UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): March 1, 2019

EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its
charter)

INDIANA
(State of incorporation or organization)

0-23264
(Commission file number)

35‑1542018
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

ONE EMMIS PLAZA
40 MONUMENT CIRCLE
SUITE 700
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46204
(Address of principal executive offices)

(317) 266-0100
(Registrant’s Telephone Number,
Including Area Code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions ( see General Instruction A.2. below):

o     Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o     Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o






Item 5.02
Departure of Directors of Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Effective March 1, 2019, Emmis Operating Company (together with Emmis Communications Corporation, “we,” “Emmis” or the “Company”) entered into a new employment agreement with Ryan A. Hornaday to continue to serve as the Company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Under the agreement, Mr. Hornaday’s annual base salary rate is $425,000 for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2020, and will increase, if at all, each fiscal year thereafter by an amount equal to the percentage increase for the Company’s corporate merit pool. Up to ten percent of his base salary may be paid in shares of our Class A common stock. His annual incentive bonus target is 75% of his base salary. The annual incentive bonus will be paid, if at all, based upon achievement of certain performance goals to be determined by the Company. The Company retains the right to pay such annual incentive bonus in cash or shares of our Class A common stock. Mr. Hornaday will receive a monthly automobile allowance of $1,000, and will be reimbursed for up to $5,000 per year in premiums for insurance and estate planning. He also retains the right to participate in all of our employee benefit plans for which he is otherwise eligible. On March 1, 2019, Mr. Hornaday was granted an option to purchase fifty thousand shares of our Class A common stock. The option has an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our Class A common stock on the date of grant and is scheduled to vest on February 28, 2022. In addition, the agreement provides for the grant to Mr. Hornaday of twenty-five thousand restricted shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, which is scheduled to vest on February 28, 2022. The agreement is terminable by either party on sixty (60) days’ notice, by the Company for “Cause” (as defined in the agreement) or by Mr. Hornaday for “Good Reason” (as defined in the agreement). Upon a termination by the Company (other than for Cause or due to Mr. Hornaday’s death or disability) or by Mr. Hornaday for Good Reason, Mr. Hornaday will be entitled to severance equal to one year’s base salary and the vesting of his equity grants will accelerate. This description of the employment agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the employment agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Additionally, effective March 1, 2019, the Company entered into a Change in Control Severance Agreement (each, a “New CIC Agreement”) with each of Mr. Hornaday and Patrick M. Walsh. The New CIC Agreement replaces in its entirety the executive’s prior change in control severance arrangement. The New CIC Agreement provides that if the executive’s employment is terminated by the Company within two years after a change in control of the Company (or, in certain instances, in anticipation of a change in control), other than for cause, or is terminated by the executive for good reason, the executive is entitled to (1) a payment equal to his base salary through the termination date, plus a pro-rata portion of his target bonus for the year and accrued vacation pay; (2) a severance payment equal to one and one-half times the executive’s base salary and target bonus; (3) continued accident and life insurance benefits for two years; (4) reimbursement of COBRA premiums for continuation of medical and dental benefits for 18 months and reimbursement for private medical and dental benefits of an equivalent level for six months following termination of the COBRA reimbursement; (5) accelerated vesting of all stock options and restricted shares. The New CIC Agreement makes the executive responsible for the payment of any excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code (i.e., the parachute tax) and contains a so-called ‘valley provision.’ Under the valley provision, if the aggregate amount of the payments to the executive under the New CIC Agreement would trigger the payment of the parachute tax, the payments under the New CIC Agreement will be reduced to an amount that does not trigger the parachute tax unless payment of the full amount due under the New CIC Agreement, after deducting the parachute tax to be paid by the executive, is 102% or more of the reduced amount. Under the New CIC Agreement, the executive is obligated to not voluntarily leave employment with Emmis during the pendency of (and prior to the consummation or abandonment of) a change in control other than as a result of disability, retirement or an event that would constitute good reason if the change-of-control had occurred. This description of the New CIC Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the New CIC Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibits 10.2 and 10.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c)     Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
Description






Note to this Form 8-K: Certain statements included in this report which are not statements of historical fact, including but not limited to those identified with the words “expect,” “will” or “look” are intended to be, and are, by this Note, identified as “forward-looking statements,” as defined in the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future result, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement. Such factors include, among others:

general economic and business conditions;
fluctuations in the demand for advertising and demand for different types of advertising media;
our ability to obtain additional capital or to service our outstanding debt;
competition from new or different media and technologies;
increased competition in our markets and the broadcasting industry, including our competitors changing the format of a station they operate
to more directly compete with a station we operate in the same market;
our ability to attract and secure programming, on-air talent, writers and photographers;
inability to obtain (or to obtain timely) necessary approvals for purchase or sale transactions or to complete the transactions for other reasons
generally beyond our control;
increases in the costs of programming, including on-air talent;
inability to grow through suitable acquisitions or to consummate dispositions;
new or changing technologies, including those that provide additional competition for our businesses;
new or changing regulations of the Federal Communications Commission or other governmental agencies;
war, terrorist acts or political instability; and
other factors mentioned in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Emmis does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements because of new information, future events or otherwise.

Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
Date: March 6, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ J. Scott Enright
 
 
 
  J. Scott Enright, Executive Vice President,
 
 
 
  General Counsel and Secretary




EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered into as of March 1, 2019, by and between EMMIS OPERATING COMPANY , an Indiana company (“Employer”), and RYAN HORNADAY , an Indiana resident (“Executive”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Employer, its parent, Emmis Communications Corporation (“ECC”), and their affiliates are engaged in the ownership and operation of certain radio, magazine and other businesses (together with Employer and ECC, and as such affiliates may change from time to time during the Term, the “Emmis Group”).
WHEREAS, Employer desires to employ Executive and Executive desires to be so employed.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the mutual promises and covenants set forth in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
1. Employment Status and Duties . Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, Employer hereby employs Executive, and Executive hereby accepts exclusive employment with Employer. During the Term (as defined below), Executive shall serve as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer or such other positions as may be assigned to Executive. Executive shall have such duties, functions, authority and responsibilities as are commensurate with such positions. Executive’s services hereunder shall be performed on an exclusive, full‑time basis in a professional, diligent and competent manner to the best of Executive’s abilities. Executive shall not undertake any outside employment or business activities without the prior written consent of Employer. Executive shall be permitted to serve on the board of charitable or civic organizations so long as such services: (i) are approved in writing in advance by Employer; and (ii) do not interfere with Executive’s duties and obligations under this Agreement. Employer hereby approves Executive’s participation as a member of the board of directors of Choices, Inc. and his ownership of Cougar Homes, LLC, each subject to the restrictions set forth in the preceding sentence. It is understood and agreed that the location for the performance of Executive’s duties and services pursuant to this Agreement shall be the offices designated by Employer in or around Indianapolis, Indiana. If Executive is elected as a member of the Board of Directors of ECC, he shall serve in such position without additional remuneration (unless Employer elects to remunerate “inside directors”) but shall be entitled to the benefit of indemnification pursuant to the terms of Section 14.9 . Executive shall also serve without additional remuneration as an officer of ECC and as a director and/or officer of one (1) or more of Employer’s subsidiaries or affiliates if appointed to such position(s) by ECC, Employer or another member of the Emmis Group, and shall also be

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entitled to the benefit of indemnification for such position(s) pursuant to the terms of Section 14.9 .
2.      Term . The term of this Agreement shall commence on March 1, 2019 (the “Effective Date”) and continue until the earlier of (i) the sixtieth (60 th ) day after either Employer or Executive delivers written notice of termination of employment to the other, (ii) Employer terminates Executive’s employment for Cause (as defined below), (iii) Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason (as defined below), or (iv) Executive’s death (the “Term”). For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Contract Year” shall be defined to mean the twelve (12) month period commencing on March 1 of each calendar year during the Term and concluding on the last day of February of the following calendar year.
3.      Base Salary; Auto Allowance . Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, Employer shall pay or cause to be paid to Executive a base salary at an annualized rate (the “Base Salary”), payable pursuant to Employer’s customary payroll practices and subject to applicable taxes and withholdings as required by law, for the first Contract Year, equal to $425,000. Each Contract Year thereafter, Executive’s Base Salary shall be the Base Salary for the prior Contract Year plus an amount, if any, equal to the average percentage merit increase for the Contract Year for Employer’s corporate employees who do not have an employment agreement, or plus such higher amount as may be determined by the Compensation Committee of ECC’s Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) in its sole and absolute discretion.
Except as otherwise set forth herein, Employer shall have no obligation to pay Executive the Base Salary for any periods during which Executive fails or refuses to render services pursuant to this Agreement (except that Executive shall not be considered to have failed or refused to render services during any periods of Executive’s incapacity or absence from work due to sickness or other approved leave of absence in accordance with the Employer’s policies. In addition, it is understood and agreed that Employer may, at its sole election, pay up to ten percent (10%) of Executive’s Base Salary in Shares (as defined below); provided that: (i) the Shares are registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on a then-effective Form S-8 or other applicable registration statement and are issued without restriction on resale (and further provided that the Shares are listed on a securities exchange, which does not include listing on the “pink sheets,” at the time of issuance), subject to any restrictions on resale under Employer’s insider trading policy or applicable federal and state laws; and (ii) the percentage of Executive’s Base Salary payable in Shares shall be consistent with, and the exact number of Shares to be awarded to Executive shall be determined in the same manner as, that utilized for the Key Executive Group. The term “Key Executive Group” refers to Employer’s President and Chief Operating Officer, the Employer’s General Counsel and the Employer’s President – Publishing and Chief Strategy Officer (or, if any of those positions no longer exist or are no longer comparable to Executive’s position, any other positions as reasonably determined by Employer).

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During the Term, Executive shall receive a monthly auto allowance in the amount of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) (subject to withholding and applicable taxes as required by law) consistent with Employer’s policy or practices regarding such allowances, as such policy or practices may be amended from time to time during the Term in Employer’s sole and absolute discretion; provided , however , that in no event shall the auto allowance amount paid to Executive pursuant to this provision be reduced.
4.      Incentive Compensation .
4.1      Equity Grants .
(i)      On or about the first day of the Term, when Employer grants equity incentive compensation to its executive level employees (but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the first day of the Term), Executive shall be granted an option (the “Option”) to acquire Fifty Thousand (50,000) shares of Class A Common Stock of ECC (“Shares”), which shall vest on February 28, 2022, and is subject to the terms of this Section 4.1 .
(ii)      On or about the first day of the Term, when Employer grants equity incentive compensation to its executive level employees (but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the first day of the Term), Executive shall be granted Twenty-five Thousand (25,000) restricted Shares (“Restricted Shares”), which shall vest on February 28, 2022 and are subject to the terms of this Section 4.1 . Upon the vesting of any Restricted Shares, Employer shall withhold a sufficient number of Shares from issuance (not exceeding the minimum number required to be so withheld unless Executive requests withholding at a higher rate not to exceed Executive’s estimated total tax liability with respect to such Restricted Shares) to satisfy all federal, state and local withholding requirements.
(iii)      The Option granted pursuant to this Section 4.1 shall: (i) have an exercise price per share equal to the Fair Market Value (“FMV”) of the stock on the date of grant (as FMV is defined in the applicable Equity Compensation Plan, or any subsequent equity compensation or similar plan adopted by ECC and generally used to make equity‑based awards to executive‑level employees of the Emmis Group (the “Plan”)); (ii) notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement, be granted according to the terms and subject to the conditions of the Plan; (iii) be evidenced by a written grant agreement containing such terms and conditions as are generally provided for other members of the Key Executive Group; (iv) be exercisable for Shares with such restrictive legends on the certificates in accordance with the Plan and applicable securities laws; and (v) not be entitled to any voting rights unless and until exercised. Employer shall use reasonable efforts to register the Shares subject to the award on a Form S-8 or other applicable registration statement at such time as the Shares are issued to Executive. The Option is intended to satisfy the regulatory exemption

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from the application of Section 409A (as defined below) for certain options for service recipient shares, and it shall be administered accordingly. The Restricted Shares shall (i) be granted according to the terms and subject to the conditions of the Plan; (ii) be evidenced by a written grant agreement; and (iii) include a restrictive legend as provided for by the Plan.
(iv)      From time to time during the Term, Employer may make such additional equity grants to Executive as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion.
4.2      Annual Bonus Amounts . Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Section 4 , following the conclusion of each Contract Year, Executive shall be eligible to receive one (1) performance bonus in an annualized target amount equivalent to Seventy-Five Percent (75%) of Executive’s Base Salary for the subject Contract Year (each, an “Annual Bonus”), the exact amount of which, if any, shall be determined based upon attainment of certain performance, financial or other goals as determined each Contract Year by the Compensation Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion, and communicated to Executive within ten (10) days after a final determination by the Compensation Committee.
4.3      Payment of Bonus Amounts . Employer shall pay or cause to be paid to Executive the bonus amounts, if earned according to the terms and conditions set forth or referenced in this Agreement; provided that (unless provided otherwise in this Agreement) on the final day of the applicable measuring period for such bonus: (i) this Agreement is in full force and effect and has not been terminated for any reason (other than due to a material breach of this Agreement by Employer); and (ii) Executive is fully performing all of Executive’s material duties and obligations pursuant to this Agreement and is not in breach of any of the material terms and conditions of this Agreement (provided that Executive’s failure or inability to perform his duties and obligations because of his death or incapacity, including during leaves of absence permitted by law or applicable policy of Employer, shall not be considered a breach of this Agreement or non-performance under this provision). In addition, it is understood and agreed that Employer may, at its sole election, pay any bonus amounts earned by Executive pursuant to this Section 4 in cash or Shares; provided that the Shares evidencing any portion thereof are registered with the SEC on a then-effective Form S-8 or other applicable registration statement and are issued without restriction on resale (and further provided that the Shares are listed on a securities exchange, which does not include listing on the “pink sheets,” at the time of issuance), subject to any restrictions on resale under Employer’s insider trading policy and applicable federal and state law. In the event that Employer elects pursuant to this Section 4.3 to pay any Annual Bonus amounts in Shares, the percentage of such bonus amounts payable in Shares shall be consistent with, and the exact number of Shares to be awarded to Executive shall be determined in the same manner as, that utilized for the Key Executive Group. Any Annual Bonus amounts earned by Executive pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 4.2

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shall be paid after the end of the Contract Year for which the bonus is earned (but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the end of such Contract Year). Any and all bonus amounts payable by Employer to Executive pursuant to this Section 4 shall be subject to applicable taxes and withholdings as required by law. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, any bonus pursuant to Section 4.2 shall be paid to Executive by the earlier of the date specified herein or the date that is no later than two-and-a-half months after the end of either Employer’s or Executive’s first taxable year (whichever period is longer) in which any such bonus is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture for purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
5.      Expenses; Travel . Employer shall pay or reimburse Executive for all reasonable expenses actually incurred or paid by Executive during the Term in connection with the performance of Executive’s services hereunder upon presentation of expense statements, vouchers or other supporting documentation as Employer may require of Executive; provided that, such expenses are otherwise in accordance with Employer’s policies applicable to members of the Key Executive. Executive shall undertake such travel as may be required in the performance of Executive’s duties pursuant to this Agreement. Under no circumstances shall the Employer’s reimbursement for expenses incurred in a calendar year be made later than the end of the next following calendar year; provided, however, this requirement shall not alter the Employer’s obligation to reimburse Executive for eligible expenses on a current basis.
6.      Fringe Benefits .
6.1      Vacation and Other Benefits . Each Contract Year, Executive shall be entitled to four (4) weeks of paid vacation in accordance with Employer’s applicable policies and procedures for executive-level employees. Executive shall also be eligible to participate in and receive the fringe benefits generally made available to members of the Key Executive Group in accordance with and to the extent that Executive is eligible under the general provisions of Employer’s fringe benefit plans or programs; provided , however , that Executive understands that these fringe benefits may be increased, changed, eliminated or added from time to time during the Term as determined in Employer’s sole and absolute discretion.
6.2      Insurance and Estate Planning . Each Contract Year, Employer agrees to reimburse Executive in an amount not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) for the annual premium and other fees and expenses associated with estate planning services for Executive, including legal and tax services, and Executive’s purchase or maintenance of a life or disability insurance policy or other insurance policies on the life, or related to the care, of Executive. Executive shall be entitled to freely select and change the beneficiary or beneficiaries under such policy or policies. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Employer’s obligations under this Section 6.2 are expressly contingent upon Executive providing required information and taking all necessary actions required of Executive in order

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to obtain and maintain the subject services, policy or policies, including without limitation passing any required physical examinations. Reimbursements pursuant to this Section 6.2 with respect to a Contract Year shall be made as soon as administratively feasible after Executive submits the information and documentation required for reimbursement; provided, however, under no circumstances shall such reimbursement be paid later than two-and-a-half months after the end of the calendar year or Employer’s taxable year (whichever period is longer) in which such Contract Year commenced.
7.      Confidential Information .
7.1      Non‑Disclosure . Executive acknowledges that certain information concerning the business of the Emmis Group and its members (including but not limited to trade secrets and other proprietary information) is of a highly confidential nature, and that, as a result of Executive’s employment with Employer prior to and during the Term, Executive shall receive and develop proprietary and confidential information concerning the business of Employer and/or other members of the Emmis Group which, if known to Employer’s competitors, would damage Employer, other members of the Emmis Group and their respective businesses. Accordingly, Executive hereby agrees that during the Term and thereafter, Executive shall not divulge or appropriate for Executive’s own use, or for the use or benefit of any third party (other than Employer and its representatives, or as directed in writing by Employer), any information or knowledge concerning the business of Employer, or any other member of the Emmis Group, which is not generally available to the public other than through the activities of Executive. Executive further agrees that, immediately upon termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive shall promptly surrender to Employer all documents, brochures, plans, strategies, writings, illustrations, client lists, price lists, sales, financial or marketing plans, budgets and any and all other materials (regardless of form or character) which Executive received from or developed on behalf of Employer or any member of the Emmis Group in connection with Executive’s employment prior to or during the Term. Executive acknowledges that all such materials shall remain at all times during the Term and thereafter the sole and exclusive property of Employer and that nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to grant Executive any right, title or interest in such material.
7.2      Work Product . Executive acknowledges and agrees that all writings, works of authorship, technology, inventions, discoveries, ideas and other work product of any nature whatsoever, that are created, prepared, produced, authored, edited, amended, conceived or reduced to practice by Executive individually or jointly with others during the Term by Employer and relating in any way to the business or contemplated business, research or development of the Emmis Group (regardless of when or where the Work Product is prepared or whose equipment or other resources is used in preparing the same) and all printed, physical and electronic copies, all improvements, rights and claims related to the foregoing, and other

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tangible embodiments thereof (collectively, “Work Product”), as well as any and all rights in and to copyrights, trade secrets, trademarks (and related goodwill), patents and other intellectual property rights therein arising in any jurisdiction throughout the world and all related rights of priority under international conventions with respect thereto, including all pending and future applications and registrations therefor, and continuations, divisions, continuations-in-part, reissues, extensions and renewals thereof (collectively, “Intellectual Property Rights”), shall be the sole and exclusive property of Employer. Executive acknowledges that, by reason of being employed by Employer at the relevant times, to the extent permitted by law, all of the Work Product consisting of copyrightable subject matter is “work made for hire” as defined in 17 U.S.C. § 101 and such copyrights are therefore owned by Employer. To the extent that the foregoing does not apply, Executive by these presents does hereby irrevocably assign to Employer, for no additional consideration, Executive’s entire right, title and interest in and to all Work Product and Intellectual Property Rights therein, including the right to sue, counterclaim and recover for all past, present and future infringement, misappropriation or dilution thereof, and all rights corresponding thereto throughout the world. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to reduce or limit Employer’s rights, title or interest in any Work Product or Intellectual Property Rights so as to be less in any respect than that Employer would have had in the absence of this Agreement. During and after his employment, Executive agrees to reasonably cooperate with Employer to (a) apply for, obtain, perfect and transfer to Employer the Work Product as well as an Intellectual Property Right in the Work Product in any jurisdiction in the world; and (b) maintain, protect and enforce the same, including, without limitation, executing and delivering to Employer any and all applications, oaths, declarations, affidavits, waivers, assignments and other documents and instruments as shall be requested by Employer. Executive hereby irrevocably grants Employer power of attorney to execute and deliver any such documents on Executive’s behalf in his name and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to transfer the Work Product to Employer and further the transfer, issuance, prosecution and maintenance of all Intellectual Property Rights therein, to the full extent permitted by law, if Executive does not promptly cooperate with Employer’s request (without limiting the rights Employer shall have in such circumstances by operation of law). The power of attorney is coupled with an interest and shall not be affected by Executive’s subsequent incapacity. Executive understands that this Agreement does not, and shall not be construed to, grant Executive any license or right of any nature with respect to any Work Product or Intellectual Property Rights or any confidential information, materials, software or other tools made available to him by Employer or the Emmis Group.
7.3      Injunctive Relief . Executive acknowledges that Executive’s breach of this Section 7 will cause irreparable harm and damage to Employer, the exact amount of which will be difficult to ascertain; that the remedies at law for any such breach would be inadequate; and that the provisions of this Section 7 have been specifically negotiated and carefully written to prevent such irreparable harm and

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damage. Accordingly, if Executive breaches this Section 7 , Employer shall be entitled to injunctive relief (including attorneys’ fees and costs) enforcing this Section 7 to the extent reasonably necessary to protect Employer’s legitimate interests, without posting bond or other security.
8.      Non‑Competition; Non-Solicitation; Anti-Raiding; Injunctive Relief .
8.1      To the extent permitted by law, Executive (whether on Executive’s own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity) shall not directly or indirectly:
(i)      During the Term, and for a period of one (1) year (which shall be extended by the length of any period during which Executive is in violation of this Section 8.1(i) ) immediately following the expiration or early termination of the Term for any reason, voluntary or involuntary (“Termination”), within the “Geographic Territory” (as defined below), own, manage, operate, or otherwise engage or participate in any business that competes directly or indirectly with the business of Employer or any member of the Emmis Group (“Competitor”) if Executive performs any duties, responsibilities, or functions on behalf of the Competitor that (a) are the same as or similar to the duties, responsibilities, or functions Executive performed for Employer or a member of the Emmis Group during any portion of the 24-month period immediately preceding the Termination (“Pre-Termination Period”), (b) relate in any respect to any aspect of the business of a member of the Emmis Group as to which, during any portion of the Pre-Termination Period, Executive performed any duties or services or received any confidential information, or (c) relate in any respect to, or would benefit from the use of, any confidential information Executive received during the Pre-Termination Period. For purposes of this Section 8.1(i) , Geographic Territory shall mean Indiana, United States, and/or any other state, market, country, or geographic territory in which Employer or a member of the Emmis Group delivered, sold or marketed its products or services or conducted business during the Pre-Termination Period. At least five (5) business days prior to Executive’s commencement of any duties, responsibilities or functions for a Competitor, Executive and the Competitor shall provide Employer with a written notice that describes the duties, responsibilities and functions to be performed by Executive and certifies that such duties, responsibilities and functions will comply with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The parties acknowledge and agree that Employer’s and the Emmis Group’s business is generally located at least within the Geographic Territory, extends throughout the Geographic Territory and is not limited to any particular region of the Geographic Territory. As long as Executive does not engage in any activity prohibited by this Section 8.1(i) , Executive’s ownership of less than five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding stock of any corporation whose stock is traded on an established securities market shall not constitute competition with Employer or the Emmis Group for the

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purpose of this Section 8.1 . Notwithstanding the foregoing, with Employer’s written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, E xecutive may join a commercial enterprise with multiple divisions or business lines, even if a division or business line engages in a business competitive with Employer, if such competitive business represents an insignificant portion of the commercial enterprise’s operations and revenue and Executive's services are not primarily for the competitive divisions or business lines.
(ii)      During the Term, and for a period of two (2) years (which shall be extended by the length of any period during which Executive is in violation of this Section 8.1(ii)) immediately following Termination, sell or otherwise provide or solicit the sale or provision of (or supervise such activities) any products or services that directly or indirectly compete with any products or services of Employer or any member of the Emmis Group to any person or entity as to which, during any portion of the Pre-Termination Period, Executive sold or supervised the sale of products or services, or otherwise performed any duties or services on behalf of Employer or a member of the Emmis Group, or received any confidential information.
(iii)      During the Term, and for a period of two (2) years (which shall be extended by the length of any period during which Executive is in violation of this Section 8.1(iii)) immediately following Termination, hire or otherwise engage any employee of Employer or a member of the Emmis Group, or any other person or entity who during any portion of the three (3) months immediately preceding Termination had an actual or prospective employment, consulting, or contractor relationship with Employer or a member of the Emmis Group or solicit, induce, or influence any such employee or other person or entity to discontinue, reduce, reject, or otherwise change in any manner adverse to the interests of Employer or a member of the Emmis Group the nature or extent of such relationship with Employer or a member of the Emmis Group. 
8.2      Injunctive Relief . Executive acknowledges the special and unique nature of Executive’s employment with Employer as an executive-level employee, and understands that, as a result of Executive’s employment with Employer prior to and during the Term, Executive has gained and will continue to gain knowledge of and have access to highly sensitive and valuable information regarding the operations of Employer and its subsidiaries and affiliated entities, including but not limited to the confidential information described more fully in Section 7.1 . Accordingly, Executive acknowledges Employer’s interest in preventing the disclosure of such information through the engagement of Executive’s services by any of Employer’s or the Emmis Group’s competitors following the expiration or termination of the Term for any reason. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the provisions of this Section 8 have been specifically negotiated and carefully worded in recognition of the opportunities which will be afforded to Executive by Employer by virtue of

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Executive’s continued association with Employer during the Term, and the influence that Executive has and will continue to have over Employer’s and the Emmis Group’s employees, customers and suppliers. Executive further acknowledges that Executive’s breach of Section 8.1 herein will cause irreparable harm and damage to Employer, the exact amount of which will be difficult to ascertain; that the remedies at law for any such breach would be inadequate; and that the provisions of this Section 8 have been specifically negotiated and carefully written to prevent such irreparable harm and damage. Accordingly, if Executive breaches Section 8.1 , Employer shall be entitled to injunctive relief (including attorneys’ fees and costs) enforcing Section 8.1 , to the extent reasonably necessary to protect Employer’s legitimate interests, without posting bond or other security. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if Executive violates Section 8.1 , and Employer brings legal action for injunctive or other relief, Employer shall not, as a result of the time involved in obtaining such relief, be deprived of the benefit of the full restrictive covenant periods set forth therein. Accordingly, the obligations set forth in Section 8.1 shall have the duration set forth therein, computed from the date such relief is granted but reduced by the time expired between the date the restrictive period began to run and the date of the first violation of the obligation(s) by Executive.
8.3      Construction . Despite the express agreement herein between the parties, in the event that any provisions set forth in this Section 8 shall be determined by any court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, the parties agree that this Section 8 shall be interpreted to extend only to the maximum extent as to which it may be enforceable, and that this Section 8 shall be severable into its component parts, all as determined by such court or tribunal.
9.      Effect of Termination . In the event of any termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 2 , Executive’s employment shall terminate, and Executive and Employer shall have the following obligations:
9.1      Executive’s Obligations . Executive shall have no further obligations or liabilities hereunder except Executive’s obligations under Sections 7 and 8 , and any obligations arising in connection with any conduct of Executive described in Section 10.4 .
9.2      Employer’s Obligations . Employer shall have no further obligations or liabilities hereunder, except that Employer shall:
(i)      Not later than two (2) weeks after the termination date, pay to Executive, pursuant to Employer’s customary payroll processes, in a lump-sum cash payment, subject to any applicable tax withholding and deductions required by law:

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(a)      Any Base Salary earned on or prior to the termination date, but which remains unpaid as of the termination date; and
(b)      Any Annual Bonus amounts Executive earned on or prior to the termination date pursuant to Section 4 but which remain unpaid as of the termination date;
(ii)      Comply with the applicable provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”) and the provisions of any Employer benefit plans in which Executive or Executive’s eligible dependents or beneficiaries are participating at the time of termination;
(iii)      If the termination occurs at least six (6) months after the commencement of the Contract Year in which the termination occurs, Employer may pay to Executive a pro-rated portion of the Annual Bonus for such Contract Year, such amount, if any, and the conditions applicable to such payment (e.g., signing a general release) to be determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the Compensation Committee; and
(iv)      Perform Employer’s obligations, if any, under Section 10.
10.      Severance .
10.1      Conditions of Severance . If (a) Employer terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 2 other than for Cause (as defined below) or other than upon Executive’s death or Disability (as defined below), or (b) Executive terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 2 for Good Reason (as defined below), Employer shall provide a general release (in form reasonably acceptable to Employer) to Executive within two (2) weeks after the effective date of such termination of employment, and, if Executive signs such general release, then within two (2) weeks after the effective date of such general release:
(i)      Employer shall pay to Executive, pursuant to Employer’s customary payroll processes, in a lump sum cash payment, an amount equal to Executive’s then-current Base Salary, subject to any applicable tax withholding and deductions as required by law; and
(ii)      Employer shall accelerate in full the vesting of any equity granted to Executive prior to the termination date, subject to any applicable tax withholding and deductions as required by law.
10.2      General Release . Executive acknowledges and agrees that his execution of the general release is an inducement to Employer’s agreement to make such payments and a material condition to Executive’s receipt of any payments or benefits outlined in this Section 10 .

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10.3      Definition of Termination of Employment . For purposes of this Agreement, “terminates employment,” “termination of employment,” or any variation of that term means a separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A (defined below). If Executive’s employment terminates but does not qualify as a separation from service under Section 409A, then Executive shall become entitled to receive the severance pay and benefits set forth in this Agreement at such time as he incurs a separation from service.
10.4      Definition of Cause . For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall be defined to mean any of the following: (i) Executive’s failure, refusal or neglect to perform any of Executive’s material duties or obligations under this Agreement, or any material duties assigned to Executive consistent with the terms of this Agreement (Executive’s inability or failure to perform his obligations hereunder because of his death, Disability or incapacity, including during leaves of absence permitted by law or applicable policy of Employer, shall not be considered Cause for termination under this provision), or abide by any applicable policy of Employer, or Executive’s breach of any material term or condition of this Agreement, and continuation of such failure, refusal, neglect, or breach after written notice and the expiration of a ten (10) day cure period; provided , however , that it is not the parties’ intention that the Employer shall be required to provide successive such notices, and in the event Employer has provided Executive with a notice and opportunity to cure, Employer may terminate this Agreement for Cause for a subsequent breach similar or related to the breach for which notice was previously given or for a continuing series or pattern of breaches (whether similar or related) without providing any further notice or opportunity to cure; (ii) commission of any felony or any other crime involving an act of moral turpitude which is harmful to Employer’s business or reputation; (iii) Executive’s action or omission, or knowing allowance of actions or omissions, which are in violation of any law or any of the rules or regulations of the Federal Communications Commission, or which otherwise jeopardize any of the licenses granted to Employer or any member of the Emmis Group in connection with the ownership or operation of any radio station; (iv) theft in any amount; (v) actual or threatened violence against any individual (in connection with his employment hereunder) or another employee; (vi) sexual or other prohibited harassment of others that is actionable under applicable laws; (vii) unauthorized disclosure or use of trade secrets or proprietary or confidential information, as described more fully in Section 7 ; (viii) any action which brings Employer or any member of the Emmis Group into public disrepute, contempt, scandal or ridicule, and which is harmful to Employer’s business or reputation; and (ix) any matter constituting cause or gross misconduct under applicable laws.
10.5      Definition of Disability . Executive’s termination of employment shall be upon Executive’s “Disability” if Employer’s notice of termination is given after Executive qualifies for coverage under Employer’s then applicable long term disability insurance plan and such plan is not materially less favorable to Executive than the long term disability insurance plan in effect on the Effective Date.

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10.6      Definition of Good Reason . For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Good Reason” shall be defined to mean, without Executive’s written consent: (i) a reduction by Employer in Executive’s Base Salary or target Annual Bonus opportunity from the amounts set forth in this Agreement; (ii) failure of Employer to provide an office to Executive, or Employer requiring Executive to work in an office that is more than thirty-five (35) miles from the location of Employer’s principal executive offices at the time of this Agreement, except for required travel on business of the Employer to the extent substantially consistent with Executive’s business travel obligations, or (iii) a material breach of the terms of this Agreement by Employer; provided that Executive has given Employer notice of such breach within thirty (30) days of the initial occurrence of the event that is alleged to constitute Good Reason, such breach remains uncured in the thirty (30) day period after such notice, and Executive terminates his employment no later than ten (10) days after the cure period has expired. Employer shall not take any position that a termination of employment by Executive for Good Reason fails to constitute on involuntary separation from service for purposes of Section 409A.
11.      Application of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, any payments and benefits provided under this Agreement (the “Severance Benefits”) that constitute “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance thereunder and any state law of similar effect (collectively “Section 409A”) shall not commence in connection with Executive’s termination of employment unless and until Executive has also incurred a “separation from service” (as such term is defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) (“Separation From Service”), unless Employer reasonably determines that such amounts may be provided to Executive without causing Executive to incur the additional 20% tax under Section 409A.
It is intended that each installment of the Severance Benefits payments provided for in this Agreement is a separate “payment” for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(i). For the avoidance of doubt, it is intended that payments of the Severance Benefits set forth in this Agreement satisfy, to the greatest extent possible, the exemptions from the application of Section 409A provided under Treasury Regulation Sections 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(5) and 1.409A-1(b)(9). However, if Employer (or, if applicable, the successor entity thereto) determines that the Severance Benefits constitute “deferred compensation” under Section 409A and Executive is, on the termination of service, a “specified employee” of Employer or any successor entity thereto, as such term is defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then, solely to the extent necessary to avoid the incurrence of the adverse personal tax consequences under Section 409A, the timing of the Severance Benefit payments shall be delayed until the earlier to occur of: (i) the date that is six months and one day after Executive’s Separation From Service, or (ii) the date of Executive’s death (such applicable date, the “Specified Employee Initial Payment Date”), the Employer (or the successor entity thereto, as applicable) shall (A) pay to Executive a lump sum amount equal to the sum of the Severance Benefit payments that Executive would otherwise have received through the Specified Employee Initial Payment Date if the

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commencement of the payment of the Severance Benefits had not been so delayed pursuant to this Section and (B) commence paying the balance of the Severance Benefits in accordance with the applicable payment schedules set forth in this Agreement.

This Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A, and it is intended that no amounts payable hereunder shall be subject to tax under Section 409A. Employer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to comply with Section 409A with respect to payments of benefits hereunder.

12.      Adjustments for Changes in Capitalization of Employer . In the event of any change in Employer’s outstanding Shares during the Term by reason of any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, merger, stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, asset spin-off, share combination, consolidation or other event, the number and class of Shares and/or Options awarded pursuant to Section 4 (and any applicable Option exercise price) shall be adjusted by the Compensation Committee in its sole and absolute discretion and, if applicable, in accordance with the terms of the Plan, and the option agreement evidencing the grant of the Option. The determination of the Compensation Committee shall be conclusive and binding. All adjustments pursuant to this Section 12 shall be made in a manner that does not result in taxation to the Executive under Section 409A.
13.      Notices . All notices, requests, consents and other communications, required or permitted to be given hereunder, shall be made in writing and shall be deemed to have been made as of: (a) the date that is the next date upon which an overnight delivery service (Federal Express, UPS or equivalent only) will make such delivery, if sent via such overnight delivery service, postage prepaid, (b) the date such delivery is made, if delivered in person to the notice party specified below, or (c) the date such delivery is made, if delivered via email. Such notice shall be delivered as follows (or to such other or additional address as either party shall designate by notice in writing to the other in accordance herewith):
(i)      If to Employer :

Emmis Operating Company
40 Monument Circle, Suite 700
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Attn: Jeffrey H. Smulyan
Email: Jeff@emmis.com

With a copy to :
Emmis Operating Company
40 Monument Circle, Suite 700
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Attn: Legal Department
Email: legal@emmis.com


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(ii)      If to Executive, to Executive at Executive’s address in the personnel records of Employer.
14.      Miscellaneous .
14.1      Governing Law; Venue . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any action to enforce, challenge or construe the terms or making of this Agreement or to recover for its breach shall be litigated exclusively in a state court located in Marion County, Indiana, except that the Employer may elect, at its sole and absolute discretion, to litigate the action in the county or state where any breach by Executive occurred or where Executive can be found. Executive acknowledges and agrees that this venue provision is an essential provision of this Agreement and Executive hereby waives any defense thereto, including but not limited to, lack of personal jurisdiction, improper or wrong venue, or inconvenience.
14.2      Captions . The section headings contained herein are for reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
14.3      Entire Agreement . This Agreement shall supersede and replace, in all respects, any and all prior employment agreements between Executive and any member of the Emmis Group, and such agreements shall immediately terminate and be of no further force or effect. For purposes of the preceding sentence, any indemnification, intellectual property rights, restricted stock or option agreement, as well as any benefits-related agreement, shall not constitute a “prior employment agreement.”
14.4      Assignment . This Agreement, and Executive’s rights and obligations hereunder, may not be assigned by Executive to any third party; provided , however , that Executive may designate pursuant to Section 14.6 one (1) or more beneficiaries to receive any amounts that would otherwise be payable hereunder to Executive’s estate. Employer may assign all or any portion of its rights and obligations hereunder to any other member of the Emmis Group or to any successor or assignee of Employer pursuant to a reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, sale of substantially all of the assets or stock of Employer, or otherwise.
14.5      Amendments; Waivers . Except as expressly provided in the following sentence, this Agreement cannot be changed, modified or amended, and no provision or requirement hereof may be waived, without the written consent of Executive and Employer. Employer may amend this Agreement to the extent that Employer reasonably determines that such change is necessary to comply with Section 409A and further guidance thereunder, provided that such change does not reduce the amounts payable to Executive hereunder. The failure of a party at any time to require performance of any provision hereof shall in no manner affect the

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right of such party at a later time to enforce such provision. No waiver by a party of the breach of any term or covenant contained in this Agreement, whether by conduct or otherwise, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be, or construed as, a further or continuing waiver of any such breach or a waiver of the breach of any other term or covenant contained in this Agreement.
14.6      Beneficiaries . Whenever this Agreement provides for any payment to Executive’s estate, such payment may be made instead to such beneficiary as Executive may have designated in a writing filed with Employer. Executive shall have the right to revoke any such designation and to re‑designate a beneficiary by written notice to Employer (or to any applicable insurance company).
14.7      Change in Fiscal Year . If, at any time during the Term, Employer changes its fiscal year, Employer shall make such adjustments to the various dates and target amounts included herein as are necessary or appropriate, provided that no such change shall affect the date on which any amount is payable hereunder.
14.8      Executive’s Warranty and Indemnity . Executive hereby represents and warrants that Executive: (i) has the full and unqualified right to enter into and fully perform this Agreement according to each and every term and condition contained herein; (ii) has not made any agreement, contractual obligation or commitment in contravention of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement or which would prevent Executive from performing according to any of the terms and conditions contained herein; and (iii) has not entered into any agreement with any prior employer or other person, corporation or entity which would in any way adversely affect Executive’s or Employer’s right to enter into this Agreement. Furthermore, Executive hereby agrees to fully indemnify and hold harmless Employer and each of its subsidiaries, affiliates and related entities, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys, shareholders, insurers and representatives from and against any and all losses, costs, damages, expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses), liabilities and claims, arising from, in connection with, or in any way related to, Executive’s breach of any of the representations or warranties contained in this Section 14.8 .
14.9      Indemnification . Executive shall be entitled to the benefit, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, of (i) the indemnification provisions set forth in Employer’s articles of incorporation and/or by‑laws, or any applicable corporate resolution, as the same may be amended from time to time during the Term (not including any limiting amendments or additions, but including any amendments or additions that add to or broaden the protection afforded to Executive at the time of execution of this Agreement) and (ii) Executive’s rights under that certain Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement executed by Executive and ECC dated December 15, 2011 (the “Indemnification Agreement”). Employer agrees to be jointly and severally liable for the obligations of ECC under the Indemnification Agreement. Additionally, Employer shall cause Executive to be indemnified in

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accordance with Chapter 37 of the Indiana Business Corporation Law (the “IBCL”), as the same may be amended from time to time during the Term, to the fullest extent permitted by the IBCL as required to make Executive whole in connection with any indemnifiable loss, cost or expense incurred in Executive’s performance of Executive’s duties and obligations pursuant to this Agreement. Employer shall also maintain during the Term, and for a commercially reasonable period after the Term, an insurance policy providing directors’ and officers’ liability coverage in a commercially reasonable amount. It is understood that the foregoing indemnification obligations shall survive the expiration or termination of the Term.
14.10      Change in Control .   All prior change in control severance agreements to which Executive and Employer and/or ECC are parties are hereby terminated and of no further force and effect. In the event of a “Change in Control,” the rights and obligations of Executive and Employer are set forth in the separate Change in Control Agreement executed by the parties, effective as of the date of this Agreement (the “CIC Agreement”). “Change in Control” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the CIC Agreement.
14.11      Survival . The provisions of this Agreement shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement to the extent necessary in order to effectuate the intent of the parties hereunder, including without limitation Sections 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 13 , and 14 .

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
EMMIS OPERATING COMPANY (“Employer”)
By: /s/ Jeffrey H. Smulyan
Jeffrey H. Smulyan
Chief Executive Officer
RYAN HORNADAY
(“Executive”)
/s/ Ryan A. Hornaday
Ryan Hornaday



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EMMIS OPERATING COMPANY
CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
THIS EMMIS OPERATING COMPANY CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered into, effective MARCH 1, 2019 (the “Effective Date”), by and between EMMIS OPERATING COMPANY, an Indiana corporation (the “Company”), and RYAN A. HORNADAY (“Executive”).
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, Executive is an officer and employee of the Company and also an officer of the Company’s sole shareholder, Emmis Communications Corporation (“Parent”) and that the Company derives a material benefit from compensation to executives that is provided by Parent; and
WHEREAS, as a material inducement to Executive’s continued employment with the Company, Parent and Executive entered into a certain Emmis Operating Company Change in Control Severance Agreement effective August 1, 2015 (the “Existing CIC Agreement”); and
WHEREAS, the Existing CIC Agreement was established by the parties under different circumstances, and the parties have determined to restructure the benefits payable to Executive in the event of a Change in Control.
WHEREAS, the Company still considers the establishment and maintenance of sound and vital management to be essential to protecting and enhancing the best interests of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company still recognizes that, as is the case with many operating subsidiaries of publicly held corporations, the possibility of a change in control may arise and that such possibility may result in the departure or distraction of management personnel to the detriment of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company has again determined that it is in the best interests of the Company to secure Executive’s continued services and to ensure Executive’s continued and undivided dedication to Executive’s duties in the event of any threat or occurrence of a “Change in Control” (as defined in Section 1) and that it is in the best interests of the Company to eliminate the unnecessary level of uncertainty due to the potential inability of Parent to perform its obligations under Parent CIC Agreement; and





WHEREAS, the Company and Executive have entered into a new employment agreement providing for the termination of the Existing CIC Agreement and the entry into this Agreement; and
WHEREAS the Existing CIC Agreement will terminate upon execution of this Agreement in order to ensure Executive does not receive unintended, duplicative benefits in connection with the occurrence of a Change in Control.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the respective meanings set forth below:
(a)      “Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified person, a person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the person specified.
(b)      “Base Salary” means Executive’s gross base salary, regardless of whether payable directly by the Company in cash or stock.
(c)      “Board” means the Board of Directors of Parent. The board of directors of the Company agree to cause the Company to implement any and all directions of the Board hereunder.
(d)      “Bonus Amount” means the target annual (a/k/a fiscal year) bonus amount expressed as a percentage of Executive’s Base Salary in Executive’s employment agreement in effect on the date of Termination of Employment (or if no employment agreement is then in effect for the Executive, the annual target bonus amount for the Executive set forth in the most recent annual bonus plan of the Parent (or if none for the Parent, the Company) immediately preceding the Termination of Employment but in no event less than fifty percent of Base Salary), calculated using the Executive’s base salary in effect on the date of Termination of Employment.
(e)      “Cause” means (i) the willful and continued failure of Executive to perform substantially Executive’s duties with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness or any such failure subsequent to Executive being delivered a notice of Termination without Cause by the Company or delivering a notice of Termination for Good Reason to the Company) after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to Executive by the Board which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes that Executive has not substantially performed Executive’s duties; provided that Executive has not cured such failure or commenced such performance within 30 days after such demand is given to Executive, or (ii) the willful engaging by Executive in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company or its Affiliates. For purpose



of the preceding sentence, no act or failure to act by Executive shall be considered “willful” unless done or omitted to be done by Executive in bad faith and without reasonable belief that Executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board, based upon the advice of counsel for the Company (or upon the instructions of the Company’s chief executive officer or another senior officer of the Company) shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. Cause shall not exist unless and until the Company has delivered to Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by three‑quarters (3/4) of the entire Board (excluding Executive if Executive is a Board member) at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice to Executive and an opportunity for Executive, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board an event set forth in clause (i) or (ii) has occurred and specifying the particulars thereof in detail. The Company must notify Executive of any event constituting Cause within ninety (90) days following the Company’s knowledge of its existence or such event shall not constitute Cause under this Agreement.
(f)      “Change in Control” means any of the following: (i) any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (other than an Affiliate or any employee benefit plan (or any related trust) of Parent or an Affiliate, and other than Jeffrey H. Smulyan or an Affiliate of Mr. Smulyan) (a “Person”) becomes after the date hereof the beneficial owner of 35% or more of either the then outstanding Stock or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of Parent entitled to vote in the election of directors, except that no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred solely by reason of any such acquisition by a corporation with respect to which, after such acquisition, more than 50% of both the then outstanding common shares of such corporation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors are then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the persons who were the beneficial owners of the Stock and voting securities of Parent immediately before such acquisition in substantially the same proportion as their ownership, immediately before such acquisition, of the outstanding Stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of Parent entitled to vote in the election of directors; (ii) individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason within any twelve month period to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided that any individual who becomes a director after the Effective Date whose election, or nomination for election by Parent’s shareholders, was approved by a vote or written consent of at least two-thirds of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Directors shall be considered as though such individual were an Incumbent Director, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of the directors of Parent (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 under the Exchange Act); (iii) the consummation of (A) a merger, reorganization or consolidation with respect to which the individuals and entities who were the respective beneficial owners of the Stock and voting securities of Parent immediately before such merger, reorganization or consolidation do not,



after such merger, reorganization or consolidation, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding common shares and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote in the election of directors of the corporation resulting from such merger, reorganization or consolidation, or (B) the sale or other disposition (or series of sales and/or other dispositions over time resulting in a sale and/or other disposition) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or Parent to any Person or Persons as part of the Company’s or Parent’s plan to sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of such assets; (iv) the approval by the shareholders of the Company or Parent of a liquidation or dissolution of the Company or Parent, other than a liquidation or dissolution of the Company into Parent under which Parent assumes all obligations of Company under this Agreement; (v) Parent ceasing to own at least a majority of the common stock of the Company, unless the Company is merged, liquidated or dissolved into Parent; or (vi) such other event(s) or circumstance(s) as are determined by the Board to constitute a Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this definition, a Change in Control shall be deemed not to have occurred with respect to Executive, if Executive is, by written agreement entered into prior to such Change in Control, a participant on Executive’s own behalf in a transaction in which the persons with whom Executive has the written agreement (and/or their Affiliates) Acquire Parent (as defined below) and, pursuant to the written agreement, Executive has (or has the right to acquire) an equity interest in the resulting entity.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any Person acquires beneficial ownership of more than 35% of the then outstanding Stock as a result of the acquisition of the Stock by Parent which reduces the number of shares of Stock outstanding; provided , that if after such acquisition by Parent such person becomes the beneficial owner of additional Stock that increases the percentage of outstanding Stock beneficially owned by such person, a Change in Control shall then occur.
For the purposes of this definition, “Acquire Parent” means the acquisition of beneficial ownership by purchase, merger, or otherwise, of either more than 50% of the Stock (such percentage to be computed in accordance with Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) of the SEC under the Exchange Act) or substantially all of the assets of Parent or its successors; “person” means such term as used in Rule 13d-5 of the SEC under the Exchange Act; “beneficial owner” means such term as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the SEC under the Exchange Act; and “group” means such term as defined in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, a Change in Control shall be deemed not to have occurred if, immediately following the transaction or transactions described in the definition of Change in Control: (i) Jeffrey H. Smulyan is Chairman of the Board or Chief Executive Officer of Parent or any successor thereto (collectively, “Successor”); or (ii) Jeffrey H. Smulyan retains the ability to vote at least fifty percent (50%) of all classes of stock of Parent or any Successor; or (iii) Jeffrey H. Smulyan retains the ability to elect a majority of the Board or any Successor.



(g)      “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and regulations and rulings thereunder. References to a particular section of the Code shall include references to successor provisions.
(h)      “Date of Termination” means the effective date of the Termination of Executive’s Employment.
(i)      “Disability” means Termination of Executive’s Employment by the Company (A) on account of Executive’s disability or incapacity in accordance with Executive’s written employment agreement with the Company, if such agreement contains provisions relating to Termination of Employment for disability or incapacity, or (B) except as provided in clause (A), on account of Executive’s disability or incapacity in accordance with the Company’s policies applicable to salaried employees without a written employment agreement, as in effect immediately before the Change in Control.
(j)      “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. References to a particular section of, or rule under, the Exchange Act shall include references to successor provisions.
(k)      “Good Reason” means, without Executive’s express written consent, the occurrence of any of the following events after a Change in Control:
(i)      a material diminution in Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities; provided, however, Good Reason shall not be deemed to occur upon a change in duties or responsibilities (other than reporting responsibilities) that is solely and directly a result of Parent no longer being a publicly traded entity that does not involve another event described in this Subsection (k);
(ii)      a material breach by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company of this Agreement or an employment agreement to which the Executive and the Company or an Affiliate of the Company are parties;
(iii)      a material reduction by the Company in Executive’s rate of annual Base Salary, as in effect immediately prior to such Change in Control or as the same may be increased from time to time thereafter (with a reduction or series of reductions exceeding 5% of Base Salary being deemed material);
(iv)      any requirement of the Company that Executive (A) be based anywhere more than thirty-five (35) miles from the office where Executive is based at the time of the Change in Control, if such relocation increases Executive’s commute by more than twenty (20) miles each way, or (B) travel on Company business to an extent materially greater than the travel obligations of Executive immediately prior to such Change in Control;



(v)      the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption and, if applicable, guarantee, agreement from any successor (and parent corporation) as contemplated in Section 9(b).
Notwithstanding the preceding, an event described above shall not be considered an event of Good Reason, unless the Executive provides notice to the Company of the existence of such event of Good Reason within ninety (90) days after its first occurrence and the Company fails to cure such event within thirty (30) days after receiving Executive’s notice. Executive’s right to Terminate Employment for Good Reason shall not be affected by Executive’s incapacity due to mental or physical illness, and Executive’s continued employment shall not constitute consent to, or a waiver of rights with respect to, any event or condition constituting Good Reason; provided , however , that Executive must Terminate Employment within ninety (90) days following the end of the thirty (30) day cure period specified above, or such event shall not constitute a termination for Good Reason under this Agreement.

(l)      “Qualifying Termination” means a Termination of Executive’s Employment (i) by the Company other than for Cause or (ii) by Executive for Good Reason. Termination of Executive’s employment on account of death, Disability, or Retirement shall not be treated as a Qualifying Termination.
(m)      “Retirement” means Executive’s Termination of Employment by reason of retirement (not including any mandatory early retirement) in accordance with the Company’s retirement policy generally applicable to its salaried employees, as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control, or in accordance with any retirement arrangement established with respect to Executive with Executive’s written consent; provided , however , that under no circumstances shall a resignation with Good Reason be deemed a Retirement.
(n)      “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(o)      “Stock” means the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock of Parent, par value $.01 per share.
(p)      “Termination of Employment”, “Terminates Employment”, or any variation thereof means Executive’s separation from service within the meaning of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i).
(q)      “Termination Period” means the period of time beginning with any Change in Control and ending two (2) years following such Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if (i) Executive’s Employment is Terminated prior to a Change in Control for reasons that would have constituted a Qualifying Termination if they had occurred following a Change in Control; (ii) Executive reasonably demonstrates that such termination (or Good Reason event) was at the request of a Person who had indicated an intention or taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control, or was otherwise made in connection with a Change in Control involving such third party or an Affiliate of such third party; and (iii) a Change in Control involving



such third party or an Affiliate of such third party (or a party competing with such third party to effectuate a Change in Control) does occur, then for purposes of this Agreement, the date immediately prior to the date of such Termination of Employment or event constituting Good Reason shall be treated as a Change in Control. For purposes of determining the timing of payments and benefits to Executive under Section 4, the date of the actual Change in Control shall be treated as Executive’s Date of Termination under Section l(h).
2.      Obligation of Executive . In the event of a tender or exchange offer, proxy contest, or the execution of any agreement which, if consummated, would constitute a Change in Control, Executive agrees not to voluntarily leave the employ of the Company, other than as a result of Disability, Retirement or an event which would constitute Good Reason if a Change in Control had occurred, until the Change in Control occurs or, if earlier, such tender or exchange offer, proxy contest, or agreement is terminated or abandoned.
3.      Term of Agreement . This Agreement shall be effective on the date hereof and shall continue in effect until the Company shall have given three (3) years’ written notice of cancellation; provided , that , notwithstanding the delivery of any such notice, this Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of two (2) years after a Change in Control, if such Change in Control shall have occurred during the term of this Agreement. Moreover, if Executive is party to a written employment agreement with the Company at the time of a Change in Control, and such agreement would otherwise expire during the Termination Period, then, upon the occurrence of such Change in Control, the term of such agreement shall automatically be extended to the end of the Termination Period or, if earlier, the date on which Executive Terminates Employment other than for Good Reason. Notwithstanding anything in this Section to the contrary, except as provided in the second sentence of Section 1(q), this Agreement shall terminate if Executive or the Company Terminates Executive’s Employment prior to a Change in Control.
4.      Payments Upon Termination of Employment .
(a)      Qualifying Termination - Severance . If during the Termination Period, the Employment of Executive shall Terminate pursuant to a Qualifying Termination, the Company shall provide to Executive:
(i)      within ten (10) days following the Date of Termination a lump-sum cash amount equal to the sum of (A) Executive’s Base Salary through the Date of Termination and any bonus amounts which have become payable, to the extent not theretofore paid or deferred, (B) an amount equal to the Bonus Amount, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs through the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is three hundred sixty-five (365); provided, however, that if a majority of the Board consists of Incumbent Directors at the time of this calculation, the Company or Parent may pay such other amount as determined by a majority of the Incumbent Directors in their reasonable discretion taking into account the Company’s, Parent’s and/or Executive’s performance under any annual bonus plan then in effect, (C) any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the extent not



theretofore paid, and (D) an amount equal to any retention or completion bonus set forth in Executive’s employment agreement, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs through the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is three hundred sixty-five (365), with the Date of Termination used as the measurement date to determine whether any performance targets attributable to such bonus have been met; plus
(ii)      within ten (10) days following the Date of Termination, a lump-sum cash amount equal to (i) one and one-half (1.5) times Executive’s highest annual rate of Base Salary during the 36-month period immediately prior to Executive’s Date of Termination plus (ii) one and one-half (1.5) times Executive’s Bonus Amount.
(b)      Qualifying Termination - Benefits . If during the Termination Period, the Employment of Executive shall Terminate pursuant to a Qualifying Termination, the Company shall:
(i)      for a period of two (2) years following Executive’s Date of Termination, continue to provide Executive (and Executive’s dependents, if applicable) with the same level of accident and life insurance benefits upon substantially the same terms and conditions (including contributions required by Executive for such benefits) as existed immediately prior to Executive’s Date of Termination (or, if more favorable to Executive, as such benefits and terms and conditions existed immediately prior to the Change in Control); provided , that , if Executive cannot continue to participate in the Company plans providing such benefits, the Company shall otherwise provide such benefits on the same after-tax basis as if continued participation had been permitted;
(ii)      for the period beginning on Executive’s Date of Termination and continuing for up to 18 months thereafter, reimburse Executive for COBRA premiums paid by Executive for continuation coverage for Executive (and Executive’s dependents, if applicable) under the Company’s medical and dental benefits plan, with such reimbursement being taxable to Executive (any reimbursement required by this paragraph (ii) may be accomplished by the Company’s direct payment of such premium, with such payment taxable to Executive, or by Company reimbursing Executive for such premium within thirty (30) days after Executive’ s payment thereof);
(iii)      for the period beginning after the eighteenth month after Executive’s Date of Termination and ending 24 months after Executive’s Date of Termination, reimburse Executive for the cost of purchasing coverage substantially similar to that purchased under the Company’s medical and dental benefits plan pursuant to paragraph (ii) above (with no additional pre-existing condition exclusion), with such reimbursement being taxable to Executive (any reimbursement required by this paragraph (iii) may be accomplished by the



Company’s direct payment of such premium, with such payment taxable to Executive, or by Company reimbursing Executive for such premium within thirty (30) days after Executive’ s payment thereof);
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) in the event Executive (or, if applicable, any of Executive’s dependents) becomes ineligible for COBRA continuation coverage during the first 18 months following Executive’s Date of Termination, such person shall not be eligible for further coverage under paragraph (ii) or (iii), and (B) subject to the limitations in clause (A), in the event Executive becomes employed by another employer and becomes eligible to receive welfare benefits from such employer, the welfare benefits described in paragraphs (i) through (iii) shall be secondary to such benefits during the period of Executive’s eligibility, but only to the extent that the Company reimburses Executive for any increased cost and provides any additional benefits necessary to give Executive the benefits provided hereunder;
(iv)      for two years following the Executive’s Date of Termination (or such shorter period ending upon the subsequent employment of Executive at a level of service commensurate with Executive’s positions with the Company on the Date of Termination), provide outplacement services for Executive from a provider selected by the Company and at the Company’s expense;
(v)      make such additional payments and provide such additional benefits to Executive as the Company and Executive may agree in writing, or to which Executive may be entitled under the compensation and benefit plans, policies, and arrangements of the Company.
(c)      Nonqualifying Termination . If during the Termination Period the Employment of Executive shall Terminate other than by reason of a Qualifying Termination, the Company shall pay to Executive within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination, a lump-sum cash amount equal to the sum of Executive’s Base Salary through the Date of Termination and any bonus amounts which have become payable, to the extent not theretofore paid or deferred, and any accrued vacation pay, to the extent not theretofore paid. The Company may make such additional payments and provide such additional benefits to Executive as the Company and Executive may agree in writing, and the Company shall provide Executive with those payments and benefits to which Executive may be entitled under the compensation and benefit plans, policies, and arrangements of the Company or any employment agreement with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.
(d)      Stock Rights . If during the Termination Period, the Employment of Executive shall Terminate by reason of a Qualifying Termination, all restricted Stock and all options, stock appreciation rights, and/or other stock rights held by Executive with respect to Stock that are exempt from Section 409A (“Stock Rights”) which are not fully vested (and exercisable, if applicable) shall become fully vested and exercisable as of such Termination of Employment.




5.      Section 280G.
(a)      Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement to the contrary, if any of the payments or benefits provided or to be provided by the Company or its affiliates to the Executive or for the Executive's benefit pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (“ Covered Payments” ) constitute parachute payments (“ Parachute Payments” ) within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and would, but for this Section 5 be subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (or any successor provision thereto) or any similar tax imposed by state or local law or any interest or penalties with respect to such taxes (collectively, the “ Excise Tax” ), then prior to making the Covered Payments, a calculation shall be made comparing (i) the Net Benefit (as defined below) to the Executive of the Covered Payments after payment, directly or indirectly, by Executive of the Excise Tax to (ii) the Net Benefit to the Executive if the Covered Payments are limited to the extent necessary to avoid being subject to the Excise Tax. Unless the amount calculated under (i) above is 2% greater than the amount under (ii) above, the Covered Payments will be reduced to the minimum extent necessary to ensure that no portion of the Covered Payments is subject to the Excise Tax (that amount, the “ Reduced Amount” ). “ Net Benefit” shall mean the present value of the Covered Payments net of all federal, state, local, foreign income, employment and excise taxes.
(b)      The Covered Payments shall be reduced, if at all, in a manner that maximizes the Executive's economic position. In applying this principle, the reduction, if any, shall be made in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and where two economically equivalent amounts are subject to reduction but payable at different times, such amounts shall be reduced on a pro rata basis but not below zero.
(c)      Any determination required under this Section 5 shall be made in writing in good faith by the accounting firm that was the Company's independent auditor immediately before the Change in Control or another nationally recognized accounting firm selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to Executive if such independent auditor is unable or unwilling to make such determination (the “ Accountants” ), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations to the Company and the Executive as requested by the Company or the Executive. The Company and the Executive shall provide the Accountants with such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section 5. For purposes of making the calculations and determinations required by this Section 5, the Accountants may rely on reasonable, good faith assumptions and approximations concerning the application of Section 280G and Section 4999 of the Code. The Accountants’ determinations shall be final and binding on the Company and the Executive. The Company shall be responsible for all fees and expenses incurred by the Accountants in connection with the calculations required by this Section 5.
(d)      It is possible that after the determinations and selections made pursuant to this Section 5 the Executive will receive Covered Payments that are in the



aggregate more than the amount provided under this Section 5 (“ Overpayment” ) or less than the amount provided under this Section 5 (“ Underpayment” ).
(i)      In the event that: (A) the Accountants determine, based upon the assertion of a deficiency by the Internal Revenue Service against either the Company or the Executive which the Accountants believe has a high probability of success, that an Overpayment has been made or (B) it is established pursuant to a final determination of a court or an Internal Revenue Service proceeding that has been finally and conclusively resolved that an Overpayment has been made, then the Executive shall pay any such Overpayment to the Company.
(ii)      In the event that: (A) the Accountants, based upon controlling precedent or substantial authority, determine that an Underpayment has occurred or (B) a court of competent jurisdiction determines that an Underpayment has occurred, any such Underpayment will be paid promptly by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive.
6.      Withholding Taxes . The Company may withhold from all payments due to Executive (or Executive’s beneficiary or estate) hereunder all taxes which, by applicable federal, state, local or other law, the Company is required to withhold therefrom. In the case of the withholding of an Excise Tax, such withholding shall be consistent with any determination made under Section 5.
7.      Reimbursement of Expenses . If any contest or dispute shall arise under this Agreement involving termination of Executive’s employment with the Company or involving the failure or refusal of the Company and/or Parent to perform fully in accordance with the terms hereof, the Company shall reimburse Executive, on a current basis, for all reasonable legal fees and expenses, if any, incurred by Executive in connection with such contest or dispute (regardless of the result thereof); provided , however , Executive shall be required to repay any such amounts to the Company to the extent that a court or an arbitration panel issues a final order from which no appeal can be taken, or with respect to which the time period to appeal has expired, setting forth that Executive has not wholly or partially prevailed on at least one material issue in dispute. The amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in one year pursuant to this Section shall not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in any following year. Under no circumstances shall the Company’s reimbursement for expenses incurred in a calendar year be made later than the end of the next following calendar year; provided, however, this requirement shall not alter the Company’s obligation to reimburse Executive for eligible expenses on a current basis.
8.      Scope of Agreement . Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to entitle Executive to continued employment with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, and if Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate prior to a Change in Control, Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement (except as otherwise provided hereunder); provided , however , that any Termination of Executive’s Employment during the Termination Period shall be subject to all of the provisions of this Agreement.



9.      Successors; Binding Agreement .
(a)      This Agreement shall not be terminated by any merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange, sale of substantially all the assets or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company that constitutes a Change in Control (a “Business Combination”). In the event of any Business Combination, the provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon the surviving corporation, and such surviving corporation shall be treated as the Company (and, if applicable, the Parent) hereunder. For purposes of clarity only, a corporation acquiring substantially all of the assets of the Company shall be a “surviving corporation” for purposes of the preceding sentence.
(b)      The Company agrees that in connection with any Business Combination, it will cause any successor entity to the Company unconditionally to assume (and for any parent corporation in such Business Combination to guarantee), by written instrument delivered to Executive (or Executive’s beneficiary or estate), all of the obligations of the Company and Parent hereunder. Failure of the Company to obtain such assumption and guarantee prior to the effectiveness of any such Business Combination that constitutes a Change in Control, shall be a breach of this Agreement and shall constitute Good Reason hereunder, with the event of Good Reason occurring on the date on which such Business Combination becomes effective.
(c)      This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If Executive shall die while any amounts would be payable to Executive hereunder had Executive continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to such person or persons appointed in writing by Executive to receive such amounts or, if no person is so appointed, to Executive’s estate.
10.      Notice . (a)  For purposes of this Agreement, all notices and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when actually received or, if mailed, three days after mailing by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or one business day after mailing by a nationally recognized express mail delivery service with instructions for next-day delivery, addressed as follows:



If to the Executive, to the Executive’s principal residence as reflected in the records of the Company.
If to the Company or Parent:

Emmis Operating Company
40 Monument Circle
Suite 700
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Attn.: Legal Department
or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
(b)      A written notice of Executive’s Date of Termination by the Company or Executive, as the case may be, to the other, shall (i) indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for Termination of Executive’s Employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) specify the termination date (which date shall be not less than fifteen (15) (thirty (30), if termination is by the Company for Disability) nor more than sixty (60) days after the giving of such notice). The failure by Executive or the Company to set forth in such notice any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of Executive or the Company hereunder or preclude Executive or the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.
11.      Full Settlement; Resolution of Disputes .
(a)      The Company’s obligation to make any payments and provide any benefits pursuant to this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall be in lieu and in full settlement of all other payments to Executive under any other severance or employment agreement between Executive and the Company, and any severance plan of the Company; provided , however , that if any such other agreement or plan would provide Executive with a greater payment or more or longer benefits in respect of any particular item described hereunder (e.g., severance, welfare benefits), then Executive shall receive such particular item of payment and/or benefit pursuant to such other agreement or plan, in lieu of receiving that particular item pursuant to this Agreement. The Company’s obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against Executive or others. In no event shall Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable and benefits provided to Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and, except as provided in Section 4(b), such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not Executive obtains other employment. The parties agree that any controversy or claim of either party hereto arising out of or in any way relating to this Agreement, or breach thereof, shall be settled by final and binding arbitration in Indianapolis,



Indiana by three arbitrators in accordance with the applicable rules of the American Arbitration Association, and that judgment upon any award rendered may be entered by the prevailing party in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The Company shall bear all costs and expenses arising in connection with any arbitration proceeding pursuant to this Section.
(b)    As a condition to receiving any benefits under this Agreement following a Qualifying Termination during the Termination Period, Executive shall execute a severance agreement (the “Severance Agreement”) in form and substance attached hereto as Exhibit A (as reasonably modified to reflect changes in laws and the applicable state in which Executive is employed at such time) and such Severance Agreement becoming effective and irrevocable within 60 days following such Qualifying Termination. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable, best efforts to deliver such Severance Agreement to Executive within fifteen (15) days after such Qualifying Termination.
12.      Employment by Affiliates of the Company . Employment by the Company for purposes of this Agreement shall include employment by any Affiliate of the Company.
13.      Survival . The respective obligations and benefits afforded to the Company and Executive as provided in Sections 4 (to the extent that payments or benefits are owed as a result of a Termination of Employment that occurs during the term of this Agreement), 5 (to the extent that Payments are made to Executive as a result of a Change in Control that occurs during the term of this Agreement), 6, 7, 9, 10 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
14.      GOVERNING LAW; VALIDITY . THE INTERPRETATION, CONSTRUCTION AND PERFORMANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF INDIANA WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS THEREOF, OF SUCH PRINCIPLES OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHICH COULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF INDIANA. THE INVALIDITY OR UNENFORCEABILITY OF ANY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL NOT AFFECT THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT, WHICH OTHER PROVISIONS SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT.
15.      Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
16.      Miscellaneous . No provision of this Agreement may be modified or waived unless such modification or waiver is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and by a duly authorized officer of the Company. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar



or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. Failure by Executive or the Company to insist upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or to assert any right Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including, without limitation, the right of Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the rights of, and benefits payable to, Executive, Executive’s estate or Executive’s beneficiaries pursuant to this Agreement are in addition to any rights of, or benefits payable to, Executive, Executive’s estate or Executive’s beneficiaries under any other employee benefit plan or compensation program of the Company.
17.      Section 409A.  
(a)      The Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code or an exemption thereunder and shall be construed and administered in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement, payments provided under the Agreement may only be made upon an event and in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code or an applicable exemption. Any payments under the Agreement that may be excluded from Section 409A of the Code either as separation pay due to an involuntary separation from service or as a short-term deferral shall be excluded from Section 409A of the Code to the maximum extent possible and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable best efforts to structure and make payments to comply with any applicable exclusions. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code, each installment or aspect of payment provided under the Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment. Any payments to be made under the Agreement upon a Termination of Employment shall only be made upon a "separation from service" under Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under the Agreement comply with Section 409A of the Code and in no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by a Participant on account of non-compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
(b)      Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement , if any payment or benefit provided to Executive in connection with Executive’s Qualifying Termination is determined to constitute "nonqualified deferred compensation" within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the Executive is determined to be a "specified employee" as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(b)(i) of the Code, then such payment or benefit shall not be paid until the first payroll date to occur following the six-month anniversary of the Qualifying Termination or, if earlier, on the Executive’s death (the “Specified Employee Payment Date”). The aggregate of any payments that would otherwise have been paid before the Specified Employee Payment Date and interest on such amounts calculated based on the applicable federal rate published by the Internal Revenue Service for the month in which the Participant's separation from service occurs shall be paid to the Executive in a lump



sum on the Specified Employee Payment Date and thereafter, any remaining payments shall be paid without delay in accordance with their original schedule. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement, if any payment or benefit is conditioned on the Executive’s execution of a Severance Agreement, the first payment shall include all amounts that would otherwise have been paid to the Executive during the period beginning on the date of the Qualifying Termination and ending on the payment date if no delay had been imposed. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement , if a Qualifying Termination occurs during the two year period before the first occurrence of a Change in Control, reimbursement for benefits under Section 4(b) shall not begin until after the Change in Control occurs and the first such reimbursement shall include all amounts that would otherwise have been paid to the Executive during the period beginning on the date the Executive’s Employment Terminates and ending on the payment date if no delay had been imposed.
(c)      To the extent required by Section 409A of the Code, each reimbursement or in-kind benefit provided under the Agreement shall be provided in accordance with the following: (i) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during each calendar year cannot affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year; and (ii) any right to reimbursements or in-kind benefits under the Agreement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
18.      Termination of Existing CIC Agreement; Replacement . The Existing CIC Agreement is hereby terminated and replaced in its entirely by this Agreement; and the Existing CIC Agreement shall be of no further force and effect.
[signatures appear on the following page(s)]






IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company and Executive has executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
EMMIS OPERATING COMPANY


By:
    /s/ Jeffrey H. Smulyan    
Title: CEO
Date: February 28, 2019


EXECUTIVE


/s/ Ryan Hornaday    
Date: February 28, 2019

Parent hereby acknowledges and agrees to perform all of its obligations hereunder, including without limitation obligations with respect to the Board hereunder and with respect to Stock and all options, stock appreciation rights, and/or other stock rights held by Executive; and (ii) termination of the Existing CIC Agreement.
EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION


By:     /s/ Jeffrey H. Smulyan    
Title: CEO
Date: February 28, 2019






Exhibit A
SEVERANCE AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE

This Severance Agreement and General Release (“Agreement”) is made and entered into between                  (“Employee”) and [INSERT NAME OF COMPANY TERMINATING EMPLOYMENT] (together with all of its affiliates, collectively, the “Company”). In consideration of the mutual promises contained in this Agreement, it is agreed as follows:

1.     Termination of Employment . Employee’s employment with the Company terminated effective                  .

2.     Severance Benefits . Upon the effective date of this Agreement, as set forth in paragraph 5 below (“Effective Date”), the Company shall provide Employee the following severance benefits outlined in that certain Emmis Operating Company

Change In Control Severance Agreement between Employee, Emmis Operating Company and Emmis Communications Corporation (the “CIC Agreement”), which CIC Agreement is incorporated in this Agreement by reference.

3.     Complete Release by Employee . Employee hereby releases and forever discharges the Company and all of its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates (including without limitation Emmis Communications Corporation), insurers, employee benefit and welfare benefit programs and plans (including without limitation administrators, trustees, fiduciaries and insurers of such programs and plans), predecessors, successors and assigns, and all of their respective present and former partners, officers, directors, shareholders, agents, independent contractors, employees, representatives, and attorneys, in their representative as well as their individual capacities, from any and all claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses, and causes of action of any kind or nature, whether known or unknown, including, without limitation, any claims alleging violation or breach of any federal, state, or local constitution, statute, regulation, ordinance, or common law, and/or breach of any contract. Employee’s release of claims includes specifically, without limitation, the following: (a) any claims of age discrimination under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”) (including without limitation the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act), (b) any claims under any state statutory or decisional law pertaining to wrongful discharge, discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract, breach of public policy, misrepresentation, fraud or defamation, (c) any and all claims under the [INSERT RELEVANT STATE LAWS] , the Indiana Civil Rights Law, Indiana Wage Payment Statute, Indiana Wage Claims Statute, Indiana wage payment laws, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act, and (d) any claims that Employee has or may have on account of or arising out of or in any way related to (i) Employee’s

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employment with the Company, (ii) the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company, (iii) Employee’s existing or potential entitlement under any employee benefit or welfare benefit programs or plans of the Company and/or (iv) any and all matters, transactions or things occurring prior to Employee’s execution of this Agreement.

4.     Additional Acknowledgments, Covenants and Agreements by Employee . Employee further acknowledges, covenants, and agrees that:

a.    Employee has received all compensation and benefits Employee was or will be entitled to by virtue of Employee’s employment with the Company, except for the severance and other benefits to be provided by the Company pursuant to the CIC Agreement;

b.    Employee has been advised and encouraged to seek legal counsel before signing this Agreement, Employee was given 21 days within which to consider this Agreement before Employee signed it, and in executing this Agreement, Employee does not rely upon and has not relied upon any representation or statement with regard to the subject matter, basis or effect of this Agreement, other than those specifically stated in this Agreement;
    
c.    Employee has read and understands this Agreement and executes it voluntarily and of Employee’s own free will;

d.    Employee’s execution of this Agreement is in consideration of something of value to which Employee would not otherwise be entitled.

5.     Effective Date of Agreement . This Agreement shall not become effective until it has been fully executed by both parties, but no earlier than the eighth day after Employee signs it. During the seven-day period immediately following the date of Employee’s execution of this Agreement, Employee shall be entitled to revoke it by putting the revocation in writing and delivering it to [INSERT RELEVANT CONTACT INFORMATION] , by hand delivery or certified mail, return receipt requested, within seven calendar days of the date on which Employee signs the Agreement. If Employee delivers the revocation by mail, it must be postmarked within seven calendar days of the date Employee executes the Agreement.

6.     No Admission on Part of the Company .  It is understood and agreed by the parties that this Agreement does not constitute an admission by the Company that it has violated any statute or law, committed any unlawful act or breached any contract. It is also understood and agreed by the parties that this Agreement is entered into solely for the purpose of compromise in an effort to fully resolve all matters relating in any way to Employee’s employment with the Company and/or the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company.
    

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7.     Non-Interference with EEOC Rights . Nothing in this Agreement (including without limitation any release of claims, non-disclosure, non-disparagement, or cooperation provision) shall prohibit or restrict Employee from (a) filing a charge or complaint (including without limitation a charge or complaint alleging an ADEA violation) with, communicating with, or participating in any investigation by, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or any similar state or local administrative agency or (b) challenging the validity of the waiver and release of any claim that Employee may have under the ADEA. Employee acknowledges and agrees, however, that in the event Employee files such a charge or complaint, Employee waives any right to recover any monetary damages or any other individual relief.

8.     Miscellaneous Terms and Conditions .

a.    This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and fully supersedes all prior negotiations, representations and agreements, whether written or oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement; provided, however, that this Agreement does not supersede, amend or modify any confidentiality, non-disclosure and/or non-competition agreements between the Employee and the Company which all remain in full force and effect.
 
b.    The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall extend to, be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors and assigns of the parties.

c.    If any term or condition of this Agreement is applied to either party or to any circumstance that is adjudged to be illegal, invalid or inoperable, that illegality, invalidity or inoperability shall not affect the remainder of the Agreement, its validity or enforceability.

d.    If Employee does not execute this Agreement and deliver it to the Company on or before sixty (60) days after the date this Agreement is delivered to employee by Company, it shall be voidable at the sole option of the Company. Each party has had an ample opportunity to make suggestions or changes to the terms and conditions in this Agreement. The terms and conditions of all parts of this Agreement shall in all cases be construed as a whole, according to their fair meaning, and not strictly for or against any drafter.

e.    This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.


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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly and properly executed.


READ ENTIRE AGREEMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING


 
 
[INSERT NAME OF EMPLOYER]
 
 
 
Date:_________________
 
_____________________________________________
 
 
Signature
 
 
 
 
 
_____________________________________________
 
 
Printed Name and Title
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
"Employee"
 
 
 
Date:_________________
 
_____________________________________________
 
 
Signature
 
 
 
 
 
_____________________________________________
 
 
Printed Name and Title


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EMMIS OPERATING COMPANY
CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
THIS EMMIS OPERATING COMPANY CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered into, effective MARCH 1, 2019 (the “Effective Date”), by and between EMMIS OPERATING COMPANY, an Indiana corporation (the “Company”), and PATRICK M. WALSH (“Executive”).
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, Executive is an officer and employee of the Company and also an officer of the Company’s sole shareholder, Emmis Communications Corporation (“Parent”) and that the Company derives a material benefit from compensation to executives that is provided by Parent; and
WHEREAS, as a material inducement to Executive’s continued employment with the Company, Parent and Executive entered into a certain Emmis Operating Company Change in Control Severance Agreement effective September 4, 2011 (the “Existing CIC Agreement”); and
WHEREAS, the Existing CIC Agreement was established by the parties under different circumstances, and the parties have determined to restructure the benefits payable to Executive in the event of a Change in Control; and
WHEREAS, the Company still considers the establishment and maintenance of sound and vital management to be essential to protecting and enhancing the best interests of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company still recognizes that, as is the case with many operating subsidiaries of publicly held corporations, the possibility of a change in control may arise and that such possibility may result in the departure or distraction of management personnel to the detriment of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company has again determined that it is in the best interests of the Company to secure Executive’s continued services and to ensure Executive’s continued and undivided dedication to Executive’s duties in the event of any threat or occurrence of a “Change in Control” (as defined in Section 1) and that it is in the best interests of the Company to eliminate the unnecessary level of uncertainty due to the potential inability of Parent to perform its obligations under Parent CIC Agreement; and





WHEREAS the Existing CIC Agreement will terminate upon execution of this Agreement in order to ensure Executive does not receive unintended, duplicative benefits in connection with the occurrence of a Change in Control.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the respective meanings set forth below:
(a)      “Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified person, a person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the person specified.
(b)      “Base Salary” means Executive’s gross base salary, regardless of whether payable directly by the Company in cash or stock.
(c)      “Board” means the Board of Directors of Parent. The board of directors of the Company agree to cause the Company to implement any and all directions of the Board hereunder.
(d)      “Bonus Amount” means the target annual (a/k/a fiscal year) bonus amount expressed as a percentage of Executive’s Base Salary in Executive’s employment agreement in effect on the date of Termination of Employment (or if no employment agreement is then in effect for the Executive, the annual target bonus amount for the Executive set forth in the most recent annual bonus plan of the Parent (or if none for the Parent, the Company) immediately preceding the Termination of Employment but in no event less than fifty percent of Base Salary), calculated using the Executive’s base salary in effect on the date of Termination of Employment.
(e)      “Cause” means (i) the willful and continued failure of Executive to perform substantially Executive’s duties with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness or any such failure subsequent to Executive being delivered a notice of Termination without Cause by the Company or delivering a notice of Termination for Good Reason to the Company) after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to Executive by the Board which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes that Executive has not substantially performed Executive’s duties; provided that Executive has not cured such failure or commenced such performance within 30 days after such demand is given to Executive, or (ii) the willful engaging by Executive in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company or its Affiliates. For purpose of the preceding sentence, no act or failure to act by Executive shall be considered “willful” unless done or omitted to be done by Executive in bad faith and without reasonable belief that Executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board,



based upon the advice of counsel for the Company (or upon the instructions of the Company’s chief executive officer or another senior officer of the Company) shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. Cause shall not exist unless and until the Company has delivered to Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by three‑quarters (3/4) of the entire Board (excluding Executive if Executive is a Board member) at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice to Executive and an opportunity for Executive, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board an event set forth in clause (i) or (ii) has occurred and specifying the particulars thereof in detail. The Company must notify Executive of any event constituting Cause within ninety (90) days following the Company’s knowledge of its existence or such event shall not constitute Cause under this Agreement.
(f)      “Change in Control” means any of the following: (i) any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (other than an Affiliate or any employee benefit plan (or any related trust) of Parent or an Affiliate, and other than Jeffrey H. Smulyan or an Affiliate of Mr. Smulyan) (a “Person”) becomes after the date hereof the beneficial owner of 35% or more of either the then outstanding Stock or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of Parent entitled to vote in the election of directors, except that no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred solely by reason of any such acquisition by a corporation with respect to which, after such acquisition, more than 50% of both the then outstanding common shares of such corporation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors are then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the persons who were the beneficial owners of the Stock and voting securities of Parent immediately before such acquisition in substantially the same proportion as their ownership, immediately before such acquisition, of the outstanding Stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of Parent entitled to vote in the election of directors; (ii) individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason within any twelve month period to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided that any individual who becomes a director after the Effective Date whose election, or nomination for election by Parent’s shareholders, was approved by a vote or written consent of at least two-thirds of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Directors shall be considered as though such individual were an Incumbent Director, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of the directors of Parent (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 under the Exchange Act); (iii) the consummation of (A) a merger, reorganization or consolidation with respect to which the individuals and entities who were the respective beneficial owners of the Stock and voting securities of Parent immediately before such merger, reorganization or consolidation do not, after such merger, reorganization or consolidation, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding common shares and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote in the election of directors of the corporation resulting from such merger, reorganization or consolidation, or



(B) the sale or other disposition (or series of sales and/or other dispositions over time resulting in a sale and/or other disposition) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or Parent to any Person or Persons as part of the Company’s or Parent’s plan to sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of such assets; (iv) the approval by the shareholders of the Company or Parent of a liquidation or dissolution of the Company or Parent, other than a liquidation or dissolution of the Company into Parent under which Parent assumes all obligations of Company under this Agreement; (v) Parent ceasing to own at least a majority of the common stock of the Company, unless the Company is merged, liquidated or dissolved into Parent; or (vi) such other event(s) or circumstance(s) as are determined by the Board to constitute a Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this definition, a Change in Control shall be deemed not to have occurred with respect to Executive, if Executive is, by written agreement entered into prior to such Change in Control, a participant on Executive’s own behalf in a transaction in which the persons with whom Executive has the written agreement (and/or their Affiliates) Acquire Parent (as defined below) and, pursuant to the written agreement, Executive has (or has the right to acquire) an equity interest in the resulting entity.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any Person acquires beneficial ownership of more than 35% of the then outstanding Stock as a result of the acquisition of the Stock by Parent which reduces the number of shares of Stock outstanding; provided , that if after such acquisition by Parent such person becomes the beneficial owner of additional Stock that increases the percentage of outstanding Stock beneficially owned by such person, a Change in Control shall then occur.
For the purposes of this definition, “Acquire Parent” means the acquisition of beneficial ownership by purchase, merger, or otherwise, of either more than 50% of the Stock (such percentage to be computed in accordance with Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) of the SEC under the Exchange Act) or substantially all of the assets of Parent or its successors; “person” means such term as used in Rule 13d-5 of the SEC under the Exchange Act; “beneficial owner” means such term as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the SEC under the Exchange Act; and “group” means such term as defined in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, a Change in Control shall be deemed not to have occurred if, immediately following the transaction or transactions described in the definition of Change in Control: (i) Jeffrey H. Smulyan is Chairman of the Board or Chief Executive Officer of Parent or any successor thereto (collectively, “Successor”); or (ii) Jeffrey H. Smulyan retains the ability to vote at least fifty percent (50%) of all classes of stock of Parent or any Successor; or (iii) Jeffrey H. Smulyan retains the ability to elect a majority of the Board or any Successor.
(g)      “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and regulations and rulings thereunder. References to a particular section of the Code shall include references to successor provisions.



(h)      “Date of Termination” means the effective date of the Termination of Executive’s Employment.
(i)      “Disability” means Termination of Executive’s Employment by the Company (A) on account of Executive’s disability or incapacity in accordance with Executive’s written employment agreement with the Company, if such agreement contains provisions relating to Termination of Employment for disability or incapacity, or (B) except as provided in clause (A), on account of Executive’s disability or incapacity in accordance with the Company’s policies applicable to salaried employees without a written employment agreement, as in effect immediately before the Change in Control.
(j)      “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. References to a particular section of, or rule under, the Exchange Act shall include references to successor provisions.
(k)      “Good Reason” means, without Executive’s express written consent, the occurrence of any of the following events after a Change in Control:
(i)      a material diminution in Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities; provided, however, Good Reason shall not be deemed to occur upon a change in duties or responsibilities (other than reporting responsibilities) that is solely and directly a result of Parent no longer being a publicly traded entity that does not involve another event described in this Subsection (k);
(ii)      a material breach by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company of this Agreement or an employment agreement to which the Executive and the Company or an Affiliate of the Company are parties;
(iii)      a material reduction by the Company in Executive’s rate of annual Base Salary, as in effect immediately prior to such Change in Control or as the same may be increased from time to time thereafter (with a reduction or series of reductions exceeding 5% of Base Salary being deemed material);
(iv)      any requirement of the Company that Executive (A) be based anywhere more than thirty-five (35) miles from the office where Executive is based at the time of the Change in Control, if such relocation increases Executive’s commute by more than twenty (20) miles each way, or (B) travel on Company business to an extent materially greater than the travel obligations of Executive immediately prior to such Change in Control;
(v)      the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption and, if applicable, guarantee, agreement from any successor (and parent corporation) as contemplated in Section 9(b).
Notwithstanding the preceding, an event described above shall not be considered an event of Good Reason, unless the Executive provides notice to the Company of the existence of



such event of Good Reason within ninety (90) days after its first occurrence and the Company fails to cure such event within thirty (30) days after receiving Executive’s notice. Executive’s right to Terminate Employment for Good Reason shall not be affected by Executive’s incapacity due to mental or physical illness, and Executive’s continued employment shall not constitute consent to, or a waiver of rights with respect to, any event or condition constituting Good Reason; provided , however , that Executive must Terminate Employment within ninety (90) days following the end of the thirty (30) day cure period specified above, or such event shall not constitute a termination for Good Reason under this Agreement.

(l)      “Qualifying Termination” means a Termination of Executive’s Employment (i) by the Company other than for Cause or (ii) by Executive for Good Reason. Termination of Executive’s employment on account of death, Disability, or Retirement shall not be treated as a Qualifying Termination.
(m)      “Retirement” means Executive’s Termination of Employment by reason of retirement (not including any mandatory early retirement) in accordance with the Company’s retirement policy generally applicable to its salaried employees, as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control, or in accordance with any retirement arrangement established with respect to Executive with Executive’s written consent; provided , however , that under no circumstances shall a resignation with Good Reason be deemed a Retirement.
(n)      “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(o)      “Stock” means the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock of Parent, par value $.01 per share.
(p)      “Termination of Employment”, “Terminates Employment”, or any variation thereof means Executive’s separation from service within the meaning of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i).
(q)      “Termination Period” means the period of time beginning with any Change in Control and ending two (2) years following such Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if (i) Executive’s Employment is Terminated prior to a Change in Control for reasons that would have constituted a Qualifying Termination if they had occurred following a Change in Control; (ii) Executive reasonably demonstrates that such termination (or Good Reason event) was at the request of a Person who had indicated an intention or taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control, or was otherwise made in connection with a Change in Control involving such third party or an Affiliate of such third party; and (iii) a Change in Control involving such third party or an Affiliate of such third party (or a party competing with such third party to effectuate a Change in Control) does occur, then for purposes of this Agreement, the date immediately prior to the date of such Termination of Employment or event constituting Good Reason shall be treated as a Change in Control. For purposes of determining the timing of payments and benefits to Executive under Section 4, the date of the actual Change in Control shall be treated as Executive’s Date of Termination under Section l(h).



2.      Obligation of Executive . In the event of a tender or exchange offer, proxy contest, or the execution of any agreement which, if consummated, would constitute a Change in Control, Executive agrees not to voluntarily leave the employ of the Company, other than as a result of Disability, Retirement or an event which would constitute Good Reason if a Change in Control had occurred, until the Change in Control occurs or, if earlier, such tender or exchange offer, proxy contest, or agreement is terminated or abandoned.
3.      Term of Agreement . This Agreement shall be effective on the date hereof and shall continue in effect until the Company shall have given three (3) years’ written notice of cancellation; provided , that , notwithstanding the delivery of any such notice, this Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of two (2) years after a Change in Control, if such Change in Control shall have occurred during the term of this Agreement. Moreover, if Executive is party to a written employment agreement with the Company at the time of a Change in Control, and such agreement would otherwise expire during the Termination Period, then, upon the occurrence of such Change in Control, the term of such agreement shall automatically be extended to the end of the Termination Period or, if earlier, the date on which Executive Terminates Employment other than for Good Reason. Notwithstanding anything in this Section to the contrary, except as provided in the second sentence of Section 1(q), this Agreement shall terminate if Executive or the Company Terminates Executive’s Employment prior to a Change in Control.
4.      Payments Upon Termination of Employment .
(a)      Qualifying Termination - Severance . If during the Termination Period, the Employment of Executive shall Terminate pursuant to a Qualifying Termination, the Company shall provide to Executive:
(i)      within ten (10) days following the Date of Termination a lump-sum cash amount equal to the sum of (A) Executive’s Base Salary through the Date of Termination and any bonus amounts which have become payable, to the extent not theretofore paid or deferred, (B) an amount equal to the Bonus Amount, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs through the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is three hundred sixty-five (365); provided, however, that if a majority of the Board consists of Incumbent Directors at the time of this calculation, the Company or Parent may pay such other amount as determined by a majority of the Incumbent Directors in their reasonable discretion taking into account the Company’s, Parent’s and/or Executive’s performance under any annual bonus plan then in effect, (C) any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the extent not theretofore paid, and (D) an amount equal to any retention or completion bonus set forth in Executive’s employment agreement, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs through the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is three hundred sixty-five (365), with the Date of Termination used as the measurement date



to determine whether any performance targets attributable to such bonus have been met; plus
(ii)      within ten (10) days following the Date of Termination, a lump-sum cash amount equal to (i) one and one-half (1.5) times Executive’s highest annual rate of Base Salary during the 36-month period immediately prior to Executive’s Date of Termination plus (ii) one and one-half (1.5) times Executive’s Bonus Amount.
(b)      Qualifying Termination - Benefits . If during the Termination Period, the Employment of Executive shall Terminate pursuant to a Qualifying Termination, the Company shall:
(i)      for a period of two (2) years following Executive’s Date of Termination, continue to provide Executive (and Executive’s dependents, if applicable) with the same level of accident and life insurance benefits upon substantially the same terms and conditions (including contributions required by Executive for such benefits) as existed immediately prior to Executive’s Date of Termination (or, if more favorable to Executive, as such benefits and terms and conditions existed immediately prior to the Change in Control); provided , that , if Executive cannot continue to participate in the Company plans providing such benefits, the Company shall otherwise provide such benefits on the same after-tax basis as if continued participation had been permitted;
(ii)      for the period beginning on Executive’s Date of Termination and continuing for up to 18 months thereafter, reimburse Executive for COBRA premiums paid by Executive for continuation coverage for Executive (and Executive’s dependents, if applicable) under the Company’s medical and dental benefits plan, with such reimbursement being taxable to Executive (any reimbursement required by this paragraph (ii) may be accomplished by the Company’s direct payment of such premium, with such payment taxable to Executive, or by Company reimbursing Executive for such premium within thirty (30) days after Executive’ s payment thereof);
(iii)      for the period beginning after the eighteenth month after Executive’s Date of Termination and ending 24 months after Executive’s Date of Termination, reimburse Executive for the cost of purchasing coverage substantially similar to that purchased under the Company’s medical and dental benefits plan pursuant to paragraph (ii) above (with no additional pre-existing condition exclusion), with such reimbursement being taxable to Executive (any reimbursement required by this paragraph (iii) may be accomplished by the Company’s direct payment of such premium, with such payment taxable to Executive, or by Company reimbursing Executive for such premium within thirty (30) days after Executive’ s payment thereof);



Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) in the event Executive (or, if applicable, any of Executive’s dependents) becomes ineligible for COBRA continuation coverage during the first 18 months following Executive’s Date of Termination, such person shall not be eligible for further coverage under paragraph (ii) or (iii), and (B) subject to the limitations in clause (A), in the event Executive becomes employed by another employer and becomes eligible to receive welfare benefits from such employer, the welfare benefits described in paragraphs (i) through (iii) shall be secondary to such benefits during the period of Executive’s eligibility, but only to the extent that the Company reimburses Executive for any increased cost and provides any additional benefits necessary to give Executive the benefits provided hereunder;
(iv)      for two years following the Executive’s Date of Termination (or such shorter period ending upon the subsequent employment of Executive at a level of service commensurate with Executive’s positions with the Company on the Date of Termination), provide outplacement services for Executive from a provider selected by the Company and at the Company’s expense;
(v)      make such additional payments and provide such additional benefits to Executive as the Company and Executive may agree in writing, or to which Executive may be entitled under the compensation and benefit plans, policies, and arrangements of the Company.
(c)      Nonqualifying Termination . If during the Termination Period the Employment of Executive shall Terminate other than by reason of a Qualifying Termination, the Company shall pay to Executive within thirty (30) days following the Date of Termination, a lump-sum cash amount equal to the sum of Executive’s Base Salary through the Date of Termination and any bonus amounts which have become payable, to the extent not theretofore paid or deferred, and any accrued vacation pay, to the extent not theretofore paid. The Company may make such additional payments and provide such additional benefits to Executive as the Company and Executive may agree in writing, and the Company shall provide Executive with those payments and benefits to which Executive may be entitled under the compensation and benefit plans, policies, and arrangements of the Company or any employment agreement with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.
(d)      Stock Rights . If during the Termination Period, the Employment of Executive shall Terminate by reason of a Qualifying Termination, all restricted Stock and all options, stock appreciation rights, and/or other stock rights held by Executive with respect to Stock that are exempt from Section 409A (“Stock Rights”) which are not fully vested (and exercisable, if applicable) shall become fully vested and exercisable as of such Termination of Employment.
5.      Section 280G.
(a)      Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement to the contrary, if any of the payments or benefits provided or to be provided by the Company or its affiliates to the Executive or for the



Executive's benefit pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (“ Covered Payments” ) constitute parachute payments (“ Parachute Payments” ) within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and would, but for this Section 5 be subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (or any successor provision thereto) or any similar tax imposed by state or local law or any interest or penalties with respect to such taxes (collectively, the “ Excise Tax” ), then prior to making the Covered Payments, a calculation shall be made comparing (i) the Net Benefit (as defined below) to the Executive of the Covered Payments after payment, directly or indirectly, by Executive of the Excise Tax to (ii) the Net Benefit to the Executive if the Covered Payments are limited to the extent necessary to avoid being subject to the Excise Tax. Unless the amount calculated under (i) above is 2% greater than the amount under (ii) above, the Covered Payments will be reduced to the minimum extent necessary to ensure that no portion of the Covered Payments is subject to the Excise Tax (that amount, the “ Reduced Amount” ). “ Net Benefit” shall mean the present value of the Covered Payments net of all federal, state, local, foreign income, employment and excise taxes.
(b)      The Covered Payments shall be reduced, if at all, in a manner that maximizes the Executive's economic position. In applying this principle, the reduction, if any, shall be made in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and where two economically equivalent amounts are subject to reduction but payable at different times, such amounts shall be reduced on a pro rata basis but not below zero.
(c)      Any determination required under this Section 5 shall be made in writing in good faith by the accounting firm that was the Company's independent auditor immediately before the Change in Control or another nationally recognized accounting firm selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to Executive if such independent auditor is unable or unwilling to make such determination (the “ Accountants” ), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations to the Company and the Executive as requested by the Company or the Executive. The Company and the Executive shall provide the Accountants with such information and documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section 5. For purposes of making the calculations and determinations required by this Section 5, the Accountants may rely on reasonable, good faith assumptions and approximations concerning the application of Section 280G and Section 4999 of the Code. The Accountants’ determinations shall be final and binding on the Company and the Executive. The Company shall be responsible for all fees and expenses incurred by the Accountants in connection with the calculations required by this Section 5.
(d)      It is possible that after the determinations and selections made pursuant to this Section 5 the Executive will receive Covered Payments that are in the aggregate more than the amount provided under this Section 5 (“ Overpayment” ) or less than the amount provided under this Section 5 (“ Underpayment” ).
(i)      In the event that: (A) the Accountants determine, based upon the assertion of a deficiency by the Internal Revenue Service against



either the Company or the Executive which the Accountants believe has a high probability of success, that an Overpayment has been made or (B) it is established pursuant to a final determination of a court or an Internal Revenue Service proceeding that has been finally and conclusively resolved that an Overpayment has been made, then the Executive shall pay any such Overpayment to the Company.
(ii)      In the event that: (A) the Accountants, based upon controlling precedent or substantial authority, determine that an Underpayment has occurred or (B) a court of competent jurisdiction determines that an Underpayment has occurred, any such Underpayment will be paid promptly by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive.
6.      Withholding Taxes . The Company may withhold from all payments due to Executive (or Executive’s beneficiary or estate) hereunder all taxes which, by applicable federal, state, local or other law, the Company is required to withhold therefrom. In the case of the withholding of an Excise Tax, such withholding shall be consistent with any determination made under Section 5.
7.      Reimbursement of Expenses . If any contest or dispute shall arise under this Agreement involving termination of Executive’s employment with the Company or involving the failure or refusal of the Company and/or Parent to perform fully in accordance with the terms hereof, the Company shall reimburse Executive, on a current basis, for all reasonable legal fees and expenses, if any, incurred by Executive in connection with such contest or dispute (regardless of the result thereof); provided , however , Executive shall be required to repay any such amounts to the Company to the extent that a court or an arbitration panel issues a final order from which no appeal can be taken, or with respect to which the time period to appeal has expired, setting forth that Executive has not wholly or partially prevailed on at least one material issue in dispute. The amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in one year pursuant to this Section shall not affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in any following year. Under no circumstances shall the Company’s reimbursement for expenses incurred in a calendar year be made later than the end of the next following calendar year; provided, however, this requirement shall not alter the Company’s obligation to reimburse Executive for eligible expenses on a current basis.
8.      Scope of Agreement . Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to entitle Executive to continued employment with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, and if Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate prior to a Change in Control, Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement (except as otherwise provided hereunder); provided , however , that any Termination of Executive’s Employment during the Termination Period shall be subject to all of the provisions of this Agreement.
9.      Successors; Binding Agreement .
(a)      This Agreement shall not be terminated by any merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange, sale of substantially all the assets or similar form



of corporate transaction involving the Company that constitutes a Change in Control (a “Business Combination”). In the event of any Business Combination, the provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon the surviving corporation, and such surviving corporation shall be treated as the Company (and, if applicable, the Parent) hereunder. For purposes of clarity only, a corporation acquiring substantially all of the assets of the Company shall be a “surviving corporation” for purposes of the preceding sentence.
(b)      The Company agrees that in connection with any Business Combination, it will cause any successor entity to the Company unconditionally to assume (and for any parent corporation in such Business Combination to guarantee), by written instrument delivered to Executive (or Executive’s beneficiary or estate), all of the obligations of the Company and Parent hereunder. Failure of the Company to obtain such assumption and guarantee prior to the effectiveness of any such Business Combination that constitutes a Change in Control, shall be a breach of this Agreement and shall constitute Good Reason hereunder, with the event of Good Reason occurring on the date on which such Business Combination becomes effective.
(c)      This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If Executive shall die while any amounts would be payable to Executive hereunder had Executive continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to such person or persons appointed in writing by Executive to receive such amounts or, if no person is so appointed, to Executive’s estate.
10.      Notice . (a)  For purposes of this Agreement, all notices and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when actually received or, if mailed, three days after mailing by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or one business day after mailing by a nationally recognized express mail delivery service with instructions for next-day delivery, addressed as follows:
If to the Executive, to the Executive’s principal residence as reflected in the records of the Company.
If to the Company or Parent:

Emmis Operating Company
40 Monument Circle
Suite 700
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Attn.: Legal Department



or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
(b)      A written notice of Executive’s Date of Termination by the Company or Executive, as the case may be, to the other, shall (i) indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for Termination of Executive’s Employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) specify the termination date (which date shall be not less than fifteen (15) (thirty (30), if termination is by the Company for Disability) nor more than sixty (60) days after the giving of such notice). The failure by Executive or the Company to set forth in such notice any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of Executive or the Company hereunder or preclude Executive or the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.
11.      Full Settlement; Resolution of Disputes .
(a)      The Company’s obligation to make any payments and provide any benefits pursuant to this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall be in lieu and in full settlement of all other payments to Executive under any other severance or employment agreement between Executive and the Company, and any severance plan of the Company; provided , however , that if any such other agreement or plan would provide Executive with a greater payment or more or longer benefits in respect of any particular item described hereunder (e.g., severance, welfare benefits), then Executive shall receive such particular item of payment and/or benefit pursuant to such other agreement or plan, in lieu of receiving that particular item pursuant to this Agreement. The Company’s obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against Executive or others. In no event shall Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable and benefits provided to Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and, except as provided in Section 4(b), such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not Executive obtains other employment. The parties agree that any controversy or claim of either party hereto arising out of or in any way relating to this Agreement, or breach thereof, shall be settled by final and binding arbitration in Indianapolis, Indiana by three arbitrators in accordance with the applicable rules of the American Arbitration Association, and that judgment upon any award rendered may be entered by the prevailing party in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The Company shall bear all costs and expenses arising in connection with any arbitration proceeding pursuant to this Section.
(b)    As a condition to receiving any benefits under this Agreement following a Qualifying Termination during the Termination Period, Executive shall execute a severance agreement (the “Severance Agreement”) in form and substance attached hereto as Exhibit A (as reasonably modified to reflect changes in laws and the applicable state in which Executive is employed at such time) and such Severance Agreement becoming



effective and irrevocable within 60 days following such Qualifying Termination. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable, best efforts to deliver such Severance Agreement to Executive within fifteen (15) days after such Qualifying Termination.
12.      Employment by Affiliates of the Company . Employment by the Company for purposes of this Agreement shall include employment by any Affiliate of the Company.
13.      Survival . The respective obligations and benefits afforded to the Company and Executive as provided in Sections 4 (to the extent that payments or benefits are owed as a result of a Termination of Employment that occurs during the term of this Agreement), 5 (to the extent that Payments are made to Executive as a result of a Change in Control that occurs during the term of this Agreement), 6, 7, 9, 10 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
14.      GOVERNING LAW; VALIDITY . THE INTERPRETATION, CONSTRUCTION AND PERFORMANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF INDIANA WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS THEREOF, OF SUCH PRINCIPLES OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHICH COULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF INDIANA. THE INVALIDITY OR UNENFORCEABILITY OF ANY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL NOT AFFECT THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT, WHICH OTHER PROVISIONS SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT.
15.      Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
16.      Miscellaneous . No provision of this Agreement may be modified or waived unless such modification or waiver is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and by a duly authorized officer of the Company. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. Failure by Executive or the Company to insist upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or to assert any right Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including, without limitation, the right of Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the rights of, and benefits payable to, Executive, Executive’s estate or Executive’s beneficiaries pursuant to this Agreement are in addition to any rights of, or benefits payable to, Executive, Executive’s



estate or Executive’s beneficiaries under any other employee benefit plan or compensation program of the Company.
17.      Section 409A.  
(a)      The Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code or an exemption thereunder and shall be construed and administered in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement, payments provided under the Agreement may only be made upon an event and in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code or an applicable exemption. Any payments under the Agreement that may be excluded from Section 409A of the Code either as separation pay due to an involuntary separation from service or as a short-term deferral shall be excluded from Section 409A of the Code to the maximum extent possible and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable best efforts to structure and make payments to comply with any applicable exclusions. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code, each installment or aspect of payment provided under the Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment. Any payments to be made under the Agreement upon a Termination of Employment shall only be made upon a "separation from service" under Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under the Agreement comply with Section 409A of the Code and in no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by a Participant on account of non-compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
(b)      Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement , if any payment or benefit provided to Executive in connection with Executive’s Qualifying Termination is determined to constitute "nonqualified deferred compensation" within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the Executive is determined to be a "specified employee" as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(b)(i) of the Code, then such payment or benefit shall not be paid until the first payroll date to occur following the six-month anniversary of the Qualifying Termination or, if earlier, on the Executive’s death (the “Specified Employee Payment Date”). The aggregate of any payments that would otherwise have been paid before the Specified Employee Payment Date and interest on such amounts calculated based on the applicable federal rate published by the Internal Revenue Service for the month in which the Participant's separation from service occurs shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum on the Specified Employee Payment Date and thereafter, any remaining payments shall be paid without delay in accordance with their original schedule. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement, if any payment or benefit is conditioned on the Executive’s execution of a Severance Agreement, the first payment shall include all amounts that would otherwise have been paid to the Executive during the period beginning on the date of the Qualifying Termination and ending on the payment date if no delay had been imposed. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement , if a Qualifying Termination occurs during the



two year period before the first occurrence of a Change in Control, reimbursement for benefits under Section 4(b) shall not begin until after the Change in Control occurs and the first such reimbursement shall include all amounts that would otherwise have been paid to the Executive during the period beginning on the date the Executive’s Employment Terminates and ending on the payment date if no delay had been imposed.
(c)      To the extent required by Section 409A of the Code, each reimbursement or in-kind benefit provided under the Agreement shall be provided in accordance with the following: (i) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during each calendar year cannot affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year; and (ii) any right to reimbursements or in-kind benefits under the Agreement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
18.      Termination of Existing CIC Agreement; Replacement . The Existing CIC Agreement is hereby terminated and replaced in its entirely by this Agreement; and the Existing CIC Agreement shall be of no further force and effect.
[signatures appear on the following page(s)]






IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company and Executive has executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
EMMIS OPERATING COMPANY


By:
    /s/ Jeffrey H. Smulyan    
Title: CEO
Date: March 5, 2019


EXECUTIVE


/s/ Patrick M. Walsh    
Date: March 5, 2019

Parent hereby acknowledges and agrees to perform all of its obligations hereunder, including without limitation obligations with respect to the Board hereunder and with respect to Stock and all options, stock appreciation rights, and/or other stock rights held by Executive; and (ii) termination of the Existing CIC Agreement.
EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION


By:     /s/ Jeffrey H. Smulyan    
Title: CEO
Date: March 5, 2019







Exhibit A
SEVERANCE AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE

This Severance Agreement and General Release (“Agreement”) is made and entered into between                  (“Employee”) and [INSERT NAME OF COMPANY TERMINATING EMPLOYMENT] (together with all of its affiliates, collectively, the “Company”). In consideration of the mutual promises contained in this Agreement, it is agreed as follows:

1.     Termination of Employment . Employee’s employment with the Company terminated effective                  .

2.     Severance Benefits . Upon the effective date of this Agreement, as set forth in paragraph 5 below (“Effective Date”), the Company shall provide Employee the following severance benefits outlined in that certain Emmis Operating Company

Change In Control Severance Agreement between Employee, Emmis Operating Company and Emmis Communications Corporation (the “CIC Agreement”), which CIC Agreement is incorporated in this Agreement by reference.

3.     Complete Release by Employee . Employee hereby releases and forever discharges the Company and all of its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates (including without limitation Emmis Communications Corporation), insurers, employee benefit and welfare benefit programs and plans (including without limitation administrators, trustees, fiduciaries and insurers of such programs and plans), predecessors, successors and assigns, and all of their respective present and former partners, officers, directors, shareholders, agents, independent contractors, employees, representatives, and attorneys, in their representative as well as their individual capacities, from any and all claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses, and causes of action of any kind or nature, whether known or unknown, including, without limitation, any claims alleging violation or breach of any federal, state, or local constitution, statute, regulation, ordinance, or common law, and/or breach of any contract. Employee’s release of claims includes specifically, without limitation, the following: (a) any claims of age discrimination under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”) (including without limitation the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act), (b) any claims under any state statutory or decisional law pertaining to wrongful discharge, discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract, breach of public policy, misrepresentation, fraud or defamation, (c) any and all claims under the [INSERT RELEVANT STATE LAWS] , the Indiana Civil Rights Law, Indiana Wage Payment Statute, Indiana Wage Claims Statute, Indiana wage payment laws, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act, and (d) any claims that Employee has or may have on account of or arising out of or in any way related to (i) Employee’s

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employment with the Company, (ii) the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company, (iii) Employee’s existing or potential entitlement under any employee benefit or welfare benefit programs or plans of the Company and/or (iv) any and all matters, transactions or things occurring prior to Employee’s execution of this Agreement.

4.     Additional Acknowledgments, Covenants and Agreements by Employee . Employee further acknowledges, covenants, and agrees that:

a.    Employee has received all compensation and benefits Employee was or will be entitled to by virtue of Employee’s employment with the Company, except for the severance and other benefits to be provided by the Company pursuant to the CIC Agreement;

b.    Employee has been advised and encouraged to seek legal counsel before signing this Agreement, Employee was given 21 days within which to consider this Agreement before Employee signed it, and in executing this Agreement, Employee does not rely upon and has not relied upon any representation or statement with regard to the subject matter, basis or effect of this Agreement, other than those specifically stated in this Agreement;
    
c.    Employee has read and understands this Agreement and executes it voluntarily and of Employee’s own free will;

d.    Employee’s execution of this Agreement is in consideration of something of value to which Employee would not otherwise be entitled.

5.     Effective Date of Agreement . This Agreement shall not become effective until it has been fully executed by both parties, but no earlier than the eighth day after Employee signs it. During the seven-day period immediately following the date of Employee’s execution of this Agreement, Employee shall be entitled to revoke it by putting the revocation in writing and delivering it to [INSERT RELEVANT CONTACT INFORMATION] , by hand delivery or certified mail, return receipt requested, within seven calendar days of the date on which Employee signs the Agreement. If Employee delivers the revocation by mail, it must be postmarked within seven calendar days of the date Employee executes the Agreement.

6.     No Admission on Part of the Company .  It is understood and agreed by the parties that this Agreement does not constitute an admission by the Company that it has violated any statute or law, committed any unlawful act or breached any contract. It is also understood and agreed by the parties that this Agreement is entered into solely for the purpose of compromise in an effort to fully resolve all matters relating in any way to Employee’s employment with the Company and/or the termination of Employee’s employment with the Company.
    

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7.     Non-Interference with EEOC Rights . Nothing in this Agreement (including without limitation any release of claims, non-disclosure, non-disparagement, or cooperation provision) shall prohibit or restrict Employee from (a) filing a charge or complaint (including without limitation a charge or complaint alleging an ADEA violation) with, communicating with, or participating in any investigation by, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or any similar state or local administrative agency or (b) challenging the validity of the waiver and release of any claim that Employee may have under the ADEA. Employee acknowledges and agrees, however, that in the event Employee files such a charge or complaint, Employee waives any right to recover any monetary damages or any other individual relief.

8.     Miscellaneous Terms and Conditions .

a.    This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and fully supersedes all prior negotiations, representations and agreements, whether written or oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement; provided, however, that this Agreement does not supersede, amend or modify any confidentiality, non-disclosure and/or non-competition agreements between the Employee and the Company which all remain in full force and effect.
 
b.    The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall extend to, be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, administrators, representatives, executors, successors and assigns of the parties.

c.    If any term or condition of this Agreement is applied to either party or to any circumstance that is adjudged to be illegal, invalid or inoperable, that illegality, invalidity or inoperability shall not affect the remainder of the Agreement, its validity or enforceability.

d.    If Employee does not execute this Agreement and deliver it to the Company on or before sixty (60) days after the date this Agreement is delivered to employee by Company, it shall be voidable at the sole option of the Company. Each party has had an ample opportunity to make suggestions or changes to the terms and conditions in this Agreement. The terms and conditions of all parts of this Agreement shall in all cases be construed as a whole, according to their fair meaning, and not strictly for or against any drafter.

e.    This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.


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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly and properly executed.


READ ENTIRE AGREEMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING


 
 
[INSERT NAME OF EMPLOYER]
 
 
 
Date:_________________
 
_____________________________________________
 
 
Signature
 
 
 
 
 
_____________________________________________
 
 
Printed Name and Title
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
"Employee"
 
 
 
Date:_________________
 
_____________________________________________
 
 
Signature
 
 
 
 
 
_____________________________________________
 
 
Printed Name and Title


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