and quantitative information about Sinclair's and SBG's financial performance and condition and should be read in conjunction with Sinclair's and SBG's consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to those statements. This discussion consists of the following sections:

Summary of Significant Events — financial events during the three months ended September 30, 2024 and through the date this Report on Form 10-Q is filed.

Results of Operations — an analysis of Sinclair's and SBG's revenues and expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Liquidity and Capital Resources — a discussion of Sinclair's and SBG's primary sources of liquidity and an analysis of Sinclair's and SBG's cash flows from or used in operating activities, investing activities, and financing activities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

Content and Distribution

• In August and September 2024, Sinclair expanded its podcast division, launching a new slate of sports programming featuring top athletes, coaches, and experts including “The Triple Option,” hosted by Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, and Rob Stone and “Throwbacks” with Matt Leinart and Jerry Ferrara.
• In the third quarter 2024, Sinclair entered into a multi-year renewal with Altice USA for continued carriage of SBG's broadcast stations and Tennis Channel on Altice's Optimum and Suddenlink owned systems.
• In the third quarter 2024, Sinclair entered into a multi-year renewal with DIRECTV for continued carriage of SBG's broadcast stations and Tennis Channel across DIRECTV, DIRECTV Stream, and U-verse.
• In October 2024, SBG launched the Rip City Television Network, a network of SBG affiliates throughout the Pacific Northwest to serve as the new television home of Trail Blazers starting with the 2024-25 season.
• In October 2024, Sinclair announced the launch of a soccer-focused podcast, "Unfiltered Soccer with Landon and Tim," featuring former U.S. soccer stars Landon Donovan and Tim Howard.

Corporate Social Responsibility

• In July 2024, Sinclair awarded scholarships to 12 university students as a part of its annual Diversity Scholarship program.
• In October 2024, Sinclair ran Sinclair Cares: Hurricane Helene Relief, a fundraising partnership with the Salvation Army and The United Way to assist with humanitarian relief efforts on the ground in Western North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, and Tennessee in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Including Sinclair's corporate donation of $50,000, the campaign raised nearly $1.3 million in donations designated for delivering emergency aid, including food, water, shelter, and cleanup kits.
• To date in 2024, SBG's newsrooms have won a total of 196 journalism awards.

NextGen Broadcast (ATSC 3.0)

• In 2024, Sinclair, in coordination with other broadcasters, and led by BitPath, its joint venture with another broadcaster, has deployed NextGen TV, powered by ATSC 3.0, in the two markets below. This brings the total number of our markets in which NextGen TV has been deployed to 45:

(a) The license and programming assets for this station are currently owned by a third party. SBG provides certain non-programming related sales, operational, and administrative services to this station pursuant to a service agreement, such as a JSA and SSA.

Financing, Capital Allocation, and Shareholder Returns

• In August 2024, Sinclair declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share and in November 2024, Sinclair declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share.

Any references to the first, second, or fourth quarters are to the three months ended March 31, June 30, or December 31, respectively, for the year being discussed. As of September 30, 2024, we had two reportable segments for accounting purposes, local media and tennis.

Seasonality / Cyclicality

The operating results of our local media segment are usually subject to cyclical fluctuations from political advertising. In even numbered years, political spending is usually significantly higher than in odd numbered years due to advertising expenditures preceding local and national elections. Additionally, every four years, political spending is usually elevated further due to advertising expenditures preceding the presidential election. Also, the second and fourth quarter operating results are usually higher than the first and third quarters' because advertising expenditures are increased in anticipation of certain seasonal and holiday spending by consumers.

The operating results of our tennis segment are usually subject to cyclical fluctuations due to the number and significance of tournaments that take place in the respective quarters during the year. The first and fourth quarter operating results are usually higher than the second and third quarters' because of the number and significance of tournaments that are played during those periods.

Operating Data

The following table sets forth our consolidated operating data for the periods presented (in millions):

56

Local Media Segment

The following table sets forth our revenue and expenses for our local media segment for the periods presented (in millions):

n/m - not meaningful

(a) Includes $2 million and $7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and $2 million and $4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, of intercompany revenue related to certain services provided to the tennis segment, which is eliminated in consolidation.

(b) Includes $4 million and $9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and $2 million and $5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, of intercompany expense related to certain services provided by other, which is eliminated in consolidation.

Revenue

Distribution revenue. Distribution revenue, which represents fees earned from Distributors for our broadcast signals, increased $18 million or 5% and $33 million or 3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2023. Contractual rate increases favorably impacted period-over-period distribution revenue by high-teen percentages for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and by mid-teen percentages for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The increase in distribution revenue was offset by a decrease in subscribers by low double-digit percentages for both periods, respectively.

Core advertising revenue. Core advertising revenue increased $2 million and decreased $9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2023, with no particular product/services category dominating the variance.

Political advertising revenue. Political advertising revenue increased $127 million and $182 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2023, primarily due to 2024 being a presidential political year, compared to 2023 which was an off-year election cycle, and therefore only had a small number of political races and correspondingly less political advertising spend.

Other media revenues. Other media revenues increased $1 million and $15 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2023, primarily due to an increase related to providing certain services under management services agreements.

The following table sets forth our primary types of programming and their approximate percentages of advertising revenue for the periods presented:

The following table sets forth our affiliate percentages of advertising revenue for the periods presented:

Expenses

Media programming and production expenses. Media programming and production expenses increased $13 million and $38 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2023, primarily due to an increase in fees pursuant to network affiliation agreements as a result of increased contractual rates.

Media selling, general and administrative expenses. Media selling, general and administrative expenses increased $24 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to a $7 million increase in third-party fulfillment costs from our digital business as a result of increased digital revenues, a $6 million increase in national sale commissions due to an increase in national advertising sales, a $5 million increase in employee compensation cost, and a $2 million increase in both information technology costs and credit card processing fees due to the increase in advertising revenue. Media selling, general and administrative expenses increased $35 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to an $11 million increase in third-party fulfillment costs from our digital business as a result of increased digital revenues, an $8 million increase in national sale commissions due to an increase in national advertising sales, a $6 million increase in employee compensation cost, a $3 million increase in credit card processing fees due to an increase in advertising revenue, and a $1 million increase in trade related expenses.

Amortization of program costs. The amortization of program costs remained flat for the three months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023. The amortization of program costs decreased $4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily related to reduced programming renewal costs.

Corporate general and administrative expenses. See explanation under Corporate and Unallocated Expenses.

Interest expense including amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs. Interest expense increased $1 million and $3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2023, primarily due to increased interest expense related to our variable rate debt resulting from higher interest rates.

Other income, net. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recognized a $26 million gain related to the sale of certain broadcast related assets and $9 million in interest income.

Tennis Segment

The following table sets forth our revenue and expenses for our tennis segment for the periods presented (in millions):

n/m - not meaningful

(a) Includes $2 million and $7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and $2 million and $4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, of intercompany expense related to certain services provided by the local media segment, which is eliminated in consolidation.

Revenue

Distribution revenue. Distribution revenue, which is generated through fees earned from Distributors for the right to distribute Tennis Channel, increased $2 million or 4% and $14 million or 10% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2023. Contractual rate increases favorably impacted period-over-period distribution revenue by low double-digit percentages for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. The increase in distribution revenue was offset by a decrease in subscribers by single-digit percentages for both periods, respectively.

Core advertising revenue. Core advertising revenue is primarily generated from sales of commercial time within Tennis Channel programming. Core advertising revenue decreased $1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to a shift in the 2024 tournament calendar compared to the 2023 tournament calendar. Core advertising revenue remained flat for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023.

Expenses

Media programming and production expenses. Media programming and production expenses increased $1 million and $7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2023, primarily due to an increase in live production expenses related to an increase in the number of tournaments aired in the current periods versus the prior periods.

Media selling, general and administrative expenses. Media selling, general and administrative expenses increased $2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to an increase in employee compensation cost. Media selling, general and administrative expenses increased $9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to an increase in expenses related to certain services provided by the local media segment, which is eliminated in consolidation, and employee compensation cost.

Corporate general and administrative expenses. See explanation under Corporate and Unallocated Expenses.

Other

The following table sets forth our revenues and expenses for our non-broadcast digital and internet solutions, technical services, and non-media investments (collectively, other) for the periods presented (in millions):

n/m - not meaningful

(a) Media revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 include $4 million and $9 million, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 include $2 million and $5 million, respectively, of intercompany revenue related to certain services and sales provided to the local media segment, which is eliminated in consolidation.

(b) Non-media revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 include $1 million and $5 million, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 include $2 million and $4 million, respectively, of intercompany revenue related to certain services and sales provided to the local media segment, which is eliminated in consolidation.

(c) Media expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 include $2 million of intercompany expense primarily related to certain services provided by the local media segment, which is eliminated in consolidation.

(d) Non-media expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 include $3 million and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 include $1 million and $2 million, respectively, of intercompany expense related to certain services and sales provided by the local media segment, which is eliminated in consolidation.

Revenue. Media revenues increased $3 million for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same periods in 2023, primarily due to an increase in advertising revenue related to our digital initiatives. Non-media revenues increased $3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to an increase in broadcast equipment sales.

Expenses. Media expenses increased $1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses related to our digital initiatives. Media expenses decreased $14 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to the sale of Stadium Network. Non-media expenses increased $10 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to an increase in expenses related to our technical services business and an increase in expenses associated with higher broadcast equipment sales.

Income from equity method investments. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recognized a gain of $93 million related to the sale of one of our investments, which is included in income from equity method investments in our consolidated statements of operations. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recognized a gain of $33 million on the sale of two of our real estate investments, which is included in income from equity method investments in our consolidated statements of operations.

Corporate and Unallocated Expenses

The following table presents our corporate and unallocated expenses for the periods presented (in millions):

n/m - not meaningful

Corporate general and administrative expenses. The table above and the explanation that follows cover total consolidated corporate general and administrative expenses. Corporate general and administrative expenses decreased $4 million and $16 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectfully, when compared to the same periods in 2023, primarily due to a decrease in legal, consulting, and regulatory costs, primarily related to the litigation discussed under Note 5. Commitments and Contingencies within Sinclair's Consolidated Financial Statements, partially offset by an increase in employee compensation cost.

Income tax (provision) benefit. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was a provision of 23.0% as compared to a benefit of 20.7% during the same period in 2023. The change from benefit to provision is primarily due to a book loss in 2023 compared to book income in 2024.

The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was a provision of 17.4% as compared to a benefit of 134.3% during the same period in 2023. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the same period in 2023, is primarily due to a release of the 2023 valuation allowance on deferred tax assets relating to deductibility of interest expense under the IRC Section 163(j) as a result of the change in the tax classification of the legal entity owning the DSG business because of the exit of the sole minority investor.

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, LLC RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, LLC RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Any references to the first, second, or fourth quarters are to the three months ended March 31, June 30, or December 31, respectively, for the year being discussed. As of September 30, 2024, SBG had one reportable segment for accounting purposes, local media.

Seasonality / Cyclicality

The operating results of SBG's local media segment are usually subject to cyclical fluctuations from political advertising. In even numbered years, political spending is usually significantly higher than in odd numbered years due to advertising expenditures preceding local and national elections. Additionally, every four years, political spending is usually elevated further due to advertising expenditures preceding the presidential election. Also, the second and fourth quarter operating results are usually higher than the first and third quarters' because advertising expenditures are increased in anticipation of certain seasonal and holiday spending by consumers.

Operating Data

The following table sets forth SBG's consolidated operating data for the periods presented (in millions):

Local Media Segment

Refer to Local Media Segment above under Sinclair, Inc.'s Results of Operations for a discussion of SBG's local media segment, which is the same as Sinclair's local media segment for all of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, LLC RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Other

The following table sets forth SBG's revenues and expenses for tennis, non-broadcast digital and internet solutions, technical services, and non-media investments (collectively, other) for the period presented, prior to the Reorganization (in millions):

(a) Media revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 include $3 million of intercompany revenue related to certain services and sales provided to the local media segment, which is eliminated in consolidation.

(b) Non-media revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 include $1 million of intercompany revenue related to certain services and sales provided to the local media segment, which is eliminated in consolidation.

(c) Media expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 include $1 million of intercompany expense primarily related to certain services provided by the local media segment, which is eliminated in consolidation.

(d) Non-media expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 include $1 million of intercompany expense related to certain services and sales provided by the local media segment, which is eliminated in consolidation.

The revenue and expense items noted above for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 represent activity prior to the Reorganization which occurred June 1, 2023, thus there is no activity presented for periods subsequent to May 31, 2023. See Company Reorganization under Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies within SBG's Consolidated Financial Statements.

Corporate and Unallocated Expenses

The following table presents SBG's corporate and unallocated expenses for the periods presented (in millions):

n/m - not meaningful

Corporate general and administrative expenses. The table above and the explanation that follows cover total consolidated corporate general and administrative expenses. Corporate general and administrative expenses decreased by $7 million and $47 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2023, primarily due to a decrease in legal, consulting, and regulatory costs, primarily related to the litigation discussed under Note 5. Commitments and Contingencies within SBG's Consolidated Financial Statements.

Income tax (provision) benefit. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was a provision of 22.8% as compared to a benefit of 18.9% during the same period in 2023. The change from benefit to provision is primarily due to a book loss in 2023 compared to book income in 2024.

SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, LLC RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was a provision of 13.6% as compared to a benefit of 144.6% during the same period in 2023. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the same period in 2023, is primarily due to a release of the 2023 valuation allowance on deferred tax assets relating to deductibility of interest expense under the IRC Section 163(j) as a result of the change in the tax classification of the legal entity owning the DSG business because of the exit of the sole minority investor.

As of September 30, 2024, Sinclair had net working capital of approximately $646 million, including $536 million in cash and cash equivalent balances, and $650 million of available borrowing capacity. Cash on hand, cash generated by Sinclair's operations, and borrowing capacity under the Bank Credit Agreement are used as Sinclair's primary sources of liquidity.

As of September 30, 2024, SBG had net working capital of approximately $238 million, including $202 million in cash and cash equivalent balances, and $650 million of available borrowing capacity. Cash on hand, cash generated by SBG's operations, and borrowing capacity under the Bank Credit Agreement are used as SBG's primary sources of liquidity.

The Bank Credit Agreement of STG, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SBG, includes a financial maintenance covenant, the first lien leverage ratio (as defined in the Bank Credit Agreement), which requires such ratio not to exceed 4.5x, measured as of the end of each fiscal quarter, which is only applicable if 35% or more of the capacity (as a percentage of total commitments) under the revolving credit facility, measured as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, is utilized under the revolving credit facility as of such date. Since there was no utilization under the revolving credit facility as of September 30, 2024, STG was not subject to the financial maintenance covenant under the Bank Credit Agreement. As of September 30, 2024, the STG first lien leverage ratio was below 4.5x. The Bank Credit Agreement contains other restrictions and covenants with which STG was in compliance as of September 30, 2024.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, STG purchased $27 million aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan B-2, due September 30, 2026, for consideration of $25 million.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Sinclair and SBG entered into agreements which increased estimated contractual amounts owed for network programming rights by $1,592 million which have terms that extend into 2027. There were no other material changes to Sinclair's or SBG's contractual cash obligations as of September 30, 2024.

Sinclair and SBG anticipate that existing cash and cash equivalents, cash flow from the local media segment's operations, and borrowing capacity under the Bank Credit Agreement will be sufficient to satisfy the local media segment's debt service obligations, capital expenditure requirements, and working capital needs for the next twelve months. Sinclair anticipates that existing cash and cash equivalents and cash flow from SBG, the tennis segment and other's operations will be sufficient to satisfy SBG's, the tennis segment and other's debt service obligations, capital expenditure requirements, and working capital needs for the next twelve months. However, certain factors, including but not limited to the war in Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East, and other geopolitical matters, natural disasters, and pandemics, and their resulting effect on the economy, Sinclair's and SBG's advertisers, and Sinclair's and SBG's Distributors and their subscribers, could affect Sinclair's and SBG's liquidity and first lien leverage ratio which could affect Sinclair's and SBG's ability to access the full borrowing capacity under the Bank Credit Agreement. In addition to the sources described above, Sinclair and SBG may rely upon various sources for long-term liquidity needs, such as but not limited to, the issuance of long-term debt, the issuance of Sinclair equity, for Sinclair only, the issuance of Ventures equity or debt, or other instruments convertible into or exchangeable for Sinclair equity, or the sale of assets. However, there can be no assurance that additional financing or capital or buyers of assets will be available, or that the terms of any transactions will be acceptable or advantageous to Sinclair or SBG.

In January 2024, Sinclair announced that it had agreed to a global settlement and release of all claims associated with the litigation filed by DSG and DSG’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Diamond Sports Net, LLC, in July 2023 and on March 1, 2024, the court approved the settlement. The settlement terms included Sinclair’s cash payment to DSG of $495 million. Additionally, under the terms of the settlement, Sinclair would provide transition services to DSG to allow DSG to become a self-standing entity going forward. An initial payment of $50 million was made in the first quarter of 2024 and the remaining $445 million was paid in the second quarter of 2024. Of the total $495 million settlement amount paid, $347 million was paid by STG and $148 million was paid by Ventures.

Sinclair, Inc. Sources and Uses of Cash

The following table sets forth Sinclair's cash flows for the periods presented (in millions):

Operating Activities

Net cash flows from Sinclair's operating activities increased for the three months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to an increase in cash collections related to political revenue and Distributors, partially offset by an increase in production and overhead costs.

Net cash flows used in Sinclair's operating activities increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to the payment of the DSG settlement and an increase in production and overhead costs, partially offset by an increase in cash collections related to political revenue and Distributors.

Investing Activities

Net cash flows used in Sinclair's investing activities decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to a decrease in the acquisition of property and equipment in the current period, partially offset by an increase in purchases of investments in the current period.

Net cash flows from Sinclair's investing activities decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to a decrease in the distributions and proceeds from investments in the current period, partially offset by a decrease in the acquisition of property and equipment in the current period.

Financing Activities

Net cash flows used in Sinclair's financing activities decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to a decrease in the repayment of debt in the current period.

Net cash flows used in Sinclair's financing activities decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to the repurchase of outstanding Common Stock and the redeemable subsidiary preferred equity in the prior period and a decrease in the repayment of debt in the current period.

Sinclair declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share in August 2024 and $0.25 per share in November 2024. Future dividends on Sinclair's shares of common stock, if any, will be at the discretion of Sinclair's Board of Directors and will depend on several factors including Sinclair's results of operations, cash requirements and surplus, financial condition, covenant restrictions, and other factors that Sinclair's Board of Directors may deem relevant.

Sinclair Broadcast Group, LLC Sources and Uses of Cash

The following table sets forth SBG's cash flows for the periods presented (in millions):

Operating Activities

Net cash flows from SBG's operating activities increased for the three months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to an increase in cash collections related to political revenue and Distributors, partially offset by an increase in production and overhead costs.

Net cash flows used in SBG's operating activities increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to the payment of the DSG settlement and an increase in production and overhead costs, partially offset by an increase in cash collections related to political revenue and Distributors, as well as the impact of the Reorganization, as discussed in Company Reorganization under Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies within SBG's Consolidated Financial Statements.

Investing Activities

Net cash flows used in SBG's investing activities decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to an increase in distributions and proceeds from investments and a decrease in the acquisition of property and equipment in the current period.

Net cash flows used in SBG's investing activities increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to the $193 million A/R Facility principal payment received from DSPV in the prior period, offset by a decrease in the purchases of investments in the current period, as a result of the Reorganization, as discussed in Company Reorganization under Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies within SBG's Consolidated Financial Statements, and a decrease in the acquisition of property and equipment in the current period.

Financing Activities

Net cash flows used in SBG's financing activities decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to a decrease in the repayment of debt in the current period.

Net cash flows used in SBG's financing activities decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to a decrease in the repayment of debt in the current period and an increase in net contributions from member in the current period, as a result of the Reorganization, as discussed in Company Reorganization under Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies within SBG's Consolidated Financial Statements, and the repurchase of outstanding Old Sinclair Common Stock, dividends paid on Old Sinclair Class A and Class B Common Stock, and the repurchase of the redeemable subsidiary preferred equity in the prior period.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

There were no changes to the critical accounting policies and estimates from those disclosed in Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates under Part II. Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations within our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

There have been no material changes from the quantitative and qualitative discussion about market risk previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Each of Sinclair's and SBG's management, under the supervision and with the participation of its respective Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the design and effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2024.

The term "disclosure controls and procedures," as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

Assessment of Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Based on the evaluation of its disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2024, each of Sinclair's and SBG's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, Sinclair's and SBG's disclosure controls and procedures, respectively, were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in either Sinclair's or SBG's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls

Management, including each of Sinclair's and SBG's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, do not expect that Sinclair's and SBG's disclosure controls and procedures or its internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within each company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management's override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions, except share and per share data) (Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

(a) Our consolidated total assets as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 include total assets of variable interest entities ("VIE") of $76 million and $85 million, respectively, which can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIEs. Our consolidated total liabilities as of both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 include total liabilities of VIEs of $17 million for which the creditors of the VIEs have no recourse to us. See Note 8. Variable Interest Entities.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in millions, except share and per share data) (Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(in millions) (Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY AND REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

(in millions, except share and per share data) (Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY AND NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

(in millions, except share and per share data) (Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions) (Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

Nature of Operations

Sinclair, Inc. ("Sinclair") is a diversified media company with national reach and a strong focus on providing high-quality content on our local television stations and digital platforms. The content, distributed through our broadcast platform and third-party platforms, consists of programming provided by third-party networks and syndicators, local news, other original programming produced by us and our owned networks and professional sports. Additionally, we own digital media companies that are complementary to our extensive portfolio of television station related digital properties and we have interests in, own, manage, and/or operate technical and software services companies, research and development companies for the advancement of broadcast technology, and other media and non-media related businesses and assets, including real estate, venture capital, private equity, and direct investments.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2024, we had two reportable segments: local media and tennis. The local media segment consists primarily of our 185 broadcast television stations in 86 markets, which we own, provide programming and operating services pursuant to agreements commonly referred to as local marketing agreements ("LMA"), or provide sales services and other non-programming operating services pursuant to other outsourcing agreements (such as joint sales agreements ("JSA") and shared services agreements ("SSA")). These stations broadcast 638 channels as of September 30, 2024. For the purpose of this report, these 185 stations and 638 channels are referred to as "our" stations and channels. The tennis segment consists of Tennis Channel, a cable network which includes coverage of many of tennis' top tournaments and original professional sports and tennis lifestyle shows; Tennis Channel International streaming service; Tennis Channel Plus streaming service; T2 FAST, a 24-hours a day free ad-supported streaming television channel; and Tennis.com.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, and VIEs for which we are the primary beneficiary. Noncontrolling interests represent a minority owner's proportionate share of the equity in certain of our consolidated entities. Noncontrolling interests which may be redeemed by the holder, and the redemption is outside of our control, are presented as redeemable noncontrolling interests. All intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

We consolidate VIEs when we are the primary beneficiary. We are the primary beneficiary of a VIE when we have the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns that would be significant to the VIE. See Note 8. Variable Interest Entities for more information on our VIEs.

Investments in entities over which we have significant influence but not control are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Income from equity method investments represents our proportionate share of net income generated by equity method investees.

Company Reorganization

On April 3, 2023, the company formerly known as Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., a Maryland corporation ("Old Sinclair"), entered into an Agreement of Share Exchange and Plan of Reorganization (the "Share Exchange Agreement") with Sinclair, and Sinclair Holdings, LLC, a Maryland limited liability company ("Sinclair Holdings"). The purpose of the transactions contemplated by the Share Exchange Agreement was to effect a holding company reorganization in which Sinclair would become the publicly-traded parent company of Old Sinclair.

Effective at 12:00 am Eastern U.S. time on June 1, 2023 (the "Share Exchange Effective Time"), pursuant to the Share Exchange Agreement and Articles of Share Exchange filed with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, the share exchange between Sinclair and Old Sinclair was completed (the "Share Exchange"). In the Share Exchange, (i) each share or fraction of a share of Old Sinclair's Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Old Sinclair Class A Common Shares"), outstanding immediately prior to the Share Exchange Effective Time was exchanged on a one-for-one basis for an equivalent share of Sinclair's Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Sinclair Class A Common Shares"), and (ii) each share or fraction of a share of Old Sinclair's Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Old Sinclair Class B Common Shares"), outstanding immediately prior to the Share Exchange Effective Time was exchanged on a one-for-one basis for an equivalent share of Sinclair's Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Sinclair Class B Common Shares").

Immediately following the Share Exchange Effective Time, Old Sinclair converted from a Maryland corporation to a Maryland limited liability company named Sinclair Broadcast Group, LLC ("SBG"). On the day following the Share Exchange Effective Time (June 2, 2023), Sinclair Holdings became the intermediate holding company between Sinclair and SBG, and SBG transferred certain of its assets (the "Transferred Assets") to Ventures, a new indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Sinclair. We refer to the Share Exchange and the related steps described above collectively as the "Reorganization." The Transferred Assets included technical and software services companies, intellectual property for the advancement of broadcast technology, and other media and non-media related businesses and assets including real estate, venture capital, private equity, and direct investments, as well as Compulse, a marketing technology and managed services company, and Tennis Channel and related assets. As a result of the Reorganization, the local media segment assets are owned and operated by SBG and the assets of the tennis segment and the Transferred Assets are owned and operated by Ventures.

At the Share Exchange Effective Time, Sinclair's articles of incorporation and bylaws were amended and restated to be the same in all material respects as the existing articles of incorporation and bylaws of Old Sinclair immediately prior to the Share Exchange. As a result, the Sinclair Class A Common Shares confer upon the holders thereof the same rights with respect to Sinclair that the holders of the Old Sinclair Class A Common Shares had with respect to Old Sinclair, and the Sinclair Class B Common Shares confer upon the holders thereof the same rights with respect to Sinclair that the holders of the Old Sinclair Class B Common Shares had with respect to Old Sinclair. Sinclair's Board of Directors, including its committees, and senior management team immediately after the Share Exchange were the same as Old Sinclair's immediately before the Share Exchange.

The Reorganization is considered transactions between entities under common control and as SBG and Ventures are both subsidiaries of Sinclair, there was no impact on the consolidated financial statements of Sinclair.

Interim Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, such financial statements have been presented on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations, consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), consolidated statements of equity and redeemable noncontrolling interests, and consolidated statements of cash flows for these periods as adjusted for the adoption of recent accounting pronouncements.

As permitted under the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), the consolidated financial statements do not include all disclosures normally included with audited consolidated financial statements and, accordingly, should be read together with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC. The consolidated statements of operations presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are not necessarily representative of operations for an entire year.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses in the consolidated financial statements and in the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In October 2021, the FASB issued guidance to improve the accounting for acquired revenue contracts with customers in a business combination by addressing diversity in practice. ASU 2021-08 requires that an acquiring entity recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606, as if it had originated the contracts. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2023. The impact of the adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2023, the FASB issued guidance to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance.

In December 2023, the FASB issued guidance to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures, requiring annual disclosure of consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation table; additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold (if the effect of those reconciling items is equal to or greater than 5 percent of the amount computed by multiplying pretax income or loss by the applicable statutory income tax rate); income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction; and income or loss before income tax disaggregated between foreign and domestic. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance.

In November 2024, the FASB issued guidance requiring disclosure of disaggregated information about certain income statement expense line items. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance.

Broadcast Television Programming

We have agreements with programming syndicators for the rights to television programming over contract periods, which generally run from one to three years. Contract payments are made in installments over terms that are generally equal to or shorter than the contract period. Pursuant to accounting guidance for the broadcasting industry, an asset and a liability for the rights acquired and obligations incurred under a license agreement are reported on the balance sheet when the cost of each program is known or reasonably determinable, the program material has been accepted by the licensee in accordance with the conditions of the license agreement, and the program is available for its first showing or telecast. The portion of program contracts which becomes payable within one year is reflected as a current liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The rights to this programming are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at the lower of unamortized cost or fair value. Program costs are amortized on a straight-line basis except for contracts greater than three years which are amortized utilizing an accelerated method. Program costs estimated by management to be amortized in the succeeding year are classified as current assets. Payments of program contract liabilities are typically made on a scheduled basis and are not affected by amortization or fair value adjustments.

Fair value is determined utilizing a discounted cash flow model based on management's expectation of future advertising revenues, net of sales commissions, to be generated by the program material. We assess our program costs on a quarterly basis to ensure the costs are recorded at the lower of unamortized cost or fair value.

Hedge Accounting

We entered into an interest rate swap effective February 7, 2023 and terminating on February 28, 2026 in order to manage a portion of our exposure to variable interest rates. The swap agreement has a notional amount of $600 million, bears a fixed interest rate of 3.9%, and we receive a floating rate of interest based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR").

We have determined that the interest rate swap meets the criteria for hedge accounting. The initial value of the interest rate swap and any changes in value in subsequent periods is included in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, with a corresponding change recorded in assets or liabilities depending on the position of the swap. Gains or losses on the monthly settlement of the interest rate swap are reflected in interest expense in our consolidated statements of operations. Cash flows related to the interest rate swap are classified as operating activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows. See Interest Rate Swap within Note 3. Notes Payable, Finance Leases, and Commercial Bank Financing for further discussion.

Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities

Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities were $4 million for both the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. Leased assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities were $17 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Non-cash investing activities included property and equipment purchases of $5 million for both the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

Revenue Recognition

The following table presents our revenue disaggregated by type and segment (in millions):

Distribution Revenue. We have agreements with Distributors. We generate distribution revenue through fees received from these Distributors for the right to distribute our stations and other properties. Distribution arrangements are generally governed by multi-year contracts and the underlying fees are based upon a contractual monthly rate per subscriber. These arrangements represent licenses of intellectual property; revenue is recognized as the signal or network programming is provided to our customers (as usage occurs) which corresponds with the satisfaction of our performance obligation. Revenue is calculated based upon the contractual rate multiplied by an estimated number of subscribers. Our customers will remit payments based upon actual subscribers a short time after the conclusion of a month, which generally does not exceed 120 days. Historical adjustments to subscriber estimates have not been material.

Core Advertising Revenue. We generate core advertising revenue primarily from the sale of non-political advertising spots/impressions within our broadcast television and digital platforms.

Political Advertising Revenue. We generate political advertising revenue primarily from the sale of political advertising spots/impressions within our broadcast television and digital platforms.

In accordance with ASC 606, we do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) distribution arrangements which are accounted for as a sales/usage based royalty.

Deferred Revenue. We record deferred revenue when cash payments are received or due in advance of our performance, including amounts which are refundable. We classify deferred revenue as either current in other current liabilities or long-term in other long-term liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets based on the timing of when we expect to satisfy our performance obligations. Deferred revenue was $189 million and $178 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, of which $109 million and $124 million, respectively, was reflected in other long-term liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. Deferred revenue recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, included in the deferred revenue balance as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, was $40 million and $44 million, respectively.

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, one customer accounted for 10% of our total revenues. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, two customers accounted for 11% and 10%, respectively, of our total revenues. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, two customers accounted for 11% and 10%, respectively, of our total revenues. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, two customers accounted for 11% and 10%, respectively, of our total revenues. As of September 30, 2024, three customers accounted for 11%, 10%, and 10%, respectively, of our accounts receivable, net. As of December 31, 2023, two customers accounted for 10% and 10%, respectively, of our accounts receivable, net. For purposes of this disclosure, a single customer may include multiple entities under common control.

Income Taxes

Our income tax provision for all periods consists of federal and state income taxes. The tax provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 is based on the estimated effective tax rate applicable for the full year after taking into account discrete tax items and the effects of the noncontrolling interests. We provide a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets if we determine that it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In evaluating our ability to realize net deferred tax assets, we consider all available evidence, both positive and negative, including our past operating results, tax planning strategies, current and cumulative losses, and forecasts of future taxable income. In considering these sources of taxable income, we must make certain judgments that are based on the plans and estimates used to manage our underlying businesses on a long-term basis. A valuation allowance has been provided for deferred tax assets related to a substantial amount of our available state net operating loss carryforwards based on past operating results, expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary basis differences, alternative tax strategies, and projected future taxable income.

Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was greater than the statutory rate primarily due to non-deductible expenses. Our effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was less than the statutory rate primarily due to an immaterial $7.5 million correcting adjustment related to the accrual of interest income attributable to prior years' pending income tax refund claims. Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2023 approximated the statutory rate. Our effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was greater than the statutory rate primarily due to a release of the 2023 valuation allowance on deferred tax assets relating to deductibility of interest expense under the Internal Revenue Code Section 163(j) ("IRC Section 163(j)") as a result of the change in the tax classification of the legal entity owning the DSG business from a partnership to disregarded entity because of the exit of the sole minority investor.

We do not believe that our liability for unrecognized tax benefits would be materially impacted, in the next twelve months, as a result of the expected statute of limitations expirations, the application of limits under available state administrative practice exceptions, and the resolution of examination issues and settlements with federal and certain state tax authorities.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years' consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year's presentation.

Subsequent Events

In November 2024, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, payable on December 16, 2024 to holders of record at the close of business on December 2, 2024.

2. OTHER ASSETS:

Other assets as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 consisted of the following (in millions):

Equity Method Investments

We have a portfolio of investments, including our investment in Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC ("DSIH"), and also a number of entities that are primarily focused on the development of real estate and other media and non-media businesses. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we sold one of our other media investments which had a book value of $37 million as of December 31, 2023 for proceeds of $130 million and recognized a gain of $93 million. No investments were individually significant for the periods presented.

Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC. We account for our equity interest in DSIH under the equity method of accounting. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, we recorded no equity method loss related to the investment because the carrying value of the investment is zero and we are not obligated to fund losses incurred by DSIH.

Other Investments

We measure our investments, excluding equity method investments, at fair value or, in situations where fair value is not readily determinable, we have the option to value investments at cost plus observable changes in value, less impairment. Additionally, certain investments are measured at net asset value ("NAV").

As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we held $214 million and $162 million, respectively, in investments measured at fair value. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we held $104 million and $189 million, respectively, in investments measured at NAV. We recognized a fair value adjustment gain of $15 million and a loss of $28 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and fair value adjustment losses of $26 million and $74 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, associated with these investments, which are reflected in other income (expense), net in our consolidated statements of operations. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, our unfunded commitments related to our investments valued using the NAV practical expedient totaled $61 million and $74 million, respectively.

Investments accounted for utilizing the measurement alternative were $31 million and $36 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. We recorded a $2 million impairment related to one investment for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and a $6 million impairment related to one investment for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, which are reflected in other income (expense), net in our consolidated statements of operations.

Note Receivable

We were party to an Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility ("A/R Facility"), held by Diamond Sports Finance SPV, LLC ("DSPV"), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of DSIH. On May 10, 2023, DSPV paid the Company approximately $199 million, representing the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the loans under the A/R Facility, accrued interest, and outstanding fees and expenses. The A/R Facility was terminated on March 14, 2024.

3. NOTES PAYABLE, FINANCE LEASES, AND COMMERCIAL BANK FINANCING:

Bank Credit Agreement and Notes

The bank credit agreement of Sinclair Television Group, Inc. ("STG"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SBG (the "Bank Credit Agreement"), includes a financial maintenance covenant, the first lien leverage ratio (as defined in the Bank Credit Agreement), which requires such ratio not to exceed 4.5x, measured as of the end of each fiscal quarter, which is only applicable if 35% or more of the capacity (as a percentage of total commitments) under the revolving credit facility, measured as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, is utilized under the revolving credit facility as of such date. Since there was no utilization under the revolving credit facility as of September 30, 2024, STG was not subject to the financial maintenance covenant under the Bank Credit Agreement. As of September 30, 2024, the STG first lien leverage ratio was below 4.5x. The Bank Credit Agreement contains other restrictions and covenants with which STG was in compliance as of September 30, 2024.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we repurchased $27 million aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan B-2, due September 30, 2026, for consideration of $25 million. The portions of the Term Loan B-2 purchased were canceled immediately following their acquisition. We recognized a gain on extinguishment of the Term Loan B-2 of $1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Finance Leases to Affiliates

The current portion of notes payable, finance leases, and commercial bank financing in our consolidated balance sheets includes finance leases to affiliates of $3 million and $2 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Notes payable, finance leases, and commercial bank financing, less current portion, in our consolidated balance sheets includes finances leases to affiliates of $9 million and $5 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. See Note 9. Related Person Transactions.

Debt of Variable Interest Entities and Guarantees of Third-Party Obligations

STG jointly, severally, unconditionally, and irrevocably guaranteed $2 million of debt of certain third parties as of both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, all of which related to consolidated VIEs and is included in our consolidated balance sheets as of both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. We have also provided a guarantee that requires us to provide funding to Marquee regional sports network ("Marquee") if Marquee's free cash flow generated in the applicable year and its existing cash balance are insufficient to allow Marquee to make certain payments under certain of Marquee's agreements with affiliates of the Chicago Cubs, an affiliate of which is also a co-owner of Marquee. The funding obligation under the guarantee is subject to a maximum annual amount of $117 million with annual escalations of 4% for the next five years. We have determined that, as of September 30, 2024, it is not probable that we would have to perform under any of these guarantees. See Note 5. Commitments and Contingencies for additional information.

Interest Rate Swap

We entered into an interest rate swap effective February 7, 2023 and terminating on February 28, 2026 in order to manage a portion of our exposure to variable interest rates. The swap agreement has a notional amount of $600 million, bears a fixed interest rate of 3.9%, and we receive a floating rate of interest based on SOFR. See Hedge Accounting within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for further discussion. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the fair value of the interest rate swap was a liability of $3 million and an asset of $1 million, respectively, which are recorded in other current liabilities and other assets, respectively, in our consolidated balance sheets.

4. REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS:

We account for redeemable noncontrolling interests in accordance with ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, and classify them as mezzanine equity in our consolidated balance sheets because their possible redemption is outside of the control of the Company. Our redeemable non-controlling interests previously consisted of the following:

Redeemable Subsidiary Preferred Equity. On August 23, 2019, Diamond Sports Holdings LLC ("DSH"), an indirect parent of Diamond Sports Group, LLC ("DSG") and indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, issued preferred equity (the "Redeemable Subsidiary Preferred Equity").

On February 10, 2023, we purchased the remaining 175,000 units of the Redeemable Subsidiary Preferred Equity for an aggregate purchase price of $190 million, representing 95% of the sum of the remaining unreturned capital contribution of $175 million, and accrued and unpaid dividends up to, but not including, the date of purchase.

Dividends accrued for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 were $3 million and are reflected in net loss attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests in our consolidated statements of operations. Dividends accrued for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 were paid-in-kind and added to the liquidation preference, which was partially offset by certain required cash tax distributions.

5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

Litigation, Claims, and Regulatory Matters

We are a party to lawsuits, claims, and regulatory matters from time to time in the ordinary course of business. Actions currently pending are in various stages and no material judgments or decisions have been rendered by hearing boards or courts in connection with such actions. Except as noted below, we do not believe the outcome of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material effect on our financial statements.

FCC Matters

On May 22, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") released an Order and Consent Decree pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay $48 million to resolve the matters covered by a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture ("NAL") issued in December 2017 proposing a $13 million fine for alleged violations of the FCC's sponsorship identification rules by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, the FCC's investigation of the allegations raised in the Hearing Designation Order issued in connection with the Company's proposed acquisition of Tribune, and a retransmission related matter. The Company submitted the $48 million payment on August 19, 2020. As part of the consent decree, the Company also agreed to implement a 4-year compliance plan. Two petitions were filed on June 8, 2020 seeking reconsideration of the Order and Consent Decree. The Company filed an opposition to the petitions on June 18, 2020, and the petitions remain pending. The consent decree expired on May 29, 2024.

On September 1, 2020, one of the individuals who filed a petition for reconsideration of the Order and Consent Decree filed a petition to deny the license renewal application of WBFF(TV), Baltimore, MD, and the license renewal applications of two other Baltimore, MD stations with which the Company has a JSA or LMA, Deerfield Media station WUTB(TV) and Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation ("Cunningham") station WNUV(TV). The Company filed an opposition to the petition on October 1, 2020. On January 18, 2024, a motion was filed to request substitution of the petitioner, who is deceased. On January 29, 2024, the Company filed (1) an opposition to the motion for substitution and (2) a motion to dismiss the petition to deny the renewal applications. An opposition was filed to the motion to dismiss on February 5, 2024, and the Company timely filed its reply on February 13, 2024, and the matter remains pending.

On September 2, 2020, the FCC adopted a Memorandum Opinion and Order and NAL against the licensees of several stations with whom the Company has LMAs, JSAs, and/or SSAs in response to a complaint regarding those stations' retransmission consent negotiations. The NAL proposed a $0.5 million penalty for each station, totaling $9 million. The licensees filed a response to the NAL on October 15, 2020, asking the FCC to dismiss the proceeding or, alternatively, to reduce the proposed forfeiture to $25,000 per station. On July 28, 2021, the FCC issued a forfeiture order in which the $0.5 million penalty was upheld for all but one station. A Petition for Reconsideration of the forfeiture order was filed on August 7, 2021. On March 14, 2022, the FCC released a Memorandum Opinion and Order and Order on Reconsideration, which reaffirmed the forfeiture order, and dismissed (and in the alternative, denied) the Petition for Reconsideration, and stated that because the fines were not paid within the period stated in the July 2021 forfeiture order the FCC may refer the case to the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ") for enforcement of the forfeiture pursuant to Section 504 of the Communications Act. Our understanding is that enforcement remains pending. The Company is not a party to this forfeiture order; however, our consolidated financial statements include an accrual of additional expenses of $8 million for the above legal matters during the year ended December 31, 2021, as we consolidate these stations as VIEs.

On September 21, 2022, the FCC released an NAL against the licensees of a number of stations, including 83 Company stations and several stations with whom the Company has LMAs, JSAs, and/or SSAs, for violation of the FCC's limitations on commercial matter in children's television programming related to KidsClick network programming distributed by the Company in 2018. The NAL proposed a fine of $2.7 million against the Company, and fines ranging from $20,000 to $26,000 per station for the other licensees, including the LMA, JSA, and/or SSA stations, for a total of $3.4 million. As of September 30, 2024, we have accrued $3.4 million. On October 21, 2022, the Company filed a written response seeking reduction of the proposed fine amount. On September 6, 2024, the FCC denied the Company's request for reduction of the fine (and similar requests filed by certain other licensees) and issued a forfeiture order imposing the fine as proposed in the NAL. The Company and all other affected licensees filed a joint petition for reconsideration of the forfeiture order on October 7, 2024 and the matter remains pending.

Other Matters

On November 6, 2018, the Company agreed to enter into a proposed consent decree with the DOJ. This consent decree resolves the DOJ's investigation into the sharing of pacing information among certain stations in some local markets. The DOJ filed the consent decree and related documents in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on November 13, 2018. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia entered the consent decree on May 22, 2019. The consent decree is not an admission of any wrongdoing by the Company and does not subject the Company to any monetary damages or penalties. The Company believes that even if the pacing information was shared as alleged, it would not have impacted any pricing of advertisements or the competitive nature of the market. The consent decree requires the Company to adopt certain antitrust compliance measures, including the appointment of an Antitrust Compliance Officer, consistent with what the DOJ has required in previous consent decrees in other industries. The consent decree also requires the Company's stations not to exchange pacing and certain other information with other stations in their local markets, which the Company's management had already instructed them not to do.

The Company is aware of twenty-two putative class action lawsuits that were filed against the Company following published reports of the DOJ investigation into the exchange of pacing data within the industry. On October 3, 2018, these lawsuits were consolidated in the Northern District of Illinois. The consolidated action alleges that the Company and thirteen other broadcasters conspired to fix prices for commercials to be aired on broadcast television stations throughout the United States and engaged in unlawful information sharing, in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. The consolidated action seeks damages, attorneys' fees, costs and interest, as well as injunctions against adopting practices or plans that would restrain competition in the ways the plaintiffs have alleged. The Court denied the defendants' motion to dismiss on November 6, 2020. Discovery commenced shortly after that and is continuing. Under the current schedule set by the Court, fact discovery is scheduled to close 90 days after a Special Master completes his review of the plaintiffs' objections to the defendant's privilege claims. That privilege review is ongoing. On August 18, 2023, the defendants filed objections to the Special Master's First Report and Recommendations with the Court. The Court overruled the defendants' objections on January 31, 2024. The Special Master has not indicated when he expects to complete his privilege review. On December 8, 2023, the Court granted final approval of the settlements the plaintiffs had reached with four of the original defendants (CBS, Fox, Cox Media, and ShareBuilders), who agreed to pay a total of $48 million to settle the plaintiffs' claims against them. The Company and the other non-settling defendants continue to believe the lawsuits are without merit and intend to vigorously defend themselves against all such claims.

On July 19, 2023, as part of bankruptcy proceedings of DSG, an independently managed and unconsolidated subsidiary of Sinclair, DSG and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Diamond Sports Net, LLC, filed a complaint (the "Diamond Litigation"), under seal, in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas naming certain subsidiaries of Sinclair, including SBG and STG and certain officers of SBG and STG, as defendants.

In the complaint, plaintiffs challenged a series of transactions involving SBG and certain of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and DSG and its subsidiaries, on the other hand, since SBG acquired the former Fox Sports regional sports networks from The Walt Disney Company in August 2019. The complaint alleged, among other things, that the management services agreement (the "MSA") entered into by STG and DSG was not fair to DSG and was designed to benefit STG and SBG; that the Bally's Corporation ("Bally's") transaction in November 2020 through which Bally's acquired naming rights to certain regional sports networks was not fair to DSG and was designed to benefit STG and SBG; and that certain distributions made by DSG that were used to pay down preferred equity of DSH, were inappropriate and were conducted at a time when DSG was insolvent. The complaint also alleged that SBG and its subsidiaries (other than DSG and its subsidiaries) received payments or indirect benefits of approximately $1.5 billion as a result of the alleged misconduct. The complaint asserted a variety of claims, including certain fraudulent transfers of assets, unlawful distributions and payments, breaches of contracts, unjust enrichment and breaches of fiduciary duties. The plaintiffs sought, among other relief, avoidance of fraudulent transfers and unlawful distributions, and unspecified monetary damages to be determined.

On March 1, 2024, the court approved a global settlement and release of all claims associated with the Diamond Litigation, which settlement included an amendment to the MSA. Sinclair entered into the settlement, without admitting any fault or wrongdoing. The settlement terms included, among other things, DSG's dismissal with prejudice of its $1.5 billion litigation against Sinclair and all other defendants, along with the full and final satisfaction and release of all claims in that litigation against all defendants, including Sinclair and its subsidiaries, in exchange for Sinclair's cash payment to DSG of $495 million. Additionally, under the terms of the settlement, Sinclair would provide transition services to DSG to allow DSG to become a self-standing entity going forward. During the first quarter of 2024, we paid $50 million related to the settlement. The final settlement payment was made during the second quarter of 2024 and of the total $495 million settlement amount paid, $347 million was paid by STG and $148 million was paid by Ventures.

As described under Note 3. Notes Payable, Finance Leases, and Commercial Bank Financing we have provided a guarantee that requires us to provide funding to Marquee under certain circumstances. On July 19, 2024, Marquee sent us a funding notice seeking $29 million under the Marquee guarantee by August 1, 2024 purportedly to make payments under certain agreements to affiliates of the Chicago Cubs, an affiliate of which is also a co-owner of Marquee. Based on the information provided to us by Marquee, Marquee has sufficient cash to make such payments without funding under the Marquee guarantee. For this and other reasons, we do not believe we are contractually required to provide funding under the Marquee guarantee at this time and have so informed Marquee. On August 2, 2024, Marquee sent us another letter claiming that our failure to timely pay the amounts subject to Marquee's funding notice constitutes a breach of the Marquee guarantee and requesting payment of such amounts no later than August 17, 2024 at which time Marquee has stated it will pursue any and all available remedies pursuant to the Marquee guarantee. This dispute may result in litigation, and based on our expectation of Marquee's claims, we believe we have meritorious defenses and intend to vigorously defend against such claims.

6. EARNINGS PER SHARE:

The following table reconciles income (numerator) and shares (denominator) used in our computations of basic and diluted earnings per share for the periods presented (in millions, except share amounts which are reflected in thousands):

The following table shows the weighted-average stock-settled appreciation rights and outstanding stock options (in thousands) that are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per common share as the inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive:

21

7. SEGMENT DATA:

We measure segment performance based on operating income (loss). For the quarter ended September 30, 2024, we had two reportable segments, local media and tennis. Our local media segment includes our television stations, original networks and content and provides these through free over-the-air programming to television viewing audiences for stations in markets located throughout the continental United States, as well as distributes the content of these stations to MVPDs for distribution to their customers in exchange for contractual fees. See Revenue Recognition under Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for further detail. Our tennis segment provides viewers coverage of many of tennis' top tournaments and original professional sport and tennis lifestyle shows. Other and corporate are not reportable segments but are included for reconciliation purposes. Other primarily consists of non-broadcast digital and internet solutions, technical services, and non-media investments. Corporate costs primarily include our costs to operate as a public company and to operate our corporate headquarters location. All our businesses are located within the United States. As a result of the Reorganization, the local media segment assets are owned and operated by SBG, the assets of the tennis segment are owned and operated by Ventures, and the other Transferred Assets, which are included in other and corporate, are owned and operated by Ventures.

Segment financial information is included in the following tables for the periods presented (in millions):

22

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(a) Includes $4 million and $9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and $2 million and $5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, of revenue for services provided by other to local media, which is eliminated in consolidation.

8. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES:

Certain of our stations provide services to other station owners within the same respective market through agreements, such as LMAs, where we provide programming, sales, operational, and administrative services, and JSAs and SSAs, where we provide non-programming, sales, operational, and administrative services. In certain cases, we have also entered into purchase agreements or options to purchase the license related assets of the licensee. We typically own the majority of the non-license assets of the stations, and in some cases where the licensee acquired the license assets concurrent with our acquisition of the non-license assets of the station, we have provided guarantees to the bank for the licensee's acquisition financing. The terms of the agreements vary, but generally have initial terms of over five years with several optional renewal terms. Based on the terms of the agreements and the significance of our investment in the stations, we are the primary beneficiary when, subject to the ultimate control of the licensees, we have the power to direct the activities which significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE through the services we provide and we absorb losses and returns that would be considered significant to the VIEs. The fees paid between us and the licensees pursuant to these arrangements are eliminated in consolidation.

The carrying amounts and classification of the assets and liabilities of the VIEs mentioned above, which have been included in our consolidated balance sheets as of the dates presented, were as follows (in millions):

The amounts above represent the combined assets and liabilities of the VIEs described above, for which we are the primary beneficiary. Total liabilities associated with certain outsourcing agreements and purchase options with certain VIEs, which are excluded from the above, were $129 million as of September 30, 2024 and $130 million as of December 31, 2023, as these amounts are eliminated in consolidation. The assets of each of these consolidated VIEs can only be used to settle the obligations of the VIE. As of September 30, 2024, all of the liabilities are non-recourse to us except for the debt of certain VIEs. See Debt of Variable Interest Entities and Guarantees of Third-Party Obligations under Note 3. Notes Payable, Finance Leases, and Commercial Bank Financing for further discussion. The risk and reward characteristics of the VIEs are similar.

Other VIEs

We have several investments in entities which are considered VIEs. However, we do not participate in the management of these entities, including the day-to-day operating decisions or other decisions which would allow us to control the entity, and therefore, we are not considered the primary beneficiary of these VIEs.

The carrying amounts of our investments in these VIEs for which we are not the primary beneficiary were $102 million and $192 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and are included in other assets in our consolidated balance sheets. See Note 2. Other Assets for more information related to our equity investments. Our maximum exposure is equal to the carrying value of our investments. The income and loss related to equity method investments and other investments are recorded in income from equity method investments and other income (expense), net, respectively, in our consolidated statements of operations. We recorded losses of $55 million and $77 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and gains of $5 million and $43 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, related to these investments.

We hold substantially all the equity of DSIH and provide certain management and general and administrative services to subsidiaries of DSIH. However, it was determined that we are not the primary beneficiary because we lack the ability to control the activities that most significantly drive the economics of the business. The carrying amount of our investment in DSIH is zero and there is no obligation for us to provide additional financial support.

We were also party to the A/R Facility held by an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of DSIH which had a maturity date of September 23, 2024. The A/R Facility was terminated on March 14, 2024. See Note Receivable within Note 2. Other Assets.

9. RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS:

Transactions With Our Controlling Shareholders

David, Frederick, J. Duncan, and Robert Smith (collectively, the "controlling shareholders") are brothers and hold substantially all of our Class B Common Stock and some of our Class A Common Stock. We engaged in the following transactions with them and/or entities in which they have substantial interests:

Leases. Certain assets used by us and our operating subsidiaries are leased from entities owned by the controlling shareholders. Lease payments made to these entities were $2 million and $5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and $2 million and $5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. For further information, see Note 3. Notes Payable, Finance Leases, and Commercial Bank Financing.

Charter Aircraft. We lease aircraft owned by certain controlling shareholders. For all leases, we incurred expenses of less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Real Estate Sales. A real estate project we had an investment in was purchased by a controlling shareholder during the three months ended September 30, 2024. We recognized a gain of $4 million for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 as a result of this transaction.

Cunningham Broadcasting Corporation

Cunningham owns a portfolio of television stations, including: WNUV-TV Baltimore, Maryland; WRGT-TV Dayton, Ohio; WVAH-TV Charleston, West Virginia; WMYA-TV Anderson, South Carolina; WTTE-TV Columbus, Ohio; WDBB-TV Birmingham, Alabama; WBSF-TV Flint, Michigan; WGTU-TV/WGTQ-TV Traverse City/Cadillac, Michigan; WEMT-TV Tri-Cities, Tennessee; WYDO-TV Greenville, North Carolina; KBVU-TV/KCVU-TV Eureka/Chico-Redding, California; WPFO-TV Portland, Maine; KRNV-DT/KENV-DT Reno, Nevada/Salt Lake City, Utah; and KTXD-TV in Dallas, Texas (collectively, the "Cunningham Stations"). Certain of our stations provide services to the Cunningham Stations pursuant to LMAs or JSAs and SSAs. See Note 8. Variable Interest Entities, for further discussion of the scope of services provided under these types of arrangements.

All the non-voting stock of the Cunningham Stations is owned by trusts for the benefit of the children of our controlling shareholders. We consolidate certain subsidiaries of Cunningham with which we have variable interests through various arrangements related to the Cunningham Stations.

The services provided to WNUV-TV, WMYA-TV, WTTE-TV, WRGT-TV and WVAH-TV are governed by a master agreement which has a current term that expires on July 1, 2028 and there is one additional five-year renewal term remaining with final expiration on July 1, 2033. We also executed purchase agreements to acquire the license related assets of these stations from Cunningham, which grant us the right to acquire, and grant Cunningham the right to require us to acquire, subject to applicable FCC rules and regulations, 100% of the capital stock or the assets of these individual subsidiaries of Cunningham. Pursuant to the terms of this agreement we are obligated to pay Cunningham an annual fee for the television stations equal to the greater of (i) 3% of each station's annual net broadcast revenue or (ii) $6 million. The aggregate purchase price of these television stations increases by 6% annually. A portion of the fee is required to be applied to the purchase price to the extent of the 6% increase. The cumulative prepayments made under these purchase agreements were $68 million and $65 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The remaining aggregate purchase price of these stations, net of prepayments, as of both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, was approximately $54 million. Additionally, we provide services to WDBB-TV pursuant to an LMA, which expires April 22, 2025, and have a purchase option to acquire for $0.2 million. We paid Cunningham, under these agreements, $3 million and $9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and $3 million and $9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.

The agreements with KBVU-TV/KCVU-TV, KRNV-DT/KENV-DT, WBSF-TV, WDBB-TV, WEMT-TV, WGTU-TV/WGTQ-TV, WPFO-TV, and WYDO-TV expire between April 2025 and November 2029 and certain stations have renewal provisions for successive eight-year periods.

As we consolidate the licensees as VIEs, the amounts we earn or pay under the arrangements are eliminated in consolidation and the gross revenues of the stations are reported in our consolidated statements of operations. Our consolidated revenues include $41 million and $109 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and $33 million and $102 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, related to the Cunningham Stations.

We have an agreement with Cunningham to provide master control equipment and provide master control services to a station in Johnstown, PA with which Cunningham has an LMA that expires in June 2025. Under the agreement, Cunningham paid us an initial fee of $1 million and pays us $0.3 million annually for master control services plus the cost to maintain and repair the equipment. In addition, we have an agreement with Cunningham to provide a news share service with the Johnstown, PA station for an annual fee of $0.6 million, which increases by 3% on each anniversary and expires in November 2025.

We have multi-cast agreements with Cunningham Stations in the Eureka/Chico-Redding, California; Tri-Cities, Tennessee; Anderson, South Carolina; Baltimore, Maryland; Portland, Maine; Charleston, West Virginia; Dallas, Texas; and Greenville, North Carolina markets. In exchange for carriage of these networks in their markets, we paid $0.2 million and $1.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and $0.5 million and $1.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, under these agreements.

Leased Property by Real Estate Ventures

Prior to September 2024, certain of our real estate ventures entered into leases with entities owned by members of the Smith Family. Total rent payments received under these leases were $0.3 million and $1 million for three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and $0.3 million and $1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.

Diamond Sports Intermediate Holdings LLC

We account for our equity interest in DSIH as an equity method investment.

Management Services Agreement. We have a management services agreement with DSG, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DSIH, in which we provide DSG with affiliate sales and marketing services and general and administrative services. Pursuant to this agreement, the local media segment recorded $18 million and $48 million of revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and $14 million and $36 million of revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.

Note receivable. We received payments totaling $203 million from DSPV for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, related to the note receivable associated with the A/R Facility. The A/R Facility was terminated on March 14, 2024.

We recorded revenue of $3 million and $11 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and $4 million and $15 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, related to certain other transactions between DSIH and the Company.

Employees

Jason Smith, an employee of the Company, is the son of Frederick Smith, who is a Vice President of the Company and a member of the Company's Board of Directors. Jason Smith received total compensation of $0.3 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $0.8 million and $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, consisting of salary and bonus, and was granted 37,566 shares of restricted stock, vesting over two years, and 500,000 stock appreciation rights, vesting over two years, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Ethan White, an employee of the Company, is the son-in-law of J. Duncan Smith, who is a Vice President of the Company and Secretary of the Company's Board of Directors. Ethan White received total compensation of $0.1 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 and $0.2 million for both the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, consisting of salary and bonus, and was granted 1,503 and 1,252 shares of restricted stock, vesting over two years, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Amberly Thompson, an employee of the Company, is the daughter of Donald Thompson, who is an Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of the Company. Amberly Thompson received total compensation of less than $0.1 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 and $0.1 million for both the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, consisting of salary and bonus.

Frederick Smith is the brother of David Smith, Executive Chairman of the Company and Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors; Robert Smith, a member of the Company's Board of Directors; and J. Duncan Smith. Frederick Smith received total compensation of $0.2 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 and $0.6 million for both the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, consisting of salary and bonus.

J. Duncan Smith is the brother of David Smith, Frederick Smith, and Robert Smith. J. Duncan Smith received total compensation of $0.2 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 and $0.6 million for both the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, consisting of salary and bonus.

10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:

Accounting guidance provides for valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost). A fair value hierarchy using three broad levels prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The following is a brief description of those three levels:

• Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
• Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
• Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions.

The following table sets forth the face value and fair value of our financial assets and liabilities for the periods presented (in millions):

N/A - Not applicable

(a) Consists of warrants to acquire marketable common equity securities. The fair value of the warrants are derived from the quoted trading prices of the underlying common equity securities less the exercise price.

(b) We entered into an interest rate swap effective February 7, 2023 and terminating on February 28, 2026 in order to manage a portion of our exposure to variable interest rates. The swap agreement has a notional amount of $600 million, bears a fixed interest rate of 3.9%, and we receive a floating rate of interest based on SOFR. The fair value of the interest rate swap was a liability as of September 30, 2024 and an asset as of December 31, 2023. See Hedge Accounting within Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Interest Rate Swap within Note 3. Notes Payable, Finance Leases, and Commercial Bank Financing.

(c) Amounts are carried in our consolidated balance sheets net of debt discount, premium, and deferred financing cost, which are excluded in the above table, of $38 million and $46 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

(d) Amounts primarily relate to warrants and options to acquire common equity in Bally's. We recorded fair value adjustment gains of $18 million and $10 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and losses of $10 million and $27 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. The fair value of the warrants is primarily derived from the quoted trading prices of the underlying common equity. The fair value of the options is derived utilizing the Black Scholes valuation model. The most significant inputs include the trading price of the underlying common stock and the exercise price of the options, which range from $30 to $45 per share.

The following table summarizes the changes in financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and categorized as Level 3 under the fair value hierarchy for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (in millions):

Options and Warrants

Options and Warrants

29