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Super League Enterprise, Inc. (SLE)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Revenue of $2.423M declined 45.3% year over year and 19.3% sequentially as management prioritized a capital and balance-sheet turnaround; gross margin expanded to 45% (from 39% YoY; 44% in Q2) and pro forma net loss improved versus last year .
- Results missed Wall Street consensus: revenue $2.423M vs $3.395M and EPS -$3.07 vs -$2.80; the miss was driven by softer campaign volumes during restructuring and a near-term advertiser “flight to performance” into large platforms, per management commentary * .
- Corporate catalysts: completed $20M private placement, restored full Nasdaq compliance, and—per management—eliminated debt post quarter-end; Q4 booked revenue already exceeds Q3, with eight seven-figure opportunities and a weighted pipeline up 69% in six weeks .
- Guidance reiterated: targeting Adjusted EBITDA-positive in Q4 2025, supported by a lean OpEx footprint (~$4M in Q3), revenue diversification (mobile ads ~15% of Q3 revenue; Roblox ~42%), and new channels (CTV partnership with ES3) .
Note: Items marked with an asterisk (*) are values retrieved from S&P Global.
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Gross margin expansion: 45% in Q3 vs 44% in Q2 and 39% in Q3 2024, reflecting a mix shift to higher-margin products and tighter execution .
- Strategic financing and compliance: closed a $20M round, streamlined capital structure, restored full Nasdaq compliance, and management stated the company “eliminated our debt” as of last week (post quarter) .
- Commercial momentum and diversification: Q4 booked revenue exceeds Q3; weighted pipeline +69% over six weeks; mobile ads steady at 15% of revenue; Roblox down to 42% amid purposeful diversification; new ES3 CTV partnership opening a $33B+ ad pool .
Quote: “We are fully funded with no plans to go back to market other than for opportunistic growth…as of last week, we have eliminated our debt.” — Matt Edelman .
What Went Wrong
- Top-line pressure: revenue fell to $2.423M (–45% YoY; –19% QoQ) as the company executed a complex turnaround and advertisers prioritized performance channels at large platforms, delaying spend into newer formats .
- EPS below expectations: diluted EPS was a large loss in a microcap capital-intensive quarter; Street EPS missed by ~$0.28 (Primary EPS -3.07 vs -2.80), reflecting lower revenue and other income/expense volatility .
- Continued reliance on pass-through work can dilute margins: management noted that larger “general contractor” campaigns can entail third-party passthroughs that compress gross margin despite supporting long-term relationships .
Financial Results
Income Statement Summary vs Prior Periods and Mix
Results vs Wall Street Consensus (S&P Global)
Values retrieved from S&P Global.
Segment/Channel Mix (Q3 2025)
KPIs and Operating Indicators
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “Super League is in a stronger position to succeed now…we reported a final close on $20 million of financing…we have eliminated our debt. Our balance sheet is stronger than it has been in years.” — Matt Edelman .
- “Q3 gross margins remained strong at 45%, up from 39% a year ago…Mobile ad revenue held steady at 15% of total revenue, while Roblox campaigns represented 42% of revenue…a result of purposeful diversification efforts.” .
- “Our partnership with ES3 opens access to CTV budgets…projected to grow from $33 billion in 2025 to $47 billion by 2028.” .
- “Booked revenue for Q4 is already higher than our Q3 revenue…our weighted pipeline has increased by 69% in the past six weeks.” .
- “We expect Pop-Ups to become more meaningful in 2026…higher margin product…faster to market.” .
Q&A Highlights
- OpEx run-rate and cost discipline: headcount reduced from ~75 to ~35; current OpEx levels viewed as appropriate, with no plans for increases near-term .
- Advertiser budget sentiment: budgets have opened back up after a period of flight to performance at major platforms; economic conditions and rates remain watch items .
- Revenue mix outlook: Roblox likely remains a meaningful share, but diversification expected (Fortnite, Minecraft, mobile); mobile seen as largest growth potential given open platform dynamics .
- New channels: strong enthusiasm for CTV “Ingage” module; interactive experiences via TV remote as an emerging engagement format .
- Digital assets leadership: leveraging Evo Fund expertise; searching for board/advisors with deep experience; aiming for a symbiotic operating business–treasury model .
Estimates Context
- Q3 2025 outcomes versus consensus: revenue $2.423M vs $3.395M (–28.6% miss); Primary EPS -$3.0712 vs -$2.795 (–$0.276 miss). Values retrieved from S&P Global.
- Implications: Street models likely need lower near-term revenue assumptions and account for the evolving mix (higher-margin Pop-Ups, mobile/CTV ramp) and the timing effects from restructuring; management flagged improving pipelines and Q4 bookings exceeding Q3, which could support upward revisions for Q4 and early 2026 if conversion rates hold .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Near-term: headline misses vs consensus reflect turnaround execution; watch Q4 delivery on Adjusted EBITDA-positive target and whether booked revenue momentum translates to reported growth .
- Mix evolution: sustained gross margin expansion to 45% with a strategic pivot to scalable Pop-Ups and mobile/CTV suggests structurally better unit economics even at lower volumes .
- Capital and compliance: $20M financing and Nasdaq compliance reduce overhangs; management asserts debt elimination post quarter—monitor subsequent filings for balance-sheet confirmation .
- Pipeline and demand: eight seven-figure opportunities and weighted pipeline +69% indicate potential inflection; the reopening of budgets and East Coast sales build from Q2 underpin the setup .
- New channels as catalysts: CTV “Ingage” partnership and mobile playable ads broaden TAM and diversify cyclicality across platforms .
- Digital asset optionality: early-stage strategy with Evo Fund support could create non-linear upside; execution and regulatory clarity remain key .
- Risk management: continued pass-through elements can pressure margins; macro and rate sensitivity of brand budgets persist; share count dynamics and non-GAAP adjustments should be tracked across filings .
Values retrieved from S&P Global.