---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001493152-24-001619"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "AREN"
cik: "0000894871"
company_name: "Arena Group Holdings, Inc."
filed_at: "2024-01-05T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-07T03:43:12.682428+00:00"
event_type: "other_material"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.95
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.95
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Arena Group defaults on $2.8M interest, misses $3.75M ABG payment; CEO resigns

## Summary
- Missed Dec 29, 2023 interest payment of ~$2.797M on RGPL Notes ($110.7M principal); forbearance obtained through March 29, 2024.
- Cross-default triggered on SLR Digital Finance credit facility with ~$19.6M principal.
- CEO Manoj Bhargava resigned Jan 4, 2024; Jason Frankl (FTI) appointed Chief Business Transformation Officer.
- Missed $3.75M quarterly payment to Authentic Brands Group on Jan 2; ABG issued breach notice, threatens termination of Sports Illustrated license.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001493152-24-001619
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: AREN
- cik: 0000894871
- company_name: Arena Group Holdings, Inc.
- filed_at: 2024-01-05T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: other_material
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 0.95
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.95
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 2.04, 8.01, 5.02
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/894871/000149315224001619/0001493152-24-001619-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/894871/000149315224001619/form8-k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001493152-24-001619
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001493152-24-001619.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001493152-24-001619.txt

## Key facts
- Debt Financings
  Arena Group Holdings, Inc. reported a default on credit facility of approximately $19,609,000 with SLR Digital Finance LLC.
  - Instrument: credit facility
  - Principal: approximately $19,609,000
  - Counterparty: SLR Digital Finance LLC
  - Event: default
  source text: of cross-default with SLR Digital Finance LLC (“SLR”). The Company is in discussion with SLR. The principal amount due under the credit facility with SLR was approximately $ 19,609,000 as of December 31, 2023.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/894871/000149315224001619/0001493152-24-001619-index.htm
- Debt Financings
  Arena Group Holdings, Inc. reported a default on senior notes of approximately $110,691,000 with Renew Group Private Limited.
  - Instrument: senior notes
  - Principal: approximately $110,691,000
  - Counterparty: Renew Group Private Limited
  - Event: default
  source text: Renew Group Private Limited (“RGPL” and the “RGPL Notes” respectively) in the amount of approximately $2,797,000. The outstanding principal on the RGPL Notes was approximately $110,691,000 as of December 31, 2023. This created an event of default under the RGPL Notes (the “RGPL Default”). The Company is currently in discussions with RGPL to restructure and/or amend
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/894871/000149315224001619/0001493152-24-001619-index.htm
- Executive change
  Manoj Bhargava resigned as interim Chief Executive Officer at Arena Group Holdings, Inc..
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: interim Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On January 4, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) accepted the resignation of Manoj Bhargava from his position as interim Chief Executive Officer effective immediately.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/894871/000149315224001619/0001493152-24-001619-index.htm
- Executive change
  Jason Frankl was appointed as Chief Business Transformation Officer at Arena Group Holdings, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Business Transformation Officer
  source text: As of part of it, Jason Frankl, a senior managing director of FTI, was appointed as the Company’s Chief Business Transformation Officer.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/894871/000149315224001619/0001493152-24-001619-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.