As per the Annual Registration Renewal Fee Report, The San Diego Comic-con faced a loss of approximately US$ 8 Million, filed with the Attorney General of California in 2020. It was the first time the SDCC canceled its in-person event because of the new unprecedented Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. SDCC’s net worth has been estimated to be about $25 million in 2019, while around $17 million at the end of 2020.
According to the report, revenues amounted to $3,969,856 and expenses came to $11,978,210. As reported in its 2019 fiscal year report, the organization generated revenues of US$28.5 million and profits of US$164,145 in 2019. Currently, it has only held one small event, the Comic-Con Special Edition in November of 2021. It does not have any financial information available.
What Does SDCC Chief Communications And Strategy Officer David Glanzer Say?
According to reports, the SDCC failed to file its IRS form 990 which is for tax-exempt organizations in time, which could result in the loss of its non-profit status. But, Glanzer made clear to ICv2 that the SDCC submitted its paperwork in November before the deadline, December 31 and that The Registry for Charitable Trusts for the State of California may not have received it in its entirety. The SDCC then refiled its form on April 8.
In a related announcement, the SDCC named IMG as its first licensing agency. IMG will collaborate with SDCC to identify product partners, retail outlets, and experiences for those who can’t attend the events. From July 21-24, the San Diego Convention Center will host this year’s SDCC.
Because of the new Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), the organizers canceled last year’s physical event, which is scheduled for July. Despite this, the organizers held last year’s “Comic-Con@Home” virtual event. During November, the staff hosted an alternative, smaller in-person convention in San Diego. In March 2021, the staff hosted the WonderCon@Home virtual event.
Because of the pandemic-induced situation, Comic-Con International 2020 was canceled. The convention was scheduled for July 2020 at the San Diego Convention Center. In July, instead of a physical event, the organizers hosted a virtual event called “Comic-Con@Home.”
