The focus when
Sumner Redstone sold off his controlling share in
Midway was the financial beating the media mogul took. Now with
Midway's stock price suffering, focus is returning to the
company's fate, as the
threat to delist its stock now looks like
the least of its problems.
An SEC filing noted by
Variety.com indicates the company is on the brink of bankruptcy, as
Redstone's stock sale triggered a provision changing the way Midway's debt
functions, throwing fuel on an already blazing financial fire. Following the
change in control, holders of about $150 million in Midway debt can now demand
100% repayment within 30 days, and Midway admits that based on current market
conditions, they believe this is exactly what the holders of their notes will
do. With about $10 million in cash as of the end of October, Midway admits: "If
this were to occur, the Registrant does not believe, on the basis of its current
liquidity, that it would have the ability to satisfy its obligation with respect
to the repurchase of the Notes."
GamePolitics has commentary from industry financial analyst Michael Pachter
reflecting on whether this all really means Midway will go under, and pointing
out that if note holders do demand complete repayment and Midway goes belly up
as a result, they end up with next to nothing, he says: "My guess is that
Midway works out a deal with the creditors and remains in business, but they are
going to have to start generating sustainable profits soon, or their creditors
will become impatient."