Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Finish Line, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Finish Line” or the “Company”). All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. Throughout these notes to the consolidated financial statements, fiscal years ended February 25, 2017, February 27, 2016, and February 28, 2015 are referred to as fiscal 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

The Company’s consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations, and cash flows presented reflect its former JackRabbit business as discontinued operations (See Note 2 - “Discontinued Operations and Goodwill Impairment”).

The Company uses a “Retail” calendar. The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to the last day of February and included 52 weeks in fiscal 2017, 2016, and 2015.

Nature of Operations. Finish Line is a premium retailer of athletic shoes, apparel, and accessories for men, women, and kids, with 573 mall-based locations throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, which average 5,564 square feet as of April 2, 2017. In addition, the Company has an online presence through its e-commerce and mobile sites.

In addition, the Company is the exclusive retailer of athletic shoes, both in-store and online, for Macy’s Retail Holdings, Inc., Macy’s Puerto Rico, Inc., and Macys.com, Inc. (collectively, “Macy’s”). The Company is responsible for the athletic footwear assortment, inventory, fulfillment, and pricing at all of Macy’s locations and online at www.macys.com. The Company operates branded and unbranded shops in-store at Macy’s. Branded shops include Finish Line signage within those shops and are staffed by Finish Line employees, while unbranded shops do not include Finish Line signage and are generally serviced by Macy’s employees. There are no differences in the merchandise that is sold, the classification of revenue recorded at retail, or the Company’s operation of the athletic footwear inventory and business between branded and unbranded shops and www.macys.com.

In fiscal 2017, the Company purchased approximately 92% of its merchandise from its five largest suppliers. The largest supplier, Nike, accounted for approximately 71%, 73%, and 73% of merchandise purchases in fiscal 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

Use of Estimates. Preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Segment Information. The Company operates through multiple operating segments. The Company’s operating segments have similar economic characteristics, which include a similar nature of products sold, type of customer, and method of distribution. As such, the Company’s operating segments are aggregated into one reportable segment. The following table sets forth net sales of the Company by major category for each of the following fiscal years (in thousands):



Category	2017				2016				2015
Footwear	$	1,715,348	93	%	$	1,619,002	90	%	$	1,550,691	89	%
Softgoods	129,045		7	%	179,980		10	%	200,016		11	%
Total net sales	$	1,844,393	100	%	$	1,798,982	100	%	$	1,750,707	100	%

Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash on hand and highly liquid instruments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase. At February 25, 2017 and February 27, 2016, substantially all of the Company’s cash was invested in deposit accounts at banks. The majority of payments due from banks for credit card transactions process within 24 to 48 hours and are accordingly classified as cash and cash equivalents.

Merchandise Inventories. Merchandise inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market using a weighted-average cost method. The Company’s valuation of merchandise inventory includes markdown adjustments for merchandise that will be sold below cost and the impact of inventory shrink. Markdowns are based upon historical information and assumptions about future demand and market conditions. Inventory shrink is based on historical information and assumptions about current inventory shrink trends. Supplier rebates are applied as a reduction to the cost of merchandise inventories.

Property and Equipment. Property and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets: 30 years for buildings, three to 10 years for furniture, fixtures, and equipment, and three to 10 years for software. Improvements to leased premises are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset, generally 10 years, or the remaining lease term. Significant additions and improvements that extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are charged to current operations as incurred. Depreciation expense for fiscal 2017, 2016, and 2015 was $49.4 million, $42.2 million, and $36.5 million, respectively.

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360, the Company reviews its property and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company considers historical performance and future estimated results in its evaluation of potential impairment and then compares the carrying amount of the asset to the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If an asset is considered to be impaired, the impairment recognized is measured by comparing projected discounted cash flows to the asset’s carrying value. The estimation of fair value is measured by discounting expected future cash flows at the discount rate the Company utilizes to evaluate potential investments.

The Company capitalizes certain external and internal computer software and software development costs incurred during the application development stage. The application development stage generally includes software design and configuration, coding, testing, and installation activities. Capitalized costs include only external direct costs of materials and services consumed in developing or obtaining internal-use software and payroll and payroll-related costs for employees who are directly associated with and devote time to the internal-use software project. Capitalization of such costs ceases no later than the point at which the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Training and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred, while upgrades and enhancements are capitalized if it is probable that such expenditures will result in additional functionality. Capitalized software, net of accumulated amortization, is included as a component of property and equipment and was $90.7 million and $115.0 million at February 25, 2017 and February 27, 2016, respectively.

Store Closing Costs. Store closing costs represent the non-cash write-off of fixtures and equipment upon a store/shop closing. In the event a store is closed before its lease has expired, any estimated post-closing lease obligations are provided for when the leased space is no longer in use. The Company closed 43, 58, and 21 stores/shops in fiscal 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. The Company accounts for goodwill and other intangible assets in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”). ASC 350 requires that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives not be amortized, but reviewed for impairment if impairment indicators arise and, at a minimum, annually.

The goodwill impairment test is a two-step test. In the first step, the Company compares the fair value of each reporting unit with goodwill to its carrying value. The Company determines the fair value of its reporting units with goodwill using a combination of a discounted cash flow and a market value approach. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that reporting unit, goodwill is not impaired and the Company is not required to perform further testing. If the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then the Company must perform the second step of the goodwill impairment test in order to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill and compare it to the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. The activities in the second step include valuing the tangible and intangible assets and liabilities. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference.

All of the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets were the result of acquisitions made by its discontinued operation. An impairment charge for goodwill was recorded during fiscal year 2017 (see Note 2 - “Discontinued Operations and Goodwill Impairment”). There were no similar impairment charges recognized by the Company or its discontinued operation in fiscal 2016 or 2015.

Leases. Deferred credits from landlords consist of step rent and allowances from landlords related to the Company’s retail stores. Step rent represents the difference between actual minimum operating lease payments due and straight-line rent expense, which is recorded by the Company over the term of the lease, starting at the lease commencement date. Landlord allowances are generally comprised of amounts promised to the Company by landlords in the form of cash. These allowances are part of the negotiated terms of the lease. In situations where cash is to be received, the Company records a receivable for the full amount of the allowance when certain performance criteria articulated in the lease are met and a liability is concurrently established. This deferred credit from landlords is amortized into income (through lower rent expense) over the term, starting at the lease commencement date, of the applicable lease and the receivable is reduced as amounts are received from the landlord.

The Company recognizes rent expense for minimum lease payments on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term, including rent holidays, rent escalation clauses, and/or cancelable option periods where failure to exercise such options would result in an economic penalty. The commencement date of the lease term is the earlier of the date when the Company becomes legally obligated for the rent payments or the date when the Company takes possession of the leased space for build-out.

Certain leases provide for contingent rents and/or license fees, which are determined as a percentage of gross sales in excess of specified levels. The Company records a contingent rent liability in other liabilities and accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheets and the corresponding rent expense when specified levels have been achieved or when management determines that achieving the specified levels during the fiscal year is probable.

Revenue Recognition. Revenues are recognized at the time the customer receives the merchandise, which for digital commerce revenues reflects an estimate of shipments not yet received by the customer based on shipping terms and estimated delivery times. As it relates to Macy’s, the Company assumes the risks and rewards of ownership for merchandise at all of Macy’s locations and online at www.macys.com, including risk of loss for delivery, returns, and loss of inventory value. Net sales include merchandise, net of returns, and excludes all taxes.

The Company sells gift cards with no expiration dates to customers and does not charge administrative fees on unused gift cards. The Company recognizes revenue from gift cards when they are redeemed by the customer. In addition, the Company recognizes revenue on unredeemed gift cards when the likelihood of the gift card being redeemed is remote and there is no legal obligation to remit the value of unredeemed gift cards to the relevant jurisdictions. The Company determines the gift card breakage rate based on historical redemption patterns. During each of the fourth quarters of fiscal 2017, 2016, and 2015, the Company recorded $0.8 million of revenue related to gift card breakage. Gift card breakage is included in net sales in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations, but it is not included in the comparable sales amounts.

Cost of Sales. Cost of sales includes the cost associated with acquiring merchandise from suppliers, occupancy costs, license fees, provision for inventory shortages, and credits and allowances from merchandise suppliers. Cash consideration received from merchandise suppliers after the related merchandise has been sold is recorded as an offset to cost of sales in the period negotiations are finalized. For cash consideration received on merchandise still in inventory, the allowance is recorded as a reduction to the cost of on-hand inventory and recorded as a reduction of cost of sales at the time of sale.

Because the Company does not include the costs associated with operating its distribution center and freight within cost of sales, the Company’s gross profit may not be comparable to those of other retailers that may include all such costs related to their distribution centers and freight in cost of sales and in the calculation of gross profit.

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general, and administrative expenses include store/shop payroll and related payroll benefits, store/shop operating expenses, advertising, cooperative advertising credits, share-based compensation, costs associated with operating its distribution center, license fees, and other corporate related expenses. Additionally, selling, general, and administrative expenses include inbound freight from vendors to the distribution center as well as outbound freight from the distribution center to stores/shops, to vendors for returns, to third party liquidators, and for shipments of product to customers.

Advertising. The Company expenses the cost of advertising as incurred, net of reimbursements for cooperative advertising. The reimbursements for cooperative advertising are agreed upon with vendors and are recorded in the same period as the associated expenses are incurred. The following table shows advertising expense for each of the following fiscal years (in thousands):



	2017			2016			2015
Advertising expense	$	47,137		$	42,668		$	38,035
Cooperative advertising credits	(7,882		)	(6,342		)	(4,540		)
Net advertising expense	$	39,255		$	36,326		$	33,495

Store/Shop Pre-opening Costs. Store/shop pre-opening costs and other non-capitalized expenditures, including payroll, training costs, and straight-line rent expense, are expensed as incurred.

Income Taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under this method, the amount of taxes currently payable or refundable are accrued and deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for realizable loss and tax credit carryforwards. The deferred tax assets may be reduced by a valuation allowance, which is established when it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In addition, management is required to evaluate all available evidence, including estimating future taxable income by taxing jurisdictions, the future reversal of temporary differences, tax planning strategies, and recent results of operations, when making its judgment to determine whether or not to record a valuation allowance for a portion, or all, of its deferred tax assets. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted income tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in income tax rates is recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company calculates an annual effective income tax rate based on annual income, permanent differences between book and tax income, and statutory income tax rates. The Company adjusts the annual effective income tax rate as additional information on outcomes or events becomes available. The Company’s effective income tax rate is affected by changes in tax law, the tax jurisdiction of new stores/shops or business ventures, the level of earnings or losses, the results of tax audits, permanent tax deductions and credits, the level of investment income, and other items.

The Company’s income tax returns, like those of most companies, are periodically audited by tax authorities. These audits include questions regarding the Company’s tax filing positions, including the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. At any one time, multiple tax years are subject to audit by the various tax authorities. The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes using a two-step approach for evaluating income tax positions. The first step requires the Company to conclude that a tax position, based solely on its technical merits, is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by a tax authority. The second step applies if the Company has concluded that the tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination and requires the Company to measure the largest amount of benefit, determined on a cumulative probability basis, which is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company adjusts its accrual for uncertain tax positions and income tax provision in the period in which matters are effectively settled with tax authorities at amounts different from its established accrual, the statute of limitations expires for the relevant taxing authority to examine the tax position, new court cases, regulations, or rulings are issued, or when more or new information becomes available. The Company includes its accrual for uncertain tax positions, including accrued penalties and interest, in other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets unless the liability is expected to be paid within one year. Changes to the accrual for uncertain tax positions, including accrued penalties and interest, are included in income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings per share attributable to The Finish Line, Inc. shareholders is calculated by dividing net income attributable to The Finish Line, Inc. associated with common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share attributable to The Finish Line, Inc. shareholders assumes the issuance of additional shares of common stock by the Company upon exercise of all outstanding stock options and contingently issuable securities if the effect is dilutive, in accordance with the treasury stock method or two-class method (whichever is more dilutive).

Restricted stock units without performance criteria are included as participating securities, since they have the right to share in dividends, if declared, equally with common shares. During periods of net income, participating securities are allocated a proportional share of net income attributable to The Finish Line, Inc. determined by dividing total weighted average participating securities by the sum of total weighted average common shares and participating securities (“the two-class method”). During periods of net loss, no effect is given to participating securities since they do not share in the losses of the Company. When discontinued operations are reported, income from continuing operations represents the “control number” in determining whether potential shares of common stock are dilutive or anti-dilutive. Participating securities have the effect of diluting both basic and diluted earnings per share during periods of net income.

Financial Instruments. Financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

As of February 25, 2017 and February 27, 2016, the Company had not invested in, nor did it have, any derivative financial instruments.

Share-Based Compensation. The Company accounts for share-based compensation by the measuring and recognizing of compensation expense for all share-based awards made to employees and directors based on estimated fair values on the grant date. The Company is required to estimate the fair value of share-based awards on the date of grant and recognize as expense the value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest over the requisite service period.

Share-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statements of operations is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, and accordingly has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are required to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The Company applies an estimated forfeiture rate based on historical data to determine the amount of compensation expense.

Compensation expense for stock options is recognized, net of forfeitures, over the requisite service period on a straight-line basis, using a single option approach (each option is valued as one grant, irrespective of the number of vesting tranches). Restricted stock expense is recognized, net of forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.

Fair Value Measurements. Fair value measurements are determined based upon the exit price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants exclusive of any transaction costs. The Company utilizes a fair value hierarchy based upon the observability of inputs used in valuation techniques as follows:



Level 1:		Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;

Level 2:		Inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and

Level 3:		Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

Self-Insurance Reserves. The Company is self-insured for certain losses related to health, workers’ compensation, and general liability insurance, although the Company maintains stop-loss coverage with third-party insurers to limit its liability exposure. Liabilities associated with these losses are estimated in part by considering historical claims experience, industry factors, severity factors, and other actuarial assumptions.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance on revenue from contracts with customers and has subsequently issued several amendments which clarify the guidance as well as provide guidance for implementation. The guidance outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The guidance requires entities to recognize revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB approved a one year deferral of the effective date, to make it effective for annual or interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The guidance allows for either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective transition method. The adoption of the new guidance could impact the timing or presentation of revenue recognition and related balance sheet accounts associated with the Company’s gift cards, loyalty programs, and product returns. The Company is currently assessing the impact of adopting this guidance within these areas and others, as well as the available transition methods, but does not, at this time, anticipate a material impact to its consolidated results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

In July 2015, the FASB issued guidance on simplifying the measurement of inventory. The guidance, which applies to inventory that is measured using any method other than the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) or retail inventory method, requires that entities measure inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016 and should be applied on a prospective basis. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of adopting this guidance, but does not, at this time, anticipate a material impact to its consolidated results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance on accounting for leases. A primary purpose of the guidance is to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. Specifically, lessees will be required to recognize the rights and obligations resulting from leases classified as operating leases as assets and liabilities. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and requires a modified retrospective adoption, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of adopting this guidance and its potential impact to its consolidated results of operations, financial position, cash flows, and related disclosures and is expecting the guidance to have a material impact due to the significant number of store leases that the Company is under contract for.

In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance on simplifying several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, classification on the statement of cash flows, and accounting for forfeitures. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. The manner of adoption varies, with certain provisions applied on a retrospective or modified retrospective approach, while others are applied prospectively. The Company will elect to apply the guidance related to the presentation of excess tax benefits within the statements of cash flows using a retrospective transition method, and as a result, excess tax benefits related to share-based awards which are currently classified as cash flows from financing activities will be reclassified as cash flows from operation activities. The Company will continue to expense share-based awards based on awards ultimately expected to vest, which will require the Company to continue to estimate forfeitures on the date of their grant. The Company has assessed the impact of adopting this guidance and expects the change relating to the excess tax benefits (detriments) to potentially introduce volatility to the Company’s effective income tax rate as the recognition of the excess tax benefits (detriments) are dependent on stock option award exercise patterns as well as the fair value of the price of the Company’s stock when restricted stock awards vest which are inherently unpredictable. Had the Company adopted the guidance in fiscal 2017, it would not have had a material impact to its consolidated results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.

Other recently issued accounting pronouncements did not, or are not believed by management to, have a material effect on the Company’s present or future consolidated financial statements.