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Subsequent Events
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2024
Subsequent Events [Abstract]  
Subsequent Events Subsequent Events
Former Employee Litigation

The resolution on May 20, 2024 of the suit brought by a former employee of the Company on May 15, 2019 resulted in a $3.5 million reduction in litigation expense which was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023. See Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies.
Skillz vs AviaGames Settlement

On February 9, 2024, a federal jury in San Jose, California issued a verdict in favor of Skillz in a patent infringement action Skillz brought against a privately-held mobile gaming company, AviaGames, Inc. (“AviaGames”), on April 5, 2021 (“Patent Case”). The jury found in favor of Skillz on all issues, determining AviaGames willfully infringed Skillz’s U.S. Patent No. 9,649,564, entitled “Peer-to-Peer Wagering Platform” (the “‘564 patent”) and awarding Plaintiff Skillz Platform Inc. (“Skillz”) its full damages request of $42.9 million. After the jury verdict issued, Skillz requested certain post-trial relief, including that the Court permanently enjoin AviaGames from continuing to infringe the ‘564 patent, award Skillz its attorneys’ fees due to the exceptional nature of the case, and treble the damages awarded by the jury. In addition, Skillz, along with game developer Big Run Studios, Inc. (“Big Run”), brought a separate case against AviaGames for false advertising, copyright infringement, and violations of California’s state unfair competition law in federal court in San Francisco, California (“Unfair Competition Case”). On April 13, 2024, Skillz, Big Run, and AviaGames entered into a settlement agreement with respect to both the Patent Case and Unfair Competition Case pending against AviaGames. In exchange for dismissal of both actions and other settlement terms, AviaGames agreed to pay Skillz and Big Run a total of $80 million. Skillz and Big Run have collectively received $50 million from AviaGames pursuant to the settlement agreement. Of the $50 million received, Skillz was entitled to $46 million and Big Run was entitled to $4 million. Beginning in March of 2025, AviaGames is required to pay Skillz $7.5 million annually for a four-year period as royalty payments for AviaGames’ license of the ’564 patent and its patent family.

Hanna vs. Paradise, et al.

In March 2024, an alleged stockholder filed a putative derivative complaint, Hanna v. Paradise, et al., No. 2024-0228-KSJM, in the Delaware Court of Chancery, purportedly on behalf of the Company against certain of the Company’s current and former officers, directors, and stockholders. The complaint alleges breaches of fiduciary duties, aiding and abetting breaches of fiduciary duties, and unjust enrichment arising out of the Company’s March 2021 underwritten public offering. The complaint asserts that certain of the director and officer defendants breached fiduciary duties to the Company by allegedly inappropriately selling stock as part of the public offering; that the stockholder defendants aided and abetted these alleged breaches of fiduciary duties; and that all defendants were unjustly enriched by their sales in the public offering. The complaint seeks unspecified damages and restitution for the Company from the defendants and the payment of costs and attorneys’ fees. Defendants moved to dismiss the complaint on June 6, 2024, and briefing on the motion should be complete by the end of August 2024. The Court is likely to schedule oral arguments for a date after the briefing is complete.

Skillz vs. Voodoo SAS et. al.

In July 2024, the Company sued Voodoo SAS and two affiliate entities, Esport Newco SAS and Esport Newco US Corp. (collectively, "Voodoo") in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging false advertising under the Lanham Act and unfair business practices related to Papaya's marketing of its mobile games and its deployment of algorithmic competitors ("bots") in its games. Voodoo has not yet responded to the Company’s complaint.

Note Receivable

On April 12, 2024, the Company and Big Run Studio entered into a Side Letter Agreement providing that a portion of the AviaGames settlement funds allocated to Big Run Studio be utilized to repay the outstanding principal amount and accrued interest under the Loan and Security Agreement totaling $2.0 million. On May 3, 2024, Big Run Studio repaid all of the outstanding principal amount and accrued interest under the Loan and Security Agreement.
Purchase of Treasury Stock

On August 18, 2023, the Board has determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to authorize the Company to repurchase, at any time or from time to time but for a period no longer than one year from the date hereof, shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), having an aggregate purchase price not to exceed $65.0 million (a) on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) or any other national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then traded, (b) pursuant to a plan effected pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 (a “Rule 10b5-1 Plan”) promulgated under the Exchange Act, and/or (c) pursuant to accelerated share repurchase arrangements, tender offers, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise (the “Share Repurchase Program”).

As of August 15, 2024 the Company has repurchased 4.1 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $5.78/share for a total cost (including commission) of $23.9 million.