VOTING AGREEMENT AND IRREVOCABLE PROXY April 17, 2005
Exhibit 9.1
VOTING AGREEMENT AND IRREVOCABLE PROXY
April 17, 2005
Electronics
Boutique Holdings Corp.
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
GameStop Corp.
0000 Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned (the “Stockholders,” and each a “Stockholder”) understand that Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Company”), and GameStop Corp., a Delaware corporation (“GameStop”), GameStop, Inc., a Delaware corporation, GSC Holding Corp. (“Holdco”), a Delaware corporation, Cowboy Subsidiary LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Eagle Subsidiary LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, propose to enter into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 17, 2005 (the “Merger Agreement”), providing for, among other things, the Mergers, in which, among other things, each issued and outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (“Company Common Stock”) will be converted into the right to receive cash and a certain number of shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Holdco (the “Holdco Common Stock”). Capitalized terms used without definition in this Voting Agreement (the “Agreement”) shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Merger Agreement.
Each Stockholder is the beneficial and record owner of (i) that number of shares of Company Common Stock, (ii) outstanding options, warrants and other rights to acquire shares of Company Common Stock, and (iii) the additional securities of the Company; in each case, as set forth opposite the name of such Stockholder on Schedule I to this Agreement. Each Stockholder, in its capacity as such, is entering into this Agreement in consideration of, and as a condition to, GameStop’ willingness to enter into the Merger Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby.
In consideration for each Stockholder entering into this Agreement, GameStop shall cause Holdco on or prior to the Closing Date to enter into the registration rights agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Registration Rights Agreement”).
Each Stockholder confirms its agreement with each of you as follows:
1. Each Stockholder represents, warrants and agrees that (a) Schedule I to this Agreement sets forth the number and type of shares of Company Common Stock (such shares, together with any shares of Company Common Stock acquired by such Stockholder on or after the date of this Agreement, whether by exercise of options, warrants or other derivative securities
or otherwise, the “Shares”) and the number and type of shares of Company Common Stock that are issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants, options or other derivative securities, whether or not exercisable (the “Derivative Securities”), of which such Stockholder is the record or beneficial owner, (b) such Stockholder owns such Shares and Derivative Securities, free and clear of all liens, pledges, charges, encumbrances, voting agreements and commitments of every kind, except for encumbrances imposed by margin accounts maintained by each Stockholder or pledges to investment banks or other third party lenders, and (c) such Stockholder has the power to vote all Shares without restriction and no proxies heretofore given in respect of any or all of the Shares are irrevocable and that any such proxies have heretofore been or are hereby revoked. Each Stockholder further represents and warrants that (i) the Spin-Off and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are not part of a plan (or series of related transactions) involving such Stockholder (and to the knowledge of such Stockholder, involving any other Person) pursuant to which one or more Persons acquire directly or indirectly stock representing a 50-percent or greater interest (measured by voting power or value) in GameStop (for these purposes, the acquisition of GameStop by Holdco in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement will not be considered a plan to acquire a 50-percent or greater interest in GameStop) and (ii) it had no agreement, understanding, arrangement or Substantial Negotiations with GameStop, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx, Inc. (“B&N”) or any other Person regarding the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or similar transactions at any time prior to November 13, 2004 and to the Stockholder’s knowledge, no Person had an agreement, understanding, arrangement or Substantial Negotiations with GameStop or the Company regarding the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or similar transactions at any time prior to November 13, 2004. For purposes of this Agreement, “Spin-Off” means the distribution of GameStop Class B Common Stock by B&N on November 12, 2004, which was intended to be tax-free pursuant to Section 355 of the Code, and “Substantial Negotiations” include discussions of significant economic terms (e.g. the exchange ratio in a reorganization) between, on the one hand, such Stockholders or one or more officers, directors or controlling stockholders of the Company or another Person or Persons with the implicit or explicit permission of one or more officers, directors or controlling stockholders of the Company with, on the other hand, one or more officers, directors or controlling stockholders of GameStop, B&N or another Person or Persons with the implicit or explicit permission of one or more officers, directors or controlling stockholders of GameStop or B&N.
2. Each Stockholder agrees that it will not, directly or indirectly, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber or otherwise dispose of any of the Shares, or any interest therein, or any other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Company Common Stock (including the Derivative Securities), or any voting rights with respect thereto or enter into any contract, option or other arrangement or understanding with respect thereto (including any voting trust or agreement and the granting of any proxy) other than (a) pursuant to the Mergers, (b) encumbrances imposed by margin accounts maintained by each Stockholder or pledges to investment banks or other third party lenders and any other transfers resulting therefrom, (c) transfers to family members of any Stockholder, (d) transfers by operation of law by will or pursuant to the laws of decent or distribution, or (e) with the prior written consent of GameStop; provided that, in the case of clauses (c) and (d) such family member or transferee shall become a party to this Agreement subject to its terms and obligations to the same extent as such Stockholder, by executing and delivering to GameStop and the Company a counterpart to this
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Agreement. Each Stockholder hereby agrees to authorize and request the Company to notify its transfer agent that there is a stop transfer order with respect to all of the Shares and that this Agreement places limits on the voting of the Shares. If so requested by GameStop, each Stockholder agrees that the certificates representing Shares shall bear a legend stating that they are subject to this Agreement and to the irrevocable proxy granted in paragraph 5 of this Agreement. On the Closing Date, Mr. Xxxxx Xxx (i) shall cause EB Services Corp. to cancel, terminate or transfer to GameStop or any Person designated by GameStop (whether cancelled, terminated or transferred to be mutually agreed by Xx. Xxx and GameStop) its ..01% partnership interest in EB Services Company, LLP and (ii) shall, and shall cause any of his Affiliates (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) to, cancel, terminate or transfer to GameStop or any Person designated by GameStop (whether cancelled, terminated or transferred to be mutually agreed by Xx. Xxx and GameStop) any other minority interest he or any of his Affiliates (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) owns in any of the Company’s Subsidiaries.
3. Each Stockholder hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives any right of appraisal, any dissenters’ rights and any similar rights relating to, arising out of or resulting from the Company Merger or any related transaction that Stockholder may have by virtue of any outstanding shares of Company Common Stock owned by Stockholder.
4. At every meeting of the stockholders of Company called, and at every postponement or adjournment thereof, and on every action or approval by written consent of the stockholders of Company, each Stockholder irrevocably agrees to vote any Shares entitled to be voted thereat or to cause any such Shares to be voted: (i) in favor of adoption of the Merger Agreement; and (ii) against (A) any proposal made in opposition to adoption of the Merger Agreement or in competition or inconsistent with the Company Merger or any other transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B) any Company Takeover Proposal, (C) any change in the management or board of directors of Company (other than as contemplated by the Merger Agreement) and (D) any action or agreement that would result in a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement or any other obligation of Company under the Merger Agreement or of such Stockholder under this Agreement. The obligations of each Stockholder specified in this paragraph 4 shall apply whether or not (x) the Board of Directors of Company (or any committee thereof) shall (I) make a Company Adverse Recommendation Change, or (II) approve or recommend, or allow Company or any of its Subsidiaries to execute or enter into, any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, option agreement, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement or similar agreement constituting or related to any Company Takeover Proposal (other than a confidentiality agreement referred to in Section 5.2(a) of the Merger Agreement, or (y) Company breaches any of its representations, warranties, agreements or covenants set forth in the Merger Agreement; provided, however, that, in the event of a Company Adverse Recommendation Change, the obligation of the Stockholders to vote Shares in the manner set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) of this paragraph 4 shall apply only to an aggregate number of Shares that is equal to one third of the total number of shares of Company Common Stock entitled to vote in respect of such matter and the Stockholders shall cause all remaining Shares to be voted in a manner that is proportionate to the manner in which all holders of shares of Company Common Stock (other than the Stockholders) vote in respect of such matter.
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5. In furtherance of the agreements contained in paragraph 4 of this Agreement and as security for such agreements, each Stockholder hereby irrevocably appoints R. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx (the “Grantees”), and each of them individually, as the sole and exclusive attorneys-in-fact and proxies of such Stockholder, for and in the name, place and stead of such Stockholder, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to vote, grant a consent or approval in respect of, or execute and deliver a proxy to vote, those Shares that are Company Common Stock (a) in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement, (b) against any matter referred to in paragraph 4(ii) of this Agreement, and (c) in the discretion of the Grantees, with respect to any proposed postponements or adjournments of any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of Company held in connection with any of the foregoing. Each Stockholder hereby affirms that the irrevocable proxy granted by this paragraph 5 is given in connection with, and in consideration of, the execution of the Merger Agreement by Company, GameStop, GSC Holding Corp., Cowboy Subsidiary LLC and Eagle Subsidiary LLC and that such irrevocable proxy is given to secure the performance of the duties of such Stockholder under this Agreement. Each Stockholder hereby further affirms that the proxy granted in this paragraph 5 is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power and may under no circumstances be revoked by a Stockholder. Each Stockholder hereby ratifies and confirms all that the Grantees may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. The proxy contained herein with respect to shares of Company Common Stock is intended to be irrevocable in accordance with the provisions of Section 212(e) of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
6. In consideration for GameStop and the Company entering into the Merger Agreement agreeing to cause Holdco to enter into the Registration Rights Agreement, Mr. Xxxxx Xxx shall on or prior to the Closing Date enter into the non-compete agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.
7. The parties acknowledge and agree that nothing contained in this Agreement shall restrict, limit or prohibit any affiliate of any Stockholder from exercising (in his capacity as a director of Company or any such Person) his fiduciary duties as such a director.
8. Each Stockholder represents and warrants that it has all necessary power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to grant the irrevocable proxy provided for in paragraph 5, and that this Agreement is the legal, valid and binding agreement of such Stockholder and is enforceable against such Stockholder in accordance with its terms.
9. The representations and warranties contained in this Agreement are accurate in all respects as of the date of this Agreement.
10. This Agreement may be terminated as to any Stockholder at the option of such Stockholder, Company or GameStop at any time after the earlier of (a) termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms or (b) the day following the Effective Time.
11. From time to time each Stockholder shall take such further actions as GameStop may reasonably request for the purpose of carrying out and furthering the intent of this Agreement.
12. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of
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the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflict of laws.
13. Each Stockholder recognizes and acknowledges that a breach by it of any covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement will cause GameStop to sustain damages for which it would not have an adequate remedy at law for money damages, and therefore each Stockholder agrees that in the event of any such breach, GameStop shall be entitled to specific performance of such covenants and agreements and injunctive and other equitable relief in addition to any other remedy to which it may be entitled, at law or in equity, without the necessity of posting any bond.
14. The effectiveness of this Agreement shall be conditioned upon the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement by each of the parties thereto.
15. Except as provided in Section 2(b), each Stockholder agrees that this Agreement and the obligations hereunder shall attach to the Shares and shall be binding upon any Person to which legal or beneficial ownership of the Shares shall pass, whether by operation of law or otherwise. Neither this Agreement, nor any of the interests or obligations hereunder may be assigned or delegated by Stockholder, and any attempted or purported assignment or delegation of any such interests or obligations shall be void.
16. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts (including by facsimile), each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
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The parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on the date first above written.
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EB NEVADA INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxx |
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Name: |
Xxxxx X. Xxx |
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Title: |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
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/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxx |
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Xxxxx X. Xxx |
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Acknowledged and Agreed:
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GAMESTOP CORP. |
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By: |
/s/ R. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx |
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Name: |
R. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx |
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Title: |
Chief Executive Officer |
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx |
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Name: |
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx |
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Title: |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
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SCHEDULE I
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Name of Stockholder |
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Number of Shares of Company Owned |
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EB Nevada Inc. |
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11,569,101 |
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Xxxxx X. Xxx |
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11,866,601 |
(1) |
(1) Includes 11,569,101 shares owned by EB Nevada Inc. and 297,500 options (both vested and unvested) to purchase EB common stock.
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