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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation
These consolidated and combined financial statements (“Financial Statements”) are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) as set forth in the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation and combination. The notes are an integral part of the Company’s Financial Statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s Financial Statements have been included and are of a normal and recurring nature. The Company’s comprehensive income (loss) is comprised solely of consolidated and combined net income (i.e., the Company has no other comprehensive income).
Prior to the Business Combination, Blue Owl’s financial statements were prepared on a consolidated and combined basis. As part of the Business Combination, Securities was contributed to the Blue Owl Operating Group. Following the Business Combination, the financial statements are prepared on a consolidated basis.
Reclassification
The merger between Owl Rock and Altimar was accounted for as a reverse asset acquisition, with no step-up to fair value on any assets or liabilities, and therefore no goodwill or other intangible assets were recorded. The Acquisitions were accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. As a result, the Company recorded the fair value of the net assets acquired as of the closing date of each respective acquisition, and operating results for each acquired business are included starting as of such each respective date.
During the third quarter of 2022, the Company began presenting investments separately on its consolidated and combined statements of financial condition. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported in the Financial Statements. The most critical of these estimates are related to (i) the fair value of the investments held by the products the Company manages, as for many products, this impacts the amount of revenues the Company recognizes each period; (ii) the fair value of equity-based compensation grants; (iii) the fair values of liabilities with respect to the TRA (the portion considered contingent consideration), warrants and earnout liabilities; (iv) the estimate of future taxable income, which impacts the realizability and carrying amount of the Company’s deferred income tax assets; and (v) the qualitative and quantitative assessments of whether impairments of acquired intangible assets and goodwill exist. Inherent in such estimates and judgements relating to future cash flows, which include the Company’s interpretation of current economic indicators and market valuations, and assumptions about the Company’s strategic plans with regard to its operations. While management believes that the estimates utilized in preparing the Financial Statements are reasonable and prudent, actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Principles of Consolidation
Principles of Consolidation
The Company consolidates entities in which it has a controlling financial interest based on the application of either the variable interest model or the voting interest model.
Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity
An entity is considered to be a variable interest entity (“VIE”) if any of the following conditions exist: (a) the total equity investment at risk is not sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, (b) the holders of equity investment at risk, as a group, lack either the direct or indirect ability through voting rights or similar rights to make decisions that have a significant effect on the success of the entity or the obligation to absorb the expected losses or right to receive the expected residual returns, or (c) the voting rights of some equity investors are disproportionate to their obligation to absorb losses of the entity, their rights to receive returns from an entity, or both and substantially all of the entity’s activities either involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor with disproportionately few voting rights.
The Company is required to consolidate any VIEs for which it is the primary beneficiary. The Company is the primary beneficiary if it holds a controlling financial interest, which is defined as having (a) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company does not consolidate any of the products it manages, as it does not hold any direct or indirect interests in such entities that could expose the Company to an obligation to absorb losses or right to receive benefits that are more than insignificant to such entities.
Fees that are customary and commensurate with the level of services provided by the Company, and where the Company does not hold other economic interests in the entity that would absorb more than an insignificant amount of the expected losses or returns of the entity, are not considered to be variable interests. The Company factors in all economic interests, including proportionate interests held through related parties, to determine if fees are variable interests. The Company’s interests in the products it manages are primarily in the form of management fees, realized performance income, and insignificant direct or indirect equity interests, and therefore does not have variable interests in such entities.
The Company determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the time it becomes involved with a VIE and continuously reconsiders that conclusion. In evaluating whether the Company is the primary beneficiary, the Company evaluates its direct and indirect economic interests in the entity. The consolidation analysis is generally performed qualitatively; however, if the primary beneficiary is not readily determinable, a quantitative analysis may also be performed. This analysis requires judgment, including: (1) determining whether the equity investment at risk is sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, (2) evaluating whether the equity holders, as a group, can make decisions that have a significant effect on the success of the entity, (3) determining whether two or more parties’ equity interests should be aggregated, (4) determining whether the equity investors have proportionate voting rights to their obligations to absorb losses or rights to receive returns from an entity and (5) evaluating the nature of relationships and activities of the parties involved in determining which party within a related-party group is most closely associated with a VIE and therefore would be deemed the primary beneficiary.
For entities that are not VIEs, the Company evaluates such entities (“VOEs”) under the voting interest model. The Company consolidates VOEs where the Company controls a majority voting interest. The Company will generally not consolidate VOEs where a single investor or simple majority of third-party investors with equity have the ability to exercise substantive kick-out or participation rights.
Acquisitions
Acquisitions
For business combinations accounted for under the acquisition method, management recognizes the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed on the acquisition date. The excess of purchase price consideration over the fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Management’s determination of fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date is based on the best information available in the circumstances and incorporates management’s own assumptions and involve a significant degree of judgment.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers highly-rated liquid investments that have an original maturity of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. The Company holds the majority of its cash balances with a single financial institution and such balances are in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured limits, which exposes the Company to a certain degree of credit risk concentration.
Investments
Investments
Certain equity investments in the Company’s products are accounted for using the equity-method of accounting, whereby the Company recognizes its share of income in current-period earnings. Distributions, when received on these investments, generally reduce the carrying value of such investments.
Investments in loans are accounted for at amortized cost, net of an allowance for current expected credit losses. The estimate of expected credit losses considers current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. As of December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, the estimates of current expected credit losses were not material.
For certain debt and equity investments in the Company’s products, as well as corporate bonds, the Company has elected the fair value option in order to simplify the accounting for these instruments, and therefore changes in unrealized gains or losses are included in current-period earnings. Such elections are irrevocable and are applied on an investment-by-investment basis at initial recognition.
Realized and changes in unrealized gains (losses) on investments are included within net losses on investments in the consolidated and combined statements of operations.
Leases
Leases
The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), as amended, on January 1, 2021 (“ASC 842”). The Company did not restate prior periods and there were no adjustments to retained earnings upon adoption of ASC 842. The Company applied the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, including carrying forward the historical lease classification and not reassessing whether certain costs capitalized under the prior guidance are eligible for capitalization under ASC 842. The adoption of ASC 842 resulted in the recognition of $13.8 million of operating lease assets and $14.4 million of operating lease liabilities, with the net of these amounts offsetting the deferred rent credit liability in existence immediately prior to adoption.
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Right-of-use lease assets and lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The present value of lease payments includes expected tenant improvement allowances. The Company does not recognize right-of-use lease assets and lease liabilities for leases with an initial term of one year or less. Right-of-use assets and liabilities related to operating leases are included within operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities, respectively, in the Company’s consolidated and combined statements of financial condition.
As the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its estimated incremental borrowing rate based on information available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The determination of an appropriate incremental borrowing rate requires judgment. The Company determines its incremental borrowing rate based on data for instruments with similar characteristics, including recently issued debt, and makes adjustments for duration and collateralization features, as well as other factors.
Lease terms include options to extend or terminate when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. In addition, the Company separates lease and non-lease components embedded within lease agreements. Lease expense for operating lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis, which consists of amortization of right-of-use assets and interest accretion on lease liabilities, over the lease term and included within general, administrative and other expenses in the consolidated and combined statements of operations. The Company does not have any material finance leases. See Note 5 for additional information.
Intangible Assets, Net and Goodwill
Intangible Assets, Net and Goodwill
The Company recognized finite-lived intangible assets and goodwill as a result of the Acquisitions. The Company’s finite-lived intangible assets consist of contractual rights to earn future management fees from the acquired investment management agreements and value associated with the acquired client relationships and trademarks. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. See Note 3 for additional information.
The Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to accurately assign fair value to identifiable intangible assets acquired at the acquisition date and the useful lives of those acquired intangible assets. Examples of critical estimates in valuing certain of the intangible assets acquired include, but are not limited to, future expected cash inflows and outflows, expected useful life and discount rates. The Company’s estimates for future cash flows are based on historical data, various internal estimates and certain external sources, and are based on assumptions that are consistent with the plans and estimates the Company uses to manage the underlying assets acquired. The Company estimates the useful lives of the intangible assets based on the expected period over which the Company anticipates generating economic benefit from the asset. The Company bases its estimates on assumptions it believes to be reasonable but that are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. Unanticipated events and circumstances may occur that could affect the accuracy or validity of such assumptions, estimates or actual results.
The Company tests finite-lived intangible assets for impairment if events occur or circumstances change indicating that the carrying amount of an intangible asset may not be recoverable. If an impairment exists, the Company adjusts the carrying value to equal the fair value by taking a charge through earnings. No impairments have been recognized to-date on the Company’s acquired intangible assets.
Goodwill represents the excess of consideration over identifiable net assets of an acquired business. The Company tests goodwill annually for impairment. If, after assessing qualitative factors, the Company believes that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the reporting unit inclusive of goodwill is less than its carrying amount, the Company will perform a quantitative assessment to determine whether an impairment exists. If an impairment exists, the Company adjusts the carrying value of goodwill so that the carrying value of the reporting unit is equal to its fair value by taking a charge through earnings. The Company also tests goodwill for impairment in other periods if an event occurs or circumstances change such that it is more-likely-than-not to reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount. No impairments have been recognized to-date on the Company’s goodwill.
Fixed Assets
Fixed Assets
Fixed assets are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization, and are included within other assets, net in the Company’s consolidated and combined statements of financial condition. Fixed assets are depreciated or amortized on a straight-line basis, with the corresponding depreciation and amortization expense included within general, administrative and other expenses in the Company’s consolidated and combined statements of operations. The estimated useful life for leasehold improvements is the lesser of the remaining lease term or the life of the asset, while other fixed assets are generally depreciated over a period of three years to seven years. The Company tests fixed assets for impairment if events or circumstances change indicating that the carrying amount of a fixed asset may not be recoverable.
Debt Obligations, Net
Debt Obligations, Net
The Company’s debt obligations, other than revolving credit facilities, are recorded at amortized cost, net of any debt issuance costs, discounts and premiums. Debt issuance costs are deferred and along with discounts and premiums are amortized to interest expense in the consolidated and combined statements of operations over the life of the related debt instrument using the effective interest method. Unamortized debt issuance costs, discounts and premiums are written off to net losses on retirement of debt in the consolidated and combined statements of operations when the Company prepays borrowings prior to maturity. Debt issuance costs associated with revolving credit facilities are presented within other assets, net in the consolidated and combined statements of financial condition, and such amounts are amortized to interest expense in the consolidated and combined statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the life of the related facility.
TRA Liability TRA LiabilityThe tax receivable agreement (“TRA”) liability represents amounts payable to certain pre-Business Combination equity holders of Owl Rock and Dyal Capital. The portion of the TRA liability related to the Dyal Acquisition is deemed contingent consideration payable to the previous owners of Dyal Capital, and therefore is carried at fair value, with changes in fair value reported within other income (loss) in the consolidated and combined statements of operations. The remaining portion of the TRA is carried at a value equal to the expected future payments due under the TRA. The Company recorded its initial estimate of future payments under the TRA portion that is not related to the Dyal Acquisition, including as a result of exchanges of Common Units for Class A or B Shares, as a decrease to additional paid-in capital in the consolidated and combined statements of financial condition. Subsequent adjustments to the liability for future payments under the tax receivable agreement related to changes in estimated future tax rates or state income tax apportionment are recognized through current period earnings in the consolidated and combined statements of operations.
Warrant Liability, at Fair Value
Warrant Liability, at Fair Value
The Company’s warrants are recorded as liabilities carried at fair value, with changes in fair value included within other income (loss) in the Company’s consolidated and combined statements of operations.
The Private Placement Warrants contain exercise and settlement features that may change with a change in the holder, which precludes the Private Placement Warrants from being considered indexed to the Company’s own stock; therefore, the Private Placement Warrants are precluded from being classified within equity and are accounted for as derivative liabilities.
Prior to the redemption of the Public Warrants in August 2022, the Public Warrants included a provision that, in the event of a tender offer or exchange offer made to and accepted by holders of more than 50% of the outstanding Class A Shares, all holders of the warrants would be entitled to receive cash for their warrants. Such an event would not constitute a change in control because the Class A Shares do not represent a majority of the Registrant’s voting shares. Accordingly, the Public Warrants were also precluded from being classified within equity and were accounted for as derivative liabilities. This provision also applies to the Private Placement Warrants.
Earnout Liability, at Fair Value
Earnout Liability, at Fair Value
As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the earnout liability is comprised of the Oak Street Cash Earnout and the Wellfleet Earnouts (collectively, the “Earnouts”). The Earnouts represent contingent consideration on the Oak Street and Wellfleet Acquisitions and are recorded at fair value until the contingencies have been resolved, with changes in fair value included within change in earnout liability in the Company’s consolidated and combined statements of operations. Once recognized, earnout liabilities are not derecognized until the contingencies are resolved and the consideration is paid or becomes payable. Earnout liabilities may expire and upon expiration, the consideration would not be paid or payable. Prior to the Class E Triggering Events in 2021, the earnout liability also included amounts related to the Earnout Securities.
Noncontrolling Interests
Noncontrolling Interests
Noncontrolling interests are primarily comprised of Common Units, which are interests in the Blue Owl Operating Group not held by the Company.
Allocations to noncontrolling interests in the consolidated and combined statements of operations are based on the substantive profit-sharing arrangements in the operating agreements of the Blue Owl Operating Partnerships. The Company does not record income or loss allocations to noncontrolling interests to the extent that such allocations would be provisional in nature, such as for unvested Incentive Units (other than certain minimum tax distributions) or Seller Earnout Units prior to achieving their respective Class E Triggering Events. Provisional allocations to these interests would be subject to reversal in the event the unvested Incentive Units are forfeited or if the Seller Earnout Units would not have achieved their Class E Triggering Events.
Certain consolidated holding companies for investment adviser subsidiaries of the Blue Owl Operating Group are partially owned by third-party investors. Such interests are also presented as noncontrolling interests.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition
Revenues consist of management fees; administrative, transaction and other fees; and realized performance income. The Company recognizes revenues when such amounts are probable that a significant reversal would not occur. The Company recognizes revenue at the time of transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services (i.e., the transaction price). Under this method, revenue is based on a contract with a determinable transaction price and distinct performance obligations with probable collectability. Revenues cannot be recognized until the performance obligations are satisfied and control is transferred to the customer. In the event that payments made to the Company’s customers or customers-of-customers, such as certain revenue sharing arrangements, are generally viewed as a reduction of the transaction price and therefore reduce management fees from such customers. See Note 6 for additional information.
Management Fees, Net
Management fees are recognized over the period in which the investment management services are performed because customers simultaneously consume and receive benefits continuously over time. Payment terms and fee rates of management fees vary by product but are generally collected on a quarterly basis and are not subject to clawback.
Management fees for the Company’s business development company (“BDC”) products are typically based on a percentage of average fair value of gross assets excluding cash or net asset value. For certain BDCs, the management fee base may also include uncalled capital commitments. For the Company’s other Direct Lending products, management fees are typically based on gross or net asset value or investment cost, and also may include uncalled capital.
Management fees also include a fee based on the net investment income of the Company’s BDCs and similarly structured products (“Part I Fees”), which are subject to performance hurdles. Such Part I Fees are classified as management fees in the consolidated and combined statements of operations as they are predictable and recurring in nature, not subject to repayment and cash-settled each quarter.

Management fees for the Company’s CLOs are generally based on the outstanding par value of the underlying collateral and recognized over time as the services are rendered.
Management fees for the Company’s GP minority equity investments strategy are generally based on a percentage of capital committed during the investment period, and thereafter generally based on the cost of unrealized investments. For the other GP Capital Solutions strategies, management fees are generally determined based on a percentage of investment cost.

Management fees for the Company’s net lease strategy are generally based on either a percentage of capital committed and/or called during the investment period, and thereafter generally based on the total cost of unrealized investments, or net asset value.
Management fees, including Part I Fees, are generally cash settled every quarter and not subject to repayment, and therefore uncertainty underlying these fees are resolved each quarter. As such, on a quarterly basis, a subsequent significant reversal in relation to the cumulative revenue recognized is not probable for the quarter in arrears.
As discussed above, amortization of the Strategic Revenue-Share Purchase consideration is recorded as a reduction of management fees, net in the Company’s consolidated and combined statements of operations.
Administrative, Transaction and Other Fees
Administrative, transaction and other fees primarily include fee income, administrative fees and dealer manager revenue.
Fee income is earned for services provided to portfolio companies, which may include arrangement, syndication, origination, structuring analysis, capital structure and business plan advice and other services. The fees are generally recognized as income at the point in time when the services rendered are completed, as there is no ongoing performance requirement.
Administrative fees represent expenses incurred by certain professionals of the Company and reimbursed by products managed by the Company. The Company may incur certain costs in connection with satisfying its performance obligations under administrative agreements – including, but not limited to, employee compensation and travel costs – for which it receives reimbursements from the products it manages. The Company reports these expenses within compensation and benefits and general, administrative and other expenses and reports the related reimbursements as revenues within administrative, transaction and other fees (i.e., on a gross basis) in the consolidated and combined statements of operations.
Dealer manager revenue consists of commissions earned for providing distribution services to certain products. Dealer manager revenue is recorded on an accrual basis at the point in time when the services are completed, as there is no ongoing performance requirement. A portion of dealer manager revenues represent commissions that are reallowed to third party broker-dealers. The Company reports these reallowed commission payments to third parties within general, administrative and other expenses (i.e., on a gross basis) in the consolidated and combined statements of operations.
Realized Performance Income
The Company is entitled to receive certain realized performance income in the form of realized performance fees and carried interest from the products that it manages. Realized performance income is based on the investment performance generated over time, subject to the achievement of minimum return levels in certain products. Realized performance income from the Company’s BDCs and certain other products are realized at the end of a measurement period, typically quarterly or annually. Once realized, such realized performance income is no longer subject to reversal.
For certain non-BDC Direct Lending products and substantially all of the GP Capital Solutions and Real Estate products, realized performance income is in the form of carried interest that is allocated to the Company based on cumulative fund performance over time, subject to the achievement of minimum return levels in certain products. The Company recognizes carried interest only to the extent that it is not probable that a significant reversal will occur for amounts recognized. Generally, carried interest is earned after a return of all contributions and may be subject to a preferred return to investors; however, the Company is able to catch-up amounts subject to the preferred return in certain cases. Substantially all of the carried interest generated by the Company’s products is allocable to investors, including certain related parties, in vehicles in which the Company does not have a controlling financial interest, and therefore is not included in the Company’s Financial Statements.
Cash-Based Compensation Cash-Based CompensationCompensation and benefits consist of salaries, bonuses, commissions, long-term deferral programs, benefits and payroll taxes. Compensation is accrued over the related service period.
Equity-Based Compensation
Equity-Based Compensation
Equity-based compensation awards are reviewed to determine whether such awards are equity-classified or liability-classified. Compensation expense related to equity-classified awards is equal to their grant-date fair value and generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the awards’ requisite service period. When certain settlement features require an award to be liability-classified, compensation expense is recognized over the service period, and such amount is adjusted at each balance sheet date through the settlement date to the then current fair value of such award.
The Company accounts for forfeitures on equity-based compensation arrangements as they occur. The Company recognizes deferred income tax benefits throughout the service period, based on the grant date fair value. Any tax deduction shortfall or windfall due to the difference between grant date fair value and the ultimate deduction taken for tax purposes is recognized at the time of settlement. Expenses related to equity-based grants to employees are included within compensation and benefits in the consolidated and combined statements of operations.
Foreign Currency
Foreign Currency
The functional currency of the Company’s foreign consolidated subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar, as their operations are considered extensions of U.S. parent operations. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are remeasured into U.S. dollars at the closing rates of exchange on the balance sheet date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are remeasured into U.S. dollars using the historical exchange rate. The profit or loss arising from foreign currency transactions are remeasured using the rate in effect on the date of any relevant transaction. Gains and losses on transactions denominated in foreign currencies due to changes in exchange rates are recorded within general, administrative and other expenses.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
Substantially all of the earnings of the Blue Owl Operating Group are subject to New York City and Connecticut unincorporated business tax (“UBT”) and additionally, the portion of earnings allocable to the Registrant is subject to corporate tax rates at the U.S. federal and state and local levels.
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities resulting from temporary differences between the GAAP and tax bases of assets and liabilities are measured at the balance sheet date using enacted income tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years the temporary differences are expected to reverse. The Company offsets deferred income tax assets and liabilities for presentation in its consolidated and combined statements of financial condition when such assets and liabilities are within the same taxpayer and related to the same taxing jurisdiction.
The realization of deferred tax assets depends upon the existence of sufficient taxable income within the carryback or carryforward periods under the enacted tax law in the applicable tax jurisdiction. A valuation allowance is established when management determines, based on available information, that it is more-likely-than-not that deferred income tax assets will not be realized. Significant judgment is required in determining whether a valuation allowance should be established, as well as the amount of such valuation allowance.
The Company recognizes uncertain income tax positions when it is not more-likely-than-not a tax position will be sustained upon examination. The Company accrues any interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of the income tax provision in the consolidated and combined statements of operations. See Note 10 for additional information.
New Accounting Pronouncements
New Accounting Pronouncements
The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs issued by the FASB. None of the ASUs that have been issued but not yet adopted are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Financial Statements.