Put/Call Agreement PUT/CALL AGREEMENT
PUT/CALL
AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”)
made and entered into as of May 4, 2007 by and between CIG Media LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company (“CIG”),
and NBC Universal, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“NBCU”).
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS,
on May 3, 2007, ION Media Networks, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
“Company”),
NBCU, NBC Palm Beach Investment I, Inc., a California corporation
(“NBC
Palm Beach I”),
NBC Palm Beach Investment II, Inc., a California corporation
(“NBC
Palm Beach II”),
and CIG entered into a Master Transaction Agreement (the “Master
Agreement”)
which provides for the restructuring of the Company’s ownership and
capital structure;
WHEREAS,
on the date hereof, NBC Palm Beach II and CIG have entered into a call
agreement pursuant to which CIG has granted NBC Palm Beach II the right to
acquire the Call Shares (as defined in the Master Agreement)
(“NBCU
Option I”);
WHEREAS,
on the date hereof, the Company, NBC Palm Beach I and NBC Palm Beach II have
entered into a call agreement pursuant to which the Company has granted NBC
Palm Beach II the right to acquire 26,688,361 shares of Class B Common Stock,
par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (“NBCU
Option II”);
and
WHEREAS,
NBCU wishes to grant to CIG a put option and CIG wishes to grant to NBCU a call
option on the Subject Securities (as defined below) on the terms and conditions
specified herein.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other
good and valuable consideration, receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION
1. Definitions. Terms
not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Master
Agreement.
(a) As used
herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Call
Purchase Price”
means an amount equal to the greater of (i) the accreted value of the Subject
Securities including any accrued but unpaid dividends, plus the conversion
price attributed to any Common Stock received by CIG and its Affiliates upon
conversion, exchange or exercise of the Subject Securities (with no value
attributed to any other shares of Common Stock owned by CIG and its Affiliates
or the Warrant), and (ii) the Fair Market Value of the Subject Securities, in
each case as of the date of delivery of the Call Exercise Notice.
“Fair
Market Value”
of the Subject Securities means the cash price that an unaffiliated third party
would pay for the Subject Securities in an arm’s length transaction, based
on the value of the Company as a going concern without taking into account any
control premium or minority discount.
“FCC
Application”
means the application to be filed with the FCC if such application is required
to be filed under the Communications Act, in connection with the exercise of
the Call Right or the Put Right, as the case may be.
“LIBOR”
means the London Interbank Offered Rate.
“Lien”
means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, encumbrance, lien
(statutory or other) or security agreement of any kind or nature whatsoever
(including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention
agreement or any financing lease having substantially the same effect as any of
the foregoing).
“Maximum
Amount”
means the sum of (i) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock owned by CIG
and its Affiliates on the date of the Call Closing, excluding the Call Shares,
and (ii) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class D Common Stock
into or for which the Subject Securities owned by CIG and its Affiliates on the
earlier of the Call Closing or the Call Deadline (as defined in the Call
Agreement) would be entitled to be converted, or exchanged or
exercised.
“NBCU
Securities”
means, collectively, the following securities held from time to time by NBCU
and its Affiliates: (i) Series B Convertible Subordinated Debt, (ii) Series A-3
Convertible Preferred, (iii) Series C Convertible Preferred, (iv) Series D
Convertible Preferred, (v) Series E-1 Convertible Preferred, (vi) NBCU Option
I, (vii) NBCU Option II, (viii) Common Stock issued upon conversion or exercise
of any of the securities described in clauses (i) through (vii) or owned by
NBCU or its Affiliates, and (ix) securities received in respect of any of the
securities described in clauses (i) through (viii), whether by dividend,
merger, capitalization, reorganization or otherwise.
“Permitted
Liens”
means (i) mechanics’, carriers’, repairmen’s or other like Liens
arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business, (ii) Liens arising
under original purchase price conditioned sales contracts and equipment leases
with third parties entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice, (iii) statutory Liens for Taxes not yet due and payable,
(iv) Liens arising under federal or state securities laws and (v) Liens arising
under the New Stockholders’ Agreement.
2
“Put
Purchase Price”
means an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Subject Securities as of
the date of delivery of the Put Exercise Notice.
“Sell”
means to sell, transfer, convey, assign or otherwise dispose of (but excluding
any Sale to an Affiliate), either directly or indirectly, voluntarily or
involuntarily, or by merger, sale, consolidation or otherwise; and the terms
“Sale” and “Sold” shall have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.
“Subject
Securities”
means, subject to Sections 5 and 9 hereof, the following securities in the
amounts and to the extent owned by CIG and its Affiliates on the date of the
exercise of the Put Right or the Call Right, as applicable, (i) Series A
Convertible Subordinated Debt, (ii) Series B Convertible Subordinated Debt,
(iii) Series A-1 Convertible Preferred, (iv) Series A-3 Convertible Preferred,
(iv) Series B Convertible Preferred, (v) Series C Convertible Preferred, (vi)
Series E-2 Convertible Preferred, (vii) the Warrant, (viii) Common Stock issued
upon conversion or exercise of any of the securities described in clauses (i)
through (vii) or owned by CIG, excluding the Call Shares, and (ix) securities
received in respect of any of the securities described in clauses (i) through
(viii), whether by dividend, merger, capitalization, reorganization or
otherwise; provided,
however, that
the aggregate number of shares of Class A Common Stock and Class D Common Stock
included in the Subject Securities, including shares of Class A Common Stock
and Class D Common Stock into or for which the Subject Securities would be
entitled to be converted, or exchanged or exercised, shall not exceed the
Maximum Amount.
“Trigger
Event”
means the acquisition of securities of the Company representing
more than 50% of the voting power of the Company outstanding at such time
by (i)
NBCU or any of its Affiliates, (ii) a group (as such term defined in Rule 13d-3
under the Exchange Act) comprised of NBCU or any of its Affiliates and any
holder or holders of NBCU Option I, NBCU Option II, or other securities of the
Company transferred by NBCU or any of its Affiliates or (iii) any other Person
(other than CIG and its Affiliates) that has purchased, acquired or received
securities of the Company from NBCU or any of its Affiliates, directly or
indirectly, by merger, consolidation, sale, exchange or otherwise.
(b) The
following terms have the meanings set forth in the Sections set forth
below:
Definition
|
Section
|
|
“Agreement”
|
Preamble
|
|
“Call
Exercise Notice”
|
2.2(b)
|
|
“Call
Exercise Period”
|
2.2(a)
|
|
“Call
Right”
|
2.2(a)
|
|
“Call
Right Closing”
|
3(b)(i)
|
|
“CIG”
|
Preamble
|
|
“CIG
Acceptance Period”
|
4(a)
|
|
“CIG
First Offer”
|
5(a)
|
3
Definition | Section | |
“CIG
First Offer Notice”
|
5(a)
|
|
“CIG Last
Acceptance Period”
|
4(b)
|
|
“CIG Last
Look Notice”
|
5(b)
|
|
“CIG Last
Offer”
|
5(b)
|
|
“Company”
|
Recitals
|
|
“De
Minimis Acceptance Period”
|
5(c)(i)
|
|
“De
Minimis First Offer”
|
5(c)(i)
|
|
“De
Minimis First Offer Notice”
|
5(c)(i)
|
|
“Master
Agreement”
|
Recitals
|
|
“NBCU
Acceptance Period”
|
5(a)
|
|
“NBCU
Designee”
|
5(a)
|
|
“NBCU
First Offer”
|
4(a)
|
|
“NBCU
First Offer Notice”
|
4(a)
|
|
“NBCU
Last Acceptance Period”
|
5(b)
|
|
“NBCU
Last Look Notice”
|
4(b)
|
|
“NBCU
Last Offer”
|
4(b)
|
|
“NBC Palm
Beach I”
|
Recitals
|
|
“NBC Palm
Beach II”
|
Recitals
|
|
“NBCU
Option I”
|
Recitals
|
|
“NBCU
Option II”
|
Recitals
|
|
“NBCU”
|
Preamble
|
|
“Put
Exercise Notice”
|
2.1(b)
|
|
“Put
Exercise Period”
|
2.1(a)
|
|
“Put
Right”
|
2.1(a)
|
|
“Put
Right Closing”
|
3(a)(i)
|
|
“Renewed
Call Exercise Period”
|
2.3
|
|
“Renewed
Put Exercise Period”
|
2.3
|
|
“Transferee”
|
8
|
SECTION
2. Put/Call
Right.
2.1 Put
Right of CIG. (a)
For a period of thirty days following the occurrence of the Trigger Event (the
“Put
Exercise Period”),
CIG shall have the right, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this Agreement, to require NBCU (or such Affiliates of NBCU as NBCU
may designate) to purchase all but not less than all of the Subject Securities
(the “Put
Right”).
(b) CIG may
exercise the Put Right at any time during the Put Exercise Period by delivery
to NBCU of a written notice given in the manner specified in Section 8 hereof
(the “Put
Exercise Notice”)
stating that CIG intends to exercise the Put Right. The Put Exercise Notice
shall specify the Put Purchase Price as calculated by CIG.
(c) If NBCU
disagrees with CIG’s calculation of the Put Purchase Price, NBCU shall
deliver a written notice given in the manner specified in Section 8
4
hereof
to CIG stating that it disagrees with CIG’s calculation of the Put
Purchase Price in the Put Exercise Notice and setting forth in reasonable
detail the basis of its disagreement with CIG’s calculation of the Put
Purchase Price within 10 Business Days of NBCU’s receipt of the Put
Exercise Notice, and CIG and NBCU shall in good faith seek to agree on the Put
Purchase Price; provided,
however, that
if an agreement cannot be reached between CIG and NBCU with respect to the Put
Purchase Price within 20 Business Days of receipt by CIG of NBCU’s notice
of its disagreement with respect to CIG’s calculation of the Put Purchase
Price, an independent, nationally recognized investment bank shall be appointed
by CIG and NBCU (or in the event the parties cannot agree, chosen by the
American Arbitration Association) to determine the Put Purchase Price and such
determination shall be final and binding on CIG and NBCU.
(d) NBCU
shall notify CIG of the occurrence of the Trigger Event by delivery to CIG of a
written notice given in the manner specified in Section 8 hereof within three
Business Days after the occurrence of the Trigger Event; provided, that
in the event NBCU fails to deliver a notice pursuant to this Section 2.1(d),
the Put Exercise Period shall not commence until the date that NBCU delivers
such notice. The written notice with respect to the occurrence of the Trigger
Event shall contain supporting detail reasonably necessary to evidence the
occurrence of the Trigger Event.
2.2 Call
Right of NBCU. (a) If
CIG does not exercise the Put Right during the Put Exercise Period, for a
period of thirty days following the expiration of the Put Exercise Period (the
“Call
Exercise Period”),
NBCU shall have the right, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this Agreement, to require CIG and its Affiliates to sell to NBCU (or
such Affiliates of NBCU as NBCU may designate) all but not less than all of the
Subject Securities (the “Call
Right”).
(b) NBCU may
exercise the Call Right at any time during the Call Exercise Period by delivery
to CIG of a written notice (the “Call
Exercise Notice”)
given in the manner specified in Section 8 hereof stating that NBCU intends to
exercise the Call Right. The Call Exercise Notice shall specify the Call
Purchase Price as calculated by NBCU.
(c) If CIG
disagrees with NBCU’s calculation of the Call Purchase Price provided in
the Call Exercise Notice, CIG shall deliver a written notice given in the
manner specified in Section 8 hereof to NBCU stating that it disagrees with
NBCU’s calculation of the Call Purchase Price in the Call Exercise Notice
and setting forth in reasonable detail the basis of its disagreement with
NBCU’s calculation of the Call Purchase Price within 10 Business Days of
CIG’s receipt of the Call Exercise Notice, and CIG and NBCU shall in good
faith seek to agree on the Call Purchase Price; provided,
however, that
if an agreement cannot be reached between CIG and NBCU with respect to the Call
Purchase Price within 20 Business Days of the receipt by NBCU of CIG’s
notice of its disagreement with respect to NBCU’s calculation of the Call
Purchase Price, an independent, nationally recognized investment bank shall be
appointed by CIG and NBCU (or in the event the parties cannot agree, chosen by
the American Arbitration Association) to determine the Call Purchase Price and
such determination shall be final and binding on CIG and NBCU.
5
2.3 Renewal
of Put/Call Right. If,
after the occurrence of the Trigger Event, CIG does not exercise the Put Right
during the Put Exercise Period and NBCU does not exercise the Call Right during
the Call Exercise Period, CIG may exercise the Put Right upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in the Agreement for a period of thirty
days commencing on each of the first five anniversaries of the Trigger Event
(each, a “Renewed
Put Exercise Period”).
If CIG does not exercise the Put Right during a Renewed Put Exercise Period,
NBCU may exercise the Call Right upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this Agreement for a period of thirty days commencing on the
expiration of such Renewed Put Exercise Period (each, a “Renewed
Call Exercise Period”).
SECTION
3. Closing.
(a) Put
Right Closing. (i)
The closing of the exercise of the Put Right (the “Put
Right Closing”)
shall take place no later than the fifth Business Day following the later of
(x) the receipt of any required consent, approval, authorization or other order
of, action by, or any required filing with or notification to, any Governmental
Authority applicable to the purchase of the Subject Securities by NBCU or its
designated Affiliate, including (A) the expiration or termination of any
waiting period (and any extension thereof) under the HSR Act, and (B) approval
by the FCC of the FCC Application, which approval shall have become a Final
Order, subject to the last sentence of this Section 3(a)(i), and (y) the final
determination of the Put Purchase Price pursuant to Section 2.1(c) hereof. The
Put Right Closing shall occur at the place designated in the Put Exercise
Notice. The requirement for a Final Order may be waived by NBCU in its sole
discretion.
(ii) At
the Put Right Closing, (x) CIG shall deliver to NBCU or its designated
Affiliate certificates representing all of the Subject Securities, duly
endorsed in blank or accompanied by stock or similar powers duly executed in
blank, with all necessary stock transfer stamps or similar instruments, as
applicable, affixed thereto, free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted
Liens, and (y) NBCU shall pay by wire transfer in immediately available funds
to the account or accounts specified by CIG (A) the Put Purchase Price, plus
(B) accrued interest at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR (on the delivery date
of the Put Exercise Notice) plus 100 basis points on the Put Purchase Price for
the period from the date of the delivery of the Put Exercise Notice through the
date of the Put Right Closing, minus (C) the value of dividends and other
distributions that are paid in cash or in property, if any, and received by CIG
and its Affiliates after the date of the delivery of the Put Exercise Notice
with respect to the Subject Securities, plus accrued interest at a rate per
annum equal to LIBOR (on the delivery date of the Put Exercise Notice) plus 100
basis points on the value of such received dividends and distributions for the
period from the date of the distribution through the date of the Put Right
Closing. CIG shall furnish necessary account information to NBCU in writing at
least two Business Days prior to the date of the Put Right
Closing.
(b) Call
Right Closing. (i)
The closing of exercise of the Call Right (the “Call
Right Closing”)
shall take place no later than the fifth Business Day following the later of
(x) the receipt of any required consent, approval, authorization or other order
of, action by, or any required filing with or notification to, any Governmental
Authority
6
applicable
to the purchase of the Subject Securities by NBCU or its designated Affiliate,
including, (A) the expiration or termination of any waiting period (and any
extension thereof) under the HSR Act, and (B) approval by the FCC of the FCC
Application, which approval shall have become a Final Order, subject to the
last sentence of this Section 3(b)(i), and (y) the final determination of the
Call Purchase Price pursuant to Section 2.2(c) hereof. The Call Right Closing
shall occur at the place designated in the Call Exercise Notice. The
requirement for a Final Order may be waived by NBCU in its sole
discretion.
(ii) At the
Call Right Closing (x) CIG shall deliver to NBCU or its designated Affiliate
certificates representing all of the Subject Securities, duly endorsed in blank
or accompanied by stock or similar powers duly executed in blank, with all
necessary stock transfer stamps or similar instruments, as applicable, affixed
thereto, free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens, and (y) NBCU
shall pay by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account or
accounts specified by CIG (A) the Call Purchase Price, plus (B) accrued
interest at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR (on the delivery date of the Call
Exercise Notice) plus 100 basis points on the Call Purchase Price for the
period from the date of the delivery of the Call Exercise Notice through the
date of the Call Right Closing, minus (C) the value of dividends and other
distributions that are paid in cash or in property, if any, and received by CIG
and its Affiliates after the date of the delivery of the Call Exercise Notice
with respect to the Subject Securities, plus accrued interest at a rate per
annum equal to LIBOR (on the delivery date of the Call Exercise Notice) plus
100 basis points on the value of such received dividends and distributions for
the period from the date of the distribution through the date of the Call Right
Closing. CIG shall furnish necessary account information in writing to NBCU at
least two Business Days prior to the date of the Call Right
Closing.
SECTION
4. Right
of First Offer and Last Offer of CIG.
Any
proposed Sale or series of related Sales by NBCU or its Affiliates of NBCU
Securities representing more than 50% of the voting power of the Company on a
fully-diluted basis as of the date of such proposed Sale shall be consummated
only in accordance with the following procedures:
(a) NBCU
shall first deliver to CIG a written notice (a “NBCU
First Offer Notice”),
which shall (i) state NBCU’s intention to Sell such NBCU Securities, the
amount and type of the NBCU Securities to be Sold, the proposed Sale price
therefor and all other material terms of the proposed Sale and (ii) offer (the
“NBCU
First Offer”)
CIG the option to acquire all but not less than all of such NBCU Securities
upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the proposed Sale as set forth
in the NBCU First Offer Notice. The NBCU First Offer shall remain open and
irrevocable for a period of 20 days after receipt of the NBCU First Offer
Notice by CIG (the “CIG
Acceptance Period”)
(and, to the extent the NBCU First Offer is accepted during the CIG Acceptance
Period, until the consummation of the Sale contemplated by the NBCU First
Offer). CIG shall have the right and option to accept the NBCU First Offer for
all (and not part) of such NBCU Securities at the price and on the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in the NBCU First Offer Notice, by
delivering a written notice to NBCU within the CIG
7
Acceptance
Period. In the event CIG accepts the NBCU First Offer during the CIG Acceptance
Period, it shall have 30 days to consummate the acquisition of such NBCU
Securities
following the expiration or termination of all waiting periods under the HSR
Act and receipt of all necessary FCC and other regulatory approvals applicable
to such acquisition.
(b) If CIG
shall fail during the CIG Acceptance Period to accept all of the NBCU
Securities offered for Sale pursuant to, or shall reject in writing, the NBCU
First Offer, NBCU may Sell such NBCU Securities to any Person or Persons at a
price not less than the price and on terms not more favorable to the purchaser
thereof than the terms, in each case as set forth in the NBCU First Offer
Notice, at any time within 180 days (plus a sufficient number of days to allow
for the expiration or termination of all waiting periods under the HSR Act and
receipt of all necessary FCC and other regulatory approvals applicable to such
Sale) after the expiration of the CIG Acceptance Period; provided, that
NBCU shall, upon receipt of a bona fide offer (the “NBCU
Last Offer”)
from any Person or Persons with respect to such NBCU Securities, promptly
deliver to CIG a written notice (a “NBCU
Last Look Notice”),
which shall identify the Person or Persons making the NBCU Last Offer and state
the proposed offer price thereof, the amount and type of the NBCU Securities
proposed to be acquired, the form of consideration proposed to be paid and all
other material terms and conditions of the NBCU Last Offer, and CIG shall have
the right and option, for a period of 10 Business Days upon receipt of the NBCU
Last Look Notice by NBCU (the “CIG
Last Acceptance Period”),
to offer to acquire such NBCU Securities at the proposed offer price and upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the NBCU Last Offer. In
the event the CIG accepts the NBCU Last Offer during the CIG Last Acceptance
Period, it shall have 30 days to consummate the acquisition of such NBCU
Securities following the expiration or termination of all waiting periods under
the HSR Act and receipt of all necessary FCC and other regulatory approvals
applicable to such acquisition; provided, that
such Person shall have 30 days to consummate the acquisition of such NBCU
Securities following the expiration or termination of all waiting periods under
the HSR Act and receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals (other than FCC
approvals) applicable to such acquisition in the event that the Person or
Persons making the NBCU Last Offer are not required to obtain any FCC approval
in order to acquire the NBCU Securities.
(c) Sections
4(a) and 4(b) hereof shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the second
anniversary of the date hereof and (ii) the mandatory conversion of each and
every class and series of Convertible Securities pursuant to the terms thereof.
For the avoidance of doubt, NBCU or its Affiliates may pledge the NBCU
Securities without being subject to Section 4(a) or 4(b) hereof so long as such
rights shall apply to any Sale of such pledged NBCU Securities by the pledgee
thereof. Any purported Sale of the NBCU Securities by NBCU and its Affiliates
in violation of this Section 4 shall be null and void.
SECTION
5. Right
of First Offer and Last Offer of NBCU.
8
Except
as set forth in Sections 5(c) and 5(d) hereof, any proposed Sale of any Subject
Securities by CIG or its Affiliates shall be consummated only in accordance
with the following procedures:
(a) CIG
shall first deliver to NBCU a written notice (a “CIG
First Offer Notice”),
which shall (i) state CIG’s intention to Sell such Subject Securities, the
amount and type of the Subject Securities to be Sold, the proposed Sale price
therefor and all other material terms of the proposed Sale and (ii) offer (the
“CIG
First Offer”)
NBCU or a third party designated by NBCU (an “NBCU
Designee”)
the option to acquire all but not less than all of such Subject Securities upon
the terms and subject to the conditions of the proposed Sale as set forth in
the CIG First Offer Notice. The CIG First Offer shall remain open and
irrevocable for a period of 20 days after receipt of the CIG First Offer Notice
by NBCU (the “NBCU
Acceptance Period”)
(and, to the extent the CIG First Offer is accepted during the NBCU Acceptance
Period, until the consummation of the Sale contemplated by the CIG First
Offer). NBCU or an NBCU Designee, as the case may be, shall have the right and
option to accept the CIG First Offer for all (and not part) of such Subject
Securities at the price and on the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in the CIG First Offer Notice, by delivering a written notice to CIG
within the NBCU Acceptance Period. In the event NBCU or an NBCU Designee, as
the case may be, accepts the CIG First Offer during the NBCU Acceptance Period,
such Person shall have 30 days to consummate the acquisition of such Subject
Securities following the expiration or termination of all waiting periods under
the HSR Act and receipt of all necessary FCC and other regulatory approvals
applicable to such acquisition.
(b) If NBCU
or an NBCU Designee, as the case may be, shall fail during the NBCU Acceptance
Period to accept all of the Subject Securities offered for Sale pursuant to, or
shall reject in writing, the CIG First Offer, CIG may Sell such Subject
Securities to any Person or Persons at a price not less than the price and on
terms not more favorable to the purchaser thereof than the terms, in each case
as set forth in the CIG First Offer Notice, at any time within 180 days (plus a
sufficient number of days to allow for the expiration or termination of all
waiting periods under the HSR Act and receipt of all necessary FCC and other
regulatory approvals applicable to such Sale) after the expiration of the NBCU
Acceptance Period; provided, that
CIG shall, upon receipt of a bona fide offer (the “CIG
Last Offer”)
from any Person or Persons with respect to such Subject Securities, promptly
deliver to NBCU a written notice (a “CIG
Last Look Notice”),
which shall identify the Person or Persons making the CIG Last Offer and state
the proposed offer price thereof, the amount and type of the Subject Securities
proposed to be acquired, the form of consideration proposed to be paid and all
other material terms and conditions of the CIG Last Offer, and NBCU or an NBCU
Designee, as the case may be, shall have the right and option, for a period of
10 Business Days upon receipt of the CIG Last Look Notice by NBCU (the
“NBCU
Last Acceptance Period”),
to offer to acquire such Subject Securities at the proposed offer price and
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the CIG Last Offer.
In the event NBCU or an NBCU Designee, as the case may be, accepts the CIG Last
Offer during the NBCU Last Acceptance Period, such Person shall have 30 days to
consummate the acquisition of such Subject Securities following the expiration
or termination of all waiting periods under the HSR Act and receipt of all
necessary FCC and other regulatory approvals
9
applicable
to such acquisition; provided, that
such Person shall have 30 days to consummate the acquisition of such Subject
Securities following the expiration or termination of all waiting periods under
the HSR Act and receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals (other than FCC
approvals) applicable to such acquisition in the event that the Person or
Persons making the CIG Last Offer are not required to obtain any FCC approval
in order to acquire the Subject Securities.
(c) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in Sections 5(a) and 5(b) hereof, for any transaction
of Subject Securities with an aggregate total value of $5,000,000 or less, but
in no event exceeding an aggregate total value of $75,000,000 in any calendar
year, in each case as the value measured by the stated liquidation preference
or principal amount of the Subject Securities and assuming a value of $0.75 per
share for Class A Common Stock, CIG and its Affiliates may seek to Sell any of
its Subject Securities at any time subject to the satisfaction of the following
conditions:
(i) CIG
shall deliver to NBCU a written notice (a “De
Minimis First Offer Notice”),
which shall (i) state CIG’s intention to Sell Subject Securities, the
amount and type of Subject Securities to be Sold, the proposed Sale price
therefor and all other material terms of the proposed Sale and (ii) offer (the
“De
Minimis First Offer”)
to NBCU or an NBCU Designee the right to acquire all but not less than all of
such Subject Securities at the proposed purchase price and upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the proposed transfer as set forth in the De
Minimis First Offer Notice. NBCU or an NBCU Designee, as the case may be, shall
have the right and option to accept the De Minimis First Offer for all (and not
part) of such Subject Securities at the price and upon the terms and subject to
the conditions as set forth in the De Minimis First Offer, by delivering a
written notice to CIG within five Business Days after receipt of the De Minimis
First Offer Notice by NBCU (the “De
Minimis Acceptance Period”).
In the event NBCU or an NBCU Designee, as the case may be, accepts the De
Minimis First Offer during the De Minimis Acceptance Period, such Person shall
have 30 days from the acceptance of the De Minimis First Offer to consummate
the acquisition of the Subject Securities.
(ii) if NBCU
or an NBCU Designee, as the case may be, shall fail to accept during the De
Minimis Acceptance Period all of the Subject Securities offered for Sale
pursuant to, or shall reject in writing, the De Minimis First Offer, CIG and
its Affiliates may Sell such Subject Securities to any Person or Persons at a
price not less than the price and on terms not more favorable to the purchaser
thereof than the terms, in each case as set forth in the De Minimis First Offer
Notice, at any time within 90 days (plus a sufficient number of days to allow
for the expiration or termination of all waiting periods under the HSR Act and
receipt of all necessary FCC and other regulatory approvals applicable to such
Sale) after the expiration of the De Minimis Acceptance Period.
(iii) For the
avoidance of doubt, CIG shall not be obligated to provide NBCU with a CIG Last
Look Notice for the Subject Securities that are subject to a De Minimis First
Offer Notice.
10
(d) Sections
5(a), 5(b) and 5(c) hereof shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the
termination or expiration of the NBCU Option I or NBCU Option II, (ii) the Sale
by NBCU and its Affiliates of the NBCU Option I or NBCU Option II to one or
more Persons, other than the Persons acting with NBCU as a Group, or (iii) the
Sale by NBCU or its Affiliates to one or more Persons, other than the Persons
acting with NBCU as a Group, of securities of the Company representing, in the
aggregate, more than 10% of the total voting power of the Company on a
fully-diluted basis as of the Call Closing, or if the Call Closing does not
occur, the later of the Exchange Offer Closing, the Exchange Offer Expiration
or the closing of the Contingent Exchange; provided, that
if NBCU and its Affiliates Sell to one or more Persons, other than the Persons
acting with NBCU as a Group, securities of the Company representing, in the
aggregate, in excess of 5%, but not more than 10%, of the total voting power of
the Company as of the Call Closing, or if the Call Closing does not occur, the
later of the Exchange Offer Closing, the Exchange Offer Expiration or the
closing of the Contingent Exchange, NBCU and its Affiliates shall not have the
right of CIG Last Offer described in Section 5(b) hereof.
(e) Sections
5(a), 5(b) and 5(c) hereof shall not bind any holder of the Subject Securities
who acquires such Subject Securities from CIG and its Affiliates in compliance
with this Section 5 and CIG and its Affiliates may pledge the Subject
Securities without being subject to Section 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c) hereof so long
as such rights shall apply to any Sale of such pledged Subject Securities by
the pledgee thereof. Any purported Sale of the Subject Securities by CIG and
its Affiliates in violation of this Section 5 shall be null and
void.
SECTION
6. Representations
and Warranties. Each
party hereto represents and warrants to the other parties hereto as
follows:
(a) Such
party has been duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and has all requisite power
and authority to carry on its business as presently conducted and proposed to
be conducted.
(b) Such
party has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and
perform its obligations hereunder.
(c) This
Agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by such
party, and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of such party,
enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms.
(d) The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such party does not
and will not (A) violate, conflict with, or constitute a breach of or default
under such party’s organizational documents or (B) violate any Law
applicable to such party.
(e) The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by it does not and will
not (A) require it to obtain any consent, approval, authorization or other
order of, or to make any filing, registration or qualification with any court,
regulatory
11
body,
administrative agency or other governmental body (except for (i) the pre-merger
notification and waiting period requirements of the HSR Act and the approval by
the FCC of the FCC Application pursuant to Section 310(d) of the Communications
Act, in each case in connection with the exercise of the Put Right or the Call
Right, or (ii) where failure to obtain such consent, approval, authorization or
action, or to make such filing or notification, would not prevent or materially
delay the consummation by NBCU or its designated Affiliate of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement) or (B) violate, conflict with, constitute a
breach or default under, or result in the imposition of a Lien on any of such
party’s material properties pursuant to, any agreement, arrangement,
commitment or undertaking to which such party is a party or by which such party
is bound and which would adversely affect such party’s ability to perform
its obligations hereunder.
(f) Such
party is not a party to any agreement which is inconsistent with the rights of
any party hereunder or otherwise conflicts with the provisions
hereof.
SECTION
7. Additional
Agreements
(a)
Governmental
Filings; Consents. Each
of CIG and NBCU shall use, and shall cause its respective Affiliates to use,
commercially reasonable best efforts to obtain all authorizations, consents,
orders and approvals of all Governmental Authorities and officials that may be
or become necessary for its execution and delivery of, and the performance of
its obligations pursuant to, this Agreement, including approval by the FCC of
the FCC Application pursuant to Section 310(d) of the Communications Act and
any approvals required under the HSR Act, and will cooperate fully with the
other party in promptly seeking to obtain all such authorizations, consents,
orders and approvals. As promptly as practicable but in no event later than 20
Business Days after giving the Put Exercise Notice or the Call Exercise Notice,
as applicable, to the extent required by applicable Law, the parties hereto
shall make and shall cause their respective Affiliates to make any filings
required under the Communications Act, the HSR Act and other applicable Law.
Each party hereto agrees to use its commercially reasonable best efforts to
supply as promptly as practicable to the appropriate Governmental Authorities
any additional information and documentary material that may be requested in
connection with obtaining such authorizations, consents, orders and approvals,
including the FCC Application or pursuant to the HSR Act.
(b) Inconsistent
Actions. Once
the FCC Application has been filed, and for so long as it is pending, none of
NBCU, CIG nor any of their respective Affiliates shall take any action that
could reasonably be expected to delay or hinder the grant of the FCC
Application.
(c) Distribution. NBCU
shall acquire the Subject Securities for investment purposes only and not with
a view to any distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act, and
shall not sell any Subject Securities purchased pursuant to this Agreement
except in compliance with the Securities Act and applicable state securities or
“blue sky” laws.
12
(d) Legends. CIG
agrees to, and shall request the Company to cause, the imprinting, for so long
as appropriate, of substantially the following legends on certificates
representing any of the Subject Securities, as applicable:
THE
SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF A
STOCKHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF MAY 4, 2007, AMONG ION MEDIA
NETWORKS, INC., CIG MEDIA LLC AND NBC UNIVERSAL, INC.
THE
SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF THE PUT/CALL
AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MAY 4, 2007 BETWEEN NBC UNIVERSAL, INC. AND CIG MEDIA
LLC.
THE
SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED
EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT
OF 1933 OR AN EXEMPTION THEREFROM AND, IN EACH CASE, IN COMPLIANCE WITH
APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
SECTION
8. Notices. All
notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be given when (and shall be deemed to have been duly given
upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier, by facsimile or by
registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), to
the respective parties at the following addresses (or such other address for a
party as shall be specified in a notice given in accordance with this
Section 8):
If to
NBCU:
00
Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention:
General Counsel
Tel:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
With a
copy to:
Shearman
& Sterling LLP
000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Xx.
Tel:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
13
If to
CIG:
CIG
Media LLC
000 X.
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Tel:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
with a
copy to:
Fried,
Frank, Harris, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP
Xxx Xxx
Xxxx Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
Tel:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
9. Transferability
of Put/Call Right. Either
party hereto may assign all or any of its rights and obligations hereunder to
its Affiliates, provided that no
such assignment shall relieve the assigning party of its obligations hereunder.
If CIG transfers any of its Subject Securities to a Person that is not an
Affiliate (a “Transferee”)
in compliance with Section 5 hereof, such Subject Securities shall cease to be
Subject Securities and no longer be subject to the Put Right or the Call Right;
provided,
however, that
if CIG transfers all or substantially all of the Subject Securities to a
Transferee, CIG may assign all of its rights, including the Put Right, and
obligations hereunder to such Transferee, provided that such Transferee
expressly agrees in writing to be bound hereby and that such transferred
Subject Securities shall remain subject to the Call Right and delivers a
written notice of such transfer to NBCU immediately following the consummation
of such transfer. Except as otherwise agreed in writing by NBCU, no Transferee
shall be permitted to put any securities of the Company other than Subject
Securities to NBCU or its Affiliates in connection with the exercise of the Put
Right. NBCU shall have the right to assign all of its rights, including the
Call Right, and obligations hereunder to any Person referred to in clauses (ii)
or (iii) of the definition of Trigger Event in connection with the Trigger
Event so long as NBCU assures the payments obligations of such Person at the
Put Right Closing or the Call Right Closing, as applicable, and such Person
expressly agrees in writing to be bound hereby and delivers a written notice to
CIG immediately following the consummation of such assignment.
10. Miscellaneous. (a)
The Transaction Agreements and the documents described therein or attached or
delivered pursuant thereto set forth the entire agreement between the parties
thereto with respect to the transactions contemplated by such agreements. Any
provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified in whole or in part at
any time only by an agreement in writing signed by all of the parties. No
failure on the part of any party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any
right shall
14
operate
as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise by any party of
any right preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any
other right.
(b) If any
term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of
being enforced by Law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of
this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as
the economic or legal substance is not affected in any manner materially
adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision
is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall
negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original
intent of the parties as closely as possible in a mutually acceptable manner in
order that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement be consummated as
originally contemplated to the fullest extent possible.
(c) This
Agreement may be executed and delivered (including by facsimile transmission)
in one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate
counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed to be an original but
all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
agreement.
(d) No
right, power or remedy conferred upon any party in this Agreement shall be
exclusive, and each such right, power or remedy shall be cumulative and in
addition to every other right, power or remedy whether conferred in this
Agreement or now or hereafter available at law or in equity or by statute or
otherwise. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the
event any provision of this Agreement was not performed in accordance with the
terms hereof and that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions of this Agreement in addition to any other remedy to
which they are entitled at law or in equity.
(e) Each
party shall execute and deliver such additional instruments and other documents
and shall take such further actions as may be necessary or appropriate to
effectuate, carry out and comply with all of the terms of this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby.
(f) The
section headings, captions and table of contents contained in this Agreement
are for reference purposes only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not
affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(g) This
Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of NBCU and CIG,
and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
(h) All
costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such
expense; provided,
however, that
any fees or expenses incurred with respect to the engagement of an investment
banker by CIG and NBCU to settle disputes with respect to the calculation of
the Put Purchase Price or the Call Purchase Price, as the case may be, shall be
shared by CIG and NBCU in proportion to the relative differences between their
15
respective
calculations of the Put Purchase Price or the Call Purchase Price, as the case
may be, and the amount determined by such investment banker.
(i) This
agreement shall terminate and become of no further force and effect on the
earliest to occur of (i) the Put Right Closing or the Call Right Closing, as
the case may be, (ii) the later to occur of the termination (without exercise)
of (x) NBCU Option I, and (y) NBCU Option II, (iii) the written consent of the
parties hereto, (iv) the expiration of the fifth and final Renewed Call
Exercise Period, and (v) the date when there are no Subject Securities.
(j) This
Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of
the State of New York applicable to contracts executed in and to be performed
in that State. All actions and proceedings arising out of or relating to this
Agreement shall be heard and determined exclusively in any New York state or
federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan of The City of New York. The
parties hereto hereby (a) submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of any state or
federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan of The City of New York for
the purpose of any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought
by any party hereto, and (b) irrevocably waive, and agree not to assert by way
of motion, defense, or otherwise, in any such Action, any claim that it is not
subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its
property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the Action is
brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the Action is improper, or
that this Agreement may not be enforced in or by any of the above-named
courts.
(k) Each of
the parties hereto hereby waives to the fullest extent permitted by applicable
Law any right it may have to a trial by jury with respect to any litigation
directly or indirectly arising out of, under or in connection with this
Agreement. Each of the parties hereto (a) certifies that no representative,
agent or attorney of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise,
that such other party would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce
that foregoing waiver and (b) acknowledges that it and the other hereto have
been induced to enter into this Agreement, as applicable, by, among other
things, the mutual waivers and certifications in this Section 10(k).
[Signature
Page to Follow]
16
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, NBCU and CIG have caused this Agreement to be executed by
their respective representatives on the date first above written.
CIG MEDIA LLC | ||
|
|
|
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx | |
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
||
Title: Managing Director and Deputy General Counsel |
NBC UNIVERSAL, INC. | ||
|
|
|
By: | /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx |
||
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |