In 2012, we conveyed to CCI the exclusive right to manage and operate approximately 7,100 tower sites (“CCI Lease Sites”) via a master prepaid lease with site lease terms ranging from 23 to 37 years (the “2012 Tower Transaction”). CCI has fixed-price purchase options for the CCI Lease Sites totaling approximately $2.0 billion, exercisable at the end of the lease term. We lease back space at certain tower sites for an initial term of ten years, followed by optional renewals at customary terms.

Assets and liabilities associated with the operation of the tower sites were transferred to special purpose entities (“SPEs”). Assets included ground lease agreements or deeds for the land on which the towers are situated, the towers themselves and existing subleasing agreements with other mobile network operator tenants that lease space at the tower sites. Liabilities included the obligation to pay ground lease rentals, property taxes and other executory costs. Upon closing of the 2012 Tower Transaction, CCI acquired an option to acquire the CCI Lease Sites at the end of their respective lease terms and entered into a master lease agreement under which we agreed to lease back space at certain of the tower sites.

We determined the SPEs containing the CCI Lease Sites (“Lease Site SPEs”) are VIEs as our equity investment lacks the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIEs. These activities include managing tenants and underlying ground leases, performing repair and maintenance on the towers, the obligation to absorb expected losses and the right to receive the expected future residual returns from the purchase option to acquire the CCI Lease Sites. As we determined that we are not the primary beneficiary and do not have a controlling financial interest in the Lease Site SPEs, the balances and operating results of the Lease Site SPEs are not included in our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Due to our continuing involvement with the tower sites, we previously determined that we were precluded from applying sale-leaseback accounting. We recorded long-term financial obligations in the amount of the net proceeds received and recognized interest on the tower obligations at a rate of approximately 8% using the effective interest method. The tower obligations are increased by interest expense and amortized through contractual leaseback payments made by us to CCI and through net cash flows generated and retained by CCI from operation of the tower sites. The principal payments on the tower obligations are included in Other, net within Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Our historical tower site asset costs are reported in Property and equipment, net in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and are depreciated.

Upon adoption of the lease accounting guidance (ASC 842), we were required to reassess the previously failed sale-leasebacks and determine whether the transfer of the assets to the tower operator under the arrangement met the transfer of control criteria in the revenue standard and whether a sale should be recognized. We concluded that a sale has not occurred for the CCI Lease Sites and these sites continue to be accounted for as a failed sale-leaseback.

Prior to the Merger, Sprint entered into a lease-out and leaseback arrangement with Global Signal Inc., a third party that was subsequently acquired by CCI, whereby the third party would lease (“Master Lease Sites”) or otherwise manage (“Managed Sites”) approximately 6,400 cell sites which included the towers and related assets. These agreements were assumed upon the close of the Merger, at which point the remaining term of the lease-out was approximately 17 years with no renewal options. T-Mobile leases back space on certain of these towers. CCI has a fixed-price purchase option for all (but not less than all) of the leased or subleased sites for approximately $2.3 billion, exercisable one year prior to the expiration of the agreement and ending 120 days prior to the expiration of the agreement.

As of Merger close date, we recognized Property and equipment at a fair value of $1.5 billion and tower obligations related to amounts owed to CCI under the leaseback of $1.1 billion as the transfer of control criteria in the revenue standard for the tower assets was not met.

During the three months ended June 30, 2020, we recognized interest expense on the tower obligations at a rate of approximately 6% using the effective interest method. The tower obligations are increased by interest expense and amortized through contractual leaseback payments made by us to CCI. The principal payments on the tower obligations are included in Other, net within Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The tower assets are reported in Property and equipment, net in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and are depreciated to their estimated residual values over the current leaseback periods, for which the weighted average remaining term was six years as of June 30, 2020.

Future minimum payments related to the tower obligations are approximately $391 million for the year ending June 30, 2021, $763 million in total for the years ending June 30, 2022 and 2023, $588 million in total for years ending June 30, 2024 and 2025, and $768 million in total for years thereafter.

We are contingently liable for future ground lease payments through the remaining term of the CCI Lease Sites and the Master Lease Sites. These contingent obligations are not included in Operating lease liabilities as any amount due is contractually owed by CCI based on the subleasing arrangement. Under the Global Signal arrangement, we remain primarily liable for ground lease payments on approximately 900 Managed Sites and have included lease liabilities of $292 million in our Operating lease liabilities as of June 30, 2020.