FORM OF DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN CABLEVISION SYSTEMS CORPORATION, AND MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, INC. dated as of • ___, 2010
Exhibit 2.1
FORM OF
BY AND BETWEEN
CABLEVISION SYSTEMS CORPORATION,
AND
dated as
of • ___, 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE I |
||||||
DEFINITIONS |
||||||
Section 1.1 |
General | 2 | ||||
Section 1.2 |
Reference; Interpretation | 9 | ||||
ARTICLE II |
||||||
DISTRIBUTION AND |
||||||
CERTAIN COVENANTS |
||||||
Section 2.1 |
Distribution | 9 | ||||
Section 2.2 |
Cablevision Determination | 10 | ||||
Section 2.3 |
Charter; Bylaws | 10 | ||||
Section 2.4 |
Directors | 10 | ||||
Section 2.5 |
Election of Officers | 10 | ||||
Section 2.6 |
Certain Licenses and Permits | 10 | ||||
Section 2.7 |
State Securities Laws | 11 | ||||
Section 2.8 |
Listing Application; Notice to NASDAQ | 11 | ||||
Section 2.9 |
Removal of Certain Guarantees; Releases from Liabilities | 11 | ||||
Section 2.10 |
Corporate Names; Trademarks | 12 | ||||
Section 2.11 |
Ancillary Agreements | 12 | ||||
Section 2.12 |
Acknowledgment by MSG | 13 | ||||
Section 2.13 |
Release | 13 | ||||
Section 2.14 |
Discharge of Liabilities | 14 | ||||
Section 2.15 |
Further Assurances | 14 | ||||
ARTICLE III |
||||||
INDEMNIFICATION |
||||||
Section 3.1 |
Indemnification by Cablevision | 15 | ||||
Section 3.2 |
Indemnification by MSG | 15 | ||||
Section 3.3 |
Procedures for Indemnification | 15 | ||||
Section 3.4 |
Indemnification Payments | 18 | ||||
ARTICLE IV |
||||||
ACCESS TO INFORMATION |
||||||
Section 4.1 |
Provision of Corporate Records | 18 | ||||
Section 4.2 |
Access to Information | 18 | ||||
Section 4.3 |
Witnesses; Documents and Cooperation in Actions | 19 | ||||
Section 4.4 |
Confidentiality | 19 | ||||
Section 4.5 |
Privileged Matters | 20 |
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Page | ||||||
Section 4.6 |
Ownership of Information | 22 | ||||
Section 4.7 |
Cost of Providing Records and Information | 22 | ||||
Section 4.8 |
Retention of Records | 22 | ||||
Section 4.9 |
Other Agreements Providing for Exchange of Information | 22 | ||||
Section 4.10 |
Policies and Best Practices | 23 | ||||
Section 4.11 |
Compliance with Laws and Agreements | 23 | ||||
ARTICLE V |
||||||
MISCELLANEOUS |
||||||
Section 5.1 |
Complete Agreement; Construction | 23 | ||||
Section 5.2 |
Ancillary Agreements | 23 | ||||
Section 5.3 |
Counterparts | 23 | ||||
Section 5.4 |
Survival of Agreements | 24 | ||||
Section 5.5 |
Distribution Expenses | 24 | ||||
Section 5.6 |
Notices | 24 | ||||
Section 5.7 |
Waivers | 24 | ||||
Section 5.8 |
Amendments | 25 | ||||
Section 5.9 |
Assignment | 25 | ||||
Section 5.10 |
Successors and Assigns | 25 | ||||
Section 5.11 |
Termination | 25 | ||||
Section 5.12 |
Subsidiaries | 25 | ||||
Section 5.13 |
Third-Party Beneficiaries | 25 | ||||
Section 5.14 |
Title and Headings | 25 | ||||
Section 5.15 |
Schedules | 25 | ||||
Section 5.16 |
Governing Law | 26 | ||||
Section 5.17 |
Waiver of Jury Trial | 26 | ||||
Section 5.18 |
Specific Performance | 26 | ||||
Section 5.19 |
Severability | 26 | ||||
Schedule A |
List of MSG Subsidiaries | A-1 | ||||
Schedule B |
Retained Claims Liabilities | B-1 | ||||
Schedule C-1 |
Guarantees | C-1 | ||||
Schedule C-2 |
Guarantees | C-1 |
ii
This
Distribution Agreement (this “Agreement”), is dated
as of • ___, 2010, by and between
Cablevision Systems Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Cablevision”), and Madison Square Garden,
Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cablevision (“MSG” and, together with
Cablevision, the “Parties”).
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Cablevision determined that it is in the best interests of
Cablevision and its stockholders to separate the businesses of MSG, all as more fully described in
MSG’s registration statement on Form 10 (collectively, the “MSG Business”), from Cablevision’s
other businesses on the terms and conditions set forth herein;
WHEREAS,
the Board of Directors of CSC Holdings, LLC (“CSC”) authorized the distribution to
Cablevision, as the sole member of CSC of all of the MSG Common Stock (the “CSC Distribution”)
and has determined that the CSC Distribution is in the best interests
of CSC and its member
and has approved this Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Cablevision has authorized the distribution to the holders
of the issued and outstanding shares of NY Group Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share,
of Cablevision (“Cablevision Class A Stock”) and NY Group Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per
share, of Cablevision (“Cablevision Class B Stock” and, together with the Cablevision Class A
Stock, the “Cablevision Common Stock”) as of the record date for the distribution of all the issued
and outstanding shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of MSG (the “MSG Class A
Common Shares”) and Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of MSG (the “MSG Class B
Common Shares”) (each such MSG Class A Common Share and MSG Class B Common Share is individually
referred to as a “MSG Share” and collectively referred to as the “MSG Common Stock”), respectively,
on the basis of one MSG Class A Common Share for each
___shares of Cablevision Common Stock and one MSG Class B
Common Share for each
shares of Cablevision Class B Common Stock (the
“Distribution”);
WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of Cablevision and MSG have each determined that the
Distribution and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements
(as defined below) are in furtherance of and consistent with the
Corporate Business Purposes and, as such, are in the best interests of
their respective companies and stockholders or sole member,
as applicable, and have approved this Agreement and each of the Ancillary Agreements; and
WHEREAS, the Parties have determined to set forth the principal corporate and other
transactions required to effect the Distribution and to set forth other agreements that will govern
certain other matters prior to and following the Distribution.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, the
parties hereby agree as follows:
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ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 General. Unless otherwise defined herein or unless the context otherwise
requires, as used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Action” shall mean any demand, action, suit, arbitration, inquiry, proceeding or
investigation by or before any Governmental Authority or any arbitration or mediation
tribunal.
“Affiliate” shall mean, when used with respect to any specified Person, a Person that
directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such
specified Person. As used herein, “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly,
of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person,
whether through the ownership of voting securities or other interests, by contract or
otherwise. Unless explicitly provided herein to the contrary, for
purposes of this Agreement neither Cablevision nor any
of its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of MSG or any of its Subsidiaries.
“Agent” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a) of this Agreement.
“Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Ancillary Agreements” shall mean all of the written agreements, instruments,
understandings, assignments or other arrangements (other than this Agreement) entered into
by the Parties or any other member of their respective Groups in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby, including the Transition Services Agreement, Employee
Matters Agreement, the Cablevision Affiliation Agreements, the Registration Rights
Agreements, the Sponsorship Agreement, the Subleases, and the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement.
“Applicable Rate” shall mean the rate of interest per annum announced from time to time
by Citibank, N.A., as its prime lending rate.
“Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which
commercial banking institutions located in The City of New York are authorized or obligated
by law or executive order to close.
“Cablevision” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Cablevision Affiliation Agreements” shall mean the Affiliation Agreements by and
between Cablevision and one or more of the programming businesses of MSG, which agreements
are in existence on the date hereof or shall be entered into prior to or on the Distribution
Date.
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“Cablevision Business” shall mean each and every business conducted at any time by
Cablevision or any Subsidiary controlled by Cablevision, except the MSG Business.
“Cablevision Class A Common Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to
this Agreement.
“Cablevision Class B Common Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to
this Agreement.
“Cablevision Common Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this
Agreement.
“Cablevision Group” means Cablevision and each Person (other than any member of the MSG
Group) that is a Subsidiary of Cablevision immediately after the Distribution Date.
“Cablevision Indemnitee” shall mean:
(i) Cablevision and each Affiliate thereof after giving effect to the Distribution;
and
(ii) each of the respective Representatives of any of the entities described in the
immediately preceding clause (i) and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of
any of such Representatives, except in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), the MSG
Indemnitees; provided, however, that a Person who was a Representative of Cablevision
or an Affiliate thereof may be a Cablevision Indemnitee in that capacity notwithstanding
that such Person may also be a MSG Indemnitee.
“Cablevision Liabilities” shall mean:
(i)
any and all Liabilities (other than taxes and any employee-related
Liabilities that are specifically covered by the Tax Disaffiliation
Agreement or the Employee Matters Agreement) that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any
Ancillary Agreement (or the Schedules hereto or thereto) as Liabilities to be assumed by
Cablevision or any member of the Cablevision Group, and all Liabilities of any member of the
Cablevision Group under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements;
(ii) all Liabilities (other than taxes and any employee-related Liabilities that are
specifically covered by the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement or the Employee Matters Agreement),
if and to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from:
(A) the ownership or operation of the Cablevision Business (including any discontinued
business or any business which has been sold or transferred), as conducted at any time prior
to, on or after the Distribution Date; or
(B) the ownership or operation of any business conducted by Cablevision or any
Cablevision Subsidiary at any time after the Distribution Date; and
3
(iii) any Retained Claims Liabilities.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Cablevision Liabilities shall not include: (x) any
Liabilities that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (or
the Schedules hereto or thereto) as Liabilities to be retained or assumed by MSG or any
member of the MSG Group; or (y) any agreements and obligations of any member of the MSG
Group under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements.
“Cablevision Marks” shall mean “Cablevision” and the Cablevision logo design, “Optimum”
and the related family of “Optim” formative marks (i.e., Optimum Voice, Optimum Online),
“Interactive Optimum,” “iO” and “iO” formative marks (i.e., iO TV), the iO “Xxxxxxx” logo
design, the “Optimum Swirling O” logo design and related logos (i.e. OV and design, Online O
design), “Power to Learn,” “The Challenge” and the related family of marks, “Clearview,”
“Clearview Cinemas” and the Clearview logo design, “Lightpath,” and logo designs, “Newsday,”
the “Newsday” family of marks and the Newsday masthead design, “Explore LI,” “Get Local
LI”, “Xxxxxxxxxxx XX” and logo designs, “AM New York” and logo design, “News 12” and the
“News 12” family of marks and logo design, as well as marks and logos associated with News
12 programming, Star Community Publishing Group’s family of marks and logos, “XXXXX,”
“Cablevision Advertising Sales,” “Cablevision Advanced Platforms,” “Rainbow,” “Rainbow
Media,” “AMC,” “WE TV,” “IFC,” “Wedding Central,” “Independent Film Channel,” “L-VIS”
“C-TRAK,” and any other names or logos and any other trademark or intellectual property of
Cablevision or its Affiliates, other than MSG Marks.
“Cablevision Subsidiaries” shall mean all of the Subsidiaries of Cablevision other than
MSG and the MSG Subsidiaries.
“Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Contribution
Agreement” shall mean the Contribution Agreement by and
between Cablevision and MSG, which has been or shall be entered into
prior to or on the Distribution Date.
“Corporate
Business Purposes” shall have the meaning set forth in the
Tax Disaffiliation Agreement.
“CSC” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“CSC Distribution” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“Distribution” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“Distribution Date” shall mean such date as may be determined by the Board of Directors
of Cablevision or a committee of such Board of Directors, as the date as of which the
Distribution shall be effected.
“Distribution Record Date” shall mean such date as may be determined by the Board of
Directors of Cablevision or a committee of such Board of Directors, as the record date for
the Distribution.
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“Effective Time” shall mean 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Distribution Date.
“Employee Matters Agreement” shall mean the Employee Matters Agreement by and between
Cablevision and MSG, which agreement shall be entered into prior to or on the Distribution
Date.
“Environmental Laws” shall mean any and all federal, state, local and foreign statutes,
laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, principles of common law, judgments, orders, decrees,
permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or other governmental
restrictions (including without limitation the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. 9601, et seq.), whether now or
hereafter in existence, relating to the environment, natural resources, human health or
safety, endangered or threatened species of fish, wildlife and plants, or to emissions,
discharges or releases of pollutants, contaminants, petroleum or petroleum products,
chemicals or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes into the environment
(including without limitation indoor or outdoor air, surface water, groundwater and surface
or subsurface soils), or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution,
use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of pollutants, contaminants,
petroleum or petroleum products, chemicals or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or
wastes or the investigation, cleanup or other remediation thereof.
“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, together
with the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder.
“Governmental Authority” shall mean any federal, state, local, foreign or international
court, government, department, commission, board, bureau, agency,
official, NASDAQ or
other regulatory, administrative or governmental authority.
“Group” shall mean the Cablevision Group or the MSG Group.
“Indemnifiable Losses” shall mean any and all Liabilities, costs or expenses (including
reasonable out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees and any and all out-of-pocket expenses) reasonably incurred in
investigating, preparing for or defending against any Actions or potential Actions or in
settling any Action or potential Action or in satisfying any judgment, fine or penalty
rendered in or resulting from any Action.
“Indemnifying Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(a) of this
Agreement.
“Indemnitee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(a) of this Agreement.
“Information Statement” shall mean the Information Statement filed with the Commission
as part of the Registration Statement and mailed to the holders of shares of Cablevision
Common Stock in connection with the Distribution, including any amendments or supplements
thereto.
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“Law” shall mean all laws, statutes and ordinances and all regulations, rules and other
pronouncements of Governmental Authorities having the effect of law of the United States,
any foreign country, or any domestic or foreign state, province, commonwealth, city,
country, municipality, territory, protectorate, possession or similar instrumentality, or
any Governmental Authority thereof.
“Liabilities” shall mean any and all debts, liabilities, obligations, responsibilities,
Losses, damages (whether compensatory, punitive or treble), fines, penalties and sanctions,
absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, foreseen or
unforeseen, joint, several or individual, asserted or unasserted, accrued or unaccrued,
known or unknown, whenever arising, including without limitation those arising under or in
connection with any Law (including any Environmental Law), Action, threatened Action, order
or consent decree of any Governmental Authority or any award of any arbitration tribunal,
and those arising under any contract, guarantee, commitment or undertaking, whether sought
to be imposed by a Governmental Authority, private party, or party to this Agreement,
whether based in contract, tort, implied or express warranty, strict liability, criminal or
civil statute, or otherwise, and including any costs, expenses, interest, attorneys’ fees,
disbursement and expense of counsel, expert and consulting fees and costs related thereto or
to the investigation or defense thereof.
“Losses” shall mean all losses, damages, claims, demands, judgments or settlements of
any nature or kind, known or unknown, fixed, accrued, absolute or contingent, liquidated or
unliquidated, including all reasonable costs and expenses (legal, accounting or otherwise as
such costs are incurred) relating thereto, suffered by an Indemnitee.
“MSG” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“MSG Business” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement. For
the avoidance of doubt, the business of Fuse shall be deemed to be part of the MSG Business
only from and after Cablevision’s contribution of that business to MSG on ___, 2008 and part
of the Cablevision Business only prior thereto.
“MSG Class A Common Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this
Agreement.
“MSG Class B Common Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this
Agreement.
“MSG Common Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“MSG Group” means MSG and each Person that is a Subsidiary of MSG immediately after the
Distribution Date.
“MSG Indemnitees” shall mean:
6
(i) MSG and each Affiliate thereof after giving effect to the Distribution; and
(ii) each of the respective Representatives of any of the entities described in the
immediately preceding clause (i) and each of the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of
any of such Representatives.
“MSG Liabilities” shall mean:
(i)
any and all Liabilities (other than taxes and any employee-related Liabilities that are specifically covered
by the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement or the Employee Matters Agreement that are expressly contemplated by this
Agreement or any
Ancillary Agreement (or the Schedules hereto or thereto) as Liabilities to be assumed by MSG
or any member of the MSG Group, and all Liabilities of any member of the MSG Group under
this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements; and
(ii) all Liabilities (other than taxes and any employee-related Liabilities that are
specifically covered by the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement or the Employee Matters
Agreement), if and to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from:
(A) the ownership or operation of the MSG Business (including any discontinued
business or any business which has been sold or transferred), as conducted at any
time prior to, on or after the Distribution Date; or
(B) the ownership or operation of any business conducted by MSG or any MSG
Subsidiary at any time after the Distribution Date.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the MSG Liabilities shall not include: (x) any
Liabilities that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement (or
the Schedules hereto or thereto) as Liabilities to be retained or assumed by Cablevision or
any member of the Cablevision Group; (y) any agreements and obligations of any member of the
Cablevision Group under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements and (z) any
Retained Claims Liabilities.
“MSG Marks” shall include “Madison Square Garden,” “The Garden,” “The World’s Most
Famous Arena,” “MSG,” “MSG Network” “MSG Plus,” “Radio City Music Hall,” “Radio City,” Radio
City Rockettes,” “Rockettes,” “Radio City Christmas Spectacular,” “Christmas Spectacular,”
“The Chicago Theatre,” “Beacon Theatre,” “fuse,” “New York Knickerbockers,” “New York
Knicks” “New York Rangers,” “Hartford Wolf Pack,” all trademarks and logos comprised of or
derivative of any of the foregoing, and any other names, logos, trademarks or intellectual
property of MSG or its Affiliates. “MSG Share” shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals to this Agreement.
“MSG Subsidiaries” shall mean all of the Subsidiaries listed on Schedule A.
“NASDAQ” shall mean The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC.
“NBA Agreement and Undertaking” shall mean the Agreement and Undertaking entered into by MSG in connection with the approval by the National Basketball Association of the transactions contemplated hereby.
“NHL Consent Agreement” shall mean the Consent Agreement, among MSG, the National Hockey League and the other parties named therein, entered into in connection with the approval by the National Hockey League of the transactions contemplated hereby.
“Outside Notice Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(a).
“Parties” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
7
“Person” shall mean any natural person, corporation, business trust, limited liability
company, joint venture, association, company, partnership or government, or any agency or
political subdivision thereof.
“Records” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(a) of this Agreement.
“Registration Rights Agreements” shall mean the two Registration Rights Agreements by and
among MSG and various holders of Class B Common Stock named therein, each of which
agreements shall be entered into prior to or on the Distribution Date.
“Registration Statement” shall mean the registration statement on Form 10 filed with
the Commission to effect the registration of the MSG Class A Common Shares pursuant to the
Exchange Act.
“Releasee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.13.
“Releasor” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.13.
“Representative” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any of such Person’s
directors, officers, employees, agents, consultants, advisors, accountants, attorneys and
representatives.
“Retained Claims Liabilities” shall mean the Liabilities, if any, described in Schedule
B.
“Sponsorship Agreement” shall mean the Sponsorship Agreement by and between Cablevision
and MSG, which agreement shall be entered into prior to or on the Distribution Date.
“Subleases” shall mean the subleases and leases, if any, by and between members of the
Cablevision Group and members of the MSG Group, which subleases and leases shall be entered
into prior to the Distribution Date in such form as is agreed to by Cablevision and MSG.
“Subsidiary” shall mean with respect to any specified Person, any corporation or other
legal entity of which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries controls or owns, directly or
indirectly, more than 50% of the stock or other equity interests entitled to vote on the
election of members to the board of directors or similar governing body or, in the case of a Person with no governing body, more than 50% of the equity interests.
“Tax” shall have the meaning set forth in the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement.
“Tax Disaffiliation Agreement” shall mean the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement by and
between Cablevision and MSG, which agreement shall be entered into prior to or on the
Distribution Date.
8
“Third-Party” shall mean any Person who is not a Party to this Agreement.
“Third-Party Claim” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(a) of this
Agreement.
“Transfers” shall mean the direct and indirect transfers of assets from Cablevision to
MSG which resulted in MSG owning, directly or indirectly, the MSG Business.
“Transition Services Agreement” shall mean the Transition Services Agreement by and
between Cablevision and MSG, which agreement shall be entered into prior to or on the
Distribution Date.
Section 1.2 Reference; Interpretation. References in this Agreement to any gender include
references to all genders, and references to the singular include references to the plural and vice
versa. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” when used in this Agreement shall be deemed
to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” Unless the context otherwise requires,
references in this Agreement to Articles, Sections and Schedules shall be deemed references to
Articles and Sections of, and Schedules to, this Agreement. Unless the context otherwise requires,
the words “hereof”, “hereby” and “herein” and words of similar meaning when used in this Agreement
refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular Article, Section or provision of
this Agreement. Neither this Agreement nor any Ancillary Agreement shall be construed against
either Party as the principal draftsperson hereof or thereof.
ARTICLE II
DISTRIBUTION AND
CERTAIN COVENANTS
DISTRIBUTION AND
CERTAIN COVENANTS
Section 2.1 Distribution. (a) On or prior to the Distribution Date, Cablevision shall
deliver to Cablevision’s stock transfer agent (the “Agent”) a single stock certificate representing
all of the issued and outstanding MSG Class A Common Shares and a single stock certificate
representing all of the issued and outstanding MSG Class B Common Shares, in each case, endorsed by
Cablevision in blank, for the benefit of the holders of Cablevision Common Stock, and Cablevision
shall instruct the Agent to distribute, on or as soon as practicable following the Distribution
Date, the MSG Class A Common Shares to holders of record of shares of Cablevision Class A Stock on
the Distribution Record Date and the MSG Class B Common Shares to holders of record of shares of
Cablevision Class B stock on the Distribution Date, all as further contemplated by the Information
Statement and hereby. MSG shall provide any share certificates that the Agent shall require in
order to effect the Distribution. The Distribution shall be effective at 11:59 P.M., New York City
time, on the Distribution Date.
(b) The MSG Shares issued in the Distribution are intended to be distributed only pursuant to
a book entry system. Cablevision shall instruct the Agent to deliver the MSG Shares previously
delivered to the Agent to a depositary and to mail to each holder of record of Cablevision Common
Stock on the Distribution Record Date, a statement of the MSG Shares credited to such holder’s
account. If following the Distribution a holder of MSG Common Stock
9
requests physical certificates instead of participating in the book entry system, the Agent
shall issue certificates for such shares. In lieu of fractional shares, cash shall be given to
holders otherwise entitled to such fractional shares of Common Stock on the Distribution Date. As
soon as practicable following the Distribution Date, the Agent shall (i) aggregate all fractional
MSG Class A Common Shares into whole MSG Class A Common Shares and (ii) aggregate all fractional
MSG Class B Common Shares into whole MSG Class B Common Shares, and convert the whole MSG Class B
Common Shares into whole MSG Class A Common Shares, and (iii) sell the whole MSG Class A Common
Shares in the open market at then prevailing prices and shall distribute to each such holder such
holder’s ratable share of the proceeds of such sale, net of brokerage fees incurred in such sales.
Section 2.2 Cablevision Determination. Cablevision shall have the sole and absolute
discretion to determine whether to proceed with all or part of the Distribution and all terms of
the Distribution, including the form, structure and terms of any transaction(s) and/or offering(s)
to effect the Distribution and the timing of and conditions to the consummation of the
Distribution. MSG shall cooperate with Cablevision in all respects to accomplish the Distribution
and shall, at Cablevision’s direction, promptly take any and all actions necessary or desirable to
effect the Distribution. Cablevision shall select any investment banker(s) and manager(s) in
connection with the Distribution, as well as any financial printer, solicitation and/or exchange
agent and outside counsel for Cablevision, which shall include Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP. MSG
acknowledges that it has been afforded the opportunity to seek the advice and assistance of its own
separate counsel in connection with the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement and the
Ancillary Agreements.
Section 2.3 Charter; Bylaws. On or prior to the Distribution Date, MSG and Cablevision shall
have taken all necessary actions to provide for the adoption of the form of Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws in substantially the form filed by MSG with the Commission as exhibits to
the Registration Statement.
Section 2.4 Directors. On or prior to the Distribution Date, Cablevision and MSG shall have
taken all necessary action to cause the Board of Directors of MSG to consist of the individuals
identified in the Information Statement as directors of MSG as of the Effective Time.
Section 2.5 Election of Officers. On or prior to the Distribution Date, MSG shall take all
actions necessary and desirable so that as of the Distribution Date the officers of MSG will be as
set forth in the Information Statement.
Section 2.6 Certain Licenses and Permits. On or prior to the Distribution Date or as soon as
reasonably practicable thereafter, Cablevision shall use its commercially reasonable best efforts
to transfer or cause to be transferred any transferable licenses, permits and authorizations issued
by any Governmental Authority which relate solely to the MSG Business but which are held in the
name of any member of the Cablevision Group, or in the name of any employee, officer, director,
stockholder or agent of any such member, or otherwise, on behalf of a member of the MSG Group to
the appropriate member of the MSG Group.
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Section 2.7 State Securities Laws. Prior to the Distribution Date, Cablevision and MSG shall
take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate under the securities or blue sky laws of
states or other political subdivisions of the United States in order to effect the Distribution.
Section 2.8
Listing Application; Notice to NASDAQ. (a) Prior to the Distribution Date,
Cablevision and MSG shall prepare and file with NASDAQ a listing application and related
documents and shall take all such other actions with respect thereto as shall be necessary or
desirable in order to cause NASDAQ to list on or prior to the Distribution Date, subject to
official notice of issuance, the MSG Class A Common Shares.
(b) Prior to the Distribution, Cablevision shall, to the extent possible, give NASDAQ not
less than ten days advance notice of the Distribution Record Date in compliance with Rule 10b-17
under the Exchange Act.
Section 2.9 Removal of Certain Guarantees; Releases from Liabilities.
(a) Except
as otherwise specified in any Ancillary Agreement, (i) MSG shall use its commercially
reasonable efforts to have, on or prior to the Distribution Date, or as soon as practicable
thereafter, any member of the Cablevision Group removed as guarantor of or obligor for any
Liability of MSG, including in respect of those guarantees, if any,
set forth on Schedule C-1 of this Agreement, and (ii) Cablevision
shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have, on or prior to
the Distribution Date, or as soon as practicable thereafter, any
member of the MSG Group removed as guarantor of or obligor for any
Liability of Cablevision, including in respect of those guarantees,
if any, set forth on Schedule C-2 of this Agreement.
(b) If
MSG or Cablevision, as the case may be, is unable to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, any such required removal as set
forth in Section 2.9(a), the applicable guarantor or obligor shall continue to be bound as such
and, unless not permitted by Law or the terms thereof, the relevant beneficiary shall or shall
cause one of its Subsidiaries, as agent or subcontractor for such guarantor or obligor to pay,
perform and discharge fully all the obligations or other Liabilities of such guarantor or obligor
thereunder from and after the date hereof.
(c) If (i) MSG is unable to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, any such required removal as
set forth in Section 2.9(a), or (ii) MSG Liabilities arise from and after the Effective Time but
before a member of the Cablevision Group which is a guarantor or obligor with reference to any such
MSG Liability is removed pursuant to Section 2.9(a), then such guarantor or obligor shall be
indemnified by MSG for all Liabilities incurred by it in its capacity as guarantor or obligor.
Without limiting the foregoing, MSG shall, or shall cause a member of the MSG Group to, reimburse
any such member of the Cablevision Group which is a guarantor or obligor as soon as practicable
(but in no event later than 30 days) following delivery by Cablevision to MSG of notice of a
payment made pursuant to this Section 2.9 in respect of MSG Liabilities.
(d) If
(i) Cablevision is unable to obtain, or to cause to be obtained, any
such required removal as set forth in Section 2.9(a), or (ii)
Cablevision Liabilities arise from and after the Effective Time but
before a member of the MSG Group which is a guarantor or obligor with
reference to any such Cablevision Liability is removed pursuant to
Section 2.9(a), then such guarantor or obligor shall be indemnified
by Cablevision for all Liabilities incurred by it in its capacity as
guarantor or obligor. Without limiting the foregoing, Cablevision,
shall, or shall cause a member of the Cablevision Group to, reimburse
any such member of the MSG Group which is a guarantor or obligor as
soon as practicable (but in no event later than 30 days) following
delivery by MSG to Cablevision of notice of a payment made pursuant
to this Section 2.9 in respect of Cablevision Liabilities.
(e) In the event that at any time before or after the Distribution Date Cablevision identifies
any letters of credit, interest rate or foreign exchange contracts, surety bonds or other contracts
(excluding guarantees) that relate primarily to the MSG Business but for which a member of the
Cablevision Group has contingent, secondary, joint, several or other Liability of any nature
whatsoever, MSG shall, at its expense, take such actions and enter into
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such agreements and arrangements as Cablevision may reasonably request to effect the release
or substitution of Cablevision (or a member of the Cablevision Group).
(f) In
the event that at any time before or after the Distribution Date MSG
identifies any letters of credit, interest rate or foreign exchange
contracts, surety bonds or other contracts (excluding guarantees)
that relate primarily to the Cablevision Business but for which a
member of the MSG Group has contingent, secondary, joint, several or
other Liability of any nature whatsoever, Cablevision shall, at its
expense, take such actions and enter into such agreements and
arrangements as MSG may reasonably request to effect the release or
substitution of MSG (or a member of the MSG Group).
(g) The Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, or cause to be obtained,
any consent, substitution or amendment required to novate or assign all MSG Liabilities of any
nature whatsoever transferred under this Agreement or an Ancillary Agreement, or to obtain in
writing the unconditional release of the assignor so that in each such case, Cablevision (or an
appropriate member of the Cablevision Group) shall be solely responsible for the Cablevision
Liabilities and MSG (or an appropriate member of the MSG Group) shall be solely responsible for the
MSG Liabilities; provided, however, that no Party shall be obligated to pay any
consideration therefore (except for filing fees or other similar charges) to any Third Party from
whom such consent, substitution, amendment or release is requested. Whether or not any such
consent, substitution, amendment or release is obtained, nothing in this Section 2.9 shall in any
way limit the obligations of the parties under Article III.
Section 2.10 Corporate Names; Trademarks. Except as otherwise specifically provided in any
Ancillary Agreement or in any other agreement to which a member of the Cablevision Group and a
member of the MSG Group are parties:
(a) as soon as reasonably practicable after the Distribution Date but in any event within six
months thereafter, MSG will, at its own expense, remove (or, if necessary, on an interim basis,
cover up) any and all exterior signs and other identifiers located on any of its property or
premises or on the property or premises used by it or its Subsidiaries which refer or pertain to
the Cablevision Marks or which include the Cablevision Marks;
(b) as soon as is reasonably practicable after the Distribution Date but in any event within
six months thereafter, MSG will, and will cause the MSG Subsidiaries to, remove, at their own
expense, from all letterhead, envelopes, invoices and other communications media of any kind, the
Cablevision Marks (except that MSG shall not be required to take any such action with respect to
materials in the possession of customers);
(c) as soon as reasonably practicable after the Distribution Date but in any event within six
months thereafter, Cablevision will, at its own expense, remove (or, if necessary, on an interim
basis, cover up) any and all exterior signs and other identifiers located on any of its property or
premises or on the property or premises used by it or its Subsidiaries which refer or pertain to
the MSG Marks or which include the MSG Marks; and
(d) as soon as is reasonably practicable after the Distribution Date but in any event within
six months thereafter, Cablevision will, and will cause the Cablevision Subsidiaries to, remove, at
their own expense, from all letterhead, envelopes, invoices and other communications media of any
kind, the MSG Marks (except that Cablevision shall not be required to take any such action with
respect to materials in the possession of customers).
Section 2.11 Ancillary Agreements. Prior to the Distribution Date, each of Cablevision and
MSG shall enter into, and/or (where applicable) shall cause members of their respective Groups to
enter into, the Ancillary Agreements and any other agreements in respect of
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the Distribution reasonably necessary or appropriate in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby.
Section 2.12 Acknowledgment by MSG. MSG, on behalf of itself and all members of the MSG
Group, acknowledges, understands and agrees that, except as expressly set forth herein or in any
Ancillary Agreement, (a) no member of the Cablevision Group or any other Person has, in this
Agreement or in any other agreement or document, or otherwise made any representation or warranty
of any kind whatsoever, express or implied, to MSG or any member of the MSG Group or to any
director, officer, employee or agent thereof in any way with respect to any of the transactions
contemplated hereby or the business, assets, condition or prospects (financial or otherwise) of, or
any other matter involving, the assets, Liabilities or businesses of Cablevision, any member of the
Cablevision Group, MSG or any member of the MSG Group, any assets that are transferred, any MSG
Liabilities or the MSG Business, (b) MSG and each member of the MSG Group has taken all of the
assets that are transferred, the MSG Business and MSG Liabilities on an “as is, where is” basis,
and all implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a specific purpose or otherwise have
been and are hereby expressly disclaimed, and (c) none of Cablevision or any members of the
Cablevision Group or any other person has made or makes any representation or warranty with respect
to the Distribution or the entering into of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements or the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. Except as expressly set forth herein or in any other
Ancillary Agreement, MSG and each member of the MSG Group shall bear the economic and legal risk
that the MSG Assets shall prove to be insufficient or that the title of any member of the MSG Group
to any MSG Assets shall be other than good and marketable and free from encumbrances. The provisions of the Contribution Agreement and any related assignment agreement or other related documents are expressly subject to this Section 2.12 and to Section 2.13 hereof.
Section 2.13 Release. MSG agrees that for itself and for its predecessors, Subsidiaries
(including for this purpose any Subsidiary of MSG that is also a Subsidiary of Cablevision),
departments, divisions and sections and for their successors, Affiliates (including for this
purpose any Subsidiary of MSG that is also a Subsidiary of Cablevision), heirs, assigns, executors,
administrators, partners, officers, directors, shareholders, employees, attorneys and agents
(individually, each a “Releasor” and collectively, the “Releasors”), in consideration of the making
by Cablevision of the Transfers, release, waive and forever discharge Cablevision and its
predecessors, Subsidiaries, departments, divisions, sections, successors, Affiliates, heirs,
assigns, executors, administrators, partners, officers, directors, shareholders, employees,
attorneys and agents (individually, each a “Releasee” and collectively, the “Releasees”) from, and
shall, in addition to other obligations under Article III, indemnify and hold harmless all such
persons against and from, all Liabilities of every name and nature, in law or equity, known or
unknown, which against any Releasee, a Releasor ever had, now has or hereafter can, shall or may
have by reason of any matter, act, omission, conduct, transaction or occurrence from the beginning
of the world up to and including the Distribution Date for, upon, by reason of, asserted in or
arising out of, or related to:
• | The management of the business and affairs of MSG (and its predecessors, subsidiaries and Affiliates) and the MSG Business on or prior to the Distribution Date; |
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• | The terms of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, the Distribution, the Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws of MSG; and | ||
• | Any other decision that may have been made, or any action taken, relating to MSG (and its predecessors, subsidiaries and Affiliates) or the Distribution. |
The term “Releasee” is expressly intended to include any person who served as an incorporator,
director, officer, employee, agent or attorney of MSG on or prior to the Distribution Date at the
request of Cablevision. Each Releasor expressly covenants and agrees never to institute, or
participate (including as a member of a class) in, any Action against any Releasee, in any court or
forum, directly or indirectly, regarding or relating to the matters released through this Release,
and further covenants and agrees that this Release is a bar to any such Action. For the avoidance
of doubt, the purpose of this Section 2.4. is to make clear the intent of the Parties that,
following the Distribution Date, the only Liability that any Releasee shall have to any Releasor
shall be its obligation to perform its obligations under and pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and any other agreements to which the Releasee and the Releasor
are parties and there shall be no liability in respect of any event, occurrence, action or inaction
on or prior to the Distribution Date. This Release shall not extend to any liabilities owed by a
Releasee to a Releasor in the Releasor’s capacity as a director, officer, employee or other
Representative or shareholder of Releasee nor shall it release any Liabilities or obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreements or any other agreements to which the Releasee and the Releasor are parties.
Section 2.14 Discharge of Liabilities. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in
any of the Ancillary Agreements:
(a) From and after the Effective Time, (i) Cablevision shall, and shall cause each member of
the Cablevision Group to, assume, pay, perform and discharge all Cablevision Liabilities in the
ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice, and (ii) MSG shall, and shall cause
each member of the MSG Group, to assume, pay, perform and discharge all MSG Liabilities in the
ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice. The agreements in this Section 2.14
are made by each Party for the sole and exclusive benefit of the other Party. To the extent
reasonably requested to do so by the other Party, each Party agrees to execute and deliver such
documents, in a form reasonably satisfactory to such Party, as may be reasonably necessary to
evidence the assumption of any Liabilities hereunder.
(b) All intercompany trade, accounts receivable and
accounts payable between any member of one Group and any member of another Group in existence at
the Effective Time shall be paid and performed in accordance with their terms.
Section 2.15 Further Assurances. If at any time after the Effective Time any further action
is reasonably necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement and the Ancillary
Agreements, the proper officers of each Party shall take all such necessary action. Without
limiting the foregoing, each Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts promptly to obtain
all consents and approvals, to enter into all agreements and to make all filings
14
and applications that may be required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, including all applicable filings with, and approvals
from, any Governmental Authority.
ARTICLE III
INDEMNIFICATION
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 3.1 Indemnification by Cablevision. Except as otherwise specifically set forth in
any provision of this Agreement from and after the Distribution Date, Cablevision shall indemnify,
defend and hold harmless the MSG Indemnitees from and against any and all Indemnifiable Losses of
the MSG Indemnitees to the extent arising out of, by reason of or otherwise in connection with (i)
the Cablevision Liabilities or alleged Cablevision Liabilities, including any breach by any member of the Cablevision Group
of any provision of this Section 3.1; (ii) any breach by any member of the Cablevision Group of this Agreement; and (iii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of
a material fact in the Registration Statement or the Information Statement or omission or alleged
omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, in each case to the extent relating to the Cablevision Group; and (iv) any
indemnification obligation that MSG may have to the National Basketball Association pursuant to the NBA Agreement
and Undertaking or to the National Hockey League pursuant to the NHL Consent Agreement, in each case as a result of
any act or omission by any member of the Cablevision Group. This Agreement is not intended to address, and should
not be interpreted to address, the matters specifically and expressly covered by the Ancillary Agreements unless such
Ancillary Agreement expressly provides that this Agreement applies to any matter in such Ancillary Agreement.
Section 3.2 Indemnification by MSG. Except as otherwise specifically set forth in any
provision of this Agreement, from and after the Distribution Date, MSG shall indemnify, defend and
hold harmless the Cablevision Indemnitees from and against any and all Indemnifiable Losses of the
Cablevision Indemnitees to the extent arising out of, by reason of or otherwise in connection with
(i) the MSG Liabilities or alleged MSG Liabilities; (ii) any breach by any member of the MSG Group of this Agreement; and (iii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact in the Registration Statement or the Information Statement or in any registration statement or
prospectus filed by MSG in connection with the Distribution, or omission or alleged omission to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading; provided, however that this clause (iii) shall not apply to any Liability that
is covered by Section 3.1(a)(iii). This Agreement is not intended to address, and should not be
interpreted to address, the matters specifically and expressly covered by the Ancillary Agreements.
Section 3.3 Procedures for Indemnification.
(a) If a claim or demand is made by a Third Party against an MSG Indemnitee or a Cablevision
Indemnitee (each, an “Indemnitee”) (a “Third-Party Claim”) as to which such Indemnitee is entitled
to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, such Indemnitee shall notify the Party which is or
may be required pursuant to Section 3.1 or Section 3.2 hereof to make such indemnification (the
“Indemnifying Party”) in writing, and in reasonable detail, of the Third-Party Claim promptly (and
in any event by the date (the “Outside Notice Date”) that is the 15th Business Day) after receipt
by such Indemnitee of written notice of the Third-Party Claim;
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provided, however, that failure to give such notification shall not affect the
indemnification provided hereunder except to the extent the Indemnifying Party shall have been
actually prejudiced as a result of such failure (except that the Indemnifying Party shall not be
liable for any expenses incurred during the period beginning immediately after the Outside Notice
Date and ending on the date the Indemnitee gives the required notice). Thereafter, the Indemnitee
shall deliver to the Indemnifying Party, promptly (and in any event within 10 Business Days) after
the Indemnitee’s receipt thereof, copies of all notices and documents (including court papers)
received by the Indemnitee relating to the Third Party Claim. Notice under this Section 3.3 shall
be provided in accordance with Section 5.6. For the avoidance of doubt, knowledge of a Third Party
Claim by a Person who is an officer or director of both Cablevision and MSG shall not constitute
notice for purposes of this Section 3.3.
If a Third Party Claim is made against an Indemnitee, the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled
to participate in the defense thereof and, if it so chooses and acknowledges in writing its
obligation to indemnify the Indemnitee therefor, to assume the defense thereof with counsel
selected by the Indemnifying Party; provided, however, that such counsel is not reasonably
objected to by the Indemnitee. Should the Indemnifying Party so elect to assume the defense of a
Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall, within 30 days (or sooner if the nature of the
Third Party Claim so requires), notify the Indemnitee of its intent to do so, and the Indemnifying
Party shall thereafter not be liable to the Indemnitee for legal or other expenses subsequently
incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof; provided, however, that
such Indemnitee shall have the right to employ counsel to represent such Indemnitee if, in such
Indemnitee’s reasonable judgment, a conflict of interest between such Indemnitee and such
Indemnifying Party exists in respect of such claim which would make representation of both such
parties by one counsel inappropriate, and in such event the fees and expenses of such separate
counsel shall be paid by such Indemnifying Party. If the Indemnifying Party assumes such defense,
the Indemnitee shall have the right to participate in the defense thereof and to employ counsel,
subject to the proviso of the preceding sentence, at its own expense, separate from the counsel
employed by the Indemnifying Party, it being understood that the Indemnifying Party shall control
such defense. The Indemnifying Party shall be liable for the fees and expenses of counsel employed
by the Indemnitee for any period during which the Indemnifying Party has failed to assume the
defense thereof (other than during the period prior to the time the Indemnitee shall have given
notice of the Third Party Claim as provided above). If the Indemnifying Party so elects to assume
the defense of any Third Party Claim, all of the Indemnitees shall cooperate with the Indemnifying
Party in the defense or prosecution thereof, including by providing or causing to be provided
Records and witnesses as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving any request therefor from
or on behalf of the Indemnifying Party.
If the Indemnifying Party acknowledges in writing responsibility under this Section 3.3 for a
Third Party Claim, then in no event will the Indemnitee admit any liability with respect to, or
settle, compromise or discharge, any Third Party Claim without the Indemnifying Party’s prior
written consent; provided, however, that the Indemnitee shall have the right to settle,
compromise or discharge such Third Party Claim without the consent of the Indemnifying Party if the
Indemnitee releases the Indemnifying Party from its indemnification obligation hereunder with
respect to such Third Party Claim and such settlement, compromise or discharge
16
would not otherwise adversely affect the Indemnifying Party. If the Indemnifying Party
acknowledges in writing liability for a Third Party Claim, the Indemnitee will agree to any
settlement, compromise or discharge of a Third Party Claim that the Indemnifying Party may
recommend and that by its terms obligates the Indemnifying Party to pay the full amount of the
liability in connection with such Third Party Claim and releases the Indemnitee completely in
connection with such Third Party Claim and that would not otherwise adversely affect the
Indemnitee. If an Indemnifying Party elects not to assume the defense
of a Third Party Claim, or
fails to notify an Indemnitee of its election to do so as provided herein, such Indemnitee may
compromise, settle or defend such Third Party Claim.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnifying Party shall not be entitled to assume the
defense of any Third Party Claim (and shall be liable for the fees and expenses of counsel incurred
by the Indemnitee in defending such Third Party Claim) if the Third Party Claim seeks an order,
injunction or other equitable relief or relief for other than money damages against the Indemnitee
which the Indemnitee reasonably determines, after conferring with its counsel, cannot be separated
from any related claim for money damages. If such equitable relief or other relief portion of the
Third Party Claim can be so separated from that for money damages, the Indemnifying Party shall be
entitled to assume the defense of the portion relating to money damages.
(b) In the event of payment by an Indemnifying Party to any Indemnitee in connection with any
Third Party Claim, such Indemnifying Party shall be subrogated to and shall stand in the place of
such Indemnitee as to any events or circumstances in respect of which such Indemnitee may have any
right or claim relating to such Third-Party Claim against any claimant or plaintiff asserting such
Third Party Claim. Such Indemnitee shall cooperate with such Indemnifying Party in a reasonable
manner, and at the cost and expense of such Indemnifying Party, in prosecuting any subrogated right
or claim.
(c) MSG shall, and shall cause the other MSG Indemnitees to, and Cablevision shall, and shall
cause the other Cablevision Indemnitees to, cooperate as may reasonably be required in connection
with the investigation, defense and settlement of any Third Party Claim. In furtherance of this
obligation, the Parties agree that if an Indemnifying Party chooses to defend or to compromise or
settle any Third-Party Claim, Cablevision or MSG, as the case may be, shall use its reasonable best
efforts to make available to the other Party, upon written request, the former and then current
directors, officers, employees and agents of the members of its respective Group as witnesses and
any Records or other documents within its control or which it otherwise has the ability to make
available, to the extent that any such Person, Records or other documents may reasonably be
required in connection with such defense, settlement or compromise. At the request of an
Indemnifying Party, an Indemnitee shall enter into a reasonably acceptable joint defense agreement.
(d) The remedies provided in this Article III shall be cumulative and shall not preclude
assertion by any Indemnitee of any other rights or the seeking of any and all other remedies
against any Indemnifying Party.
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Section 3.4 Indemnification Payments. (a) Indemnification required by this Article III shall
be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or
defense, as and when bills are received or an Indemnifiable Loss is incurred. If the Indemnifying
Party fails to make an indemnification payment required by this Article III within 30 days after
receipt of a xxxx therefore or notice that an Indemnifiable Loss has been incurred, the
Indemnifying Party shall also be required to pay interest on the amount of such indemnification
payment, from the date of receipt of the xxxx or notice of the Indemnified Loss to but not
including the date of payment, at the Applicable Rate.
(b) The
amount of any claim by an Indemnitee under this Agreement (i) shall be reduced to reflect
any actual tax savings or insurance proceeds received by any Indemnitee that result from the
Indemnifiable Losses that gave rise to such indemnity and
(ii) shall be increased by an amount equal to any Tax cost
incurred by any Indemnitee that results from receipt of payments
under this Article III.
(c) For
all Tax purposes and to the extent permitted by applicable Law, the
parties hereto shall treat any payment made pursuant to this
Article III as a capital contribution or a distribution, as the
case may be, immediately prior to the Distribution.
ARTICLE IV
ACCESS TO INFORMATION
ACCESS TO INFORMATION
Section 4.1 Provision of Corporate Records.
(a) Except as specifically provided in Article III (in which event the provisions of such
Article will govern), after the Distribution Date, upon the prior written request by MSG for
specific and identified agreements, documents, books, records or files including accounting and
financial records (collectively, “Records”) which relate to MSG or the conduct of the MSG
Business up to the Effective Time, or which MSG determines are necessary or advisable in order for MSG
to prepare its financial statements and any reports or filings to be made with any Governmental
Authority, Cablevision shall arrange, as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt of
such request, to provide appropriate copies of such Records (or the originals thereof if MSG has a
reasonable need for such originals) in the possession or control of Cablevision or any of the
Cablevision Subsidiaries, but only to the extent such items are not already in the possession or
control of the requesting Party.
(b) Except as specifically provided in Article III (in which event the provisions of such
Article will govern), after the Distribution Date, upon the prior written request by Cablevision
for specific and identified Records which relate to Cablevision or the conduct of the
Cablevision Business up to the Effective Time, or which Cablevision determines are necessary or
advisable in order for Cablevision to prepare its financial statements and any reports or filings
to be made with any Governmental Authority, MSG shall arrange, as soon as reasonably practicable
following the receipt of such request, to provide appropriate copies of such Records (or the
originals thereof if Cablevision has a reasonable need for such originals) in the possession or
control of MSG or any of the MSG Subsidiaries, but only to the extent such items are not already in
the possession or control of the requesting Party.
Section 4.2 Access to Information. Except as specifically provided in Article III (in which
event the provisions of such Article will govern), from and after the
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Distribution
Date, each of Cablevision and MSG shall afford to the other and its authorized Representatives
reasonable access during normal business hours, subject to appropriate restrictions for classified,
privileged or confidential information, to the personnel, properties, and Records of such Party and
its Subsidiaries insofar as such access is reasonably required by the other Party and relates to
such other Party or the conduct of its business prior to the
Effective Time.
Section 4.3 Witnesses; Documents and Cooperation in Actions. (a) At all times from and after
the Distribution Date, each of Cablevision and MSG shall use their commercially reasonable efforts
to make available to the other, upon reasonable written request, its and its Subsidiaries’ former
and then current Representatives as witnesses and any Records within its control or which it
otherwise has the ability to make available, to the extent that such Persons or Records may
reasonably be required in connection with the prosecution or defense of any Action in which the
requesting Party may from time to time be involved. This provision shall not apply to any Action
brought by one Party against another Party (as to which production of documents and witnesses shall
be governed by applicable discovery rules).
(b) Without limiting any provision of this Section 4.3, the Parties shall cooperate and
consult, and shall cause each member of their respective Groups to cooperate and consult, to the
extent reasonably necessary with respect to any Actions.
(c) In connection with any matter contemplated by this Section 4.3, the Parties will enter
into a mutually acceptable joint defense agreement so as to maintain to the extent practicable any
applicable attorney-client privilege or work product immunity of any member of any Group.
Section 4.4 Confidentiality. (a) Cablevision and the Cablevision Subsidiaries and MSG and the
MSG Subsidiaries shall not use or permit the use of and shall keep, and shall cause its consultants
and advisors to keep, confidential all information concerning the other Party in its possession,
its custody or under its control to the extent such information, (w) relates to or was acquired
during the period up to the Effective Time, (x) relates to any Ancillary Agreement, (y) is obtained
in the course of performing services for the other Party pursuant to any Ancillary Agreement, or
(z) is based upon or is derived from information described in the preceding clauses (w), (x) or
(y), and each Party shall not (without the prior written consent of the other) otherwise release or
disclose such information to any other Person, except such Party’s auditors, attorneys, consultants
and advisors, unless compelled to disclose such information by judicial or administrative process
or unless such disclosure is required by Law and such Party has used commercially reasonable
efforts to consult with the other affected Party or Parties prior to such disclosure. Each Party
shall be deemed to have satisfied its obligation to hold confidential any information concerning or
owned by the other Party or its Group if it exercises the same care as it takes to preserve
confidentiality for its own similar information. The covenants in this Section 4.4 shall survive
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and shall continue indefinitely; provided,
however, that the covenants in this Section 4.4 shall terminate with respect to any information not
constituting a trade secret under applicable law on the third anniversary of the later of the
Distribution Date or the date on which the Party subject to such
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covenants with respect to such information receives it (but any such termination shall not
terminate or otherwise limit any other covenant or restriction regarding the disclosure or use of
such information under any Ancillary Agreement or other agreement, instrument or legal obligation).
This Section 4.4 shall not apply to information (A) that has been in the public domain through no
fault of such Party or (B) that has been later lawfully acquired from other sources by such Party,
(C) the use or disclosure of which is permitted by this Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement
or any other agreement entered into pursuant hereto, (D) that is immaterial and its disclosure is
required as part of the conduct of that Party’s business and would not reasonably be expected to be
detrimental to the interests of the other Party or (E) that the other Party has agreed in writing
may be so used or disclosed.
(b) If any Party or any member of its Group either determines that it is required to disclose
pursuant to applicable Law, or receives any demand under lawful process or from any Governmental
Authority to disclose or provide, information of the other Party (or any member of the other
Party’s Group) that is subject to the confidentiality provisions of Section 4.4(a) such Party shall
notify the other Party prior to disclosing or providing such information and shall cooperate at the
expense of the requesting Party in seeking any reasonable protective arrangements requested by such
other Party. Subject to the foregoing, the Person that received such request may thereafter
disclose or provide such information if and to the extent required by such Law or by lawful process
or such Governmental Authority; provided, however, that the Person shall only disclose such
portion of the information as required to be disclosed or provided.
Section 4.5 Privileged Matters. Except as may be otherwise provided in an Ancillary
Agreement, the Parties recognize that legal and other professional services that have been and will
be provided prior to the Distribution Date have been and will be rendered for the benefit of each
of the members of the Cablevision Group, and the members of the MSG Group, and that each of the
members of the Cablevision Group, and each of the members of the MSG Group should be deemed to be
the client for the purposes of asserting all privileges which may be asserted under applicable Law.
To allocate the interests of each Party in the information as to which any Party is
entitled to assert a privilege, the Parties agree as follows:
(a) Cablevision shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all
privileges in connection with privileged information which relates solely to the Cablevision
Business (other than with respect to Liabilities as to which MSG is required to provide
indemnification under Article III), whether or not the privileged information is in the possession
of or under the control of Cablevision or MSG. Cablevision shall also be entitled, in perpetuity,
to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in connection with privileged information that
relates solely to the subject matter of any Claims constituting Cablevision Liabilities (including
Retained Claims Liabilities), or other Liabilities as to which it is required to provide
indemnification under Article III, now pending or which may be asserted in the future, whether or
not the privileged information is in the possession of or under the control of Cablevision or MSG.
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(b) MSG shall be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges
in connection with privileged information which relates solely to the MSG Business (other than with
respect to matters or claims that are Retained Claims Liabilities or other Liabilities as to which
Cablevision is required to provide indemnification under Article III), whether or not the
privileged information is in the possession of or under the control of Cablevision or MSG. MSG
shall also be entitled, in perpetuity, to control the assertion or waiver of all privileges in
connection with privileged information which relates solely to the subject matter of any Claims
constituting MSG Liabilities, or other liabilities as to which it is required to provide
indemnification under Article III, now pending or which may be asserted in the future, in any
lawsuits or other proceedings initiated against or by MSG, whether or not the privileged
information is in the possession of MSG or under the control of Cablevision or MSG.
(c) The Parties agree that they shall have a shared privilege, with equal right to assert or
waive, subject to the restrictions in this Section 4.5, with respect to all privileges not
allocated pursuant to the terms of Sections 4.5(a) and (b).
(d) No Party may waive any privilege which could be asserted under any applicable Law, and in
which the other Party has a shared privileged, without the consent of the other Party, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, except to the extent reasonably required in
connection with any Third-Party Claims or as provided in subsection (e) below. Consent shall be in
writing, or shall be deemed to be granted unless written objection is made within 20 days after
notice upon the other Party requesting such consent.
(e) In the event of any litigation or dispute between or among the Parties, any Party and a
Subsidiary of the other Party, or a Subsidiary of one Party and a Subsidiary of the other Party,
either such Party may waive a privilege in which the other Party has a shared privilege, without
obtaining the consent of the other Party, provided, however, that such waiver of a shared
privilege shall be effective only as to the use of information with respect to the litigation or
dispute between the Parties and/or their Subsidiaries, and shall not operate as a waiver of the
shared privilege with respect to any Third-Party Claims.
(f) If a dispute arises between or among the Parties or their respective Subsidiaries
regarding whether a privilege should be waived to protect or advance the interest of any Party,
each Party agrees that it shall negotiate in good faith, shall endeavor to minimize any prejudice
to the rights of the other Party, and shall not unreasonably withhold consent to any request for a
waiver by the other Party. Each Party hereto specifically agrees that it will not withhold consent
to a waiver for any purpose except to protect its own legitimate interests.
(g) Upon receipt by any Party or by any Subsidiary thereof of any subpoena, discovery or other
request which arguably calls for the production or disclosure of information subject to a shared
privilege or as to which another Party has the sole right hereunder to assert a privilege, or if
any Party obtains knowledge that any of its or any of its Subsidiaries’ current or former
Representatives have received any subpoena, discovery or other request which arguably calls for the
production or disclosure of such privileged information, such Party shall promptly notify the other
Party of the existence of the request and shall provide the other Party a
21
reasonable opportunity to review the information and to assert any rights it or they may have
under this Section 4.5 or otherwise to prevent the production or disclosure of such privileged
information.
(h) The transfer of all Records and other information pursuant to this Agreement is made in
reliance on the agreement of Cablevision and MSG, as set forth in Sections 4.2, 4.4 and 4.5, to
maintain the confidentiality of privileged information and to assert and maintain all applicable
privileges. The access to information being granted pursuant to Sections 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3 hereof,
the agreement to provide witnesses and individuals pursuant to Sections 4.2 and 4.3 hereof, the
furnishing of notices and documents and other cooperative efforts contemplated by Section 4.3
hereof, and the transfer of privileged information between and among the Parties and their
respective Subsidiaries, Affiliates and Representatives pursuant to this Agreement shall not be
deemed a waiver of any privilege that has been or may be asserted under this Agreement or
otherwise.
Section 4.6 Ownership of Information. Any information owned by one Party or any of its
Subsidiaries that is provided to a requesting Party pursuant to Article III or this Article IV
shall be deemed to remain the property of the providing Person. Unless specifically set forth
herein, nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as granting or conferring rights of
license or otherwise in any such information.
Section 4.7 Cost of Providing Records and Information. A Party requesting Records,
information or access to personnel, witnesses or properties, under Articles III or IV, agrees to
reimburse the other Party and its Subsidiaries for the reasonable out-of-pocket costs, if any,
incurred in seeking to satisfy the request of the requesting Party.
Section 4.8 Retention of Records. Except (a) as provided in the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement
or (b) when a longer retention period is otherwise required by Law or agreed to in writing, the
Cablevision Group and the MSG Group shall retain all Records relating to the Cablevision Business
and the MSG Business as of the Effective Time for the periods of time provided in each Party’s
record retention policy (with respect to the documents of such party and without regard to the
Distribution or its effects) as in effect on the Distribution Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
in lieu of retaining any specific Records, Cablevision or MSG may offer in writing to deliver such
Records to the other and, if such offer is not accepted within 90 days, the offered Records may be
destroyed or otherwise disposed of at any time. If a recipient of such offer shall request in
writing prior to the scheduled date for such destruction or disposal that any of Records proposed
to be destroyed or disposed of be delivered to such requesting Party, the Party proposing the
destruction or disposal shall promptly arrange for delivery of such of the Records as was requested
(at the cost of the requesting Party).
Section 4.9 Other Agreements Providing for Exchange of Information. The rights and
obligations granted under this Article IV are subject to any specific limitations, qualifications
or additional provisions on the sharing, exchange or confidential treatment of information set
forth in any Ancillary Agreement or in any other agreement to which a member of the Cablevision
Group and a member of the MSG Group is a party.
22
Section 4.10
Policies and Best Practices. Without representation or warranty,
MSG and Cablevision shall continue to be permitted to share, on a
confidential basis, “best practices” information and
materials (such as policies, workflow templates and standard form
contracts).
Section 4.11 Compliance with Laws and Agreements. Nothing in this Article IV shall be deemed
to require any Person to provide any information if doing so would, in the opinion of counsel to
such Person, be inconsistent with any legal or constitutional obligation applicable to such Person.
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 5.1 Complete Agreement; Construction. This Agreement, including the Schedules, and
the Ancillary Agreements shall constitute the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to
the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all previous negotiations, commitments and writings
with respect to such subject matter. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement and
any Schedule, the Schedule shall prevail.
Section 5.2
Ancillary Agreements. Except as may be expressly stated herein, this Agreement
is not intended to address, and should not be interpreted to address, the matters specifically and
expressly covered by the Ancillary Agreements.
Section 5.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of
which shall be considered one and the same agreement, and shall become
23
effective when one or more such counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and
delivered to the other Party.
Section 5.4 Survival of Agreements. Except as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, all
covenants and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement shall survive the Distribution
Date.
Section 5.5 Distribution Expenses. Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement or any
Ancillary Agreement, all costs and expenses incurred on or prior to the Distribution Date (whether
or not paid on or prior to the Distribution Date) in connection with the preparation, execution,
delivery, printing and implementation of this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement, the
Information Statement and the Registration Statement, and the Distribution and the consummation of
the transactions contemplated thereby, shall be charged to and paid by Cablevision. Such expenses shall
be deemed to be Cablevision Liabilities. Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement or any
Ancillary Agreement, each Party shall bear its own costs and expenses incurred after the
Distribution Date. Any amount or expense to be paid or reimbursed by any Party to any other Party
shall be so paid or reimbursed promptly after the existence and amount of such obligation is
determined and written demand therefor is made.
Section 5.6 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing,
shall reference this Agreement and shall be hand delivered or mailed by registered or certified
mail (return receipt requested) to the Parties at the following addresses (or at such other
addresses for a Party as shall be specified by like notice) and will be deemed given on the date on
which such notice is received:
To Cablevision:
Cablevision Systems Corporation
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: General Counsel
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: General Counsel
To MSG:
Section 5.7 Waivers. The failure of any Party to require strict performance by any other
Party of any provision in this Agreement will not waive or diminish that Party’s right to demand
strict performance thereafter of that or any other provision hereof.
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Section 5.8 Amendments. Subject to the terms of Sections 6.11 and 6.13 hereof, this Agreement
may not be modified or amended except by an agreement in writing signed by each of the Parties.
Section 5.9 Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable, in whole or in part, directly
or indirectly, by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Party, and any attempt
to assign any rights or obligations arising under this Agreement without such consent shall be
void; provided that either Party may assign this Agreement to a purchaser of all or
substantially all of the properties and assets of such Party so long as such purchaser expressly
assumes, in a written instrument in form reasonably satisfactory to the non-assigning Party, the
due and punctual performance or observance of every agreement and covenant of this Agreement on the
part of the assigning Party to be performed or observed.
Section 5.10 Successors and Assigns. The provisions to this Agreement shall be binding upon,
inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Parties and their respective successors and
permitted assigns.
Section 5.11 Termination. This Agreement (including Article III hereof) may be terminated and
the Distribution may be amended, modified or abandoned at any time prior to the Distribution by and
in the sole discretion of Cablevision without the approval of MSG or the stockholders of
Cablevision. In the event of such termination, no Party shall have any liability of any kind to
any other Party or any other Person. After the Distribution, this Agreement may not be terminated
except by an agreement in writing signed by the Parties; provided, however, that Article
III shall not be terminated or amended after the Distribution in respect of a Third Party
beneficiary thereto without the consent of such Person.
Section 5.12 Subsidiaries. Each of the Parties shall cause to be performed, and hereby
guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to be
performed by any entity that is contemplated to be a Subsidiary of such Party after the
Distribution Date.
Section 5.13 Third-Party Beneficiaries. Except as provided in Article III relating to
Indemnitees, this Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective
Subsidiaries and Affiliates and should not be deemed to confer upon any other Person any remedy,
claim, liability, reimbursement, cause of action or other right in excess of those existing without
reference to this Agreement.
Section 5.14 Title and Headings. Titles and headings to Sections herein are inserted for
convenience of reference only and are not intended to be a part of or to affect the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
Section 5.15 Schedules. The Schedules shall be construed with and as an integral part of this
Agreement to the same extent (except as set forth in the last
sentence of Section 5.1) as if the same had been set forth verbatim herein.
25
Section 5.16 Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN THE
STATE OF NEW YORK.
Section 5.17 Waiver of Jury Trial. The Parties hereby irrevocably waive any and all right to
trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or related to this Agreement.
Section 5.18 Specific Performance. From and after the Distribution, in the event of any
actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this
Agreement, the Parties agree that the Party to this Agreement who is or is to be thereby aggrieved
shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief of its rights
under this Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and
all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. The Parties agree that, from and after the
Distribution, the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach of this Agreement, including
monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss, that any defense in any action for
specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is hereby waived, and that any
requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are hereby waived.
Section 5.19 Severability. In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this
Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality
and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and therein shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby. The Parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the
invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions, the economic effect of which
comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.
26
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day
and year first above written.
CABLEVISION SYSTEMS CORPORATION |
||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, INC. |
||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
27
Schedule
A
SUBSIDIARIES
OF MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, INC.
SUBSIDIARY
Rainbow Garden Corp.
Regional MSG Holdings LLC
MSG Eden Corporation
Madison Square Garden, L.P. (MSG LP)
Continental Road LLC
Garden Programming, L.L.C.
Madison Square Garden CT, LLC
MSG Aircraft Leasing, LLC
MSG Flight Operations, LLC
MSG Chicago, LLC
NY Rangers Enterprises Company
The 31st Street Company, L.L.C.
Radio City Productions LLC
The Grand Tour, LLC
Radio City Trademarks, LLC
MSG Aviator, LLC
MSG Training Center, LLC
MSG National Properties LLC
MSG Boston Theatrical, L.L.C.
MSG Winter Productions, LLC
MSG Vaudeville, LLC
FUSE Holdings LLC
FUSE Networks LLC (Fuse)
FUSE Programming Inc.
Sports Channel Associates
Schedule B
RETAINED
CLAIMS LIABILITIES
1. | All Liabilities coming from the two program access complaints against any member of the Cablevision Group and any member of the MSG Group currently pending before the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”), with respective File Nos. CSR-8185-P and CSR-8196-P. |
2. | All Liabilities coming from any future program access complaints brought under Section 628 of the Communications Act of 1934, 47 U.S.C. § 548, and Subpart O of Section 76 of the FCC’s rules, 47 U.S.C. §§ 76.1001-76.1003, or any future statutes or rules addressing access to programming, which is based, in whole or in part, on any ownership, commercial, contractual, affiliation or other relationship between Cablevision and MSG. |
3. | All Liabilities coming from any other claims for civil relief brought by any Persons before any Governmental Authority other than the FCC and based upon the same facts underlying or allegedly underlying the actions described in Sections 1 or 2 above. |
Schedule C-1
GUARANTEES
None.
Schedule C-2
GUARANTEES
None.